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Tag: el-rufai

  • Obasanjo not Jonathan initiated Kaduna rail – El-Rufai tells Bruce

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State said on Friday that Senator Ben Murray Bruce (Bayelsa East) was wrong to claim that the Kaduna rail system was initiated by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and El-Rufai had jointly taken a train ride in Kaduna on Thursday, with Bruce teasing the President to thank ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the ride.

    The train took Buhari and El-Rufai from Rigasa to Kakuri on the outskirts of Kaduna to enable the president to inaugurate the country’s first Inland Dry Port.

    Bruce, writing on his Twitter handle on Thursday said the rail system was “entirely” Jonathan’s achievement.

    “I hope President @MBuhari remembers to say thank you to former President @GEJonathan for the train ride he enjoyed in Kaduna. Some of us haven’t forgotten that that achievement was ENTIRELY the handiwork of the Jonathan government. Nigeria should give honour to whom honour is due

    — Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) January 4, 2018”

    The governor’s response, also on Twitter, was swift in coming.

    He said: “Wrong distinguished senator! The Obasanjo administration which Jonathan was not part of, designed, raised the financing and started the EPC of the Lagos-Kano dual track-standard gauge rail system, and the Abuja Light Rail.

    “Yar’Adua-Jonathan stalled both projects for two years!” he wrote on Twitter.

  • Dogara, Tambuwal, El-Rufai, Atiku, others mourn Lawal Kaita

    Dogara, Tambuwal, El-Rufai, Atiku, others mourn Lawal Kaita

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has expressed sadness over the demise of second republic Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita who died at the age of 85.

    In a statement, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker described the late elder statesman as a man of outstanding character and a committed Democrat, who devoted his life to working for the development of democracy in Nigeria.

    While noting the exploits and positive contributions of the late Alhaji Kaita as a member of Constituent Assembly that midwifed Nigeria’s Constitution and Governor of old Kaduna State, Dogara said he will continue to be remembered for his selfless service, patriotism and abiding faith in the unity and progress of the country.

    ” Alhaji Lawal Kaita was a very courageous man who left a legacy of service and built bridges of friendship and unity across the north and the country in general”.

    “He will continue to be honoured and remembered by present and future generations for his dedication to the service of his people during his tenure as a Governor and even after”.

    ” Painful as his death is, we are however consoled with the fact that Alhaji Kaita left an indelible footprint and legacy of service to the society as well as commitment to the ideals of democracy and nationhood “.

    While condoling with the bereaved family, the government and people of Katsina state, Speaker Dogara prayed God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has also condoled with the government and people of Kaduna State over the passing of Kaita.

    In a statement issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam, the governor said Mr. Kaita made invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

    “He was an acclaimed pacesetter who, along with other patriotic Nigerians of his generation, fought for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria at the turn of the century. His life is an example in dedication and commitment to democratic norms and values.

    “Nigeria will remember the deceased as a man who gave his best years towards the development of multi-party politics. His contributions have enriched governance process at state and federal levels,” he added.

    While praying to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss, Mr. Tambuwal appealed to both the Kaduna and Katsina state governments to immortalise the deceased for the benefit of future generation.

    Similarly, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, described the late Mr. Kaita, as a fearless democrat whose immense contribution to Nigeria’s democratic struggles would be etched in brass.

    Reacting to the demise of Kaita at 85, the former vice president said Mr. Kaita, who was his political associate, was a man of remarkable virtues who inspired whoever interacted with him.

    According to Mr. Abubakar, few Nigerian politicians have the courage to disagree with the people in power in order to sustain political patronage for survival.

    He explained that the late Mr. Kaita was never afraid to speak his mind in pursuit of his principles, including his insistence that political parties must respect internal democracy in order to be credible.

    He noted that the late Mr. Kaita had left an unblemished public service record because politicians of his generation were motivated by the passion for service.

    He recalled that his close association with Mr. Kaita was a beneficial experience because he was a man of vast knowledge of politics and intricacies.

    President Muhammad Buhari had earlier expressed his condolence in a similar message.

    In his reaction, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai described Mr. Kaita as “a quintessential leader and patriot”.

    Mr. El-Rufai in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said the deceased had exhibited courage in leadership and patriotism in all his political engagements during his life time.

