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Tag: Katsina

  • Katsina invests over N7.5 bn on roads construction

    Katsina invests over N7.5 bn on roads construction

    The Katsina State Government on Thursday said that it has invested over N7.5 billion on the construction of 200 kilometers of roads across the state.

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina disclosed this in Daura during an inspection of completed road projects in Daura senatorial zone of the state.

    He said that the roads construction was ongoing in all the three senatorial zones of the state to assist rural dwellers to transport their farm produce to markets.

    The governor revealed that works had been completed on the Fago, Sandamu, Baure, Zango and Babban Mutum road projects, adding that the 75 kilometres roads were done at the cost of N2.9 billion.

    “The immediate past administration in Katsina state paid 30 per cent of the N2.9bn for the project while the current APC government paid for 70 per cent of the total amount.

    “The government also awarded the 35Km Dandume—Kadisau—Daudawa—Sheme Road Project which has been completed at the cost of N1.5 billion.

    “The government awarded the 3.3 km Nagogo Road dualisation project and the 90km Tsanni—Tsauri road project at the cost of N3 billion and both have been completed.

    “Other road projects by this administration are the N1.5 billion 24kms Mararaba – Sayaya—Sayaya—Mazoji—Tasha roads, Eka—Kadandani—Kuraye—Yargamji road and the construction of Dutsin-ma—Tsaskiya—Babban Duhu—Kukar Samu road.

    “Also the construction of Gora—Makaurachi—Gamzago-Mallamawa Road and construction of Sukuntumi to Babban-Kogo road in Katsina Senatorial Zone.” he said

    The governor said that the massive investment on roads was in fulfillment of campaign promises to the people to improve their living condition.

    Earlier, a representative of the contractor handling the projects, Mr John Brown commended the governor for prompt releases of funds for the completion of the projects.

    Brown said that the governor had kept his promise of providing the necessary assistance in getting the job done.

    NAN

  • Katsina, Kano, Jigawa support Nigeria’s unity

    Katsina, Kano, Jigawa support Nigeria’s unity

    Governments of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states yesterday submitted their memoranda to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism, at a zonal public meeting in Kano.

    They reiterated their support for one and indivisible Nigeria.

    The states said the unity of the country was sacrosanct and non-negotiable, adding that it would not be in the interest of any part of the country for Nigeria to be balkanized.

    The states in Northwest zone advocated unity and strong federation units.

    They were unanimous on balanced economic development and spread of social growth across the country.

    However, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was not only absent, he did not send a representative or submit a memorandum on behalf of the government.

    Presenting the stand of Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who affirmed the unity in diversity of the country, said: “True federalism should not be misconstrued for a weak, central government, but rather a federal government that should be seen as a strong, coordinating unit, which will be entrusted with equitable distribution of resources among federating units.”

    The governor, who said he supported equitable spread of infrastructure and balanced economic growth across the country, advocated a stronger, united nation.

    ”The agitation for restructuring of the country has raised dust of disunity, dissatisfaction and disaffection among Nigerians, against a nation built on unity, peaceful coexistence and religious and ethnic harmony. We want true federalism devoid of discountenance of our corporate entity,” Ganduje stressed.

    Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, represented by Secretary to State Government Alhaji Adamu AbdulKadir, clamoured for devolution of power.

    He said key issues, including education and agriculture, should be removed from the exclusive list, to enable states and local governments manage their affairs. Badaru said his administration supported true federalism, review of physical federation and federal allocation, as well as federal system of government.

    Jigawa State government, however, opposed creation of states.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari regretted that the country found itself in trouble, following the flawed constitution inherited from the military.

    He aligned with the positions of states in the zone, saying Nigeria required true federalism.

    His words: ”Of course, there are challenges bedevilling our corporate existence, but agitation for restructuring is attracting dimensions and interpretations, which are not found in our constitution.

    “No doubt, there are fundamental issues that need to be reevaluated, but our major challenge is the constitution inherited from the military. Talking about restructuring, we must evaluate our constitution. Our elite must be ready to take the path of truth and sincerity. As far as we are concerned, we believe in a united and strong Nigeria.”

