The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Shettima

  • Shettima briefs Jonathan on Bama attacks

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday to brief President Goodluck Jonathan on the violent attacks carried out by Boko Haram in Bama community in the state.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting with the President, the governor said that he was not summoned by the President.

    He also declined to speak on the reaction of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, on his claims that the security agencies battling Boko Haram are not well equipped as the insurgents.

    Okupe had countered that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are better armed than the insurgents.

    Shettima said, “Do I need your consent to come and see my President? He is the President of Nigeria and I need to update him adequately on the goings-on in the state.”

    “There was an attack on Bama. We are yet to get the actual number of casualties but I am told they have inflicted a lot of damage on the town, otherwise the military are doing their best.”

    On whether he was summoned to the Villa, he said, “I came on my own. He is the President of Nigeria for God’s sake. Why can’t I come and update him? Is it wrong or is it a crime to do so?”

    Declining to comment on the reaction of Okupe to his claims, he said, “I don’t want to comment. He is our President and I am here to update him on the goings on in Bama and I don’t want to make additional comments.”

     

  • Why we can’t defeat Boko Haram now -Shettima

    With the increasing onslaught by the violent group Boko Haram in the North East in the past few weeks, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima Monday maintained that the resources on ground is not adequate to defeat the insurgents.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, he said that more resources should be voted to fight the insurgents as the situation has already degenerated into war.

    According to him, Book Haram members are better armed and motivated to carryout their evil attacks.

    He commended the efforts of the security agencies noting that they are doing their best in the given circumstances.

    He said: “Well, in a nutshell what we are being confronted with is that we are in a state of war. It is what I came to update Mr. President, the sooner we stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day, and marshall all resources towards visualizing the antics of Boko haram the better for all of us.”

    “But the bottom line is that we need more resources, more votes on ground. In all fairness to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and Police, they are doing their best given the circumstances they have found themselves in.”

    The Governor continued: “But honestly Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our own troops. And believe me, I am eternal optimist as I have always said but I am also a realist. Given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram.”

    “I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated, anybody who is following events in this country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail overrunning communities, killing people. Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans.” He queried

    “They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do, they held sway for over of hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Idzge and I don’t blame the Nigerian military honestly, we the leaders should be held responsible for our failure in leadership.” He said

    He also said he was not aware of any threat by Boko Haram to launch an onslaught against the people if Cameroon assists the Federal Government of Nigeria to fight the insurgents.

    “I am not privy to such an information but the President has assured us that he will put in his best to see that the unfortunate tendency of the Boko Haram overrunning communities and butchering innocent souls is brought under control.” He stated

    On the number of casualties, he said: “In Idzge alone we lost 106 people and they raided eight other communities so until I get back home, today or tomorrow I cannot give you the exact figure. But some were hospitalized with very great injuries so I am afraid the figures might climb.”

    He said that it was too early to start talking about elections in the state as all attention should be on how to ensure peace and harmony in the area.

    “It is too early for anybody to talk about election when human lives are involved, power comes from God and He gives power to whom He will. I don’t care a haute whether elections are here but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the north east subregion, so people should stop playing politics.” The Governor added

    The Governor spoke with journalists after briefing President Goodluck Jonathan along with service chiefs in the State House.

    END

  • Shettima is party’s first member in Borno

    Shettima is party’s first member in Borno

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday got the No. 1 membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The number affirmed his leadership of the party in Borno.

    The registration began yesterday in the state, instead of Wednesday, under special security arrangements to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    The party’s Supervisory Registration Committee Chairman Gambo Magaji said: “Governor Shettima was the first to be registered, considering his position as the leader of the party.”

    The governor was issued a membership card with reference number 13061001 in the presence of APC Interim Deputy National Chairman Aminu Bello Masari, Borno State Interim Chairman Senator Kaka Malam Yale, 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ibrahim Ali, with other national and state chieftains of the party and top government officials.

    Shettima directed political appointees to ensure that they register at the polling units near their homes.

    The governor also directed them to mobilise the residents to participate in the registration.

    He urged party loyalists to participate in the exercise.

    Shettima was registered at 1pm at the Government House polling unit.

    Addressing reporters after he was registered, the governor said he was elated to be registered as a bona fide member of the APC.

    The National Supervisory Membership Registration Committee Chairman for the state, Alhaji Gambo Magaji, noted that with Shettima’s registration, the exercise had begun properly across the state.

  • I didn’t cry this time, says Shettima

    I didn’t cry this time, says Shettima

    When Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima presented the N178.5 billion budget to the House of Assembly in Maidguri on Monday, he was calm and in control of his emotions.

    His composure belied last year’s scenario when he broke down in tears during the budget presentation.

