Tinubu counsels NLC on dialogue in solving industrial dispute

 

By Our Reporter

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, admonished the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the need to embrace dialogue in solving any industrial disharmony.

He gave the advice while declaring open a two-day retreat for National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Represented by Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Bola Tinubu observed that opting for the path of dialogue in resolving issues related to industrial dispute would pave way for understanding and ease problem solving, apart from facilitating national growth and development.

The President sought for synergy between the federal government and the NLC towards taking the nation's civil service as well as the country to greater heights.

While commending the NLC for shelving its recent planned nationwide strike, Bola Tinubu said the suspension of the strike demonstrated the desire of the union to put the interest of Nigeria beyond personal or parochial interest.

He encouraged them to sustain the tempo, to be more patriotic and remain resolute on issues that would propel the good image of Nigeria globally.

The President prayed for a fruitful and successful deliberation during the retreat to benefit not only workers but also government and the nation at large.

Kebbi gov. extends hands of friendship to opposition after Tribunal victory

 

By Editor

 Governor of Kebbi State,  Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu has extended a hand of fellowship to opposition as he advised them to sheath their sword and join hands with him to take Kebbi State to next level of development.

He stated this while addressing mammoth crowd who converged at Government House Birnin Kebbi to rejoice with the governor over his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal.

In a statement by Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, he said  governor Idris observed that it was part of democracy to go to court and seek redress when not satisfied with the outcome of elections.

He, however, said that it was also the beauty of democracy to join, brace, accept and assist the winning party to build the state and provide the dividends of democracy.

Gov. Idris attributed his victory at the tribunal to the will of God Almighty who gives power to whom He pleases and at the time He pleases.

The governor said: "Let me say sincerely that the judgement of the tribunal is not only for us, not only for the people of Kebbi State but it is a victory for democracy. The judgement has further affirmed the will of God Almighty and at the same time the will of the people of Kebbi State.

"We have two messages to carry away from the verdict of the tribunal, it has shown that power belongs to God and only He can give it to whoever He wants, where He wants and when He wants. 

"Secondly, it has shown us that the people voted for us and we must redouble our efforts to serve the people who gave us this mandate and we must do so with fear of God."

While giving gratitude to the Almighty Allah who upheld the will of the people through the verdict, Gov. Idris pledged to continue to pray for God's guidance, wisdom and protection in the discharge of his responsibilities to his creator as well as the peop.nyle.

The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration towards fulfilling the campaign promises, insisting that it was his desire to make Birnin Kebbi the state capital of Kebbi, "a city of pride to our people is coming to fruition as we build, rehabilitate and re-plan our roads in the city."

He assured that the new ultra modern state secretariat at Gwadangwaji would soon be completed, adding that the education sector was facing revolution as the healthcare system faces the most decisive actions ever in the history and for the benefit of people.

Gov. Idris assured that major cities across the state would soon answer their names as cities, while promising to take agriculture to next level of advancement for the benefit of farmers and the economy.

The governor pledged to change the security architecture of state to ensure safety of all, assuring that his administration would not rest until people feel secured. 

Kebbi gov donates N5m to Sir Yahaya Hospital

 

By Editor

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris on Tuesday visited Sir Yahaya Specialist Hospital Birnin Kebbi and donated Five Million Naira (N5m) to the hospital.

The governor, who inspected some section of the hospital pledged to look into some challenges faced by the hospital as raised by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Zaki Abubakar.

Gov. Idris stressed the need for some parts of the hospital to be moved to Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo to be named Sir Yahaiya Annex.

Earlier, the CMD, Dr Zaki Abubakar had identified inadequate manpower as one of the major challenges affecting the hospital and appealed to the governor to urgently intervene.

He told the governor that the hospital had a total of 26 Doctors and 258 Nurses with 260 casual staff.

Kauran Gwandu Achievement Forum organises special prayer for Kebbi Governor

 

By Editor

The Kauran Gwandu Achievement Forum has on Wednesday organised a special prayer for the new administration in Kebbi State led by Comrade Dr Nasir Idris to achieve its set goals and objectives of transforming the state. 

The prayer, which was organised under the leadership of the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Shu'aibu Garba Tazarce featured serries of prayer session by different Ulamas held at Birnin Kebbi Eid Praying Ground.

The Ulamas included; Malam Imrana Usman, Chief Imam, Juma'at Mosque, Bayan Oando, Birnin Kebbi, Sheik Muhammad Tuku Argungu, Chief Imam Argungu Juma'at Mosque, mong other Juma'at Mosques Imams. 

The Ulamas prayed to Almighty God to give Gov. Nasir Idris the capability and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state well and successfully take it to the promise land.

While praying against every kind of evils and calamities in the state, the Ulamas also sought for God's protection, shower of His bounties and mercies as well as lasting peace across the state.

They prayed God to give the governor the strength and capacity to continue with the good work of transforming the state he had already started in just less than 100 days in office.

The special prayer session was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life including; Commissioners, Directors, Senior Civil Servants and other top government officials.

Commissioners present included; Hon. Yakubu Ahmed BK, Information, Hon. Abubakar Jiika, Finance, Hon. Abdullahi Umar Muslim, Works as well as the Accountant General of the State, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu Zoramawa, Alhaji Kabir Sani Gaint, SA political and power, Sagir Muhammad Haliru, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Ahmed Idris among others. 

Blackout: Kebbi establishes surveillance team to safeguard transformer/electrical installations

 

By Our Reporter 

Worried by possible activities of vandals following total blackout in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State Government has engaged the services of hunters as a surveillance team to safeguard transformers and other electrical installations from vandalism in the state capital.

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

Idris said addressing the hunters at the Cabinate Office, Birnin Kebbi on Monday, the Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on Political Affairs and Power, Hon. Kabiru Sani-Giant said the essence of the team was to ensure security of electrical installations especially theft of armoured cable which had become rampant in Nigeria.

He observed that at the end of the day the loses or bulk of the budden lie on the neck of government, hence the need for precautionary measures to avert the trend.

"If a transformer is vandalised, at the end it's government that will bear the budden and that's a minus on the side of government and its people because it will spend the money that would have been used for developmental project to replace electrical installation.

"That's why we decided to fish out trustworthy people like you to do this kind of job. We know the bad eggs amongst us will take advantage of this power outage to perpetrate their evil acts of removing armoured cable, but with you people on ground, they won't be able to carry out their bad intention," he assured.

Sani-Giant advised them to be very vigilant in discharging their duties, recalling that even when there was power supply, because the supply used to be rationing, the hoodlums do carry out their acts in areas where light was not available at a perticular time.

This, according to him, had become a threat to Kebbi State in general, "that's why we feel your services is very important, you are not only assisting government but also, you are assisting yourself and the general public."

The governor's aid informed them that the work would make them to become more professional in the security aspect and at the same time they would get some token from government apart from reward from their creator.

On his part, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Sama'ila Yakubu-Augie said: "security is everybody's business, hence the need for all hands on deck to rescue the situation."

He reminded the team that protecting power installations should be a collective responsibity that every Nigerian must contribute for the good and safety of all.

Responding, the Commander Kebbi State Hunters, Ambassador Musa Hussaini Rambo lauded Gov. Nasir Idris for finding them worthy of the job and assured that they would do their best to protect the installations from vandalism.

Hussaini Rambo sought for support and cooperation from the general public to discharge their function diligently.

 

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Kebbi Gov't urges residents to be patient as total blackout 'll soon be over

 

By Editor

The Kebbi State Government has appealed to residents of Birnin Kebbi and evirons to be patient as the total blackout being experienced would soon be over.

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

He said the  Secretary to Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida made the plea when he visited the substationn of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) alongside with the SA political and power Alhaji Kabir Sani-Giant on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi.

It could be recalled that on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, one 90MVA (330KV/132KV) and a 60MVA (132KV/33KV) transformers were destroyed as a result of fire incident which affected three states of Kebbi, Sokoto and part of Zamfara.

The SSG said the call became imperative in view of the lingering power outage being faced by the residents in the last nine or ten days.

He explained that he was in the scene on behalf of the State Governor, who instructed him to monitor the work because he doesn't want his people to remain in darkness, assuring that the governor was always in support of what would bring joy and happiness to his constituents.

Bala-Tafida, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, said the team of engineers had assured that their headquarters in Abuja had given them two weeks to fix the light.

"We came, we saw the level of efforts being put in place and we are satisfied. All we need from our people is prayers for them to do a good job and complete it within the stipulated period and we are hopeful that the work will be completed on schedule," he said.

Also speaking, the Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs and Power, Alhaji Kabiru Sani-Giant said considering the level of damage in the substatation, no one would have expected the work to attain such appreciable level, adding that the engineers had shown a high sense of commitment to the work.

While appreciating the team of engineers and other technical staff of TCN for displaying professionalism, Sani-Giant said from all indication the team would meet the two weeks target set by the management of the company.

He appealed to all the affected customers to be patient and consider what happened a destiny from Almighty God that nobody could avert it.