    The committee Chairman, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, represented by ex-Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, said issues deliberated on included devolution of power, physical federalism, local government autonomy, resource control, among others.

  • Police parade three armed robbers in jigawa

    Police parade three armed robbers in jigawa

    The Police Command in Jigawa has arrested three suspected armed robbers who had been terrorizing the residents of Kazaure Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP. Abdu Jinjiri, who paraded the suspects before newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday said the suspects were arrested along Kazaure-Daura road.

    Jinjiri said that they were apprehended after they had blocked the road and robbed motorists of their money and other valuables.

    He explained that the suspects, hailed from Kusada, Kankiya and Malumfashi Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

    “On September 22, our officers in Kazaure local government area received a distress call that there were some armed robbers who blocked the Kazaure-Daura road and were robbing motorists.

    “We swiftly moved to the scene and luckily enough we arrested three of them. They were arrested in collaboration with the residents of the area.

    “During their arrest, cutlasses, sacks of rice, sticks and some amount of money they allegedly collected from the motorists were recovered from them,” Jinjiri said.

    The spokesman added that investigation into the case was on and that they would be charged to court afterward.

    It will be recalled that the command had on Sept. 20 arrested three other suspects in Dutse after they allegedly robbed a widow of N80,000

  • Katsina at 30: The Masari midas touch

    Katsina at 30: The Masari midas touch

    When Governor Bello Aminu Masari took over the mantle of leadership in Katsina State on May 29, 2015, he was prepared to deliver democracy dividends to the people and rescue them from the shackles of gross mismanagement. This he has done effectively within two years. This is why Katsina State can boast of numerous developmental projects, which impact are  felt by the people.

    Masari has done well in many areas. For instance, in the area of provision of portable water supply, the administration’s intervention has led to the resuscitation, upgrading and expansion of many water supply projects across the state. Major works were carried out in six major water works to boost supply to towns and villages. The Ajiwa Water Works has a capacity of treating 50 million liters per day. It is serving Katsina and environ with potable water for both Domestic, Commercial and Industrial purposes. It is now a dilapidated condition operating at 40% of its install capacity.

    To restore back the design capacity of both the Dam and the Treatment Plant the current administration through the Ministry of water Resources has entered in to a contract for the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the Ajiwa Dam and Water Treatment Plant with Kaibo International Limited at the total cost of N1,996,861,690.85 with 40% advance payment of N798,744,676.34 already paid to the Contractor. The aim of the above Contract is to restore the actual designed production capacity of the Ajiwa Water Treatment Plant to its optimum designed capacity, by replacing the damaged and aged equipment of the plant, and repair of dilapidated structures. A new pumping station will be constructed in the contract.

    Masari has awarded the Contract for the procurement and installation of 1No High Lift Pump, 3No Non return valves and 3No Butterfly valves at the total cost of N86,390,106.00 and also the award of another contract for the procurement and installation of 1000KVA transformer amounting to N9,855,000.00 at Ajiwa Water Works.

    Malumfashi water supply scheme was constructed and commissioned in 1983 with a capacity of 4,500 cubic meters per day.

    The scheme is meant to supply Water to Malumfashi, Kankara towns and the villages along the pipeline.

    The flood of 2008 washed away a portion of the pumping main and High Tension line near Bonn dawa village, consequent upon which Malumfashi was cut-off from the Water Works thus making pumping of water from the Treatment Plant to Malumfashi town impossible. The damage was not attended to since then, until the coming of the present administration in 2015.

    The administration awarded the Contract for the repairs of the damage portion in October, 2015 under the Emergency rehabilitation of Malumfashi water supply scheme, to the contractor M/S Central Lead Nigeria Limited, at the total cost of N141,705,983.05. The work has since been completed and water supply restored to Malumfashi town since March this year (2016) pictures attached.

    The administration is in the process of awarding another contract to desilt the dam and expand it by raising the spillway level and embankment height to increase the storage capacity to a level that will facilitate future expansion of the treatment plant to at least double the present production capacity.

