Tag: Kaduna

Pantami stresses importance of techology to national development

Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, on Monday in Kaduna, stressed the importance of technology to national development.

Pantami made the call while speaking via virtual conference at the opening of a two-day first Faculty of Science International Conference, organised by the Airforce Institute of Techology (AFIT) Kaduna.

The conference was in line with the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022).

It had the theme ‘Positioning Basic Sciences and Technology in Enhancing Digital Economy and National Security’.

The international conference was in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and supported by Kaura Motors, an automobile company.

Pantami stated that government and learning Institutions needed to pay more attention to science and technology as the key to development of the country.

He also said that functional, practical, relevant science and technology education, rather than theories, which were given much priority in learning institutions, would impact the necessary skills on the students.

He added these would address unemployment in the country.

According to him, technology remains the path way to sustainable development, noting that it was the way for the digital transformation of people in the society.

“Relevant technology is the way of moving many out of poverty in Nigeria; technology holds the key to sustainable development because it has the potential to fully transform our society,” he said.

The minister further said that the application of basic science and technology could lead to effective solutions.

He said that such solutions would enhance the security challenges and restore peace and security for attainment of sustainable development of Nigeria.

He also said Innovative capabilities, through science and technology, were critical for ensuring food sufficiency and harnessing agriculture and the broader food system as a driver of economic and sustainable development.

Also, Gov. Nasir Elrufa’i said that the state government had put modalities on ground to improve relevant science and technology education in the state, adding that at basic education, they had employed over 24,000 teachers at primary school level.

Elrufa’i, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology, Dr. Yusuf Saleh, said the state government had completed six new science secondary schools and renovated technical colleges across the state.

He also said the government had created Community and Social Development Centres, among others, as part of the efforts in ensuring development of basic science and technology at various
educational levels in the state.

Earlier, the Commandant of AFIT, AVM Muhammad Yakubu, said the IYBSSD, was in response to the invitation of the UN for organisations, including the academia to observe and raise awareness on importance of basic sciences.

This ii in the quest for the attainment of sustainable development.

He explained that proclamation of the year 2022 as the Year of Basic
Sciences by UN General Assembly, was in
recognition of the importance of basic sciences to livelihood.

According to him, enhanced global awareness and increased education in the basic sciences is vital to the attainment of sustainable development and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens of nations.

“Acccording to Michel Spiro, the President of the International
Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), basic sciences provide the essential means to meet crucial challenges.”

The challenges include the universal access to food, energy, healthcare and communication technologies, Yakubu said.

He said from the theme of the conference, the priority areas identified were clear and the justification for the choice was obviously to keen observers of the security and economic landscape of Nigeria.

“With respect to security, the various waves and myriad of security challenges across the six geo-political zones of
of Nigeria have, for some time, threatened the corporate existence of the country.

“It would therefore be heart-warming if the application of basic sciences can lead us to effective solutions that would diminish and eliminate these challenges and restore peace and security for the attainment of sustainable development in our country.”

He noted that researches such as the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Digital Forensics for national security and
the role of technology in combating banditry and food insecurity in North-West Nigeria, would be presented.

He said other presentations would be on “enhancing Nigeria’s security capacity
through biotechnology”, a descriptive analysis of the connections between basic science and quality of life.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the conference was the exhibition of UAV in motion and prototype of remote controlled explosives, among others.

November 22, 2022
2023: Kaduna APC welcomes 12,000 PDP decampees

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna, says it has received 12,817 decampees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into its fold in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

Sen. Uba Sani said this at a rally to formally receive the decampees including a former Commissioner for Woman Affairs and youth leaders, on Sunday in Giwa.

He said the APC was waxing stronger and had an edge over opposition parties in the state.

Sani who is also the APC gubernatorial candidate for 2023 general election, assured the decampees of equal status and rights like every other member of the party.

“In APC; there is no discrimination, those that joined today are equal in status as those who joined when the party was formed.

“We are one and a united family,” he said, and advised the electorates to vote for all the APC candidates in the 2023 elections.

“You should vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the presidential election, vote for Muhammad Sani Abdullahi as senator representing Kaduna Central and vote for Jibrin Zubairu as member representing Giwa/Birnin Gwari Federal Constituency.

