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Tag: Nasir el-Rufai

  • Govt. deploys troops, as gunmen kill 12 in fresh Southern Kaduna attack

    Kaduna state security council said it has deployed troops to Ungwan Pa-Gwandara in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state, as unidentified gunmen allegedly killed 12 persons in the village at the weekend.

    Reports from the area said that, 21 other persons were seriously injured during the attack by the gunmen.

    Eye witness account claimed that, at about 7:30 to 8pm heavy armed herdsmen invaded the community during a wedding ceremony and opened fire killing 12 people instantly.

    The news about the deployment of the troops to troubled community was contained in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, on Monday.

    According to the statement, the deployment of troops is intended to further secure the area and provide the atmosphere for extensive investigation of the sad incident, and the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits.

    Read Also: Troops arrest three suspected gunrunners

    Quoting the Governor, the statement said, “criminal elements must not be allowed to divide people and wantonly take lives. The governor has sent a message of condolence to the community, expressing his deep sadness at the loss of lives and his sympathy for the victims and their families.”

    He urged anybody with useful information on the attack to kindly contact and make same available to the security agencies near them.

    “The governor has also directed Jema’a local government council and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to, as a matter of urgency, work towards taking care of victims receiving medical attention and provide relief materials to the community,” he added.

     

  • Suspected killers of Kaduna monarch arrested

    Department of State Security (DSS) has arrested six persons suspected to have killed the Kaduna first class traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima.

    Kaduna State command Director of DSS, Mr. Mahmud Ningi who paraded the suspects in Kaduna on Wednesday recalled that, suspects abducted the late traditional ruler on the 19th of October and killed him a week after.

    However in his reaction to the arrest of the suspects, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has demanded swift conclusion of investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

    While parading the suspects, the DSS Director said, “on October 19 about 1730 hours near Idon village, in Kajuru Local Government area, a gang of armed hoodlooms blocked the road and were robbing commuters of their valuable. Unfortunately during the operation, the convoy of the late Galadima, ran into the hoodlums who subsequently abducted the Monarch and his wife Victoria and driver, Timothy Katari.

    “The hoodlums also killed the police orderly Sergeant Isua Clement and one palace Gard Amos Zamani.”

    He also disclosed that three days later on October 21, the wife of the Royal father was also release by the kidnappers ostensibly because of her deteriorating health condition.

    “Subsequently, the kidnappers contacted the family through the monarch’s wife phone lines which was confiscated by the abductors and demanded for N100million ransom.

    “Unfortunately despite the continuous negotiation, five days later, on October 26, the Royal father was killed by the abductors after receiving N6.850 million from the family.” DSS boss disclosed.

    Ningi said the service has been keeping track of the activities of the criminals during the negotiation but could not effect arrest because the safety of the victims was paramount.

    He also disclosed that immediately after the monarch’s body was discovered, the Service tracked and arrested six members of the syndicate at different locations in the State.

    “During the preliminary interrogation, they made confessional statement about their involvement in the crime.

    Read also: PDP accuses Buhari of shielding Oshiomhole from investigation

    He identified the six suspects as; Adamu Sani 36, who was arrested on October 31, along Shanono road, Rigasa in Igabi local government area in Kaduna State, “he is the mastermind of the operation. Adam Saidu aged 25, was arrested on October 31 at Soba local government he is also marked as a member of theBoko Haram group.”

    “Also Adam Isha aged 25 which has been involved in cattle rustling for the past five years. He was invited to participate in the operation by Adamu Saidu.

    “Also Yusuf Bello aged 32 who was arrested on October 29 at Sakwai, Kachia LGA hosted Saidu and friends when they were planning the operation.

    “Another one is Dahiru Muhammad Bello aged 28, he was arrested on October 29 along with his brother Yusuf Bello, he accommodates the mastermind anytime he visited.

    “Mohammed Aminu is the syndicate supplier, he was arrested on November 5 and lead the operatives to his accomplice in Plateau state where eight locally made Dane guns were recovered.

    “However because of jurisdiction, the accomplices and recovered weapons have been handed over to Plateau State Command of SSS for further investigation.” He explained.

    Ningi however assured that the service will ensure proper prosecution of the suspects, while efforts are being made to arrest other members of the gang.