    The Funtua Water Supply Scheme was in the early 80’s extended to Bakori and Kabomo towns. In 1993 boreholes were drilled and commissioned in Bakori in order to augment the Bakori and Kabomo water supply from Funtua due demand that was far above the supply from Funtua. The Bakori water supply which comprises seven number boreholes is also supplying water to Women Teachers College, Kabomo. The system is inadequate and is in need of expansion and rehabilitation. The current administration inherited a contract for the improvement of Bakori Water supply amounting to N47,440,442.00. The works are completed now. Another achievement of this administration in Funtua is the award of contract for the procurement and installation of 2No High Lift Pumps at the total cost of N28,907,570.00 this is to argument the water supply in Funtua and its environs.

    The Daura Urban Water Supply Scheme which supplies water to Daura and Sandamu, consists of 22 bore holes with three numbers well fields. The scheme was out of operation for five years prior to the coming of Masari administration. The administration has completed the rehabilitation of the scheme at the total cost of N34,300,450.00. The Contract was completed and Daura is enjoying a daily water supply of about 5-million litres.

    The 500KVA transformer for the Jibia Water Works was out of service (burnt) for a long time. The Scheme is using generator as source of power since the station was brought back to service over a year ago by the Masari administration. This administration has procured and installed a 75OKVA transformer amounting to N7,560,000.00. This is in addition of the supply of more diesel to run the scheme. Many areas which were hitherto not getting water are now supplied daily.

    Prior to the coming of the Masari administration, the Dutsinma water supply scheme is operation for between 6-8 hours per day. Now it operates for 16 hours per day due to increased diesel supply by the State Government.

    In agriculture sector, the availability of more water from our dam reservoirs allows for agricultural /irrigation activities to empower more people and ensure the food security of the nation. The water resources sector has also impacted on the industrial development of the State.

    Disturbed by the dwindling fortunes of Katsina State due to Nigeria’s economic downturn, the administration of Governor Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari CFR came up with the Restoration Project with the view of restoring the lost glory of Katsina State particularly the agricultural sector that has hitherto supported the economy of the State and Nigeria at large. The Agricultural Restoration Project was therefore developed to correct the negative sector growth enhancers; low budgetary allocation, poor extension services, lack of infrastructures, zero financial and inputs support to farmers, very low mechanization of farm operations, poor agro-marketing structures and system, low staff moral, dependency of the rain for agricultural production.

    In last year’s budget, agriculture had substantial allocation in the budget that was much higher than all the previous years. Priorities projects were develop to form the basic growth framework that will ensure effective governance of the sector and catalyze growth.

    Records on farms, farmers and their production are key to effective planning and success of any development initiative. More importantly, government needs to know the number of its people engaged in farming activities, their categories, location and other parameters necessary for effective governance of the sector. The agricultural resources available in the State also need to be documented for proper planning, therefore, reliable and up to date data that eliminate blind planning and policy processes is of essence.

    Katsina State Government has engaged over 2,000 youths, majority of whom are unemployed graduates in conducting the farmers’ data capture exercise  to generate and store authentic data on farmers’ land size, location and soil type. This will put the State in a better stead for proper planning on extant and future projects and programmes.

    In its effort to develop the economy based on agriculture through ensuring food security and providing raw materials for agro-allied industries, the government has chosen four value chain crops (rice, wheat, cotton and tomato) and aquaculture (fish production), Sheep and Goats. The State has secured Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) approval for participation in its Anchor Borrower’s Programme on massive production of these crops and livestock species. The programme will ensure adequate and timely provision of needed inputs to the participating farmers, while linkage to market is ensured through readily available up-takers.

    ABP will begin with 20,000 famers for rice and wheat production for the 2016 dry season. This will be followed with cotton and tomato for the year 2017 and later aquaculture, sheep and goats will follow. As an additional boost, the State has keyed into the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CART), whose main objective is to facilitate the production of rice in a competitive manner (comparing with international standards), and the improvement of the output of the smallholder farmer.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that agricultural mechanisation is very low in Nigeria and Katsina State in particular especially in the light of the devastating effect of cattle rustling on our farming activities. To mitigate this, Government is deploying 325 tractors, 1,083 power tillers; and 300 gravitational drip Irrigation kits to the farms in the State. Already 42, tractors are in the State and fifty more are expected before the end of October while the remaining balance will be available before the year 2016 ends.

