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Tag: Nasir el-Rufai

  • Medical bodies demand upward review of El-Rufai’s budget for health

    As the Kaduna State House of Assembly begins work on the N155bn 2019 budget estimates submitted to it by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, implementing partners of

    Partnership For Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) have demanded for upward review of the health budget.

    The PACFaH partners, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) and Society for Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON) during an advocacy visit to the assembly said, the 2019 budget estimate shows a significant decrease of N170 million in Routine Immunization and N210 million in Maternal and New Born Child Health from the 2018 budget.

    Chairman of APHPN in Kaduna State, Dr Muhammed Sani Ibrahim and 1st Vice President of SOGON, Dr Habib Sadauki in their presentations before the state assembly committee on health however demanded for increase in the health budget for four thematic areas of family planning, routine immunization, primary healthcare under one roof, maternal and born child health and

    According to the medical practitioners, “We are here at the Kaduna State House of Assembly to advocate for health issues, particularly that this is the time for budgeting. We have looked at the indices for Kaduna State, therefore we are here to advocate for more funding in five thematic areas.

    “The thematic areas area: routine immunization for our children under the age of five. The five killer diseases like, pneumonea and diarrhoea; primary healthcare under one roof and also family planning for the mothers. Those are the areas we are here to talk to you about.

    “In the last three years, there has been improvement in the budget, but if you look at what is expected as target to reach for the various indices like the routine immunization for children against major preventable killer diseases of children, they are not yet on national target of 80 per cent. So, for that, there is need for more money.

    “And if you at the target for family planning, Kaduna State government has committed itself to 46.5 per cent coverage, but at the moment, they are at 24 per cent. And the budget proposed for this year is much less than what was allocated in the last two years.

    Read Also: El-Rufai presents N155b budget to Kaduna Assembly

    “So, where are here to advocate to you to look into that, because if we want to safe our mothers, children under the age of 5 and also improve the functions of our primary healthcare centres, we need a lot of more money. And not only just the money, we need you to perform your oversight function, to ensure that the money allocated is released on time and used appropriately.” The NGOs stressed.

    Responding on behalf of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Isaac Auta Zankhai assured that the assembly will close the identified gaps.

    He assured the NGOs of Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s commitment to healthcare especially as it concerns women and children, adding that, the first health bill the assembly received were an executive bill from El-Rufai led executive.

    While noting that, the major challenge confronting the health budget was the dwindling economy, Hon. Zankhai promised that the identified will be closed.

    “Economic challenge is a major factor responsible for the budget shortfall, but we will continue within our financial strength to ensure that, our women and children don’t have to suffer or die unnecessary.” He assured.

     

  • ‘Those opposing direct primaries are opposed to Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade’

    Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district said on Tuesday that party members, including governors who are pressing for the use of indirect primary for the nomination of candidates for the various offices ahead of the general election stand as direct antithesis to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption at all levels.

    Senator Sani, who led other aspirants for various offices from Kaduna state including a governorship aspirant to present a petition to the national leadership of the party said the use of direct primary was the only way to show support for the President’s fight against corruption, adding that the argument of the governor about the security situation in the state not favoring direct primary was not trainable.

    While saying that all the aspirants from the state were favorably disposed to the use of direct primary for the nomination of candidates, Sani however warned that the governor may cause violence during the primary to justify his insistence.

    However, it was observed that aspirants for the Senatorial and House of Representatives seats from Kaduna south Senatorial district we well as aspirants loyal to Governor Nasir El-Rufai were not part of the signatories to the petition.

    He informed the Leadership of the party that the processes that throw up the current ward, local government and state executive of the party was still being challenged in court by aggrieved members who were excluded from participating in the exercise.

    He said that the Delegate System, otherwise called Indirect Primaries will rely on the whims and caprices of a few individuals that now control the party after emerging from ward, local government and state congresses that have been widely rejected by party members as a sham.

    The petition reads: “We the aspirants and stakeholders of the Kaduna state Chapter of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) present our best compliments to you and wish by this letter to inform Your Excellency of our collective decision to adopt DIRECT PRIMARIES as the preferred mode of nominating candidates at primary elections into all elective positions in the state.