“Vote for me during the governorship election, elect Umar Auwal Bijimi and Adamu Mohammed Shika to represent Birnin Gwari West and East at the state House of Assembly, respectively,” he said.

The governirship candidate promised to be fair to all and develop all parts of Kaduna State as well as consolidate on the achievements of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai administration.

The State Chairman of the party, Emmanuel Jekada applauded the decampees for realising that the APC is the winning party which brought dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Also, Lawal Samaila Yakawada advised the people of Giwa LGA to embrace campaign devoid of thuggery and abusive language.

Yakawada, a former Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, said that APC would emerged victorious in the forthcoming election.

November 14, 2022
Railway management moves to secure properties nationwide

The Railway Property Management Company (RPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), said it has concluded arrangements to finalise its computerised Property and Tenant Register.

Timothy Zalanga, Director of the RPMC, disclosed this on Friday while addressing a press conference in Kaduna.

Zalanga, who noted that the RPMC was saddled with the responsibility of managing all lands and landed assets of the NRC, added that the recent initiative was to ascertain the number of properties and tenants under its purview for effective management.

He said a task force had been set up by the management of the company to carry out the audit.

“The task force is expected to cover Kaduna and environs as the pilot exercise before embarking on other States of the federation.

“The exercise is expected to drive the company’s plan for a real-time interactive Land Management System on a digital platform,” he said.

The Director warned those claiming ownership of lands and landed properties belonging to railway to desist from such claims.

He, however, urged members of the public illegally occupying railway lands and landed properties to regularise their stay or risk ejection.

Zalanga also urged allottees of railway lands to settle their rental obligations, adding that all those performing businesses along railway corridors should seek clearance or risk ejection.

“Any illegal transfer of railway land or property to third parties will equally face revocation of allocation,” he stressed.

Zalanga further said that as enshrined in the land use act, any land that is not in the hands of the state government before the advent of the act, still remained with the Federal Government.

He explained, however, that for the purpose of building new rail lines, as they are doing from Kaduna to Kano, the railway had acquired new rail lines from the State Government, and translated it to be under the purview of the State Government.

“Some weeks ago, a conference was organized for directors of lands nationwide by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing where issues of land ownership were particularly addressed and they were educated on who owns a land and from what period.

“The land use act (1978) already states that any land owned by the Federal Government, its Agency or parastatal, enactment of the act shall not be affected by the act, it is exempted completely,” Zalanga explained.

Newsmen report that prior to the news briefing, the company visited Birnin Yero, Kakuri, Monday Market, Abakpwa, Ts’aunin Kura, Sabon Tasha, and Television Garage all in Kaduna, where they have property and lands.

November 12, 2022
Under your watch Kaduna has become a killing field for marauders – HURIWA blasts El-Rufai

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on Sunday, slammed Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State over the killing of residents by Fulani bandits and terrorists.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, lamented that Kaduna has become a killing field for marauders under El-Rufai’s watch while the governor has failed woefully as the chief security officer of the state with the cardinal responsibility to protect lives and property.

The group also expressed stark dissatisfaction that despite the unprecedented and callous murder of residents of the state by vicious, AK-47-wielding non-state actors, especially in Southern Kaduna, the El-Rufai government and security agencies have failed to arrest or prosecute any suspect to logical conclusion.

HURIWA described as shocking, the data released by the state government on Friday that 446 people were killed by bandits and terrorists from April to September 2022 while 985 persons were kidnapped during the period under review across the state.

Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The massacre that has been going on in Kaduna under Governor Nasir El-Rufai is condemnable and shows crass failure of the governor who is supposed to be the chief security officer of the state charged with the duty to protect lives and property.

“However, the body language of the governor continues to enable the guillotine of residents of the state, particularly in Southern Kaduna which has been the most hit victim of terrorism and banditry since El-Rufai became governor.

“For instance, in 2021, the state government said a total number of 1,192 people were killed by bandits and 3,348 abducted across Kaduna. In 2020, at least 937 people were killed by bandits and terrorists, the state government reported.

“Aside that these figures must have been doctored and reduced, yet the stark reality in Kaduna confronts any sane person. One thing is, however, certain: Kaduna is a place of sorrow, tears and blood as marauders with religious and genocidal agenda continue to hide under communal clashes to maul innocent Christians in Southern Kaduna.

