Tag: Katsina

No fewer than 100 youths drawn from different parts of Katsina state have graduated from different skills acquisition under the National Economic Recovery Growth Programme in collaboration with the Industrial training fund (ITF). 

The Nation recalled that the National Economic Recovery and Growth Programme was introduced by the Industrial Training Fund aimed at promoting economic growth and development among Nigerian youths.

The programme focuses on technical and vocational education and training entrepreneurship and enterprise development as well as apprenticeship in Nigeria

Meanwhile the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina state, Professor Aliyu Mamman, has charged Katsina Youths to embrace skills acquisition and self-empowerment programs that will enhance their development

Mamman, who was the guest of honor at the graduation ceremony of 100 trainees of the Katsina branch of the industrial Training Fund, ITF, under the National Economic Recovery Program, ITF- NERGP, supported by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic planning, also charged the Youths on making the right choices of profession

Investigation by The Nation revealed that over 4000 trainees from different trade areas nationwide were churned out on various skill acquisition and developments on Nigeria’s economy. 

The Rector further called on Governments at different levels to encourage skill acquisitions amongst the youths especially in the higher institutions

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Mamman whose paper presentation at the occasion was titled: ’The impact of Skill Acquisition, in the development of Nigeria’s Economy’’, further urged the exposure of the youths to skill acquisition to encourage economic growth and national development

He said: “Enhanced skill acquisition and training encourages employment generation, eliminate youth unemployment, and ensure increased production of goods and services’’

‘’Over dependence on imports rather than promoting export of skills and services, remains the growing challenges to skill acquisition as well as reduces economic growth and development’’

He also called on the graduates to shun bad attitudinal behaviours and mind-sets towards skill acquisition by exhibiting and acquiring new ones and growing from smaller to larger scales

The trainees were later awarded certificates and start up packs and as well as other inducements to enable them trade on their newly acquired skills

Katsina state government on Sunday, June 9, splashed N45,000 as bonus to the state’s civil servants for the fourth coming Muslim Eid-el-Kabir celebrations next week.

The N45,000 package which was approved by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for each worker in the state’s civil service,contains N15,000 gift and  N30,000 as soft loan.

The loan is repayable in three monthly instalments

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, in a statement also disclosed that the governor commended the workers’ dedication and commitment, describing the gesture as part of the administration’s commitment to their welfare

The fovernor said further: “The Sallah package is aimed at supporting workers during the festive season and acknowledging their contributions to the state’s development,”

 “This gesture is a token of appreciation for the workers’ dedication and hard work in serving the state.

“As we are about to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Sallah, I am delighted to announce a special gesture of appreciation for our hardworking workers. Your dedication and commitment to our great state have not gone unnoticed.

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“I wish to also reaffirm my administration’s commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare and improving their working conditions.

“The Sallah package will be disbursed to all workers in the state and the Local Government Civil Service.

“Out of the N45,000 approved, N15,000 is a free gift to the worker while N30,000 is a soft loan to be repaid in monthly instalments for three months, from July to September this year.

“In addition to this Sallah gift, we are committed to continuously improving your welfare and working conditions. We will continue to prioritise your needs and ensure that you receive the support you deserve.

“May this Sallah celebration bring happiness, peace and prosperity to you and your loved ones,” the statement said.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has urged the management of Umaru Musa Yaradua University to explore alternative revenue generation models and adopt successful diversification programs from other universities to ensure a sustainable future.

Radda issued this directive during the university’s 9th-13th convocation ceremony, where 10,868 students graduated with Bachelor’s Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, and Ph.D. degrees. 

He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations, ensuring the prompt release of funds for the university’s operational costs, staff training, and development initiatives.

The ceremony also included the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on former Governors of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari and Sa’idu Barda, alongside Alhaji Garba Ammani and Hajiya Hassu Iro Inko.

Governor Radda also announced the appointment of Wazirin Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Ida, as the new chancellor of the University. 

He also announced automatic employment for 1st Class Graduates of UMYU at the ceremony

The Governor further announced the approval of N550,897, 648 for bursary allowances to 37,799 Katsina state students studying at various institutions of higher learning across the nation. 

He explained that N174, 293,160 is for 11,605 fresh students of the 2021/2022 academic session, while 26,194 continuing students of the 2022/2023 academic session will receive N381, 914,588.

He had earlier settled the outstanding scholarship allowances amounting to N648, 000,000 for the 2020/2021 (fresh students) and 2021/2022 (continuing students) academic sessions.

He described education as a strategic policy for his administration, highlighting on-going efforts to improve the standard of education across the state.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina has refuted claims that he criticized the armed forces’ handling of the war against banditry in the state.

 He, however, emphasized his high regard for the military, police, and allied forces.

In a press statement signed by Mohamed Kaula, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, and released to the media in Katsina, it was stated that Governor Radda holds the Armed Forces, police, and other security personnel in high esteem for their daily sacrifices and commitment to ensuring safety and security.

The statement read: ”Radda has continued to support the military and other security agencies in Katsina State with logistics and in some cases, the Governor has had cause to be part of the joint patrol in the efforts to fish out bandits”

”Given his antecedents as a former local government chairman and someone who has served at the federal level as Director General of SMEDAN before his election as Governor of Katsina State, it is not possible to make sweeping generalizations against any institution’:

The statement also referenced an interview Governor Radda gave to a television station in April, which had drawn criticism from the Armed Forces. 

