The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Masari

  • Masari dismisses state civil service

    The Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, said he has lost confidence in the ability of the state civil servants to help government in the speedy implementation of policies and programmes, saying they have lost touch since the inception of present administration.

    Masari who was speaking when he received the Head of civil service of Katsina state, Alhaji Usman Idris Tune, who led permanent secretaries and other top functionaries of government, to pay him a sallah homage at government house, said the present administration had been making frantic efforts to reposition the civil service for optimum productivity, but that the result had remained dismal

    He however described the civil service as the engine vehicle for the implementation of government policies and programmes, regretting that this laudable objective had been corrupted by the resort to recruiting consultants and contractors to do the civil service work.

    He said ‘’so many people were of the opinion that this administration would operate the civil service in the same manner it was operated by successive administrations, some of the people were even members of the APC administration who were key officers of the struggle, however what APC was preaching was attitudinal change’’.

    ‘’ if government business is to be going properly , all those appointed by the previous administration and the ones appointed presently, except those who committed offence or otherwise would be made to continue in the service’’.

    ‘’ entitlements of the civil servants would continue to be paid as at when due, while the present administration would intensify training and retraining of the workforce. Opportunity for training of civil servants is an investment for the state and the country at large’’.

    He further contended that it is not enough to join the service as a graduate if one is not properly exposed to training, saying that in the past, there was no exception for those who are well connected in government.

    The Governor also recalled that the tenure policy introduced by the federal government was copied by the previous administration with negative consequence that helped in crippling the civil service in the state.

    He said ‘’at the federal level, the tenure policy introduced was to check stagnation in the process, even if it was done with good intention, some permanent secretaries took advantage and the casualties were more from the northern part of Nigeria’’.

    The effect of the tenure policy at the state level, he said was that it created a huge gap and almost eliminated middle and Senior level manpower in the state. Right now, he said in the ministries, one could hardly find one or two civil servants that could effectively write a good memo.

    Read Also: Niger spends N930m on new road

    Governor Masari noted that the civil service was supposed to guide the political leadership, adding that the political leadership was to design policies and programmes for the civil service to implement.

    He assured that the civil service profession would also continue to receive government attention for effective service delivery so that not all government jobs would be given to consultants or contractors.

    Earlier, the head of civil service, Alhaji Usman Idris Tune assured the governor that the permanent secretaries would continue to put in their best for the success of government policies and programmes in the state.

    He expressed gratitude to the governor for giving the civil service a level playing ground for optimal production.

  • Masari hails military for curbing killings

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has praised the military for checkmating incessant killings in communities of Zamfara and Kaduna states.

    Masari spoke during the annual Sallah Durbar at the old Government House. The Emir of Katsina, other traditional rulers and eminent indigenes paid homage to him.

    He lamented that perpetrators of such killings often used the expansive Rugu Forest as hideout to launch their nefarious operations.

    The governor called on residents to volunteer information on hideouts of hoodlums to security agencies

    He said: “In addition to security, the governments are also executing projects that would have positive bearing on the people.”

    Emir Abdulmummini Kabir Usman kicked against open defecation, saying it was the source of diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoea.

    The monarch urged the people to maintain the infrastructure and prevent vandalism.

  • Masari hails Military for checkmating killings in Zamfara, Kaduna

    Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari on Wednesday commended the Nigerian military for the successes recorded in the various security operations nationwide and for checkmating incessant killings in several troubled communities in Zamfara and Kaduna states

    Masari further commended the military, which has been carrying out their operations from the Katsina airport, saying they have been able to greatly address the wanton loss of lives and properties especially in the rural communities, as previously obtained in the past

    The governor was speaking during the annual Sallah Durbar held at the old Government House, in which the Emir of Katsina alongside hundreds of traditional rulers and eminent indigenes of the state paid him festivity homage.

    He lamented that the perpetrators of such killings often used the expansive Rugu forest as hideout, from where they launch their nefarious operations.

    He however called on people living in the affected communities to volunteer information on the hideout of hoodlums in the forest to security agencies

    He said ‘’in addition to security, government, especially at the federal and the state levels was also executing variable projects that would have positive bearing on the lives of the people’’.

     ‘’ what the present  governments at both levels was using to construct viable projects, was one-fourth of what the previous regime had realized during its four-year tenure’’.

    Earlier, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmummini Kabir Usman kicked against open defecation as such was the source of outbreak of various diseases in the state, like Cholera and Diarrhea                                                             

    The Monarch further called on people to embrace maintenance culture on projects provided by government, adding that people should learn to become owners of such projects to guard against vandalization.

    He also called on graduates to stop waiting for white-collar jobs and embrace the art of establishing small and medium scale enterprises so that they can become employers of labour.

  • Eid-el Kabir: Masari doles out N72, 231, 350 gift to Pilgrims

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state, on Tuesday announced a cash gift of N72, 231, 350, to about 2500 pilgrims from the state who were performing this year’s Haj in Saudi Arabia, as Sallah gift

    Each Pilgrim was given the sum of three hundred Saudi Riyals, equivalent to N28, 892.54, when converted at the rate of N96.31 to the Riyal

    The Amirul hajj and leader of Katsina state delegation and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abubakar Yahaya kusada disclosed the donation when he visited the rants of the pilgrims at Arafat ground while they are performing their prayers.

