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Tag: Nasir el-Rufai

  • Kaduna killings: El-Rufai visits Kajuru, begs against reprisal

    Following the Monday morning Killings at Banono and Ungwan Akut, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state on Wednesday, visited the troubled Kajuru local government area, urging all communities in the state to reject an eye for an eye stance in resolving differences.

    Addressing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at their camp in Maraban Kajuru, the governor said that an attitude of attacks and reprisals only produces pain and suffering, noting that he has directed relevant agencies to reassess the condition of the IDPs who are from different communities to enable them return to their communities soon.

    Speaking in Maraban Kajuru, Kajuru local government after meeting with the IDPs, El-Rufai said that he was saddened by the situation. “What we saw is unfortunate, but we must speak out and tell our people the right thing to be done. An eye for eye is not a solution to the vicious cycles of killings and will complicate and undermine collective efforts.

    “Our admonition, is simple. If Fulani or Adara communities have complaints of killings or attacks, they should report and allow security agencies and government to take up the administration of justice. If these communities resort to taking the laws into their own hands, it will not work. That  is not the solution.”

    Read also: Police confirm killing of 21, rustling of 50 cows in Kajuru Attack

    According to the Governor, “all communities must resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands. Security personnel and assets cannot be in every inch of our state. Communities must stop this abnormality of taking the laws into their own hands. It has never worked and will never work.”

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  • El-Rufai praised for health initiatives

    The President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Samuel Akingbehin, has praised Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his bold initiatives towards better health service delivery.

    Akingbehin, who was reacting to the appointment of Dr. Suleiman Usman as the Provost of the Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Markafi, said El-Rufai has demonstrated his believe in merit and competence in sustaining his achievements in governance.

    He described Usman as a seasoned professional with the capacity to ensure the school is ranked among the best in the country through the production of quality environmental health graduates.

    “The appointment of Dr. Usman, Chairman of the Kaduna State branch of EHOAN, is a good decision by Governor El-Rufai, to encourage the availability of quality health personnel for the state and the country. Dr. Usman is a rare breed environmental health professional. He is a round peg in a round hole. It shows the sincerity of the governor in ensuring high productivity through the appointment of qualified and competent hands in important positions.

    “The state, and indeed Nigeria, needs qualified personnel to ensure effective implementation and supervision of government health policies. I have no doubt Dr. Usman will justify the confidence reposed in him,” he said.

  • Southern Kaduna community blasts El-Rufai for bias, arrest of leaders

    Adara Community has lambasted Kaduna State Government for what it called ‘failure to arrest the criminals responsible for killings in six consecutive attacks’ on villages in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

    The community under the auspices of Adara Development Association (ADA) lamented despite six attacks on different Adara villages with hundreds killed and thousands displaced, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has arrested their ‘sons’, while none of ‘the killers’ has been arrested.

    ADA, in a statement on Monday, accused of arresting and keeping its members in detention wrongfully, instead of apprehending those responsible for killing them.

    The statement by National Assistant Secretary, of the Association, Barr. Waziri Luka explained: “The unfortunate crisis that erupted in Kajuru Local Government provided an opportunity for statesmanlike conduct to flourish from the consciousness of those with the responsibility of dispensing not just justice but good governance. But what we got instead was an aberration.

    “Our leaders were arrested, locked up in police cells and later transferred to the Kaduna Prison under bogus and ludicrous charges.

    “And despite six attacks on different Adara villages happening after their arrests, despite hundreds killed and thousands displaced, none of the killers has been arrested. None. This is despite all the attacks happening for hours in daylight.

    “Adara chiefs from different villages in Kajuru were invited and arrested. But none from those attacking our communities have even been questioned or detained. None!

    “Our governor who was quick to reel out statistic himself to the media has probably not seen that Karamai, Ungwan Barde, Dogon noma, Kymara and Ungwan Gora villages have all been attacked and burnt down to the ground.

    Read Also: Troops deployed in Kaduna community after attack

    “When will he also speak for us? Aren’t we humans too, aren’t we also part of those he swore to protect? Why this unfair and partial treatment to us as a people? Why.

    “A government that is anchored on the principle of economic, social and environmental justice, that glories on the noble pursuit of strengthening the institutions of justice is missing in the Adara crisis.

    “Justice has been rubbished in pursuit of a sponsored hegemonic enthronement. The result: the one-sided perception of justice simply got pronounced in its odoriferous fetidness.

