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Tag: Kebbi

  • Dakingari, others defect to APC in Kebbi

    Dakingari, others defect to APC in Kebbi

    Former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, his deputy, Ibrahim  Aliyu, led 267 thousand  members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently.

    Speaking when he formally received the defectors, Kebbi State APC Chairman Alhaji Attahiru Maccido said they did not give any condition to join the party.

    Maccido said they opted to join the ruling party because of leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor. Atiku Bagudu, especially in the areas of security, agriculture and economic sectors.”

    He assured the defectors that they would be accorded equal opportunity and  that “the doors of the party are still open for others to join.” Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Dakingari said he and his followers have reflected over the matter in the past three years since he left power. He said: “I joined the APC not for gain but because of the efforts President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Bagudu have put in at the federal and state levels respectively, for progress, peace and unity of our people.

    “I call on all those I have offended to forgive me and I forgive those who offended me too.”

    Bagudu assured that the state would continue to move forward with the coming of new members into the party.

    He said: “Our state is blessed with  mineral resources, but improper coordination had been the stumbling block towards the exploitation of the resources over the years. With the cooperation we have now, we will achieve greatness. If we are truly committed to our aims and objectives of moving our state to greater heights.”

    The APC Northwest National Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, congratulated the defectors for their decision to join the party.

     

  • Ex-Kebbi governor, deputy, PDP members defect to APC

    Ex-Kebbi governor, deputy, PDP members defect to APC

    Former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, his deputy Ibrahim  Aliyu with over 267,000  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Kebbi state have finally decamped to the All Progressive Congress  (APC).

    The state APC Chairman, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, formally received the decampees  at a  Haliru abdul Stadium in Birnin Kebbi,  the state capital. 

    According to the APC  Chairman,  the defectors did not give any condition for their decision to join the APC fold in the state.

    He however said  they defected as a result of leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Atiku Bagudu, especially in the areas of security, agriculture and economic sectors.
    He assured the decampees that they would be accorded equal opportunity and privileges  in the party, adding that “the doors of the party are still open for others to join.”
    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former Governor Dakingari said the defection was a result of deep thoughts in the past three years since he left power.
    “ I joined the APC not for gain but for what President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Bagudu have been doing at the federal and state levels respectively for progress,peace and unity.
    “I call on all those I have offended to forgive me and I forgive those who offended me too,” he said.
     
    In his remarks, Governor Bagudu said the state would continue to move forward with the coming of new members into the party. 
    “Our state is blessed with  mineral resources but improper coordination had been the stumbling block toward exploitation of the resources.
    “With the cooperation we have now, we will achieve greatness. If we are truly committed to our aims and objectives of moving our state to greater heights,” he said.
    The APC North -West National Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, congratulated the defectors for joining the party. He  said the successes recorded by Governor  Bagudu was monumental.
  • FERMA engages 800 unemployed youths in Kebbi

    FERMA engages 800 unemployed youths in Kebbi

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in Kebbi, has engaged 800 unemployed youths in its Vegetation and Silt Control programme, an intervention to maintain roads and reduce accidents in the state.

    The State Coordinator of the agency, Mallam Rilwanu Usman, made this disclosure in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

    “We learnt that the vegetation and silt needed to be controlled in view of the harmful and devastating effects they had been causing to roads and motorists plying our roads in the state.

    “Outgrowth of vegetation serves as hideout for armed robbers and also obstruct site distance by motorists; hence we engaged the youths as part of our efforts to reduce the rate of accident.

    “By this, we prevent damage of vehicles and increase the life span of roads as well as reduce unemployment and idleness among the youth,” he said.

    Read Also:  FERMA, ICRC partners on road maintenance, funding

    He said youths were engaged in collaboration with district heads in the area to assist in clearing the vegetation and silt spanning 100 kilometers in Koko/Besse Local Government Area.

    Usman added that the agency was also carrying out road maintenance; total repairs and work in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu and Sokoto State border road.

    “The road is 82 kilometres length; it is pervaded by hydrological structures problem.

    “It was rehabilitated six years ago by the State Government on behalf of the Federal Government but before work began, the road had since been in bad state,” he said.

    The coordinator said the agency had repaired bad roads in Kanfani, Gotomo, Gangarin-Yantifa and potholes in Zauro along Birnin Kebbi and Argungu road.