    Shettima said he was no longer as hopeless as he was a year ago, owing to the relative peace in the state.

    Observers may have gone to the Assembly in anticipation of seeing him tears.

    He said: “My visit here today is at variance with my visit about this time last year when I presented the budget.

    “When I was here last year, Mr Speaker, I must confess, that I was a distressed governor.

    “Perhaps, that was the reason for my emotional disposition. I was full of aspirations and wishes, yet my spirit was low.

    “Though I believed it was coming to pass, I wondered when Borno State would begin to witness real and sustained peace; I wondered how and when insurgents would move out of our communities and let us be.

    “I was a traumatised governor when I came here last year. I was unhappy although I was full of hope and anticipation for the future of our state.”

    The governor added: “Mr Speaker, today, I have inside me what is far beyond hope, I have a guarantee, a firm assurance created for all of us, by a brave, patriotic, confident, committed and tough youth population, who defied fears and threats and rose up in defence of our land.

    “I am not yet a happy governor because of some challenges, but unlike when I was here last year, today we have reclaimed our land and we are on the making Borno, peaceful and great again.”

  • Shettima seeks special grants for Borno, Yobe

    Shettima seeks special grants for Borno, Yobe

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has urged the Federal Government to approve a special grant for Borno and Yobe states to cushion the effects of the havoc wrecked by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Shettima made the appeal in Gombe at the second Northeast Economic Summit yesterday.

    He said the grant would compensate and augment their expenditure on the wreckage of the insurgency, which has impoverished both states.

    The governor called on Nigerians to have a change of conscience to reflect their rating as the most religious people in the world.

    “Nigerians are regarded as the most faithful people in the world, but what about our conscience? In America, only about 17 per cent go to church.

    “In Britain, it is 15 per cent and you can see they are guided by their conscience.

    “But in Nigeria, where 80 per cent Christians and 80 per cent Muslims worship, we tell lies and do things that do not go with our rating.’’

    Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu yesterday advocated the setting up of a Northeast Development Commission to speed up development in the region.

    Aliyu said the commission would become a strategic development hub, just as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He said: “We need to set up a Northeast Development Commission, where we can employ professionals to study the papers presented at this summit and use the points raised to develop strategic plans for the region’s development.”

    The deputy governor urged the six Northeast governors to identify the resources in the region and transform such resources into wealth.

    A former commissioner in the National Planning Commission, Dr. Titus Adeboye, said developing a framework for cooperation in the Northeast must begin with a shared vision.

    “Without a clear vision of what Northeast leaders wants in the next 10 to 20 years, the deliberations of this submit would be in vain,” he said.

    He identified Boko Haram, poverty, weak infrastructure, desertification as challenges hampering the region’s transformation.

  • Shettima puts a song in teachers’ mouths

    Shettima puts a song in teachers’ mouths

    I remember the popular and inspiring song which goes thus: “I can see everything turning around, turning around, turning around for my good”.

    I heard the voices re-echoing the song over and over again near my abode in Maiduguri. What is amiss? This song is common amongst the Christian communities, but from where it was echoing this time, from my neighbour, a Muslim family friend’s house, it suggests something really fantastic was happening. I stood by my window, adjusted the curtain to see what was amiss. I could see Hajia Binta Babagana, the wife of my neighbour and some other women in assorted attires.

    As the song was rendered, I observed next a lady serving in cups what I later discovered was Fanta drink and biscuits. Unbeknown to me, my wife, a good friend of Hajia Binta was observing the happenings at another point in our flat.

    Hours later, my wife was curious to see her friend Hajia Binta to find out the promptings of the joyous mood. I accompanied her to at least say hello to Mallam Abba Sadiq Babagana, my neighbour who l have not seen for the past fortnight. Though I was with my neighbour in the sitting room chatting but l was very attentive, anxious to know the discussion between my wife and Hajia Binta.

    Hajia Binta’s voice was clear. She was unambiguous as she told my wife the reason for the happy mood. She said they were happy because some of their teacher colleagues who they were bidding farewell were going on retirement and were showered with goodies by the Shettima administration. Apart from unhindered process of retirement, prompt payment of gratuity, the enhanced pension sum was indeed a good parting gift to Binta’s colleagues. Hajia Binta couldn’t help saying “this our governor mai kirki ne” meaning this our governor is a great or good man.

    Indeed, from primary to tertiary institutions in the state “everything is turning, turning around for good”, for the teachers, the pupils, the students and the parents. For example, Shettima’s administration inherited a prolonged strike of the lecturers of the state polytechnic (Ramat Polytechnic) in the state capital for non-implementation of Harmonised Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (HATISS) for polytechnics from his predecessor.

