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Tag: Kaduna State

  • UK Mayor bags traditional title in Kaduna

    UK Mayor bags traditional title in Kaduna

    Mrs Abigail Katung, the Lord Mayor of Leeds in the United Kingdom (UK) has been awarded a traditional title of Ham in Jaba Local Government of Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mrs Katung, who is the wife of Senator Sunday Katung (PDP- Kaduna South) awarded the traditional title along with a former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai.

    The UK Mayor was coronated as the Gimbiyan (Princess) of Ham while the former Chief of Defence Staff was coronated as the Sarkin Yaki (Defence of Chief) of Ham.

    The colourful coronation ceremony held in Kwoi, attracted top military officers, government officials and academics, among others, from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

    The epochal event was held as part of the Annual Tuk Ham festival that commenced on Saturday.

    Among others conferred with traditional titles at the event held at the Kpok Ham Palace in Kwoi, the headquarters of the LGA were Dr Gideon Jock, conferred with the title Hasken (light) Jaba; Dr Deborah Usman, as Jakadiyan (Ambassador) Jaba; and  Dr Dogara Gyet, as Jagaban (Forrunner) Jaba.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after his installation, Agwai described the occasion as a landmark moment in his life.

    He added that the honour marked the peak of his career transitioning from national military service to traditional leadership recognition.

    He said: “This is a significant moment for me because having served my country at the highest level in the military, I am being recognised by my people in this way and it is deeply humbling.

    ”If you render service to your people even in the grave, they will remember you because it is not about wealth but it is about service to your people and humanity.’

    Agwai said that the significance of the traditional title as an Adviser to the Kpok Ham on security and defense matters is paramount even in the military.

    He, however, thanked the traditional council for considering the recipients worthy of the honours and promised that they would live up to the expectation.

    “We will do everything possible to live up to expectations so, let’s share your opinions and views to work together and bring back that civilisation that the Nok culture known for to be where it’s supposed to be,” Agwai said.

    On her part, Katung said it was an absolute honour to be conferred with the title, ‘Gimbiyan Ham’ by Dr Maude, adding that the occasion was an emotional one for her as a daughter of the soil.

    She said: “I was born and raised in Kaduna State and to be remembered and honoured by his Royal Majesty means the world to me and makes us understand the unique significance of family and where you come from

    “There’s no better pride or joy than to be honoured by your homeland. I have been away for the past 25 years and to still be remembered by your home country and your homeland, really means the world to me.

    “Our shared values, our ethics and what we stand for as Southern Kaduna as people of resilience, people so much energy in terms of work ethics, the joy of togetherness, brotherhood and sisterhood is what we stand for in this part of the country,” Katung said.

    The occasion, which witnessed traditional songs rendition, attracted people from all works of life including; politicians, government officials, security personnel and the international community.

  • Why I kidnapped Kaduna Catholic priest – Suspect

    Why I kidnapped Kaduna Catholic priest – Suspect

    A chief suspect (names withheld) in the kidnapping and killing of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, has provided reasons for his actions.

    The suspect, who said he needed N200,000 to solve a personal problem, spoke to NAN at the Headquarters of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), where he is currently being held on Thursday in Jos.

    The chief suspect is helping detectives to unravel the cause of the incident and how to arrest other suspects now on the run.

    Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m. at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government of the state.

    He was later found dead on March 5.

    The prime suspect, who said he invited other criminals from elsewhere to accomplish the assignment, denied asking his colleagues to kill the priest.

    “Fr Okechukwu is living in our house at Tachira and I masterminded his kidnap because I needed N200,000 to solve a personal problem.

    “I invited some guys (colleagues) from other places to assist me to accomplish the mission but I didn’t ask them to kill him.

    “I don’t know why they (allegedly) killed him; I was not with them because I later left them with the priest,”he said.

    Another suspect, names withheld, who is also being held at OPSH, said that the chief suspect had called him to assist him to actualise the crime.

    “At first, I refused to be part of the deal, but the chief suspect insisted. The chief suspect and I grew up in the same community.

    “So, on the said date I left my place in Warsa-Piti in Lere LG and participated in the kidnap of the priest.

    “He actually contacted other guys from Bokkos in Plateau who came with guns; after we took the priest and walked for some distance, we left him with them.

