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.

Obi says Kebbi posses capacity to feed Nigeria

 Obi says Kebbi posses capacity to feed Nigeria

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi has said that Kebbi State has the capacity to feed the entire nation.

He disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Nasir Idris in Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

Obi observed that God Almighty had blessed the state with vast land for mass agricultural production, adding that if properly harnessed, the entire nation would have no reason to be hungry.

The ex-preaidential candidate cited an example of Belgium, which has less than 20 per cent land size of Kebbi but could produce $20 billion worth of agricultural export annually.

He therefore advised the state government to take advantage of the vast land and engage in cultivation of different crops to generate employment, eradicate poverty, tackle inflation and check the incessant insecurity bedeviling the country.

Obi added that Northern Nigeria "is blessed with abundant land, if government actually invest in agriculture, we can no longer depend on oil. We can comfortably feed ourselves and export it out to other countries.

"By exporting to other countries, we can earn more foreign exchange, thereby force the price of US Dola down against Naira."

Responding, Gov. Nasir Idris appreciated Obi for the visit and assured that the state was not unmindful of the opportunities across the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, assured the visitor that the present administration had invested heavenly in agriculture.

He recalled that the present government had procured fertilisers worth N2.9 billion last rainy season and distributed it free to farmers across the state, which had busted productivity as well as crop yield in the state.

The governor added: "We have also procured solar powered pumping machines and distribute it at 30 per cent price to farmers across the state with a view to ameliorating fuel cost.

Gov. Idris assured that government would leverage on the vast land opportunity to expand agricultural cultivation for enhanced productivity across the state. 

Gov. Idris directs negotiation with Federal Mortgage Bank over 180 housing estate

By Editor

Kebbi State Governor, Comerade Dr Nasir Idris has directed the Head of Service and the Ministry of land and Housing to negotiate with the Federal Mortgage Bank over the 180 Houses estate constructed by the mortgage bank along Bungu area close to LP 60 phase 11 at Gwandangwaji.

The Governor, who disclosed this on Saturday when he visited the site said that his administration is ready to purchase the houses for its workers.

He applauded the bank and the supervising ministry of land for the quality work, "I promised to buy it if the negotiations will favour the government and the beneficiaries.

"I am very happy with this houses, they were well constructed and if the negotiation is done properly, I am ready to buy it for the workers" he added.

The Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Bena, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry for Lands and Housing, Commissioner Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Chika, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Umar Dutsinmari, Special Adviser on Power and Political Affairs, Alhaji Kabir Sani-Giant, Permanent Secretary Ministry for Land and Housing, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar.

Farmatrix, others wins Gitex Africa competition as kaduna gov. promise more investors for startups

By Editor

An app recreated to bridge the gap between buyers and suppliers of agro products , Farmatrix and have emerged victorious at the grand finale of Gitex Africa Startup Road show in kaduna, where local startup owners had the chance to showcase their ideas and vie for investment.

Farmatrix, led by Nyifarmu Manzo, stood out for its mobile/web-based Ag-Tech platform facilitating trade, storage, and delivery of agricultural commodities

Manzo while showcasing the app said it  has generated over N70 million since its launch. 

The event, organized by Pinnacle International Consulting LLC, a USA- based subsidiary of Gitex, featured startup owners from kaduna competing for spots in the upcoming Gitex show in Marrakech, Morocco. 

Akande Ojo, the President and CEO of Pinnacle International Consulting LLC, a USA-based subsidiary of Gitex, explained that Farmatrix will be joining  SpecX Care Limited, a health care innovation app that came second in the kaduna  roadshow event to partake in the Northstar Africa startup competition later this year. 

Speaking to the Guardian, Engineer Shuaib Bello, the Senior Special Assistant on ICT to Kaduna Governor revealed that the Governor  is committed to attracting more investors to the state. 

Highlighting some of  Governor Sani's investment ICT, Engr. Bello stated that N250 million had been infused into local startups, and the state has acted as venture capital with potential returns. “This fund is designed to revolve, allowing subsequent investments once profits are realized. The strategic partnership between Governor Uba Sani and the Dubai World Trade Centre paved the way for this Gitext Roadshow 2024,” he added. 

Meanwhile,  the President and CEO of Pinnacle International Consulting LLC however stated that  “this annual roadshow, spanning Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna for the first time, follows last year's successful sponsorship of startups to Dubai, providing a unique opportunity for both the less privileged and those who struggle to communicate their message effectively.”

Kebbi distributes 960 sets of clothes to four Emirates

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has distributed 960 sets of clothes (Babban Riga) to four Emirates of the state.

Handing-over the clothes to Secretaries of the Emirates in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, the Secretary Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Lamin Shehu-Kuwa, said the gesture consist of 16 bags of clothes, with each bag containing 60 pieces.

While appreciating Kauran Gwandu for the kind initiative, the Secretary described the gesture as the first of its kind in the history of traditional council in the state.

"I have never witnessed this kind of gesture in my capacity as secretary. I must therefore, thank His Excellency for this wonderful gesture," he said.

Giving the breakdown of the items, Shehu-Kuwa said Gwandu emirate got six bags, Argungu four bags, Yauri three bags, while Zuru received three bags.

In his speech, the Director Personnel Management (DPM), Kebbi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Shehu-Abdullahi, said the distribution was sequel to a directive by the Commissioner in the ministry, Hon. Garba Umar-Dutsimmari.

He thanked Gov. Nasir Idris for the gesture and appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the clothes.

Responding on behalf of other Secretaries, Alhaji Haruna Rashid-Bashar, Secretary, Gwandu Emirate Council, aplauded the governor for supporting the emirates in all ramifications to succeed.

He particularly thanked Kauran Gwandu for settling electricity bills of all the four emirates and prayed for the governor to deliver all his electioneering campaign promises successfully.

Governor's aid lauds Gov. Idris for establishing 69 centres for Ramadan feeding

 

By Editor

The Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on Religious Affairs, Engineer Imran Usman-Abdur-Rahman has commended Gov. Nasir Idris for establishing 69 feeding centres for breaking of fasting across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

He gave the commendation while addressing a press conference at Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Thursday. 

The governor's aide said the commendation became necessary in view of the importance of feeding especially during Ramadan season. 

He explained that three centres were established in each of the 21 local government areas of the state, where people especially the less privileged "can go and break their fasting."

Usman-Abdur-Rahman noted with satisfaction that His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, had given approval for complete renovation of Sheik Abbas Jega Mosque, located at Rafin Atiku in Birnin Kebbi.

The governor's aide added that the governor, out of his magnanimity, would soon put smile on the faces of Kebbi people by distributing foodstuff to ease the current hardship in Ramadan.

He, therefore, appealed to the people to continuesly pray for the present administration under Kauran Gwandu to enable it deliver the dividends of democracy to its constituents successfully.

"This is because, prayer is a central key to success. Therefore, we must keep praying for this government to effectively deliver the dividends of democracy to the door steps of people," he advised.