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Tag: Katsina State

  • BREAKING: Katsina Governor reshuffles cabinet

    BREAKING: Katsina Governor reshuffles cabinet

    Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State on Monday reshuffled the State Executive Council to ensure optimum performance of the administration’s ‘Building Your Future’ agenda.

    This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed.

    Kaula-Mohammed said Alhaji Malik Anas, a newly appointed commissioner, would now head the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

    “Anas holds a Masters in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano.

    “He was equally a one-time Katsina State Accountant-General; and member of different professional bodies, including Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Financial Reporting of Nigeria, among others,” Kaula-Mohammed said.

    Alhaji Bello Kagara, the former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, is now the Commissioner for Finance.

    Also, Alhaji Bashir Tanimu, who previously served as Finance Commissioner, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    Alhaji Yusuf Rabi’u-Jirdede has been deployed from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment.

    On his part,  Alhaji Adnan Nahabu has been moved from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment to the Ministry of Special Duties.

    Kaula-Mohammed quoted the governor as directing the newly appointed and the reassigned commissioners to maintain excellent service.

    “The governor specifically charged Alhaji Malik Anas to align his Ministry’s objectives with the administration’s ‘Building Your Future’ agenda.

    “While urging all commissioners to intensify their efforts in serving the people of Katsina State,” he said.

  • Gunmen kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, 2 others in Katsina

    Gunmen kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, 2 others in Katsina

    Gunmen have killed the Katsina State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Surajo Leader and two others in Kusada Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident occurred on Saturday night when the gunmen invaded Mai Rana community in Kusada LGA.

    Sources revealed that the gunmen also abducted two of the deceased wives and his daughter who is an undergraduate student.

    The deceased has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites amidst apprehension in the area.

    The Katsina Police Command spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who confirmed the incident, said that police operatives responded and engaged the gunmen in a shootout.

    He said that the gunmen were forced to flee leaving one of their operational vehicles and one of the abducted wives.

    Aliyu said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims, and arrest the gunmen.

    He urged the public to assist the police with any credible information on the whereabouts of the fleeing criminals.

  • Katsina govt spends N3.3bn on drugs revolving scheme

    Katsina govt spends N3.3bn on drugs revolving scheme

    Katsina State Government said it has spent N3.3 billion on the purchase of drugs from reputable pharmaceutical companies and distributed the same to health facilities in the state under its drugs revolving scheme.

    The State Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal-Jobe, made the disclosure at a monthly press briefing on the achievements of the administration in the health sector from inception to date, on Tuesday in Katsina.

    He said that was in line with the administration’s commitment to addressing the issue of sales and consumption of sub-standard drugs.

    “The Drugs and Medical Supply Agency had been strengthened to ensure purchase and supply of quality drugs through a revolving scheme.

    “So far, drugs worth N3,331,031,121.00 were purchased from reputable pharmaceutical companies and distributed across health facilities in the state,” he said.

    In addition, the deputy governor said that the government, in collaboration with Global Fund, had renovated and converted a warehouse to a pharma grade at the cost of N766,815,832.00.

    Lawal-Jobe said, “This facility is strategically placed to play a vital role in ensuring efficient storage and distribution of essential medicines.”

    He further said that the government has awarded a contract for the construction and equipping of a modern Pharmaceutical Production Unit at the total cost of N1.6 billion.

    Lawal-Jobe also revealed that E-health solution was deployed to seven health facilities across the state for enhanced efficiency in healthcare delivery service at the total cost of N244.4 million.

    He also revealed that the government had recruited additional 253 health personnel for secondary health facilities in the state.

    “These include Medical Doctors, Nurses/Midwives, Medical Lab Scientists and Pharmacists, arrangement are ongoing for the third batch of the recruitment exercise,” he said.

    Lawal-Jobe said that the government commenced residency training on Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Family Medicine at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hospital and General Hospital, Katsina, respectively.

    He said that was in order to improve the capacity of indigenous medical doctors and others to become specialists.

    He added that the government was also making frantic efforts to curtail medical tourism, hence the commitments to establishing state- of-the-art facilities at the Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital.

    “This administration had completed the construction and equipping of the Dialysis centre at General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital Katsina, which is adjudged to be one of the best in the country at the total cost of N681,104,727.92.

    “Additionally, a contract for the construction and equipping of a modern imaging and diagnostic centre was awarded at the total cost of N13,137,170,677.93 and work is currently ongoing at the site located at General Amadi Rimi Hospital,” he said.

    He said that the government would continue to implement programmes, policies and projects that would impact positively on the citizenry.

  • Katsina govt spends N13.4bn on upgrade of PHCs

    Katsina govt spends N13.4bn on upgrade of PHCs

    The Katsina State Government has expended N13.4 billion on upgrading of 146 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to boost the delivery of healthcare services in the State.

    The State Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal-Jobe, made the disclosure at a monthly press briefing, on Tuesday in Katsina.

    He said that a minimum of four PHCs were upgraded in each of the 34 local government areas of the State.

