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Tag: Tanko Almakura

  • Great burden rests on IGP, says Almakura

    The Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, on Friday said that the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has a substantial burden on his shoulders, especially with the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an indigene of Nassawa State worthy to be the IGP.

    Briefing State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa, Al-Makura also described the new police boss as a professional that will give the force a direction and will ensure that all the candidates in the forthcoming elections have level playing field.

    He said, “The IG has a substantial burden on his shoulders, he is coming as new, and within the next one month, he is going to embark on a difficult exercise.

    “But my consolation lies in the fact that he is someone whose commitment and loyalty to service is not in question.

    “I believe that he will bring to bear this pedigree to ensure that he puts the professional focus of his job to satisfy all and sundry, both the government, opposition, and all ordinary men and by sticking to his direction so that whatever decision he takes will be in the best interest everybody and everybody will be convinced.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that he will be an IGP that will be a pride to this nation.” he said

    Al-Makura added “On behalf of myself, government and people of Nasarawa State, I will like to sincerely thank Mr. President for considering a citizen of Nasarawa State worthy of occupying this important position of the IG of the Nigeria Police.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Alabo Gabriel Toby at 80

    “I congratulate him and I believe that the appointment is based on his capacity and professionalism pedigree. Adamu is someone I have known right from childhood in Lafia and all his life in the police force, he has exhibited tremendous amount of professionalism and commitment to his responsibilities.

    “I believe if you look at the places where he has worked before, you be assured that he would have no blemish and I believe that he will bring that excellence that he has gathered over time to ensure that he puts the police in the right state and also give this nation a proper and most professional leadership of the police for everyone to be happy with the police,” he said

    He said that the state has embarked on rigorous and vigorous implementation of ranching and that his government has been able to accommodate most of the herdsmen that were driven away from Benue state.

    “We have been able to accommodate them, right now there has not been any farmers/herdsmen crisis because of the influx of such herdsmen.

    “What is the magic, it is the community-based conflict resolution mechanism and we have decided to accommodate them as people who are bona fide and also made arrangement where there will be interface between the farmers and the herdsmen to the extent that we now have a very comfortable relationship.

    “I can assure you Nasarawa state will remain peaceful for as long as this mechanism exists.” he said.

  • National Convention: APC governors yet to agree on consensus

    As Badaru dismisses unity list

     

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the platform of the Progressives Governors Forum are her to agree on a consensus list of candidates for the National Working Committee of the party ahead of this weekend’s national convention of the party.

    The governors rose from over their over two and half hours meeting on Wednesday night to ask each of the, to go back to their various zones to discuss with the aspirants for the various position with a view to arriving at consensus for each of the positions being contested.

    Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar who spoke with newsmen at the end of the meeting which took place at the Imo state governors lodge said no list has been developed by the governors as is being speculated or is being developed.

    But Nasarawa state Governor, Tanko AlMakura said the consensus list is

    likely to be ready by today as the governors are talking to themselves with a view to arriving at a consensus so that the convention will be rancour free.

    Badaru said the governors discussed “the convention and how prepared we are for it. We still affirmed that we will hold the convention on June 23 and the governors are giving all necessary support to make it successful and rancor free. We will be coming out of that convention stronger.

    “What we asked is for the governors to meet with the aspirants at their zonal levels to see if we can reduce the aspirants in the election by consensus which is agreed to by our party constitution. But no list has been developed yet.

    On what the governors intends to present to the President about the convention when they meet with him, he said “I am not aware there is that meeting tomorrow (today).

    Read Also: Ondo APC to Buhari: You deserve second term

    While dismissing the alleged unity list, he said “It is not a list that is coming out. It is to reduce the number of contestants by consensus. After the governors might have met with the aspirants at their different zonal levels, they are supposed to report back before Friday because we will be entering the convention on Saturday.

    “But let me emphasis that it is not a list. So, don’t misquote me. There is no list. In places where we have eight people contesting for one position, we are trying to see if the number can be reduced.

    “There are those who are unopposed. In some positions, we have people, in some, we have two or five. So we will discuss with them to see if we can have some agreement to see one person come out unopposed. Where they do not agree, then we will go to the ballot boxes.”

    On how many people have been disqualified by both the screening and screening appeals committee, he said “off head, I cannot give you the exact number, but it is around 16. But I am not very sure because I do t have figures here. But I can confirm to you that some have been screened out and most of them are contesting the position of youth leaders because of the age limitation.

    On petitions against serving NWC members, he said “the appeals committee is looking at that and will submit their report for the general convention committee to look at and adopt.

    He said the convention committee did not alter the zoning arrangement because “zoning was a NEC resolution. It was agreed by the NEC and so, we cannot change it until we go back to the NEC.”

    Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Nasarawa state Governor, Tanko AlMakura said “I want to assure you that we governors are talking to ourselves to ensure that we have consensus so that the election will be rancour free and to the best interest of the country.