    “Your Excellency, as all keen observers of the politics of Kaduna State know, there have, over the past three or so years, been a significant amount of disquiet in the camp of the APC. A disturbing level of apathy and anomie now pervades the party as a result of the profound sense of marginalisation and, in some cases, outright exclusion which is experienced by many critical stakeholders as well as members of the party.

    “The Delegate System, otherwise called Indirect Primaries will rely on the whims and caprices of the few that now control the party after emerging from ward, local government and state congresses that have been widely rejected by party members as a sham.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’s govt good for youths’

    “Hundreds of party members who bought forms with a view to vying for various wards, local governments and state party executive positions were deliberately excluded from the process and in some Instances even intentionally blocked from submitting their forms. Nor were they even consulted ahead of the so-called processes of affirmation of officials of the party.

    “Instead, the names of all party executives were single handedly written by the Governor. That alienated many of our party members and caused mass exodus from the party.

    “These selected party executives under the tyrannical hold of the Governor have been complying only with his (the Governor’s) biddings, limiting access, communication and association to only those candidates in the favoured book of the Governor.

    “A great number of members of the party executives have been appointed to serve as campaign coordinators of the Governor’s preferred candidates at various levels, while those deemed to be sympathetic to the cause of the people other than the Governor have been shown the way out.

    “Majority of the members of our party, armed with facts that are stark and incontrovertible, are now in court seeking judgements that would, from all indications, set aside these sham congresses.

    “And since it is a trite legal dictum that you cannot build something on an illegality, it means that for Kaduna State at least, the indirect Primaries system relying as it would on these bogus congresses is Dead on Arrival (DoA).

    “It would have come to your notice Your Excellency that the proponents of Indirect Primaries in the state, particularly the Governor and his cohort, rely on the excuse that the current security situation in the state makes direct primaries impracticable and risky.

    “This argument is not nearly as clever as it should be considering that it outrightly contradicts claims by the same Governor that Kaduna State has been made secured.

    “Besides, the argument flies in the face of logic because if security challenges are sufficient ground not to adopt and conduct Direct Primaries, then it follows that the 2019 general election ought not to hold at all.

    “If anything therefore, we use this opportunity to forewarn of the possibility that violence may be fermented by the governor and his hatchet men to undermine the conduct of free, fair credible direct primaries in the state.

    “Your Excellency, we the undersigned are particularly in opposition to Indirect Primaries because of the weakening effects of its corruptive tendencies. The entire process begins and ends with vote buying.

    “And, as it is always the case where the will of the general electorates are subverted, the best candidates for the tasks at hand never get recruited. it is our humble opinion that the forthcoming 2019 general election is too crucial for the APC, and Kaduna State too strategic, for us to confront the array of near formidable candidates of the opposition with anything less than our very best candidates.

    “Indirect Primaries stand as direct antithesis to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption at all levels. Our party, having touted the change mantra must shine the light into those dark places in our electoral system where the corruptive influence of ill-gotten wealth is used to subvert the will of the electorate and perpetrate the vicious circle of corruption, bad governance and weak and dysfunctional institutions and processes.

    “In all, Your Excellency, we see our decision to adopt Direct Primaries in Kaduna State as the panacea to the current deep fault lines and obstacles to building a strong virile, people-rooted APC. Direct Primaries is the most assured means of throwing up the most popular candidates that will deliver Kaduna State for the APC come 2019,

    “As we respectfully look forward to your kind support for our decision we ask, You Excellency, that you please accept the assurance of our highest regards.”

    Signatories to the petition include Senator Shehu Sani, Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Sani Saleh, Senatorial Aspirant Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Alhaji Aliyu Silver, Senatorial Aspirant Kaduna North Senatorial District, Hon. Shamsuddeen Shehu Giwa Senatorial Aspirant Kaduna Central Senatorial District and Hon. Rufai Chanchangi Member Representing Kaduna South Federal Constituency.

