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Tag: Katsina

Agric. initiative boss commends Katsina Govt.

Dr Ahmed Ingawa, the Chairman, Technical Committee on Songhai Agricultural Initiative in Katsina State, has commended the Katsina State Government for the prompt release of funds for the project.

Ingawa gave the commendation in an interview in Ingawa, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

He said that the state government had released N103 million out of the N450 million earmarked to finance the project in the 2018 budget.

He said that with the prompt release of funds, the committee had trained 60 indigent youths on skills such as fabrication of farm machinery, juice production, bread and biscuit making and production of bottled water.

He said that they also received training on crop, livestock, fishery and poultry production.

Read also: Centre trains 180 youths on vocational skills in Katsina

“We placed them on monthly allowance of N10,000 each. They were trained for six months at Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, last year.”

He said his committee had also established a Songhai Training Centre in Dutsin-Ma local government area to continue the training of the unemployed youths on various skills.

The chairman said that his office was considering the possibility of establishing additional centres across the three senatorial zones, to expand the scope as well as increase access to training.

He lauded Gov. Aminu Masari for promoting agriculture through timely provision of fertilizer and the revival of irrigation farming.

According to him, the Masari government is committing N400 million to the rehabilitation of Dabiram Water Dam in Daura local government area.

He said that the agricultural initiatives of the state government were in consonance with the Federal Government’s drive towards diversifying the nation’s economy.

Ingawa, therefore, urged the people to support the Masari administration to achieve socio-economic development of the state.

NAN

January 30, 2018
Centre trains 180 youths on vocational skills in Katsina

The Katsina State Government-owned Community Skills Development Centre ( COSDEC ), Daura, has started training 180 unemployed youths in vocational skills to empower them to be self-reliant.

The Principal of the centre, Alhaji Abdullahi Ingawa, made this known in an interview in Daura on Tuesday.

He said that the training would be in six key vocational skills, including building and masonry, welding and fabrication, fashion and design, and hospitality and hotel management.

According to Ingawa, the other skills are electrical installation and information and communication technology.

Ingawa said that 30 persons had registered for each skill for the one year training.

Read also: Senator distributes 120 water pumping machines in Katsina

He gave the assurance that the trainees would be given a seed capital after the skill acquisition being conducted by the state government in collaboration with a Britain-based group, UKaid.

According to the principal, the state government provided the structure, staffers and allowances of the trainees, while UKaid supported with tools.

Ingawa said that the centre also provided accommodation for 20 students on industrial attachment in the centre.

He said that the centre recently started training 25 students in the production of efficient cooking stoves.

The principal said the training was collaboration between the International Centre for Energy and Environmental Development, European Union ( EU ) Oxfam, Iceed and the National Planning Commission.

Ingawa appealed to the state government to provide functional vehicles for the centre as well as make permanent and pensionable, 14 resource persons on part-time appointment in the centre.

He lauded the state government and the Daura Local Council for support for the centre.

The principal specifically hailed Mr Abubakar Maaruf-Mashi, the council’s Director of Education and Social Welfare Development, for attracting six of the part-time workers.

NAN

January 30, 2018
RIFAN begins registration of 2,000 rice farmers in Daura LGA

Daura Local Government chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria ( RIFAN ) has commenced the registration of 2,000 large scale rice farmers under the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

Alhaji Nura Baure, the Chairman of the Association, made the disclosure in an interview in Daura on Monday.

He said that under the large scale farming scheme, the farmers would be provided with sufficient farming inputs including fertiliser, insecticides, water pumping machines, seedlings and cash, to ensure bumper harvest.

Baure assured that the distribution of the implements and disbursement of cash to the registered large scale farmers would begin by the end of February.

Read also: RIFAN seeks collaboration with African countries on rice production

According to the Daura RIFAN chief, the association will be more meticulous in the registration of members in the council area, as only genuine farmers will be registered.

He said that so far, 300 women have been registered for the large scale farming programme, adding, “we recorded significant improvement this time, as only 20 women keyed into the Small Scale Farming Borrowers’ Programme in 2017.”

Baure said that 500 metric tons of rice was harvested in the last cropping season under the Small Scale Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

He said that about 40 per cent of beneficiaries of first tranche disbursement under the small scale farming programme had repaid their loans.

The chairman lauded the Federal and Katsina State Governments, for awarding the reconstruction and renovation of the Sabke Dam in Mai’ adua Local Government Area and that of Dabiram Dam in Daura Local Government.

Sabke dam will produce 31.6 million litres of water while that of Dabiram will have 15 million litres

1,500 farmers in the area benefited from the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ agricultural programme in 2017.

NAN

January 29, 2018
Police record 210 rape cases in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command says it has recorded 210 cases of rape and unnatural acts in the state in 2017.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Isa Gambo, said on Tuesday in Katsina that 275 persons allegedly involved in the various rape cases were arrested during the period.

