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Category: North West

  • Radda inaugurated as new Katsina Governor

    *Pledges peace, prosperity

    The newly sworn-in Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar-Radda, says his administration’s priority is to provide peace and prosperity for the state.

    Umar-Radda stated this in his inauguration speech shortly after being sworn-in as the governor of the state at Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina on Monday.

    “Over the next four years, our task as government is to provide peace and prosperity for the people of Katsina State.

    “The insecurity issue will be paramount to this administration, and I will deploy all available resources in ending banditry and criminality across the state, with the will of Allah.

    “We will also engage communities to ensure that security is sustained.

    “Those affected by banditry and insecurity, I assure you, my administration will do its best to build your lives.

    “We will focus on your mental well-being and provide special support to women and girls who have endured unimaginable pains,” he said.

    The new governor admonished those engaging in banditry to shun the act and reintegrate themselves into society or be dealt with severely.

    He also urged the youth in the state to shun drug abuse, time-wasting, and all forms of criminality.

    “We will work with relevant law enforcement agencies to provide social order and overhaul the security of the state,” he said.

    Umar-Radda said that the public sector must be up-scaled to work more efficiently, in line with the strategic policies of the administration.

    According to him, promotion and placement of civil/public servants would be entirely on merit, and not through favouritism.

    “We will apply stick and carrot measures in our approach to rewarding performance. We will establish key performance indicators across all cadres in the public service,” he said. 

    The governor said that his administration would develop an agricultural value chain along essential commodities and ensure that every local government benefitted from the activities in which it had comparative and competitive advantages. 

    On education, he said that the best students would have access to world-class academic facilities across the state.

    “I call on all teachers to embrace our drive to improve the educational system so that we can produce students who can compete with their peers in Nigeria.

    “Our future development will depend on the educated population ready to contribute to the state.

    “We will also focus on technical and vocational education for those who need skills to become productive in society,” he said.

    Umar-Radda further stated that government would improve access to quality healthcare at all levels and support small-scale businesses with new initiatives.

    He also said that his administration would introduce Treasury Single Account (TSA) to strengthen accountability and close all loopholes in the financial system.

    The governor further stated that government would conduct a comprehensive staff audit to eliminate ghost workers to ensure that public servants serve the government efficiently.

    He expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to bring development to the people of the state.

    The governor, who noted that politics was now over, said that he belonged to every person in the state, hence the need for all to join hands with him and move the state forward.

    He warned that he would not hesitate to change any member of his administration who failed to deliver on his mandate, as the people of the state deserved nothing less from his government.

  • Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Outgoing Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has inaugurated the Kano NUJ Plaza constructed by his administration and donated to the state Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ).

    Ganduje also inaugurated the NUJ Conference Hall, also rehabilitated and modernised by his administration, to enable the union host local and international conferences in order to generate revenue to finance its services.

    Performing the two functions simultaneously at the NUJ Secretariat by Farm Centre Road in Kano on Sunday, the governor explained that his government constructed the plaza and rehabilitated the conference hall to appreciate and reward the good working relationship that existed between his administration and journalists in the state.

    Ganduje commended working journalists in the state for informing, educating, and enlightening the people of the state on the policies and programmes of his administration during its eight-year tenure.

    He said the government’s gesture would help to consolidate, enrich and sustain the good working relationship between the journalists and the government, and the people of the state.

    Earlier, the state’s outgoing Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, thanked the governor for his immense contribution to his progression in both his journalism and public service careers, including his rise to become the President of the NUJ and the President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA).

    Garba also appreciated the governor for appointing him as his Chief Press Secretary when he (Ganduje) was the Deputy Governor of Kano State, and also when he became governor appointed him as his Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, a position he held for eight years.

    He said the position enabled him to initiate and actualise the legacy projects – the Plaza and Conference Hall rehabilitation at the Kano NUJ secretariat, thanking the governor for constructing and donating the 24-shop plaza to the NUJ and modernising the conference hall for the union.

    The commissioner expressed delight that he was leaving behind the two legacy projects for which he will be remembered by working journalists and the people of the state for a long time to come.

    In their separate remarks, the President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isuguzo, who was represented by the NUJ Deputy National President, Malam Alasan Yaya, and the Chairman of Kano NUJ, Malam Abbas Ibrahim, also thanked the Ganduje for the gesture.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to both the governor and Garba for their good services to humanity. 

  • May 29: NSCDC deploys 700 personnel in Jigawa

    The Jigawa command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed 700 personnel for the inauguration of the state Governor-elect, Malam Umar Namadi.
    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), CSC Adamu Shehu, said this in Dutse on Saturday.

    Shehu said that the personnel were deployed to all routes leading to the venue of the inauguration on May 29.

