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Tag: BAUCHI GOVERNOR

  • Why I approved appointment of SA on unmarried women affairs – Bauchi Gov

    Why I approved appointment of SA on unmarried women affairs – Bauchi Gov

    Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Bala has defended the appointment of Balaraba Ibrahim as a Special Assistant on unmarried women affairs.

    Earlier, in a letter dated August 4, 2020, with reference number GO/SS/POL/S/83, the governor approved the appointment. Meanwhile, the new appointment caused a controversy in the media.

    However, in a statement released by his senior special assistant on media Mukhtar Gidado on Saturday, Governor Bala said he appointed a special assistant on unmarried women affairs to address the needs of widows and divorcees in the state.

    The Bauchi State Governor who noted that the widows and divorcees constitute a significant segment of the state’s population, said the unending petitions by representatives of this group led to the appointment.

    The statement read; “The governor decided to establish a channel of communication whereby their plight can be addressed like those of other groups in the state.

    “After due consideration and in keeping with his campaign pledge not to leave anybody behind, the governor graciously acceded to their request hence the appointment of a special assistant on women affairs, with the specific responsibility of handling matters related to widows and divorcees, not “unmarried” women.

    “Unfortunately, while producing it, the word “unmarried” was inadvertently introduced into the letter. This is a clear mistake of the head; not of the heart which the Government sincerely regrets.

    “Governor Bala Mohammed is sincerely pained that this error could have caused the women of Bauchi state and elsewhere, considerable distress and embarrassment.

    “He has therefore directed that his personal apologies be conveyed to all women of Bauchi State, particularly the widows and divorcees whose interests he has vowed to protect and advance, always.

    “Finally, governor Bala Mohammed enjoins the good people of Bauchi state to put this matter behind us so that, together, we can sustain the achievements that have been recorded, so far, in diverse areas such as youth empowerment, infrastructural development, rehabilitation of schools and primary healthcare centres, amelioration of the plight of senior citizens and retirees and the harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature.”

  • Bauchi gov, Bala Mohammed says 150 deaths recorded in one month in Azare not from COVID-19

    Bauchi gov, Bala Mohammed says 150 deaths recorded in one month in Azare not from COVID-19

    Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Sunday said the 150 deaths witnessed in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government, in the last 30 days was not from COVID-19 as speculated in some quarters.

    The governor emphasized that the deaths were from hypertension and other related diseases.

    Although, he said the deaths were not linked to Coronavirus, he explained that Azare recorded 27 positive cases out of the 44 new cases announced for the state by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday night.

    As a result of this, Katagum, Giade and Zaki local government areas will be on lockdown from tomorrow.

    Deputy Governor Baba Tela has also been dispatched to Azare to supervise testing and the enforcement of the lockdown.

    Tela said the situation was being blown out of proportion.

    Recall that a former House of Representatives member Ibrahim Baba had over the weekend raised an alarm in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari of a “massive outbreak of coronavirus and deaths” in Azare.

    He said the town recorded over 100 COVID-19 deaths in one week alone, creating panic among residents.

    In a similar letter to the governor, the Deputy Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of the State Asset and Recovery Committee, Musa Azare, claimed that 301 fresh graves were dug at the Azare Cemetery in the “last 14 days.”

    Azare who posted the letter on his Facebook wall, said: “Information reaching me from Azare says that as at on Sunday there were 301 fresh graves in the Azare cemetery, dug in the last 14 days.”

    He claimed to have verified the information from multiple sources.

    But the governor told reporters at the Government House, in Bauchi, that about 150 had died so far in the last 30 days according to a report received from the committee set up to investigate the strange deaths.

    Mohammed said: “We have reviewed the rumour about Azare that it has become a morgue; it’s not true, we have gotten the statistics of the death in the last 30 days.

    “About 150 died in Azare, an average of about eight death per day and most of them we have found the causes to arising from hypertension, and other related diseases, it’s not true that people are falling and dying in Azare, even if that is the situation, we are moving there as a government.”

    He said the lockdown in Katagum and two other Local Government Areas, “is sequel to the massive deaths and community transmission of coronavirus which has risen.”

    The governor said: “Just yesterday (Saturday) some tests were returned for some areas, especially Azare and Giade and we discovered out of 44 new cases, 27 tested positive for coronavirus in Azare, about seven from Giade and other places. And we discovered that this is as a result of community transmission and there was a widespread rumour that Azare was becoming very bad in terms of hygiene.

    “As a result, we are thereby enforcing a total lockdown of Katagum, Giade and Zaki Local Government Areas for the period of 10 days to enable us enforce our contact tracing , quarantined the people suspected to have the virus and establish a robust and durable administration of managing the situation.

