Southern Kaduna group urges senate to confirm el-Rufai as minister, want Tinubu's intervention

 

....Says state citizens united behind El-Rufai 

By Alabi O. Abdul

Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association, (SOKAMUDA) has urged the National Assembly to confirm former kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as a minister, considering his selfless service to Kaduna state and the nation in general. 

In a statement by Bala Adamu, the national Chairman and Shuaibu Zubairu, the Secretary of the group, they called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his good offices to intervene in esuring that El-Rufai's confirmation, especially against the background of his enormous contributions of to success of the APC as well as promotion of democratic development in the country.

While stating that the three senators representing kaduna at the hallowed chamber supported the former governor's nomination as minister, regardless of party diffrences, the group said: "we wish to equivocally register our displeasure and sadness over the recent developments that are ongoing at the National Assembly, Abuja on the screening of Ministerial nominees by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as regards the nominee from Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai, and the inability of red chamber to recommend him after duly screening him, where he was asked to take bow and leave.

"We in the SOKAMUDA are left in total disbelief over the turn of events where his name was withheld under the excuse that it was awaiting security clearance, when it is a known criterion that his name along with all others couldn’t have reached the red chambers without formally passing through the rigorous screening of all security mechanisms.

 

"The Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association, (SOKAMUDA), being the umbrella platform that coordinates and brings together all Muslim Associations, from the Southern Senatorial Zone of the state, have been thrown into confusion and dilemma to the reasons making the rounds in both print and electronic media as to the reason(s), that prompted the unexpected development, where his name was withheld. 

"From what transpired on the floor of the senate on the day Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai was screened, a senator from Kogi State raised a plea that he was in possession of a petition from Southern Kaduna against the nominee, praying that he is allowed to read it, which was stood down and requested the nominee to take a bow and go by the Senate President was anything to go by, demonstrated a sign of neutrality by the Senate President, on frivolous and vindictive attitude of by some few individuals that has denied the zone any meaningful development from time immemorial. 

"The above assertions and other narratives making the rounds in electronic, print and social media cannot be the basis for denying Kaduna State of this astute, firm, and a purposeful leader per excellence, who believe in the corporate unity of this nation. Its our informed view that narrow and unsubstantiated views including claims of closure of Almajiri schools cannot be the basis for not confirming Mallam El-Rufai.

"As a testimony to his selfless service to Kaduna and the nation in general, the three senators from Kaduna State who are in the opposing party unanimously endorsed the nomination of Mallam Nasiru Elrufai. 

"We wonder how senator from Kogi State, outside the north west zone, roused and claimed to be in possession of a weighty petition against Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai, whose contents was not disclosed to the senate nor the general public. Notwithstanding, Mallam Nasiru Elrufai was prepared to respond on the said petition, unfortunately, the senate president said that the issue of the petition should be put on hold, requesting the nominee to take a bow and go!

"In his proven track record of unity promotion, Malam Nasir Elrufai's past achievements bear testimony to his ability to promote unity and national cohesiveness. His initiatives have fostered an inclusive society, bringing together diverse communities for the greater good of not only Kaduna state but our nation in general. During his tenure as the governor of Kaduna, he ran an inclusive administration where citizenship all Nigerians was prioritised. It is this good governance and broad minded policies that endeared Mallam Elrufai to the people of Kaduna State," the group said.

Northern consensus urges, ECOWAS, Tinubu to use diplomacy approach

By Our Reporter

A Group under the auspice Northern Consensus Movement NCM has called on the Economic Community of West African States and its Chairman Nigeria  President Bola  Ahmed Tinubu to rethink and withdraw the planned agenda of a military attack on the Niger Republic.

The  President of NCM Dr  Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu asserted this during a press  Conference held in Kaduna yesterday. 

According to him Nigeria and Niger Republic are like sisters, as initially there is strong bounding between both countries in terms of Religion, Culture, and Marital affairs. The decision of military attack can lead to civil war. States with land, Borders with Niger that will be on the firing line are Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno.

He added that President  Tinubu Nigeria in his capacity as the present Chairman of the ECOWAS has been putting all efforts towards resolving the ongoing issue in the Niger Republic by making several different consultations and also appointing delegations towards bringing an end to the conflict in that country.

Dr. Aliyu said his group believes that Diplomacy is superior to threats or the use of force that may be difficult or impossible to implement.