    Others are Bar. Mohammed Musa Soba Member Representing Soba Federal Constituency, Sir Jalal Falal, a governorship Gubernatorial Aspirant, Hon. Usman Ibrahim (Sardaunan Badarawa) Senatorial Aspirant Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Hon. Hassan Samdi Aspirant Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Hon. Umar Isa Aspirant Kaduna South Federal Constituency, Hon. Aminu Sa’ad Aminchi Aspirant Kaduna South Federal Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Ali (Raba Gardama) Aspirant Kaduna South Federal Constituency, CP. Sani Magaji Aspirant Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Hon. Rufai Surajo, Aspirant Kaduna North Federal Constituency and Hon. Sani Abdul Doka/Gabasawa Constituency.

  • El-Rufai directs new CJ to hire 40 Magistrates

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has tasked the new Acting Chief Judge of the state to recruit judicial officers as the government has already granted approval to hire 40 magistrates.

    In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said El-Rufai made the call during the swearing in ceremony of Justice Muhammadu Lawal Bello as Acting Chief Judge at the weekend.

    The governor said that the recruitment of the judicial officers should follow due process, adding that they will reduce the work-load of judges in the state.

    According to him, government has so far “recruited 70 new lawyers into the Ministry of Justice. The government has granted approval to hire 40 new magistrates. We urge the acting Chief Judge to expedite this recruitment, in compliance with due process and in concert with the Judicial Service Commission.”

    The governor further said that his administration has “received recognition for timely resolution of commercial disputes and enforcement of contracts in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking.”

    El-Rufai however pointed out that Kaduna state will benefit “if we can also fast track the conclusion of criminal cases.”

    According to the governor, the administration is aware that there are no enough judges in the judiciary “and this results in the ones we have being over worked.”

    He promised to work with the judiciary towards remedying the situation.

    El Rufai revealed that his government has proposed a legislation to expand the jurisdiction of magistrates to determine matters involving monetary claims of up to N5 million, adding that “our magistrates are currently restricted to cases not above N500,000.”

    He argued that the “expanded remit of the magistrates should eventually reduce the high number of cases that begin at the high court. The Landlord and Tenant Law has also vested in magistrates, matters which were previously handled by rent tribunals. ”

    The governor also stated that Kaduna State House of Assembly has enacted a legislation for a new Penal Code and to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

  • El-Rufai proposes N155bn budget of continuity to Kaduna Assembly

    Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna state on Wednesday proposed a budget of N155.8 billion to Kaduna State House of Assembly for 2019 fiscal year made up of recurrent expenditure of N62.3 billion and capital expenditure of N93.5 billion.

    The budget, tagged budget of continuity, allocates 42.8% to the social sector with 27.15% of the board budget allocated to the education sector, while the health sector gets 15.02% in line with the demands of United Nations’ agencies.

    Though the budget is 28% reduction from N216.65 billion budgeted last year, Governor el-Rufai pledged that his administration is set to complete all the projects it started and pay up all its contractual obligations before the end of the year, as election approaches in the first quarter of 2019.

    Speaking while presenting the budget on the floor of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, el-Rufai said, “the proposed 2019 budget size is N155,865,339,539.77 with recurrent expenditure of N62,339,040,309.19 and capital expenditure of N93,526,299,230.58 representing 40% as recurrent expenditure and 60% as capital expenditure.

    “The 2019 budget keeps faith with our commitment to human capital development through investments in the social sector, which takes 42.8% of the budget. Social sector spending is mainly on education which is allocated 27.15% and health on which we propose to spend 15.02%.”

    According to the Governor, the key targets of the budget from fiscal perspective are, “ensuring the actualization of the development priorities of the government as articulated in the state development plan and respective Sector Implementation Plans (SIPs) and maintaining a favourable proportion of capital to recurrent expenditure.”

    Others likely targets are, “ensuring adequate provision is made to complete 2018 projects in 2019; expanding the revenue generation capacity of the state; and maintaining a sustainable debt position in line with Federal Debt Management Office (FDMO) criteria.