    “I assure you that at the end of the day, we will have a team that all APC members will be proud of. The unity list and consensus are the same thing. By the time we get to that stage, you will know”

    Twenty three States out of the twenty four states controlled by the party were represented at the meeting with Kebbi state Governor, Atiku Bagudu not in attendance and not represented.

    Some of the Governors Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Jibrilla Bindo of Adamawa, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa state, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa who is also the chairman of the convention planning committee.

    Others include Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Sani Bello of Niger, Abubakar Ibrahim of Bauchi, Aminu Tanbuwal of Sokoto, Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state.

    Also in attendance were the Deputy Governors of Lagos and Kaduna.

    The governors are expected to meet with the President on Thursday and also expect the Eagle Square, venue of the convention.

    There have been speculations that the governors may adopt a unity list which they will present to the President for adoption for the convention.

    The President reportedly told the governors at a meeting last week to take charge of the convention and ensure it was hitch free while doing everything possible to nip in the bud any possible crisis that may want to rear its head during the convention.

    The chairman of the convention committee was expected to brief the governors on he progress so far made in their preparation for the convention.

    The meeting of the governors which started at about 8.30 pm at the Imo governor’s lodge is expected to take crucial decisions regarding the convention.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja, attends in-law’s wedding

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to Abuja after a 2-day working visit to Lagos state where he inaugurated some projects and also attended the 10th Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquium.

    On his return, Buhari went straight to the National Mosque Abuja where he performed the 2-Raka’at Juma’at prayer.

    The President also witnessed the wedding fatiha of Hamza Ahmed and Hadiza Jika which was performed immediately after the prayer session at the mosque.

    Read also: Buhari, Abdulsalami, govs, others grace Dangote’s daughter’s wedding

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governors of Nasarawa and Bauchi States, Alhaji Tanko Almakura and Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar respectively were among the dignitaries that witnessed the event.

    Other personalities at the wedding were the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu, cabinet ministers and former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmodu Ali.

    The groom, Hamza Ahmed, is a junior brother to Aisha Buhari, the president wife.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa engages 1500 youths as environment guards

    Nasarawa State Government has employed 1500 youths as environment guards under the state’s Youth Empowerment Schemes ( NAYES ) aimed at protecting the environment and stopping indiscriminate felling of trees.

    The Coordinator of NAYES, Mr Abdullahi Labaran Maina, made this known in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Thursday that the scheme was part of the government’s efforts to create job opportunities for youths.

    According to him, Gov. Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State is committed to reducing youths’ restiveness, poverty, as well as improve standard of living.

    The NAYES coordinator urged youths to be proactive in the discharge of their duties, stressing that their work was mainly to protect the environment and check indiscriminate cutting of trees.

    Maina said “Gov. Tanko Al-Makura is doing his best to reduce the rate of unemployment in Nasarawa State. The government trained many youths in different skills to be self reliant.

    “We urge youths to be loyal and be supportive of government’s efforts. In doing so, they would
    enjoy dividends of democracy.”

    He congratulated the youths for completing training programme aimed at equipping them with requisite tools and discipline to serve the state better.

    He added that the state government had so far engaged 4,500 youths under NAYES, where some were engaged as sanitary inspectors, community watchers and traffic marshals.

    NAN

  • Al-Makura tasks students on discipline, hard work

    Al-Makura tasks students on discipline, hard work

    Gov. Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State, has urged students in the state to be disciplined and hardworking in order to justify the huge investment their parents make on their education.

    Almakura, gave the advice on Friday while addressing the students of Government Secondary School, Nyanya Gbagi, Karu Local Government Area of the state.

    He charged them to face their studies and excel in their academic pursuit and shun laziness and other vices, adding that only hard work paid.

    He advised them to read hard and be obedient to their parents and teachers in order to excel in their academic pursuits for the betterment of the society.

    The governor restated his administration’s commitment to uplifting the standard and quality of education in the state.

    Almakura said that his administration had invested so much in the education sector in order to provide quality education to children in the state.

    According to him, education is the best legacy any government could leave for its citizens.

    Read Also: Al-Makura  inaugurates power station to boost electricity supply

    “The essence of all our efforts is to provide education to all children irrespective of their status in the society as my administration has given topmost priority to the education sector.

    “This administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for learning and teaching through the provision of furniture and more classrooms in order to improve on the standard of education.

    Almakura told the students that they were entitled to enjoy all the support and patronage of government for them to be able to become the best they could in life.

    The governor called on the residents to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

    “Peace is paramount and a necessary requirement for the development of any society,” he said.

    NAN

  • Almakura warns against encroachment on govt’s land

    Almakura warns against encroachment on govt’s land

    The Nasarawa State Government on Friday warned individuals and groups against encroaching on lands that belong to the state government in the interest of peace and the socio-economic development of the state.