    “Today makes it almost 31 days that our leaders, elders and chiefs of the Adara nation were indiscriminately arrested in a blatant, injurious and a one-sided reckless abuse of state power never envisaged under a democratic government in Kaduna State.

    “The blindfold on Lady Justice depicting impartiality and objectivity in the application of justice has been removed – on the Adara people.

    “Montesquieu said ‘there is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice,’ and that is exactly what is happening in Kaduna state.

    “The unfortunate aspect is that political and religious considerations have made so many to even turn their backs on the carnage taking place in our villages.

    “Apart from coping with our leaders in prison, we are also digging mass graves to bury our dead, running up and down to provide for the thousands of our displaced ones and tending to those in hospitals. In all these, the state government is not bothered but bent on appeasing the killers while they kill us.

    “We insist that our leaders are innocent and should be released. We reiterate the fact the Kaduna state government is engaged in a punitive exercise to simply humiliate, punish and ensure the destruction of the Adara nation.

    “It should be noted that peace cannot thrive where there is injustice. It is even worse when those in authority openly display a corrosive bias in favour of those they consider as theirs.”

    The Adara people called for urgent steps to be taken to address the challenges facing the over 3,000 displaced people whose homes and everything they laboured for was destroyed.

    “Many others who sustained injuries from gunshots and machete cuts are in the different hospitals across the state,” they lamented.

    Leaders of Adara people in prison, according to the statement, are Engr. Bawa Magaji, Wazirin Adara, acting Agom Adara, arrested on 16th February and retired Commissioner of Police, Mr Sani Magaji, the Baradan Adara, arrested on 19th February (27 days today).

    Others were Awemi Dio Maisamari, National President of the Adara Development Association arrested on 16th February; Mr Joseph Abdullahi, National Treasurer, ADA; Mr Tanko Maisamari, village head of Maro.

    Others include Mr. Hosea Danladi, Village Head Ungwan Gamo, Mr Joseph Ayuba, Village Head of Kutura, Mr Tanko Wada, Village head of Ayuba and Mr. Ulu Maitumbi, elder Ungwan Barde village.

  • Nine killed, 30 houses razed in renewed attack on Kaduna village

    No fewer than 10 bodies have been recovered and about 30 houses confirmed burnt in another attack by unknown gunmen on Nandu Gbok community in Sanga Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday.

    But, Kaduna State Government while confirming the attack said nine citizens were killed by criminal elements who attacked the village in the early hour of Saturday.

    A government signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s media aide, Samuel Aruwan condemned the killings.

    It read that, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commiserated with the survivors and the families of the victims after being briefed by the security agencies.

    “The Kaduna State Government has been briefed by the security agencies on the killing of nine persons by criminal elements who attacked Nandu village in Sanga LGA in the early hours of today.

    “The security agencies have so far recovered nine corpses, including children. The attackers also burnt several houses in the village. The government condemns this attack on the live and security of citizens and appeals to our communities to resist those who do not want peace.

    “The governor, on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of their souls.

    Read Also: El-Rufai’s re-election: Kaduna women demands 40% representation in cabinet

    “Government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions will continue to work towards sustainable peace. In this moment of grief, we must come together todefeat the machinations of those who have no notion of respect for the lives of others.

    “Violence has left an unacceptable toll of death and injury, loss of livelihoods, pain and fear. We must overcome this by respecting our common humanity, settling differences peacefully and promptly reporting threats and suspicions to the appropriate authorities. Evil will never triumph over our common humanity.

    “Security agencies have been deployed in the area, and the State Emergency Management Agency has been directed to immediately provide relief materials to the affected community.”

    Meanwhile, House of Representatives member representing Jema’a/Sanga constitutency, Hon Shehu Nicholas Garba, in a statement said the Chairman of the Council and other Stakeholders are assessing and trying to deal with the unfortunate situation.

    He said, ‘the renewed and ferocious attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna’ calls for the urgent attention of the nation and the international community.

    According to him, “We woke up this morning to the sad news of an attack by gunmen on Nandu Gbok, a Community in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. At the time of this statement, about 10 bodies have been recovered and about 30 houses confirmed burnt down.”

    “Our Communities are helpless and are pleading that all persons of conscience should speak out.” He said.

    The lawmaker stressed that, “the latest attack is coming while we are mourning and trying to deal with the devastating massacre wrought on the Adara People has, once again, brought to the fore the plight of the indigenous people of Southern Kaduna.

