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Tag: el-rufai

  • ‘21,780 teachers failed primary four exams in Kaduna’ says Gov El-Rufai

    The Kaduna State government has disclosed that about 21,780 out of 33,000 teachers failed the primary four exams they set out to test their knowledge and competence.

    This was made known by the state Governor Nasir el-Rufai while announcing recruitment plans when he received a World Bank’s delegation in Kaduna yesterday.

    According to the governor, they are now looking for 25,000 new teachers in other to restore dignity and quality education to the state.

    “We tested our 33,000 primary school teachers, we gave them primary four examinations and required they must get at least 75 percent but I am sad to announce that 66 percent of them failed to get the requirements.

    “The hiring of teachers in the past was politicized and we intend to change that by bringing in young and qualified primary school teachers to restore the dignity of education in the state.’

    He said that teachers would be redeployed across the state to balance the issue of teacher-pupil ratio.

    “We have a challenge with the teacher-pupil ratio in the urban schools; there is concentration of teachers that are not needed. In some local government areas, it’s a teacher-pupil ratio of 1-9 while in some places it’s 1-100,” he said.

    The governor also that in a bid to improve the education sector, the school directors decided to enroll their children in public schools starting from this academic session.

    The World Bank representative, Dr. Kunle Adekola, also expressed appreciation to the state for stepping up to improve quality education in the state.

    “This state has demonstrated and supported us to achieve our goals,” he said.

    According to him, the Bank would invest N30 million in Rigasa Primary School, which has a population of about 22,000 pupils, as part of its support for the state.

  • El-Rufai commends Airtel for role in developing Primary Education

    Leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has commissioned Yahaya Hamza Primary School, one of its newly adopted schools in Zaria, Kaduna State, in line with its commitment of providing opportunities to underprivileged children.

    Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, commended the telco for its role in the development of primary education across the country, during the commissioning ceremony, which held yesterday (27/9/17) in Zaria, Kaduna.

    He thanked Airtel for adopting a school in the State and for its support to primary education in Nigeria.

    According to him, with Airtel’s intervention, the new Yahaya Hamza Primary School has been transformed – complete with 6 blocks, 12 classrooms, desk and chairs, teachers’ offices, white boards, borehole facilities and toilets for male and female students as well as teachers. Students, today, also got complete set of uniforms, bags and books.

    “I urge other stakeholders in corporate Nigeria to emulate Airtel by partnering with the Kaduna State government in supporting educational initiatives.”

    The governor also expressed delight at Airtel’s choice of Yahaya Hamza primary school, noting that it signifies the preservation of the legacies of a great man, a teacher, a role model, a leader and an inspiration, Yahaya Hamza.

    He also said that Airtel’s intervention is a gift that aligns with Kaduna State’s goal of developing primary, secondary and tertiary education.

    “The Kaduna State Government thanks Airtel for offering its widow mite and contributions in our quest to revamp education in the State,” he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, noted that good education is a human right, describing it as a ticket to prosperity since it creates a level field for everyone to succeed.

    He further noted that Airtel’s adoption of schools is not a one-year wonder but a continuing partnership.

    The CEO also used the occasion to request support for Sadiq Usman, a five year old boy whose eyes were removed by suspected ritualists last year.

    “It is tragic and heart-breaking to see an innocent, vulnerable child suffer and go through such excruciating pains. I and My colleagues were deeply moved by Sadiq’s situation and generously supported the call to provide relief.

    “Our support will not just end here, Sadiq is our adopted son and he will continue to be our priority and in our prayers. A child is a trust and every member of society has a responsibility towards children – this we must take seriously,” he said.

    Yahaya Hamza primary school in Zaria, Kaduna State joins the five other Airtel adopted primary schools spread across Nigeria, namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo; Iyeru Okin Primary School, Ilara-Mokin, Kwara and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State.

    The commissioning ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and Zaria City representative at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Kasim Iliyasu, among others.

  • Kaduna APC endorses Buhari, El-Rufai for 2019

    The All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State has endorsed the re-elections of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2019.

    The APC in the state made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting with party leaders from the 255 electoral wards of the state on Saturday.

