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Tag: el-rufai

  • Kaduna State government receives over 100 pieces of luggage, others belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train

    Kaduna State government receives over 100 pieces of luggage, others belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train

    Over 100 pieces of luggage, valuables, gadgets and personal effects belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train were on Friday received by the Kaduna State government.

     

    This was disclosed by the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement.

     

    Bandits had attacked 362 Kaduna – Abuja train passengers, killed eight persons and wounded 26 others while scores of passengers were unaccounted for.

     

    In a statement, Aruwan said “The Kaduna State Government has received luggage, valuables and other belongings of some passengers who were on the Abuja-Kaduna train AK9 which was attacked by terrorists on 28th March. ”

     

    The items were handed over to the Kaduna State Government by the military authorities, who had gathered the items from within and around the train during search operations after the attack.

     

    He said governor Nasir El-Rufa’i expressed his thanks to the Military authorities and commended them for their careful handling and documentation of the item.

     

    ” These items included; over 100 pieces of luggage, valuables, gadgets and personal effects,” he posited.

     

    According to the statement, nine persons had already collected their items after presenting proof at the point of recovery by the military.

     

    He said the remaining belongings, received with a detailed inventory, will be carefully stored.

     

    “A system for the receipt of claims will be communicated to the public subsequently,” he asserted.

  • El-Rufai accuses communities of shielding criminals

    El-Rufai accuses communities of shielding criminals

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has accused communities of shielding criminals living amongst them.

     

    El-Rufai made the accusation on Wednesday when he visited the Chief of Kagoro, Mr Ufuwai Bonet, at his palace in Kaura Local Government Area, to condole with him over the recent attack in the area.

     

    In his words: “There are criminals in every ethnic group and in every religion.

     

    “If we want to end this kind of problem (insecurity), we must be ready to give up those we suspect to be criminals even if they are our sons and daughter.”

     

    He stressed that peace can only be achieved if communities respect constituted authorities and report suspects to the security agencies.

     

    “This is the only way we can live in peace,’’ he said.

     

    El-Rufai tasked the traditional rulers to do more by living up to their responsibility in providing leadership.

     

    “The situation in which youths have taken over leadership of communities is unacceptable.

     

    “If the traditional institutions and other officials cannot provide leadership, we might as well dissolve them and hand over leadership to the youths if that is what will bring peace.

     

    “I want to appeal to you all to rise up to your leadership roles and let us know those behind these crimes so we can deal with them,’’ he asserted.

     

    The governor promised that the state government would take care of those displaced by the attack and return them to their communities.

     

    In his remarks, Bonet, thanked the State Government for its concern since the latest attack occurred and called for an end to the wanton destruction of lives and property.

     

    The traditional ruler commended the security agencies for their vigilance and sacrifices towards restoring peace in his domain.

     

    Kaduna state government has confirmed 34 persons were killed and over 200 houses razed in an attack on the Agban community in Kaura LGA on March 20.

  • VP Osinbajo in Kaduna, to visit victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    VP Osinbajo in Kaduna, to visit victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, was received at Kaduna Airport by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as he is to visit victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack in Kaduna.

     

    It was gathered that the victims of the attacks are at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital and Saint Gerald’s Catholic hospital in the Kaduna state capital.

     

    His spokesman, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo, who was already on his way to Lagos for the 13th colloquium in commemoration of the 70th birthday of All Progressives Congress stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made a detour to Kaduna on Tuesday afternoon after receiving the disturbing report of terrorists attack.

     

    Akande tweeted: “On his way to Lagos for the 13th Tinubu Colloquium marking former Lagos State Gov’s 70th birthday, VP had to detour to Kaduna this afternoon on receiving news of the extent of human & material losses occasioned by yesterday’s dastardly attack on the Abuja-Kaduna railway route.”

  • Kaduna Governor, El Rufai, declares 24hrs curfew in 2 LGAs

    Kaduna Governor, El Rufai, declares 24hrs curfew in 2 LGAs

    Following attack on Southern Kaduna communities by gunmen attack on Sunday night, Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared a 24-hour curfew in Jema’a and Kaura local government areas.

     

    The attack in Kaura alone saw no fewer than 15 persons killed.

     

    A source from Kaura reported the gunmen on Sunday night attacked Agban Kagoro, Kaura local government area of Kaduna state and killed about 15 people.

     

    The number of people injured and houses razed could not be ascertained.

     

    “I was able to count and get about 15 people killed. There is the likelihood that there are those killed in their houses. Others could have died in the buses as a result of gun wounds they sustained,” the source said.

     

    He added that he could not get the number of those injured and the houses burnt by the attackers. He said the destruction made was so terrifying.

  • We’ll give equal opportunity to women in Kaduna- El-Rufai

    We’ll give equal opportunity to women in Kaduna- El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said his led government would continue to give equal opportunity to women, saying that it had key women commissioners.