    He said that the aim was to ensure peaceful transition of power in the state.
    Shehu advised members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements in their areas to the nearest security formations.
    The Namadi is the incumbent Deputy Governor of the state and is expected to take over from Governor Muhammad Badaru.

  • El-Rufai sacks Kaduna Assembly Clerk, Perm Sec, one other

    El-Rufai sacks Kaduna Assembly Clerk, Perm Sec, one other

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, has sacked the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Bello Zubairu Idris, a permanent secretary, Yau Yunusa and secretary of the Kaduna Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA), Mr Francis Kozak.

    A statement issued by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye also disclosed that, the governor has also accepted the retirement of Stephen Joseph, a permanent secretary.

    According to the statement, “the Kaduna State Government has announced the immediate disengagement of Yau Yunusa Tanko, a permanent secretary, Francis Kozah, secretary of the Kaduna Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA) and Bello Zubairu Idris, the Clerk of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

    “The governor has also accepted the retirement of Stephen Joseph, a permanent secretary.”

  • Civil Defence nabs 5 suspected phone snatchers in Kano

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command has arrested five suspected phone snatchers, the command’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi said on Wednesday.

    Idris-Abdullahi, who listed the suspects as: Faisal Usman, 28, Mansur Isa, 38, Abdullahi Bashir, 25, Ahmed Ibrahim, 21and Zulkifil Bello, 25, said they specialise in stealing and snatching of phones.

    “The suspects operate and engage in a dastardly act around Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area of the state, where they steal and snatch handsets belonging to innocent people.

    “Men of the corps intelligence and investigation department are on the trails of the suspects’ accomplices one Mr Sunday and Abdullahi) whom they used to sell the phones and Sim cards to,” he said.

    The spokesperson said that items, which include three mobile phones and a bunch of keys, were recovered from the suspects.

    He said investigation was ongoing, adding that once completed, the suspects will be charged to court.

    He said that the command would sustain the fight against phone snatching, crimes and criminality, as well as the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

  • VVF centre treats 15,000 patients

    VVF centre treats 15,000 patients

    The Laure Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, has successfully treated 15,000 fistula survivors in the state from 1987 till date.

    The Coordinator of the centre, Dr Amir Imam-Yola, made this known at the commemoration of the 2023 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano.

    The day was designed in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly with a view to create greater awareness globally about obstetric fistula and intensify actions toward eradicating the problem.

    Every year on May 23, the global community celebrates the day, fixed by the United Nations (UN) to appreciate the struggles of women living with the condition.

    Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) or Obstetric Fistula, also known as fistula, is a childbirth complication which leads to abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina, causing continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence.

    The condition is among the most distressing complications of gynecologic and obstetric procedures; however, it can be repaired through surgery.

    Some common causes of VVF are obstructed or prolonged labour, lack of prompt access to medical care, and poverty in some cases, as well as unsafe obstetric or gynecological surgery.

    The condition can cause discomfort, and if left untreated, it may cause serious bacterial infection, which may result to sepsis, a dangerous condition that can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage or even death.

    The theme of this year’s celebration is “20 years on – progress but not enough! Act now to end Fistula by 2030.’’

    Imam-Yola, therefore, said “the centre provides activities such as fistula repair, advocacy, prevention of fistula activity, training, documentation and research opportunities.’’

    He urged the state government to provide drugs and rehabilitation centre for fistula survivors.

    On his part, the Executive Director, Fistula Foundation Nigeria (FFN), Mr Isa Musa, said obstetric fistula is a public health issue in Nigeria with the country having the largest burden of untreated women and girls.

    He said “without treatment, fistula can severely impact a woman’s health and well-being.

    “We have an estimated 332,000 women awaiting treatment, compounded by annual incidence of 13,000 new cases.’’

    He called on the Kano State Government to make free fistula care services a priority, especially provision for training of additional indigenous doctors and nurses on surgical management of fistula.

    He also urged the government to upgrade the Laure Fistula Centre with additional wards (bed capacity), saying that the centre initially had 48 beds but was now left with only 10 beds.

    He requested for the provision of equipment and other supplies to improve the physical, social and vocational aptitude of women affected with fistula.

    Musa commended Prof Idris Suleiman of AKTH, Dr Amir Imam-Yola and the team for providing continuous fistula repair services at the centre.

    Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, the Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the state government had done a lot in the provision of welfare packages to survivors of fistula and in terms of their feeding, shelter, clothing and empowerment.

    The ministry also presented the award of excellence to the executive director of FFN and other doctors for their contributions toward ending fistula.

    Maryam Adam, who spoke on behalf of the survivors, said she had been struggling and managing VVF for 12 years and had done 10 surgeries.

