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Tag: Umaru Al-Makura

  • Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service will generate N15b in 2018

    Ahmed Yakubu, the Chairman of Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service, has expressed optimism that the board will generate N15 billion this year to enhance the revenue profile of the state.

    Yakuba expressed the zeal on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the North Central Zonal headquarters of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria ( FRCN ) in Lafia.

    According to him, Gov. Umaru Al-Makura during the inauguration of the service, set an annual target of N12 billion for it.

    “But we have decided to review the target upward to N15 billion annually in order to boost the revenue profile of the state,’’ he said.

    He said the agency would to take advantage of the state’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ), to maximally harness the revenue sources of the state.

    He added that the revenue service would focus more on four areas: Stamp Duties, Pay as You Earn ( PAYE ), Withholding Taxes and Land Fee.

    Read Also: Nasarawa speaker denies snatching ballot box

    Yakubu promised that the internal revenue service would work in synergy with the state task force on land which was constituted in 2017, to generate more revenue for the state.

    The chairman added that the agency would also collaborate with security agencies to enforce the existing revenue laws of the state.

    He appealed to media organisations in the state to support the agency through appropriate sensitisation of the residents on the need fulfill their financial obligations to the state.

    Responding, Sylvasnus Namang, Director, FRCN, North Central Zone, gave the assurance that the station would support the service to achieve the set target.

    Namang added that FRCN would introduce quality programmes and carry news on the activities of the service as a way of supporting the it to achieve the set goal.

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  • Nasarawa employs 2,140 teachers

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has approved the employment of 2,140 teachers.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Aliyu Agwai, Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Education on Friday in Lafia.

    According to the statement, the employment is in line with the governor’s quest to provide quality education in the state.

    Agwai said that the teachers would be posted to public primary and secondary schools across the state.

    He said that the list of the employed teachers had been posted at all the 19 area offices in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state and the ministry’s headquarters in Lafia.

    Agwai advised the employed teachers to check their names and report at the ministry from March 26 to April 13 for documentation and orientation.

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  • Nasarawa to rebuild communities destroyed by herdsmen

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said on Friday that the government would soon start rebuilding communities destroyed by terrorist attacks in the state.

    Al-Makura told newsmen in Lafia that the effort of the Federal Government had yielded results and that peace was gradually returning to most of the affected communities.

    “We would soon embark on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of some of the houses destroyed and provide security bases among clusters of community settlements to assuage the fear of insecurity,” Al-Makura said.

    He noted that although some of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had returned home, others were still taking refuge in camps.

    “We are really concerned about the people still in IDP camps because there is no amount of relief material you can offer in the camp that is equitable with their abode,” he said.

    Al-Makura pointed out that it would be irresponsible of any government to demand that the IDPs returned home where their security could not be guaranteed.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Assembly wants Akwe-Doma immortalised

    “So, we are working tirelessly with the security agencies to ensure that all those in IDP camps return to their homes.

    “We must be sure that when they go back, there would be no relapse of security.

    He said the major challenge at the moment was the apprehension being entertained by the displaced persons.

    “We are trying so hard to erase the fear of the unknown from the psyche of the people given the efforts by the security forces.

    The governor, however, said the State Government would continue to provide needed assistance to the displaced persons, pending when they would be safe enough to return to their homes.

    The News men reports that over 25,000 people were displaced, due to bloody attacks along Nasarawa/Benue border communities.

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  • Gov. Al-Makura sets N12bn yearly revenue target for NSIRS

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has set a yearly revenue target of N12 billion for the newly inaugurated members of Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service ( NSIRS ).

    Al-Makura gave the target on Thursday in Lafia, while inaugurating the Chairman and members of NSIRS.

    The governor urged the Service to take advantage of proximity of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) to harness the revenue sources of the state.

    The governor charged them to focus more on four areas, which includes; Stamp Duties, PAYEE, Withholding Taxes and Land Fee.

    “With the measures put in place in the state, we have the capacity to generate N2 billion from land sources alone monthly.

    “Work in synergy with the state tax force on land constituted since 2017, to boost the revenue profile of the state,’’ he added.

