The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kebbi

  • Kebbi to declare state of emergency in education

    Kebbi to declare state of emergency in education

    Perhaps stung by the low number of Kebbi children competing for places in Federal Government colleges, Gov Atiku Bagudu , said he would declare a state of emergency in the education sector.

    He said the policy would improve teaching and learning in the state.

    The governor made the statement while addressing members of Kebbi Development Forum (KDF), an NGO in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

    He said education is the bedrock of development hence the resolve of his administration to rejuvenate the sector.

    Out of the 78,378 pupils that participated in the recent 2017 National Common Entrance Examination, to book places in unity colleges, Kebbi had the least number of candidates. It had 63, a sharp contrast with Lagos which had 24,816 candidates.

    Bagudu,who decried the low standard of education in the state, said his administration would work with stakeholders to transform the sector,adding,” We would improve upon the human capacity problems in all levels of education”.

    He said he would constitute a stakeholders “consensus committee’’ on education stressing that his administration would recruit more teachers, provide equipment to schools and improve teachers’ welfare.

    The chairman board of trustees of the forum,Alhaji Bala Sakaba said the forum was a non-partisan organisation formed to foster unity,generate ideals ,and programmes for acceleration socio economic development.

    He said the forum is involved in sensitisation and mobilisation of traditional rulers,religious leaders and the elite to act as agents of changes towards value reorientation.

    ” it is our belief that for any society to develop, its citizens must be sensitised, to enable informed and enlightened decisions such as demand for services and accountability from their elected representatives”.

    Sakaba,called on public institutions to be dedicated and transparent in rendering services to the people and urged people to support efforts by leaders to bring development.

    Justice Usman Muhammad, formerly of the Supreme Court, who chaired the occasion lamented the backwardness of the state in education and tasked stakeholders to assist resolve the problem

    ”The knowledge attained through education creates opportunities for better prospects in career growth”,he said.

    A committee member, Dr Aisha Adamu called on the state government to be more committed towards promoting girl child education,adding,” if you educate a woman you educate the nation”.NAN

  • Boat Mishap: seven die, 136 missing in Kebbi

    Boat Mishap: seven die, 136 missing in Kebbi

    No fewer than seven people have died and seven hospitalized in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi when a boat carrying 150 passengers returning from Malali Market capsized along River Niger.

    The Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in-charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ngaski on Saturday.

    He said that efforts were on going between fishermen and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue the missing passengers.

    “As soon as we had got the hint of the mishap, we put a call to the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority to help rescue the missing passengers.

    “All the people on board were missing, but as rescue and search continue wide and deep of the river intensified, 14 people have been discovered; seven died and seven have been taken to Ngaski Hospital,” he said.

    NAN gathered that the accident occurred when the boat on transit carrying 150 passengers hit a branch of tree in the water and capsized.

    Ngaski Local Government Area is two hours journey from the river where the incident happened. (NAN).

  • Kebbi to conduct council poll in July

    The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC) has released the time-table for the next local government elections in the state.

    The Chairman of the commission, Hon. Aliyu Muhammed Mera, who disclosed this to reporters in Birnin-Kebbi, the state capital, said the election will take place in the 21 local government areas in July.

    He said this will enable the political parties, stake holders and the general public to make the necessary preparations for the exercise.

    He said nomination forms, contacts and other relevant documents pertaining to the election are available at the secretariat of the commission.

    The commission implored stakeholders to co-operate to make the election free, fair and credible. Mera said about 28 political parties are expected to participate in the  election.

  • Agency distributes fertilisers to farmers in Kebbi, Adamawa

    An international agency, Oxfam in Nigeria, with the support of the European Union (EU), has distributed dry season farming inputs to farmers in Kebbi and Adamawa States.

    The agency distributed 10,800 bags of fertilisers to 1,500 and 800 surface irrigation water pumps to 62 farmers in the two states.

    Oxfam’s Livelihood and Private Sector Manager William Mafwalal said the distribution was part of the Pro-Resilience Action (PROACT) Project, an EU support to food security and resilience in northern Nigeria.

    “Six thousand bags of fertilizers were distributed to 1,500 farmers, 400 surface irrigation water pumps were also given to over 62 farmers’ groups in Jega and Birnin Kebbi Local Governments of Kebbi State, while 4,800 bags of fertilizers and over 400 water pumps were distributed to dry season farmers in Fufure and Guyuk Local Governments of Adamawa State, for the 2017 dry season farming.

    “In the first phase of support, 625 farmers are benefiting from the dry season farming inputs, of which 350 are women in Adamawa. In Kebbi, of the 1,500 beneficiaries, 590 are women.

    “Oxfam believes fertilizers and irrigation water pumps are critical to dry season farming in the states, and most small holder farmers have challenges accessing these inputs,” Mafwalal said.