    Kusada who further expressed happiness over the way and manner the pilgrims conducted themselves during the period, called on them to continue in that regard. He also urged them to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Masari so as to enable them continue their good works

    Meanwhile Governor Aminu Bello Masari has felicitated with Muslims over the Eid-el Kabir, calling for more sacrifice and obedience to leaders in the true spirit of the religious occasion.

    A press release from the Special Assistant (Media),to the governor, Abdul Labaran, quoted the him as saying that religious occasions were moments which citizens should use for both merriment and sober reflection for the advancement of the society.

    He said “For Muslims across the globe the importance of the Eid-el Kabir cannot be over emphasized, as it signifies sacrifice and unquestioned obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Ibrahim( AS)’’.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari felicitates with Muslims, urges harmony, tolerance

    “For us in Nigeria, regardless of creed, the significance of the lesson of the occasion cannot be more poignant, coming at a time when our nation requires from each of us the twin virtues of sacrifice and obedience’’.

    “There is no doubt that Nigeria is facing serious challenges which the leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari is pulling out all the stops to address. The APC administration means well for all Nigerian citizens’’.

    Masari further urged the citizens to assist the leadership to successfully navigate the country out of the dire straits in every positive way and not allowing differences in religion, region and ethnicity to be used by those averse to the advancement of the nation to divide the country.

    He said “We must resist, reject and renounce politics of negative instincts, and put a distance between us and the proponents and promoters of such divisive tendencies, as their interest is at variance with the Nation’s”.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Masari felicitates with Muslims

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has felicitated with Muslims over the Eid-el Kabir, urging for more sacrifice and obedience to leaders in the true spirit of the religious occasion.
    In a statement issued by the senior special Adviser mallam Abdu Labaran and available to the Nation, said religious occasions were moments which citizens should use for both merriment and sober reflection for the advancement of the society.
    “For Muslims across the globe the importance of the Eid-el Kabir cannot be over emphasised, as it signifies sacrifice and unquestioned obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Ibrahim( AS).
    “For us in Nigeria, regardless of creed, the significance of the lesson of the occasion cannot be more poignant, coming at a time when our nation requires from each of us the the twin virtues of sacrifice and obedience.
    “It is a time for us to pause and reflect where we are coming from, where we are, where we are heading and how we intend to get there.
    “There is no doubt that Nigeria is facing serious challenges which the leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari is pulling out all the stops to address. The APC administration means well for all Nigerian citizens.
    “It’s therefore incumbent on all well meaning citizens to assist the leadership to successfully navigate the country out of the dire straits in every positive way we can.
    “We must not allow differences in religion, region and ethnicity be used by those averse to the advancement of the nation to devide us.
    “We must resist, reject and renounce politics of negative instincts, and put a distance between us and the proponents and promoters of such divisive tendencies, as their interest is at variance with the nation’s”.
    “Therefore, in all we do and say, we must always put national above other considerations, this is the pillar upon which the foundation for strong and sustainable societies are built.

  • Masari blasts Northern Leaders over education policies

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari has decried policies and programs of Northern leaders towards education charging that they should stop paying leaf service to the sector and ensure the provision of sustainable educational needs of their children.

    Masari who made the above declaration during the 20th convocation ceremony of Daura Community College of Arabic and Islamic studies,condemned the north for depending on governments to provide for education and states like Lagos with a large number of over one hundred thousand colleges and other institutions of learning, had the least number of government schools,with others belonging to the private sector

    Alhaji Aminu Masari therefore asked owners and proprietors of educational institutions to stop asking government to take them over for running, adding that the government schools are poorly run as against those owned community ones.He assured that the college would be properly wall fenced by the government, adding that the six students that received prices would be given scholarship. He also directed that Yusuf Bala Usman college of Legal and Remedial studies be servicing the college with lecturers

    Also speaking at the occasion, the visitor to the college and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar represented by the Fada Babban Daura, praised the founding fathers for the establishment of the college about twenty years ago.

    The Emir asked the present generation to ensure the survival of the college for generation yet unborn.

    Read Also: Why I am leaving APC – Tambuwal

    The chairman of the governing council of the college, Alhaji Abba Yahaya Baure who is also the Bebejin Daura spoke at length on the 20 year history of the college and commended Governor Masari for donating a vehicle to the college.

    The Chairman of the occasion and Dan Masanin Daura, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura in a message read by Alhaji Yusuf Bello Mai’aduwa appealed to well to do people to donate generously to the Appeal Fund lunching of the college.

    He said the amount realised would be judiciously utilized in providing wall fence, 12 blocks of classrooms, standard library, multi- purpose laboratory, multi- purpose Hall and an administrative block. Other infrastructure required in the college, according to Dan masanin include two blocks of student’s hostel, sick- bay V.I.P toilets, road network, drainages, lightings and the main gate.

