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Tag: Kebbi

  • Bagudu promises commitment to online entrepreneurship

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has reiterated the commitment of his administration to encourage online entrepreneurship among youth in the state.

    Bagudu made this known at a workshop on five business opportunities organised by a Kaduna based online organisation in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

    He acknowledged that online business had not only enhanced the economic prosperity of entrepreneurs but also boost wealth creation.

    The governor said the state government would encourage such entrepreneurship in line with modernity.

    Earlier, Mohammed Jega, the Managing Director of Start-up Arewa, an online company, explained that the workshop was aimed at opening the business opportunities for youths.

    Read Also: Elumelu: Entrepreneurs need govt to grow

    Jega said the programme targets at encouraging youths to be self-employed by engaging in online businesses.

    He commended the state government for its pragmatic approach to exploit all areas of economic empowerment for its people.

    The Nation reports that professionals at the event highlighted ways in which online users would grow businesses in agriculture, fashion design, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, commerce and educational matters.

    NAN

  • Gov. Bagudu swears-in five judges, two Khadis

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi on Wednesday swore -in five High Court Judges and two Khadis of the state Sharia Court of Appeal with a call on them to maintain the integrity of the judiciary.

    He said that without justice there would be no peace, and urged the judiciary to stand firm and uphold justice without fear or favour.

    The governor said that the state must reform its laws including the Penal Code and Criminal procedure Code in line with current realities.

    Bagudu particularly said that new provisions must be made to provide adequate punishment for those convicted of rape and kidnapping.

    According to him, the Northern Governors Forum have since directed Attorneys’ General and Commissioners for Justice in the region to undertake comprehensive reforms of Criminal Laws and Code of Conduct Procedures.

    He noted that the new appointees would replace those that retired recently.

    Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rahmatu  Gulma urged the new Judges to be courageous, fair and just in the administration of justice.

    She said: ” I must quickly and respectively add, my Lords, that in as much as the standard required to becoming a judge is high, it requires a far higher standard to remain one.

    “This is because the demand of the office are quite challenging.

    “You deal with matters that more often than not, excite so much public interest and at times too much publicity for the comfort of my Lords’ quiet and recluse lifestyle.

    “At other times, public expectations and sentiments may be tilted towards an expected outcome which may not be in line with the law.

    “Do not give in to intimidation borne out of sentiments that have no bearing with the law.

    “Never be swayed by partisan interest, neither by public clamour or fear of criticism. Be firm, fair and just to all.

    “This is the only way that you can uphold the dignity of the Bench, this is the only way to maintain justice, equity and fairness.”

    The new High Court Judges included Halima Aliu, Abubakar Sidiq, Stephen Kibo, Hassan Usman and Mainasara Umar, while the Khadis were Alhaji Usman Kudu and Alhaji Sani Randale.

    NAN

  • Gov Bagudu assures Corps members of security, welfare in Kebbi

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has assured corps members of adequate security and better welfare. Bagudu gave the assurance at the swearing in ceremony of the NYSC batch A at the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) Orientation Camp in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area on Monday.

    ”The government of Kebbi State on its part will do everything within its capacity to ensure a conducive and secure environment during and after the orientation course.

    ”Kebbi State is known for peace, your safety here is assured.

    “I have directed various security agencies in the state to double their efforts towards ensuring adequate law and order,” he said.

    Bagudu, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, said NYSC had remained a beacon of hope for the nation’s development.

    According to him, it has enlightened graduate youths who prior to the inception of the scheme are strangers to diverse culture and traditions of others parts of the nation.

    The governor urged corps members to be law abiding citizens and partner with Kebbi to secure the environment.

    He said that his administration would improve on the general welfare of the corps members in the state.

    Read Also: Wike, Ganduje, Bagudu, Buratai, others for civil society awards

    Bagudu also urged them to respect the social and cultural beliefs of the community they were posted to serve.

    Earlier, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Alhaji Lawal Turawa, said that 2,216 corps members had registered for the three weeks orientation comprised of 1,156 males and 1,105 females.

    Turawa said that the corps members would undergo orientation on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship during the orientation.

    He said that the aim was to make them self-reliant and employers of labour rather than job seekers at the end of the service year.

  • Sokoto: Custom seizes 48 smuggled vehicles

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) has seized 48 vehicles with duty paid value of N196.7 million in Sokoto. Nasir Ahmed, the Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command, made the disclosure on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the success recorded by the command in the first quarter of 2018.

    “The NCS based on credible intelligence on Wednesday April 12, with the assistance of the 1 Brigade, Nigeria Army in an operation discovered a location in Sokoto where several vehicles are stored.

    “These vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country were stored at Rugan Waru Area of Sokoto state.

    “So, officers of NCS acting under the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap 45, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014, during a raid discovered the 48 vehicles.