    He equally expressed appreciation to the military who provided necessary support during operation and all other security agencies.

    Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai welcomed the arrest of the suspected killers of the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima.

    A statement through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan said that, “what must swiftly follow is the conclusion of the investigation and the diligent prosecution of the arrested suspects.

    “The Kaduna State Government welcomes the arrest of suspects in the kidnap and murder of HRH Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima. The government commends the security agencies for this breakthrough, and urges that all agencies must do their utmost to conclude investigations, arraign the suspects before a competent court and ensure that justice is done.

    “Diligent prosecution of criminal suspects is vital to the social order, assuring victims that they will get justice and signaling to criminals the inevitability of punishment. This reassures citizens and duly increases confidence in the law enforcement agencies.

    “Government appeals to all residents to keep the state calm, and to their utmost to preserve and uphold harmony in their communities. It is important to stand together as a law-abiding community to defeat criminal elements and deny them any succour, be it tribe, tongue or religion.” The statement read.

  • Saraki, Dogara to interface with Buhari over Kaduna killings

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its leadership and the leadership of the House of Representatives to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over increasing spate of killings in parts of the country.

    Saraki and Dogara were specifically asked to inquire from President Buhari how the recommendations of the National Assembly on ways and means to prevent crisis in the country were being implemented.

    The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on “The wanton killings in Kaduna State, a call for caution.”

    Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) in his lead debate drew the attention of the Senate to the wanton killings in Kasuwa Magani, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis under Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.

    He expressed concerned over the destruction of lives and property that “have been spiral in the past days of the week.”

    Hunkuyi said that the Senate should note “the indiscriminate and senseless killings and insecurity that have pervaded Kaduna and its environs even with the curfew imposed within the state.”

    He feared that the curfew while necessary to curb unwarranted movement could also be counter productive when majority of the people of the state were living from hand to mouth.

    He added that “Locking people at home can only solve one aspect of the problem, while it can lead to other crimes like robbery and theft.”

    He said that the Senate should be aware that the paramount ruler of Adara land, Angwan Adara has been taken hostage with six of his aides killed during a kidnap and hostage taking on the route from Kaduna to Kachia which is the headquarters of Adara Chiefdom.

    Hunkuyi prayed the Senate to prevail on the Kuduna State Government and the Federal Government to quicken the release of the paramount ruler of Adara who was wished away about a week ago.

    Senator Shehu Sani (Kauna Central) who officially announced his defection form the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said that the killings were totally condemnable.

    Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) described what is going on in Kaduna as “most unfortunate.”

    He said that those being killed in Zamfara State were Muslims while those being killed Kaduna State were Christians.

    La’ah criticized the action of the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for leaving that state without handing over to the deputy governor.

    He said that the governor should be held accountable for the mayhem that befell the state.

    Read Also: Akpabio to Saraki: Senate leadership must change

    The Kaduna south senators said that it is obvious that those behind the killings were  known.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) in his contribution also said that behind the killings were “were well know,”

    Marafa noted that what is fueling the killings was that the perpetrators were never punished.

    The perpetrators, he added “kill and get away with their crime.”

    Senator Philip Gyunka (Nasarawa North) said that the problem should be traced to the door step of the governor of the state.

    He wondered why the El-Rufai should travel abroad with informing the state House of Assembly.

    Gyunka said that El-Rufai should be asked who he handed over to before he travelled.

    He said, “Maybe the governor got wind of what was coming and decided to travel.”

    Saraki said that those who spoke underscored that fact that perpetrators were not held accountable for their act.

    He said there was no doubt that there were problems that needed to be sorted out.

    He said that the Senate should schedule a date to discuss that issue with heads of security agencies.

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha countered that a head of security agency invited to discuss the issue refused to honour the invitation “ and nothing was done to him.”

    Saraki agreed with the suggestion of the Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan that the National Assembly leadership should engage the Executive on implementation of resolutions on national security.

  • A capital for everyone

    Even as achieving the Abuja master plan remains the battle cry of every minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), current minister Muhammad Bello says he would like a city that will appeal to everyone. GBENGÀ OMOKHUNU reports

    Every minister before him has spoken of the Abuja master plan that will produce a dream capital city and enticing environs. They spoke of well laid-out streets with houses built according to the master plan, not a place where anyone can put up any structure anywhere they please. Under Nasir el-Rufai, now governor of Kaduna State, bulldozers were often deployed to tear down structures said to have violated the ultimate plan.