    He expressed optimism that the intervention would be sustained by the new management of FERMA with vigour and commitment in order to achieve potholes free roads in the state.

    NAN

  • Kebbi procures N300m Ultra Sound machines for 14 Hospitals

    Kebbi procures N300m Ultra Sound machines for 14 Hospitals

    Kebbi Government has procured N300 million modern ultra sound machines for 14 general hospitals in the state, the Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, has said.

    Kambaza, who represented Gov. Atiku Bagudu, during the inspection of the machines in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, said they were procured to improve health care delivery in the state.

    Read also: Kebbi govt releases 2.5 billion to pay pensioners

    He said health centers for women and children especially those located in remote areas would be accorded priority in the installation of the Ultra sound machines, to help reduce maternal and new born diseases.

    According to him, the government is committed to reducing all health challenges facing women and children in the state.

    Hajiya Halima Boyi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, called on health management committees of the benefiting hospitals to ensure proper utilization of the machines.

    Dr Aminu Bunza, the State Director, Medical Services, assured of proper maintenance of the ultra sound machines.

    NAN

  • Kebbi swears in two new commissioners

    Kebbi swears in two new commissioners

    Two new commissioners on Wednesday took their oath of allegiance and office as members of Kebbi State Executive Council.

    They are Prof. Mukhtar Bala and Hajiya Tsahara Bawa, who are yet to be assigned portfolios.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Samaila Rashid administered the oaths on behalf of the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Asabe Karatu.

    Speaking after the swearing in, Gov. Atiku Bagudu thanked the House of Assembly for the speedy confirmation of the nominees.

    “We now have three female commissioners in the cabinet, I think this is the highest in the country.”

    He urged the commissioners to prepare for the challenges ahead, saying electioneering would dominate the year.

    “There is no doubt that this year will be full of electioneering but we should not be distracted by the campaigns in our quest to make life better for our people, ” Bagudu said.

  • Aliero distributes empowerment tools to 89 wards in Kebbi

    Aliero distributes empowerment tools to 89 wards in Kebbi

    Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, distributed eight cars, 250 motorcycles and 560 grinding machines in 89 wards of his constituency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other items distributed were; 500 tailoring machines, 300 water pumps and N10, 000 cash each to 2,000 women in the constituency.

    Aliero, while distributing the tools said it was part of his empowerment drive aimed at making the youths and women become self reliant in the constituency.

    “This is the second time I have empowered my people; the first one, I distributed 600 water pumps, I dug five boreholes in each of the 89 wards.

    “I also built three blocks in primary schools in the eight local government areas and five primary health care centres within the area, among other things, “ he said.

    According to him, twenty five blocks of primary schools will be built under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in his constituency.

    Also speaking, the state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, commended the lawmaker for his efforts toward empowering the youth and women in the constituency.

    “We have not regretted voting you and we would always support you.

  • FG to provide cheap funds to farmers – Emefiele

    FG to provide cheap funds to farmers – Emefiele

    The Federal Government will provide cheap funds of not more than five  per cent to farmers who wants to acquire agricultural equipment and feeds.

    The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele,  made this known on Thursday at the official launch of  Mitros  Ofada Rice in Abeokuta.

    Emefiele said the cheap funds  would help conserve foreign exchange as “we will no longer depend on foreign exchange to import agricultural produce.’’

    The apex bank  governor,  who identified lack of fish feeds as a major setback for fish farmers, also said the Federal Government would offer support to them.

    Emefiele commended Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun  for  the initiatives to create jobs and boost food security.

    “The Central Bank will continue to support anybody who makes an attempt to grow our agricultural sector.

    “ This is because by doing this, we provide food and jobs for our people and in doing this, we grow our economy.

    “Ogun State continues to demonstrate the urge to support the focus of the government to create jobs and grow the economy.

    “ A country that does not take agriculture seriously is naturally an unserious country.

    “We have a lot of people who wants to go into fish farming but the major problem is fish feeds. Be rest assured that if you identify yourself, you will be counted and we’ll support you,” he said.

    Also speaking, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu,  said the Federal Government had been taking  steps to revamp the agricultural sector so as to ensure food sufficiency.

