TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna State

  • Kaduna Govt fixes date for entrance examination

    Kaduna Govt fixes date for entrance examination

    Entrance examination into secondary schools in Kaduna State will hold on Nov. 7.

    Primary schools in the state will resume for a new session on Nov. 8, while secondary schools will resume on Nov. 9 after they were locked as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Commissioner for Education, Shehu Muhammad, said in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday that tertiary institutions in the state resumed on Monday.

    Muhammad said the secondary schools entrance examination would be jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Schools Quality Assurance Authority.

    He said candidates would be required to present their passport photographs and birth certificates before writing the examination.

    “As was initially done in the earlier phase of resumption, administrators of public and private schools must continue to comply with all COVID-19 safety protocols which include daily temperature checks; compulsory wearing of face masks and provision of hand washing facilities,’’ he stated.

    He added that the use of hand sanitisers and the observation of other safety protocols as listed by the state’s COVID-19 task force, including the running of two streams in the schools, must be adhered to.

    “Schools must enable compliance with these guidelines to ensure that class sizes are not more than 20 students in a class with 1.5 metres to 2 metres physical distancing,’’ he added.

    Muhammad said also that schools Covid19 teams already put in place would monitor compliance with the aforementioned guidelines.

    He said the request by some proprietors of private schools for medical certificates and test results against some diseases from their students were unnecessary and uncalled for and advised parents to disregard the demands and report such proprietors accordingly.

    “The ministry is assuring the public that it will continue the e-learning programme using radio and television stations, Google classrooms and other online applications until normalcy is returned to the academic environment,’’ he stated.

    “We will also continue seeking support from proprietors of private schools, Old Students Associations, security teams and the media for their understanding,’’ Muhammad said.

  • NAFDAC says drugs looted by hoodlums dangerous

    NAFDAC says drugs looted by hoodlums dangerous

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned residents of Kaduna State on the health risk of drugs allegedly looted from a warehouse in the state.

    NAFDAC gave the warning in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday.

    The agency said that the items were looted on Oct. 24 in a warehouse located at Narayi in Chikun Local Government area of the state.

    The looted items, it said, included expired, prohibited and dangerous drugs, adding that anybody who consumed such drugs risked serious illnesses and death.

    NAFDAC also quoted the management of a food processing company, whose stores were also looted in Kakuri, as saying that the stolen grains had been treated with chemical preservatives.

    It said that such chemical preservatives had rendered the items as unsafe for consumption.

    “Residents of Kaduna State are hereby notified to be vigilant and careful about the sources of the food and medications they take and where they buy them, to avoid these dangers.

    “NAFDAC, on behalf of the Kaduna State government, appeals to the public for information on the identities of the looters and where they might be hiding the stolen items,” it said.

    The statement, which quoted the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, as expressing shock over the said looting and mindless destruction of the agency’s property at the warehouse, thanking God, however, that no life was lost during the incident.

    Adeyeye commended the state government for taking prompt action to safeguard the health of the citizens.

    NAFDAC, however, said that it had made concerted efforts to beef up security around its facilities nationwide to forestall a recurrence.

  • REVEALED: Governor El-Rufai to create 2 emirates out of Zazzau

    REVEALED: Governor El-Rufai to create 2 emirates out of Zazzau

    Information from impeccable sources from Kaduna State Government House reveals that there are plans by Governor Nasir El-Eufai to explore the powers given to him by Article II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create two additional emirates out of Zazzau.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers the development follows the allege refusal by the kingmakers to recommend the Governor’s candidate, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli (Jnr) as a possible successor to the late Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris.

    The Emirates are Kaduna and Kudan, implying that there will now be three Emirates in Zazzau which are Zaria, Kaduna and Kudan.

    Already, a draft bill for the amendment of Emirates and Chieftaincy bill is being prepared for onward transmission to the State Assembly for amendment.

    Article II of the Constitution of Nigeria vests the executive power of the State in the Governor and charges him with the execution of state law, alongside the responsibility of appointing state executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers subject to the approval of the Assembly members.

    If the bill is assented, Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali would be the Emir of Kaduna, while Yarima would likely be in Zaria and Iya Aminu at Kudan.

  • Kidnappers demand N30m ransom for abducted Council boss in Kaduna

    Kidnappers demand N30m ransom for abducted Council boss in Kaduna

    After days of silence, abductors of the Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Hon. (Dr.) Humble Katuka have agreed to free him if the sum of N30 million is paid to them.

    A family source disclosed this to TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) via a phone call, revealing the negotiation started on Saturday when they asked for N100 million ransom.

    “We pleaded and they later reduced to N80 million… we kept pleading and they agreed for N30 million….” the source said.