“The mass graves dug under El-Rufai alone will send anyone into pains and anguish. How terrorists can have a field’s day in the state despite the heavy military presence is still unfathomable. For starters, Kaduna has no fewer than six military formations including Jaji Military Cantonment; 1 Mech.

“Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Kaduna; New Barracks, otherwise known as ‘Kotoko’ Barracks; Old Site of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; Kalanpazi Barracks (Artillery Regiment). But the military have allegedly turned blind eyes to the despicable atrocities of terrorists due to alleged tribal sentiments. Infact recently, Gov. Elruffai had boasted of controlling the police, the Army and the DSS and that he can order for the arrest of whomsoever he wishes in Kaduna State.

“So how come that terrorists are having field days in his State and yet this ‘bigman’ who commands the ‘armed forces’ located in his State has allowed these mass killings to thrive?

“El-Rufai is a big accidental administration in Kaduna and the people are worst off for bringing in the most allegedly divisive bigot as governor. Under him, non-state actors who are mostly of same ethno-religious affiliations with the governor feel emboldened to kill Southern Kaduna Christians at will and occupy their lands and the government is doing nothing to bring these killers to justice or take justice to them.

“History will never be kind to oppressors because for whatever has a beginning under the Sun must cime to an end certainly and everyone will get the full dish of what he has prepared for others !”

November 6, 2022
I want to write about Peter Obi on my Facebook page – Sheikh Gumi

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi has said he wants to write about Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi on his Facebook page only if he shares his views on restructuring Nigeria.

He spoke in Kaduna yesterday while playing host to the former Anambra State governor and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Obi and his running mate were in Kaduna to attend an interactive session for presidential candidates organised by a joint committee of Arewa groups in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

However, Gumi commended Obi for visiting and briefing him about his plan for Nigeria.

According to Gumi: “As you come here (Kaduna) people will like to hear your views about restructuring Nigeria; Nigeria has been restructuring itself from independence to date. It was never static, but I want to know about views on restructuring so that I can write on my Facebook page `this is the presidential candidate who can do this for me; I will assure him of my vote’”.

Gumi also asked the LP presidential candidate how he intends to address the issues of agitations and poverty in the country.

“How are you going to deal with the issue of polarity and agitations across Nigeria? Every region is agitating because people are not happy, how are you going to make these people (agitators) happy under one table?

“You talked more about the economy; the economy sometimes is more than the figures,” he added.

October 18, 2022
PDP clarifies Atiku’s comment on northern presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the controversial statement made by its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over his call for a northern presidency in 2023 at the Stakeholders’ Meeting in Kaduna State at the weekend.

PDP says Atiku is a symbol of national unity, cohesion, and tolerance who is comfortable and loved in all parts of the country.

This is contained in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Sunday.

The party condemned the attempt to deliberately distort, doctor, misinterpret and take out of context, the comments by Abubakar at the meeting.

“For clarity and avoidance of doubt Abubakar remains a Pan-Nigerian leader.

”He has never and will never set any part of our country against the other as being mischievously hyped.

“To set the record straight, the PDP Presidential Candidate, in responding within the context of the question put to him at the event noted that he had built bridges across the country and that what Nigerians including an average northerner need was a Pan-Nigerian leader and not an ethnic champion,” the party said.

The party therefore calls on all Nigerians to remain focused on the PDP’s mission to rescue, reunite, rebuild and restore our nation on the path of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity, which the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket represents.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) had accused Abubakar of only paying lip service to national unity.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media, and Publicity of the council stated on Sunday in Abuja that Abubakar had resorted to ethnic ”jingo” in the face of imminent defeat at the 2023 election.

He stated that Abubakar’s recent statement to the effect that northern Nigerians did not need a Yoruba or Igbo president was the worst expression of ethnocentric opportunism ever uttered by a former vice-president.

October 17, 2022
Our party is undeterred by plots to disrupt Kaduna campaign – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is undeterred and standing shoulder to shoulder with the good people of Kaduna State who are set for the Presidential Campaign Rally.

The party scheduled campaign programmes in Kaduna State to begin on Monday.

This is contained in a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja.

He claimed the anti-democratic forces have been mobilised to cause tension and disrupt the party’s programmes in Kaduna Stat.

”Those behind the plot to disrupt our programme are uncomfortable and unhappy with the success of the ongoing reconciliation efforts, stability and popularity of the party.

