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Tag: Niger State Governor

  • Niger governor, deputy win polling units for APC

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and his deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso has won their polling units for APC.

    In the Governorship Polling unit, Alkali Mustafa Unit, APC got 318 votes while PDP got  33 votes for the governorship while in the House of Assembly election, APC got 247 votes while PDP got 39 votes.

    In the Deputy Governor’s polling unit, APC got 340 votes while PDP got 0 votes for the governorship election while for the State house of Assembly, APC got 334 votes while PDP got 0 vote.

  • ‘Let’s fight cancer with accurate info’

    The wife of the Niger State governor, Dr. Amina Sani-Bello has stated that dearth of information on cancer has led to so many myths and misinformation about the disease, saying that increased awareness is the only way to correct the wrong information on the disease.

    According to her, inaccurate information on cancer has greatly hindered a lot of people from accessing the necessary care they urgently need.

    Bello, who stated this in a press conference to commemorate the World Cancer Day in Minna, said that increased awareness, accurate information and knowledge will help the people recognise early signs of cancer.

    “We believe increased awareness, accurate information and knowledge can help us recognise early warning signs, make informed choices about our health, misconceptions and fears about cancer.”

    She lamented that most of the cases her Foundation, Raise Foundation gets are when the patients are in the advanced stage that nothing can be done to offer them succour.

    “Our experience dealing with cancer patients has shown that majority had no idea what cancer was prior to their diagnosis. Majority of cases are diagnosed at the late stages of the disease when the chances of cure are unlikely. This leads to many deaths that could have been prevented.

    Read also: Buhari ‘ll win, say polls

    “At least, one-third of cancer cases are preventable and the other two-third has better outcomes with early detection. Awareness and prevention go hand in hand as the former encourages prevention.”

    Bello further disclosed that in the past two years, Raise Foundation has screened 2,918 people for breast cancer and 2,764 people for cervical cancer adding that out of this number, 41 people were operated upon for breast cancer while 10 were diagnosed for cervical cancer.

    She said that out of the 41 breast cancer patients operated upon, five were discovered to be cancerous while out of the 10 cervical cancer cases, seven turned out to be full blown cancer cases.

    “Out of the five breast cancer patients, we lost tweaking the way while three others are still receiving treatment. It is sad because 90 per cent of the women who come to us with breast cancer are already at the advanced stage.”

    The governor’s Wife then urged the media to join in the fight against cancer by raising awareness which will go a long way in reducing the myths and misinformation surrounding the disease.

  • I’m Ready to Pay Any Amount Agreed Upon for Minimum Wage – Niger Gov

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on Thursday said that he is ready to pay any amount agreed upon by the Federal government and the Nigeria Governors Forum on minimum wage.
    He expressed optimism that whatever amount agreed upon would be best for the government and the workers.
    Bello stated this when he played host to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Pension Union (NPC) in Minna. 
    Governor Sani-Bello assured the workforce in the state of his commitment to sustain the cordial industrial relationship.
    He assured the state workforce of his determination towards ensuring prompt and regular payment of workers’ salary, stressing that payment of salary will continue to be a front line charge payment.
    “For me, I have resolved that payment of salary will continue to be on a frontline charge. We have perfected our plan, even when we do not  get the monthly statutory allocation, workers’ salary will be paid as a when due,” Gov. Sani assured the labour leaders.
    Earlier, the NLC state chairman, Comrade Ndako and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Yunusa Tanimu  commended the Governor for the existing cordial labour relationship being entrenched by the administration.
    According to Ndako, while many states were grappling to pay their workforce, with some states having a backlog of 7 to 10 months outstanding, workers in Niger state are not only being paid regularly but promptly.

    Read also: ‘Government has no option than to pay N30,000 minimum wage’

     “It is on record that some states are indebted to their workers for several months, some are owning 7 months while some have yet to pay in the last ten months, but we are not owed a day, while our salary is promptly paid as at when due.
    “We are here today to thank you, Mr. Governor for a job well done to our constituency. I mean to workers in the state. We want to appreciate the prompt payment of salary by the government,” Comrade Ndako stated.
    The labour leaders also commended the governor for the recent approval of 25 percent salary increase to officers on Grade level (GL) and the restoration of payment of leave grant to civil servants in the state after many years of non-payment.

