The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Samuel Aruwan

  • El-Rufai sacks all political appointees

    As he commences selecting the team for his second-term in office, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has directed all political appointees to submit letters of resignation by 30th April 2019.

    The governor will exercise his constitutional prerogative to decide on re-appointments while giving the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance adequate time to compute severance payments and reconcile any liabilities.

    According to the directive, each notice of resignation must be submitted along with a handover note, signed by the political appointee on behalf of the MDA or office to which he or she had been appointed. All resignation letters should be properly addressed to the Principal Private Secretary.

    A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, stated that Malam Nasir El-Rufai has thanked all political appointees for their contributions and service to the state during his first-term.

    He said: “As he constitutes the team that will assist him in his second-term, the governor said he expects the process to be enriched by the handover notes from the political appointees, and the report of the Transition Committee headed by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe.

    Read Also: El-Rufai praised for health initiatives

    “The following appointees are expected to comply with the directive: All Commissioners in the State Executive Council, All Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Directors-General, Executive Secretaries, Managing Directors, General Managers and other Heads of Agencies, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Technical Assistants to the Governor, other than the Kashim Ibrahim Fellows.

    “Excluded from compliance with this directive are full-time Commissioners of certain State Executive bodies who retain their tenured appointments in the following agencies: i. Fiscal Responsibility Commission

    1. Civil Service Commission

    iii. Judicial Service Commission

    iiii. Assembly Service Commission

    1. The State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM)
    2. The Peace Commission

    vii. Public Procurement Authority

    viii. Water Regulatory Authority

    “Due to recent adjustments in roles within the government, the occupants of and recent appointees into the following offices are also exempted from the directive to resign: a. Commissioner of Finance

    1. Principal Private Secretary
    2. Accountant-General
    3. Special Adviser, Intergovernmental Relations
    4. Managing Director, Kaduna Markets Development Company
    5. Managing Director, Kaduna Investment and Finance Company, and
    6. Any other political appointee sworn-in or appointed to their current role within the last six months.”

  • El-Rufai appoints new Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General

    Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has appointed another commissioner of finance and Accountant-General.

    In statement by his spokesman Mr Samuel Aruwan, the governor said the ministry has not had a substantive commissioner since the resignation of became effective on 7th January 2019.

    He disclosed that Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Finance.

    Saidu is one of the original 13 commissioners cleared by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2015.

    He took the position of Commissioner for Local Government in the first cabinet.

    He was appointed Chief of Staff in December 2016.

    Saidu’s mandate, according to the statement, is to “restructure and reposition the Ministry of Finance within the shortest possible time for the challenges of the second term of the Nasir El-Rufai government.

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

    “He will be assisted in that task by Mr. Idris Samaila Nyam, the erstwhile Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who has been appointed Accountant-General.

    “Umar Waziri, the former Accountant-General, becomes Managing Director of the Kaduna Investment and Finance Company.

    “The most senior director in the ministry will act as Permanent Secretary until further notice.

    “Dr. Salisu Suleiman, the Principal Private Secretary, will cover the duties of the Chief of Staff in the absence of Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu.

    “All the new appointments become effective immediately,” the statement concluded.

  • El-Rufai’s convoy foils kidnapping along Kaduna-Abuja road

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s convoy foiled attempted kidnapping of motorists along Kaduna-Abuja road on Wednesday afternoon.

    The Governor who was on his way to Abuja got to the Akilubu village around 3:40pm, sighted dozens of vehicles parked by citizens alarmed that kidnappers were ahead.

    Security operatives in the governor’s convoy advanced and cleared the road of the criminals who fled into the forest.

    Read Also: I’ll lead with fear of God, says Nasarawa Governor-elect

    El-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan told newsmen that, after the clearing the road, Governor El-Rufai directed that travelers who had been wounded by the criminals be rushed to the nearest hospital.

    The Governor also directed security agencies to intensify patrols and permanently clear the road of the bandits.

  • El-Rufai ends accident rumour, arrives Nigeria

    Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday evening ended the rumour of his involvement in a fatal accident, which allegedly claimed life of his driver on the spot.

    El-Rufai, according to his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Wednesday afternoon wearing a cheerful face.

    Rumours were rife in hush tones that El-Rufai was involved in an accident.

    The rumours, however, became louder last Thursday when it was reported the governor was injured and his driver dead instantly.

    But, El-Rufai who reacted to the rumour, attributed it to the opposition party members.

    He said he was neither in coma nor was his driver dead as being speculated.

    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.”

    But despite the rebuttal, another round of rumour spread he was in coma in a hospital in Germany.

    Aruwan, in a short Facebook post this evening, inferred the Governor’s arrival has ended the rumour, asking the mongers to proceed to the next issue.