    Current minister of the FCT Malam Muhammad Bello also has his own vision of the nation’s capital, one that will accommodate people of all ages, and be relevant to generations unborn.

    That was why he  has directed  agencies and departments in charge of planning the city to evolve measures that would bring about inclusiveness at all levels.

    He said Abuja as a fast growing capital city should be planned in line with the current realities and in conformity with the international  standards which will be comprehensive in all phases.

    According to him, the planning  of Abuja would be more effective if traditional rulers and the youth are well represented in the scheme.

    Bello stated this on Wednesday at the inauguration of  Urban Thinkers Campus Implementation (UTC) committee in Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) conference hall.

    The minister called on the 20-member committee to adhere strictly to the 10 reference points it  mapped out  to enhanced the remodeling of Abuja city which everyone will be proud of.

    “Abuja is fast growing city and it must be plan in such a way that even generation unborn will come to enjoy”

    Recall that FCDA sometime last month put together an Urban  Thinkers Campus programme, which was party of UN habitat aimed at urban renewal agenda.

    The committee was constituted after the three days event to serve as drivers of the implementation.

    Bello said the committee members which comprises of all FCTA agencies and departments should work in line with  the Abuja master plan, advising them that despite their busy scheduled they should ensure that the needful is put in place.

    Responding, the committee chairman and Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr Umar Jibrin assured the   FCT minister that the committee members will work within the terms of reference to bring about the desired planning of the Abuja city.

  • ABU students in U.S. for Enactus World Cup challenge

    Osinbajo, el-Rufa’i meet team confident of victory

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i met with the Enactus team of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, just before the team members travelled to the United States to represent Nigeria at the ongoing Enactus World Cup Challenge holding in Silicon Valley in California.

    The ABU team won the national championship of Enactus held in Lagos last July, earning the ticket to represent Nigeria in the global entrepreneurship contest.

    As the students prepared to depart for the U.S., they were invited to the Kaduna Information and Communication Technology (KADICT) Hub in Kaduna State to meet with the Vice President and the governor as part of the move to rekindle the entrepreneurial spirit of the team members.

    At an interactive session with Prof Osinbajo and el-Rufa’i, the students were tipped to bring the Enactus World Cup trophy, while also urging them to continue to use their innovative skills to improve livelihoods.

    Prof Osinbajo said he was pleased with the impact the team made with its entrepreneurial project which addressed the challenges that followed Lead poisoning in Zamfara State. The students developed an innovative solution to the challenges faced by the people affected in the Lead poisoning by creating sustainable economic growth through an aqua-ponic device.

    To effectively prepare the team for the World Cup Challenge, the ABU team participated in the eight-day boot camp organised by the Enactus Country Office in Lagos, where team members’ presentation skills were assessed.

    When briefed about the aqua-ponic project designed by the ABU team, the Vice President described the students’ efforts as “brilliant”, expressing optimism the team would win the global contest, given the impact of the project.

    The team arrived U.S. on Tuesday to contest for $50,000 prize. Enactus World Cup is a world-class entrepreneurial social innovation contest, hosting students, academic and business leaders from 36 countries from around the world.

  • Buhari never authorised El-Rufai to punish Shehu Sani – Presidency

    The Presidency has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter in circulation, which alleged that the President had authorised Gov. Nasir el-Rufai to “deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Sen. Shehu Sani.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to the presidential aide, the president is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member.

    The statement read: “The presidency wishes to distance President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter currently in circulation, which alleges that the President had authorized a governor or anyone else for that matter to deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Senator Shehu Sani.

    “We wish to confirm that the president is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member.

    “Given President Buhari’s record, it is inconceivable that he would usurp the role of the party leaders and instruct anyone to punish a party member.

    “In the light of above, we would like to appeal to the general public, especially members of the press, to ignore false or unauthorised information intended to attribute to the president any action which is not in line with his character.’’

    It would be recalled that Gov. El-Rufai of Kaduna State had last week visited the Presidential villa twice over political developments in his state.

    El-Rufai, who vehemently opposed the decision of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to clear Sen. Shehu Sani as the sole candidate in the race for APC-Kaduna Central, said the fate of the senator “lies in the hands of the party delegates in the state”.

