TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna State

  • Digital business: Kaduna Govt, NGO to train female entrepreneurs

    Digital business: Kaduna Govt, NGO to train female entrepreneurs

    A Belgium-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Digital African Woman (DAW), says it will begin a six-week digital business innovative training for 100 female entrepreneurs across the country in Kaduna.

    The Creative Director of the organisation, Ms Claudia Chileshe, said on Friday in Kaduna that the training, which would commence on July 16, was being done in partnership with the Kaduna State Government.

    Chileshe said that the training, tagged “Digital Business Innovative Training”, would empower the entrepreneurs on start-up pitch, branding and marketing, design thinking, pricing and sales logistics as well as product valuation, among others.

    She said that Kaduna state was chosen because of its commitment to the development of its communities through empowerment of local female entrepreneurs.

    “With the support of the Kaduna State Government, Digital African Woman is able to extend its reach to young female entrepreneurs both in Kaduna and surrounding states of Nigeria.

    “The development will enable the entrepreneurs leverage more access to international networks, technical skills and visibility.

    “It will result in having an outlet to grow their potential businesses and extend exposure to various investments opportunities using available digital platforms,” she said.

    She said that an undisclosed award would be given to the most creative and innovative participant at the end of the training.

    She commended the state government for strengthening business and job opportunities for Nigerians through initiatives like the DAW Conference and the just concluded “Click on Kaduna” where 900 youths were trained on virtual economy.

    “Such efforts lend hope to the future of Nigeria as a whole and we look forward to a long-term partnership, and the achievement of set goals,” Chileshe said.

    DAW is a social enterprise focused on inspiring, training and developing African women into the fields of technology and entrepreneurship.

    Its mission is to develop and support innovation for female-led businesses across Africa and the diaspora through active training in digital skill development and business ideation.

     

  • Digital skills: World Bank pledges support for Kaduna youth

    Digital skills: World Bank pledges support for Kaduna youth

    The World Bank on Thursday pledged to support Kaduna State Government efforts in equipping youth with digital skills to tap from the income generation potential of virtual economy.

    Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank Country Director, Nigeria, African Region made the pledged on Thursday through a video message played at the close of the three-day training of 900 youths on the use of digital platforms to earn income supported by the bank.

    The training tagged: “Click-On Kaduna” was one of the state’s initiatives to drive job creation.

    The training was specifically designed to tackle unemployment while providing youth access to the virtual economy that allows for the exchange of virtual goods, currencies, digital labour and professional services for a corresponding fee.

    He said that the training was first in the series of more training for Nigerian youth with a view to integrating them into the digital economy platforms for income generation.

    Benmessaoud said that very soon the bank would organised a six months digital entrepreneurship training in Kaduna with focus on the youth.

    He said that the gesture was to support the Kaduna State Government’s effort in equipping the youths with the needed information and communication technology skills to tap from employment opportunities in virtual economy.

    According to him, the virtual economy holds unquantifiable employment opportunities and job creation for the huge unemployed youth in the country.

    “It is apt, therefore, to improve the skills of the youth to tap from various opportunities presented by numerous online platforms for income generation.

    “We will be doing this because we care about creating jobs for young people.”

    He thanked the Kaduna State Government and other partners for making the three-day training a huge success.

    Muhammad Abdullahi, the Commissioner, Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the skills acquired not only to earn income but create more jobs.

    “We are taking the digital job seriously because it is the driver of development and the leading agents in job creation,“ Abdullahi said.

    He thanked the World Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, Digital Naija and other partners who supported the training.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba encouraged the beneficiaries to link up with one another, share experiences and opportunities.

    900 youths from Kaduna, Kano, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory benefited from the training on how to utilise digital platforms to promote businesses and earn income.

    They were also guided on how to set up shops on online and to network with local platforms.

     

  • Children’s Day: UNICEF pledges to support Kaduna State Govt. take children off streets

    Children’s Day: UNICEF pledges to support Kaduna State Govt. take children off streets

    UNICEF on Sunday pledged continued support to Kaduna State Government to assist take-off the streets the alarming number of children begging for alms.

