The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muazu Babangida Aliyu

  • Aliyu: pressure on me to go to Senate

    Aliyu: pressure on me to go to Senate

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said yesterday that there was pressure on him to go to the Senate in 2015.

    He said he had not endorsed any member of the executive council to succeed him.

    Aliyu spoke yesterday when he hosted Turban Communities Chiefs in Minna Emirate Council, led by Eze Ndigbo of Minna, Eze Pampers Ngozi Waiwe.

    The visitors had asked him for his next line of action in 2015 and he said: “I have been consulted by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to go to the Senate but I have not given them a word.”

    Though his body language suggested that he may be gunning for the upper chamber , Aliyu, however, said he prayed that 2015 will be greater for him than 2007 and 2011.

    Aliyu applauded the loyalty of Deputy Governor Musa Ibeto but said he has no power to elevate him or any member of the executive.

    “I have been praying that my successor should come from the exco. I confirm that my deputy is loyal.”

    “I have also not endorsed anybody as my successor. I am only praying that the next governor will be an insider so that he can continue where we stopped. All we have to do now is to pray for the state,” Aliyu said.

     

  • Probe Nyako’s claims, ACF urges govt

    Probe Nyako’s claims, ACF urges govt

    •Northern governors meet on Thursday

    Governors in the North have waded into the row between President Goodluck Jonathan and Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

    Nyako, in a letter to the Northern State Governors Forum, accused President Jonathan of inept leadership in the handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He also alleged that the Presidency is behind the activities of the sect, which he described as genocide against the North.

    Officials in the Presidency fired back, describing Nyako as a “failed governor”.

    The governors have fixed a meeting for Thursday in Abuja to examine Nyako’s position.

    The chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said in Minna yesterday that “the forum is now in receipt of Nyako’s memo and will look at the concerns raised with a view to addressing the issues”.

    The governors will also meet with the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to find lasting solutions to the incessant crises between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

    Aliyu, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, said members of the forum and leaders of the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria would map out strategies to address the insecurity in the region.

    He said he was enthusiastic that the interface between the governors and Miyetti Allah would engender the restoration of the most desired peaceful co-existence, unity and development in the region.

    Aliyu said the forum intends to work closely with leaders of Miyetti Allah to unmask criminals, who masquerade as cattle breeders to inflict mayhem on innocent citizens.

    The decision to dialogue with Miyetti Allah was taken at the last meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) during which governors constituted a panel headed by Nyako.

    The meeting is expected to make a case for proper demarcation of grazing fields for herdsmen and the adoption of a comprehensive pastoral development programme to reduce constant friction between farmers and herdsmen, especially in the North.

    Also yesterday, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) asked the Federal Government to immediately investigate Nyako’s allegations of genocide against the North as well as external and third party support for the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Forum, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the government should also investigate the source of funds, arms and ammunition the insurgents have been using.

    The statement reads: “Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, in a letter dated April 16 sent to the Governors of Northern States accused the ‘Federal Government of genocide against the people of the North.

    “He alleged that the Federal Government has failed to arrest the mindless slaughter and indiscriminate bloodletting by Boko Haram insurgents and other terrorist groups, which is a clear and systematic effort to destroy the Northern population for partisan political advantage.

    “ACF had in the last six years expressed serious concern on the spate of killings and destruction of property by the Boko Haram insurgents and other criminals in the North, especially in the North east region. It had also appealed to government at various levels on the need to adequately equip and fund its military and other security personnel to tackle the insecurity challenges bedevilling the North.

    “Unfortunately, the measures employed by government, including a state of emergency, have not yielded the desired result, hence the incessant attacks and kidnaping of innocent people by the insurgents and unknown gunmen.

    “The scale and sophistication of the attacks being waged by the insurgents against harmless people, who do not even know or understand their grievance, are beyond the capacity of the semi-literate almajiri (Boko Haram) that we know.

    “It will be recalled that not long ago, our military command informed the world that it had found and destroyed over 700 vehicles belonging to the insurgents in one of their camps.

    “How come the killings and kidnappings have continued, especially in the Northeast region?

    “ACF had earlier called on the government to investigate the source of funds, arms and ammunition the insurgents have used in their deadly acts of terrorism against the people without much resistance from our security forces deployed in the affected states.

    “Therefore, Governor Nyako, being a victim of the calamity that has afflicted the Northern states, is only expressing the frustrations being felt by other victims.

    “The ACF therefore calls on the Federal Government to urgently investigate the allegations made by Governor Nyako, especially the support being enjoyed by the insurgents from third parties within and outside Nigeria in order to get to the root of this insecurity ravaging the North.”

     

  • 10 Niger exco members may resign

    10 Niger exco members may resign

    Political appointees in Niger State nursing any political ambition have till month end to resign.

    It was gathered that Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at last week’s executive council meeting drew the attention of the appointees to the Electoral Act, which stipulates that any political appointee interested in contesting must resign six months before election.

    A source at the meeting said the governor told interested appointees to prepare their handover note on or before April 25 and handover to the most senior officer in their ministry, department or agency.

    The source said Aliyu had planned to dissolve the exco but for the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan for the North Central unity rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)..

