Eid: Gwandu Emir tasks parents on proper child upbringing

From Editor

The Emir of Gwandu, Rtd. Maj-Gen. Muhammad Iliyasu-Bashar has charged parents to be alive to their responsibility of proper upbringing of children.

Addressing Muslim Ummah shortly after Eid-el-Fitr prayer at Eid Praying Ground in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, the emir said the call became imperative in view of the increasing moral decadence in the society.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, he quoted the emir saying : "As parents, we must be alive to our responsibility, we must do our best to inculcate good moral virtues in our children, we must ensure that our children are properly mentored to become useful to themselves, the society and the nation at large."

The royal father enjoined his subjects to pray for leaders to succeed, insisting that leaders' success was a success for the entire people.

He also pleaded for consistent prayer for prevailing peace to reign across the state and across the nation, saying that peace remained the pillar of any meaningful development.

Iliyasu-Bashar encouraged people to sustain and reflect the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan in their daily lives towards bringing positive change in their lives.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam, Malam Umar Lawal-Junju urged people to maintain peace in their dealing with one another to ensure a decent society.

The prayer was attended by the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu, Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Bena, Commissioners, Accountant General and other top Government functionaries. 

Sustain Ramadan virtues to guarantee national cohesion - Gov. Idris urges Muslims

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has urged Muslims to sustain the good virtues of Ramadan to facilitate national cohesion.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message to the good people of Kebbi State, the governor observed that if the lessons learnt during the Holly Month of Ramadan were sustained and put to use, "many of our challenges would have been solved."

He said Ramadan taught people to be patient, tolerant, accommodative and above all, to be steadfast in repentance and seeking divine intervention in all aspects of human endeavours.

Gov. Idris said Ramadan remained the exalted month in the Islamic calendar, "a month in which the Glorious Qur'an was revealed and a month which its begining is Allah's mercy, its middle is Allah's forgiveness and its end is Allah's freedom from hell fire.

"We pray to be among those who earned Allah's mercy, forgiveness and has freed all of us from hell fire. May He accept all our deeds and make us among the dwellers of Aljannatul Firdaus."

While congratulating Muslim Ummah for witnessing yet another Eid-el-Fitr, the governor advised them to celebrate the festive period with caution especially in this difficult situation.

Gov. Idris promised to sustain the delivery of dividends of democracy to the good people of Kebbi State through the execution of projects that have direct bearing to the lives of generality. 

"My mission and vision is to transform Kebbi to be at par with other states of the federation, this, we have started and In Sha Allah we will continue until we accomplish our mission.

"Every citizen of this state can attest to the fact that Birnin Kebbi has started wearing a new outlook following developmental projects spread across the state capital, apart from other projects across the four Emirates in the state," he noted.

According to him, spreading the projects across is with a view to giving all emirates a sense of belonging.

He added that the present administration was not unmindful of the importance of human development through empowerment, thereby accord special priority to it.

"Concerned by the apparent difficulties that engulfed the citizens, the governor in this Ramadan period purchased and distributed over 200 trucks of assorted grains to ameliorate the present hardship," he said.

M-Tech Foundation sponsors student to pursue online degree

By Editor 

Sarkin Kabin Jega, Alhaji Arzika Bawa has commended M-Tech Foundation for sponsoring a student, Abubakar Abdulmalik to pursue his online studies at a university in India.

He made the commendation while handing over the cheque to the beneficiary in Jega.

The traditional ruler said the beneficiary was supported with N2.5 million to pursue his online studies.

Bawa appealed to well-to-do individuals in the society to give more emphasis on providing support to the needy and less privileged people in the society.

In his speech, the Chairman of M-Tech Foundation, Alhaji Sufiyanu Zanna-Jega said the foundation had expanded its tentacles to cover; providing assistance to the needy, instilling solar at Mosques and providing financial assistance to the people.

Responding, the beneficiary of the gesture, Abubakar Abdulmalik Dan Galadima expressed appreciation to the founder of the foundation Eng. Munir Musa-Jega for the kind gesture.

The Event was attended by Jega Local government APC Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Keshi and Coordinator of Kauran Gwandu Association in Jega, Alhaji Bahari Khalid among others.

Kebbi spends N21bn on palliatives, livelihood improvement initiative

 

From Abdulganiyu Alabi, Kaduna 

 Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed said that the state Governor, Nasir Idris, has spent over 21 billion Naira on palliatives and livelihood improvement initiative.

The commissioner noted that the amount covered distribution of solar powered irrigation pumps, fertilizers and financial support to those in need.

He said on assumption of office, one of the immediate challenges faced by the present administration was the devastating effect of migratory bird attacks on farmlands across the state, leading to potentially and risk of food scarcity.

Ahmed said the governor took a decisive aerial measures to combat the avian invasion.

The commissioner pointed out that the state government had also provided palliatives during the month of Ramadan to the people of the state.

"Concerned by the apparent difficulties that engulfed the citizens, the governor in this Ramadan period purchased and distributed over 200 trucks of assorted grains to ameliorate the present hardship," he said.

He, however, lamented that some hoodlums attacked a wirehouse in Birnin Kebbi owned by private business people to blackpaint the efforts of the state government.

The commissioner observed that the gigantic initiative of government in less that a year had positively exemplified the administration's proactive approach in addressing seasonal challenges to guarantee the walfare of citizenry.