    Read Also: Odds against El-Rufai’s re-election

    “Mr. Speaker, we will strive to complete every single project we have started in each of our 23 local government areas, and to pay the contractors we have commissioned to work for us. We will continue to cut the cost of government and ensure that our people are the ultimate beneficiaries of public resources.”

    Assessing the performance of the 2018 budget, Governor El-Rufai said the government was able to promote equality of opportunity to give ordinary people and their children a fair chance in life.

    “We have taken painful but necessary actions to ensure that only qualified teachers are in our public primary schools. We are renovating and rebuilding schools. This year, we have made significant strides towards completing our project to refit 255 primary health centres.” He said.

    The Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Shagali in his response commended the state government for ensuring that Kaduna state is more sustainable, “we are proud of the direction your government is taking.

    “It is a tough time but our government has achieved a lot in making the state stronger and protecting the vulnerable. We assure you that we will commence work immediately to ensure passage of the bill in not too long time.”

  • ‘I joined PDP to kick El-Rufai out of Government House’

    The Senator representing Kaduna North in the National Assembly, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi said he joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to help kick Governor Nasir El-Rufai out of the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House.

    Hunkuyi who recently decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside other Senators on the floor of the Senate, had since fell apart with Governor El-Rufai, a situation which led to his spearheading a faction of the APC in the state.

    Hunkuyi made the assertion, while responding on behalf of the decampees at a formal reception for them by the (PDP) in Kaduna on Monday.

    He added that, God gives power but the APC regime in Kaduna and Nigeria has dealt with the electorates and the electorates will retaliate at the right time.

    According to him, “We don’t insult, but we tell the truth. I am telling El-Rufai to use the remaining time he has in office to pack his things and be prepared to leave Government House. We don’t insult, but they will feel pains by the truth we speak,” he said.

    He further disclosed that, PDP is full and rebranded, ready to take over.

    The Lawmaker admitted what he described as ‘the error of bringing el-Rufai on board’, begging the Kaduna State people and God to forgive him for his roles. Adding that, “The engine of APC has been removed along with the tyres.”

    Read Also: ‘El-Rufai should correct salary shortfalls’

    He vowed that APC will never come back to power. “We came to join hands with our friends to liberate our friends from the bondage of APC in Kaduna State.

    “Let’s join hand with our great party PDP and change things. Without PDP, there would be no end to untold hardship Nigerians would be suffering. We are praying to God to help us to be united to be successful in reclaiming our state and country,” he said.

    Hunkuyi assured all those sacked by Governor El-Rufai that they would be given back their jobs when PDP comes back to power.

    In his remarks, former Kaduna State Governor, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said that PDP is back and the people are yearning for its return to power.

    PDP Chairman Kaduna State, Honourable Felix Hassan Hyet while welcoming them back to the party, said that they would work together with the decampees to liberate Kaduna State and Nigeria from the shackles of APC.

    He said all the mistakes APC are making is to propel PDP back to power.

    “Hunkuyi brought El-Rufai to power. I believe he has realized his mistake and would work hard towards correcting that by helping to send him packing from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House,” he added.

  • Kaduna High Court frees 100 Shi’ites members in detention

    The Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday in her judgement in the “no case submission” filed by the defense lawyers on the case brought before her freed nearly 100 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites group, that were arrested at various locations in December 2015 following a clash between the group and the Nigerian Army.

    Justice Shiri Nyom in his judgement discharged and acquitted the sect members of the charges levelled against them as contained in a Press Statement signed by the President Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa and made available to newsmen.

    According to the statement, “This judgement has not only vindicated the members of the Islamic movement in Nigeria, but it is certainly a victory for perseverance in the face of extreme persecution. It is a victory for truth and justice against tyranny and impunity,” said the statement.

    The Islamic Movement further stated, “It will be recalled that the Kaduna state government sued almost about 200 members of the Islamic Movement after an attack on the Movement by the Nigerian Army in December 2015 which led to the killing of over a thousand souls, including three sons of the Sheikh Zakzaky, his elder sister and a nephew.