    The meeting at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna was attended Governor El-Rufai, one of the two senators of the APC from the state, members of the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly, and political appointees at both federal and state levels.

    Shehu Sani, who has been in a protracted dispute with Mr. El-Rufai, stayed away from the meeting.‎ Mr. Sani, a vocal critic of Mr. El-Rufai, belongs to a separate faction of the APC in Kaduna.

    The state acting chairman of the party, Shuaibu Idris, who presided over the meeting, thanked those who attended for standing by the party to overcome threats to its unity in the state.

    Mr. Idris said party supremacy is a non-negotiable principle for members, warning that the party would sanction members adjudged to be working against its progress and unity.

    He said the leadership of the party would continue to operate an open-door policy and embrace members who accept its discipline and uphold the APC manifesto.

    At the meeting, Mr. El-Rufai took time to interact with party members and answer questions on government policies and actions.

    The governor thanked party leaders and members for their efforts and assured them that the state government remains committed to improving education, health and security, infrastructure, and agricultural development in in line with the APC mandate.

    He said the government would continue to implement policies to grow the state’s economy, attract investments and create jobs.
    The Governor appealed for unity in the party and apologized for any offense that any government or party official might have caused to any party member.

    Suleiman Hunkuyi, one of the senators, also charged members to close ranks and work hard for the unity of the party.
    He recommended that the party develop a road map that will guide it to consolidate its 2015 victory.

    He pledged his commitment to strengthening the party and promoting reconciliation.

  • The earlier oil dries up, the better for Nigeria – El-Rufai

    The earlier oil dries up, the better for Nigeria – El-Rufai

    The Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday in Ibadan said the discovery of oil in Nigeria is responsible for the brain drain in the country.

    Governor El-Rufai, who spoke at the 2017 Founder’s Day Celebration in memory of Prof Ojetunji Aboyade, which was organised by the Development Policy Centre, said because Nigeria got ‘easy money’ from oil, the nation lost its thinking initiative on how to develop other sources of revenue and diversify the economy.

    His statement reads, “Having suffered brain drain, how do we attract back our Diaspora and the brain-gain associated with it like the Chinese and Indians have witnessed?”

    “The earlier the oil dries up the better for our national ability to think, be innovative and respect intellect and academic achievement.

    “We get easy money, we do not collect taxes and our taxes are six per cent of Gross Domestic Product…We stopped respecting the intellectuals that we have in our universities because we got easy money.”
    El-Rufai said Nigeria lacked sustainable national planning policy capable of helping its development.

    “It is obvious that Nigeria is severely under-policed, and will require more personnel, intelligence assets, better training, technology and equipment for its security agencies for the country to be a credible guarantor of security.”

    “Even if these were to be available, it is also debatable whether a single centralised policing system, structure and staffing for 200 million citizens is viable in a diverse, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.”

    “How can we promote a national subscription to meritocracy? How can we ensure that the imperative of reflecting federal character does not become the enemy of merit and quality of appointments?”

  • Alhassan voted Atiku against Buhari during APC presidential primary – El-Rufai

    …says we warned Buhari not to appoint her minister

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has accused the embattled Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan of voting former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar against President Muhammadu Buhari in the then All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primaries held in the build up to the 2015 general elections.

    El-Rufai noted further that the leadership of the party warned President Buhari against appointing Alhassan as a minister because she has never hidden her loyalty to the former Vice President.

    The governor said this while speaking with State House Correspondents at the Villa on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that El-Rufai’s comment is coming in a reaction to a viral video where the minister was seen endorsing Atiku for President in the 2019 general elections.

    The governor, however, advised Nigerians not to be surprised or shocked at her outburst.

    El-Rufai noted that the decision lies on President Muhammadu Buhari to either retain or sack her as a member of his cabinet.

     

    Details later…

  • El-Rufai condemns attack on senators, journalists, orders immediate investigations

    El-Rufai condemns attack on senators, journalists, orders immediate investigations

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has condemned the attack on the two Senators (Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi) from the state and some journalists on Sunday by some thugs.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the violence occurred at the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Kaduna.