He opined that preventing coups is not by sanctions and threats, but by addressing the leadership deficit and corruption, curtailing negative external pressure as well as building credible institutions to provide for the needs of the people.

"The Northern Consensus Movement NCM is worried about the President's request of the Senate, seeking implementation of the 7-point resolution against Niger Republic, some of which involves military action, cutting off the electricity supply to Niger Republic, etc. but does the President know the implications of these resolutions, we doubt.

"Now the United Nations UN has given ECOWAS the green light to intervene militarily in the Niger Republic if within one week the new military administration in that country does not restore Presidential power to the ousted former President. 

"We heard that Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali are ready to respond in any way deemed fit.

"We imagine a situation when these countries decided to start targeting each of the ECOWAS countries involved in the attack, we fear that especially Nigeria will be the major target. 

"We have over one hundred thousand IDPs in Diffa alone in the Niger Republic for over 10 years now unresolved. So, Nigeria can't afford to support any military joint operations of ECOWAS, especially in terms of its financial implications.

"We are also reminding Mr. President, that the North West Region that gave him the highest vote of over 5 million, during his election, which makes him the President of Nigeria today, will be swallowed first if the war takes place.

The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) supports a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Imbroglio. 

"We commend the Nigerian Senate for taking exception to the use of military action until possible options mentioned are exhausted. We fear that the resulting consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens, who go about their daily businesses will be most affected. 

"We believe that Diplomacy is superior to threats or the use of force that may be difficult or impossible to implement. Preventing coups is not by sanctions and threats, but by addressing the leadership deficit and corruption, curtailing negative external pressure as well as building credible institutions to provide for the needs of the people. " He said

Food security: Kebbi partners IRFDP on rice, fish production

 

By Our Reporter

As part of effort to boost food security in the country, Kebbi State has partnered  with Integrated Rice and Fish Diversification project (IRFDP) for improvement of rice and fish productions.

Speaking while receiving IRFDP team who paid him a courtesy call, in Birnin Kebbi Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, said agriculture is among priorities of his administration, he assure them of the state government's commitment towards the success of the project.

This was made known in a  statement signed by Rabiu Sani Saleh, Information Officer to Kebbi States' Secretary General,  SSG's Office.

 

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bala Tafidan Yauri also implore the "IRFDP team to expand the programs to cover all the 21 local governments in the state."

Speaking earlier, the Team Leader, Prof.Emmanuel Ajayi said the project  with Kebbi and Ebonyi states was launched with the view of diversifying agriculture particularly rice and fish farming.

Prof.Emanuel Ajayi informed that, IRFDP as a project that gains it support from USAID in collaboration with University of Ibadan, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto and partners was all about integrating fish with rice production.

He said, the project chose Kebbi as leading state in rice and fish production in the country,  followed by Ebonyi state. According him, the project was also aimed at improving food security in the country.

Prof.Ajayi mentioned that, under the project stakeholders in the state were already trained on the diversification of rice and fish farming using technology.

He then sought the state government support and cooperation towards achieving the set objective of the project.,

In attendance were the Head of service Alhaji Sufiyanu Garba Bena,Permanent secretaries Cabinet and political affairs, Ministry of Animal health Husbandry and Fisheries. Directors of the Ministry, Special adviser on  political and power among Others.

New Islamic Year: Gov. Idris urges Muslims to show love, tolerance

 

By Our correspondent

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris has advised Muslims to make judicious use the new Islamic year by showing love, tolerance and accommodate all manner of people towards building a brighter Nigeria.

The governor stated this in a message to Muslim Ummah in commemoration of 1445 new Islamic year.

He congratulated the entire Muslim Ummah for witnessing yet another new Islamic year in good health, as many didn't have the opportunity.

Gov. Idris stressed the need for people to love one another as they love themselves, assuring that with understanding, tolerance and love, "together we shall build a great nation envy of all."

He advised the Muslims not to relent in offering prayers for restoration of peace in all the areas engulfed by insecurity, as peace was the foundation of meaningful development of the society.

While urging people to repent from their previous sins, the governor encouraged them to always put trust in Almighty Allah as they brace up to the challenges ahead. 

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Kebbi Gov't. seeks partnership with World Bank on investment

By Editor 

The Kebbi State Government says it is seeking for support from World Bank towards creating investment opportunities for both foreign and local investors in the state.