    “The attack was sequel to the unlawful invasion of the privacy of their residence and eventual destruction of the house completely. This has been aptly described by several human rights bodies as a massacre. To worsen these flagrant crimes against humanity, bodies of all the hundreds killed were hurriedly and secretly buried in mass graves about 100 km away from the scene, apparently in a shoddy attempt at hiding the crime and its magnitude.”

    Read Also: Gunmen murders district head in Kaduna state

    The sect group reiterated its call for the release of its leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife who have equally been in the custody of the Director of State Services (DSS), “We are all aware of the crude tactics of the Kaduna state government led by Malam Nasir el-Rufai all in his devilish plots at perpetuating the persecution against the Islamic Movement and the continued detention incommunicado of Sheikh Zakzaky and his ailing wife in spite of previous court judgement ordering their immediate release from detention, thereby further flaunting his fundamental rights and rights to liberty.

    “With this victory in the court today, the false charges filed against them of aiding and abetting the culpable homicide has been punctured for good. We await the response of the Kaduna state government as Sheikh Zakzaky’s case comes up in the next two days. We expect them to respect the judgement of this honourable court and the course of justice to withdraw the fake charges against him and release him with immediate effect.

    “As a peaceful Movement, we have kept to our clean tradition of seeking redress through peaceful means without any resort to violence despite deliberate and persistent provocations by the government. Today, Kaduna state government has again failed in court after a fair trial. We therefore give praises to the Almighty Allah for yet another successful outing, which further proves to the world that the Movement and its leader are only victims of impunity and mischievous plots by the El-Rufai-led government,” according to the statement.

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria thanked all those that stood by it throughout the trial, “We wish to use this opportunity to also say a big thank you to all people of conscience, human rights activists and organizations, journalists and all those that joined in our dogged campaign for justice for the victims of Zaria genocide. Thank you and God bless.”

  • Kaduna 2019: Options before the opposition

    In six short months, the seven million citizens of Kaduna State will be electing a new chief executive as Governor Nasir El-Rufai ends his tenure at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. The ‘Accidental Public Servant’ has since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015 made the job of the opposition in the 2019 general elections as easy as it could ever get. Voters could also be hardly more sophisticated than those in Kaduna State who now wait to be wowed with the best alternative to the incumbent.

    Disdain for democracy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is clearly writ with the number (or lack) of its governorship aspirants. All those capable of challenging the governor have been muscled out of the party and many are joining or rejoining the opposition parties. Thus, while armed robbers, bandits, cattle-rustlers, kidnappers and terrorists ravage the state, security apparatus seem devoted to hounding and demolishing properties of perceived opponents including those within the same party.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is displaying a dazzling array of alternatives. These candidates who recently came together as the Group of Eight (G8) comprise Dr. Muhammad Sani Bello (Mainan Zazzau), Alhaji Ja’afaru Sa’ad (Galadiman Ruwan Zazzau), Malam Bello Kagarko, Alhaji Isa Ashiru, Alhaji Sani Sidi, Alhaji Ramalan Yero (Dallatun Zazzau), Alhaji Shuaibu Idris (Mikati) and Mr. Jonathan Kish. Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi who just defected to the PDP is also expected to join the race. At a meeting in Kaduna recently, the G8 unanimously adopted the party’s strategy to come up with a consensus candidate from amongst themselves for the 2019 gubernatorial elections in Kaduna State.

    According to one of these aspirants, “We are all qualified and capable, but as members of the same family we do not have room for internal crisis usually associated with primary elections. To me this is unity of purpose. All we want is victory not only for our party but primarily for the people of Kaduna State whom we hope to represent and serve.’’ The wisdom behind this is clear. A united front will enable the party to harness and channel all its energy, expertise and resources into winning the elections against a sitting governor with state resources.

    As the exercise to extract one from eight goes underway, a few salient observations could make the procedure easier. Producing consensus candidates has been a tradition introduced and consolidated by the PDP since its registration in 1998. Presenting the single most formidable candidate that will be a leader of all and stand the best chance should not be such a difficult duty at this point. Experience fuelled by empathy for the people groaning under the poorest governance ever in Kaduna State will ensure a speedy resolution of this issue.

