Gov Idris bags special gifts, awards on NAFEST

 

 

By Editor

The Kebbi State Governor, Comerade Dr. Nasir Idris has received special gifts and awards on the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris and issued to Journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Friday quoted the State Commissioner for information and Culture, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed-BK as saying this in  the communique, which came out of the 4-day event and touched on many gray areas of NAFEST. 

He said the festival which drew stakeholders in the arts and culture sector from all the states of the federation and Abuja took place at the Chida Hotel Abuja.

It could be recalled that NAFEST was initiated by the General Yakubu Gowon military administration soon after the civil war in 1970. 

The idea behind it was for the country to use culture to heal wounds and enhance unity.

The Governor who was represented at event by the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture explained that the relevance of NAFEST was further highlighted and emphasized the need to retool it in order to make it more relevant in line with the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Cultural displays by troupes from many states were part of the highlights of the closing ceremony. Also an award night was held where personalities who contributed to the advancement of arts and culture were recognized and given awards.

The Director General of NCAC Otumba Olusegun Runsewe who presided over all the events was full of praises for the Kebbi state Governor for his achievements in office in the few months he has been on saddle. He particularly singled him out for his love for arts and culture and highlighted the support the Governor has been extending to the culture sector in Kebbi state.

"The Governor of Kebbi state Dr Nasir idris was one of the Governors, whose positive attitude and support to culture was acknowledged and rewarded with special awards and gifts" he said.

Kebbi Gov't. empowers 20 persons with disability with tricycles, 150 with cash

The Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar Aliero has said that the present administration in the state has placed special attention to transforming the lives of qpeople living with disability.

He said this informed the decision of government to empower PLWD with 20 tricycles as well as N1.7 million Naira towards making them self reliant.

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

Idris quoted the commissioner as saying this at the distribution of the items and disbursement of N10,000 to 110 and N15,000 to 40 people held at Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi.

Aliero said the gesture was meant to facilitate way for them to stand on their feet, assuring that government would continue to assist the vulnerable people in the society.

He said: "We have empowered 110 people with N10,000 each, 40 people with N15,000 each while 20 people get tricycle each all with a view to making them self sufficient."

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by supporting government's policies and programmes and sustain prayers for the present administration to take the state to next level of development.

In his speech, the Guest of Honour at the occasion, who is also the Commissioner for Information and Culture in the state, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK observed the gesture was very critical to transforming the livelihood of PLWD in the state.

He encouraged them to make judicious use of what he described as unique opportunity to change their lives for the better.

Those in attendance are., Commissioner of digital and communication, Com. Of Information and Culture, Alhaji Buro, Accountants General, Ubandoma Gwandu and Aliero Local Government chairman.

End 

Kebbi Shines As NAFEST Commences Stakeholders Review Confrence In Abuja

 

By Editor 

Organized by the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), a 3-day stakeholders review Conference is taking place at the Achida Hotel in the Utako District of the federal capital and will last until the 8th of December.

All the 36 states of the federation and the FCT are represented at this very crucial review conference. The Kebbi state contingent to the conference is headed by the Commissioner of Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK.

In a press Statement signed by the chief press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor Ahmed Idris while quoted the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK said that NAFEST which began in 1970 by the General Yakubu Gowon military administration as a way of further reintegrating and uniting the county shortly after the civil war, will be subjected to a review at the conference to look at how best to fashion it to make the county more cohesive and forward-looking in line with the renewed hope vision of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Having staged 35 editions of NAFEST so far since it started, NCAC has resolved to reflect on the role of NAFEST so far in the task of nation building with a view to objectively examining the level at which it has met its set agenda and fulfilled its objectives.

The National Stakeholders’ Review Conference will among other things feature policy roundtable: discussion/dialogue; performance, dance, music and artistic presentation from the different states of the federation; exhibition of arts and crafts and facility visit to galleries and theatres.

Speaking on the importance of the conference Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK noted that after such a long time since it started NAFEST deserves a review to reflect current realities and make it more relevant in the dynamics of today. He said Nigeria has come a long ways since 1970 and with the developments the world has witnessed in creativity in arts, culture and tourism, Nigeria needs to tow the line of modernity and technological development in the promotion of its cultural values.

