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Tag: Katsina State

  • Katsina: Emir tasks new Speaker on good governance

    Katsina: Emir tasks new Speaker on good governance

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, has advised the new Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Kusada to consolidate on the cordial working relationship between the legislature and the executive arm of government in the state.

    Farouk gave the advice in Daura on Tuesday when the Speaker paid him a courtersy visit at his palace.

    He said harmonious working relationship between the three arms of government – judiciary, executive and legislature – would bring about rapid socioeconomic development.

    “We expect continuation of good governance which is a catalyst for progress of our people,” Farouk said, adding that the cardinal principle of good governance is justice and fairness.

    He called on the Speaker to always put the interest of the state first and steer the assembly to enact laws that would accelarate the general development of the state.

    The Emir, reminded the Speaker that power comes from God and every person would account for his deeds on the Day of Judgement.

    He assured the new Speaker of the support of the Emirate Council in the task of placing the state on the path of progress and development.

    Earlier, Kusada had told the Emir that the visit was to seek for royal blessings and advice.

    He pledged to carry everbody along and uphold the provisions of the nation’s Constitution at all times.

    The Speaker described traditional rulers as custodians of peace and culture, stressing that he would always consult the Emir for guidance.

    He promised to consolidate on the existing cordial relationship between all arms of government in the interest of the state and its people.

    The Speaker was recently selected by the members after a vote of no confidence on the erstwhile speaker, Aliyu Muduru.

     

  • Daura Emirate Council holds prayer for Buhari

    Daura Emirate Council holds prayer for Buhari

    The Daura Emirate Council in Katsina State on Friday conducted a marathon prayer session invoking Allah’s protection and good health for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk led the prayers at his palace in Daura, attended by thousands of residents.

    The President who hails from Daura is currently in London on medical vacation.

    The emir said that Buhari needs prayers not only for his health, but also divine guidance to lead Nigeria to greatness.

    “Mr. President is our son and he deserves much more than this,” the emir added.

    Farouk told the residents that there was no cause for alarm regarding the President’s health, assuring that “going by available contacts we have on daily basis, the President is in high spirit.”

    The emir stressed that leaders need constant prayers from their subjects, hence the decision by the emirate to organise the prayer session.

    He observed that the nation was undergoing positive reforms under the Buhari leadership, as such “needs our encouragement, support and prayers for him to succeed and build a better Nigeria.”

    Chief Imams of major Juma’at mosques in Daura, Mai’adua, Zango, Sandamu and Baure Local Government Areas under the emirate conducted the prayers, which included recitation of the complete Qur’an eleven times.

  • Katsina APC commends state government on dam expansion

    Alhaji Sani Altine, the Chairman of the Daura Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday commended the Katsina State government for including in the 2017 budget the expansion of Dabiran water dam in the area.

    According to him, the state government allocated N200 million for the general expansion of the dam, stressing this was a welcome development.

    He said if expanded, the dam would serve as source of fishing and irrigation to about 25,000 people as well as promote self-reliance and economic sustainability.

    Altine described the expansion of the dam as timely, adding: “we have been waiting for such a time when this work will be contemplated because previous governments never thought of it.

    He said the Katsina state government had executed numerous development projects, including renovation of Daura general hospital, construction of 85km ring road and establishment of dental unit at the state owned school of health technology in Daura.

    He called on the people of the area to support government policies and programmes by being obedient to the constituted authorities for peaceful coexistence.

     

  • Daura LGA: Farmers register for Anchor Borrow agricultural loan

    Daura LGA: Farmers register for Anchor Borrow agricultural loan

    The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Daura Local Government chapter of Katsina State, says 1,600 farmers registered for the Anchor Borrowers agricultural loan scheme of the Federal Government in the area.

    Alhaji Nura Baure, the local government RIFAN chairman, said that the programme was aimed at producing rice in commercial quantity, adding that “Daura is blessed with thousands of hectares of arable fadama land suitable for irrigation.’’

    He said the farmers would be provided with fertilizer, insecticides, water pumping machines and cash.

    He said that there were two categories of farmers who were expected to benefit from the loan; and listed them as individual, large or small scale farmers.

    Baure, called on the farmers to make judicious use of the loan and warned them against diverting the loan to other wasteful ventures.

    According to him, disbursement of the loan is expected to start by next week through the authorised banks.

    Baure however said that registration of interested farmers was still ongoing, and called on the people of the area, especially the youth to embrace the programme.

     

  • APC to investigate suspended Reps member

    APC to investigate suspended Reps member

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Katsina State, on Thursday said it would investigate the circumstances that led to the suspension of a member of the House of Representatives, Babangida Ibrahim from the party.

    Alhaji Bala Abubakar, Zonal Vice Chairman of the party in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Funtua that since the member was not expelled from the party, “there are windows still open for reconciliation according party guidelines.”

    NAN reports that Ibrahim, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, was suspended on Tuesday by the APC local chapters in Malumfashi and Kafur Local Government Areas.

    The vice chairman said the party would investigate the grounds of complaints and resolve the issues, where possible.