    He said Oxfam, through the project, was supporting the state governments in its efforts to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security and reduce poverty, especially among small holder farmers in rural communities.

    “This is just the beginning of the full implementation of the project. It is a four-year intervention with lots of components aimed at fighting hunger and building the resilience of farmers,” Mafwalal added.

    Adamawa State Deputy Governor Martins Babale warned farmers against selling the inputs but use them to improve their lives.

    Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mohammed Dandiga urged the beneficiaries to use the farm inputs to improve their productivity.

    “You are not the only dry season farmers in the state, but you are privileged to be among the selected few. That is why it is important that you keep to the rules and ensure you fulfil your own side of the commitment so that other farmers will benefit as well.

  • Meningitis: Expert calls for effective response strategies

    “The committee should be responsible for reviewing the antibiotic vulnerability of Neisseria meningitis serotypes in the country.

    “Such committee can then use current trend and data on antibiotic resistance to formulate appropriate prophylaxis and treatment by state, zones or the country as a whole,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that there has been an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across 16 states of the country since November 2016, of which a new strain of the disease called “stereotype C’’ had emerged.

    As at April 3, there were 2,524 suspected cases with 336 deaths recorded in 90 local government areas in the affected states.

    The states included Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa , Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

    Meningitis outbreaks peak in the dry season in certain states in the Northern region due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually end as the rainy season approaches.

    The bacteria that cause it can be spread through exchange of saliva, which can occur during common activities such as kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

    The risk factors for meningitis also include living in close quarters such as dormitories, sneezing and coughing as well as smoking or being exposed to smoke.

    Also, particular lifestyle such as staying out late or irregular sleeping habits could put people at greater risk for meningitis, by weakening their immune system.

    Some common symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, headaches and vomiting.

    According to the WHO, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment begins, five per cent to 10 per cent of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

    Vaccination against the three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis still remains one of the most effective ways to be protected against certain types of bacterial meningitis, alongside avoiding the risk factors.

     

  • Inflated contracts: Kebbi assembly summons former governor

    Inflated contracts: Kebbi assembly summons former governor

    The Kebbi state House of Assembly has summoned the former governor of the State, Alhaji Saidu Usman Nasamu Dakingari along with  the six contractors that handled the construction of Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Kebbi to  appear  before it within three weeks.

    The House, had set up a special investigation committee on the contracts awarded for the upgrading of the airport in 2014 and the report of the committee was submitted on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Hon. Muhammad Buhari Aliero, the Deputy Speaker with twelve members in attendance.

    In their 27-page  report submitted to the House on Thursday, the Committee alleged that the contract sum which was supposed to N8,623,742,038.80 inflated above N10,615,735,704.56.

    The affected Contractors are ;CGC Nigeria Limited, Avsatel Communication limited, General Engineering co-ground lighting limited, Strauss corporation limited, High Global Solid resources limited and Wago Global Venture limited.

    According to the report which was made available to journalists during a press conference by the Chairman house Committee on Information, Hon Saliu M Dangoje  all the contracts were inflated.

    ” In ascertaining the amount of money that was  expended on the upgrading of Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, the committee was guided by the payment made by the Ministry of Finance in respect of the upgrading project including ancillary and Consultancy contracts relating  and special imprest released to the Airport in 2014 which stands at N18,792,501,817.50.”

    The committee’s  recommendation  stated that ” the contract for the extension of Runway, Apron, Taxiway, and Road network was awarded to C.G.C Big.limited at the contract sum of N9,390,355,427.67 but revised to N10,615,735,704.59.

    ” The contract was paid the revised contracts sum of N10,615,735,704.59. However, from the consultants audit, the contract can be executed with N8,623,742,038.8o . The committee recommended that the contractor should refund to the Kebbi State Government the sum of N1,986,993,665.79.”

    Similarly, the Contractor that handed the Construction of Control Tower was asked to refund the sum of N26,032,416.36, while the contractor that constructed Terminal Building is to refund N321,851,366.19.

    The committee also asked Avsatel Communication Limited that handled provision of Navigational aids, communication  and metrological equipment to refund the sum of N489,320,439.51, while those that handled Airfield lighting system, Firefighting Trucks, Supply of Airport Ambulance were directed  to complete their works which were abandoned at 30% level.

    The Chairman House Committee on Information   who revealed the resolution of the House to newsmen   said the the immediate past Governor was given three weeks to appear before the House to explain his role on the contracts along the affected Contractors.

  • Find solution to Almijiris, herdsmen threat, Gov. Bagudu urges FG

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the menace of Almajiri and the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The governor made the appeal when he received a delegation from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons led by its Federal Commissioner, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

    He also called for a lasting solution to the Almajiri system of education and ways of living.
    According to the governor, the almajiri problem is a systemic problem that needs continuous attention of the Federal Government.