    Recall that TNG had reported that Katuka, an APC chieftain in Southern Kaduna as well as a sitting Council Boss of Kaura LGA was kidnapped on his way to his farm in Juji Village, Chikun LGA of the State.

  • BREAKING: Court dismisses El-Zakzaky’s no case submission

    BREAKING: Court dismisses El-Zakzaky’s no case submission

    The no case submission filed by the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat have been dismissed on Tuesday by Justice Gideon Kurada of the Kaduna State High court.

    El-zakzaky and his wife are standing trial on eight counts charges bordering of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among other allegations.

    The IMN leader who was brought to court on Tuesday morning amid tight security, had asked the court to quash the Kaduna State government’s case against them for lack of evidence.

    During the last sitting on August 7, the presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada fixed today for ruling on the no-case submission, after counsel to the defendants, Abubakar Marshall, holding the briefs for the lead counsel, Femi Falana, had asked the court to quash the charges preferred against the IMN leader by the government for not “disclosing an offence known to law contrary to Section 36 (8) and (12) of the 1999 constitution as amended”.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Dari Bayero also adopted his final arguments in the matter.

    Following the dismissal of the no-case submission, the court also ordered the continuation of the trial.

    Elzakzaky and his wife were arrested and detained since December 2015 following a bloody clash between IMN members and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

  • More troops, police deployed to Kaduna Airport Road, other strategic locations

    More troops, police deployed to Kaduna Airport Road, other strategic locations

    At the instance of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, troops of the Nigerian Army and police operatives have been deployed to Kaduna Airport Road on Sunday in Kaduna.

    The deployment also covers some strategic locations, where aggressive operations by troops and police are in progress.

    The deployment was aimed at beefing up security around the Kaduna Airport Road, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road Roundabout and the Nigerian Defence Academy Road.

    The Nigerian Air Force will retain the duty of securing the immediate premises of the Kaduna Airport, its staff quarters and other critical aviation assets in the airport.

    A meeting was held between the state government, the Army, Police, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and community leaders at Kutungare village, Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

    At the meeting, Gov. El-Rufai, represented by Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, challenged the community leaders to cooperate with the newly deployed troops and operatives.

    “We are here to see for ourselves the ongoing aggressive fighting patrols by the newly deployed troops and police operatives in these locations.

    “This will complement the Nigerian Air Force, who are working in the immediate airport environment, while the troops and operatives cover the general area,” the governor said.

    In his remarks, the Garrison Commander, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Olusegun Abai, said communities have roles to play in enhancing security through information sharing and working harmoniously with security agencies.

    He added that the army will be open to the communities in line with the principles of civil-military relations.

    El-Rufia commended the Army for deploying troops to Juji village in Chikun LGA, following security challenges in the village and adjoining communities on the Kaduna Eastern Bypass.

    The governor also praised the community leaders for their support to security agencies and the government.

    He charged them to sustain the security information sharing mechanism in place, and also urged recourse to the law by aggrieved individuals and groups.

  • Pump price: Commuters in Kaduna lament 100 per cent increase in transportation

    Pump price: Commuters in Kaduna lament 100 per cent increase in transportation

    Commuters in Kaduna metropolis have lamented over 100 percent hike in transport fare following the recent increase of fuel pump price.

    A cross section of commuters on Wednesday in Kaduna said they have been paying double transport fare due to the increased in fuel pump price.

    Recall that the Federal Government had increased the price of petrol from N145 to N151.56 per litre.

    Mrs Grace Musa of Sabo area told NAN that she now pays N200 as against N100 from Sabo to Kasuwa, adding that she spent close to N500 daily to and from her work place.

    “The situation is pathetic considering the economic hardship of having to cater for the family,” she lamented.

    Mr Silas Bawa, a resident of Narayi settlement said he spent about N600 daily on transport fare as against N200, adding, “if the situation persists, most people will resort to trekking”.

    “I pay N200 to and from Narayi to Kasuwa besides okada fare directly to my office since Keke have been banned from operating on major roads,” he said.

    Mallam Garba Mohammed, a commercial bus operator told NAN that commercial drivers were forced to increase their fares due to the hike in price of petrol.

    “We now buy fuel at N161 as against the old price of N148 as such, drivers have no option but to increase transport fare,” he said.

    Also, Aliyu Maikano, another commercial bus operator resident in Kurmin mashi, who said they had since adjusted to the new fares, however, pleaded with the government to consider reduction of the pump price.

  • 12,921 applicants screened in Kaduna for police recruitment

    12,921 applicants screened in Kaduna for police recruitment

    The Police Command in Kaduna State says no fewer than 12,921 applicants have undergone physical screening for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Jalige, made this known on Monday in Kaduna.