    “So, we can’t say how and why they allegedly killed the priest,” he said.

    An official of the OPSH, who preferred anonymity, said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, following a raid troops conducted in a settlement at Warsa-Piti community of Lere.

    The official said that investigations were ongoing to unravel the whereabout of the remaining persons who allegedly participated in the heinous crime.

  • Kaduna govt to launch Bus Rapid transit project

    Kaduna govt to launch Bus Rapid transit project

    Kaduna State is set for a major transformation in public transportation as Gov. Uba Sani kickstarts the long-awaited Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) project.

    The initiative aims to decongest city roads and improve urban mobility, marking a significant step toward modernising transportation in the state.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Kaduna on Friday, the Director General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Inuwa Ibrahim, highlighted the project’s impact on mobility, economic growth, and sustainability.

    He noted that Kaduna residents have long faced transportation challenges, including congestion, unregulated commercial transport, and inefficiencies in movement.

    According to him, the KBRT project will address these issues by introducing a 24-kilometre dedicated transit corridor from Kawo Bridge to Sabon Tasha.

    “The corridor will feature strategically placed bus stations and shelters, offering residents safer, more reliable, and efficient transport options,” he said.

    He added that the KBRT is expected to stimulate economic growth and create jobs while promoting a cleaner, more organised transport system.

    “Gov. Uba Sani’s administration has shown strong commitment to actualising the KBRT project.

    “In spite of initial delays, he revived the initiative by approving N97 million as counterpart funding in 2023.

    “This was followed by a substantial allocation of N699 million in the 2024 budget to fast-track implementation,” Ibrahim said.

    He further disclosed that the 2025 budget has earmarked N30 billion for the project, with N5 billion designated as additional counterpart funding.

    Ibrahim noted that financial commitment underscores the governor’s vision for a well-structured and sustainable urban transport system.

    “KADSTRA is working with the French Development Agency (AFD) to implement the KBRT project.

    “AFD, known for financing sustainable development initiatives globally, is playing a key role in ensuring the project’s success,” he said.

    According to Ibrahim, once completed, the KBRT will provide more efficient transport services, reduce congestion, and improve road safety and environmental sustainability.

    To mark the project’s official launch, Ibrahim revealed that the governor will perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the KBRT’s Southern Terminal on March 11 at the Kaduna Line depot.

    “The KBRT project is more than just a transport initiative—it is a game changer for Kaduna’s economy and urban development.

    “Residents are urged to support and embrace this new era of structured, modern, and efficient public transportation.

    “With the governor’s dedication and stakeholder collaboration, Kaduna is on track to revolutionise its transport system, setting a model for other states to follow,” Ibrahim said.

  • Kaduna assembly approves N123.3bn LGAs budget

    Kaduna assembly approves N123.3bn LGAs budget

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the sum of N123.3 billion as the 2025 budget for the 23 local government councils in the state.

    The house made the approval after the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations and Implementation, Yunusa Shehu, presented a report on a Bill for a Law to make Appropriations Funds for the local government councils.

    The local governments’ chairmen had participated in a budget defence exercise recently in which they proposed a total budget of N115.9 billion.

    This entails N64.4 billion for recurrent provision,N45.2 billion for personnel cost, N20.2 billion overhead cost and N50.5 billion for capital expenditures.

    The budget was however amended by the committee after a critical study and harmonisation.

    Shehu stated that the proposed budget was amended and increased by the sum of N7.42 billion, making a total of N123.3 billion.

    He explained that N67.9 billion was earmarked for recurrent provision, N46.1billion for personnel cost, N21.8 as overhead cost and N55.4 for capital provision.

    Shehu said, “We had a budget defence in which we found out that there are LGAs that needed adjustment for their budget size.

    “After going through it ,we sat down as a committee with representative of the ministry to harmonise the budget  and come out with a figure that will be applicable for the 23 LGAs.”

    He explained that the recurrent provision was 60 per cent while capital was 40 per cent.

  • Sani to decampees: APC is one family

    Sani to decampees: APC is one family

    Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one and will remain the same up to 2027 and beyond.

    Sani also assured the 50 political stalwarts that defected to the APC that they would enjoy the same rights and privileges like every other members of the party.

    The Governor spoke when he addressed a mammoth crowd of the party’s supporters at the Murtala Square at a mega rally held on Saturday.