  • Sultan, Katsina emir preach peace as tension escalates in states

    Sultan, Katsina emir preach peace as tension escalates in states

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday called for calm as tension heightened in the country following the face-off between the military and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    His stance was corroborated by the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir, who cautioned the youth against reprisal attacks on the Igbo residing in the state after reported attacks on some northerners in the South East by members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Sultan Abubakar, who doubles as the head of the Nigerian Muslim community, at a press conference in Kaduna, urged imams in all mosques nationwide to preach peace in their sermons with a view to dousing the tension in the country.

    Represented by the Secretary General of Jaamatul Nasir Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Sultan said what Nigeria needs now is for its citizens to unite and join hands with government to address the economic challenges facing the country.

    According to him, while every Nigerian has the right to protest, it must be done within the ambit of the law.

    He asked government to rise up to its responsibility by ensuring the safety of Nigerians nationwide.

    “Nobody should be seen to be above the law,” he said, urging parents and leaders in the country to call the youths to order.

    Speaking on the increasing rate of hate speeches in the country, the Sultan urged the federal government to hasten the passage of anti-hate speech law to bring perpetrators to book.

     

    Emir cautions youths against reprisal attacks

    The Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir, yesterday cautioned the youth against reprisal attacks on the Igbo residing in the state.

    He made the appeal shortly after the congregational prayers at Katsina Central Mosque.

    Kabir said the Emirate council was collaborating with security agencies to fish out youths attempting to cause trouble.

    He said: “Security agents have been directed to deal with any youth or group of youths that attempt to disrupt the peace of the state.

    “We are warning mischief makers not to join any group planning to cause trouble based on what is happening in Abia.

    “We are calling on the people of the state to go about their legitimate business as no harm will come to them.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emir’s appeal was also relayed  through paid announcements on  the state  radio and television network.

    In the message, the emir directed Imams to advise Muslims against taking the law into their hands in their sermons.

    Tension in Niger as Igbo youths vandalise boutique

     Tension was high in Minna, the capital of Niger State yesterday after an attack some Igbo youths carried out on a popular boutique named BNC.

    Following the attack, other traders across the state hurriedly locked up their shops, especially those owned by Igbo.

    Security presence across the state was heavy as armed security agents were seen in spots identified as flash points to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    In Minna, areas like Soje, Kpakungun, Obasanjo Complex, Tunga, Maiturare and Bosso were under tight security.

    During the Jumat prayers, The Nation observed heavy military and police presence at the different mosques in Minna, the state capital.

    In a statement warning the people in the state against any attempt to breach the peace, Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said that the patrol of the state security apparatus have been deployed to nip in the bud any attempt to cause civil disobedience and unrest in the state.

    He said the state government would not fold its arms and allow some overzealous individuals to hold people to ransom by instilling fear, anxiety and tension in them for selfish ends.

    Governor Bello said: “Nigerlites are a peaceful people and very accommodating to all Nigerians irrespective of their socio-political and ethnic divide. Therefore, anybody caught trying to cause trouble will be regarded as a criminal trying to institute anarchy in order to vandalize and loot people’s property.

    “Niger State is very central in Nigeria’s evolution and has always been a melting pot of people from various parts of the world.

    “Some of the prominent Igbos who became reference points in Nigeria’s political history were indigenes of Niger State by birth.

    “Both Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu were born in Zungeru, Niger State.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babalola Adewole, said there have been no breakdown of law and order in any town across the state, adding that the security agencies were on top of the situation.

    He described the attack on the boutique as unfortunate, saying that the police was investigating the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

     Fear of reprisal grips Igbo in Kaduna

    Hundreds of Igbo traders in Kaduna metropolis momentarily closed shops yesterday following rumour of a looming reprisal by youths after the Jumat service.

    The rumoured attack was said to be a response to  reported killings of Hausa/Fulanis in Abia State by alleged Biafran agitators.

    But the tension fizzled out when there was no such attack anywhere in the state.

    Shops owned by  Igbo traders  at the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market and the neighbouring markets were hurriedly locked before the Juma’at Prayer.

    While many didn’t open for business throughout the day again, others who did in the afternoon could not display their goods.