  • Group buys nomination form for Niger governor

    Market men and women from across all the local government councils in Niger state on Friday besieged the national Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to purchase a N22.5 million nomination and expression of interest form for Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

    Coming under the auspices of the Niger state Market Men and Women Association, the Group said they decided to buy the nomination form for the Governor because of their conviction that his tenure has brought lot of blessings to the people of the state.

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    Spokesman of the traders, Alhaji Ahmed Salihu told newsmen that traders in the state camp together to contribute money to purchase the firm, stressing that they were heading back to Minna to present it to the governor as a surprise gift.

    He said “In the history of Niger state, this is the first time that Market Association decided to buy the nomination and expression of interest forms for the present governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sadiq Sani Bello.

    “We are doing this because the governor has achieved a lot not only for market people but to the entire Niger people. Talking about the market people, for the first time the governor fixed all the roads in the market.

    “He provided three 500 KVA transformer to the market. He did this because he wants to discourage the use of small power generating sets in the market in order to avoid fire disaster.

    “So because of his achievements, the market people decided to come together to do this for him. We are here on his behalf without even his knowledge. After here we are going back to the state present it to the governor as a big surprise.

    “If the market association has a chance, it would have first purchased the form for President Muhammadu Buhari for what he has done.”

    Salihu disclosed that improvement in market activities in the State has helped improve the internally generated revenue in the state, saying under the governor’s administration, the state IGR has improved just as commercial activities have risen”

    Also on Friday, 12 members of the Sokoto state House of Assembly who refused to join former Speaker of the house of representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to defect to the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also at the secretariat to buy a nomination form for one of them, Faruok Malami Yabo.

    Leader of the delegation, Sani Alhaji Yakubu told newsmen that they are ready to take over the government from the current PDP government led by Aminu Tambuwal.

    While insisting that the APC will take over power from the PDP in the State during 2019 general elections, Yakubu said “As you can see, we have all contributed a total sum of 22 million, 500 thousand to obtain form for Honourable Yabo

    “We decided to contribute our hard-earned salaries to the gentleman because we found it very imperative,” he said.

  • Sani Bello presents N128b budget estimate for 2018

    Sani Bello presents N128b budget estimate for 2018

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has presented a budget estimate of N128, 010,602,977 billion for the 2018 fiscal year.

    Making the presentation to the State House of Assembly, the Governor tagged the 2018 budget as ‘The Peoples’ Budget’ stating that it will encourage community participation, inclusiveness and responsiveness to the yearning and aspirations of the people.

    The 2018 budget is N19 billion or 16.62 per cent higher than the 2017 budget.

    The 2018 budget has a statutory allocation  at N57,610,992,019, Value Added Tax (VAT) N9,890,656,457, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) N11,650,465,457, Capital receipts N35,854,489,391, Paris Club Refund N10 billion and Return from Pensions N3 billion.

    The proposed budget comprises a recurrent expenditure of N52,151,626,082, which is 40.74 per cent of the total budget  with Personnel Cost at N91,016,961,635; Consolidated Funds charges of N9,743,464,447; Overhead Cost of N11,391,200.

    While the capital expenditure stands at N75, 858,976,895 or 59.26 percent of the total budget size with the economic sector receiving the largest share.

    Breakdown of the capital expenditure include administration, N9,944,734,640; economic N44,132,945,270; social N20,471,296,985; Law and justice N1,310,000,000.

    Describing the uniqueness of the budget, the Governor said it is demand-driven as it anchors on the expressed needs of the people.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa assured of the early passage of the budget.

  • Okowa, Markafi, Darius Visit IBB

    Okowa, Markafi, Darius Visit IBB

    The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmed Markarfi and the Chairman of the PDP National Elective Convention Committee, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Wednesday visited former military President,  General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at his Uphill residence in Minna.

    The duo came along with Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku, Senator Obi and Senator Abdul Ningi.

    The group arrived the Minna International Airport at about 1pm and headed straight to the Uphill residence of the former military President.

    Newsmen were not allowed into the indoor meeting that lasted more than an hour.