    “Alhaji Lawal Kaita was a quintessential and courageous leader who served the old Kaduna State with dedication and commitment in the course of his leadership in 1983.

    “As an elected governor of the old Kaduna State, he contributed immensely to the development, unity and progress of the old Kaduna state.

    “Alhaji Kaita was a patriot and a role model for present and future leaders.’’

    Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it received the news of the death of Mr. Kaita, one of its foundation members, with shock; adding that the deceased was a bridge-builder.

    “Nigeria has lost one of its illustrious elder statesmen, a bridge builder and democrat.

    “Late Kaita will be remembered for his humility, commitment to national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

    “May Allah grant his soul eternal peace in Aljanna Firdaus,’’ the ACF said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim.

     

  • Gov El-Rufai releases 10 prisoners

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has granted clemency to 10 prisoners in the state and approved their immediate release.

    The Governor also granted pardon to Captain Idris Mohammed, a retired soldier and ex-convict, who completed his prison term in 1985.

    El-Rufa’i in a statement said the gesture was to extend compassion to deserving prisoners during New Year.

    It said that the governor’s action was based on the recommendations of the Kaduna State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in line with the provisions of Section 212 of the Constitution.

    The 10 prisoners were serving jail terms ranging from three to six years, with less than six months left to complete their terms.

    Those granted pardoned for their good behavior are Habibu Iliyasu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Auwalu, Abubakar Abdullahi and Shehu Usman.

    Others were, Ibrahim Stephen, Saidu Idris, Ashimu Danmutuwa, Kabiru Mohammed and Aliyu Yusuf.

    El-Rufai said the pardon granted Capt. Mohammed to remove the stigma of being an ex-convict.

  • I will enroll my six-year-old son in public school – El-Rufai

    …says other senior government officials in the state must follow suit

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said his administration will ensure that senior officials of government enrol their children in government owned schools across the state in 2018 to further improve the quality of education in the state.

    The governor explained that he will lead by example by ensuring that his six-year-old son is enrolled in a government school when the school reopens later in January.

    El-Rufai revealed his plan in a state broadcast on Thursday to explain reforms being undertaken by the state government.

    Speaking on his plans, Mr. El-Rufai said, “As we make progress, we will require our senior officials to enrol their children in public schools. And I will by personal example ensure that my son that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace.

    He said one of his goals is to have only graduates as primary school teachers, arguing that the educational attainments of a country like Finland shows that this is the way to go.

    “We do not agree that we should restore Grade 2 teacher training. But we must improve the intellectual capacity of teachers that the NCE should give way ultimately to first and second degrees as minimum teaching qualifications. Kaduna ranks first among the northern states, and 12th in the country overall in WAEC scores. We can be the best if we do not relent in reforming our schools,” Mr. El-Rufai said.

    He said public schools in Nigeria lack facilities and good teachers.

    “We said many schools did not have roofs, doors, windows, water and toilets, and we promised to fix it. As soon as we took office, we also sadly learnt that at least 50 per cent of school pupils sat on floors due to the absence of desks and chairs. Therefore, under no circumstance would we subjugate the future of the two million pupils in public primary schools, and those coming after them, to the interests of unqualified teachers,” he said.

    He said the attitude of indifference to public education resulted in the recruitment of teachers at local government level without adherence to standards.

    “We found that unqualified teachers entered the system because the recruitment of teachers was politicised. The local government council chairmen and other senior politicians and bureaucrats saw teaching as a dumping ground for their thugs, supporters and other unsuitable persons. In many instances, no examinations or interviews were conducted to assess the quality of recruits. Political patronage, nepotism and corruption became the yardstick, thus giving unqualified persons a way in,” he said.

    Mr. El-Rufai said the current government has spent more than N625 million on training since 2015 noting that thousands of teachers were trained in literacy, numeracy, reading skills and in other subjects of the teaching profession.

    “The competency test results clearly showed that the training programmes had recorded, at best, only limited impact. The results of the competency test profoundly disappointed us. It showed that much of the monies spent on training teachers since 2011 had been wasted,” he said.

    He said the competency test revealed that many of the teachers do not have the basic knowledge, and are incapable of imparting what they do not have.