    Dr Zakari Adam, the Chief Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, made the pledge at the Fifth Chukker Polo Club, during the Children’s Day celebration, organised by UNICEF for school children.

    The theme of the celebration is, “Creating Safe Spaces for Children: Our Collective Responsibility.”

    Adam said that Kaduna has a large population of children who hawk and beg for arms.

    “On the streets of Kaduna, you will see a huge population of children hawking and begging for alms instead of being in school where they should be.

    “I commended the state government for launching end violence against children campaign and domesticating of Child’s Rights Act.

    “I want to reiterate here that UNICEF is determine to mobilise resources to support the state get all children back to school and tackle all forms of violence against children, “Adam said.

    He said that the Children’s Day celebration provided an excellent opportunity to speak out on behalf of all the vulnerable and deprived children in Kaduna State and the country.

    “UNICEF will continue to partner relevant institutions and private organisations to ensure that children access their rights to enable them grow as they should.

    “We shall continue to expand our collaboration with Kaduna State Government to champion the course and rights of children.

    “We are out to change the narrative for children by tackling their problems from all angles, by developing protective laws, promoting services, and adequate budgetary allocation and release and raising the needed awareness, “Adam added.

    He thanked Fifth Chukker, Access Bank, and other relevant stakeholders who are supporting to put smiles on children’s face

    Hajiya Hafsat Baba, Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, who spoke, reiterated government’s commitment to the protection of children’s right.

    She explained that the state has domesticated the Child’s Rights Act, adding that plans are on to establish additional three sexual assault centres, and three children homes.

    Baba said that all these were part of effort to protect the interest of the child.

    The commissioner thanked UNICEF and other development partners for supporting the state in ensuring children’s survival and uninterrupted development to adulthood.

    One of the children, Hafsat El-Rufa’i of Al-amanah Academy, express joy for being part of the celebration and thanked UNICEF for sponsoring the programme.

     

  • Kaduna LG Polls: APC widens lead, as PDP cries foul

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has widened its lead in the just concluded Kaduna Local council elections, winning Sabon Gari and Igabi local government areas.

    The returning officer for Sabon Gari local government, Dr Micah Victor announced Mohammed Ibrahim Usman of the APC as winner.

    Usman won with 20,576 votes against PDP’s Suleiman Ibrahim Gambo who got 9,580 votes.

    Similarly, Prof. Ahmed Babajo Kofa , returning officer for Igabi local government announced that Jabir Khamis of the APC was returned elected chairman of the local government.

    Khamis won with 47,630, against Abubakar Abubakar of the PDP Who got 2,449 votes.

    Meanwhile, detail results for Kaduna South and Sanga Local government areas are being awaited.

    However, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has cried foul of results released so far, stressing the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) has altered results in favour the APC.

    “We reject the highly provocative, fraudulent and completely indefensible alterations of the final results and declaration of the @OfficialAPCNg as winner in areas clearly won by the @OfficialPDPNig in the Kaduna state local council elections held on Saturday.

    “From the reports of results at the polling centers, it is clear that the @OfficialPDPNig defeated the @OfficialAPCNg in most of the areas where elections held across the state, including Governor @elrufai’s ward where the PDP led with over 90% percent of the votes cast.

    “The results of the election is a clear testimony of our popularity in Kaduna state. As such, we reject the fraud by Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) in altering the results in favour of the failed @OfficialAPCNg.

    “It is totally intolerable for KADSIECOM, working in cahoots with the discredited @OfficialAPCNg, to engage in the manipulation of the collation process by changing the figures and announcing final results that are different from figures tallied at the polling centers.

    “Such daylight robbery by the @OfficialAPCNg in Kaduna State is absolutely unacceptable, particularly, given the precarious security situation in the state.

    “Consequently, we caution KADSIECOM, to save the state from avoidable stress by resisting the APC, withdrawing all altered final results and announce only results that reflect the actual wishes of the people as expressed in the ballot,” the PDP stated.