    The source said: “The directive was not the governor’s making; he only drew the attention of the exco members to the provisions of the Electoral Act as a law abiding leader.

    “It will also help him know how to run his administration, which ends next year.”

    Aside from Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who is exempted by the law, six commissioners may likely resign.

    Commissioner for Works Mu’azu Bawa is eyeing the governorship seat. Commissioner for Local Government Yusuf Tagwai; Commissioner for Economic Planning Yahaya Dansalau and Commissioner for Fishery and Livestock Yahaya Vatsa will viefor seats in the House of Representatives.

    Others include the Secretary to the State Government, Idris Ndako Kpaki, the Head of Service, Abbas Bello, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Joshua Bawa and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Saba Mohammed.

    It was gathered that these four principal officers are eyeing the National Assembly seats of their constituencies.

    Two women- Commissioner for Water Resources Hadiza Abdullahi and her Gender Affairs counterpart, Hassana Adamu- may also resign.

    Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary Danladi Ndayebo could not be reached for comments.

  • ‘Anti-graft agencies haven’t curbed corruption’

    ‘Anti-graft agencies haven’t curbed corruption’

    The Chairman of Northern States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday passed a verdict of failure on all anti-graft agencies in the country.

    The governor accused them of not doing enough to curb corruption because the menace was increasing at an alarming rate.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna yesterday when he hosted the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, led by its Acting Chairman, Mr Victor Chinemere Muruako.

    The governor regretted that the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission had not reduced corruption.

     

    He said: “We have EFCC; we have Fiscal Responsibility Commission and we have the ICPC, but none of these agencies are doing enough to curb corruption. Today, there is no way you will not see in the media stories about corruption; there is no way cases about corruption will not be mentioned in the country for a day.”

    The governor also blamed the current insurgency in the North on corruption, saying: “corruption brought about the Boko Haram insurgency.”

    The NSGF chairman called for public education on how to handle public finance.

    He said: “The people should know that it is not a private or a money-making venture. It is for the public, for the benefit and interest of the public.”

    Muruako said the commission had recovered over N114 billion in operating surplus paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and corporations in the new fiscal regime.

    “Despite corruption and reluctance at individual and institutional levels to adopt the culture of transparency and accountability, Nigeria’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the years since the new fiscal regime became operational,” he said.

    Muruako regretted that only 22 per cent of states have adopted the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

    According to him, this is not encouraging, considering the nation’s strength on regional government.

    The agency chief stressed that total compliance to the Fiscal Responsibility Act would guarantee a more stable economy.

    He urged Aliyu to prevail on his colleagues to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Law and buy into the new regime of fiscal prudence to expedite action on the nation’s macro-economic stability.

     

     

     

  • Aliyu: I prefer an insider as successor

    Aliyu: I prefer an insider as successor

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said yesterday he wants his successor to emerge from the executive council.

    He said he prefers an insider to succeed him in order to continue, sustain and maintain the administration’s projects and programmes.

    The governor said this when he received the 2013 Hajj report from the Amirul Hajj, Musa Ahmed Ibeto, who is also the deputy governor.

    Three of the eight aspirants jostling for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are executive council members.

    Aliyu said: “I’m asking God to bring the next governor from the executive council.

    “I have no preferred candidate among the aspirants. But there is the need for a successor from the exco to ensure that the next governor is conversant with the projects of the administration and to ensure its continuity.”

    The governor said it may be difficult for anyone coming from outside to understand the vision and mission as well as the policies, programmes and projects of the administration.

    “For me at the moment, I don’t have a candidate but whoever comes to me whether from the exco or outside, I’ll tell him to go and meet the people.

    “I know finally, there will be a governor, but my prayer and hope are that the person comes from around me, someone who is aware of what we have been doing.

    “Someone coming from outside may not understand the kind of intangible ways of handling issues and may start unnecessary accusations.

    “But those that we have been working together will make sure the state is peaceful .

    “That’s my prayer but I am ready for whoever God gives to me as governor.

    “I am not disturbed by the figure. Things will shape up as the time goes. The number makes the game healthy but I can assure you that with time things will shape up and the right candidate will emerge. I only wish he comes from the cabinet”.

     

  • Insurgency: North’s governors allay Nigerians’ fears

    Insurgency: North’s governors allay Nigerians’ fears

    The Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) yesterday urged Nigerians, especially those living in the North, not to despair over the persistent insurgency and attacks on innocent citizens in the region.

    The chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, in reaction to last weekend’s attacks in Zamfara State where about 200 people were reportedly killed.

    The governor urged well-meaning Nigerians not to stop praying to God to end the spate of killings in the region.

    In a statement yesterday in Minna by his spokesman, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, the governor, on behalf of the NSGF, noted that the recent attacks in the North negated the efforts of security forces to stop insurgency in the region.

    The statement reads: “The NSGF expresses shock and sadness at the attack in which about 200 persons were killed in Yar Galadima village in Maru Local Government (of Zamfara State) at the weekend.

    “It is regrettable that the attack came a few days after several people were killed in a similar attack in a community in Zurmi Local Government of the state.”