    “The honest truth is that many of these teachers should themselves be adult education students, being taught basic literacy and numeracy. The government came to the conclusion that it is not further training that teachers who cannot score 75 per cent in a Primary Four exam require. In these circumstances, the government took the difficult, but necessary decision, to disengage all the teachers who did not meet the 75 per cent threshold. This has been done in accordance with the terms of their employment, and their entitlements will be payed, as appropriate,” he said.

    He said that in place of the 22,000 teachers disengaged by government due to failure in the competency test, 25,000 qualified teachers are to be recruited.

    “This week, SUBEB conducted tests for the over 43,000 applicants that have indicated interest in the teaching positions. The ongoing recruitment process will sieve these applicants to ensure that only bonafide teachers are recruited.

    “Education is a leveller, it gives the children of the poor a chance to rise above the condition of their birth. And a nation of well-educated people offers immense opportunities for social mobility, enabling the poor to move out of poverty by the sheer force of talent and hard work,” he concluded.

  • News Hour: Show proves that you funded Buhari’s campaign in 2015, el-Rufai tells Atiku I TNGtv

  • Show proves that you funded Buhari’s campaign in 2015, El-Rufai tells Atiku

    Show proves that you funded Buhari’s campaign in 2015, El-Rufai tells Atiku

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to show proves he (Atiku) bankrolled President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in 2015.

    El-Rufai spoke on a Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service Programme, “Democracy Today”, which was monitored in Kaduna.

    The former VP and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has also plans to run for president, were also featured on the programme.

    When asked about his intention to run in 2019, Atiku simply said he had not made up his mind. “When I decide, I will let the world know,” he said.

    Lamido said PDP was happy to have Atiku back, but his return would not threaten his ambition.

    “We are happy that former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is back to PDP. PDP made him and that he is back to the party is our joy. Not only him, in fact, we want others who left the party like Senate President Bukola Saraki and former governors to come back

    “If our interest is to see the progress and development of Nigeria, then, we should also pray that everyone who left should return home.”

    El-Rufai said: “We in the APC were aware from the outset that Atiku was going to leave the APC back to the PDP in December and we thank God that he left in November.

    “Atiku had seen that we in the APC, especially the APC governors, had resolved to support President Muhammadu Buhari to run again in 2019. That is why he left APC since he was only looking for where to contest for president.

    “Even in the 2015 APC primary election, Atiku didn’t come second; he was floored by Kwankwaso. So, even if President Buhari decides not to contest, Atiku knows that the APC ticket is not sure for him. Majority of the APC governors have endorsed President Buhari as our candidate for 2019.

    “And God has continued to improve the health condition of the President. Each time I see him, I thank God and I still pray that God continues to give him sound health.

    “So, by 2019, we are waiting to see Atiku contest; we are waiting to contest against him and see what happens. I cannot lose sleep because Atiku wants to contest because, by God’s grace, this is the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Agreed, in politics if you lose even only one person, it should worry you, but the utterances of the former Vice President that APC used his money who did he give the money to? For me, I know those that supported us with their money and property that we used during election, and I never heard the name of Atiku that he brought a dime. If Atiku said he brought money, who did he give it to? Let him come and say it and how much did he give and what was it used for?

    “And, in fact, if Atiku brought money, I ought to know, because I was part of the leadership of the party and during campaign, along with former Governor Rotimi Amaechi. We were at the centre of the presidential campaign. Therefore, we are supposed to know. So, let him mention who he gave the money and how much?

    “Asked about a large number of APC members who are likely to follow Atiku to PDP, El-Rufai said: “Sure, we know that, we cannot rule out the possibility of some greedy people following him; those that are following material things. But, if people will consider how we can work for the progress of our country, everybody knows that you cannot compare Atiku with President Muhammadu Buhari,” El-Rufai said.

  • El-Rufai mourns ex-SGF Idris, says deceased served Nigeria well

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday described late Alhaji Gidado Idris as a distinguished elder statesman.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris, 82 and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), died in Abuja on Friday.

    In a message of condolence to the family of the former SGF, the governor said that Idris served Nigeria well.

    Idris, who hailed from Zaria in Kaduna state, was appointed SGF in 1993 and he retired in 1999 after a civil service career that started before Nigeria’s independence.

    “Alhaji Idris was a dedicated public servant who provided decades of distinguished service to this country. He was a father to us, widely admired for his humility and discipline.