    “During the period, we will also spray and decontaminate the towns in the affected local government areas, we would embark on massive testing of residents , and we have already delegated about seven committees to be headed by the deputy governor to stay in Azare during the period of the lockdown to see that our aim is achieved. We are calling on the security agencies especially the military garrison in Azare to help us with the total lockdown.”

  • BREAKING: Bauchi governor tests negative for coronavirus

    BREAKING: Bauchi governor tests negative for coronavirus

    Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has tested negative for coronavirus.

    The governor, who had tested positive for the virus on March 24, said on Thursday evening via his Twitter handle that he now tests negative for the virus.

    He said he just received his second negative test result while appreciating those who supported him with prayers during the intervening period.

    He also appreciated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as religious leaders within and outside the state.

    He wrote, “Alhamdulillah. I just received the green light. My second test for #COVID19 returned negative. I thank you all for your prayers & support even while I was in isolation. Most importantly, all the praises & thanks be to Allah – the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. #GreaterBauchi

    “My gratitude also goes to our religious leaders within and outside the state for their constant prayers, also our meticulous Bauchi #COVIDー19 team and the NCDC.”

    See tweet;

  • Sick Bauchi Gov. shares regrets, says Coronavirus stopped him from serving his people

    Sick Bauchi Gov. shares regrets, says Coronavirus stopped him from serving his people

    Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed has regretted not been there to perform his duty, which is to serve the indigenes of the state due to his condition.

    He, however, assured he is sound, calm and in good spirit despite been infected with coronavirus.

    The governor tested positive to COVID-19 and has been on self-isolation, which will last for 14 days.

    A close friend of the governor, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, also tested positive for the deadly virus.

    But the Governor, who spoke through Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, in a statement in Bauchi, the state capital on Friday, assured he is strong, capable and equal to the tasks of governing the people.

    The statement reads ” His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has assured the good people of the state and his other well-wishers that he is sound, calm and in good spirit despite infection with COVID-19.

    ”Governor Bala Mohammed who only regretted that his condition will not allow him to serve his dear people at this critical time of need, said by Allah’s grace, the challenges are surmountable”

    It added: “By the grace God,we shall have the courage, strength and faith to overcome the all tribulations. Allah is the Greatest! He is Sufficient and Merciful. May these tests be the utmost expiation of our sins, limitations and inadequacies.

    ” InshaAllah we shall overcome. With humility and gratitude, I wish all the people of Bauchi and Nigeria Allah’s bountiful blessings,prosperity and protection from the scourge of sickness, insecurity and poverty.”

  • Bauchi Governor’s brother kidnapped

    Bauchi Governor’s brother kidnapped

    Adamu Mohammed Duguri, the elder brother of the Bauchi state Governor Bala Mohammed has just been confirmed kidnapped this evening.

    He was allegedly taken captive around 7:30 pm on Wednesday at Anguwar Jaki in Bauchi metropolis.

    The news came a day after the Governor was confirmed positive for Coronavirus.

    This is coming about few days after the governor went into self-isolation following his contact with a person that tested positive for coronavirus.

    The governor was later confirmed positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, confirmed the incident to Journalist on Wednesday night.

  • TNG EXCLUSIVE: Panic mode in Aso Villa as NCDC conducts massive tests on close contacts with Buhari’s CoS, Bauchi Governor

    TNG EXCLUSIVE: Panic mode in Aso Villa as NCDC conducts massive tests on close contacts with Buhari’s CoS, Bauchi Governor

    This might not be the best of time for some Ministers and Aso Villa officials as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched a mass tests for officials who might have come in close contact with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State who both tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that already President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who are both close to the CoS, have been tested and the results came out negative.

    Kyari, after Nigeria recorded the first coronavirus case on February 27 visited Germany and Egypt. In Germany, he and the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on March 9, met Siemens officials over the power deal signed with the company. However, Mamman also tested negative.

    TNG reports that some cabinet members, governors, visitors and other key Aso Villa staff who may have come in contact with either the infected CoS and/or the Bauchi governor are obviously living in fear over a possible infection. Some are already showing signs of the virus while some out of fear are imagining all kinds of symptoms.

    Meanwhile, some ministers, senior cabinet members and key Aso Rock officials have surrendered themselves for tests and the results are expected to be released in few hours time.

    According to reports, the CoS reportedly met with cabinet members, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State (represented President Muhammadu Buhari on a condolence visit to the governor after losing his mother), National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and a host of others.

    TNG reports that all the close aides of the Bauchi Governor have self-isolated and also tested. The Bauchi State Government House has also been reportedly shut down with the government directing staff to work from home.

    The coronavirus has been spreading like wildfire in the country with over 46 confirmed cases as at Wednesday morning with two discharged and one death so far recorded.

