The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Malam Muhammad Garba

  • ‘No commissioner arrested in Kano’

    Kano State Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba has debunked rumours being circulated in the social media that the police have arrested a serving commissioner in the state during Saturday’s re-run elections.

    Garba, who spoke to reporters, also described the reported loss of life due to violence in some polling units as false.

    READ ALSO: PDP to INEC: declare our candidate winner of Kano guber election

    He said these negative, false and disturbing reports are nothing but propaganda of the Kwankwasiyya movement of PDP designed and perpetrated to discredit the conduct of the re-run elections in the affected areas as they sense clear defeat.

    He said the elections were conducted peacefully and smoothly adding that there was and will not be any infringement of law or wrong doing from the government as alleged by the PDP.

    Garba therefore called on Kano citizens to disregard these fake news and propaganda and remain calm as collation of results continue.

  • Rerun election: Hold Kwankwaso responsible for breach of peace – Kano APC

    The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano state has urged security agencies and Kano residents to hold Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso responsible should there be any breach of the peace before, during and after the March 23 governorship re-run election in the state.

    In a statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture, who doubles as the Chairman, Publicity Committee, Kano APC Campaign Organization, Malam Muhammad Garba, the APC leadership in Kano expressed worry over inciting comments credited to the former Governor (Kwankwaso) and wondered why he has not been called to order by security agencies in the state, particularly, the police.

    He said, “it is no longer secret that Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has seen the March 23 supplementary election as a war he is not ready to lose. His recent utterances indicate his ability to incite and cause violence in the state before, during and after the elections”.

    “It is on record that Senator Kwankwaso has continued to mobilize his followers to cause chaos and mayhem in Kano all in the name of election, even though he is not a candidate in the contest”.

    Read also: Anxiety in Benue, Kano, Bauchi ahead of elections

    “It is pertinent at this crucial period to draw the attention of the Federal Government and security agencies to recent inciting comments credited to Senator Kwankwaso, calling for war and violence before, during and after the elections.”

    The statement added that, “as a responsible party, the APC believes that election is not a do-or-die affair. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje remains a peace-loving leader who would not want any blood to drop because of election.

    “Governor Ganduje believes that power belongs to God and only Him can give and take away power. The modest achievements recorded by his administration are enough to give him victory.

    “We wish to call on Kano stakeholders to delve into the situation and call the agents of violence to order. The Ganduje administration since its inception has continued to record and maintain peace. “We have enjoyed peace and development in the state all this while, and it will not be to anyone’s interest to allow few elements to destabilize this peace because of their selfish interest.

    “To this end, the ruling APC in Kano remains hopeful of victory at Saturday’s rerun election. We call on all our teeming supporters and the good people of Kano state to remain calm, and continue to maintain peace and order for the overall interest of our dear state.”

  • Ganduje urges APC supporters to consolidate party’s gains

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has urged members and supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to use the time between now and when the rescheduled general elections will be conducted to consolidate on the gains of the party.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, advised party members to work for its interest, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The governor, according to the statement, assured the people that the APC administration would continue to work hard to fulfil its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    Read also: Social Media accounts bearing my names are fake, says IBB

    He urged members to support the party’s leadership and be good ambassadors of the ideals the party represents.

    Ganduje also appealed to APC members to be law-abiding, to be orderly and to resist the temptations to resort to violence before, during and after the general elections.

    The statement urged security agencies to brace up to stop any attempt to cause a breach of peace in the state.

  • Ganduje makes U-turn, releases stadium for Atiku’s campaign

    In a sudden twist of events, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday ordered the contractor handling renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to immediately demobilize to pave way for the campaign rally of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to hold at the stadium.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.

    According to the statement, “accordingly, the contractor has been directed to remove all machineries from the precinct of the stadium till after the campaign rally, while the state darling teams, Kano Pillars have been told to use the Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari for its training sessions.

    “The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium.

    Read Also: Buhari prevaricates on Ganduje

    “Recall that prior to this development, the PDP had slated February 2 for the rally, which informed government decision to mobilize the contractor only for the party to fix another date for the campaign rally when the contractor had already moved to site.