    An Igbo trader at Chechenia Market. Mr. Mark Ibe, said  they decided to lock their shops on the strength of rumour on the social media that  Thursday’s violence in  Jos would spill over to Kaduna yesterday.

    “You can even see that I I’m not displaying  my wares fully outside and the  shop entrance is partly closed,” he said.

    “This is to avoid destruction. Should anything happen, I can easily disappear.

    “The tension affected our business, as those who wanted to buy things couldn’t see us in the shop.

    “Some of us may not even open for business for some time to allow tension cool down.” Meanwhile, security agents paraded the city and  normalcy returned around midday.

    Earlier on Thursday,the state government and the police had assured everyone in the state of adequate security.

    At a meeting with Igbo and Yoruba communities in Kaduna, Police  Commissioner Agyole Abeh advised residents to go about their normal businesses.

    “There is no crisis in Kaduna.The state is peaceful, I advise everybody to open his shops as usual and do your business,” he said.

    “Don’t be apprehensive, the rumour is baseless and unfounded. Our men are on the  alert all the time to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the State.”

    Responding, Chris Nnoli and Yinka Olapade  for the Igbo and Yoruba communities respectively  thanked the Police for their action.

    The two community leaders blamed social media for the unwarranted rumour, and assured the police that they would take the message back to their people that Kaduna is actually peaceful.

    Lalong calls emergency

    security meeting in Jos

    Plateau State governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has expressed anger over the clash between Igbo and Hausa residents of the state, which occurred in Jos, the state capital on Thursday.

    The clash, according to the governor, led to the death of two people.

    Addressing community leaders at an emergency security meeting in Government House, Rayfield Jos yesterday, Governor Lalong threathened to deploy full government powers to enforce peace in the state.

    Lalong said: “We all worked hard to restore peace in this state, and for the past two years, we have been enjoying the peace. I think we have a collective responsibility to sustain this peace.

    “When the challenge of IPOB came as well as the quit notice by some Arewa youths, I let the whole world know the position of my government, and I said the government and people of Plateau State would not chase anyone (away) from Jos.

    “I also said government would do everything to protect the lives of every Plateau State resident; that we are not a party to any quit notice.

    “Plateau is home for all. Whoever is living in Jos and is paying tax to government, that person deserved to be protected by my government.”

    Speaking further, Lalong said: “I was taken by surprise the situation that occurred in some parts of the state last night. Somebody sat somewhere and did something on social media to set the people of the state against themselves.

    “If I said I’m happy over the tension created through the social media, I am just pretending. I am sad and worried because it cost us a great lot to restore this peace only (for it) to be truncated through the social media.

    “I was compelled to impose a curfew over the situation to prevent violence, which was why I summoned this meeting with community leaders to let you know that you also have a responsibility to prevent violence in your various communities.

    “Any community leader who fails to prevent violence in his domain, government will have no option but to use whatever power it has to restore peace in the area. So, no one should compel me to use government forces to restore calm. I expect you as community leaders to wake up and work for peace.

    “No man or woman is allowed to take the law into their hands. There are security agencies everywhere in the state to address whatever complaint. Anyone who wants to try the power of government should be warned that government will not fold its hands and allow anyone throw the state into chaos.”

    After the security meeting held behind close door in government house yesterday, the community leaders came out to address the media, promising to return home to preach peace and prevent any impeding violence in their respective community.

    Abia extends curfew till Sunday

    The Abia State Government has announced further extension to the curfew it imposed on Aba, the commercial nerve of the state over the face-off between soldiers and members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

    This was contained in a release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos.

    The statement described the effect of the curfew as huge, but it added that it was part of the price residents had to pay to ensure that normalcy was restored to the troubled city.

    According to Appolos, the curfew was extended by the governor to consolidate on the peace and normalcy that was gradually returning to Aba.

    He said the curfew period remained 6pm to 6pm.

    Part of the release reads: “Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, wishes to express his appreciation to Abians and residents, particularly those living and doing business in Aba, for their support and cooperation during this trying period.

    “For a commercial city that is also the economic hub of the state and the South East region, the effect of the socio-economic disruption in Aba is too massive to measure at this time, and the government fully appreciates all the sacrifices made to ensure early restoration of normalcy.

