Kebbi to enjoy N50bn approved for 5 Northwest states to develop infrastructure

 

By Editor

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N50 billion to assist five states engulfed by the menace of banditry in the Northwest.

He disclosed this during a condolence visit on the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama'ila Muhammad Mera in his palace at Argungu over the death of prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheik Abubakar Giro, who passed away on Wednesday.

The vice president assured that the president had a very good intention to assist the people of Northern Nigeria, especially the Northwest where armed banditry and kidnapping persisted.

Shettima listed the benefiting states to include; Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, added that because of politics Niger and Benue states were also coopted.

He, however, said that Kano and Jigawa States wee not directly affected as the five afore mentioned five states in terms of insecurity.

He assured that 1,000 houses would be constructed across the five states and very soon work would commence, adding the work would either start from Sokoto or Kebbi.

The VP said Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State promised to lend two Dandoreach which had the capacity to drill borehole up to 2000 meters, adding that they need only to buy other working tools to commence work.

He added that Zulum also plgded to provide five Centre P-board Irrigation equipment, "and I have already raised 2 million jumbo cashew seedlings in Borno and we shall start moving them to Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and other Northwestern states.

Shettima described Kebbi as rich state with deep loamy soil conducive for cultivating variety of crops, noting that people had no reason to be poor.

The VP said they had already discussed with the Kebbi Governor about $163 million loan from African Development Bank for the cultivation of wheat, assuring the loan would be given to any state that distinguish itself in that direction.

"It is not going to be like the Ancho-Borrower Scheme, interested states will be given fertilisers, seeds, solar powered water pumps and by Nov. 10 we shall start planting wheat. If Kebbi can provide 10,000 hectres of farmland we are ready to commence work.

"We have resolved to start with 50,000 hectres in Jigawa because the state has enough farmland to give and the state is relatively peaceful. The state government will train extension workers who will go round to ensure that our farmers understand modern farming,.

"This is because the area used to produce six tonnes of rice per hectre unlike other places producing only one tonne per hectre," he said.

Shettima therefore appealed to Kebbi people to support Gov. Nasir Idris and President Bola Tinubu in view of their people oriented policies and programmes that would change the lives of people for the better.

"APC administration in both state and federal levels have good intention for this country, they have series of plan on how to eradicate poverty amongst our people which can only be achieved with your support, cooperation and peaceful coexistence," he noted.

In his speech, Gov. Idris thanked the vice president for the condolence visit, assuring that all the developmental projects he had started was as a result of mentorship from the VP.

He recalled that N2.8 billion worth of fertilisers were procured and distributed free-of-charge to farmers, N9 billion was spent for road construction to beautify the state capital and N10 billion was also approved for the completion of State Ultra-modern Secretariat to bring all the state civil servant into one place.

Earlier, the Emir of Argungu appreciated the VP for the visit and described the journey as a religious one, praying that God Almighty would reward him abundantly.

The Royal father said what the governor disclosed was not supposed to come from his mouth because they were the direct beneficiaries and living witness who would testify to his achievement in just few months.

He assured that the governor had begun the leadership with a very sound foundation that would take the state to greater heights of development.

The emir listed infrustructure, education, health, empowerment, agriculture and security as some of the major areas of priority of Gov. Idris, assuring that all the areas were vividly witnessing transformation.

End 

Signed:

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Kebbi Govt. advises PDP on constructive criticism

 

By Editor

The Kebbi State Government has advised the main opposition in the state, People's Democratic party (PDP) to go and learn how to offer constructive criticism as against what it described as baseless allegations.

 

Reacting to the claims of PDP in a press release by the PDP Chairman in Kebbi State, Alhaji Usman Bello-Suru and published by some national dailies, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor said all the allegations were baseless.

He said that the PDP was only jittery about the level of transformation brought about by the APC government in the last 100  days.

“I want to confirm to the general public that many of the PDP members are now in support of policies and programmes of the present administration in Kebbi in view of the developmental efforts of the governor.

“It is not a hidden thing, some PDP members willingly went on air commending Gov. Nasir Idris for achieving a lot in just a limited period of time. In fact, I saw many PDP members who attended the 100 days in office celebration,” he added.

Idris advised the PDP to join hands with the governor to take the state to greater level of development, instead of engaging in baseless allegations.

Kebbi Gov't. mourns prominent Islamic scholar, Sheik Giro Argungu

 

By Editor

The Kebbi State Government has condoled with the family of Sheik Giro Argungu, a famous Islamic scholar in Nigeria.

Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor disclosed this in a statement made available to Journalists in Birnin Kebbi.

He quoted Gov. Nasir Idris as describing the death of the scholar as a great loss not only to his immediate family but also to Kebbi, Nigeria and entire Muslim Ummah.

The governor appealed to the family members, Kebbi people and Islamic Ummah to accept the will of Almighty Allah in good faith and bear in mind that every soul "is" destined to test the bitterness of death at an appointed time that nobody would cross over his/her time.

Idris prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased's  shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

Giro was a renown Islamic preacher in Nigeria under the banner of Jama'atu Izalatil Bid'a Wa'iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).

The deceased, who was aged 71, died on Wednesday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kebbi after an illness and left behind four wives, many children and grand children.

Funeral prayer is arranged to take place at Argungu on Thursday.

Kebbi dissolves management of Kebbi United Football team

By Editor 

The Kebbi State Commissioner of Youth and sports Hon.Nura Bala Fingale has dissolved the management of Kebbi United Football Club.

Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor disclosed this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

The Chief Press Secretary quoted the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Supports, Hon. Nura Bala Fingale as saying that the dissolution became necessary with a view to repositioning the team.