    The hoodlums had disrupted a press conference held by the two senators, Messrs Sani (Kaduna Central) and Hunkuyi (Kaduna North); and injured at least one journalist working for Liberty TV/Radio, in the violence that ensued.

    According to witnesses, including journalists, the hoodlums numbering over 100 were wielding dangerous weapons and overpowered police officers to unleash the violence.

    “Having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with the NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums,” said a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, Sunday afternoon.

    “The governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. The governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty.

    “The media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression,” added Aruwan.

    Sani had, in the wake of the violence, told newsmen that the hoodlums were sponsored by the Kaduna State Government. He said the press conference was planned to protest “manipulation of the party (APC in Kaduna)” by El-Rufai with whom he has been having running political battle since both officials came to their offices in 2015.

    Apart from Messrs. Sani and Hunkuyi, members of the House of Representatives, including Mohammed Soba and Mohammed Usman were also present at the press conference.

    Before the violence, Hunkuyi had told Journalists that they were sidelined in the election of the party’s delegates that held on Saturday.

    The elected delegates would represent the Kaduna APC during the non-elective national convention of the party

    Hunkuyi remarked that as stakeholders, they ought to be contacted and enabling environment provided for them to participate.

    “The list of the delegates were not known to us. The list was fake. So, we wrote two petitions to the national secretariat and zonal to buttress our grievances.

    “We hope the national body would look into our complaints and fix another date.”

    But the Kaduna APC, in its reaction by the publicity secretary, Salisu Wusono, said the election was “credible, free and fair.”

    The party insists on the suspension of Sani, an arrowhead of the bill to review the Nigerian Constitution to allow independent candidacy in elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that in his statement on Sunday, Aruwan did not respond to Sani’s specific allegations, but warned against political violence and attack on the press.

    “Politics should not be a desperate game. And desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen.

    “The government of Kaduna State will not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights,” said Aruwan.

    The Commissioner of Police for the State, while addressing Journalists, after the violence which ended only when he arrived, said the hoodlums would be arrested.

  • Buhari sad over Southern Kaduna killings – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said President Muhammadu Buhari is sad over the killings in the Southern area of the state.

    El-Rufai said the violence in Southern Kaduna was one of the topics discussed with the President when some APC leaders and governors including him visited Buhari on Sunday in London.

    El-Rufai said, “On Sunday, I was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London where we went to visit him. The President told me that he was sad when he read in the news that there were clashes in Kajuru.

    “So, the President has asked me to commiserate with you over the loss of lives and plead with you to forgive one another.”

    The governor promised that those involved in the killings will be brought to book.

    “I can assure you that, those behind the killings will be brought to book. The police commissioner has told me that, they have identified the perpetrators and we will ensure they are adequately punished,” he said.

    The renewed clashes between farmers and herders in Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna, reportedly claimed 37 lives while scores were said to have sustained varying degrees of injury.

  • Magu vs Senate: ‘Does El-Rufai now speak for presidency?’ PDP chieftain asks Osinbajo

    National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, has urged the Presidency to clarify decision on Ibrahim Magu’s status at Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Ogidi made the call on Friday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the clarification was important following a declaration credited to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo that Magu would continue to head the EFCC in spite of Senate’s rejection of his nomination, two times.

    Osinbajo had said that as long as the present administration remained in government, Magu would remain chairman of the commission.

    Also Read: El-Rufai desperate to be VP, his speech on ‘Magu’ not from Osinbajo – Presidency

    He was quoted making the declaration in Kaduna at the inauguration of the Zonal Office of the EFCC, where he was represented by the Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

    Ogidi, however, urged Nigerians to discountenance the statement, saying that it was believed to be El-Rufai’s and not that of the acting president or the presidency.

    “Was El-Rufai reading Osinbajo’s speech when he made the statement? We believe that the statement was for El-Rufai and he cannot speak for the presidency.

    “There is, therefore, the need for the presidency to clarify its stands or decision on the status of Magu; this will enable Nigerians to properly comment on the matter,’’ he said.

    The PDP stalwart also described the disagreement between the executive and legislative at the national level as “a reflection of the internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC)’’.