    The government, he said, also approved the renovation and upgrading of Comprehensive Health Centres in Rimi, Faskari, Dandume and Zango LGAs, at the cost of about N3.7 billion.

    According to him, the government had renovated and upgraded the General Hospital Kafur, as well as upgraded structures at the General Hospital, Kankia at about N739.5 million.

    Lawal-Jobe said that N1.9 billion was expended by the the State Primary Healthcare Agency to carry out its functions for effective healthcare delivery service to the people of the state.

    “These activities included, among others, the construction of a dry store, purchased and distributed laptop computers to LGA monitoring and evaluation officers.

    ”This was to bolster data management to enhance evidence-based decision making in healthcare delivery,” the deputy governor said.

    Lawal-Jobe said the government also procured and distributed drugs for the containment of diphtheria outbreak, as part of non-polio supplementary Immunisation activities, where 2,216,573 eligible children were vaccinated.

    The deputy governor added that the government distributed 360 motorcycles to ward focal persons for routine immunisation and other related exercises during the period under review.

    “So far, a total of 438 personnel were engaged for the success of the exercise,” he said.

    Furthermore, he said, the government had upgraded and converted the Covid-19 isolation centre to a Psychiatric Hospital at the total cost of N65.8 million.

    Similarly, Lawal-Jobe revealed that the former Psychiatric Hospital building was upgraded and converted to the permanent site of the College of Nursing and Midwifery at the cost of N104. 4 million.

    He said the government also sustained the free Medicare Policy for free delivery, antenatal, dialysis, cesarean session and some other services.

    “In this regard, the sum of N397,000,000:00 was expended during the period under review.

    “This exercise is meant to assist the teeming population of Katsina State, especially the less-privileged to have access to basic healthcare services with relative ease,” he said.

  • UPDATED: 2 die, 4 injured as police foil kidnapping of 10 passengers

    UPDATED: 2 die, 4 injured as police foil kidnapping of 10 passengers

    The police command in Katsina State has foiled a kidnap attempt while rescuing 10 passengers at Kwanar Makera in Jibia Local Government Area of the State.

    The police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.

    He said: “On Dec. 24,  at 8:30 p.m., some suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked a commercial vehicle at Kwanar Makera on Katsina-Magama-Jibia road in Jibia LGA, in an attempt to kidnap 10 occupants of the said vehicle.

    “Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia, swiftly led a team of operatives to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun duel. The team successfully foiled the kidnap attempt, and rescued all the 10 victims”.

    Aliyu said that four of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the bandits’ attack and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

    “Unfortunately, two victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment,” he said.

    Aliyu further said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation continued.

    The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.

    He further urged the public to always give the police useful information on criminals’ activities for prompt and decisive action.

  • Katsina Gov signs 2025 budget into law

    Katsina Gov signs 2025 budget into law

    Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has signed the 2025 budget of N692.2 billion into law. The governor had submitted N682,244,449,513,87 to the state assembly for consideration and approval.

    The budget indicates that recurrent expenditure stands at N157.9 billion, representing 23.15 per cent, while the capital expenditure is N524.2 billion, representing 76.85 per cent.

    The budget, tagged: “Building Your Future II”, has an increase of N200.5 billion compared to that of 2024.

    Signing the proposed document on Wednesday in Katsina, Gov. Radda said that the budget had a slight increase of N10 billion against the initial estimate.

    He lauded the state assembly for working tirelessly to ensure that the state has a budget which would open door for development activities in 2025 fiscal year.

    The governor also acknowledged the diligent exercise exhibited by the MDAs to ensure the state has budget that would guide the administration.

    “Our budget is one of the shining examples in budget performance in 2024, I believe we have done extremely well”, the Governor said.

    Radda explained that the 2025 budget prioritised capital projects with education taking the lead, followed by agriculture.

    He noted that the capital projects would make citizens more lively, make life better and reduce the level of poverty in the society.

    The governor equally commended the state assembly’s efforts for carrying out their oversight function thoroughly in 2024.

    He urged the legislators not to relent in their efforts for the state to achieve optimum transparency, accountability and good governance.

    Earlier, the Speaker, Katsina State House Assembly, Alhaji Nasir Yahaya-Daura, described the 2025 budget as a product of rigorous legislative process.

    He said that the lawmakers were proud to have worked tirelessly to ensure that it reflected the needs and aspirations of the people.

    “After a careful review during the budget defence by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, N10 billion was added to the budget.

    “This gives us a total sum of N692,244,449,513,87, against the previous N682,244,449,513,87 submitted by the governor. We are confident that with this budget, more progress will be recorded across the state,” he concluded.

  • Katsina Assembly approves N692.2bn 2025 budget

    Katsina Assembly approves N692.2bn 2025 budget

    The Katsina State House of Assembly has passed into law, the appropriation Bill of N692.244 billion for 2025 fiscal year in the State.

    The bill was passed during the assembly’s plenary in Katsina on Tuesday, presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Nasir Yahaya-Daura.

    Recall that Gov. Dikko Radda, has on Nov. 25, presented over N682.2 billion for consideration and approval.

    Alhaji Lawal Yaro, Chairman, house standing committee on appropriation presented the bill which was subsequently passed into law.