    Abubakar assured that the suspended member would be given fair hearing and “justice will be done on the issue.”

    He therefore appealed to party loyalists in the area to remain calm and refrain from any act capable of breeding disharmony among members.

    According to him, misunderstandings are normal in politics and when satisfactorily resolved, help strengthen the party.

    NAN recalls that, Ibrahim, who represents Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency was suspended over alleged unsavoury comments against the party leadership, poor representation and failure to attend party meetings.

    He had since denied the allegations, claiming that he was not given the chance to defend himself. 

  • College dismisses six staff for gross misconduct

    College dismisses six staff for gross misconduct

    The Isa Kaita College of Education, Dustinma in Katsina State said it dismissed six of its academic staff for gross misconduct.

    The College said it had also demoted two academic staff and cautioned one person for misconduct against the rules of the institution.

    The Provost of the College, Dr Maigari Abu, disclosed these on Monday in Dustinma, Katsina State at a news conference.

    Abu said that the dismissal was part of recommendations of a disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged offences committed by the affected staff.

    The provost added that the demoted staff and those issued warning letters contravened
    the rules and regulations of the College.

    “The college has its rules and regulations and any staff that violates them will be punished.

    “We have a committee that monitors the conduct of staff and students as the college will not allow any staff to compromise laid-down standards,” Abu said.

    He said the college sponsored 26 staff to study for doctorate degrees, while 38 were studying for their Masters degrees in various institution in the country.

    Abu explained that recently, the college signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to commence degree programme in 2017 in some selected subjects.

    He said 330 students had been admitted and would be awarded with degrees after the completion of their programmes by the college in the next four years.

    The provost commended the Katsina State Government for providing funds which assisted in full accreditation of 23 courses by the National Council for Colleges of Education for the institution.

  • Masari budgets N140.2bn for 2017

    Masari budgets N140.2bn for 2017

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has presented a budget estimate of N140.2 billion for the 2017 financial year.

    Masari presented the budget before the State House of Assembly in Katsina on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 budget is higher than the 2016 budget with over N25 billion.

    “The 2017 budget is tagged The Budget of Standardisation of all Capital Projects in the state.

    “The recurrent expenditure in the 2017 budget is N47.7 billion, while the capital expenditure is N92.5billion.

    “The state government is expecting the sum of N75.6 billion recurrent revenue and N10 billion as internally generated revenue.

    “The Katsina State Government is expecting N50 billion as federation allocation in the year 2017,”  he said.

    The governor said that the state government had set aside N16.5 billion for the education sector which represents 17 percent of the budget.

    Masari disclosed that the water resources sector got N14.4 billion, representing 15 percent of the budget.

    He said that roads rehabilitation and constructions had been allocated N15 billion, representing 16.8 percent of the budget.

    The health sector was allocated N6.5 billion, representing   7 per cent, while agriculture got N8 billion which is 9 percent of the budget, he said.

    The governor said that in spite the security challenges that the state experienced, the government was able to implement the 216 budget by over 50 percent.

    The Speaker, Alhaji Sabiu Muduru, assured the governor of the House readiness to hasten the passage of the budget.

    He called on the heads of ministries and parastatals in the state to co-operate with the various committees in the house during their oversight functions.

  • Benue PDP in disarray, inaugurates new executive

    Benue PDP in disarray, inaugurates new executive

    The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the National level have started manifesting in Benue state where a parallel State Executive Committee of the party was on Tuesday inaugurated.

    Factional National Chairman of the party Senator Ali Modu Sherif was represented at the occasion which was held at the Makurdi residence of former Military Governor of Katsina State Senator Joseph Akaagerger by the Chairman of PDP Elders Forum in the state Chief Abu King Shuluwa.

    King Shuluwa told party faithful that the inauguration of the new state Exco followed the conduct of primaries by the faction beginning from the ward and local government levels saying the Congresses it conducted were in line with the lay down procedure of electing party officials as enshrine in the party’s constitution.

    Those inaugurated were; Hon Dan Ale, State Chairman, Andrew Pila,. Deputy Chairman, Orlalu Sambe, Vice Chairman, Paul Obaike, Vice Chairman, Orshio Kumeh State Secretary , Marce Banka, Ass State Sec and Yusuf Mudi as State Treasurer.
    Others were; Owicho Mike Sunday, State Ass Treasurer, Augustine Ogbu Fin Sec, Pius Nyager PRO 1, Francis Onuh, PRO 2, Joshua Mbakuuv Auditor, Akaa lim, State Youth Leader, Susan Emaikwu, State Woman Leader, Bar Edward Ikyoive, Ass Org Sec, Inalegwu Jacobs, Ass Org Sec, Ogbaji Aduma Ass Org Sec, Bem Nyitor Ass Org Sec, while Douglas Okpenge and Ode Onum are Ex Officios 1 and 2 respectively.

    In his inaugural speech, the new State Chairman of the party, Hon Dan Ale, thanked members for the opportunity given them and promised the reconciliation of aggrieved members as well as work for the growth of the party. Also present was the Deputy National Woman Leader Mrs. Hannatu Ullam.

  • Masari appoints new Head of Service

    Masari appoints new Head of Service

    Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved the appointment of Alhaji Garba Sanda Mani as the new Head of Service of the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Katsina.

    The statement said the appointment took immediate effect.

    It said Mani’s appointment was based on his track record of service.

    ‘’Your selection is in recognition of your track record of service and on the conviction that you will serve faithfully, diligently and in the best interest of the state,’’ the statement said.

    It said the appointee was born on Oct. 15, 1959; he began his working career in 1983 in the old Kaduna State as a Master Grade II officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    It said Mani is an Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduate of Political Science, 1982.

    The statement said the appointee also holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) from the same university in 2012.

    It said the new Head of Service is also an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, where he successfully completed the Senior Executive Course 32 in 2010.

    It said Mani was appointed a Permanent Secretary in 2007, an office he has held until his present appointment.

  • Alleged N74.6b fraud: I’m a victim of political persecution – Shema insists

    Alleged N74.6b fraud: I’m a victim of political persecution – Shema insists

    The detained former Governor of Katsina State, Alh. Ibrahim Shema on Wednesday insisted that he is a victim of political persecution.

    Shema is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the ongoing probe of the alleged N74.6billion fraud.

    The former Governor maintained that he is also ready to defend himself based on the fairness, justice and the rule of law.

    However, Shema faulted Governor Aminu Bello Masari for advising him to go and defend his reputation.

    Shema, who made his views known in a statement through the Head of his Media Team, Oluwabusola Olawale, said that he should be charged according to the rule of law not according to political and media trial which is presently the trend.

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to Governor Aminu Bello Masari in the media offering unsolicited advice to former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema on the need to defend his reputation.

    “ That has been our position since Governor Masari embarked on character assassination and witch hunting of Ibrahim Shema,  we have said it several times that Shema should be charged according to the rule of law not political and media trial which is presently the trend.

    “It is curious and surprising that more than a year that Governor Masari has been telling the whole world through over 100 radio, television and newspapers interviews that he has evidence to prosecute Ibrahim Shehu Shema of PDP, he has failed to prosecute and charge Shema to the court of competent jurisdiction with his evidence yet he has pronounced Shema guilty of the offences through the media without trial.

    “Governor Aminu Bello Masari further exposed himself and his hatred for Shema in his statement published on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 in some selected newspapers when he stated that ” our advice to the former Katsina state Governor is that he should be manly enough to bear his cross without casting himself as an injured party innocent of the offences he willfully committed.”

    “With this statement, Governor Masari of APC has pronounced Shema guilty of offences without trial and we are leaving the rest to the public to judge.”

    Shema insisted that his travails were nothing but political persecution.

    The statement added: “So far we have been vindicated that Shema is facing nothing but political persecution. This is further confirmed by the fact that the government is yet to charge Ibrahim Shehu Shema to court for any of the offences he was said to have committed despite more than a year of investigation by Governor Masari of APC by setting up over 13 different committees populated by APC card carrying members/ even members of his cabinet,  a judicial commission of inquiry which is currently sitting in Katsina,  ICPC  and EFCC, etc, all these for just one man who served Katsina state as a Governor for 8 years without obtaining any loan both local and foreign; not owing workers any salary arrears as at May 29,2015; executed numerous laudable projects that have become a nightmare to his predecessor, and left a debt free state.

    “We are not surprised that Governor Masari is now denying the fact that he is the sole architect of Ibrahim Shehu Shema witch hunting using the institutions of government through his wicked allegations and frivolous petitions.

    “We are not surprised that Governor Masari of APC  in his publication changed the EFCC figure of N68 billion to N106 billion as the amount of which EFCC is investigating Shema activities as a governor; we are not surprised  about the denials and daily changing the figure of allegations because that is his traits.

    “It is a public knowledge the claims  of  Governor Masari that he inherited empty treasury from his predecessor only for his Special Adviser on Budget, Abdullahi Imam to disclose on August 24, 2016, during the sitting of the Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Masari that about N 4 billion was left in the Sure P account by Shema administration.

    “Therefore,  Governor Masari should not run away from being responsible for witch hunting Ibrahim Shehu Shema and whatever happens to the former Governor through this political persecution, he will be held responsible.

    “On the issue of declaration of Shema wanted by the EFCC, we have stated the facts and truths in our open letter to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and if Governor Masari has now become the spokesman for EFCC we are not going to join issues with him.

    “Our appeal to the institution of government like EFCC and its respected leadership  who has reputation to protect, is not to allow its image to be tarnished through the desperation of Governor Masari of APC to destroy Ibrahim Shehu Shema, the Commission should allow fairness, justice and rule of law to prevail against Governor Masari wicked, malicious and spurious allegations.

    “Our position still remains the same, that former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of PDP is ready to defend himself based on the fairness,  justice and rule of law against the malicious and frivolous petitions of Governor Masari of APC, but not political and media trial.

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