    “We also wish to commend the efforts of the men and women of the security services currently working round the clock to restore law and order and safeguard the lives and properties of law abiding citizens and residents.

    “After a profound review of the security situation across the state, we are compelled to extend the current curfew imposed on Aba to enable us consolidate the peace and normalcy that is gradually returning to the city.

    “The government is therefore seeking your continued support and understanding for the further extension of the dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew in Aba to Sunday 17th of September 2017.

    “Furthermore, in order to ensure the safety of our children and wards who were billed to resume school on the 18th of September 2017, we hereby direct that the resumption be postponed till the 25th of September 2017 across the state.

    “It is our hope that all the measures taken so far will help to rapidly restore normalcy to all areas of the state.

    I-G deploys 500 mobile policemen in Aba

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, has deployed over 500 Police Mobile Force men to Aba to restore peace in the troubled city.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Operations, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, on a duty tour to Aba yesterday, said the I-G wants peace restored to Abia State immediately, hence the deployment of the mobile policemen who had assumed duty in Aba.

    “You can see that we have emplaced security and that the whole place is quiet and our men are on patrol,” he said.

    “For now, we are still monitoring. There is no problem. We are on top of the situation.

    “We are working in tandem with other agencies and they are cooperating with us.”

    The city was embroiled in a clash between soldiers and IPOB members in Aba between Monday and Tuesday, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to impose a curfew on the city.

    Katsina: No cause for panic, Masari tells non-indigenes in Katsina

    Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has said that Katsina State was safe for all Nigerians regardless of their religion or tribe.

    He also asked them to go about their normal businesses without fear.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, the governor assured them that they have no reason to fear for their safety.

    The Governor, who spoke against the backdrop of the heightened tension between the Nigerian military and members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South Eastern part of the country,  said Katsina State was safe for every resident regardless of their relgious, ethnic or regional backgrounds.

    He said: “Let me once again call on and reassure our fellow Nigerians from outside Katsina, but chose to live among us in pursuit of their livelihood, to go about their lawful activities with hope and confidence in the belief of our ability and willingness to give adequate protection to everybody without prejudice to any group.

    “We will lead in accordance with the oath of office we swore to uphold, which is ‘to treat all manner of people without fear or or favour, illwill or affection.’ This national covenant is in rythm with our age-long slogan of ‘Katsina is Home of Heritage and Hospitality’.

    “We make bold to state without fear of contradiction that Katsina is the most peaceful state in Nigeria where differences of background are non-issues as far as the indigenes are concerned.

    “It is in our religion and culture to treat our guests with no less decorum and hospitality as we would ourselves. Accordingly, we will not fold our arms and allow anybody or group to breach the peaceful ambience Katsina State is famed for.

    “Let me therefore urge our people to live by these ethos and disregard any information which is capable of breaching the peaceful ambience in the state. We should regard all Nigerian as brothers and sisters.

    “And while we are at it, let us not forget to always seek God’s intercession for our various challenges through regular prayers for the nation and our leaders.”

     

  • Buhari departs Katsina State for Abuja

    Buhari departs Katsina State for Abuja

    After observing his Eid-el-Kabir Sallah break, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday departed Katsina State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    He was seen off by top government officials of the state led by Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

    A chopper brought him from Daura to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina around 10:45 a.m where he joined his plane to Abuja five minutes later.

    The President had arrived his home state last week Wednesday and have had series of private meetings, including the visit of the President of Niger, Muhammadu Issoufou.

    The president was in company of immediate members of his family, Media Aide Garba Shehu and the Chief Security Officer, Bashir Bindawa and members of the protocol unit of the villa.

    The highly-elated Buhari commended the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, for the wonderful reception accorded to his Niger counterpart, President Muhammadou Yusouffou, who visited the Daura palace on Tuesday
    after visiting President Buhari.

    Buhari was accompanied to the departure point by the emir, politicians, well wishers and security personnel deployed to cover the visit.

    The President during the break also had time to visit and work on his farm.

  • Deep love

    The reception President Muhammadu Buhari received in his home state, Katsina last week will definitely linger on in his memory for some time to come.

    Since his last visit to the state almost a year, the President in the past months has had some health challenges, necessitating his trip to the United Kingdom.