    Zoning of party and political offices for effective inclusion in governance as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution has worked wonderfully to unite the country and its states and local government units. It has also ensured representative democracy among its diverse people. Upsetting this time-tested apple-cart can only generate rancour and dissent that will weaken the bright chances that the opposition has at present.

    In the case of Kaduna State, the office of governor ought to rotate among the three senatorial zones. The incumbent being from Zone Two, means the next governor in 2019 should come from either Zone One or Three. For the Kaduna State PDP, its chairman, Mr. Hasssan Hyet is from Zone Three which leaves Zones One and Two for consideration for office of governor. The party would be unfair to field a candidate from the same zone as the present governor which leaves the choice to Zone One.

    Interestingly, Zone One parades the highest number of candidates for consideration. These include Dr. Bello, Alhaji  Sa’ad, Alhaji Isa Ashiru and the immediate past governor Alhaji Yero. Malam Bello Kagarko and Alhaji Sani Sidi, who are both from Zone Three may face crisis of identity as they seek to stand elections from Zone Two on account of residence. Mr. Jonathan Kish from Zone Three and Alhaji Shuaibu Idris (Mikati) from Zone 2 are disqualified based on the zoning formula.

    Three of the four aspirants from Zone One are all highly experienced and relatively well-known to the people of Kaduna State. Bello and Yero especially have been active politicians for more than a decade and were at various times members of the Kaduna State Executive Council as Commissioners. Ashiru was a two-time member of the State House of Assembly and a member of the House of Representatives and like the other two, a grassroots politician. Records of their performance or lack thereof are still fresh in the minds of the people.

    However, the 2019 election promises to be a keen contest between the ruling party and the once powerful party it ousted in the previous polls. The PDP must field the best and most acceptable candidate to have a good chance at regaining power that it lost after sixteen years. Its choice should also avoid acrimony and shun all those with too much negative baggage. A long and tedious race is won by the lightest and most unencumbered.

    If education, experience and exposure are some of the criteria for selecting the best, then Dr. Bello tops the list. His spectacular career in several banks and his stint in the academia complemented with robust roles in politics at the state, national and international levels give him an easy edge over the rest. This was demonstrated in his selection by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to serve a four-year tenure as its Financial Controller between 2014 and 2018. Instead of seeking a fresh term or looking for lush jobs in other national or international institutions, he returned to the classrooms at the Kaduna State University where he was previously a senior lecturer and dean of faculty. In the next dispensation, the people of Kaduna State deserve no less than a governor with these achievements, antecedents, attitude, predisposition, merits and qualifications.

    The greatest leaders in ancient and modern history were almost always teachers. This is because teachers learn more than the average people and knowledge is their stock-in-trade. Kaduna State is not tagged the ‘Centre of Learning’ for nothing. It is on account of its abundance of learned professionals in all walks of life and also the many institutions of learning that produced leaders for Nigeria and the world. Giving Bello the ticket for the 2019 gubernatorial election is the best decision delegates of the PDP would take at the party primary elections scheduled for September 2018.

    • Kwasau writes from Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.

     

  • Obasanjo rejects front row seat at Afreximbank Abuja meeting

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday caused a stir at the on-going African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meeting in Abuja, when he chose to sit among the participants instead of occupying a front row seat reserved for him at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton.

    Obasanjo have no reason for his action although he arrived late at the event.

    Before Obasanjo’s arrival, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State; Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and Albert Muchanga, African Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Transport were already seated.

    He arrived when Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank was delivering his address of welcome.

    Earlier, the meeting witnessed the opening ceremony which featured a documentary on the history of Afreximbank’s 25 years of existence.

    Read Also: Soyinka: Obasanjo failed woefully

    George Elombi, the Executive Vice President of Afreximbank had also delivered his introductory remarks.

    But when Bronwyn Nelson, the Editor-at-Large of CNBC Africa who was moderator of the event, walked up to welcome Obasanjo at the entrance with the aim of ushering him to his seat, the former Nigerian president refused and chose to sit on an empty seat on the right row of the hall.