    She said “My husband divorced me and married another woman, I have been going from one hospital to another in search of cure.

    “Before, I pass urine and faeces uncontrollably, but now I only urinate at a minimal level. There is an improvement.

    “I was also trained as a tailor, which helped me in getting medication and have remarried for two years despite my condition.

    “I thank God and thank Fistula Foundation Nigeria.’’

     

  • Police arrest 2 notorious criminals, recover 48 mobile phones

    Katsina State Police Command has announced the arrest of two notorious criminals, locally known as Kauraye, who burgled a shop and stole 48 mobile phones.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Gambo Isah, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Katsina.

    He said that the suspects, Abubakar Haruna, 23, and Ibrahim Sani, 22, were arrested in Katsina based on credible intelligence.

    Isa alleged that the suspects conspired with one Tayi, now at large and burgled a mobile phone dealer’s shop at Tsohuwar Tasha, Katsina, and stole the 48 mobile phones found in their possession.

    He claimed that the suspects had confessed to the offence, and said they wanted to dispose of the stolen phones in a neighbouring country.

    The Command spokesman said the two suspects and others still at large, would be traced, apprehended and prosecuted.

  • We collected N58.1bn revenue in 2022, not N77.1bn – KADIRS

    We collected N58.1bn revenue in 2022, not N77.1bn – KADIRS

    The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has refuted the Auditor General Report on IGR which put the revenue generated by the state in 2022 at N77.1 billion.

    The Executive Chairman of the service, Dr Zaid Abubakar refuted the figure in a statement in Kaduna on Thursday.

    He said that the actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2022 was N58.1 billion.

    The Citizens Accountability Report (CAR) on the implementation of the 2022 budget claimed that the government generated N77.1 billion IGR in 2022.

    According to the report disseminated to citizens on May 10, the N77.1 billion represents 87.1 per cent of the N88.5 billion targeted IGR for the year.

    CAR is a series of graphic and tabular illustrations of the content of the Audited Financial Statements prepared by the State Audit Office for citizens, to ensure accountability of public funds.

    The accountability report is based on the 2022 financial year and reports on state budget, revenue, and expenditure.

    Similarly, the 2022 4th Quarter Budget Performance Report, produced by the Office of Accountant General with support of the State Planning and Budget Commission, puts the IGR figure at N59.98 billion.

    According to the report, published on the Planning and Budget website in Jan. 2023, the N59.98 billion represents 80.5 per cent of the N74.5 billion IGR target for the year.

    Abubakar, however, said that the reports citing IGR collection figure for 2022 different from N58.1billion did not emanate from the authorised agency of the Kaduna State Government and should be disregarded.

    He said that the Kaduna state has maintained a steady trajectory of growth in its IGR – N44.9 billion in 2019, N50.8 billion in 2020, N52.9 billion in 2021 and N58.1 billion in 2022.

    “These remarkable strides owe much to the legal and institutional reforms undertaken since 2015 to strengthen the ability to collect revenues and to block leakages.

    “The Tax Codification and Consolidation Law enacted by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai Government appointed the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) as the sole collector of government revenues.

    “It also outlines all the taxes and levies payable in the state and prohibits the cash collection of revenue by any public officer.

    “These efforts have been remarkably successful, quadrupling the IGR from less than N13 billion in 2015 to N52.9 billion in 2021 and rising to N58.1 billion in 2022,” the chairman said.

    The KADIRS boss noted that the unprecedented levels of IGR collection in the state have been a notable feature of the El-Rufai administration.

    According to him, the reforms that led to the successes in IGR have created a viable platform for the incoming government to build on for further progress in expanding state revenues.

    Reacting to the conflicting 2022 IGR figures released by different government agencies, Mr Yusuf Goje, a public finance analyst described the development as “very disturbing”.

    Goje blamed part of the problem to the unrealistic budget of the government, leading to suspicion on the credibility of published budget performance data.

    He said the development shows lack of synergy and coordination around data management among relevant government agencies.

    Goje stressed that if KADIRS refuted the Budget Performance Report and Auditor General Report on IGR, “then it means someone is fabricating the data. Who could this be?

    “This calls for reform on information management such that responsible government agencies would validate all data before it would be made public,” he said.

    According to him, putting out conflicting data by different government agencies only deepens citizens’ suspicion on published government data.

    “This is disturbing because the essence of the Open Government Partnership that the state government signed unto is for citizens to have accurate and unquestionable data.

    “When we are talking about transparency, we are talking about data that is usable for citizens to effectively engage the governance process.

    “This conflicting data has cast a doubt on the credibility of official government data.”

    Goje called on the government to urgently explain the situation to rebuild citizens’ confidence on available government data.