The Kebbi state Commissioner of Information and Culture thanked the Governor of Kebbi state Dr Nasir Idris for the invaluable support he has rendered to the Kebbi state Ministry of Information and Culture in the discharge of its responsibilities. He said the Governor’s support has been critical and defining in the successes the Ministry has recorded so far.

He assured the Governor and the people of Kebbi state of the continued commitment and dedication of all staff of the Ministry to doing their utmost to help government achieve its target of placing Kebbi on the pedestal of sustainable growth.

CSOs Commend Tinubu For Reappointing Mele Kyari as NNPCL GCEO

 

From Sheriff Odunola

Group under aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations have commended President Bola Tinubu for reappointing  Engineer Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. 

According to the CSOs, the appointment is not only well deserved and reward for hardwork,but also necessary to ensure that the ongoing reforms are carried out to the later. 

The Civil Society Organisations,which made the commendation in a press statement signed by the  Chairman and Secretary,Comrade Ephraim Jonathan  and Comrade Yusuf Ibrahim Kudan said,"By the reappointment of Kyari,President Tinubu has demonstrated a high sense of focus and commitment to uninterrupted and smooth operations of the National oil industry . 

While acknowledging Kyari's reform programmes and the major panacea for enhanced transparency and efficiency in the operations of NNPCL, the group said the idea of setting up of a new trading subsidiary, establishment of a new crude oil marketing division, and the implementation of a new performance management system ,which enhances accountability in the Nigerian oil and gas sector was a magic wand . 

  

It recalled ,  "When Mele Kyari assumed duty as the Group Managing Director of the now-defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on July 7, 2019, it was at a critical period not only in the life of the corporation but for the entire Nigerian oil and gas sector as well as the national economy.

"With his appointment in 2021 by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari as chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Oil Company Limited (NNPCL), the successor company to the NNPC under the new dispensation ushered in by the petroleum industry act, which came into force in 2021, the TAPE became the standard for steering the new company forward in a global economy still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which devastated the world in 2020 and 2021.

"It has become obvious that since he was appointed, the performance of the NNPCL has been impressive with  situations,  which appeared insurmountable, turned around."

Speaking  further about on-going reforms  and  company's growth from a loss-making one into a profit-making commercial entity, it single out the efforts at checkmating crude oil theft and illegal refineries as significant spike that help to boost  daily oil production. Adding  that Nigeria has regained its position as the largest crude oil producer in Africa, ahead of Algeria’s 1.021mb/d and Angola’s 1.088mb/d in November 2022.

  

"It gladdens the hearth to note that NNPCL posted its second consecutive year of ‘profit’ announcing N674.1 billion in the 2021 financial period and growing it from N287 billion in 2020. The figure represented an increase of N387 billion or 134.8% when compared to the previous N287 billion recorded in 2020.

"We have also noticed that the lingering fuel scarcity characterised by long queues at filling station is gradually becoming history. And with the  availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as a  feat  Nigerians will remember Kyari led management for."

"Worthy of note is the good news that  $2.8bn Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project  constructed by Oilserve Limited will be inaugurated December.The AKK pipeline is a 614km-long pipeline to transport natural gas from southern Nigeria to central Nigeria.

"The most impressive accomplishments of Kyari’s stewardship at NNPCL is the  commencement of commercial oil  to  exploration in the Northern part of Nigeria.The Kolmani Oil Field, estimated to have a reserve of about one billion barrels of crude oil, OPL 809 and 810, lie in the Gongola Basin of the Upper Benue Trough, straddling Bauchi and Gombe States. 

"The laudable  Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP),which is an  initiative of the federal government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, is a 5,600 kilometers gas pipeline project traversing 13 African countries namely: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania to Morocco is indeed a great feat. "

Kebbi State Government rejects impersonating Journalist threatening elected, political office holders

 

By Our Reporter

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor Ahmed Idris has raised an alarm over the attitude of one Abdullahi who claimed to be a journalist, going round the state threatening elected and political office holders in the name of the state government.

 Idris, who disclosed this in a statement made available to Newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

Idris noted with dismay that his Principal, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris anf other media aids of the Governor were not happy about the development, describing it as an attempt to smear the good image of the present administration and journalists in the state.

According to him, the impersonator claimed to be writing for "Trust Lucky Magazine".

He, however, said that investigations revealed that the said Abdullahi was neither a member of Kebbi State Corresponts' Chapel nor the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

"In essence, this man is an impersonator, because as a practicing Journalist, you are expected to register with these two bodies. It must be understood that this government has not sent any journalist to go and intimidate, harass or threaten anybody.