He described the governor as a painting leader with a compelling narrative of foresight, dedication, decisive action, patriotism, compassion, courage and profound love for the people.

"His Excellency Kauran Gwandu is a leader who spared no effort in fulfilling his duties as a democratically elected governor, he is known to all many years before he dwelled into partisan politics," he said.

Ahmed-BK appreciated the good people of the state for their resilience and unwavering support, prayers, and loyalty to the present administration and urged them to sustain the tempo.

The press briefing was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abdullahi Buhari Wara, Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris, SA media Yahaya Sarki alongside other Directors.

2024 Hajj balance: Kebbi Govt. to pay N1m for each prospective pilgrim

By Editor

The Kebbi State Government says it will contribute N1 million as an intervention to each of the 2024 intending pilgrim.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-Birnin-Kebbi disclosed this while addressing a press conference shortly after an emergency State Executive Council meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida on Monday in Birnin Kebbi.

It could be recalled that the National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had recently announced that all intending pilgrims from Nigeria should pay a balance of N1.9 million to be able to perform the 2024 Hajj.

He stated that out of over 3,000 intending pilgrims from Kebbi State, government promised to support each with N1 million, while each of the pilgrims "is expected to complete the remaining balance of over N900,000."

The commissioner, who expressed satisfaction over the gesture, called on prospective pilgrims to balance up the remaining N0.9 million to perform Hajj.

Ahmed-BK recalled that recently, members of a committee from the Federal Ministry of Aviation visited Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, where they commended the Kebbi State Government for the facilities put in place at the airport.

He said the committee members were exited with what they met on ground and assured that the airport had all what it takes for the airlift of pilgrims in 2024 Hajj exercise.

Similary, the Hon Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu'azu said a 13-man committee had been set up by the state government to investigate the recent crisis, where some hooligans attacked some food stuff wire houses and carted away with food items.

He assured that non of the state government's stores was attacked, while commending the security agencies in the state for bringing the situation under control.

The commissioner disclosed the hooligans attacked Dangote palliatives meant for people of the state which was not handled by the state government.

Kebbi Govt. dissociates itself from Chief Imam's resignation

By Editor

The Kebbi State Government has dismissed allegations of its involvement in the resignation of the Chief Imam of Wala Central Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, Sheik Rufa'i Ibrahim.

Addressing newsmen on Sunday the Hon. Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Arc. Mohammed Sani-Aliyu said government was not in anyway witch-hunting anybody.

He added that the Chief Imam had voluntarily resigned his appointments based on personal interest which was accepted by the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Council and approved by the State Government.

Sani-Aliyu said the local government Sole Administrator had already issued a statement that Na'ibul Imam (second in command) should take-over the position pending the appointments of a substantive Imam.

"I want to inform the general public that government has no hand in the Imam's resignation, he decided to resign based on personal reasons.

"Gov. Nasir Idris in his own magnanimity extended financial support to all Imam of Jumu'at Mosques in the state to assist them cushion the effect of present economic hardship in the country and help those around them.

"However, in the case of Wala Mosque, the support was handed over to the Deputy Imam in the absence of the Imam," he said.

The commissioner pointed out that the action of the Imam was neither in line with Islamic ethics nor the rule of law and commended the sole administrator of Birnin Kebbi local government for accepting his resignation and appointing his deputy to take charge.

Arc. Sani-Aliyu then called on Gwandu Emirate Council to put machinery in motion for the appointment of a substantive Chief Imam for the Wala Jumu'at Mosque.

Kebbi Govt. streamlines Almajiri system to conform with formal system

 

By Editor

From AbdulGaniyu Alabi, Kaduna 

The Kebbi State Government says it is streamlining the Almajiri system of education in the state to conform with the formal system of education.

The Commissioner, Ministry for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhamad Sani-Aliyu, disclosed this at a weekly ministerial briefing held in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

Ministry of Religious Affairs is a new ministry created by the present Kauran Gwandu led-administration with a view to reducing moral decadence, youth waywardness, social vices and crimes through moral education and counselling in liaison with relevant government's agencies.

He identified "Almajiri Integrated Education" as a unit under the ministry saddled with the responsibility of regulating conduct of Almajiri training, streamlining concept of Almajiri education and improve on Almajiri system of education.

"The unit is carrying out a demography of Islamiyya  and Almajiri Schools to identify age and number of pupils, their various origins, parents and their living condition for appropriate actions," he said.

Sani-Aliyu explained that the ministry had created Zakkat, Preaching and Hisbah Boards for effective and efficient operations, adding that Islam charged leaders with the responsibility of collecting Zakkat from the rich and distributing it to the poor, the needy and other identified group of persons.

He added that between May 2023 to date, about 23,543 mentally related cases patients received treatment and medications at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach.

Talking about partnership, the commissioner said, the ministry had facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kebbi State Government and Qatar Foundation, where over 200 locations had been identified for the construction of boreholes and other social amenities.

To cushion the effects of the present hardship being experienced, Sani-Aliyu said the state government under the ministry had intervened in different ramifications, ranging from pre-Ramadan, Ramadan and post-Ramadan packages.

This according to him, include; distribution of grains to the public by the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the state ministry of agriculture, Ramadan feeding at designated Mosque across the state "which is targeting 11,400 persons per day," Vulnerable Groups Ramadan Intervention targeting 14,000 families and mid Ramadan grains intervention amongst others.