    “This, involved 20 Lexus GX 470 SUV vehicles and 28 Toyota Avensis vehicles suspected to be smuggled through unapproved routes,” he said.

    He added that the vehicles were immediately moved from the location and deposited at NCS headquarters in Sokoto.

    Read Also: Education at all cost: agony of lame female students in Sokoto varsity

    “We therefore urge the owners to come forward with valid Customs documents because failure to do so, the vehicles will be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the Federal Government after 30 days.

    “This is in line with the laws of the land. However investigations to ascertain the true owners of these vehicles is presently ongoing,” he added.

    The Comptroller further said that a total of N443.8 million revenue was generated by the command in the first quarter of 2018, higher by 20.3 per cent compared to same period in 2017.

    Ahmed also said that the command in the first quarter seized 2, 298 bags of 50 kg and 23 bags of 25 kg bags of foreign rice with duty paid value worth N41.3 million.

    He also added that 527 jerry cans of 25 kg vegetable oil with duty paid value of N6.6 million was seized by the command during the same period.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa, Yobe, Cross River pay highest price for kerosene in March

    The National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ), says residents of Nasarawa, Yobe and Cross River, paid the highest price for kerosene in March.

    The NBS said this in its National Household Kerosene “Price Watch’’ for March, 2018 released in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The NBS report said that residents of Nasarawa paid an average price of N306.07 per litre for kerosene, Yobe paid N300.78 while Cross River residents paid N300.68 for the product.

    Meanwhile, the report noted that states with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Abia; N229.35; Delta; N227.77 and Borno; N225.13.

    The report said that average price per litre paid by consumers for kerosene decreased by -6.79 per cent month-on-month and -13.66 per cent year-on-year from N288.57 in February to N268.99 in March.

    Read Also: Yobe donates N200m for Army Barrack project

    Similarly, the report said that average price per gallon paid by consumers for the product decreased by -8.45 per cent month-on-month, and -19.57 per cent year-on-year from N1,030.33 in February to N943.27 in March.

    It, however, said that states with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene were Kebbi, N1,105.00; Benue, N1,096.67 ; and Jigawa, N1,061.90, respectively.

    It also noted that states with the lowest average price per gallon of kerosene were Ebonyi, N828.57; Delta, N821.54; and Rivers, N814.08.

    NAN

  • Kebbi correspondent buried in Kano

    ‎The remains of Dauda Shehu, the former state correspondent of the News men  in Kebbi was on Thursday interred in Kano.Prior to the interment of the former News men staff, a funeral service was held at the District Church Council, in Kano.

    The News men reports that the body of the deceased was laid to rest at the Racca Cemetery in Brigade area of Kano.The funeral service was attended by media practitioners, family members, friends and the News men staffs led by head of Kano State office, Tukur Muntari.

    Delivering his sermon, the presiding pastor, Rev. Samaila Musa admonished the congregation on the need to emulate the virtues exemplified by the deceased.“Dauda has lived a simple and good life that should be a lesson to all,” he said.

    Read Also: Kebbi correspondent buried in Kano

    ‎Nuhu Shehu, a brother of the deceased also described Dauda as humble, God fearing and an honest gentleman.“Dauda was honest and God fearing, who lived a simple and exemplary life,” he said.

    Shehu, aged 58, died on Tuesday at Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kebbi following a brief illness.He is survived by a wife, daughter and other relations.‎

    NAN

  • Kebbi assures farmers of adequate farming inputs

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has assured farmers in the state of adequate provision of more farming implement to boost agricultural activities.

    Bagudu made the assertion on Monday at Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnics during the report presentation by Agricultural committee of 21 local governments in the State.

    The state government had set up the committee to find lasting solution to rivers dryness and other challenges facing farmers in the state.

    He said the State government is ready to find solution to any problems that is associated with agriculture and food insecurity.

    The governor promised that the state would provide chemical, insecticides for famers to protect their crops against rodents, Quellea birds and insects.

    ” Any community that requires agricultural support, the State government is ready to assist in boosting food production in the state.

    ” We have to focus on our attention to all farmers so that we can make optimal arrangement that can help farmers to produce more products in the State.”

    Governor further said that state government has procured 10,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for farmers and his administration is planing to distribute 300 tractors and 250 harvesters to farmers to boost food production in the state.

    Read Also: Kebbi begins payment of N274m compensation to land owners

    ” We don’t have challenges of fertiliser because government has procured a lot of fertiliser for farmers in the state, we have fertilisers available for famers at the rate of N5,000 and the farmers can get the fertiliser through their village and district Heads.

    He stated that fertiliser that worth N128 million was given to Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samila Mera to give to the farmers at a subsidiary rate to encourage more cultivation.

    Bagudu said what can be done in rice production can also be done in other crops to boost production.