    The forum commiserated with families of those killed or injured during the attacks.

    It urged security agencies to double their efforts in protecting the lives and property of the citizens.

     

  • Anti-graft agencies haven’t curbed corruption, says Aliyu

    Anti-graft agencies haven’t curbed corruption, says Aliyu

    The Chairman of Northern States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday passed a verdict of failure on all anti-graft agencies in the country.

    The governor accused them of not doing enough to curb corruption because the menace was increasing at an alarming rate.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna yesterday when he hosted the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, led by its Acting Chairman, Mr Victor Chinemere Muruako.

    The governor regretted that the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission had not reduced corruption.

    He said: “We have EFCC; we have Fiscal Responsibility Commission and we have the ICPC, but none of these agencies are doing enough to curb corruption. Today, there is no way you will not see in the media stories about corruption; there is no way cases about corruption will not be mentioned in the country for a day.”

    The governor also blamed the current insurgency in the North on corruption, saying: “corruption brought about the Boko Haram insurgency.”

    The NSGF chairman called for public education on how to handle public finance.

    He said: “The people should know that it is not a private or a money-making venture. It is for the public, for the benefit and interest of the public.”

    Muruako said the commission had recovered over N114 billion in operating surplus paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and corporations in the new fiscal regime.

    “Despite corruption and reluctance at individual and institutional levels to adopt the culture of transparency and accountability, Nigeria’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the years since the new fiscal regime became operational,” he said.

    Muruako regretted that only 22 per cent of states have adopted the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

    According to him, this is not encouraging, considering the nation’s strength on regional government.

    The agency chief stressed that total compliance to the Fiscal Responsibility Act would guarantee a more stable economy.

    He urged Aliyu to prevail on his colleagues to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Law and buy into the new regime of fiscal prudence to expedite action on the nation’s macro-economic stability.

     

     

     

  • Anti-graft agencies have failed – Gov. Aliyu

    The Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has  passed a verdict of failure on all anti-graft agencies in the country.

    He accused them of not doing enough to curb corruption in the country, insisting that corruption in the country is increasing at an alarmingly.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna on Tuesday when he hosted the Fiscal Responsibility Commission led by the Acting Chairman, Mr. Victor Chinemere Muruako in his office.

    He lamented that the efforts of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission have done little to reduce corruption in the country.

    According to him, “We have EFCC, we have Fiscal Responsibility Commission and we have ICPC but none of these agencies are doing enough to curb corruption. Today, there is no way you will not see in the media stories about corruption and there is no way cases about corruption will not be mentioned in the country for a day.”

    Aliyu also blamed the current insurgency being experienced in the northern  region of the country on corruption. According to him, “corruption brought about the Boko Haram insurgency”.

    The NSGF Chair  advocated for public education on to handle public finance stressing that, “the people should know that it is not a private or a money making venture, it is for the public, for the benefit and interest of the public.”

    Earlier, the acting Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Mr. Chinemere Muruako told his host that the commission recovered over N114 billion in operating surplus paid into the Consolidated Revenue  Fund by MDAs and Corporations in the new fiscal regime.

    “Despite corruption and reluctance at individual and institutional levels to adopt the culture of transparency and accountability,  Nigeria economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the years since the new fiscal regime became operational.”

    Muruako lamented that only 22 per cent of states in the country have adopted the Fiscal Responsibility Law stating that this is not encouraging considering the nation’s strength on regional government as total compliance to the Fiscal Responsibility Act will guarantee a more stable economy.

    He then appealed to Aliyu to prevail on his colleagues to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Law and buy into the new regime of fiscal prudence in order to expedite the nation’s macro-economic stability.

  • ‘Nigeria lucky to have Obasanjo’

    ‘Nigeria lucky to have Obasanjo’

    Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday extolled the dedication of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the promotion of peace, unity and development of the nation.

    In a goodwill message to commemorate the 77th birthday of the former leader, the Forum praised Obasanjo for his contribution to nation building, especially in the area of deepening the nation’s democracy.

    In a statement by the Forum’s Chairman and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in Minna yesterday, the forum said the nation is lucky to have Obasanjo and described his life as one of exceptional professional and political accomplishments.

     

     

     

  • North’s governors scrap fees in secondary schools

    Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday announced the abolition of fees in secondary schools in the region.

    It has agreed to harmonise fees paid in state-owned tertiary institutions in the region.

    Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said the governors took these decisions to reposition education in the area.

    Aliyu, who spoke at the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) national award ceremony in Minna, said the forum would re-introduce the Grade 2 teacher training programme abolished across the country to improve teaching in schools.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Muhammad Bashir Nuhu, the NSGF Chairman said an education summit aimed at addressing the problems impeding the growth and development of education in the area would be held soon.

    He said the forum decided to close the educational gap between male and female pupils and tackle the problem of Almajiri.

    The governor said his administration computerised the payment of scholarship to students in tertiary institutions and introduced scratch cards to beneficiaries as a way of plugging wastage.

    He said the administration paid out over N1.8 billion as scholarship and allowances.

    Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Lapai, Umaru Bago, praised the governor for transforming the state.

    He hailed the non-discriminatory fees policy of the administration.