"Therefore, Government is appealing to all elected and political office holders across the state to seek verification from the office of the chief press Secretary to the kebbi state Governor, Commissioner for Information, Special Adviser on Media in case of anybody claiming to be from government," he advised.

While describing the dirty act of Abdullahi as malicious, Idris urged government officials to be vigilant in dealing with Journalists so as not to fall into the wrong hands. 

CSOs Ask NLC, TUC to Consider Economic Hardship,End Strike

 

By Editor

Northern based Coalition of Civil Society Organisations have asked the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to consider current economic hardship Nigerians are facing and Call-off the ongoing National Strike immediately.

According to the CSOs, the untold hardship caused by the indefinite strike, especially in the north is becoming unbearable for the ordinary citizens, who eke living from daily economic activities. 

In the 8-point communique issued after an emergency meeting held at Arewa House, Kaduna today, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations urged the labour unions to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms other than strike actions  to achieve their demands  that will usually ground the economy and cause more hardships to common man. 

The communique jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary,Comrade Musa Abdullahi Danbatta and Comrade Yusuf Ibrahim Kudan ,the CSOs said though NLC has the right to mount pressure on government to achieve its demands , the timing is wrong considering the plethora of challenges facing country now . 

While stating that they are not insensitive to the plights of labour unions and reasons  for the strike , they want the labour unions to consider and be mindful  that the issues raised are inherited problems ,which are currently being addressed by the federal government . Adding, " it would be counter-productive to slow the process down with  incessant strike actions, when round table engagements could be better option. "

The Communique further reads: " We have followed with keen interest , the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration and discovered that his economic policies are geared toward economic recovery and ensuring a sustainable sectoral growth and development.

"It is against this background that we resolved  the  Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and other labour unions should call-off the strike action immediately and consider a round table engagement with federal on issues of their demands . 

"We therefore call on respected labour unions to support  President Ahmed Tinubu to move the country forward, considering that since assuming  office on May 29,203 has demonstrated committed to tackling the economic problems inherited and began the journey to rebuild the country’s battered economy in a difficult situation.

"NLC and TUC should  consider that the President was able to take a bold and courageous decision to remove the fuel subsidy to avert a national economic catastrophe of epic proportions,which stunted the growth of economy over the years. 

"That it was in  consideration  of the pains on Nigerians and workers especially that the government rolled out intervention in form Palliatives to help cushion the unintended negative impacts of subsidy removal,such as;  working out a minimum wage and salary increase, supporting states and local governments ,  providing fertilizers to farmers, grains to households, cash transfers to people with low incomes.

"That  it is worthy of note  that President Tinubu  laid out  steps to improve incentives for civil servants, including salary increases, improving quality and hygiene of working environments. His payroll-system reforms removed thousands of ghost workers from the system"

The CSOs also asked the labour unions consider the federal government's Petroleum industry reforms aimed at  improving crude oil production output and the ongoing efforts made to repatriate of looted funds, which will no doubt help in revenue generation and enhanced economic stability.

While highlighting Tinubu's economic recovery reforms, they observed that government has set up a Tax and Fiscal Reforms Committee that is fully at work to deepen the ongoing reforms and reposition the national economy for long-term sustainability. 

However, they expressed optimism that these reforms will help reduce the impact of the high cost of living on the citizens.Adding ,"The support bof labour unions as pressure groups is required to help the President focus on redirecting the economy and remove  impediments to productivity and competitiveness in order to grow and create millions of decent jobs that are essential for long term economic growth."

Vigilante neutralises 4 bandits in Bena District

 

By Editor 

A vigilante has successfully killed four bandits after they attacked one person of Dan-Umaru village of Bena District in Kebbi State on Monday.

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

Idris quoted Alhaji AbdulRahman Usman, Director, Security at the Cabinet Office, Birnin Kebbi as revealing the success story.

He narated that when th bandits lunched an attack on the village, the vigilante quickly took position and ambushed them and successfully killed all the four attackers while on their way back to Zamfara State.

The director said the dead bodies were taken to Dan-Umaru village, adding that the incident took place near Dan-Umaru boardering Dadin Duniya in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

He confirmed that the person attacked by the bandits was responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital.