Tag: Katsina

Katsina Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, has lifted the curfew imposed on the State following the hijack of the recent nationwide protests

The Acting Governor’s directive was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari.

It reads: “Following reports on the prevailing peace and harmony all over Katsina State, the Acting Governor, Faruk Lawal, has lifted the curfew imposed on the state with immediate effect.

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“The acting governor’s order for lifting of the curfew was to enable people go about their normal businesses unhindered.

“ Jobe also reiterated the commitment of the Dikko Radda’s led administration towards curtailing the security challenges in the State.

“He appreciated the security agencies and the good people of the State for the support and understanding.”

The Katsina State Government has clarified that the N15.4 billion the state received, was a reimbursement from the World Bank through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for Covid-19 project (NG-CARES).

The Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bello Kagara, who made the clarification on Thursday in Katsina, said the money was not a relief fund.

The commissioner said that the NG-CARES) Programme, was an emergency initiative designed to support budgeted programmes and interventions at the state leve.

He said It targets existing and newly emerging vulnerable and poor households, agricultural value chains, and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) affected by the economic crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“NG-CARES is a Programme for Results (PforR) intervention, where States and FCT invest their resources, produce results in-line with the agreed protocols and guidelines.

“After that, he said, states would be reimbursed by the Federal Government after an Independent Verification Exercise,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state invested huge amount of money into the programme in 2023, which led to “this significant return on investment.”

Kagara noted that the programme was in its third circle of implementation where the state earned N25.7 billion, and was reimbursed N15.4 billion out of the amount, representing 60 per cent of the earnings.

He said that the programme has three result areas where the successes were recorded in the state.

The commissioner listed the areas to include: Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), FADAMA and Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).

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According to him, in 2023, under the CSDA, livelihood support and micro projects across nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, among others were given to large number of beneficiaries.

He added that the FADAMA component supported thousands of farmers with agricultural inputs/services to boost agricultural productivity and guarantee food security.

The commissioner stated that through the KASEDA, thousands of firms got operational support grants, while others recieved ICT enhancement tools to enhance their business in the state.

He, therefore, said that the state would increase its investments in those areas with a view to earn more returns.

(NAN)

The Katsina State Government has relaxed the 24-hourcurfew imposed on the university town of Dutsinma in Dutsinma Local Government area. 

A statement by the Director Press,to the.Secretary to the  Government of the State, Abdullah Yaradua in Katsina said the Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, approved the review of the 24-hour restriction of movement order imposed on Dutsinma Local Government to join the 33 other Local Government Areas under the 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew.

He.said: ”Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe granted the review of the Dutsinma curfew after receiving a  report of an improved security situation in the area”.

”’The Acting Governor who chaired a meeting of the State Security Council this evening directed the ban on unusual gatherings and all types of protests to remain imposed throughout the State”

” He however, appreciated the civil manners in which the security agents handled the hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest with a view to committing criminal activities”

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”Hel also thanked parents, guardians and community leaders who cautioned their children and youths from joining the bandwagon of the miscreants”

In a related development, the State Security Council has announced the arrest of several youths in connection with the recent violence, lootings and vandalisation of public and private property.

Speaking shortly after the Council’s meeting, the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari said  some of those arrested had already been charged to court for alleged criminal conspiracy, causing public disturbance, vandalization and theft.

Faskar further informed the security council has also appealed to people to remain calm and law abiding as all hands were on deck to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

The Katsina State Government has imposed curfew and banned gatherings as well as “all types of protests” in the 34 local government areas.

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Abdullah Garba Faskari, said the decision followed the outcome of an emergency security meeting of the State’s Executive Council

It reads: ”His Excellency, the Acting Governor of Katsina State Malam Faruk Lawal, has imposed a twenty  24hrs curfew in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, while 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew throughout the remaining 33 Local Government Areas of the State”

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”Malam Faruk Lawal also banned unusual gathering and all types of protest across the State”

” This followed the decision taken at an emergency State Security Council meeting convened on the report of breakdown of law and order in some parts of the State as a result of the nationwide protest”

”The Acting Governor had earlier received a group of Civil Society Organizations who were on a peaceful demonstration at the Government House and pledged to deliver their messages to the appropriate authorities “

The statement further said government received reports that some miscreants hijacked the protest and unleashed their ulterior motives of shop breaking, looting and vandalization of public and private properties

It said: ”Therefore, the Government found it necessary to impose these measures to safeguard people’s lives and properties in the State”

”People are therefore, warned to remain calm and law abiding as the security agencies had been directed to arrest any individual or group of persons on violating the orders.”

The Katsina State Government and the Directorate for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), have partnered to tackle violent extremism in the state and the broader Northern Nigeria region.

Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas, Director of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Directorate at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the NSA, revealed this during a courtesy visit by the NSA Abuja delegation to the Katsina State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS).