    On assumption of power, he immediately implemented this and put the sleeping dog to rest. Similarly, when the latest salary structure tagged “Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education” came on board; Kashim’s administration in no time implemented the same.

    According to the spokesman of the Kashim College of Education in Maiduguri, “Governor Shettima simply called the management of the two institutions in the state to advise him on implementation, adding “we did and he concurred” directing the same to be implemented fully for all categories of staff (both academic and non-academic). The spokesman however, added that the only snag in the exercise is regards to the allowances of the academic staff but added that the governor promised to address this.

    With regards to the primary school teachers, the recommended minimum wage for workers nationwide has been negotiated since and implemented by 20 of the 27 local government councils in the state. The delay in the seven outstanding local government councils is as a result of logistics. The governor has, however, directed the affected councils to expedite action and fall in line in implementation.

    Unnecessary delay in the payment of teachers’ salaries, allowances and enhanced pension and gratuity is gradually becoming history as payments are effected now as and when due.

    An innovation from Shettima’s administration with regards to teachers’ welfare is the introduction of houses for teachers. To this effect, the state government has built an estate in Maiduguri named “Shettima Ali Monguno Teachers Village”. The village consists of various categories of modern houses built solely for teachers’ occupation. Some teachers in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and the neighbouring Jere Local Government Council are expected to be the beneficiaries. It is expected that this gesture of the government would in the long run be replicated in some of the local government areas in the state.

    Neither are students forgotten in the transformation education agenda of the state government.

    On assumption of office, Governor Shettima raised the monthly feeding sum of students in tertiary institutions from N20 million to a N100 million and appointed a committee to enforce quality food for the students in addition to appointing a separate committee made up of well-vast educationists to ensure acceptable standard of teaching in the schools.

    While free textbooks, uniforms are being provided for students, infrastructure in schools are updated, parents in Maiduguri and the neighbouring Jere Local Government Councils are now relieved of the burden of daily transport fare for day students and pupils in public schools as government has provided buses to daily convey their wards to and from school. Apart from the goodies to teachers in the state, Governor Shettima has given the indication that all the teachers who had earlier retired and are good will be recalled back to the classroom to assist government in its educational transformation agenda.

    Governor Shettima, a product of public school from primary to university, a banker and a teacher, made it clear that in spite of his busy schedule as a governor, he would make time to teach in one of the schools. He charged his commissioners to embrace same as this is one of the ways to make education a worthy venture.

    In summary, it is safe to say teachers’ reward is on earth at least in Borno and not necessarily in heaven.

     

    Izekor writes from Maiduguri

     

  • Shettima’s wife gives 100 rams to widows, orphans

    The wife of Borno State Governor,Hajiya Nana Kashim-Shettima has distributed 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged residents of Maiduguri, the state capital.

    Represented at the distribution ceremony by Alhaji Mohammed Bello, the Chairman of her foundation, Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya Pupils (SWOT), she said the gesture was to ensure that the beneficiaries were not left out in the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.

    She said: “As a woman and a mother, I deem it necessary to assist women and the less-privileged in the state through the SWOT foundation.

    “That is why we are distributing 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less- privileged members of the society to enable them celebrate the Sallah festival like other people in the society.’’

    She added that the beneficiaries were selected from different parts of the metropolis to ensure even spread.

    One of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Yagana Bukar, thanked the governor’s wife for the gift and prayed to Allah to reward her abundantly.

  • El Kanemi dedicate draw to Shettima

    El Kanemi dedicate draw to Shettima

    El Kanemi Warriors have dedicated their hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima for his unflinching support to the club.

    The Maiduguri-based club are fifth with 41 points from 26 matches and El Kanemi chairman, Zanna Mala has praised the governor for standing by the team when some people never did.

    The modest club administrator, however, said that El Kanemi would be content with remaining in the Premier League for now, despite the club’s current impressive display.

    “We dedicate this draw to our governor, Honourable Kassim Shettima for his supportive role from our days in the National League now to the Premier League.

    “We owe our achievements to him and this draw is solely for him. We will continue to be modest with our ambition of maintaining our top flight status but if anything in form of a continental ticket adds to it, we shall consider it a bonus,” Zanna explained.

    He said the club remain grateful to their other supporters and that they would remain focused, without giving in to any pressure as the season continues.

    Ezekiel Mba put Akwa United ahead as early as the 8th minute before Raphael Boumsong levelled for El Kanemi in the 29th minute.

  • Shettima: I support dialogue with Boko Haram sect

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has said his administration supports Federal Government’s decision to dialogue with the moderate elements within the Boko Haram sect.

    Shettima, who spoke yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the state capital, noted that most conflicts in the world, including the country’s 1967-1970 civil war, were sorted out at the conference table.