    The audience was surprised at Obasanjo’s action including the other dignitaries in front of the hall.

    After Oramah’s speech, Muchanga and Nelson went to persuade Obasanjo to take his seat.

    The former president, however, complied and followed them to his seat.

    He shook hands with the dignitaries starting from Mustapha to El-Rufai, Oramah and Adeosun among others before sitting.

  • Be fair to all, El-Rufai warns LG chairmen

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has admonished the newly elected chairmen not to discriminate against those who did not vote for them in the recent local government election.

    El-Rufai who gave this warning during the swearing-in of the local government councils chairmen on Tuesday, reminded them that “from whatever party you have emerged, you are today assuming a sacred mandate to do right by all our people, in accordance with the laws of the land and the oaths you have freely sworn.‘’

    The governor reminded the new council chairmen that ‘’you are, from today, custodians of a sacred trust. You must, therefore, be fair, just and reasonable in all your dealings, decisions and interactions.’’

    According to him, the council chairmen must not ‘’favour those with whom you share the same ethnicity or religion as that will offend your oath of office. May God give us all the grace to do justice to all according to law.

    The governor recalled that since 2015, his administration has spent considerable time and effort to reform the local government system so that it can deliver public service at the grassroots.

    Read Also: El-Rufai commends IGP

    Malam El-Rufai also recalled that the government has had to rescue  insolvent local governments, before his administration embarked on series of reforms to enhance the quality of personnel serving at area councils.

    “We have taken careful steps to reform the local government system for performance and service delivery. This government has addressed the capacity deficit by directing the recruitment of professionals, including lawyers, engineers and architects for the local government service,’’ he said.

    The governor also drew the attention of the chairmen to the new presidential system of local government administration that is now in place, which was achieved with ‘’ the kind support of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

    El-Rufai pointed out that ‘’while executive powers shall vest in the chairmen, the elected councillors shall constitute the legislative arm. Specific roles are assigned to the vice-chairmen, and supervisory councillors. I urge the new chairmen to study this law carefully.’’

    According to the governor, the Ministry of Local Government Affairs has organised a retreat to fully acquaint the new council chairmen with the new system of local government, urging them to fully participate for the greater good of the state.

     

  • El-Rufai commends IGP

    Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday hailed the Inspector-General of Police for doing an excellent job in the country.

    He urged all Nigerians to support the IGP in riding the country of crimes and criminality.

    El-Rufai said this in Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State at the annual Ramadan Lecture.

    The lecture was organized by the Minister of Information and Culture,  Lai Mohammed

    The National Assembly had just passed no confidence vote on the IGP.

    NASS considered IGP’s actions and inactions as antithetical to democracy

    The lawmakers raised against the police chief issues such as his failure to personally appear before the Senate when summoned on the state of Security of the nation,  the invasion of the Senate and carting away of the maze by some miscreants and the invitation of the Senate President,  Bukola Saraki for interrogation over Offa bank robbery.

    El-Rufail, praised the police boss at the occasion when he was thanking Chief Imam of Oro, Mikhail Onisan for praying for the nation and leaders.

    Read Also: Reject violence in 2019, El-Rufai urges people

    He said: “I thank the Chief Imam for his prayers for the country, President Buhari,  the Inspector-General of Police who is doing an excellent job,  the minister of Information and others.  May God accept his prayers.”

    He also commended the guest lecturer, Prof.  Raheemson Olawale whom he said pointed out good things people do in the country and also spoke against the bad practices of the  people.

    He prayed that God should favour President Buhari with good health as he leads the country.

    Also speaking, the Minister, Mohammed, praised El-Rufai as he described him as a detribalised Nigerian saying he believes in merit rather than tribal or religious sentiment.

    Mohammed while noting that most chiefs of the Oro community who attend the annual lecture are Christians and that some of the editions of the programme were held at a church compound described the community as religiously harmonious and tolerant and advised other communities of the country to emulate the community