    Bagudu, who is the Chairman of the  Presidential Task Force on Agricultural Commodities and Production, said  all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, have the capability to grow  rice.

    “With rice, I believe we can achieve what we have achieved,  even with a commodity like crude oil  because around the world, about 600 million metric tonnes of rice are  produced every year, and in Nigeria, we are still having a little less than 10 million.

    ” Our land size estimated by the Rice Farmers Association indicated that there are about 12 million rice farmers.

    “ This suggests that even if an average yield per farmer is the modest five  tonnes, that means  we should be producing 50 million tonnes, not under 10 million tonnes we are currently producing.

    “ Nigeria has the ability to produce rice competitively,’’ he said.

    Amosun, in his speech, said that the inauguration of mitros rice is an investment in the mission to rebuild the state.

    He said  the state had  attracted over 70 per cent of industrial investment, adding that his  administration would continue to partner with the Federal Government and private sector in boosting  food sufficiency  in the country.

    The governor  added that production of  Mitros rice had  also helped in creating jobs for farmers in the  state.

    “The Mitros ofada rice and other rice that we grow are planted, processed and packaged  by farmers from Ogun, ” he said.

    He urged  the people of  the state to partronise Mitros rice during the festive period instead of  foreign rice.

    The rice comes  in 50kg, 25kg,10kg, 5 kg and 1 kg bags.

    NAN

  • Six filling stations shut in Sokoto, Kebbi

    Six filling stations shut in Sokoto, Kebbi

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shut six filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states, for selling above the pump price of N145 per litre, alleged diversion, security issues, and operating in dirty environments.

    Acting Zonal Controller, Nura Kamba, who spoke yesterday, said four of the six stations were in Sokoto, while the others were in Kebbi.

    Five are owned by independent marketers, while one belong to a major firm.

    According to Kamba, the stations indicted for selling above N145 were fined N100,000 per pump, while those sealed for alleged diversion were reopened after being forced to sell to motorists.

    Kamba, who acknowledged a shortfall in supply, said only three trucks supplied Sokoto city daily, as against an average demand of 18 trucks.

    He promised that DPR officials will sustain the routine checks and raids to ensure motorists get value for their money.

  • Kebbi assures residents of improved fuel supply

    Kebbi assures residents of improved fuel supply

    The Kebbi Government, on Tuesday, assured residents of its commitment to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity in the state.

    The state deputy governor Alhaji Samaila Yombe, gave this assurance at an interactive session with stakeholders from the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the state monitoring committee on distribution.

    He said the State Government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that all the necessary measures be put in place to resolve the problem within the shortest possible period.

    “Considering the fact that the majority of the people in the state are farmers, who mostly depend on petrol to operate their farming activities, especially during the dry season”.

    Read also: SMEDAN empowers 160 in Anambra, Kebbi

    According to him, the State Government will not disappoint the people of the state.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Petroleum Distribution Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, called on the State Government to intervene in the problem with a view to ending the scarcity.

    He said the committee was already working with the NNPC depot in Gusau, where 16 trucks had been reportedly allocated to the state.

    NAN

  • Police rescue two boys in Kebbi

    Police rescue two boys in Kebbi

    The Police Command in Kebbi yesterday said it rescued two boys from suspected kidnappers, who demanded N2.5 million ransom from their parents.

    Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Kabiru told reporters in Birnin Kebbi that the boys, aged 10 and 11, were rescued unhurt in Dakinkowa in Niger State. But no ransom was paid.

    Kabiru said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction.

    He said on December 5, Christopher Nnagbo of new prison area, Birnin Kebbi, reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, that his son, 10, had been missing since November 30.

    He said the boy was on his way home from Anglican Church, Birnin Kebbi, when he was abducted.

    “On December 5, a hidden number called the victim’s mother, Mrs Angela Christopher, and demanded N2.5 million before the child could be released.

    “On receipt of the report, the police swung into action. The principal suspect was arrested and the victims rescued,” Kabiru narrated.

    He said the second boy was also rescued with the victim.

    “Effort is under way to locate the parents of the second boy, who was rescued in the operation,” he said.

    The commissioner said the victims were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, for observation and treatment.

    According to the police commissioner, the principal suspect said he was pushed into the act by the desire to settle his debt.

    Kabiru advised against people borrowing more than they could repay to avoid similar incidents.