    Sani said that there was no any difference between a party member that joined it recently and the ones that have been in APC ten years ago.

    He said: ‘’Someone who joined  APC today and the one who has been  a foundation member 10  years ago, they are of the same status. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges.”

    Sani urged the decampees to notify their supporters  of the readiness of APC to accept them into the party as their doors were still open to accept more defectors.

    According to him, the popularity and acceptability of APC is because of the its just leadership at both the state and federal levels.

    Sani added that the party has come to stay in Kaduna State, the entire North and Nigeria as a whole.

    “In the 2027 election, the electorate will vote for APC in all the elections, from top to bottom.

    “At the top, our leader, President Bola Tinubu will be elected. At the state level, the party will be voted for at the gubernatorial, National and State Assemblies elections, by the Grace of God,’’ he said.

    The Governor promised that more projects would be executed in all the nooks and crannies of the state, irrespective of party affiliations and ethno-religious considerations.

    “Politics is different from governance. We will be fair to all,  whether  or not they voted for us, because that is the oath of office that we swore to uphold as leaders,’’ he further said.

    Sani l, who argued that leaders were not infallible and they were bound to make mistakes like anyone, pleaded with the led to  always point out their mistakes with a view  to correcting them.

    The governor reminded the APC faithful that the leaders would be held accountable in the hereafter regarding how they led the people whom God had entrusted on them.

    Prominent amongst those who decamped to APC were; former Governor of the state, Alhaji Muktar Ramalan-Yero, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, the gubernatorial candidate of NNPP in the 2023 General Elections and Alhaji Sani Sha’aban, also former gubernatorial candidate.

    Others were: Sen. Danjuma Laah who represented Zone three at the Senate on the platform of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, former National Organising Secretary of PDP and Amb. Sule Buba, former Nigeria’s Envoy to South Korea.

  • Light returns to Kaduna as KAEDCO settles rift with labour unions

    Light returns to Kaduna as KAEDCO settles rift with labour unions

    Management of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), has restored power supply to Kaduna and all its franchise states.

    The firm has also promised to review its past actions. These were parts of resolutions reached after Gov. Uba Sani convened a meeting with both parties on Friday.

    It will be recalled that the labour unions of Kaduna Electric had embarked on an industrial action since Sunday,.

    This followed the decision of  the management to sack 444 workers, thereby plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States in darkness, following power outage.

    At the end of the meeting, Sani promised to be the ‘Guarantor’ as he would ensure fairness to both sides, after  both parties agreed to  sit down and take a joint decision.

    “The Unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended  the management, ably led by Dr Umar Abubakar-Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.

    The unions also posited that the management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it  to succeed.

    The parties also maintained that both the management of the firm and the labour unions were partners in progress, adding,”what happened was as a result of a  breakdown in communication.”

    The meeting also argued that there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.

    The resolution  was signed by  Abubakar-Hashidu, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President(Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees(NUEE) and Mr Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

    Other union members that signed the resolution included Mr Muhammed Musa, Deputy President, North, NUEE and  Mr Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).

    Mr Idris Ahmed-Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.

  • Kaduna govt moves to end KEDCO power crisis

    Kaduna govt moves to end KEDCO power crisis

    The Kaduna State Government on Thursday appealed to union leaders of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) to suspend the ongoing strike and resolve the dispute through dialogue.

    The workers of the Disco on Feb. 2, proceeded on an indefinite industrial action that plunged Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, its franchise area, into darkness.

    The union leaders had expressed displeasure over the sacking of more than 450 workers of the company without settling their exit token and redundancy package.

    Mr Rilwan Shehu, Deputy President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) told NAN via telephone that KEDCO’S condition of service provides for 30 percent of annual earnings as exit token.

    Shehu said redundancy allowances were negotiable but lamented that sack letters were suddenly forwarded to the affected workers without prior notice and unbelievable meagre packages.

    The deputy president-general said efforts to resolve the dispute amicably did not yield positive results, “hence, the union notified the company and later proceeded on industrial action.”

    However, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, convened a crucial meeting on Thursday at Government House with KEDCO management and the union leaders to broker peace and restore electricity supply.

    Balarabe expressed concern over the adverse effects of the blackout on critical sectors such as healthcare and business operations.

    She appealed to the striking workers to resume work while discussions to resolve their grievances continue.