Governor Radda clarified that he never made such a “simplistic comment which defies logic.”

It added: “In every human organisation, there are good and bad elements and the activities of the latter are sometimes counterproductive to the good work of the teeming majority whose service to fatherland is unparalleled.”

Governor Radda further pointed out that there was no context in which he talked about the activities of rogue elements within the service.

The Katsina state government has announced the establishment of the state’s Council on Health as part of efforts designed to improve healthcare access for the residents of the state.

The state governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, who chaired the inauguration of the council at the state secretariat conference hall, said his administration is committed to improving healthcare access for Katsina residents

He further disclosed that his administration has commenced the construction of over 102 new health facilities across the state.

 He said: ”This ambitious project will see three new health facilities built in each of the state’s 34 local governments to   ensure improved access to basic healthcare services for residents across Katsina.”

The governor further highlighted several key investments embarked upon by his administration to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, which includes the release of over one billion naira for the upgrade of the Faskari Comprehensive Health Centre to a General Hospital and the completion of the ongoing Kafur General Hospital project.

Others include funds mobilization for the completion of Zango General Hospital.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Health has initiated the contracting process to upgrade the Kankara and Dandume Comprehensive Health Centres to general hospitals.

Radda also assured that the state Council on Health, which is the first of its kind, will serve as a platform for collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organisations to address public health issues in the state.

 The commissioner of health, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, was named the chairman with the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics of the Health Ministry as the secretary.

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 The council’s mandate includes: reviewing the current performance of the state’s health sector and identifying gaps and challenges. This is in addition to mobilizing and allocating resources and ensuring accountability and transparency in the health sector, among others.

Earlier, in a welcome address, Katsina commissioner of health, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, said the State Council on Health would play a crucial role in the state’s journey towards ensuring the well-being and health of its residents.

The commissioner also assured that the council would create an environment where policies and standards set by the National Council on Health were effectively implemented, monitored, and aligned with the blueprint of the Radda-led administration.

The Katsina state government has disputed the declaration by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, that the state is among areas across 31 states with highly probable flood-risk areas for 2024.

The Nation recalled that the Minister had issued the warning during the official unveiling of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.

He had cautioned that 148 local government areas across 31 states were among the highly probable flood-risk areas

Reacting to the minister’s declaration during an exclusive media chat with The Nation in his office in Katsina, the state’s commissioner for environment, Alhaji Musa Adamu Funtua, said the state is set to tackle flooding and natural disasters contrary to the minister’s declaration, saying it cannot be flood prone

He said Katsina has already declared her readiness to manage approaching natural disasters and flooding that may be occasioned by the impending rainy season’’

‘’The commissioner, further assured that ongoing construction works designed to tackle natural disasters and environmental challenges were presently nearing competition while some are waiting for commissioning by the Governor of the state

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He said: “The 10km kofa Sauri /Sinkafi ecological drainages, as well as the Katsina gigantic drainage project otherwise called ACCRESAL, the Katsina /Jibia drainage N26b projects were all nearing completion.

‘’What the state government is doing is to identify the problem, consider security reports, engage each local government on flooding contracts supervision and there were 13 new sites with 3 of such sites already completed.”

While announcing that the state presently is rearing to go on environmental management and control, he announced that the government is presently not encountering financial constraints except slowdowns caused by due process

The Katsina state Special Task Force committee on smuggling, hoarding of grains, control of prices of essential commodities and insurgency related issues has clamped down on four filling stations suspected to be selling fuel to bandits in Katsina metropolis.

The affected filling stations are located at ring road along Shinkafi-Jibia roundabout among three others

The chairman of the Special Taskforce Committee, Alhaji Jabiru Abdullah Tsauri while addressing newsmen during the raid, said part of the duties of the committee is to arrest, detain and prosecute those found to be aiding crime and criminal activities

He further stated that the state government is up and doing in eradicating insurgency in the state by targeting both insurgents and their collaborators

He said: ‘’Those selling fuel to the bandits are collaborators and will be dealt with. 

‘’Ten suspects were arrested during the raid at different filling stations and will be thoroughly investigated. Those selling fuel to the bandits are collaborators and will be dealt with. 

“This task force is also concerned about smuggling and hoarding of grains and insurgency-related issues

“Today, we are out and visited four filling stations suspected to be smuggling fuel to insurgents. This outing followed an in-depth investigation we conducted, and criminals will be punished accordingly.

“All these stations have been sealed and the suspects selling the fuel in jerry cans have been arrested and are going to be investigated and if found wanting, will be punished according to the law. This inspection is a statewide.

Tsauri added: “This task force is also concerned about smuggling and hoarding of grains and insurgency-related issues

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“Today, we are out and visited four filling stations suspected to be smuggling fuel to insurgents. This outing followed an in-depth investigation we conducted, and criminals will be punished accordingly.

“All these stations have been sealed and the suspects selling the fuel in jerrycans have been arrested and are going to be investigated and if found wanting, will be punished according to the law. This inspection is a statewide.”

He also assured Katsina people that the taskforce will continue to arrest and seal any filling station suspected to be smuggling petroleum product in the state.

The Nation also found out that most of the filling stations visited, sold the product from N733, N715 and N730 per liter above the officially approved pump price.