    During the period, Buhari’s kinsmen had severally been saddened by the numerous rumours and false news in the social media about their son and father.

    Apart from several reports claiming that the President was dead, others claimed that he was permanently incapacitated.

    Other reports also had it that the President was on life support and could not move round.

    But Buhari’s home coming for Eid-el-Kabir celebration instantly brought joy and happiness to his people.

    It brought to an end all the controversies and false reports about his health.

    Most Katsina State people, especially Daura residents, at the slightest opportunity, left whatever they were doing to have a glimpse of their son and father in flesh and blood.

    Some of them did something unusual by climbing trees in order to have unhindered view of the President as soon as they know his route and the time he was expected to pass through.

    One of the President’s kinsmen, who was among the crowd that came to welcome him at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina State last Wednesday had to openly glorify God for the President’s health.

    Seeing the President coming down unaided from the plane that brought him from Abuja, he expressed surprised at all the false reports they have been hearing about Buhari.

    Speaking in Hausa language, he shouted “Lies, lies, lies, our Baba is not only alive, but very strong.”

    The President was again taken by surprise when the chopper that brought him from the airport in Katsina landed at the helipad in Daura.

    A massive crowd had gathered at the helipad and road leading to his residence in a bid to see and welcome him back home.

    On sighting the massive crowd comprising mainly youths, the President had to ignore his convoy of vehicles stationed at the helipad, which were meant to convey him to his house.

    He immediately started walking from the helipad to his residence waving to the crowd and acknowledging their greetings.

    The story was the same when the President left his residence last Friday to observed his Eid-el-Kabir prayer.

    A tumultuous crowd lined the two sides of the roads from the President’s house to the Eid praying ground, which was about ten minutes drive.

    While some of them were waving at the President’s convoy, others were struggling to capture the President and the convoy on their phones.

    It was also gathered that most of the Daura residents who lined up on the two sides of the roads had already observed their Eid-el-Kabir prayer in another neaby praying ground.

    Rather than go home to enjoy their Sallah ram and food around 9a.m when they concluded their prayers in the other praying grounds, they headed immediately to the routes the President was scheduled to pass to observe his Eid prayer.

    They all preferred to get a glimpse of the President.

    When the President got to the Eid praying ground, it was also almost filled beyond capacity.

    The President wearing light brown coloured Babanringa and cap to match observed the two rakaat prayer with the crowd.

    After the President had finished with the prayers, the crowd on the two sides of the road leading from the Eid praying ground to his residence appeared to have doubled more than when he passed earlier.

    Among those who thronged the President’s routes included members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saluting and waving to the President as he drove past.

    While the President would not forget this trip to Daura in hurry, the residents’ joy has known no bounds because of God’s healing and protection upon their topmost son of the soil.

    This joy expressed by the Daura residents has also been replicated in various parts of the country in honour to God for the President’s health.

  • Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa defend loan application

    The Katsina State government has given reasons for it seeking a $110 million facility from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

    Commissioner for Health Mariatu Bala Usman, who addressed the House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management in Abuja, said the state hopes to build and renovate 136 primary health centres; each local government will get four centres.

    Her words: “The projects would incorporate the establishment of a public health laboratory, given the incidence of Ebola and Lassa Fever in the country. There is need for Katsina State to be prepared for future emergencies”.

    On repayment plans, the commissioner said the state will pay 40 per cent counterpart funding.

    According to her, should the state utilise the loan with sincerity of purpose, accompanied by verifiable evidence of performance, the IDB is ready to convert the facility into a grant.

    The Kaduna State government, which is seeking a $350 million loan from the World Bank, to facilitate its economic transformation programme, also defended its proposal before the committee.

    Commissioner for Financeý Suleiman Abdul Kwari said if approved, the facility would be used to create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.

    His words: “It cuts across other forms of governance in the system, including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and we have adopted a zero-based budgeting system. Public finance control and assessment law was also domesticated against the archaic way of doing things.

    “That’s why the state is viewed as the most business-friendly by Thisday Newspaper. We have reduced tax procedures and dealt with multiple taxation.

    “The public procurement law, which is brand new in the state, has reduced the process of awarding contract, as the new law now enables people to undertake procurement online”.