    Present at the meeting were top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    KEDCO’s Managing Director, Umar Abubakar Hashidu, led the company’s delegation, while Rilwan Shehu, Deputy President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), represented the labour unions.

    Both parties acknowledged the state government’s timely intervention and committed to working together to end the crisis and restore power supply to the affected states.

  • Electricity workers embark on indefinite strike in Kaduna

    Electricity workers embark on indefinite strike in Kaduna

    The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Kaduna State Council, began an indefinite strike on Monday.

    This was in protest over the alleged termination of 900 staff from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

    The workers, carrying placards, blocked the entrance to the company’s corporate headquarters. They prevented both employees and customers from entering the premises.

    They accused the management of failing to pay death and retirement benefits, contrary to the conditions of service.

    Zonal Organising Secretary for the Northwest, Pukat Ayuba, stated that the strike would continue until the company rescinds the termination letters and pays the benefits owed.

    Ayuba added, “A year ago, we shut down Kaduna Electric’s premises over staff issues, including pension and welfare. One year later, nothing has been resolved.”

    He further said, “The termination of 900 staff, disregarding the conditions of service, is unacceptable. It worsens Nigeria’s growing problems.”

    Meanwhile, a letter from Kaduna Electric’s management, signed by Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, was issued on Jan. 31. It directed affected workers to return company’s property.

    The letter also stated that severance packages were being arranged and that the workers’ services were no longer required, effective Jan. 31.

  • Kaduna pilgrims agency confirms 2025 Hajj fare

    Kaduna pilgrims agency confirms 2025 Hajj fare

    The Kaduna State Pilgrims Agency has confirmed that intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise from the state will pay a fare of N8.4 million.

    This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Abdullahi.

    He explained that the fare was set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Abdullahi urged intending pilgrims to complete their payment by the deadline.

    “The intending pilgrims are expected to complete payment of the Hajj fare by Jan. 31, in order to remit all deposits to NAHCON on time,” he said.

    He also warned that defaulters risk forfeiting their chances to embark on the journey to the Holy Land, as NAHCON had also fixed a deadline for remitting the Hajj fares.

    Abdullahi explained the registration process, saying: “The registration process is ongoing at the Agency’s headquarters and in all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “All intending pilgrims are expected to obtain a customised bank teller at their respective local government registration centres before making the payment.”

    He assured intending pilgrims of the agency’s commitment to providing good services. According to him, the agency aims to attain an acceptable Hajj by all the pilgrims from the state.

    He noted that the Executive Chairman, Malam Salihu Abubakar, has commended the state government for its support toward ensuring the success of 2025 Hajj operation.

    Abdullahi also noted that: “The NAHCON has allocated 6,679 Hajj seats to Kaduna State for the 2025 pilgrimage.”

  • Woman drags father to court for refusing her to marry old lover after divorce

    Woman drags father to court for refusing her to marry old lover after divorce

    A widow, Aisha Zubairu, on Tuesday prayed a Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, to marry her off to her old lover, Aminu Saminu.

    The complainant had dragged her father, Zubairu Surajo, to court over his refusal to allow her to marry the man of her choice because of an old grudge.

    “I am a divorcee and I want the court to confirm my right to choose a spouse. Saminu and I had been lovers before my forced first marriage to my late husband by my father.

    “Now, my father says I can marry any other person but not Saminu. He even threatens to seek legal action against any of his relations who will defy his order and try to marry me off,” she told the court.

    However, in his defence, Surajo said that his refusal of his daughter’s marriage to Saminu was due to an old disrespect to his family by Saminu’s parents.

    Surajo, represented by his counsel, Nasiru Abdullahi, said that Saminu’s parents had not properly sought her daughter’s hand in marriage, in accordance with established Islamic law.

    He further stated that Saminu’s parents had earlier refused their son marrying his daughter on the grounds that he was too naive.

    Surajo told the court that it was the shame of the refusal that led him into marrying his daughter off to her late husband.

    He, however, said that he could not stop the court if it insisted on using its discretion to conduct the marriage between the two.

    “We have no objection if the court decides to conduct the marriage but we will not support her with anything except best wishes,” he said.

    The Judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad, however, requested the physical presence in court of Surajo at the next hearing, which he fixed for Jan. 29.