    According to him, it shows that the party was not prepared for power, and it is also another means being used to divert the attention of Nigerians from its lapses.

    Similarly, a civil servant in Abuja, Mr Uche Chinedu, said it was unfortunate that such government decision on Magu was brought to the public.

    Chinedu said that the presidency or APC should have looked for a better way to manage the situation.

    “No one expected the acting president to be blunt in the way his representative at the event conveyed it to the public.

    “Even if that is the position of the government, he should have remained silent on it and continue to manage the situations,’’ he said, adding that it was evidence that the APC government had a lot to learn.

    He, however, advised either the executive or the legislature to approach the court in finding a lasting solution to the matter.

    “If the Senate has rejected Magu’s nomination twice and the executive is still insisting that it must be him or no one else, I think the court should be the last resort.’’

  • El-Rufai desperate to be VP, his speech on ‘Magu’ not from Osinbajo – Presidency

    El-Rufai desperate to be VP, his speech on ‘Magu’ not from Osinbajo – Presidency

    The presidency has described the recent speech Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai credited to Vice President (VP), Osinbajo as one of his [El-Rufai] many plots to assume the duties of the VP.

    Recall that TheNewsguru.com had earlier reported that El-Rufai claimed Osinbajo said, “So long as Buhari remained Nigeria’ s President, Magu would continue to work as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    El-Rufai in the said speech added, “Mr. Chairman, two weeks ago, I discussed the EFCC and your appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and he told me he has every confidence in you and every confidence in the commission and the work that you have been doing, and as long as he is president you remain the chairman of the EFCC,’’ he said.

    El-Rufai also told the gathering that the Acting President was also solidly behind Magu.

    “Last night, I spoke with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who reconfirmed the position of the President and told me that as long as he remained the Acting President or Vice President, Ibrahim Magu would remain the chairman of the EFCC.

    According to a presidency source, TheNewsGuru.com gathered that El-Rrufai has not been granted audience by President Muhammadu Buhari ever since he wrote the controversial letter to PMB, which was calculated as an attempt to deceive unsuspecting supporters of President Buhari.

    When contacted about El-Rufai’s speech on Magu, which has thrown the executive and legislative arm at daggers drawn, our source said, “Yes, El-Rufai met with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo late evening July 5th in the company of the Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Odigie Oyegun.

    “When they met with Osinbajo two days ago, El-Rufai informed the Acting President that he will be launching a building he built for the EFCC in his state and at no time did Osinbajo delegated him to represent him or give a speech in his capacity.

    “That is why the Senior Special Assitant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande immediately debunked the rumor last night and I can reliably assure you there will be another statement to distant the presidency from El-Rufai who is doing everything to be Osinbajo’s VP should Buhari not make it back to Nigeria.” Our source disclosed

  • Friendship gone sour: Shehu blasts EFCC for inviting El-Rufai to event, leaves in anger

    Friendship gone sour: Shehu blasts EFCC for inviting El-Rufai to event, leaves in anger

    The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has staged a walk out of an event organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Kaduna to protest the invitation of Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the same event.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the event, which was held on Thursday (today) was the launching of the Kaduna Zonal Office of anti-graft agency.

    The EFCC had invited the two politicians, amongst other dignitaries to the launch of the new office at Wurno Road, Kaduna.

    However, Sani drove out of the venue to protest the invitation of Governor El-Rufai who has been his political arch-rival for a while now.

    Speaking with Premium Times, El-Rufai said his action was “in objection to the invitation of the Kaduna State Governor”.

    “I honoured the invitation to launch the zonal office of the EFCC and to participate in a stakeholders forum.

    “I don’t think someone invited in this event fits into the philosophy and principles of the EFCC.

    “I don’t know how the EFCC can squarely investigate corruption cases in Kaduna with some of this characters cutting the tape of their new abode,” Mr. Sani said.

    Efforts by people at the gate to convince the Senator to return to the event were unsuccessful.

    Other dignitaries who attended the event are the Senator representing Kaduna North, Sulaiman Hunkuyi, immediate past governor of the state, Ramalan Yero, the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and the representative of Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau, among others.