    Gov. Tanko Almakura, gave the warning when he visited Nyanya Gbagi Primary and Secondary Schools, Karu in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    The Reporter  reports that the school land is gradually being taken over by welders, panel beaters and car dealers among others.

    He said that he would not fold his hands and watch individuals encroach on the government land for their selfish interests and urged them to desist from doing so in the interest of peace and development.

    Read Also: Labour to Almakura: Resolve impasse with workers

    Almakura said his administration was committed to the development of the education sector and provision of basic infrastructure such as roads, culverts, health facilities, water and electricity among others.

    He vowed that the state government would sanction any individual or group, who encroached on its land so as to serve as deterrent to others.

    “It is clear sabotage for people to encroach on government land for their self-interest knowing well that the land is for the purpose of locating development projects that will benefit the people.

    “It is in view of this that, I want to advise those encroaching on government land to desist from doing so in their own interest, in the interest of peace and socio-economic development of the state,” he said.

    Almakura also called on the people of the area and Nigerians to jealously guard government’s projects and property sited in their domain in order to ensure speedy development of the country.

    NAN

  • Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock 

    Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with some state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governors, who met with the President after the Friday jumaat prayer, were from the north.

    They included Nasarawa Governor, Tanko Almakura, Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Bauchi Governor, Mohammed Abubakar and Yobe Governor, Ibrahim Geidam.

    The governors left the Villa from the President’s official resident.

  • Sen. Sodangi backs Nasarawa on sale of assets

    Sen. Sodangi backs Nasarawa on sale of assets

    A three- term senator, Abubakar Sodangi, on Wednesday backed the decision of the Nasarawa State Government to sale some of its assets.

    Criticisms had trailed the approval by the state Assembly, on Sept.25, allowing Gov.Tanko Almakura to dispose some of the government assets in Lagos, Jos and Kaduna.

    Sodangi, who represented Nasarawa West in the Senate from 1999 to 2011, said that the decision to sell off the properties was in the best interest of the state.

    He however said that the proceeds should be invested in areas that would have positive impact on the lives of the people.

    “I want to start by saying that whatever you see a governor or government of a state is planning on doing, they must have reasons for them.

    “From what I heard, the reason for the sale of these assets was due to total wastage, dilapidation and deteriorating condition of these properties.

    “If keeping and maintaining these properties is waste and the best thing a government think is to sell the properties and reinvest the money in prosperous and viable venture to better the lives of the people of the state, so it be.

    “Some other people may have their own different views. If you are running any business at a loss, I believe that the best thing is to do away with it; that is my own personal thinking,” he said.

    Sodangi urged people of the state to support the government, so as to succeed.

    He urged Nigerians especially the youths to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and engage in meaningful ventures that would make them self reliant.

    NAN

  • Labour to Almakura: Resolve impasse with workers

    Labour to Almakura: Resolve impasse with workers

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Monday asked Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Almakura to take urgent steps to address the issues raised by workers in the state which resulted in the ongoing strike by civil servants in the state.

    In a letter to the governor signed by the Secretary General of the two Labour Centres, Dr. Peter Ozo-Edson and Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson and Barrister Musa Lawal, Labour told the governor that issues that led to the strike were resolvable if the government is really interested in doing so.

    They also inform him that only organised labour in the state has the right to call of the strike and ask the governor to ignore any purported call for the suspension of the strike that did not emanate from the Labour.

    The letter dated June 2, 2017 reads: “It is with a high sense of duty and responsibility that we write to convey the position of the two Labour Centres on the ongoing strike in Nasarawa State.

    “You will recall sir, that the workers of Nasarawa State embarked on the ongoing strike action on the directives of Organised Labour in the state under the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress following the expiration of an ultimate jointly issued by the two Labour Centres.

    It is our position that the issues that led to the strike are resolvable, should the government prioritise the welfare and rights of the workers to wage employment.

    “May we advise therefore that you take the necessary steps towards resolving this empasse by meeting these basic demands of the workers, that are by no stretch of imagination extraneous to their fundamental rights as wage earning employees.

    “Please take notice sir, that no person acting individually or otherwise, other than by virtue of the mandate of Nasarawa workers, held in trust through our joint centres acting in concert can hold out to you their ability to resolve the issues.

    “Any purported calling off of the strike action made to you is clearly without authority and mandate of either the Nasarawa workers or the Organised Labour which we represent.

    “Workers in Nasarawa State have been directed not to heed the purported suspension of the strike action, until such a directive is made pursuant to an amicable resolution of the issues in contention for which the strike was called.

    “We are however open to genuine dialogue session with a view to resolving the empasse, provided the government eschews any perceived ploy at divide and rule or intimidation and harassment of committed leaders of the Labour Movement.  We urge the government to utilize transparent channels of communication and reach out to all leaders of Organised Labour in the state.

    “We hope that the dire situation of workers of the state will touch your Excellency, to activate the machinery for a quick resolution. While we look forward to your positive and urgent actions towards the resolution of the issues, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”