     

  • LG Polls: APC wins Gov El-Rufai’s Kaduna North with a landslide

    Mr Saleh Shu’aibu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged the winner of Kaduna North Local Government at the just concluded polls, with a landslide.

    Announcing the results of the polls, the local government election returning officer, Umar Hayatu said the APC has won with total of 168,572 votes, more than 10 times the votes won by his closest opponent.

    Shuaibu beat Muhammad Sabo Babayaro of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 12,467 votes, while the PRP 4,956 votes.

    Kaduna North is Gov Nasiru El-Rufai’s local government area.

    So far, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won only the Chairmanship and Councillorship election in Zangon Kataf Local Government area, with its chairmanship candidate, `Elias Maza getting 55,643 votes, against the APC candidate, John Hassan who got 31.514 votes.

    The All Progressives Congress, however, has won Soba, Zaria, Lere, Ikara, Makarfi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kagarko, Kudan, Igabi and Kajuru local councils.

    The results in other councils are still being awaited.

    Kudan is the local council of Senator Sule Hunkuyi, who is at loggerheads with Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    Makarfi is the council of former PDP chairman and governor, Ahmad Makarfi.

    Governor El-Rufai’s candidates also won handily in Senator Shehu Sani’s constituency of Kajuru LG.

    In Zaria, APC polled 42859 votes, while PDP got 16033. In Soba, APC got 40903, while PDP scored 13835.

    The council elections were conducted using electronic voting machines in the area.

    This is the first time a state has adopted the use of electronic machines to conduct elections in Nigeria.

     

  • Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias [PHOTOS]

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias [PHOTOS]

    After the arrest and parade of notorious armed gang terrorizing Benue, Taraba and neighbouring States, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has yet again paraded fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias.

    TheNewsGuru reports the fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias, according to the Police, are responsible for several killings of innocent people, kidnappings and armed robbery in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state, to other villages and towns in Zamfara State.

    Following the killing of over 40 persons by suspected bandits at Gwaska in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, last weekend, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a new military battalion, a new Police Area Command and two additional Div Police HQs for the Birnin-Gwari area.

    The Kaduna State Police commissioner, Austin Iwar, said the police deployed over 150 personnel to the area as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Sunday.

    With the enhancement of security, the Police arrested and paraded vicious and notorious suspects responsible for selling and supply of AK47 rifles and other firearms and ammunition to armed bandits, militias and criminal herdsmen/farmers in Benue, Taraba, and neighbouring states.

    TheNewsGuru reports the major breakthrough in the arrest of the notorious gang of dealers in prohibited firearms and ammunition in Benue and Taraba states was made known on Tuesday when the suspects were paraded at the Benue State Police Command Headquarters.

    However, the fifty six vicious bandits and criminal militias arrested were paraded on Thursday at the divisional police headquarters in Katari, Kaduna state.

    See photos:

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious bandits, criminal militias

    Again! Police parade over 50 vicious

     

  • Killer herdsmen are nothing but terrorists – Senator Sani

    Killer herdsmen are nothing but terrorists – Senator Sani

    Senator Shehu Sani has said herdsmen who are responsible for the killings and slaughtering in Benue and Taraba are nothing but terrorists “except if we want to call a spade a pestle or a spoon”.

    The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly said this on Monday in reaction to Saturday afternoon’s raid by suspected bandits at Gwaska in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “Herdsmen who commit massacre in Benue and Taraba and ‘Bandits’ who commit massacre in Zamfara and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state, are nothing but terrorists; except if we want to call a spade a pestle or a spoon,” he stated.

    The Kaduna Senator vowed to support President Muhammadu Buhari on the floor of the Senate to fund and equip the DSS, Police and Civil Defence, as he did to the military to “bring an end to all the excuses now ‘produced daily in an industrial-scale’”.

    “The indifference of the ruling political establishment to end the ceaseless violence and killings in the country is based on the fact that the victims are the poor and the peasants in rural areas.