    The national body of the APC had on Sunday reiterated that Sani remained its only senatorial candidate from Kaduna Central.

    The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Yekini Nabena, confirmed this in an interview with the NAN in Abuja.(NAN)

  • APC clear National Secretary, 23 others for 2019 governorship poll

    The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has affirmed the nomination of the party’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and 23 others as governorship candidates of the party for the 2019 governorship election across the country.

    Also cleared to fly the party flag are Lagos state flag bearer, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong, Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Bagudu and Katsina state Governor, Aminu Bello MASARI.

    Others are Jigawa stage Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, Sokoto state deputy governor, Ahmed Aliyu, Prof. Babagana Umara-Zulum (Borno), Abubakar Sule (Nasarawa), Emmanuel JIme (Benue), Tonye Cole (Rivers), Uche Ogah (Abia), Nsima Ebere (Akwa Ibom), Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo), Fapo Abiodun (Ogun), Great Ogboru (Delta), Senator John Owan Enoh (Cross River), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Senator Sunny Ogboji (Ebonyi) and Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba).

    Read Also: FG committed to promoting Social Security — Ngige

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that the clearance followed the adoption of the report of the various electoral committee sent to conduct the primaries in the various states.

    The governorship primaries for Enugu, Kwara and Adamawa states have not been conducted, while the party has cancelled the primary in Zamfara and Imo states due to irregularities.

    The NWC also approved the report of the pane, that conducted the governorship primary in Ogun State which declared Dapo Abiodun as the candidate of the party.

  • We need creative ways of tackling poverty-Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, says the Federal Government is focusing on more creative ways of getting Nigerians out of poverty and also improve the country’s Human Capital Development indices.

    Osinbajo made this known while chairing a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC ), Steering Committee on Human Capital Development on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the Federal Government was committed to lifting Nigerians out of poverty as a crucial agenda towards attaining intended development outcomes.

    “Poverty as we know is both a cause and consequence of some of what we are looking at in our human capital development deficit.

    “Really, I think we need to focus a lot more on some of the more creative ways of getting our people out of poverty.

    “ And of course, we have some social investment programs, we are looking at some of the examples of what India did, some have been tried and tested in such huge populations.

    “I think there is a need for us to sensitize our people to why we need to get a large segment of our people out of poverty. Recently, we have been launching the TraderMoni scheme, which is basically giving credits to petty traders across the country in the markets and all that.

    “We must do even more in terms of giving credits and whatever assistance and support to people.

    “Obviously, the more money people have, the better it is for them, so they can apply their little resources to some of what we are expected to do to improve human capital development,” he said.

    Osinbajo harped on the importance of improving data collection at all levels so as to ensure effective tracking of Human Capital Development outcome areas in the states.

    On his part, Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group, told State House correspondents that the Dangote Foundation was committing 50 million dollars to the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria.

    Dangote said that the foundation was focused on three major areas-health, education and empowerment.

    Read Also: Group demands Oshiomole’s resignation, Buhari to call Osinbajo to order

    “I think we really need to wake up and meet most of our development goals, in education, in health, and also in empowerment.

    “One of the things that we are doing is to make sure that we tackle malnutrition.

    “The Dangote Foundation has announced a decision to spend 50 million dollars so that we can fight malnutrition in most of the states that are affected, which we have started rolling out,” he said.

    He said that the foundation joined the committee to make sure that targets were set and met.

    On his part, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said that the committee was the working group that had been meeting to look at the impact of government intervention programs in economy, education, health, among others.

    “The issue of Human Capital Development is a measure of how we care for our citizens; and so, this is like bringing everybody to the table at the highest level.

    “We have the governors, and there is a renewed commitment even at the states because we cannot go far except the states are really on the table.

    “There is enough Federal Government commitment; enough of Federal Government involvement, but we need to bring the states on board,’’ he said.

    Speaking, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, said that the committee received a presentation on the framework for further investments in the key areas of health, education, social inclusion as well as empowerment.

    “We had a very good meeting and we hope that the outcome of the meeting and the work of the core working group will bring out very clear plans and strategies to invest more in education, healthcare, nutrition, empowerment, gender inclusion, as well as job creation for our young people,’’ he said.

    The meeting was also attended by the  Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, .