    The governor also urged them to collaborate with security agencies toward enforcing the revenue laws of the state.

    He also warned that whosoever prevented members from realising the goals of the service would have himself to blame irrespective of his position in government.

    Al-Makura said that the Bill establishing the Service would be amended to give it more powers.

    Responding on behalf of other members, Ahmed Mohammed, the Chairman of NSIRS thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.

    He pledged the commitment of members to do their job with fairness and the fear of God.

    Other members of the service include Sabo Balarebe, Emmanuel Zakaria and Ali Mohammed.

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  • Al-Makura re-nominates two ex-chairmen to Assembly for confirmation

    Al-Makura re-nominates two ex-chairmen to Assembly for confirmation

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State hasre-nominated two ex-chairmen of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) for Keana and Keffi local Government Areas to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, Speaker of the assembly announced the names of the nominees at Wednesday’s plenary in Lafia.

    Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East), the Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly read the letter from the governor regarding the re-nomination of the two ex-chairmen.

    The nominees are: Mohammed Ayitogo and Ismaila Nuhu.

    Balarabe-Abdullahi said the re-nomination of the IMC chairmen followed the expiration of their tenure on Jan. 27.

    Read Also: Anti-grazing law: We are not at war with Benue – Al-Makura

    “The nomination was to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of their tenure in order to ensure continuity in governance,” he said.

    Balarabe-Abdullahi directed the clerk of the assembly to communicate the nominees accordingly to appear before the House on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for screening and possible confirmation.

    He restated the commitment of the assembly toward enacting laws that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

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  • Nasarawa Assembly passes Disability Rights Commission bill into law

    Nasarawa Assembly passes Disability Rights Commission bill into law

    Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed into law the bill for the establishment of the state’s Disability Right Commission.

    The bill when signed into law by the state governor, Umaru Al-Makura, will protect the rights of disabled persons in the state.

    Speaker of the Nasarawa Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, announced the passage of the bill during plenary on Monday.

    The passage followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Tanko Tunga which was seconded by Mohammed Okpede, representing Doma North.

    The speaker noted that the establishment of the commission would enhance the rights of physically challenged persons and give them a sense of belonging to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    According to him, “This bill is an Executive Bill sent to the House by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, as part of his government’s continued commitment to improve the lives of the disabled persons in the state.

    “The importance of this Commission to the development of the disabled persons cannot be over-emphasized, hence the need for the passage of the bill into law.

    “We commend Governor Al-Makura for initiating the bill and I would also like to appreciate my honourable colleagues for giving adequate attention to it”.

    He explained that the bill was subjected to all the legislative process before it was passed, adding that various stakeholders overwhelmingly supported the establishment of the commission during public hearing on the bill.

    The speaker directed the Clerk of the House to make clean copy of the bill available to the governor for further action.

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  • Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has called on federal and state governments to take urgent actions against incessant attacks and killings across the country.

    He told The Reporter in Lafia on Wednesday that until measures were taken to end the recurring killings by suspected herdsmen, the government would be seen as failing in its responsibility.

    Maku, who is the National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), spoke at the backdrop of recent killings in Benue and Nasarawa State.

    He advised Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa to take steps towards protecting innocent citizens who were chased out of their communities along Nasarawa/Benue border.

    “The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property but a lot of senseless killings are going on simultaneously across the country.

    “These killings do not speak well of the government,’’ he said.

    The former minister described as “heartbreaking’’ of yet another death of Nigerians in Kadarko, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Maku  calls for preservation of culture, tradition

    “Every life is sacred and should not be taken by another; our cities, towns and villages are vulnerable and our people unprotected.

    “Every citizen of Nigeria should be able to sleep with his or her two eyes closed; it’s a failure on the part of our government when citizens are slaughtered like animals,” he added.

    Maku explained that sending condolence message and condemnation of the act by the government was not enough, saying “I think this deaths are too many.

    “Condemnation alone won’t do, it is time to ask our leaders to protect us as they have sworn to do.’’

    He also said that if government could not protect lives and properties, it had failed in its fundamental mandate.

    According to him, we need to end this violence against ordinary citizens and build a peaceful and progressive society.