    ‘’As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the governor did not ordered the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works,’’ the statement added.

    “While wishing the PDP a successful outing, the statement urged the leadership of the party to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert destruction of facilities at the stadium.”

    The Nation reports that reports in the media had insinuated that Governor Ganduje shutdown the Sani Abacha stadium so as to deny the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from using the stadium.

  • Kano condemns hunters’ clash in Ganduje town

    The Kano state Government on Tuesday strongly Condemned the clash that occurred on Sunday between local hunters in Ganduje town of Dawakin Tofa local government area of the state that lead to the death of one person and two others critically injured.

    A statement issued by the commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba said, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to bringing to book perpetrators of the unfortunate incident.

    It also dismisses attempt by some selfish individuals to link the clash with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s visit to the town to attend a wedding Fatiha.

    ‘’While it is true that Governor Ganduje was in the town to attend a wedding Fatiha, the clash between the rival hunters erupted after the Governor left the town,’’ it added.

    Read Also: LASG confiscates rail track traders’ wares

    The statement assures that the state government will not fold its arms and allow disgruntled elements to disturb the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state and promised to continue to work towards protecting lives and properties of the people in the state.

    It also admonishes citizens to develop the spirit of tolerance, patience and obedience to constituted authorities at all times.

    The Nation reports that last Sunday a bloody clash in the Ganduje town in Dawakin Tofa local government of Kano state resulted in the death one person and two injured.

  • Boxing in Nigeria needs more promoters, official says

    Rafiu Ladipo, the President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), on Thursday in Lagos said more promoters were needed to contribute to the boxing sport’s development in Nigeria.

    Ladipo told the News Agency of Nigeria he was however pleased with latest developments in boxing as the sport was gradually getting the attention it deserves.

    Ladipo said the upcoming boxing reality show, “Rumble in the Box’’, was an example of latest positive developments in the sport in Nigeria.

    “It is good. `Rumble in the Box’ which is set to come up in January will put boxing in Nigeria on another level.

    “I must commend the person who brought up the idea, Mansa Musa Promotions, for the initiative to develop the youths through their hard-earned funds.

    “This is what we want for boxing as we have continued to keep our doors open to promoters and sponsors of boxing,’’ he said.

    Ajibade Olajoku, the Chief Executive Officer of Mansa Musa Promotions, told NAN that the boxing reality show would have 24 male boxers and 16 female boxers competing.

    He said the whole target of the event is to add value to boxing and make international boxing stars because it would be transmitted live on television.

    Olajoku added that the best female and male boxers going by the highest number of votes would get the opportunity to fight in the world championship belts.

    “We are happy to tell the world what we want to do at Mansa Musa Boxing Productions and which is to get highly skilled boxers to fight in the lightweight category in a reality show.

    “The boxing reality show will have 24 male boxers and 16 female boxers in one location and also moving together competing and training together.

    “The show would also go through elimination series where the viewers would get to decide the fate of every boxer until we get the best boxer that is fit to compete internationally,’’ Olajoku added.

    He also said that the show would have a multi-talented world-class coach, the U.S.-based Demarcus Corley, to guide the youths on how to go about their training.

    “Corley, nicknamed `Chop Chop’ and was a world-class professional with 84 fights and 50 wins, would be on ground as a guide for the boxers.

    Speaking also, Remi Aboderin, the General Secretary of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), assured that the boxing reality show would be a great success.

    He said already the event has the backing of the association.

    Aboderin who doubles as the President of West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) said the event was packaged to give young and skillful boxers an opportunity to showcase their talents.

    “We at the NBB of C are confident about the whole idea because it is set up for the good of our boxers.

    “We want more promoters to come and invest in boxing and give our home-grown talents the opportunity to show their quality and guide them to stardom.

    “The idea of having Corley to guide the boxers is also well accepted because he has the credentials in terms of his professional records and achievements,’’ he said.

  • Kano pays N265m fee arrears to five private varsities

    Kano State Government has released one quarter of the outstanding tuition fees (for 2016-2018 session) totalling N265,637,741 for indigent students in private universities.

