Arewa Group Caution EFCC To Thread Softly Over Yahaya Bello

Yahya bello

By editor 

Worried by the current situation of unconfirmed allegations of corruption against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called on the anti graft agency, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to thread with caution.

The forum averred that the fact that the case is already in court awaiting determination, the anti graft agency should not take the laws into their hands, making all efforts to tarnish the image of the ex governor despite not being convicted of any offence.

In a statement by AYCF’s president , Alhaji Yerima Shetima, he said “We are worried on whose authority or interest the anti graft agency is carrying out their actions despite the disclosure by the Kogi State government that no money is missing .

The invasion of the former Governor's Abuja residence by the operatives was contrary to a subsisting court order granted February 9, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello Vs. EFCC, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

Despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division. The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.

It is unfair that Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC decided to lay siege to the home of them former Governor seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!

We perceive the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.

We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.

It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders. This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity because we are not in banana Republic  where anything goes.

AYCF therefore call on the EFCC to ensure that fundamental right of the ex Governor is respected to the later, we are watching with keen interest.

First lady launches North-West Renewed Hope Women Agric Support in Kebbi

By Editor

The First Lady of Nigeria and the wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has flagged-off the North-West Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme in Kebbi State.

Launching the programme, the wife of the president, who was represented by the wife of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs Fatima Tajudden-Abbas, said the aim of the programme was to empower women and make them self-sufficient.

She said the 20 women for the seven states would benefit from the programme where each would collect 500,000.

"Our mother's initiative is a great initiative that will support women across the country, this programme will be flagged-off across the six geopolitical zones.

"Our goal is simple and passive, bringing individuals out of poverty, educating them and guiding them towards a better life for thier families,' she said.

In her remarks, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Her Excellency, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Idris expressed joy over the programme, adding that the mission is to establish and maintain stability, peace, love and care in families and society through total transformation in the lives of women in the state and Nigeria at large.

She also thanked His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir idirs for supporting her programme and policy, while promising to continue assisting the widows, orphans and less-privileges.

"As part of my effort I have been supporting women in the state, most especially on the issue of empowerment through cash, water pumping mechanes, sewing machines among others," she said.

Delivering his speech, the Kebbi State Governor, Comerade Dr Nasir Idris commended the wife of the president for initiating the renewed hope programme for women agricultural support.

He said that the programme would go a long way in reducing poverty amongst women in the state.

"Agriculture is indeed not just a sector of our economy, it is a way of life, a tradition that has been passed down through generations, women have always been the backbone of our agricultural industry, playing a crucial role in feeding our nation and the world at large," he said.

He also pointed out that empowering women in agriculture was not just the right thing to do, it was essential for the growth and sustainability of agricultural sector.

"Today as we gather to distribute empowerment to our women in agriculture, we are taking significant steps towards ensuring their continued success and prosperity. 

"I am proud to see the progress that has been made in empowering women in agriculture, and we will continue to invest in programmes and initiatives that will empower women, provide them with access to markets finance and technology and ensure their voices are heard and valued," he assured.

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.