    The governor said that the state government has sign agreement with NNPC on sugar and cassava to produce ethanol and also sign another agreement with Dangote groups to establish rice Mill Company in the state.

    He further said that women would not be ignored in farming because women are contributing much in rice production, saying “‘we bought over 100 new small scale mill machines to give to women”.

    He pleaded with the Commissioner for Women Affairs to organise women for more farming activities,” he said.

    The News men reports that each of the 21 local governments in the state presented report on challenges facing farmers in their areas.

    NAN

  • Kebbi to restore water flow to Argungu fishing festival river

    Kebbi Government on Tuesday said it had taken measures to restore water flow in Matan Fada River, the site of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, who said this when he visited the the river for on-the-spot assessment of the water situation, directed the state Ministry of Works to mobilise equipment to the river to restore water flow.

    Bagudu, who attributed the dryness of the river to climate change, also directed that the flow of water be restored to revive the festival, enhance dry season farming and improve supply of portable water to the people.

    The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, had earlier told the governor that the dryness of the river had caused tension among the people as it had affected their ways of life.

    He said the situation had not been witnessed for decades, stressing that the dryness of the river had resulted in the destruction of marine life.

    He said the emirate had communicated the development to the management of the Rima River Basin Development Authority for necessary action.

    The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was last held in 2009.

    The internationally recognised festival was said to have begun in the 16th century.

    The event, which went through changes and modifications, was first celebrated in 1934 to mark the end of the centuries-old hostility between the Sokoto caliphate and the Kebbi kingdom.

    The four-day event, marked by pomp and ceremony, draws national and international tourists.

    More than 5,000 fishermen gather close to the river and at the sound of a gong, they all dive into the river to fish with their traditional nets and gourds.

    The person who catches the biggest fish gets a prize.

    A cross section of the people in the area, while interacting with our correspondent, expressed shock at the sudden dryness of the river, saying that it had been a source of pride to the Kabawa tribe and other people in the state.

    NAN

  • We will deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag – Bagudu

    We will deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag – Bagudu

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi says the state will work together with farmers and millers under the Federal Government’ Anchor Borrower Programme to deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag.

    The governor gave the assurances Sunday night in Birnin Kebbi at a dinner hosted in honour of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The minister is on a two-day working visit to Kebbi with a team of journalists to showcase and assess the government agricultural revolution.

    Bagudu who commended the President Muhammadu Buhari led Government policy on rice called for more investments by the public and private sector.

    The governor said that the mobilisation of 70,000 farmers and N11 billion spent on the pilot scheme had yielded so much dividends and attracted national and global attention to the state.

    He said in addition to the two major rice milling factories – Labana and Walcot – , there were so many small and medium scale millers springing up in the state.

    Bagudu disclosed that Labana and Walcot rice milling factoriies had N55 billion demand for paddy.

    The governor also disclosed that the Dangote group recently visited him and were concluding plans to set up a rice milling factory in the state.

    He said the partnership between Kebbi and Lagos states on rice value chain that produced the Lake rice had solved the challenge of glut by providing ready made market for farmers.

    The governor, who is the Chairman Presidential Task Force Committee on Rice and Wheat Production noted that the level of investment in the state had proved that agriculture is the easiest sector for diversification

    He said the huge investments had also shown the confidence the investing community had in the Buhari’s administration.

    For his part, the minister appreciated the governor for honouring him and members of his entourage.

    He said Kebbi’s goal is to be a trailblazer in using the Anchor Borrowing Programme to transform the agriculture sector.

    Mohammed said the programme aimed at food production, job creation, income generation and self sufficiency had been a tremendous success the state.

    The minister said he led the media to the state to show to the world that the government agriculture policy is working and yielding results contrary to the claims of naysayers.

    Besides agriculture, the state commissioners gave score cards of the giant strides of the governor in roads, health, infrastructure development, culture and information technology.

    NAN

  • Kebbi SEMA assures assembly of improved performance

    Kebbi SEMA assures assembly of improved performance

     

    The Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has assured the State Assembly that it would judiciously utilise the N5 billion approved for the organisation in the 2018 budget.

    The Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi when the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation paid a courtesy visit to the agency.

    Dododo said the agency was satisfied with the allocation, adding that it would facilitate improvement in its performance.

    “The state assembly approved N5 billion to enable the agency to continue to carry out its humanitarian services to the people of the State.

    Read Also: Kebbi provide amenities at settlements

    “We urge the assembly to assist and cooperate with the agency for effective performance.

    “Also, we call on people of the state to always report any outbreak in their areas to the agency for appropriate action.”

    Earlier, the Committee Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Sarkin-Shanu, expressed satisfaction with the activities of the agency.

    He said that assembly would do everything possible to support and assist the agency to achieve its mandate.

    NAN