     

    The governor said he is hopeful of the possibility of a woman emerging as the Executive Governor of the state considering their numerical strength.

     

    Fielding questions from journalists in Kaduduna on Tuesday, he said there was a ‘50 percent’ chance of a woman emerging the next governor because women accounted for half the population of the state.

    The governor, whose deputy is a female, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said the state government would continue to give equal opportunity to women, noting that it had key women commissioners.

    He said, “You cannot ignore half of your population; it’s like clapping with one hand; 50 percent of our women and young people make up the state.
    

    “We always feel that giving women the same opportunities will make them perform well, even better than men.

    “We have tried to identify competent women and give them an opportunity to show they can do better, and they have not failed us; they are giving us their contributions in Kaduna State.

    “We think the rest of the country should take note and give more women and young people the opportunity because that is what will move the country forward.

    “I might have my preferences but my wish always is for the people of Kaduna to join me in praying that we get a successor who will take the state to the next level.”

  • El-Rufai gives hint on female governor possibility in Kaduna

    El-Rufai gives hint on female governor possibility in Kaduna

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State says he is hopeful of the possibility of a woman emerging the Executive Governor of the state considering their numerical strength.

    Fielding questions from journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday, he said there was ‘50 per cent’ chance of a woman emerging as the next governor because women accounted for half the population of the state.

    The governor, whose deputy is a female, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said the state government would continue to give equal opportunity to women, noting that it had key women commissioners.

    “You cannot ignore half of your population; its like clapping with one hand; 50 per cent of our women and young people make up the state.

    “We always feel that giving women the same opportunities will make them to perform well, even better than men.

    “We have tried to identify competent women and give them opportunity to show they can do better, and they have not failed us; they are giving us their contributions in Kaduna state

    “We think the rest of the country should take note and give more women and young people, the opportunity, because that is what will move the country forward,’” he said.

    The governor said that the state was hopeful of getting the best candidate that would continue the good work of his administration.

    “I might have my preferences but my wish always is for the people of Kaduna to join me in praying that we get a successor who will take the state to the next level.

    “We pray that God chooses for Kaduna state, the best man or woman that will improve the quality of life of citizens, correct some of my mistakes, and move the state forward “he said.

  • Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai pledges to support any Southern presidential candidate

    Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai pledges to support any Southern presidential candidate

    The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Thursday in Abuja has said he is not nursing any ambitions in the 2023 elections.

    He also stated that he would support any candidate who emerged from his party’s zoning structure, even if the candidate was from the South.

    El-Rufai said this during the weekly ministerial press briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    Fielding questions from State House Correspondents, he said, “I have zero ambitions. I just want

    to finish this job, get on with my private life, write another book, and make tons of money. The largest amount of money I ever got in my life was from writing Accidental Public Servant.

    “I have no ambition; I’ve never had any ambition. And if I die today, I am quite accomplished and happy because I never in my life, based on my humble background, ever thought I would even

    enter this building ever in my life; how?

    “God has been very kind to me. And my outings in public service have all been satisfactory? Why push my luck and go for a job with a 90 per cent chance of failure? So I’m not an ambitious person. I’m just a person that gets things done when given the opportunity. I’ve never desired to run even for this governorship.

    “It was President Buhari that literally forced me to run. He insisted that some of us run for governorship just in case he did not get elected again. He felt that you know, we needed some ‘strong governance’. Those were the words he used. So I have no aspirations.”

    Asked if he would support a South-West candidate, the former FCT Minister said, “I will support any APC candidate if I’m satisfied he will do the best for Nigeria. It doesn’t matter whether he’s from southwest, southeast or south-south; APC is what matters and the quality of the person.

    “The discussion we are having is that the Presidency is zoned to the South. It’s not zoned to any particular place in the South. The South will have the first go at it. But we’re waiting to see who the aspirants are.”

  • Why Lagosians should get free pass to heaven – El-Rufai

    Why Lagosians should get free pass to heaven – El-Rufai

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has shared the opinion of people residing in Lagos should be given a free pass to heaven due to traffic congestion in the commercial city.

    The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said this on Thursday while explaining the rationale for introducing the four-day working week in Kaduna.

    “When people rest more, they are more productive when they come on Monday. They do much more work. Most people are tired on Thursdays anyway; let’s be realistic,” he said during a ministerial briefing in Abuja.

    “I don’t know how people in Lagos survive. Every day, four hours in traffic for five days. I don’t know if Saturdays and Sundays are enough for them to rest.

    “That is why I feel that all those that have lived in Lagos for 20 years should just go straight to heaven because they have already lived in hell. Honestly, they have paid their dues so they should just be given free pass.”

    While explaining further about the benefits of the four-day working week, El-Rufai said: “The benefits are that people rest more; they have more family time; they have more leisure time and they spend more money. It is better for the economy”.