    He said: “Unless we want to engage in an endless war, I believe it is irrational for anyone to oppose dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts.

    “I see no reason why we should not engage the moderate elements in Boko Haram, who are willing to lay down their arms and who have recognised the territorial integrity of the nation, in a dialogue.

    “The Northern Ireland problem was eventually resolved through dialogue; today, the Israelis are talking to their Palestinian cousins and many other global conflicts, much more complicated than ours, were eventually resolved through dialogue.”

    The governor said the Federal Government had nothing to lose because it was negotiating from a position of strength.

    Shettima said although the Columbian rebels were talking with their government, it did not stop the government from attacking their position.

    He added that though there were elements within the Boko Haram sect, who were opposed to dialogue, this should not stop the government from negotiating with the moderate members of the sect that were ready and willing to do so.

    “I am for dialogue and will always be for dialogue. I will always support any Nigerian who wants peace; we support Federal Government’s dialogue with the Boko Haram,” he said.

    The governor also dismissed the claim in some quarters that the Boko Haram crisis was fermented as part of a grand design by Muslims to Islamise the country, saying that majority of the victims of the sect were Muslims.

    “In fact, at the outset of the insurgency, churches were never targeted. They were killing village, district and ward heads, who are largely Muslims.”

    He described members of the sect as fringe elements “whose condition is further aggravated by poverty and illiteracy”.

     

  • Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    The governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states may go to court to challenge plan by President Goodluck Jonathan to use their states’ monthly allocations to fund the military operations in the states under the emergency rule.

    Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) are said to have sought legal advice on the issue.

    They believe that since Defence is on the exclusive list in the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government should solely fund the Special Forces deployed in the states.

    The governors are likely to seek judicial interpretation of Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The governors are unhappy with a section of the emergency rule proclamation which seeks to confer on the President power to manage funds meant for states and local governments under emergency rule.

    The section says: “Any Order made under sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation may in particular, if it appears to the President to be necessary or expedient for the purpose mentioned in the sub-regulation – make provision for the detention of any person either within the emergency area or elsewhere, removal and exclusion of any person from the emergency area; authorise the taking of possession or control of any property or undertaking in the emergency area; authorise the entry and search of any premises; provide for the application of any law (with or without modification), in relation to that area; provide for the utilisation of the funds of any State or Local Government in the emergency area; provide for the payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by the Order; provide for the apprehension, trials and punishment of persons offending against the Order; and provide for the maintenance of such applies and services as the President considers essential to the lives of persons in the emergency area.”

    Investigation revealed that the legal advisors had on Friday started consultations with the Attorneys-General of the three states, who will report to the governor.

    Sources in Borno State said: “The three governors are already weighing legal options. The three states are taking the legal measure as they are not prepared to take chances which is why they are trying to work well ahead so that they are not caught unawares.

    “The three state governments believe that controlling their funds would amount to a clear breach of the constitution because the emergency Proclamation Bill, 2013 that gave the President powers to spend funds meant for states or local governments in areas of emergency rule is in conflict with the constitution and the legal effect of declaration of emergency in an area simply means that citizens are deprived of certain fundamental human rights because of the security issues involved.

    “All laws no matter how important they may be to the governance of the country cannot supersede the provisions of the constitution because of the supremacy of the constitution which the President and every sworn public officer has an obligation to preserve and protect.

    “The constitution does not in any section remove the executives or dissolve democratic structures and relief them of their functions.

    “Power to spend funds meant for states and local governments is constitutionally vested on the chief executives of the state and local governments being second and third tiers of government directly benefiting from the statutory allocation of the federation.

    “So, any attempt by the President or any other person appointed to act in that behalf is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no lawful effect whatsoever. In addition, it will be a fragrant abuse of the constitution to tamper with funds accruable to these tiers of government and in this case, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which are all federating units like the federal government.

    “Moreover, the provision of security is squarely within the Exclusive Legislative list of the constitution which is purely the responsibility of the federal government to protect the lives and property of its citizenry through security agencies.

    ” Basic social amenities like water, healthcare, education, welfare of the citizens fall within the concurrent legislative list of the constitution which both the federal and state governments are to provide.

    “This clearly means it is the exclusive duty of the federal government in the first instance to fund security services, so why should the President now deprive states of their funds to provide the concurrent legislative list to citizens.

    “This is purely unconstitutional and even a part two law student will deliver judgment against the President and the federal government.

    “Moreover, the states of Borno and Yobe have been the ones funding security operations since the deployment of troops under the JTF to the States, the federal government didn’t give them a dime, why should the President now even consider holding on their funds whereas they have been discharging his own functions?”