    “I personally benefitted from his humility, wisdom and foresight, when I served as a presidential advisor in the Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee from 1998 to 1999.

    “May Almighty Allah grant his soul Aljannah Firdausi, and his family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

    El-Rufai’s condolence message was signed by Samuel Aruwan, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity.

     

    NAN

  • Court stops sack of over 20,000 Kaduna teachers

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Kaduna division, on Thursday, stopped the planned sack of 21,780 primary school teachers who failed a competency test organised by the state government.

    The lawyer representing the teachers, Samuel Atum, had on October 30 filed a motion of “interlocutory injunction”, asking the court to restrain the government from dismissing or disengaging any teacher on the basis of the test conducted in June 2017.

    Justice Lawal Mani granted the application pending the determination of the substantive suit. The case was adjourned to February 6th, 2018.

    The hearing on Thursday was attended by hundreds of teachers and labour leaders.

    The lawyer, Mr. Atum, praised the court for “graciously” giving the order.

    “This is democracy and the premise of democracy is the rule of law, so we expect nothing more than absolute submission by the state government to comply with the order of the court,” he told journalists. “I have confidence that the government will comply or obey this order.”

    Lawyers representing the State Attorney General and the State Government, as well as Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, declined comments.

  • El-Rufai vows to disobey court’s order to pay Maikori N40m

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said he would not stop the “criminal trial” of the Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori, despite the award of N40million in damages against him and the Nigeria Police by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    El-Rufai, speaking through his spokesperson Samuel Aruwan, said the judgement would be appealed, insisting that neither him nor the police had erred in the arrest and detention of the music entrepreneur.

    “The state government can file complaints, but it is the business of the police to make arrests following the normal procedures.

    “Our lawyers will study the judgement and take the appropriate steps. We will appeal up to the Supreme Court if necessary,” he said.

    Justice John Tsoho in his ruling on Friday, said Maikori’s rights had been violated.

    He pointed out that his judgement has no bearing nor does it interfere with the ongoing trial of Maikori in Kaduna.

    Tsoho also ruled that the police could justifiably arrest suspects for allegedly violating the law and order on the cyberspace.

    However, in the case of Maikori, the law enforcement agency erred. He held that “the arrest was improper, irregular and wrongful.

    He pointed out that the police did not register the arrest warrant with any court of competent jurisdiction in Lagos before making the arrest.

  • BREAKING: ‘Gov El-Rufai, police to pay Choc City boss, Audu Maikori N40m over unlawful arrest’

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered Kaduna State Governor, El-fai to pay the sum of N40m to the President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, as compensation for his unlawful arrest.

    Maikori according to the ruling was said to have been unlawfully detained between February 17 and 18, 2017 and again March 10 and 13, 2017.

    Delivering judgement on the suit filed by Maikori on May 5, 2017, Justice John Tsoho ordered the four respondents including, Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, and the police to pay the damages to the applicant.

    The judge however noted that his judgement was not meant to interfere with the ongoing trial of Makori in Kaduna.

    He also ruled that the police could justifiably arrest suspects for allegedly violating the law and order on the cyberspace.

    The respondents to the suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, the Governor of Kaduna State and the Attorney-General of Kaduna State.

    Maikori was arrested on allegations of posting “inciting” tweets alleging the killing of some Southern Kaduna students by Fulani herdsmen.

    The details of the tweets later turned out to be false, but Maikori claimed he obtained the information from his driver.

    He later expressed regret over the posts and retracted them.

    The police subsequently obtained an order of arrest from a Magistrates’ court in Kaduna, arrested him in Lagos on February 17, flew him to Abuja where they detained him and released him on bail on February 18.

    Justice Tsoho granted 14 out of the 25 prayers sought by the applicant.

    The judge held that Maikori’s arrest in Lagos was unlawful. The police failed to register the arrest warrant obtained from a magistrates’ court in Kaduna in any court in Lagos where it effected the arrest.

    He ruled, “The arrest was improper, irregular and wrongful.

    “By necessary implication, the arrest was unlawful despite being released after 24 hours.”

    The court also agreed with the submissions of Maikori’s lawyer, Miss Gloria Ballason, that the applicant was arrested and detained between March 10 and 13 even when the police was aware of his health challenge, thereby violating his right to life and dignity.