He said 207 of the cases were in court, with three still under investigation.

Gambo also said that the command had arrested 320 persons suspected to be involved in 204 armed robberies across the state during the period.

Read also: 52 kidnap victims rescued in Kano

According to him, the police are prosecuting 155 of the armed robbery cases while the rest are being investigated.

The spokesman also said 150 incidents of culpable homicide were reported to the command for which 319 persons were arrested.

He added that 140 of the cases had been investigated and charged to court while 10 were under investigation.

On cattle rustling, Gambo said the command was able to recover 313 cows and 24 sheep from 29 suspected rustlers.

He disclosed that 43 cases of car theft were reported to the command in the period under review with 85 persons arrested and charged to court.

On recoveries, the command said it 38 fire arms, 158 ammunition and stolen property valued at N17.7 million were recovered during the period under review.

He explained that five suspects were arrested in connection with three cases of kidnapping in the state.

In another development, the official said a total of 2,000 policemen were promoted for their gallantry during the period, while 136 police personnel in the command were issued with houses under the new Police Housing Scheme.

Gambo, however, said the command was grappling with challenges of logistics including inadequate patrol vehicles and manpower.

He stressed the need to review the welfare package of the police to enhance their efficiency and boost their morale.

The command’s spokesman urged the general public to provide the police with useful information about activities of criminals in the state.

NAN

January 9, 2018
Masari mourns death of ex- Katsina State military governor

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Monday described the death of a former military governor of the state, Col. Yahaya Madaki ( rtd ) as a great loss to the country.

Masari said in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abdu Labaran, that the deceased was a gallant officer and gentleman, who was totally committed to the military institution during his life time.

Read also: Ex-Kaduna governor, Lawal Kaita, dies at 85

‘‘Katsina State has lost a good friend, mentor and valuable adviser, whose imprints in the development of the state would remain indelible,’’ the governor said.

Masari condoled with the immediate family of the deceased and the military establishment and prayed God to forgive the deceased.

Reports say that Madaki died on Monday at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness at the age of 70.

Madaki was appointed the military governor of Katsina State by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida in December 1989 and handed over power to the first elected civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Saidu Barda in 1992.

NAN

January 9, 2018
Bukar secures freedom for 60 prisoners

Sen. Mustafah Bukar ( APC ), representing Katsina North Senatorial District, said he had so far secured the release of 60 prisoners across the prison cells located in Daura, Mani, Ingawa and Kankiya local government areas.

Bukar disclosed this in an interview in Daura on Tuesday.

He said the prisoners who benefited from the gesture were those who committed simple and minor offences and serving various jail terms and unable to pay fines and get their freedom.

“We secured their freedom in 2016 by settling their court fines,” he said.

He said 15 prisoners were freed in each of the prison cells.

Read also: Bukar relishing foreign tour

“The gesture is aimed at extending the dividends of democracy to the beneficiaries as well as ensure they transform to good citizens,” the Lawmaker said.

He said that his visit to prisons started in 2016 and that he would expand the programme to ensure that inmates who committed lesser offences were freed and trained on vocational skills.

He said he had constructed an N82 million Skills Acquisition Centre in Daura which would soon be put to use in training unemployed youths in the zone.

Bukar said the centre would train all interested youths on computer literacy; building; automobile mechanic; tailoring; weaving; knitting; jelly making; leather work and carpentry, adding that entry forms would be made available to interested candidates.

He said in his bid to promote sporting activities in the zone, he had built a mini stadium at Shargalle village in Dutse Local Government Area.

“I am determined to promote recreational activities and reduce idleness among our youths,” he said.

The Senator also said that his office had distributed 2,000 cooking stoves free to rural women across the 12 local government areas of the zone.

Bukar, who is also the Madawakin Daura, commended the Katsina State Government for improving security as well as providing infrastructure to the people.

Reports say that Sen. Bukar had recently donated 30 units of 500 KVA transformers to improve power supply in the zone.

The Katsina North Senatorial District comprises Daura, Zango, Maiadua, Baure, Sandamu and Dutsi, Mashi, Mani, Kankiya, Ingawa, Bindawa and Kusada local government areas.

NAN

January 9, 2018
SARS arrests two armed robbers in Army uniform

Operatives of Special Anti-robbery Squad ( SARS ) attached to the Police Commands in Kano and Katsina states have arrested two suspected armed robbers in full camouflage Army uniform in Katsina State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Kano State,DSP Magaji Majiya, disclosed this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.

He said the suspects were nabbed on Wednesday while trying to cross to Niger Republic with a new unregistered Ford Hilux vehicle which they allegedly robbed from port Harcourt, Rivers.