    “Again and again, I will continue to raise the tragic situation of Birnin Gwari on the floor of the senate until it touches the conscience of those responsible for its security to prioritize human lives over 2019 politics.

    “Mass burial has become ‘a daily ritual’ in Birnin Gwari. We must admit the fact that the police and the army have nothing much to work with to enable them confront the danger and the superior fire power of the armed bandits,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru reports bandits attacked Gwaska village in Birnin Gwari on Saturday afternoon leaving about 45 persons dead.

    Residents said the killings occurred around 2:30 p.m. when the bandits stormed the village in large numbers on motorcycles. They also burnt many houses in the community.

    Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police commissioner, Austin Iwar, said the police have deployed over 150 personnel to the area as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Sunday.

    “Yes 45 people were confirmed dead and as we speak the state command have already deployed 150 policemen to the area to provide security,” he said.

    “We will also deploy another 200 police officers by next week to help protect lives and property in Birnin Gwari. We are doing everything possible to secure the area,” he said.

    On the need for the command to work with local vigilante in the area, Mr Austin said the police is already doing so and will continue to work with them in the area of community policing.

    A community leader in Birnin Gwari, who identified himself as Hussaini, said over 40 bodies were brought to emir’s place in Birnin Gwari on Sunday afternoon.

    “Some bodies that were seemed to have been burnt were already buried by their love ones at Doka and Mando villages, few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town,” he said.

    Following the latest attack, Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Sunday evening had announced that the federal government agreed to deploy a permanent army battalion in the troubled area.

    Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad today said the FG has approved a new military battalion, a new Police Area Command and two additional Div Police HQs for the area.

    He said it was in efforts by the Buhari government “To bring an end to the bloodletting, and ensure that the criminals behind it are brought to justice,” while adding “The killings in Birnin Gwari are regrettable”.

    El-Rufai confirmed the development, stressing the engagements between the State and Federal Governments is yielding results.

    “Military and security deployments have continued in the area since then, but the bandits hiding in the forests continue to exert a deadly toll, killing civilians, soldiers and other security forces.

    “The Federal Government has now approved a permanent army battalion in the area, instead of the previous ad-hoc deployments. Police strength in the Birnin-Gwari axis is also being enhanced,” the Kaduna state governor confirmed.

     

  • Breaking: FG approves new military battalion for Birnin-Gwari

    Following Saturday afternoon’s raid by suspected bandits at Gwaska in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a new military battalion for the area.

    Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, made this known on Monday morning while also disclosing the President as well approved a new Police Area Command and two additional Div Police HQs for Birnin-Gwari.

    TheNewsGuru reports bandits attacked Gwaska village in Birnin Gwari on Saturday afternoon leaving about 45 persons dead.

    Residents said the killings occurred around 2:30 p.m. when the bandits stormed the village in large numbers on motorcycles. They also burnt many houses in the community.

    Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police commissioner, Austin Iwar, said the police have deployed over 150 personnel to the area as directed by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Sunday.

    “Yes 45 people were confirmed dead and as we speak the state command have already deployed 150 policemen to the area to provide security,” he said.

    “We will also deploy another 200 police officers by next week to help protect lives and property in Birnin Gwari. We are doing everything possible to secure the area,” he said.

    On the need for the command to work with local vigilante in the area, Mr Austin said the police is already doing so and will continue to work with them in the area of community policing.

    A community leader in Birnin Gwari, who identified himself as Hussaini, said over 40 bodies were brought to emir’s place in Birnin Gwari on Sunday afternoon.

    “Some bodies that were seemed to have been burnt were already buried by their love ones at Doka and Mando villages, few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town,” he said.

    Following the latest attack, Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Sunday evening had announced that the federal government agreed to deploy a permanent army battalion in the troubled area.

    Bashir Ahmad said today’s approval of the new military battalion, the new Police Area Command and the two additional Div Police HQs for the area was efforts by the Buhari government “To bring an end to the bloodletting, and ensure that the criminals behind it are brought to justice,” while adding “The killings in Birnin Gwari are regrettable”.