”The PDP will never be distracted from its mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect Nigeria.

“Our Party’s position is predicated on information at our disposal of how these anti-party elements who are not happy with the campaign successes achieved by the National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu and other Party leaders, have concluded plots to create an impression of crisis within the PDP by recruiting thugs to protest and disrupt scheduled programmes.

”The PDP has information of how these individuals, who were frustrated by the huge success of the PDP Presidential Campaign inauguration in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom last Monday, are bent on creating a situation to discredit the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally scheduled for tomorrow in Kaduna State,” the praty said.

He saluted the people of Kaduna State for the overwhelming reception that they accorded Abubakar, his running mate, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and other party leaders who had been in the state in the past two days ahead of the presidential campaign rally.

“Our party implores all members, our teeming supporters and the public to be at alert.

“We also urge security agencies to immediately set in motion machinery to forestall any attempt to disrupt the programmes,” the party said.

October 17, 2022
Video: Watch moment Tinubu wobbled and fumbled in Kaduna

A trending video online showing presidential candidate of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC Ahmed Tinubu as he wobbled and fumbled while delivering a speech in Kaduna.

In another major gaff Tinubu says ElRufai is a specialist in turning a rotten situation to bad.

Despite receiving an ovation for the gaff, netizens picked it and used to hammer the APC presidential candidate.

Watch:

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October 16, 2022
NUP commends Kaduna government over health insurance cover for 16,000 pensioners

The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Kaduna State Chapter, on Monday commended the State Government for providing health insurance coverage to more than 16,000 pensioners in the state.

The secretary of the union, Alhaji Alhassan Musa, made the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna.

Musa described the development as “very thoughtful”, adding that with the insurance cover, pensioners would no longer spend all their monthly stipends on medical bills.

He explained that under the arrangement, pensioners would be required to pay only three per cent of their monthly pension, while the government covered the remaining 97 per cent of health care costs.

He said that the pensioners health insurance scheme was introduced by the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) in collaboration with the Kaduna State Pension Bureau.

“This is a good development for all pensioners in the state and we welcome it with all our hearts as another strategy of taking care of the aged population in the state,” he said.

The secretary said that the union had, however, requested that the pensioners be enroled in secondary health facilities or any health facility of their choice.

“This is because the major ailments of aged people are diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, sight problem, and prostate among others.

“These are illnesses that are better managed at secondary or tertiary health facilities,” he said.

On his part, the Director-General, KADCHMA, Malam Abubakar Hassan, said that the measure would lift the burden of out-of-pocket spending on health from pensioners in the state.

Hassan explained that the initiative was part of KADCHMA effort to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health services in line with the goals of the Universal Health Coverage.

He urged the private sector to take advantage of the health insurance scheme and enrol their families to enjoy affordable healthcare services without exposing them to financial risk.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Pension Bureau, Prof. Salamatu Isah, said that the insurance scheme would enable pensioners to direct their little income to other basic needs.

“This in the long run, will improve the quality of their lives,” she added.

October 10, 2022
NDLEA arrests 121 suspects, seals 13 properties in Kaduna

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, have arrested 121 suspected drug traffickers and sealed 13 properties belonging to them.

The NDLEA Commander, Mr Umar Adoro, told newsmen on Monday in Kaduna that the operation was conducted in September.

Adoro said 27 notorious drug joints were dismantled across the state.

He said the illicit drug outlets were located in Kawo, Kabala Costain, Numba Zango, Zaria City, Sabon gari, Nupe street and Unguwar Muazu.

Others are Unguwar shanu, Maraban Jos, Dan Magaji, Hayin Banki and Kafanchan among others.

He added that among the 121 suspects, 13 were females.

The commander said the drugs seized included 247,172kg Indian hemp, 0.041kg Cocaine, 0.004kg of heroin, 0.363kg of Tramadol, 74, 441kg Psychotropic substance and 0.001kg Methamphetamine.

“The grand total weight of drugs seized was 322,476kg within the period under review,” he added.

The Commander appealed to citizens for timely and useful information on illicit drug dealers, to enable the agency to take prompt action.

He advised parents and guardians to always be watchful of their wards on the friends they moved with all the time .

He said the war against drug trafficking and consumption would continue until it was brought to a standstill in the state.

October 3, 2022