    “My condolence to the Families of the Victims and the People of Sanga LGA . I am appealing to our Communities to remain calm and not to contemplate any reprisal actions  Meanwhile,I am appealing to the Security Agencies in our State to reinforce their presence in Sanga especially in the affected Community with the aim of  stopping further attack and fishing out the Perpetrators of this heinous crime.

    “I am also appealing to Sanga Local Government Council and the State Government for immediate  provision of Relief Materials to the displaced Victims.” He said.

     

  • El-Rufai’s re-election: Kaduna women demands 40% representation in cabinet

    Some women in Kaduna metropolis have appealed to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai and his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, to give women 40 per cent appointment into the state Executive Council.

    The women, who made the call on Friday in Kaduna while reacting to El-Rufai’s re-election, described the governor as women equality advocate who acknowledged the potential of women in nation building.

    They expressed optimism that their demand would be answered following El-Rufai’s led-administration promotion of gender equality and women empowerment in the last four years.

    According to them, the governor’s decision to pick a woman as his deputy is a clear indication of his effort to create a level playing field for women to contribute to the development of the state.

    One of the women, Ms Sabeera Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the governor had promised to continue promoting gender equality in the state if re-elected.

    According to her, the promise attracted huge support of women to the governor’s re-election bid.

    She added that the 40 per cent appointment to women was to redeem the governor’s promise.

    “It will also provide the needed opportunity for women to bring their talent to the table for sustainable development in the state.

    “The government should appoint more women and shoulder them with the responsibilities of empowering their fellow women through education, skills acquisition and financial support.

    “The government should continue to support women who could not make a living through western education, with skills, capital and financial assistance for self-reliance.”

    She also called on the government to establish a specific agency to deal with marital and other domestic issues affecting women as alternatives to adjudication.

    Similarly, Ms Hassana Sulaiman, a writer and a novelist, said that 40 per cent slot, if approved, would improve women participation in the political process in the state.

    Read Also: ‘El-Rufai wasn’t involved in any accident’

    “The issue of gender equality is a movement to ensure that qualified women contest and hold political positions without any form of oppression.

    “Women across the world have held positions and have done excellently well.

    “I can also say that the decision to give the deputy governor’s seat to a woman in Kaduna State was born out of the impressive performance of the few women that worked in the El-Rufai-led government,” Sulaiman said.

    On her part, Ms Hauwa Muhammad called on the government to continue the laudable efforts toward equipping the girl child with sound and qualitative education at no cost.

    Ms Khadija Musa, an economist, said that involving women in economic decision-making processes would ensure sustainable economic growth, due to women’s inherent skills in managing resources.

    She also called on the government to create a legal framework that protects women rights in work places, describing it as crucial to ending gender imbalance in both public and private sectors.

    Ms Jamila Yusuf argued that if given the opportunity, women would ensure peaceful and harmonious relationship among different people in the state as they ensure peace in their various homes.

    According to her, a reasonable number of women in key public offices would create the needed balance between civic responsibilities and home front.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai reacts to accident rumour, says claims are false

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has reacted to the rumour that he was involved in an accident.

    The Governor who attributed the rumour to the opposition party members said, neither was he in coma, nor his driver dead as being speculated.

    It would be recalled that from Wednesday night, rumours were rife in hush tones that Governor El-Rufai was involved in an accident. The rumours however, became louder on Thursday, as it was been carried that, the Governor was injured, while his driver died instantly.

    The Governor said, he remains the opposition’s permanent nightmare and not about to disappear any time soon, until they are permanently retired and ‘buried’.

    El-Rufai on his official Facebook page, wrote: “I woke up after a rare 8-hour bout of deep sleep to learn that some bigotry-driven, PDP-affiliated fake news platform has declared my driver dead and my humble self in coma. Both claims are false.

    “I thank them for reducing the days in their lives and adding them to mine. I remain their permanent nightmare and not about to disappear from their wretched and corrupt lives any time soon by the Grace of Almighty Allah, until they are permanently retired and buried. – Nasir @elrufai.” The governor said.

    Read Also: El-Rufai urged to be magnanimous in victory

    Earlier, El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye had equally debunked the rumour.

    Muyiwa on his Twitter handle described the rumour of the governor involving in an accident as an act of hatred, which according to him moves people to peddle lies.

    According to him, “It is hatred that moves people to peddle lies, concoct rumours of accidents and try to pass off their ill-will as God’s doing is a burden on those who have permitted reason to exit their minds and have given their hearts to a constructing narrowness.”