The governor's aid advised people to imbibe good culture of using electricity by switching off all appliances when not in use to minimise power wastage and possible fire outbreak.

Sani-Giant said: "We should borrow a leave from our neighbours, Niger Republic, they have that discipline, they switch on bulb when there is need for it unlike us Nigerians, we allow our bulbs on even during the day time when we don't need them."

On possible damages during restoration of power, the adviser insisted that announcement would be made through radio, television stations and other platforms for residents to put off all appliances to avoid damages and safeguard their property.

Grant fresh interviews revealing your role in 1992 Zangon Kataf crises, Group tells Gen. Zamani

 

By Our Reporter

Zangourban Community Development Association ( ZOCUDA)  has cauitioned Gen. Zamani Lekwot  has challenged General Zamani Lekwot to grant a fresh interview revealing the role he played in 1992 Zangon kataf crises, as they alleged he was among the accused culprits in the crises that was pardoned. 

The group said cautioned him to desist from granting distorted  interviews on the  crises  if he is not ready to reveal what transpired.

They said the biased interview he recently  granted to justify hienous crimes commited agains't Hausa/Fulani members of the community in the 1992 crises, of which he played a role only opens the wound of the past and recoils the  trauma and sorrow which  families of the victimes and those who suffered in the attack.  

Challenging Gen. Lekwot to bring his witness and have the market he indicated  to have  caused crises revisited, the group said the purported site was an empty land without any infrastructure and no single stall was built by the authority concerned, but relocation was announced impromptu in order to achieve what they descirbed as an ethnic agenda by the then Chairman of the Local Government Area. 

In a statement by the Acting Chairman Board of Trustees of ZOCUDA, Alhaji Ibrahim Bisallah, he challenged General Lekwot to conduct another round of  interview to tell the world "honest and humble truth".

Bissallah said contrary to Gen. Lekwot's  false assertion in the interview he granted  that the  1992 Zangon Kataf crises started as a result of  relocation of new market, which led to an attack on an Atyap commuity which the general failed to mention its name, and how many persons killed, he said "there are enough records in our (Hausa/Fulani) archives to enlighten the public of the roles played by all the parties to know the truth. But it is pertinent to our Hausa-Fulani Community to correct any misrepresentations or mischief from any quarters in the public domain with the fear of Allah. 

The group's Acting Chairman also advised General Lekwot  to go for counselling on human relation and psychology and  desist from "granting interview on your role in Zangon Kata crisis of 1992 because the more you speak on it the more you reawake sleeping victims) and open the wound of grief, sorrow and tears yet to heal and remind us of the seeming frustrated and disgruntled Retired general you are. This is the least of what we would say to ourex convicted and unremorseful neighbor if you continue to tow the path you are taking as against being apologetic and seeking forgiveness."

He said not only were General Lekwot's responses uncoordinated, but "there were lots of deliberate mischief, distortion of facts and misinformation that has become your stock-in-trade.

"As you rightly stated, you were tried, convicted and pardoned, but you were wrong in claiming you were framed for a crime you never committed. For somebody of your standing, a retired General belonging to a clique in Nigeria that are hardly caught on the wrong side of the law, if you were not culpable, truth would have set you free. The world would have come to your rescue. You would not have been indicted by a Commission of enquiry and Tribunal both headed by Christians like you. 

"The people of Zangon Kataf especially the Hausa-Fulani Community would like to wonder what exactly did you set out to achieve by this interview at this critical time when the nation is in desperate search for peacetul co-existence amongst its peoples in the face of the protracted insecurity involving kidnapping, banditry and unknown gunmen attacks in the nation, especially in Zangon Katat, Southern Kaduna and Kaduna State in general. 

"Perhaps it could have been an opportunity for you to tender an unreserved apology to tho widows, the orphans and the relatives of the hundreds that the Atyap murderers maimed, killed as well as the tens of thousands of the Hausa/Fulani you and your kinsmen displaced and sent out as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in a continuing onslaught that has lasted about 31 years and their properties worth millions of Naira destroyed as well as those with scars on their bodies and grief in their hearts. 

"But you derailed from an opportunity to rebrand your blood-stainedpersonality and rather typicalofthe old disillusioned and diabolical machinations depictingtheseeming disgruntled and frustrated General that you are, you have by this misplaced interview exposed yourself to further hatred and ridicule by exhuming theghost of the barbaric act that stinks to high heavensfor which generations of the victims will continue to remember. 

They however warned Gen. Lekwot that the Hausa/Fulani   "community would not be silent once he re- open the wound.