    At a briefing in his office, the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said the universities include A-Qalam University, Katsina – N19,092, 978; American University in Nigeria – N21,526,43; Bells, Ota N102,550,123; Crescent University, Abeokuta N18,410,875 and Igbinedion, Okada N104,057,741.

    The Executive Council, he said,  approved N210 million for the provision of solar-powered streetlights in boarding secondary schools and night Islamiyya schools in various locations across the state.

    He said the council okayed N354, 975, 775.17 for the construction of Local Government Staff Development Centre, adding that N14, 239, 140.37 was approved for the reconstruction/repairs of Kailani and Achi Lafiya health Posts in Kiru Local Government.

    The commissioner said the council approved N24, 478, 168  for the provision of three diffrent electricity transformers at Sharada, Kwanar Freedom Radio Small Scale Industrial area.

    The council witnessed the signing of the Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje which will enable the college to issue certificates of education.

  • Ganduje to deputy: Quit now, if you wish

    The Kano state Government has expressed great shock over what it described as unguarded remarks by the state deputy governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar who allege that, his life and that of his immediate family members are threatened.

    In a statement signed by the state’s commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba said that the fault-finding comments made by Prof. Abubakar are not only unwarranted but also unfair to the state government.

    Read Also:No prior knowledge of Speakers’ removal – Ganduje

    “Rather than making such vituperative remarks, the embattled deputy governor is advised to make a choice of quitting or remaining in the government.”

    According to him, the government holds the office of the deputy governor at high esteem, but however, sees him as too insignificant for government to commit state resources to orchestrate plan just to remove him from office, talk less of any attempt on his life.

    Furthermore, to prove that the allegations made by the deputy governor were false, he was at Tuesday’s state Executive Council Meeting, and he came with fewer security aides.

    ‘’At the meeting, when His Excellency had to excuse himself to embark on a trip, he directed the deputy governor to preside over as usual, and that  all the resolutions reached at the meeting are binding, something that would not have been accorded him by his political godfather, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,’’ the statement adds.

    Malam Muhammad Garba points out that despite several unguarded comments by the deputy governor, the government continues to accord respect and support for his office both morally and otherwise.

    The statement also debunks allegation that he has not been provided with statutory official residence, pointing out that it was his choice to remain in the private residence as he personally brought the contractor that is handling the construction of his official residence.

  • Ganduje condoles with late Isiyaka Rabiu’s family

    Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, says he received with shock the news of the death of foremost Kano businessman and Islamic scholar Sheikh Isyaka

    Rabiu, who died on Tuesday in London.

    In a condolence message on Wednesday, the governor said “I received with shock, but total submission to the will of Allah, the death of Sheikh Isiyaka Rabiu, the leader of Tijjaniya sect in Africa.”

    Read Also: We will continue to wage war against Corruption – Ganduje

    In the condolence message signed by the Commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje, condoled with the family of the deceased and the entire Muslim community in Nigeria and beyond.

    The governor prayed to Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.
    Rabiu died after a brief illness, in a London hospital at the age of 90.

    NAN

  • Kano spends N110bn annually on 151,000 workers salary

    Kano spends N110bn annually on 151,000 workers salary

    The Kano State Government says it is spending N110 billion annually on the payment of salaries to the 151,000 civil servants in its payroll.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, disclosed this on Friday in Kano.

    Garba said that “the sum of N9.2 billion is being paid monthly as wages to 151,000 workforce in the state”.

    He said the N110 billion wage bill excludes the payment of judiciary workers, the Kano State University of Science and Technology and Yusuf Maitama Sule University staff.

    Read also: Kano Hisbah board received 328 cases in September

    He said in spite of the high wage bill and current dwindling revenue, the government has not relented in paying the workers as at when due.

    “I want to inform you that in spite of the economic recession in the country, the state government does not owe workers a single Kobo as at today.

    “It is our stance that payment of salary is an obligation to any serious government, hence our decision to ensure that workers are paid as at when due,” he said.

    The commissioner reiterated governments determination to develop infrastructure in the state in order to improve the welfare of the people. (NAN)