The initiative aims to launch advocacy campaigns against violent extremism, targeting at least 30,000 beneficiaries who will receive mentorship and training in entrepreneurship.

She said: “It is my pleasure to extend the warm regards of the National Security Adviser, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and appreciate his Excellency and members of your executive council for the warm reception and welcoming the delegation from Abuja’’.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser has approved a series of projects aimed at addressing violent extremism in Northwest Nigeria. These initiatives, funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF), are implemented by three organizations: Action Aid (in Kano and Kaduna), North East Youth Initiative for Development (NEYIF in Sokoto), and Women Environmental Programme (WEP in Katsina).

‘’Our visit today, is to seek His Excellency’s support to scale up these initiatives as government support is crucial for sustainability. I also want to commend His Excellency for the establishment of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps which has significantly enhanced civilian protection and improved state security.’’

She further noted that Katsina State, along with other states in Northwest Nigeria, is currently experiencing increased activities of violent extremist groups and that the socio-economic situation in Katsina is equally concerning as statistics have shown a Poverty Index of approximately 72.7% of the population of the State

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Responding, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari assured his visitors that the State Government is prepared to embrace preventive components that will ensure peace and security in the state

He said: “We are prepared to partner efforts by women groups, civil society organizations, and other components of peace and security that could bring about the reduction of threats to security and stability.’’

The Katsina State Government yesterday donated a 41-seater coaster bus to the Federal University of Transportation Daura. 

The coaster bus was delivered to the University on behalf of the State Government by the Chief Store Officer, Government House, Malam Bishir Ibrahim.

The varsity’s Chief Information and Communication Officer, in a statement to newsmen in Katsina, said the Chief Store Officer, explained the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal and members of staff of the University that the Coaster bus was donated to the University by Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina state

He said: ’’This donation followed a request for ambulance and transportation vehicle for the students by the University’’.

‘’ The Executive Governor would continue to support the University and education in the state’’.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the University, the Vice-Chancellor, thanked the Executive Governor for his gesture to the University.

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He said: “I would like to inform the general public, staff and students that His Excellency, Dikko Umaru Radda has graciously responded to our request and approved the donation of a 41-seater coaster Bus to the University.“

‘’The University had previously sent a request to His Excellency and today, God Almighty has made it possible for us to receive a donation of a Toyota Coaster’’.

“I want to use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor as well as request you to inform him that the University still expects an Ambulance as it will help us a lot in providing health services for staff and students.”

The Katsina State Government has announced plans to adopt local community-based projects implementation approach to ensure even development across the state.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who made the disclosure yesterday after the 6th regular meeting of the State Executive Council held at the  Government House, assured citizens of the state that the plan, when fully adopted, will involve effective participation and involvement of local communities in project selection, implementation and monitoring, as well designing of programmes.

 He said: “All projects will be initiated by the communities; however, this initiative doesn’t contradict the normal processes of awarding contracts at both state and local government levels.

 ”Other key features of the projects will involve mobilising local communities to take ownership of the development projects executed by the state or local government.”

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He further assured that the state government will revive and encourage community development projects and the improvement of basic services in villages and communities, adding that there will be three levels of committees for the initiative, namely: a steering committee, joint committee and the community level committee.

 A statement by the Information Commissioner, Bala Zango, disclosed that the steering committee that will roll out plans for the initiative will comprise officials from the state and local government areas, and will be responsible for organising processes and modelling of the programme.

The Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA) has won the esteemed “Best State Health Insurance Agency of the Year 2024” award at the National Healthcare Excellence Awards event held in Lagos.

In a press statement released by the chief press secretary to the governor and made available to newsmen in Katsina yesterday, the victory was highlighted as Katsina state’s second consecutive win, following their previous triumph in 2022.

The statement said: ‘’Katsina State was nominated alongside other notable states including Lagos, Adamawa, Kano, and Anambra’’.

‘’Katsina State’s emergence as the winner is a testament to the uninterrupted commitment of the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda PhD CON led administration to the health and well-being of citizens.

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‘’This recognition is a direct result of the visionary leadership and strategic investments in healthcare by Governor Radda’’. The Nation recalled that Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, KTSCHMA, had implemented innovative approaches, foster strategic partnerships and worked tirelessly to improve healthcare outcomes, access, and affordability for the good people of the Katsina

Reacting to the award, Governor Radda extends his heartfelt appreciation to the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bishir Gambo Saulawa PhD, the Chairman of the KTSCHMA Governing Board, the Director General and his Management Team, and indeed all stakeholders who have contributed to this remarkable achievement.

He said: “This award reaffirms our administration’s dedication to excellence in healthcare service delivery. We remain committed to building on this success and further enhancing the quality of healthcare available to every resident of Katsina State. 

“As we celebrate this achievement, we rededicate ourselves to the continuous improvement of our healthcare system, ensuring that Katsina State remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation and service delivery in Nigeria.”