    According to him: “Ever smiling and cheerful Governor Nasir El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Next story!”

    His post was accompanied with two photographs showing the Governor smiling while pulling his luggage.

  • I did not call for violence, says El-Rufai

    …says, trailing reactions are false outrage

     

    Following massive reactions that greeted his statement, Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has clarified his comments, saying the reactions that followed his comments were false outrage, which he said must stop.

    In a statement he issued through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, El-Rufai insisted that his comments were not call for violence, but a powerful defense of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

    The Governor said he merely stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power.

    According to him, “A notorious trait of the characters that constitute the opposition in Nigeria is the manufacture of outrage on flimsy grounds. However, contriving anger on false premises and summoning a din of feverish commentary will not alter the facts. Election season is regarded as silly season in some quarters, but it is a very serious moment.

    “When Malam Nasir El-Rufai appeared on NTA’s Tuesday Night Live, he made comments every patriot can understand. He stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power.

    “The video of his comments is in circulation. Any fair-minded person with modest familiarity with the English language and unimpaired comprehension can understand it. It does not contain any call for violence. What it is a powerful defense of sovereignty? Are some sections of our political class implying that they will acquiesce in or collaborate with foreign intervention in our country?

    “Affirming that a country will defend itself against needless intervention is the kind of statement you expect to hear from a patriot. It is not a call for violence. Warning about the consequences of meddling in another country’s affairs is legitimate.

    Read Also: Poll: EU replies El-Rufai, says observers invited by FG

    “Non-interference in the affairs of other countries is a basic principle of international law. Threatening to intervene in another country implies the use of force. Those who are basing their electoral calculations on foreign intervention need to be discouraged. Only the lawful votes of the Nigerian people should make or unmake governments.

    “Malam Nasir El-Rufai has issued a powerful call for vigilance and a clear notice that other countries should not mistake the supine posture of the opposition for national weakness.

    “Malam Nasir El-Rufai has stood firmly against those who have been trying to divide Nigerians on ethnic and religious lines. He is resolutely opposed to violence, and firmly committed to peace and harmony.

    “Let the false outrage stop,” El-Rufai said.

  • El-Rufa’i loses elder brother

    The elder brother of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, AVM Ali Ahmad Rufai (Rtd) is dead.

    AVM Rufai, who died in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja, was born on 10th November 1948 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan announced the death of the Governor’s elder brother in a statement in Kaduna on Saturday.

    Read Also: El-Rufa’i reshuffles cabinet

    He was commissioned as an officer in 1972, and retired in 2002 at the rank of Air Vice Marshall after a meritorious military career.

    Aruwan said, late AVM Rufai held different positions and commanded various formations while in service and attended several courses in Nigeria and abroad.

    He is survived by his wife, Hajiya Safiya Rufai, six children, brothers and sisters. His surviving siblings include Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and Alhaji Bashir Ahmad El-Rufai.

    The janaiza will take place at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna by 4pm 19th January 2019.

     

     

  • El-Rufai appoints Hadiza Balarabe as Senior Adviser-Counsellor

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has again appointed his recently announced running mate, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as Senior Adviser-Counsellor.

    A statement from Government House said that, the appointment of Dr. Balarabe who is currently the  Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency is with immediate effect.
    According to the statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, Dr. Balarabe in her new function is expected to work from Government House, overseeing key agencies reporting to the Governor like the State Pensions Board, KADGIS and KASUPDA, advising the governor on matters of human capital development, and understudying him and the Deputy Governor in all aspects of governance.
    “As Senior Adviser-Counsellor she will be at the heart of government, attending meetings of the State Executive and Security Councils. This new responsibility places her within the second echelon of the government, next to the two elected leaders of the executive branch. She will join other senior officials to drive the policy and governance aspirations of the government in the remaining crucial months of the current mandate.

    Read Also: El-Rufai flies Muslim-Muslim ticket

    “The second echelon of the Kaduna State Government comprises of senior officials who are copied recipients of all correspondence from the governor, as part of Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s strategy to ensure that not just him and the Deputy Governor are abreast of all issues and decisions the government is dealing with. These senior officials act as the principal advisers to the governor, and also function as implementors and monitors of the governance agenda of the government.

    “In her new role, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe will attend all meetings and activities in the Governor’s office, and perform other assigned responsibilities.

    “Dr. Hadiza Balarabe is the first woman to join the second echelon since Hadiza Bala-Usman, Governor El-Rufai’s first chief of staff, left to take up the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

    “The new appointment is expected to further expose this accomplished medical doctor and public health expert to the entire workings of the Kaduna State Government.” The statement read.

  • 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.