    On how the state government has implemented it, the governor said schools were the easiest. According to him, since schools initially had classes up to 12pm on Fridays – which is only four hours – one more hour was added to the other days of the week.

    “The health sector was the easiest because the health sector always operates a shift system — 36 hours a week. Where we have challenges is with the private sector because of over-time. Now, if you work on Fridays, it is extra pay because it is overtime,” El-Rufai said during the event organised by the presidential media team.

    “We have not imposed it on the private sector yet. We are discussing with them to have a transition period of two to three years, but certainly, in the public sector, we have resolved all the issues. We are drafting the regulations to gazette them.”

  • Buhari salutes El-Rufai after inauguration of projects in Zaria

    Buhari salutes El-Rufai after inauguration of projects in Zaria

    President Muhammadu Buhari has continued the inauguration of projects executed by the Kaduna State Government, with stops at Zaria, heaping encomiums on Gov. Nasir El-Rufai.

    Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli, the president noted that within the context of scarce resources and prevailing economic reality, the Kaduna State Government has done well for the people.

    ‘‘I am pleased to be associated with your successes and initiatives.

    ‘‘As they say in Hausa ‘Gani ya Kori ji’ (seeing is believing),’’ he said.

    The president, who is on a four-day official visit to the state, had on Thursday inaugurated projects in Kafanchan and Kaduna metropolis of the state.

    On Friday in Zaria, the northern senatorial district of Kaduna, the president inaugurated the remodelled Sabon Gari market with 3,400 shops; the Circular road with two spurs on River road and Kufena road; and the Queen Elizabeth Way.

    At the Sabon-Gari market, Buhari appreciated the governor for rebuilding one of the oldest markets in the state and paying compensation of over N300 million to traders.

    Inaugurating the market, the president jocularly said he would consider opening a consultancy service in the market, where a ‘‘Presidential Block’’ is named after him.

    In his remarks, El-Rufai recalled that in August 2019, the president was in Zaria to inaugurate Phase 2 of the Zaria water project, providing a basic amenity that was not available for residents of Zaria for over 30 years.

    ‘‘Our state is an agricultural State and this Emirate is associated with farming. We know Mr President’s passion for agriculture and we are grateful you appointed a son of the state to head the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    ‘‘We look forward to more agricultural interventions in the state,’’ the governor said.

    He pledged that the people of Kaduna and their elected representatives would continue to stand by the principles and values associated with the president, including honesty, integrity and commitment to public service.

    Responding, Bamalli thanked the president for the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health in providing a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Ahamdu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, in line with the desire of the people of Zazzau.

    ‘‘Today our people don’t have to travel to Kano, Sokoto or Abuja for medical screening with MRI machine,’’ he said.

    The traditional ruler also commended El-Rufai for the Urban Renewal Projects embarked upon by his administration, acknowledging that the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace which has been in existence for centuries, was a major beneficiary of the projects.

    ‘‘We will be grateful if Mr President will thank and bless our Governor for the gigantic legacy project ongoing in the Palace.

    “Equally, Zaria people have benefitted in other areas like road construction and bridges which have expanded road networks as well as decongested traffic significantly,’’ he said.

    On security, the Emir acknowledged efforts of the government, and solicited for more intervention by the federal government in safeguarding the area.

    According to him, Zaria emirate is a gateway to all the states in the North West and neighbouring Niger Republic.

  • IPOB asks El-Rufai to swear over Southern Kaduna killings

    IPOB asks El-Rufai to swear over Southern Kaduna killings

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Wednesday, asked Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State to swear he knows nothing about the election ethnic cleansing of non-Fulani communities in Southern Kaduna.

    IPOB said no amount of cover-up would exonerate him from the genocide in Southern Kaduna.

    The separatist group made the remark while berating El-Rufai for comparing IPOB with terrorist organization.

    A statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, reads: “We are the global movement and family of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Our attention has been drawn to the laughable and shameful statement the midget of Kaduna State, Alhaji El’ Rufai where he compared the peaceful IPOB global movement with Fulani terrorists and bandits rampaging Southern Kaduna.

    “It is not only provocative but a mischievous display of ignorance for El’ Rufai to compare freedom seekers with blood thirsty terrorists. El Rufai should stop playing to the gallery. No amount of cover-ups can exonerate him from the ongoing genocide in Southern Kaduna by Fulani bandits.

    “He should cover his head in shame for admitting that he is paying the mass murderers in Kaduna State. He should know that he has a date at the ICC.”

    IPOB dared El-Rufai to name one terror it has committed.

    “We challenge him to mention any act of terror commited by IPOB. Our only crime against El Rufai and his fellow mass murderers is that we refused to allow FULANI bandits any breeding ground in Biafra land.

    “Malam El-Rufai should swear by Allah that he knows nothing about the ongoing ethnic cleansing of non Fulani communities in Southern Kaduna and re-naming of their towns to Fulani communities,” the group added.