    The Guest speaker and vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zara, professor Ibrahim Garba was represented by the Dean of Institute of Education, professor Abdullahi Kabido during the occasion,Professor kabido spoke at length on the affiliation of Daura college to the institute as well as the quality of the Diploma issued to the students.

  • Masari seeks support for security agencies

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has called on the people to support security agencies by providing useful information that would be helpful in the arrest and prosecution of criminals.

    Masari, who spoke yesterday while opening the Malumfashi Area Command Office of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Funtua road, promised that the government will work towards reducing crime, especially through policies like the amnesty introduced for cattle rustlers.

    Commissioner of Police Muhammad Wakil thanked Masari for rehabilitating their vehicles and offices, and the monthly purchase of petrol and diesel. He harped on the need for community participation to stem crime.

    The Area Commander, Abdullahi Hassan Ma’aji, thanked Masari for providing the office and asked the government to provide the new command with patrol vehicles and other logistics.

  • APC Convention: Oshiomhole, Adebayo, Masari, others emerge unopposed

    Following hi-wire consensus building overnight, a former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and 23 others have emerged unopposed as members of the new National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress( APC).
    The other unopposed officers are ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo( Deputy National Chairman);  Babatunde Ogala(National Legal Adviser); Pastor Bankole Olajuwon( National Vice Chairman, South- West); Ibrahim Masari( National Welfare Secretary); Hon. Jack Alumba( Deputy National Welfare Secretary); Tunde Bello( National Financial Secretary and others.
    The star of the day was a strong aspirant for the office of National Secretary, Mallam Kashim Imam who stepped down for the incumbent, Mai Mala Buni.
    Also, the incumbent National Vice Chairman, Chief Plus Akinyelure withdrew from the race for Pastor Olajuwon.
    With the development, 24 candidates out of 60 have emerged unopposed.
    TIT BITS
    • Incumbent National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni was announced unopposed after several hours of behind the curtain talks as his last opponent announced his withdrawal from the race at about 6.30 pm
    • Governors and party leaders from the various states have been working round the clock to ensure that aspirants from their states step down for each other
    • For more than five minutes, The new APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir’s ElRufai, Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed were engaged in a victory dance.
    • Dancing to a Hausa music, ElRufai appeared the most happiest, Jumping up and down inside the state box to the admiration of delegates had began to leave the area.
    • The convention election appeals committee made continuous announcement that all those not satisfied wit( the conduct of the election should approach the committee between Monday and Wednesday with their appeal.
    • As the convention goes into the night, security appeared to have broken down as non accredited persons and hawkers found their way into the convention venue.
    • An almost complete shut down of network rendered It almost impossible for journalists covering the convention to effectively file their stories as they have to start moving from one spot to the other in search of network to file their stories.
    • Several serving Ministers attended the convention as observers as the party constitution does not recognize them as delegates. Only Ministers who are former governors or former legislators are recognized as delegates by the party constitution.

  • Masari decries kidnapping

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari is worried over the high rate of kidnapping in the state. He lamented that it has reached a frightening scale.

    Masari, who spoke when senior members of judiciary and heads of security agencies visited him in the Government House, described kidnapping as one of the most troubling security challenges facing the state and which deserved urgent attention.

    He said: “We have common problems involving all the states in the Southwest. Yesterday, it was Boko Haram to cattle rustling, which made farming and living difficult for the ordinary Fulani man. We collectively arrested these situations to the barest minimum. With robbery already eliminated, now it is kidnapping which has reached a frightening stage.”

    The governor urged security agencies to work towards dealing with the problem and restore normalcy.

    He advised security agencies and the judiciary to work together to prosecute and convict suspected criminals, saying that efforts to deal with security challenges would not succeed if there was no conviction.

    “No matter how we try, if there is no conviction of criminals, then it makes no sense of our justice system and encourages criminals to continue in their nefarious acts,” he added.

    Leader of the delegation and Chief Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar assured Masari that the judiciary and security agencies would help in addressing problems facing the state.

  • N184.5m contract ‘fraud:’ICPC files charges against Masari

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has filed a 27- count charge before an FCT High Court against a former Director-General of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)Alhaji Bature Umar Masari.

    He is accused of fraudulent award of constituency projects contracts worth N184.5m.

    Masari allegedly awarded the specialized entrepreneurship constituency projects contracts for Benue State. and received kickbacks to the tune of N99.8m between 30th April 2014 and 24th December 2014 from various contractors.

    In one of the charges, Masari was alleged to have received N50m in November 2014 from one of the contractors and distributed part of the sum to some other persons.

    ICPC alleged that the ex-SMEDAN boss committed  an offence contrary to Section 10(a)(i) and punishable under Section 10(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    Additional charges against Masari are that he allegedly received various other sums from different contractors.

    All payments from the contractors were made to the personal account of Alhaji Masari.

    The Court has not fixed a date for the arraignment of the former Director-General.

    Acting on a petition, the ICPC in December 2017 arrested Masari for questioning. He has been on administrative bail in the last five months.