The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mustapha Inuwa

  • Buhari expected in Katsina for APC grand rally Thursday

    President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the APC Presidential Campaign Team are expected to storm Katsina on Thursday for the Grand Finale of the nationwide Campaigns which kicked off Late December last year in Uyo Akwa Ibom state.

    The Secretary to the Katsina State Government and Chairman Katsina State APC Council, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, who made the above disclosure on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting called to appraise preparations for the rally at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential loge in Katsina, said Preparations are being finalized to ensure a hitch-free reception to the President and his entourage

    He reiterated the assurances by the state to deliver 2.8m votes to the President in Saturday’s elections and expressed optimism that President Buhari will be re-elected on Saturday, February 16

    He said’’ the stage is set to receive Mr. President, every arrangement have been concluded including logistics and security, some of the citizens living far away from the city center have already started arriving and are prepared to spend the night at the stadium which will be flung open as early as 6am’’

    Meanwhile Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibiu, led group, Forward for Buhari, has embarked on street-to-street campaign in Katsina State for the APC Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly before flagging off the street to street campaign, Shuaibu urged the people of the state to vote not only for the President but all the candidates of the ruling party as they have been tested and trusted to serve them very well.

    He said the campaign train which has renowned author, Mohammed Sule; one time national chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdukarim Dayyabu, among its top dignitaries, stormed Katsina Street since Monday with scores of grassroots mobilizers in several buses.

    While lauding Governor Aminu Bello Masari for graciously accepting to use the machinery of youths’ mobilization in the state to support the purpose of the visit, the APC boss maintained that the group believed the nation could go forward to the next level under Buhari’s presidency.

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku, others sign second 2019 National Peace Accord

    Shuaibu said: “We move with youths, we meet people, we talk to them at motor parks, in the markets and on the streets. We sample their opinions with regards to re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. And we also embark on voter education because one of our mandates is to insist that as long as you love Muhammadu Buhari, as long as you want to vote for Muhammadu Buhari, then you have to vote Muhammadu Buhari’s party from to down.”

    According to him, they will also embark on issues of enlightening voters on the laudable projects, both on-going and completed, of Buhari administration.

  • Katsina govt says insecurity may affect 2019 general elections

    The Katsina State Government has admitted that the present state of insecurity which has gripped the state may affect the conduct of a peaceful general election in the state if not properly tackled by a combined synergy of actions involving security agencies in the state through ground and air operations

    Dr Mustapha Inuwa who is the secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the 10 man Security Committee, which also included the Emirs of Daura and Katsina, set up after an an extraordinary security meeting that comprises security chiefs and other stakeholders, told newsmen at a briefing in his office that movement of personnel and materials to especially the affected frontline state s will be hampered by insecurity

    He further listed the affected frontline Local Government Areas that borders Zamfara to include: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Dandume, Faskari, Sabwa and Kafur.

    Read Also: Katsina under siege by armed robbers, bandits – Masari

    He said’’ certainly the security situation will threaten the general elections especially in those affected local government areas because if you post personnel to the affected area, he may refuse to go there in fear of his or her safety’’

    Inuwa further outlined several emergency measures taking by the Government including reaching out for cooperation with neighboring states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Kano states, clearing the forests located especially within the urban centers which he said has become a hideout for criminals, awareness campaign amongst inhabitants of the rural areas through traditional rulers and district heads and equipping security agencies

    Meanwhile, the state government has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris to make available Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and related equipment to police personnel to enable them deal with the rising cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling in some parts of the state.

    The state government also said it discovered that the lack of synergy between the police, military and other security agencies in the state was responsible for the rise in cases of kidnappings, banditry and rustling especially in council areas sharing the border with the Rugu forest.

    The Nation recalled that Governor Masari had during an extraordinary security meeting that comprised of security chiefs and other stakeholders lamented the rise in insecurity, adding that security reports showed that one or more of the mentioned crimes were perpetrated in some parts of the state on a daily basis.

    On the issue of Cattle rustling, he said government was considering the possibility of carrying out an enumeration of the number of cattles in the affected areas and their owners, as same would serve as a check on the issue.

     

  • Katsina govt. to equip local vigilante groups

    The Katsina state government has assured vigilante groups in the state, under the aegis of Katsina State Security Group, of adequate support and empowerment through the provision of needed gadgets and transports, to enable them contribute effectively to the maintenance of stable security in the state especially in the rural areas

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, gave the assurance at the state secretariat, while receiving the executive members of the state vigilante groups, who visited the state government to show solidarity and solicit official recognition of their activities.

    The Chairman of the group, Abdullahi Lolo told the SSG that the association is self funded and voluntary and would therefore require government support especially in the area a of transports and communication gadgets

    He said “Often we are confronted with a situation in the middle of the night where a pregnant woman in labour and needing urgent transportation could not be assisted because we don’t have transports’’.

    ‘’Even when we arrest criminals, especially the hardened ones, we are unable to convey them to the nearest police stations as we cannot detain them either. Again we cannot communicate with our colleagues scattered all over the place, especially during critical moment due to lack of equipments’’

    ‘’We know you and the governor are the same hence we offer prayers for Buhari and Masari also’’

    Abdullahi further maintained that the group needed such equipment like bows and arrows, raincoats and torch lights, stationeries, and an office building. He said they could not build their office on an empty land donated by the local chiefs due to lack of funds.