The State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris disclosed this during a meeting with the World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, Mr Shubham Chauhdiri in Abuja on Monday.ur

In a statment by the Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris he said the meeting deliberated on ways to get intervention from the bank towards assisting Kebbi State to become investment hub of Northwestern region, adding that attracting investors into the state would no doubt fast-track growth and development.

"The essence of this meeting is to see how we can get intervention to create an enabling environment for investors to come and invest in the land of equity. Of course, Kebbi has a lot of potentials tihat needed to be harnessed by both local and foreign investors.

"Remember, investment is a key to individual, corporate and societal growth, hence the need to invite more people to come and invest so that industries will be established, businesses will thrive and commercial activities will also boom," he said.

The governor urged all and sundry in the state to rally round his administration to enable him deliver the dividends of democracy to all nuks crannies of Kebbi State.

Responding, the Country Director, Mr Shubham Chauhdiri assured the Governor that the bank would look into the possibility of assisting Kebbi to fulfil its dream of becoming the investment hub of Northwestern region.

He expressed delight that the state had many investment potentials to be exploited by investors, hence the need to create an enabling environment for such.

The meeting which was attended by the Rector Waziri Umar Federal Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Usman Tunga, Member House of Representatives Hon Bello Kaoje and other stakeholders from the State. 

Abdulhamid Umar Moh'd begs Tinubu to let youths constitute 50% of his cabinet

 

APC youth leader Abdulhamid Umar Moh'd 

By Editor

 As part of effort to ensure effective integration of the young ones into decision-making processes and create a  representative governance structure, the All Progessives Congress, APC Northwest youth leader, Abdulhamid Umar Moh'd has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's to let youth constitute 50 percent of his cabinet.

In a statement by Moh'd, he said  the youths contributed significantly to the victory of the APC at all levels, and they deserve to be included in schemes of governing the country.   "The victory of the APC and president Tinubu is, in part, a result of the youth's concerted efforts and support. Recognizing their contributions would encourage more young individuals to actively participate in politics, thereby creating a more inclusive and representative democracy," he noted.

He argued that apart from  bridging  the generation gap between the government and the youth, the concerns, interests, and aspirations of the young ones  will be adequately represented in the government by having some of them in the cabinet. 

Moh'd reeled who out the contribution of youths  to include active participation and Mobilization added that, the presence of youth in president Tinubu's administration will  inject fresh perspectives and innovative strategies into the campaign process. 

According to him, "the youth of Nigeria showcased an unprecedented level of active participation and mobilization during the 2023 elections. They actively campaigned, organized rallies, and utilized various social media platforms to disseminate information, engage with fellow citizens, and promote the ideals and agenda of the APC. This vibrant and energetic participation demonstrated their dedication and commitment to fostering positive change within the country's political landscape.

" The youth injected fresh perspectives and innovative strategies into the campaign process. With their technologically adept skills, they harnessed the power of digital platforms to reach a wider audience, facilitating meaningful conversations and promoting political discourse. Their ability to adapt to changing circumstances, employ creative campaign tactics, and utilize social media platforms effectively played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and garnering support for the APC and Tinubu.

 "The youth have long been recognized as catalysts for social change. They embody the aspirations and hopes of the nation, advocating for progressive policies and demanding accountability from their leaders. Through their involvement in the APC's electoral journey, they have proven their commitment to transforming Nigeria into a better nation. Their passion, energy, and desire for a brighter future make them deserving of recognition and rewards.

"By actively engaging in the political process, the youth have signaled their determination to shape the country's political landscape. Their votes, opinions, and voices matter greatly, as they represent the future of Nigeria."

He  maintained that  rewarding the youth for their efforts in the APC's victory will foster a sense of empowerment and inclusion as well as  demonstrate that their contributions are valued and appreciated, paving the way for their continued involvement in shaping the nation's future.

"Youths actively contributed to helping  Tinubu  become president can be considered deserving of the position in his administration.

Kebbi Gov't. approves payment of 2023/2024 scholarships for indigenous students

 

By Editor

In his effort to improve the standard of education, the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris has approved the payment of registration fees for 2023/2024 academic session for all verified Kebbi State indigenes studying in Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS).

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Ahmed Idris. 

He said that the approval was to encourage the students get sound education and to ease difficulties faced by parents.

"The present administration is determined to fulfil all its campaign promises, most especially in education, agriculture, health, infrastructure and youth empowerment," he assured. 

The SSG advised all students studying at UDUS to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard towards achieving the purpose of being in school.

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