    During the plenary, lawmakers deliberated and scruitinised the report, and unanimously adopted and passed the bill into law.

    The committee chairman explained that during the budget defence, N10 billion was discovered to be omitted from the earlier proposed budget.

    This development led to an increase of about N10 billion on the initial proposed figure presented for consideration and approval.

    Recall that Gov. Radda has tagged the budget as, ’Building the Future ll’.

    During the plenary, the Speaker also announced the names of Alhaji Malik Anas and Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare, for screening and approval as Commissioner and Chairman of the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission respectively.

    Yahaya-Daura further fixed Wednesday, Nov. 18, for the screening of the nominees.

  • Gov Radda appoints new Chief of Staff, others

    Gov Radda appoints new Chief of Staff, others

    Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved the appointment of Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman-Nasir as his new Chief of Staff (COS).

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed, on Thursday in Katsina.

    Until the new appointment, Mamman-Nasir was the Managing Director, Katsina State Irrigation Development Authority.

    He replaced Alhaji Jabiru Abdullahi-Tsauri, who has been appointed as the National Coordinator of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

    The chief press secretary listed other appointments made by the Governor to include Alhaji Malik Anas, who was nominated as a Commissioner, subject to the State House of Assembly’s confirmation.

    The governor also appointed Alhaji Mustapha Bala-Batsari, as Special Adviser on Markets Development and Alhaji Nasiru Ahmed, appointed as Special Adviser on Rural and Social Development.

    Furthermore, the governor appointed Hajiya Bilikisu Suleiman as a Special Adviser on Banking and Finance, while Abubakar Ahmad-Tsanni was appointed as Special Adviser on Youth Development.

    Dr Mustapha Shehu would now serve as the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KSDMB).

    Shehu, until the new appointment, was the State Project Coordinator, Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a World Bank supported programme.

    Aminu Barau-Mairuwa was appointed as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor of the newly established Community Development Programme (CDP).

    Dr Aliyu Rabi’u-Kurfi took over the Katsina State Housing Authority as General Manager, while Dr Kabir Ali-Masanawa, is the new Executive Director of the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau.

    Also, Zuwaira Boyi, is the new Executive Director, Investment and Tourism, and Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare was nominated as the Chairman of the Katsina State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, subject to State House of Assembly’s confirmation

    The governor charged the new appointees to be dedicated to their duty and ensure the administration’s “Building Your Future Agenda” was delivered to the people of the state.

  • Police rescue 20 passengers from kidnappers in Katsina

    Police rescue 20 passengers from kidnappers in Katsina

    The Police Command in Katsina State, has foiled kidnap attempts and rescued 20 passengers in Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas of the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abubakar Aliyu, on Sunday in Katsina.

    “The first incident occurred on Saturday at about 7p.m., at Kwanar Makera on Katsina–Magamar Jibia road, Jibia Local Government Area.

    “A group of bandits, armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, opened fire on a moving vehicle, with attempt to abduct the occupants,” he said.

    Aliyu said that operatives of the command attached to the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.

    He added that forced the bandits to abandon their mission and flee the scene with gunshot injuries.

    “The 10 occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unhurt,” he said.

    ”Similarly, on the same day, at about 10:30 p.m., at Marabar Bangori, on Funtua–Gusau Road, Faskari LGA, suspected bandits laid ambush on a motor vehicle conveying 10 passengers,” Aliyu said.

    According to him, the command’s operatives, who were alerted, quickly mobilised to the scene, and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.

    “Due to superior firepower, the bandits abandoned their heinous plan as they fled the scene, and all the passengers were successfully rescued.

    “Unfortunately, one of the rescued victims was rushed to the hospital due to severe injuries inflicted on him by the bandits where  he is currently responding to treatment,” he said.

    Aliyu said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the officers.

    He further charged them to sustain the tempo in the ongoing fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state.

    Abubakar-Musa also reiterated the commitment of the command toward ensuring the safety and security of the people of the state.

  • Banker arrested over N18m theft from customer’s account

    Banker arrested over N18m theft from customer’s account

    The Nigerian police command in Katsina State has arrested a bank official in Daura for allegedly stealing N18 million from a customer of the undisclosed bank through an Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Katsina Police Command Spokesman, ASP Abubakar Aliyu confirmed the arrest of the unnamed suspect during a briefing at the Police Headquarters in Katsina.

    ASP Aliyu disclosed that the suspect, an Assistant Operations Officer at a new generation bank, is accused of conspiring with a friend to carry out the theft. The arrest came after a complaint was filed by the victim, Okojie Herbert, who reported the theft to the authorities.

    “The suspect, Head of ATM, who was responsible for managing the bank’s ATM operations at the branch, conspired with his friend to steal the sum of N18 million from the bank.

    “The suspects used their expertise of the bank’s operations to carry out the theft, which was discovered during an audit.

    “In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence as the following exhibits were recovered from the suspect: the sum of N10,180,000.00k from his different bank accounts. Physical cash of N366,900 and other valuables.

    “The suspect will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation,” Aliyu said.