  • Coronavirus-infected Bauchi Governor: Dangote, ministers, governors at likely risk for COVID-19

    Coronavirus-infected Bauchi Governor: Dangote, ministers, governors at likely risk for COVID-19

    A review of the social media timeline of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed who tested positive to coronavirus, shows that he had physical contacts with billionaire, Aliko Dangote; met the director-general of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu and also attended the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, where he interacted with several governors.

    The aforesaid activities of the sick Bauchi governor have since raised concerns that those he had personal contacts with may likely be at risk for Covid-19.

    Recall that the governor took the test after it was announced that Mohammed Abubakar, son of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, had tested positive for the virus on Sunday, March 22.

    The governor also recently travelled to Germany, a high-risk country where he could have also contracted the virus.

    The governor had met Abubakar inside an Abuja-bound airplane in Lagos and reportedly shook his hand on March 17.

    Timeline of Bala Mohammed’s activity flow as it appears on his official handle, @SenBalaMohammed:

    He attended the National Economic Council meeting on March 19. The meeting regularly takes place at the Presidential Villa and comprises all 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other top government officials.

    After his return from Germany, the governor led a high-level delegation from Bauchi State to the office of the NCDC, led by its director-general, Chikwe Ihekweazu.

    The meeting was to discuss Bauchi’s preparedness and response to Lassa fever and other infectious diseases.

    He met with billionaire, Aliko Dangote

    According to reports, the meeting with Dangote was on March 17 in Lagos, but the photo was posted on governor Mohammed’s timeline on the 18th of March, 2020.

    The governor had similarly tweeted about his meeting on March 17 with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, but it’s unclear if that happened before his contact with Mohammed.

    The governor also launched an affordable housing project in Bauchi that was attended by scores of people on March 21.

    Governor Mohammed could have been infected in Germany

    While the governor is believed to have been infected through contact with Mohammed (Atiku’s son), he had visited Germany before the two met. Germany is a high-risk country that has recorded nearly 30,000 cases of coronavirus.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, recently tested positive for coronavirus after returning from the European country.

    During a meeting in Germany on March 13, the governor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Water is Right Foundation, led by its founder, Rolf Stahlhofen.

    The governor failed to adhere to the directive of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for returnees from high-risk countries to self-isolate themselves for 14 days to watch for possible symptoms and avoid infecting others unknowingly.

  • BREAKING: Bauchi Gov. test positive for Covid-19 after contact with Atiku’s son

    The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19).

    A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mukhtar Gidado said that out of the six test carried out by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control one was confirmed positive for covid-19.

    This comes a day after the governor took the test after he had contact with the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was confirmed to have been infected with the virus.

  • BREAKING: Bauchi Governor, aides in self-isolation after shaking hands with Atiku’s son

    BREAKING: Bauchi Governor, aides in self-isolation after shaking hands with Atiku’s son

    Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed is now in self-isolation over fears of contracting coronavirus after his contact with the son of Atiku Abubakar, the state’s Chief of Staff, Ladan Salihu said.

    Atiku made a public disclosure via Twitter on Sunday evening about his son testing positive to the pandemic.

    Reactions, mostly sympathies, have trailed the announcement since although the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, is yet to acknowledge the development.

    Through his Twitter handle this afternoon, Dr. Salihu explained that Governor Mohammed, alongside his entourage, met with the Vice President’s son while on flight from Lagos to Abuja.

    He added that they all have also taken test and are expecting the result as at the time of this report.

    The tweet reads:

    “Our Governor Bala Mohammed in self isolation following contact with Atiku Abubakar’s Son. Yes. We were on the same flight from Lagos to Abuja. They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. The Gov and the rest of us have taken tests. The results will be negative in sha Allah.”

    So far, NCDC has confirmed 36 cases of Coronavirus from Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, and Oyo states and one death.

  • Bauchi gov denies conceding defeat as INEC resumes collation of Tafawa Balewa results

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has resumed the collation of the contentious results of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State which were earlier cancelled.

    The collation, which is taking place at the INEC Headquarters, Bauchi instead of Zwall, the Tafawa Balewa LGA Collation Centre, will lead to the declaration of the winner of the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    Recall that the Federal High Court, Abuja had ordered that the results of the Local Government Area which were earlier cancelled by the state Returning Officer, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, be collated and announced.

    Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bauchi State, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the development.

    He said: “Right now in that room, they are submitting the regenerated or reconstructed results which were carted away, from the wards to the Local Government Collation Officer.

    “After that, the Local Government Collation Officer will come to the state Collation Officer, submit his report and after that, the State Collation Officer will round up, declare and return the winner.”

    According to him, the development is in conformity with Section 6 & 7 of the INEC guidelines for the 2019 general elections empowers a REC, in the case of any mutilation of results, to order the LG Collation Officer to the results using form EC8B pointing out that “I have already given them that permission.”