    However, The Nation gathered that the purpose of the visit may be related to the PDP National Convention coming up on Saturday.

    Read Also: Makarfi: Atiku’s defection won’t stop me

    A Source in Babangida’s house said that the Chairman of the Convention and Delta State Governor was said to have assured the elder statesman that all aspirants would be given a level playing field stating that the convention would be hitch-free.

    After the visit to Babangida, the team visited the Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello at the Government House in Minna.

    Attempts to speak to the Governors at the Government House also proved abortive as they said that they were on a private visit to see a fellow colleague.

  • Niger traders screened for breast, cervical cancers

    Niger traders screened for breast, cervical cancers

    Wife of Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Bello has conducted free breast and cervical cancer screening on over 500 women traders.

    The exercise which took place at the Kure Ultra-modern Market, Minna, the state capital, cost N3.7 million

    The three-day free medical screening which was organised by her non-governmental organisation, RAiSE Breast and Cervical Screening Centre, and conducted by her team, was to ensure that market women benefited in large numbers.

    Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Amina Bello, who was represented by her Chief Press Secretary, Aisha Wakaso, told the gathering that the governor’s wife’s concern about the health of women and children informed the decision to embark on the exercise.

    While urging women within the state capital and outside to present themselves for the exercise, Dr. Amina said, “After this three days free screening, it will attract the sum of N7,000 for any woman coming to the Centre to be screened. I strongly believe that prevention is better than cure. Women don’t have to suffer and die needlessly. I urge women across the state not only in Chanchaga Local Government to come out in their number. We brought the exercise to the market because there was low turnout in the earlier ones we did.”

    The council chairman of Chanchaga Local Government, Alhaji Yusuf Fuka who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Surajo Ismaila appreciated the governors’ wife for chosing his council to conduct the screening while pledging the commitment of the council to assist future screening to ensure that breast and cervical cancers can be nipped in the bud.

    Also, the Director, Family Health Care, Fati Garba commended Dr. Bello for being at the fore front on matters that pertained to women, not only in Niger state, but all over the country, “ Her firm belief on issue of these two group of people is the reason why we are here, today.”

    Some beneficiaries after being screening thanked the first lady for the kind gesture calling for the need for intensive advertisements, so that women can avail themselves of the free medical screening.

    Mrs. Florence Anthony, leader of women cosmetics sellers and Halima Yusuf, who heard of the free exercise said they were happy the governor’s wife conducted the screening, adding, “This is the first time to benefit from her programmes. We are grateful; our screening is okay.”

     

  • Governor increases Niger Tornadoes FC monthly subvention to N10m

    Governor increases Niger Tornadoes FC monthly subvention to N10m

    Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna has invited eight new players to a close camp toward preparation for the first phase of its pre-season activities just as the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello  increased its monthly subvention from N7 million to N10 million.

    Coach Abubakar Bala, its head coach, made this known in Minna on Saturday while briefing newsmen on the clubs preparation for the 2017/2018 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    “We have adopted a close camp to enable use concentrate and come out with the best players and good technical ability.

    “It will be strictly based on invitation as gate crashing will not be entertained.

    “We want to strengthen our team, we have discovered our weaknesses and have invited those we think can help us achieve our target.

    “So we want to critically look at these players, therefore, the choice of Kontagora for the close camping is apt,’’ he said.

    Bala said that the one week camping which started on Saturday would give the technical crew firsthand information on both new and old players playing together.

    The Coach explained that blending the players would provide the club with technical ability to execute the Shehu Dilon pre-season tournament in Kaduna scheduled for November 5th to 12th as well as the Gold Cup pre-season tournament slated for November 15th to 24th in Ilorin.

    He warned that all the old players who failed to report for Saturday evening training in Kontagora risked being suspended as the technical crew had given them enough resting period.

    Bala said that some of the players took excuse to return on Sunday with some fines attached like Sunday Akinmoladun, Andrew Ikefe, Kazeem Yakeen, and Ebenezer Odeyemi.

    The Coach, however, enjoined the teeming supporters of the team to pray for the success of the club to make good recruitment to enable it achieve more than the previous seasons.