    A total of 17,000 applicants from the state were expected to undergo the physical screening which end on Sept 8.

    Jalige said the state Screening Committee had so far screened applicants from Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Chikun, Zango kataf, Kachia, Kagarko, Giwa, Birnin/gwari, Kaura, Kauru, jamaa, Sanga, Sabon gari, Kajuru, Jaba Local Governments Area (LGAs) of the state.

    “The total number of those screened is 12,921 as at Sept 5, 2020.

    Jalige said applicants who have not undergone screening from other LGAs were expected to have their screening between Monday and Tuesday Sept. 7th and Sept. 8.

    The public relations officer said that the screening was being done under strict COVID -19 protocols.

  • Southern Kaduna: Miyetti Allah resolves to make peace with neighbours

    Southern Kaduna: Miyetti Allah resolves to make peace with neighbours

    The Kaduna State Chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), says it has resolved to bury its differences with other tribes and work towards return of peace in Southern part of the state.

    MACBAN said this in a communique at the end of a peace summit in Kafanchan on Sunday.

    The communique was jointly signed by the State’s Chairman of the association, Malam Hassan Tugga, Southern Kaduna Zonal Chairman; Malam Abdulhamid Musa;Zonal Secretary, Malam Shuaibu Usman, and Director Media and Publicity, Malam Ibrahim Zango.

    “We have agreed to revert to our olden days relationship with our neighboring communities in Southern Kaduna.

    “We have resolved to be our brothers’ keeper henceforth in order to foster growth and development in the region.

    “We call on our people to stop allowing underage children from rearing cattle in order to prevent further destruction of the farm produce within the area.

    “In the same vein, we call on farmers to desist from blocking cattle routes both local and international,” it added

    The association said it would expose all trouble makers and criminals in its midst and make them to face the full wrath of the law.

    “We have advised our people to be vigilant and hand over suspected criminals to security agencies that may be found within our communities.

    “The summit also commended the efforts of security agencies during and after the crisis in maintaining law and order, especially operation safe haven and the police,” it said

    The association urged the Federal and State Governments to compensate victims of communal clashes in the area,who had lost cows and other valuables in order to ameliorate their sufferings.

    It also called for the establishment of community based security committee, with membership from m all tribes in the area.

    The peace summit was attended by MACBAN members and other stakeholders in Southern Kaduna including security agencies and government officials.

  • Kaduna killings: Lingering pains as survivors narrate struggle for survival

    Kaduna killings: Lingering pains as survivors narrate struggle for survival

    After agonizingly burying and mourning their loved once who were killed by bandits suspected to be fulani herdsmen about three weeks ago, residents of Kurmin Masara, Atak-mawei, Kibori in Zango Kataf Local Government area of Kaduna State are still disquieted while trying to recover from the unfortunate incident.

    Recall that suspected Fulani Herdsmen invaded the three villages in the wee hours of August 7, this year killing about 15 persons and destroying properties.

    When TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) visited the scenes of the attacks on Saturday, security operatives were manned at Strategic points in the various Communities paving way for normalcy to return. But this has not in any way healed the injured victims, calm the bereaved and the displaced who are forced to run to neighbors and relations within and outside the Communities for shelter and food.

    47 year old Ephraim Bala is one of the survivors of the attack in Kurmin Masara. Bala told TNG thenewsguru.ng that he lost his son and two cars in the raging fire set by the attackers on his house. “….I was seriously affected, my house was burnt alongside my son and my two cars…. I have two wives and right now we have been surviving on friends and cousins….” Bala said. Asked what has changed since the attack, Bala said supports have been coming from different organisations and security operations had been intensified. He however said that the three weeks have been hell to those affected by the attack.

    From the household of Bitrus Ali, (aka Ma Bitrus Ali) also in Kurmin Masara, is Dennis John who narrated how confused he is and still has no idea how to start life again. “Our entire house and properties were burnt to ashes, everyone has run for safety, I am the only one left here and am so confused, I don’t know where to start…..”John said. Another respondent, a woman who pleaded anonymity said she now leaves from hand to mouth since the dead of her husband during the attack. She pleaded with president Muhammadu Buhari and other well meaning Nigerians to come to their help and end their ongoing hardships.

    In Kibori, TNG visited the home of Mba Aboi where four men were killed including a teenage boy. The house was also burnt down. It was a pathetic scene as women whose husbands and helpers were killed cried when asked how they are faring. According to one of the surviving bereaved, Mbason Michael, life has been tough. He said his Father, elder brother, uncle and nephew were killed and their entire house burnt down during the attack. “Right now we the survivors have no place to stay, no food, to find a place to sleep is a problem, the situation we are facing is unbearable….” Michael said.