    “The issues of Almajiri and herdsmen have often been ignored and often seen just as a nuisance without any durable plan to address the challenges they pose.

    “We have brought up the issues believing it is within your sphere as there is no agency in the country dedicated to dealing with both issues,” Bagudu said.

    He said that apart from education aspect, there was lack of Federal Government establishment dedicated to handle the issues of Almajiris and herdsmen which were also migratory issues.

    The governor also said that most of the almajiri in the state were from Niger and Benin Republics, who share borders with the state.

    “These people can be found in sizeable numbers in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state,” he said.

    He, however, commended the Federal Government for improving security in the country, adding “before now, our farmers were afraid to go to their farmers for fear of being kidnapped or killed.”

    Earlier, the Federal Commissioner said she was in the state to access the IDPs situation and also declare opened a sensitisation workshop for the North -West Geo Political Zone on ‘Consolidating the Migration Governance: Architecture’.

    She explained that the state was strategically selected because of its location as a border state as well as its agricultural role to the country’s economy.

    Hajiya Farouq commended the state government for the tremendous assistance to IDPs in the state.

     

  • Rice farmers commend FG for Anchor Borrowers Programme

    A major rice farmer in Kebbi, Alhaji Muhammad Gwadangaji, on Wednesday attributed the feats recorded in rice production to the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme which gave out loans to farmers.

     

    Gwadangaji made the observation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.

     

    “I have been into dry-season rice farming for the past seven years and I have been able to produce about 50 bags of paddy rice every season.

     

    “However, the support I received from the Anchor Borrowers Programme has facilitated my efforts to increase my production significantly,’’ he said.

     

    Gwadangaji lauded the federal and state governments for attaching much premium to farming and for their efforts to make the country to become self-sufficient in rice production.

     

    He noted that the decision of young Nigerians to engage in farming had consequently reduced the rate of unemployment in the state and the nation as a whole.

     

    Also speaking, Malam Faruku Gwadangaji, another rice farmer, said that more youths now participated actively in dry season rice farming, thereby boosting the state’s economy.

     

    He, however, advised the beneficiaries of loans of the Anchor Borrowers Programme to promptly repay the loans so as to enable others to benefit from the agricultural credit scheme.

  • Kebbi rice mill to create 3,500 jobs

    The newly-built WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi State will create 3,500 jobs and produce 120,000 metric tonnes of top-quality rice annually, it has been said. The rice mill is part of WACOT’s expansion plan, which targets an increase in its rice milling capacity to produce 500,000 metric tonnes in the next few years.

    These facts were revealed by Mr Rahul Savara, Group Managing Director of the TGI Group, the parent company of WACOT Rice, during the pre-commissioning visit to the plant by the state governor Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

    The rice processing plant is the first rice mill to be conceptualised, executed and to be commissioned during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Work started on the mill in February 2016 and is scheduled to be commissioned in April 2017.

    WACOT, one of the largest agribusiness operations in Nigeria, supports Nigeria’s objective of food self-sufficiency with significant investments in seed multiplication, out-grower farming, food processing and distribution. In his remarks, Mr Savara said, “Total investments in the WACOT Rice Mill exceed N10billion, covering the entire rice value chain from seed multiplication and improving farming practices, to processing, branding and distribution of the rice”.

    Mr. Savara also informed his august visitors that the WACOT mill is the first rice plant in Nigeria with the capacity to generate generate 1 MW of electricity from rice husk.

    WACOT’s CEO Ujwalkanta Senapati said the firm “views farmers as partners with whom we work hand-in-hand to improve agricultural production in the state.

    Governor Bagudu  said the state is endowed with vast arable land suitable for rice, wheat, maize, sorghum and groundnut production.

    Chief Ogbeh said Federal Government will continue to encourage and support organisations such as WACOT, in its efforts to enhance and stabilise food production in the country.

    CBN Governor Emefiele said the mill will save the country substantial amount of foreign exchange that would have gone into rice importation.

  • 22 traders die in ghastly accident in Kebbi

    Twenty two traders have died in a motor accident that occurred on the Tunga Giwa – Ruwa road in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi.

    The accident occurred when a Toyota Canter vehicle that tried to avoid a pot-hole, hit a motorcyclist and somersaulted, killing the cyclist and 22 passengers in the van.

    The Sole Administrator of Shanga ,Alhaji Garba Salihu,told Gov. Atiku Bagudu that the traders were returning from Tungan Giwa market when the incident happened.

    Salihu said the vehicle rolled into a ditch and caught fire.

    He said 22 persons on board the vehicle died on the spot, while eight sustained injuries and were receiving treatment at the Yauri General Hospital.

    Bagudu,who was on an official visit to the area, participated in the funeral prayer for the victims who were buried in a mass grave.

    The governor sympathised with the survivors and pledged to settle their medical bills and render further assistance