He said the dissolution was due to the fact that the State Government wanted to streamline the sport activities to ensure good governance.

The commissioner added that a caretaker committee would be appointed very soon.

The commissioner thanked the outgoing football management team for their maximum support and cooperation toward serving the team and state at large. 

. 

Gov. Idris pledges support to Vigilante Groups

By Our Reporter

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has pledged to support members of Vigilante Groups in the state to encourage them to play their supportive roles to security agencies 

He stated this when he received members of the Nigeria Vigilante Group, Kebbi, under the leadership of Commander Sanusi Ibrahim-Geza and Commander Muhammad Lawal-Augie in Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

The governor stressed the need for members of the general public to also support the volunteers to enable them actively play their role towrds national security.

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor who made this known in a statement said the governor assured  that his  "administration is ready to assist you to play your complementary role in combating crimes and criminalities across the state,".

According to him, issue of security is supposed to be a responsibility of all not only the security agencies alone, adding, "nobody can deny the fact that vigilante groups are playing critical roles in fighting crimes across Nigeria.

"Let me assure you that this government will work with you to ensure safety of lives and property across the state."

The governor instructed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to sit down with them to come up with modalities on how they could be assisted.

On issue of parallel leadership in the state, Idris promised to create a forum where both groups would come together for a dialogue on how to resolve their differences.

Responding separately, the two State Commanders said the essence of the visit was to show appreciation to the governor for coopting the two groups to play their roles in securing the state.

They were particularly thankful to the state government for organising a training for 500 of their members on weapon handling.

The leaders assured that since the rebranding of vigilante in 2014, the group had been actively supporting the security agencies to achieve their set goals and objectives.

While informing the governor that their number exceeded 16,000 across the 225 wards of the state, the leaders requested for a Hilux vehicle, motorcycles as well as office accommodation to be able to discharge their supportive role diligently. 

Kebbi Gov orders immediate payment of leave grants to workers

 

By Our Reporter

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris has ordered the immediate payment of annual leave grants to all categories of workers in the state.

He gave the order while receiving the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kebbi chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor made this known in a statement.

Signing the order in th presence of the union leaders, the governor instructed that payment should commence by tommorow Wednesday, insisting that all categories of workers from State, Local Government and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) must be paid a uniform of 10 per cent of annual pay.

He lamented that as an insider, he knew that previous administrations used to pay seven to eight per cent to some categories of workers while only few gets 10 per cent.

On palliative, Idris admitted that nobody could deny the fact that "people are hungry", assuring that he "is a member of predential committee" which had already roll out modalities on how to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

The governor said he had so far received N2 billion from the N5 billion promised by the Federal Government and assured that Kebbi and its 21 Local Government Councils would add between N3.5 and N4 billion to buy grains for onward distribution to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Idris assured the union that NLC would be given its fair share separately for onward distribution to its members, advising, "I don't want you to assume but believe that this is your government."

He reminded them that the present administration had already started projects that have direct bearing to the lives of the common people, adding that a work to give the state capital a befitting outlook just like any other state capital in the country was on course. 

The governor told the workers that his government was in talks with Innoson Motors Nig. Ltd. on vehicle procurement for state transport services to subsidise the cost of transportation in the state.

Earlier, the NLC Chairman in Kebbi, Alhaji Murtala Usman said they were in Government House to brief the governor on issues regarding the union's nationwide strike.

He, however, confirmed that the state government had already engaged the union leadership in dialogue, saying, "we have been in discussion with government delegation under the Secretary to the State Government (SSG)."

Usman stressed the need for government to look into the possibility of reducing work days arising from subsidy removal and create other alternatives to ameliorate workers plights.

The labour leader commended the governor for initiating different developmental projects to transform the state and encouraged him to sustain the tempo for the common good of all. 

Why Tinubu should appoint Yerima Shettima Yerima as minister in his cabinet -Group

  

 

By Our Reporter

Call for apppointment of the leader of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, ( AYCF)  Yerima Shettima as a minister has gained momentum as another group, the Progressive Young Leaders Assembly  urged president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to select him as minister under his cabinet.  

In statement by Chairman of the group, Abubakar Kurawa, he said Shettima's appointment will compliment and solidify president Tinubu's evidence of inclusion of youth in his government. 

 

According to the group, "We have followed very closely the debate about the need for the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to open a window of opportunity for access to ministerial office for the young ones. We understand that the President has developed a special framework in the distribution of political office to reflect, among others, intelligent young people with patriotic zeal.

"It is in view of this that we join other compatriots  to urge President Tinubu to consider Alhaji Yerima Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum( AYCF) for the ministerial slot of Kaduna State."

They explained that  Shettima deserved the ministerial appointment because he once defended democracy by sending the military back to barracks, "the result of which is the democratic dispensation we are currently enjoying.

While describing the AYCF leader as Nigerian who has built political bridges across North and South in a tireless effort to promote brotherhood and purposeful development of the country, they added that Shettima has been leading advocate of the active participation of the Nigerian youth in modern governance.

"Alhaji Shettima has been a promoter of economic empowerment of the youth as a strategy for reducing the spread of crimes in the society

"He has built an enviable name as a philanthropist and symbol of empowering the poor in the country through creation of voluntary platforms for orientation of the youth towards economic self-reliance

"He has unapologetically an advocate of dialogue as a tool for addressing national challenges, especially on the political arena for peace and stability.

"With the few reasons above and a lot more, we have total support for the consideration of Alhaji Yerima Shettima as Nigeria's Minister from Kaduna State, in order to further boost the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)," he said.