“The operatives of SARS attached to Kano and Katsina State Commands while acting on a tip-off ambushed and arrested Abubakar Ibrahim of Kurmin Mashi Quarters, Kaduna State, and Jaduwa Thalma of Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

“The suspects were in full camouflage army uniform and were about to cross to Niger Republic when the they were picked,” Majiya said.

He said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being dismissed soldiers who deserted from the service when posted to Baga on Operation Lafiya Dole.

He said one of them a.k.a ‘Abu Soja’ was a notorious armed robber who was declared wanted by the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS Rivers Command, and had a pending case at SCIID in Bompai, Kano.

Majiya said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the ongoing investigation was completed.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf, had commended the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS operatives attached to Kano, Katsina and Rivers states for working together toward the successful operation.

NAN.

January 4, 2018
Tambuwal expresses sadness over Kaita ’s death

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has expressed sadness over the death of elder statesman and former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita.

In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, the governor said Kaita made invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

“He was an acclaimed pacesetter who, along with other patriotic Nigerians of his generation, fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria at the turn of the century.

Read also: Ex-Kaduna governor, Lawal Kaita, dies at 85

“His life is an example of dedication and commitment to democratic norms and values.

“Nigeria will remember the deceased as a man who gave his best years toward the development of multi-party politics.

“His contributions enriched governance process at both state and federal levels,’’ Tambuwal said.

While praying to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, the governor appealed to both Kaduna and Katsina State Governments to immortalise the deceased.

NAN

January 3, 2018
FRSC issues 5,420 drivers licences in Katsina

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), said it had issued no fewer than 5, 420 drivers licences to motorists in Katsina State in 2017.

Mr Godwin Ngueku, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Katsina.

He said of the total number, 3, 581 licences were distributed by the FRSC Katsina unit, while 1, 354 were issued in Funtua, 262 in Daura, and 223 in Dutsin-ma.

Ngueku explained that fresh applicants for drivers’ licence would first go to driving school for lessons on driving for some weeks before getting the document.

He further said that after the lessons, they would be issued with a certificate before an examination by the Vehicle Inspector Officer (VIO), make payments, after which, the applicants would be given a temporary licence.

Ngueku said that the temporary licence expires within two months before a person is issued with a permanent one.

He said drivers with expired licences or those without it would have their vehicles impounded by the FRSC and be asked to pay a fine of N10, 000.

‘’Vehicles of such drivers will remained with the FRSC until they settle the payment and register with any of the driving schools in the state as first step for acquiring the licence,’’ he said.

Ngueku, therefore, advised motorists to always ensure that they drive with licence, number plate and other required documents to avoid embarrassment.

January 2, 2018
Nigeria must regain its pride in food exportation – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reiterated Federal Government’s determination to continually review and strengthen ongoing reforms in the agriculture sector “until Nigeria regains its pride of place as food exporting country.”

The president said this when he received a delegation of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) from Kebbi, led by the state Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu in the Presidential Villa.

He added that the country’s rice import bill had dropped significantly, noting, however, that “beyond self-sufficiency, Nigeria must strive to become net exporter of food commodities.

“We are not doing badly in the agriculture sector: Nigerians and indeed the world, are beginning to appreciate our efforts. We will work harder until we start exporting food.

“We are happy that rice and beans importation into the country have gone down by over 90 per cent, and everyone can see how productive states like Kebbi turned out to be and states like Lagos, Ogun and Ebonyi are following the example.”

The President said Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto states had already reported remarkable turn-around in the agriculture sector, with more youths taking interest in entrepreneurship.

Buhari, who disagreed with the astronomical food import bill presented by the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) from the inception of the administration, pointed out that it was later discovered to be “fraudulent practices’’ by some elite to deplete the foreign reserves.

He said “when I was told that the CBN had no savings after the windfall of selling oil for more than 100 dollars per barrel for many years and production was 2.1 billion barrels per day, I did not believe them.

“I did not believe them because majority of Nigerians cannot afford imported food; they rely on what is locally grown. It turned out that 50 per cent of the export bills were fraudulent, courtesy of the Nigerian elite.

“Unfortunately, we will not know all that happened because the elite worked in collusion with institutions in developed countries like insurance firms, shipping companies and other financial outfits, to perpetuate the fraud.”

On security, President Buhari said the return of farmers to their farm lands in the North East, with glaring results of high yields, was a testimony to the relative peace that had been achieved.

He assured that more would be done to check the mayhem of suicide attacks.

The President said his administration would put in more effort to reposition the education and health sectors to compete with other global institutions.

While introducing the delegation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, commended government’s policies toward reviving the agriculture sector.

The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, said “the state government and the APC family was pleased with the performance of Federal Government in securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption.”

Bagudu and members of the delegation, which included former Governor of the state, Alhaji Usman Dakingari and other former PDP stalwarts, prayed for the quick recovery of the President’s son, Yusuf Buhari who was involved in a bike accident.

NAN

December 29, 2017