    Read Also: Katsina Police nab cultists who beheaded sergeant

    Responding, Dr Inuwa commended the association for their contributions towards ensuring the security of lives and properties in the state. He urged them to also help government in tackling the menace of drug abuse n the state.

    He promised that their requests will be looked into by the state government with a view to addressing them

    He said “Governments everywhere is primarily concerned with protection of lives and property. We alone cannot perform all security functions without your support’’

    “What you people are doing is not a small work but we know God will reward you. We will look into your request and see how government can assist you’’

  • Katsina Govt. lauds FG over ban on codeine

    Katsina State Government has commended the Federal Government for its recent ban on the local production and importation of codeine as a addictive cough syrup.

    Gov. Aminu Masari made the commendation on Thursday in Daura during a one-day zonal roundtable workshop on the phenomenon of drug abuse in the state.

    Masari was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa.

    He described drug abuse as one of the illicit practices engaged by the youth which ruined their future and send them to the early graves or subject them to mental retardation.

    “ We need to put all hands on deck to curtail the menace,’’ he said.

    He disclosed that the state government had trained and empowered 1,000 youths on various skills.

    They include: ICT; poultry and fish production; vegetable oil extraction and tailoring, adding, “ we would recruit 5,000 youth as teachers under the newly-introduced S Power programme.

    The governor called on lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, parents and wealthy individuals, among other stakeholders, to partner with the state government in curtailing drug abuse, stressing that youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

    He described the partnership between the Peace Builders Security Concepts, organisers of the workshop, and the state government in curbing the instances of youth restiveness and drug abuse, as appropriate.

    “The Peace Builders Security Concepts remains a good partner for the initiative,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Codeine ban: NDLEA arrests 17 suspects

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, represented by the Turakin Daura, Alhaji Musa Abdurrahaman, lauded the state government for partnering with the NGO in the fight against drug abuse.

    He described the workshop as timely, and assured of the unconditional support of the traditional and religious leaders in his domain toward the success of the initiative.

    Malam Ibrahim Katsina, the Executive Director of the Peace Builders Security Concepts, called on the youth to shun practices that would destroy their future.

    Katsina also called for the cooperation of the youth and parents in detecting and arresting drug dealers, consumers and the barons.

    He said the NGO was collaborating with the NDLEA and other security agencies in checking drug abuse.

    Zainab Salisu, a participant, said the workshop was timely, as according to her, drug abuse and addiction had generated different diseases in the addicts.

    She said most cases of house burglary, rape and other criminal activities were usually committed under drug influence.

    NAN

  • Masari appoints new Special Adviser on Higher Education

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved the appointment of Malam Bashir Usman Ruwangodiya as his  new Special Adviser on Higher Education.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the state, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa and made available to News men on Thursday in Katsina.

    The statement said the appointment was based on Section 196 subsection 1 of the Constitution and in recognition of his track record of service.

    Read Also: Masari appoints new Special Adviser on Higher Education

    The governor congratulated the new appointee and prayed Allah to guide him in discharging his duties.

    The appointment took immediate effect.Until his appointment, Ruwangodiya was a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communications, Hassan Usman, Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina.

    NAN

  • Katsina inaugurates Local Peace Committees

    Katsina inaugurates Local Peace Committees

    The Katsina State Dialogue and Amnesty Committee has inaugurated Peace Committees across the 34 local government areas of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Hamza Borodo, disclosed this when the dialogue committee visited Daura Local Government Area on Monday.

    Borodo said the Dialogue and Amnesty Committee was under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mustapha Inuwa.

    He  said the local government peace committees were expected to maintain peace and cordial relationship between herdsmen and farmers.

    “The the local committees are also expected to mediate and conciliate  on minor disagreements between farmers and herdsmen as well as offer useful advice on sustainable peace,” the commissioner said.

    The acting Chairman of Daura Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Kado,  commended the state government for setting up the Amnesty and Dialogue Committee.

    Kado also lauded the government for setting up the local peace committees, saying the initiative would help in promoting peace and stability especially between farmers and herdsmen.

    He further commended the state government for “drastically minimising” cattle rustling, armed robbery and clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

    Read Also:  Katsina is safe for all Nigerians – Masari

  • Katsina pledges support for traditional rulers

    Katsina pledges support for traditional rulers

    The Katsina State Government says it will continue to support traditional rulers to safeguard societal values for national growth.

    Dr Mustapha Inuwa, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made the disclosure in Daura when he paid a visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar on Thursday.

    He described traditional rulers as custodians of societal morals, adding that every society was a creation of tradition.

    The SSG stressed the importance of upholding the sanctity of the traditional institution, saying they play key roles in reshaping and maintenance of peace, security and national unity.

    ‘‘We were able to achieve maximum security with collaboration of traditional rulers,’’ he said.

    He commended the role being played by traditional rulers nationwide in organising prayers for the nation and quick recovery of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his remark, the Emir of Daura, thanked the state government for its regular support for traditional rulers in the state.

    He pledged that as custodians of tradition, they would continue to support government policies and programmes, and push for peaceful coexistence and national development.

    Farouk lauded the efforts of Gov. Aminu Masari in spreading development projects to every corner of the state.