    The former minister sent his condolences to families of victims of the attacks and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

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  • Al-Makura condemns Kadarko killings, assures of adequate security

    Al-Makura condemns Kadarko killings, assures of adequate security

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has condemned the attack on Kadarko Community in Keana Local Government Area which claimed seven lives on Monday night.

    Al-Makura, who visited the community on Tuesday with security chiefs in the state, commiserated with families of the victims and the people of the area over the incident.

    He said the State Government was working to ensure adequate security for the people of the area in the wake of unfortunate events of the last 48 hours in the community.

    “Suspected cattle rustlers killed 73 cows and abducted two herdsmen on Sunday, while seven villagers were murdered on Monday.

    “A unit of Mobile Police Force will be deployed to the area in the meantime, with military surveillance to allay the palpable fear and tension in the community.

    Read Also: Al-Makura tasks students on discipline, hard work

    “The police helicopter will provide aerial surveillance of the area to identify where the attackers were coming from.

    “I want to advise those living in isolated settlements to relocate to Kadarko metropolis for their safety,’’ he said.

    The Governor also appealed to the people of the community to suspend going to the farm pending improved security

    He also called on the people to remain calm and avoid panic relocation from Kadarko town, adding that the mass movement from the community would heighten tension in other communities in the area.

    He said that apart from the security beef-up, government would provide relief materials to the displaced persons already taking refuge at Kadarko Primary School.

    Most of the rural settlements around Kadarko such as Gaav-Giza, Ngur-Giza, Gidan-Sule and Sarkin-noma have been totally deserted because of the situation.

    Also, aged men, women and children are taking refuge in Kadarko Primary School, while others are moving out of the town in large numbers with their luggages.

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  • Buhari to visit Nasarawa on Feb. 6

    Buhari to visit Nasarawa on Feb. 6

    Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said on Friday that arrangements have been concluded for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state on Feb. 6.

    Al-Makura disclosed this in Lafia while receiving reports of fact finding and investigative committee set up to look into the activities of tertiary institutions in the state from 2014 to 2017.

    ‘‘I am happy to announce that Mr President has graciously accepted to visit Nasarawa State on February 6,” he said.

    He said that during the visit, President Buhari would inaugurate various projects initiated and completed by the current administration for the benefit of the people.

    The governor urged the people of the various communities where the president would visit to cooperate with the committee constituted by the state government to ensure a successful outing.

    One of the projects slated to be inaugurated by the President is the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia.

    The school was built to cater for the educational needs of the physically challenged children.

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  • Over 18,000 persons displaced in Nasarawa State – Govt.

    Over 18,000 persons displaced in Nasarawa State – Govt.

    The Nasarawa State Government said over 18,000 people had been displaced in Nasarawa State due to spillover of the killings in Benue.

    The Special Adviser to Gov. Umaru Al-Makura on Security Matters, Mohammed Adeka, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Lafia.

    The briefing had in attendance all the Security Chiefs in the state, the Tiv Development Association (TIDA) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), among others.

    Adeka explained that the address to the press followed a decision taken at the state expanded Security Council meeting that was chaired by the Governor.

    He added that reports showed that the spillover attacks in some communities of Benue had led to the displacement of so many people in the border towns between the two States.

    According to Adeka, currently there were over 18,000 Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) from various communities of Awe and Keana Local Government Areas taking refuge in 11 camps in the state.

    The security adviser said most of the IDPs were Tiv people, and that their communities were attacked by some unidentified miscreants.

    He said already security had been beefed up in the affected areas and the government had set up mobile clinics as well as distributed relief materials to the IDPs.

    He assured that the government and the security agencies would do everything possible to arrest and prosecute the Gunmen that were attacking innocent communities in the state.

    Mr Boniface Iter, TIDA President in state, blamed the killings of some Tiv people in some communities of Awe and Keana LGAs on the activities of ‘Terrorist Group’’.

    Mohammed Hussaini, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), said the Fulani’s and Tivs people in Nasarawa State were living peacefully.

    He added that the Fulani’s in the state were determined to stay in peace and harmony with other tribes for the development of the state.

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