    El-Rufai confirmed the development, stressing the engagements between the State and Federal Governments is yielding results.

    “Military and security deployments have continued in the area since then, but the bandits hiding in the forests continue to exert a deadly toll, killing civilians, soldiers and other security forces

    “The Federal Government has now approved a permanent army battalion in the area, instead of the previous ad-hoc deployments. Police strength in the Birnin-Gwari axis is also being enhanced,” the Kaduna state governor confirmed.

     

  • Thugs attack: Kaduna APC Senator escapes death

    Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC Kaduna North) on Sunday escaped being killed by thugs during a political gathering of stakeholders and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) he convened in Kaduna.

    Hunkuyi had convened the meeting to sensitize party supporters to resist an alleged plan to impose candidates on them during the APC Congresses scheduled from May 5.

    However, thugs stormed the venue of the meeting at ENDwell Hotel in the city center, brandishing all kind of weapons and throwing stones on the supporters chanting “Kaduna sai Uba Sani, Kaduna Sai El-Rufai in 2019”.

    In the process, five persons sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at Barau Dikko and Garkuwa hospitals in the metropolis, while many vehicles destroyed.

    Jame Obute, Media Aide to the Senator told NAN that “those who sustained various degrees of injuries were taken to Garkuwa Hospital and Barau Dikko specialists Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

    “Some vehicles’ windscreens including those belonging to the Chairman ATAR Communication and leader of APC Restoration group, Tijjani Ramalan, were broken by the thugs”.

    Meanwhile, Hunkuyi, who had visited the injured person in the two hospitals, condemned the attack. He accused the state government of masterminding the attack.

    According to him, the thugs may have been sponsored by those who are feeling jittery of his political acceptance in the state.

    He said the gathering was not a political campaign but meant to sensitize stakeholders and party supporters to resist the imposition of delegates through affirmation or selection during the party congresses in the state.

    Hunkuyi said he had been in politics for the last 30 years but had never had such an encounter. He said he had made a formal report to the Commissioner of Police.

    Contacted the Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar, confirmed that Hunkuyi had lodged a complaint with the police on the attack.

    He, however, declined further comments.

     

  • 750 Cattle rustlers, Kidnappers renounce violence in Kaduna

    A total of 750 criminals, including cattle rustlers, bandits and kidnappers have sworn to an oath to abandon their illegal activities in Anchau village, Kubau Local Government area of Kaduna State.

    400 of the repentant criminals swore by the Holy Qur’an three weeks ago while another batch of 350 took the oath on Saturday to abandon their criminal way of life.

    Mr Austin Iwar, the Commissioner of Police told newsmen on Sunday that the criminals were made to repent after intensive dialogue involving community leaders.

    According to him, the repentant criminals took advantage of the window of opportunity opened by the government and the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.

    He said that as part of the programme, those who renounced violence would also handover their weapons to government.

    The police commissioner, however, said that the recovery of arms would not be made public, so as to build trust and encourage other criminals operating in the state to also repent.

    “I assure you very soon we will begin to recover most of these arms, as some of them have volunteered to handover their arms back, but not in public.”

    He said that the repentant criminals were using the deep forests in the area as hideout, from where they terrorise communities.

    “One of the strategies we decided to adopt is to see how we can get across to some communities leaders in the context of community policing programme we are doing.

    “If you want to solve a problem you have to work with people that created the problem; we also held series of meetings with hunters as prelude to the series of activities we call Renouncing Violence Strategies.”

    Iwar described the event as very important to the efforts being made to restore peace and stability in the state.

    “Having young people that are roaming in the bush committing all forms of crimes to come out and renounce violence, swear by Holy Qur’an that they will not go back to violence again is very important.

    “You will understand that it is a very difficult decision for a criminal to come out in public and announce the atrocities he has been doing.”

    Head of Anchau Vigilante Service, Malam Audu Sallau commended the security operatives for their total support to the programme.

    Sallau said, “none of the repentant criminals was forced to do so, they voluntarily saw reason to renounce violence, and since the commencement of the programme our communities are now relatively peaceful.”