  • 50 ‘Sarasuka’ gangsters arrested in Kaduna

    Fifty gangsters, known variously as ‘Yan Sarasuka or Yan Shara’, have been arrested in Kaduna state.

    The state government disclosed this in Kaduna on Wednesday saying that, the suspects will be arraigned before a magistrate court after security agencies conclude investigations.

    The suspects were arrested in different locations in Kaduna town as security agencies investigate last weekend’s outrage by hoodlums in parts in Kaduna town.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the governor directed security agencies to deal decisively with the menace of urban hoodlums.

    According to the statement, “the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has received briefings from security agencies on the outrage perpetrated by urban gangsters, notoriously known as Yan Shara or Sarasuka. The Governor has also visited Abakpa community where he interacted with some members of the community and condemned the criminal actions of the gangsters.

    Read Also:One student killed, 42 others hospitalized, as diarrhoea outbreak hits Kaduna

    “Security agencies have informed the Governor of the arrest updates on the arrest of over 50 suspects. The governor requested that the police and the Ministry of Justice to ensure prompt investigations and diligent prosecution of whoever is indicted. He urged the police to ensure that fleeing suspects do not escape justice, declaring that all government agencies must work to collectively end the menace.”

    Similarly, Aruwan also clarified the position of the Kaduna State Government on the proliferation of vigilante groups in the state.

    “The Kaduna State Government has made it clear that only the Kaduna State Vigilance Service is empowered by the law to regulate vigilante activity in the state. Any community that wishes to make a contribution to security and intelligence gathering in their area should forward the persons they are presenting to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service and the security agencies for thorough screening.  This is to ensure they such persons have no criminal records or tendencies that could compromise the security and well-being of the citizenry.

    “By this clarification, communities should liaise with the Kaduna State Vigilance Service to make arrangements for their communities.”

  • El-Rufai visits Birnin Gwari

    Assures communities that terrorists will be defeated 

     

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on Monday visited communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area where armed hoodlums had killed 45 persons.

    The Governor who arrived Birnin Gwari around 12 noon proceeded to the palace of the Emir, Malam Jibril Zubair Mai Gwari II where he met with the emir and community leaders, after which he proceeded to Gwaska, the scene of the latest fatal attack.

    Governor El-Rufai according to a release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan expressed his sorrow and offered condolences to the people.

    According to him, “I came here to share the pain and anguish of our people, the predicament of innocent citizens whose lives were cut short due to the terrorism of bandits and criminals who have been tormenting us.

    “I and my team will be proceeding to Gwaska and other communities to see for ourselves and talk directly to the people. But I want to say again, that we are not sleeping and by the grace of God we will overcome this evil act and the terrorism being unleashed on our people.

    The release said the Emir of Birnin-Gwari in his response, praised the Federal and state governments for demonstrating commitment to the plight of his people.

    “We are grateful for your deep condolences and empathy. We are grateful for all your commitment to resolving the plight of Birnin Gwari people. As a member of the State Security Council, I am in the know of Federal and State Government commitment.

    “The IGP and the GOC were here and have confirmed the establishment of a Battalion of the army and Police Area Command. I am happy that you are going to Gwaska and other communities to see for yourself.”

    Aruwan said, after prayers for the souls of those killed in the attacks, the Governor and his entourage departed the palace at 1:14 pm for Gwaska.

    “Governor El-Rufai, who arrived Gwaska at exactly 2:10 pm, was taken round and briefed by Malam Isa Musa, the leader of the community, who narrated how the bandits carried out the heinous attack.

    Musa said that the attackers “were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and are not ordinary gunmen. They came from different directions and circled us shooting and burning our houses with impunity.

    “We appreciate all your commitment but we wish to let you know that only full military action on both land and air can match these terrorists. They are mercenaries and marksmen. As you can see it’s about seven kilometers to Dansadau in Zamfara State and other boundaries with Katsina and Niger with us here in Birnin Gwari Local Government.”

    Governor El-Rufai who left the community assured them that both the state and federal governments will intensify action to address the lingering problem of rural banditry. He told the people that government will assist in rebuilding the affected communities and he urged them to continue to be law-abiding.

    Before departing Birnin Gwari for Kaduna, the Governor, in the company of the member representing Birnin Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hassan Adamu Shekarau, addressed the people of the area who had fled from communities that had been devastated by the attacks.

    The Governor briefed them on all the measures being taken by the state and federal governments to improve the security situation in their communities.

    “The governor was accompanied by officials,  including the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal. the Garrison Commander, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen O.J. Akpor, ACP Ahmad Tijjani Abdullahi, Political Adviser, Uba Sani, Security Adviser, Col. Yakubu Yusuf (Rtd), Maryam Abubakar and Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity.” The release read.