    Jigawa State said it is seeking legislative approval to obtain a $32.4 million loan from the IDB to finance its agricultural value chain projects.

    Finance Commissioner Umar Namadi said agriculture has become the mainstay of the state’s economy and can create jobs.

    Committee chairman Adeyinka Ajayi (APC, Osun), who addressed reporters after the event, said the committee will undertake an oversight visit to assemblies of the seven states seeking the loan, to ascertain the involvement of their legislatures.

     

  • We will not compromise prudence, accountability – Masari

    We will not compromise prudence, accountability – Masari

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina says the present administration in the state has restored the culture of public accountability, prudence, transparency, confidence and discipline in its civil service for rapid socio-economic development.

    Governor Aminu Masari made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Daura on Thursday.

    He assured the people of the state that his government would also not compromise due process “in both our public and private affairs”.

    Masari further assured the people that their welfare and dignity would be enhanced by judicious spending of the little resources at the disposal of the state on meaningful projects.

    According to him, education, water supply, road construction, health care delivery and security of lives and property will receive due attention for their benefit.

    He said he would continue to resist the temptation of serving selfish interest groups under whatever guise, adding that “we were voted into power to serve the people not our individual families”.

    The governor said that in the last two years, his administration had constructed and renovated hundreds of schools, hospitals and roads among other projects across the state.

  • Commission of Inquiry: Katsina vows to recover N58.5bn diverted funds

    Commission of Inquiry: Katsina vows to recover N58.5bn diverted funds

    The Katsina State Government on Sunday said it would use all legal means to recover N58.5 billion allegedly diverted by former governor Ibrahim Shema and some of his lieutenants.

    Gov. Aminu Masari said this in Katsina while receiving the main report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on missing funds and properties from the commission’s Chairman, Mr Ado Ma’aji.

    He said the state government had established the commission to investigate the loss of funds and properties during the last days of his predecessor’s tenure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shema was the governor of Katsina State from 2007 to 2015.

    Masari said the state government was not investigating monies spent on executing projects but direct withdrawals from bank accounts belonging to ministries and parastatals.

    The governor said that a White Paper on the issue would soon be forwarded to the state Ministry of Justice for legal consideration.

    Masari said that the funds that were allegedly diverted by the people in question were so huge that the government would not contemplate on not retrieving them.

    He said administrative actions would be taken on those involved that are still serving the state government, while those who are no longer on the state payroll would face legal action.

    “The amount in question is so huge that it cannot be a mistake.

    “If we have such money, we would have transformed the state and made it much better than what it is now.

    “Government will take immediate action on officials found to be involved.

    “We’ll look at the system and those wrongs not connected to individuals would be checked to forestall future occurrence,” he said.

    The governor assured the people of the state that he would pursue the recovery of the money no matter how long it would take.

    Ma’aji had earlier said the commission discovered that a whooping sum of N58.5 billion was unaccounted for after analysing 13 Memoranda presented to it and evaluation of the testimonies of witnesses.

    He said the amount was more than the N55.5 billion the commission came up with during its submission of the interim report.

    The chairman said that the difference was the outcome of a painstaking and critical verification of the figures in producing the main report.

    He said more than N17.9 billion was found to have been diverted under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) and that over N14.9 billion went unaccounted for under the state’s Roads Maintenance Agency (KASROMA).

    He added that more than N10.1 billion was also unaccounted for on the activities of the Ministry of Environment, Department of Community Development, Special Duties, Girl Child Education and Almajiri affairs.

    He said over N15.4 billion was lost or unaccounted for on the activities of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Ma’aji said bulk of the amount was withdrawn from the state’s Joint Local Account into ALGON’s account, and that there was an instance of 87 cheques of between N9 million and N10 million withdrawn in cash on the same day.

    He said the 89 withdrawals were made on May 28, 2015, which was the twilight of Shema’s administration in the state.

    Reacting to the development, Shema said that he was being witch-hunted by Masari’s administration.

    Shema, who spoke through one of his aides, Mr Oluwabusola Olawale, said that he did not commit any fraud during his tenure.

    The ex-governor said that he executed meaningful projects for the development of the state, adding that he has no regrets serving the people of the state.