  • El-Rufai urged to be magnanimous in victory

    The Movement for Islamic Centre Awareness (MICA), Kaduna State chapter, has advised  Governor Nasir El Rufai to ensure even distribution of developmental projects across the 23 local governments.

    El Rufai was re-elected for another four years term after he was announced winner of the Kaduna State Governorship election on Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a congratulatory message to the Governor, the organisation through its General Secretary, Abu Ni’inah, described El-Rufai’s victory at the poll as a testament of his administration’s untiring, doggedness and uncommon commitment to good governance, security, economic prosperity and high level of industry.

    MICA urged well-meaning Kaduna State indigenes as well as residents to cooperate with the government to move the state forward.

    Read also: 12 feared killed, nine injured as armed men attack Kaduna community

    The statement reads: “Your resounding victory and re-election as the Governor of Kaduna State for the next four years does not come as a surprise to us who are attentive political watchers in the state.  It is a testament of your administration’s uncommon commitment to good governance, security, economic prosperity and high level of industry.

    “This is not only a victory for your party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), but a victory for all progressive-thinking people of Kaduna State.  MICA Kaduna, is committed to education, social welfare and health-care access for the downtrodden in the society. We welcome the chance of partnering with us to take Kaduna State to greater heights.

  • Kaduna: Pastors urge opposition parties to shun bitterness

    Pastors in Kaduna under the auspices of Pastors United for Change Association in Kaduna have congratulated Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe for emerging victorious in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.

    The pastors also called on political gladiators especially from the opposition parties in the state to close ranks with governor El-Rufai in moving the state forward and shun politics of bitterness.

    In a statement by the National Chairman of the association, Rev. David Adeniran, urged citizens of Kaduna to support the governor in his quest to transform the state to an enviable height.

    “El-Rufai’s victory is divine and we strongly believe that it will bring a lot of benefits to the good people of Kaduna state.

    “However, we are hoping that the emergency of Mallam Nasir El-rufai will turn around the fortune of the state and place the state amongst the leading economy in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Police confirm 16 people killed by gunmen in Kaduna

    “With the cooperation of all and sundry, we are not in doubt in the capacity of the governor in providing good governance for the teeming population of the state going by his track records of performances.

    “His re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that he enjoy among the people of the state, attributable to his wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the state.

    “In our part as clerics, we shall continue to encourage the government in doing the right thing at all times for the benefit of all, and also to continue in our prayers for the Governor El-Rufai led administration not to derail from its promises.”

  • Buhari, seven APC Governors meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with six governors from the north and the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting held shortly after the President returned to Abuja after spending five days in Daura, Katsina State, where he voted in the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

    The governors are members of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The northern governors at the meeting included Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Nasir el-Rufai, of Kaduna state, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, Abdulaziz Yari, Zamfara state, Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa state, and Kassim Shetima of Borno state.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

     

  • El-Rufa’i seeks opposition parties’ support to build better Kaduna State

    The re-elected Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufa’i has called on the people of the state, irrespective of their political parties, to join hands with his administration in building a better state.

    El-Rufa’i made the appeal in his acceptance speech on his reelection as Governor of the state, on Monday in Kaduna.

    “In this moment of victory, we acknowledge and respect the preferences of our fellow citizens who did not vote for us.

    “We would listen to their concerns, but we invite them to join hands with us so that we can together build a better Kaduna State’’, he said.

    The governor said that since the elections were over, it was time to come together and continue the work of rebuilding the state.

    “Where there has been strife, let us seek calm through accord and conciliation.

    “Where suspicion and ill-will have reigned, let us enthrone goodwill. We can do so much for the good of our state and its entire people when we come together.

    “We are committed to uniting the state around common values, anchored on equal citizenship, law and order, and protection of constitutional rights.”

    He assured that the administration was committed to tackling poverty, improving health care, providing decent education, creating jobs for youths, and securing all communities.

    El-Rufa’i also thanked the people for their massive support, adding that with their votes Kaduna State had made history by electing a woman as Deputy Governor, the first elected in the far North of the country.

    According to him, the victory is a resounding vote in support of governance reforms.

    “We were threatened with dire electoral consequences because we dared to disengage unqualified teachers, redundant public servants, restructured district administrations and over-bloated local government staff.

    “We were warned that even though we were doing the right things and doing them right, the beneficiaries of our policies – the ordinary citizens of our state will not understand and will vote us out.

    “We never relented, confident that you know that we are working honestly for you. You did not disappoint us. We thank you again,” he added, (NAN)