    He appreciated government, management of the club and the people of the state for their support and encouragement, promising not to disappoint them in the 2017/2018 season.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Tornadoes concluded the 2016/2017 season of the NPFL on 11th position and ended as runners-up of the just concluded AITEO Cup in Lagos.

    The state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello showered the club with N10 million for their efforts in the AITEO Cup at a reception on Friday.

  • May Day: Niger workers’ demands cancellation of Pension Scheme

    May Day: Niger workers’ demands cancellation of Pension Scheme

    The absence of the Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello at the Workers Day parade Monday in Minna has been attributed to the fear of being berated by the workers of the state over his reluctance to cancel the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), Comrade Yahaya Videos Ndako who disclosed this during the Workers Day Celebration at the 1,2,3 Parade Ground in Minna stated that the Organized Union in the state are calling for the total cancellation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and would not accept its implementation.

    Addressing the representative of the Governor, the Secretary of State Government, Hon. Ibrahim Isah Ladan and workers of Niger state, the Chairman said that the new Bill sent by the Governor to the House of Assembly seeking to amend the law establishing the contributory pension is unacceptable adding that Labor will no longer allow its retirees to be subjected to untold hardship.

    Ndako stated that this latest action of the government is capable of flaring up the anger of both serving and retired workers to an unimaginable proportion whose consequences may be unhealthy to the state.

    “We are Nigerlites, we voted for the government in power and we need to enjoy our rights. This new Bill is vehemently rejected by the Organized Labor in Niger state. We are saying this gently so that when we start reacting, it would not be said that hope have started.

    “We will fight our cause based on the law of the land. I can say categorically that the Governor and I spoke after a programme in Radio Niger and I told him about our rejection of the new Bill. I am sure that that is what prevented Me. Governor from coming to the parade today.”

    Ndako who insisted that they had no problem with the state Governor neither are they enemies of the Governor pointing out that there are sycophants in the Governor’s cabinet who take delight in causing chaos in some sectors in the state.

    The NLC Chairman then called on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to carry out reshufflement of his cabinet due to its numbers of sycophants and unproductive members stating that, “the earlier he reshuffles his cabinet, the better for him.”

    He then advised the state government to dedicate the allocation of N200 million from the N400million monthly Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) and set up a Board of Trustee to that effect for its effective and efficient management.

    In his speech read by the Secretary of the State Government,  Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said that his administration is not unaware of the skepticism and apprehension of the civil servants in the state hence the welfare of worker would be given the required priority.

    Ladan stated that the state government will continued to pay its 10.5 per cent and 7.5 per cent of workers in to the Contributory Pension Scheme adding that the Governor believe in dialogue in resolving matters.

    However, the workers did not allow him to finish as they interrupted him saying it was unacceptable, shouts of “no no no go and seat down” “we will not accept it” filled the air.

    But the SSG continued his speech saying that the state government has paid over N2.6 billion outstanding Pension and gratuities of workers assuring the workers that the payment would continue but in batches.

     

  • I’ve failed in cutting down my staff strength – Sani Bello

    I’ve failed in cutting down my staff strength – Sani Bello

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello Thursday lamented his inability to cut down the staff in his employ despite the financial challenge the state is currently facing.

    According to him, all moves to cut down on the staff both at the civil service and appointed staff have proved abortive.

    Bello stated this Thursday when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright in Government House in Minna.

    The Governor who advocated that people should go into agriculture or learn a trade said that there are so many staff in the Niger state civil service to the extent that most of them are redundant and not functioning.

    “Already, we have so many staff and it have been difficult to cut down on the staff. Even politically, it is difficult to cut down on the staff. I have tried to cut down on the staff in so many ways but I have failed”, he lamented.

    The Governor then asked that the British High Commissioner partner with the state in the area of building up technical and vocational institution in a bid to reduce youth restiveness and the search for blue collared jobs.

    He appealed for a long term relationship with the British government adding that it will be beneficial to the state and the United Kingdom.

    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright had earlier expressed the interest of the United Kingdom in partnering with the state government in the area of mining and agriculture.

    He said that Niger state have a large potential in agriculture if the potentials are properly harnessed pointing out that the agricultural sector can take the state out of its current economic challenges.