    There were also representations from development partners- World Bank, DFID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

  • Kaduna govt to pay outstanding salaries to teachers

    The Kaduna state government is to pay all outstanding salaries of the newly recruited primary school teachers in the state by end of September.

    Malam Ja’afaru Sani, Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology made this known on Friday in Kaduna at a training for primary teachers.

    Primary one teachers in the state are undergoing training on Jolly phonics teaching methodology, organised by Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), in collaboration with Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had in March 2018 recruited 11,395 qualified teachers for its public primary schools.

    The recruitment was the first batch of 25,000 vacancies announced by the state government to fill the gaps created after the sack of about 22,000 alleged unqualified primary teachers in January.

    However, the new teachers posted to all primary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state were owed between three to four months salaries.

    He explained that the decision to clear the outstanding salaries was the outcome of a meeting with Gov. Nasir El-Rufai on the issue on Monday.

    “In addition to clearing all the backlog of salaries, the Governor has equally directed that the responsibility of payment of primary school teachers’ salaries and allowances be transferred to the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from the respective local government councils,” Sani said.

    The commissioner also said that the governor had also declared free education for all female students in the state’s public secondary schools.

    He explained that the state government decided to remove all hindrance to girl-child education because of the strategic role of women in Nation building.

    He said that the ministry had sent a directive to that effect to all zonal offices and secondary schools for implementation.

    “Primary one to six were the ones enjoying free education in the state, but the governor, considering the importance of girl child education decided that all female students should be educated for free,” he said.

    Sani said that the training was one among several capacity building programmes organised to strengthen the capacity of teachers in the state.

    “This is because we cannot achieve the quality we desire in our public schools without improving the quality of our teachers.

    “We will continue to do our best in ensuring that teachers are well motivated and equipped with skills to deliver quality teaching in public schools so our children can have a better future,” Sani said.

    Earlier, Senior Project Manager in the NGO, Mr Richard Turnbull, said that the NGO is training 960 primary one teachers and 40 education officials in the Zaria, Kaduna and Zankwa centres.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles Saraki for disparaging Buhari

    Turnbull described Jolly phonics as a special literacy teaching method of using sounds, letters and fun to teach primary pupils how to read and write.

    He explained that the method was designed to equip teachers with the expertise and tools required to improve reading and writing skills in English of primary one pupils in public schools.

    “Jolly phonics is a fun and child-centred approach to teaching literacy through synthetic sounds, widely recognised as the most effective way to teach children to read and write in English.

    “We are delighted to be partnering with Kaduna SUBEB to deliver this intensive training to teachers and dedicated government officials of Kaduna State,” he said.

    He thanked the state government for the opportunity to work together for the children of the state toward a brighter future.

  • Kaduna: El-Rufai invites Chinese experts to revamp textile industries

    As part of efforts to improve the economy of Kaduna State, Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led government has invited Chinese experts to see the possibility of revamping textile industries in the state.

    The development according to the governor was aimed at ensuring productive investment that can increase the economic chances of the state especially now that there is decrease in federal allocation.

    El-Rufai, who stated this while receiving the team at Sir Ibrahim Kashim house, Kaduna said the need to revamp the industries became necessary because of impact the development would have along value chain thereby improving the living standard of the people in the state including cotton farmers.

    Elsewhere, General Manager, Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency, Sabi’u Sani Isyaku said, the State government invited the company to see how to revive cotton through value chain.

    Read Also: El-Rufai directs new CJ to hire 40 Magistrates

    According to him, “we discovered that there are issues at different levels of production beginning with the farmers. When they cannot produce the tons of cotton needed, the manufacturing industries will not have enough cotton to work with and that will lead to importation which is quite expensive.

    “So one of the things we are doing is to get high return seedling. The more the farmers are able to produce the better for everyone along the value chain.

    And for the textile companies to have a viable production, there is the need to have improved cotton seedling and that is why we enjoin our farmers to use improved seedling and mechanization to improve their production from about 2 tons per hectre  to about 5 tons per hecter. If we are able to produce, we will be exporting to other countries including China.

    Earlier, leader of Chinese experts, Mrs Shuying Wang said, the team was in Nigeria to assist the country in all the cotton value chain for improved and sustainable economy adding that, the country has the potential to be global destination of quality cotton.