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Tag: Kebbi State

  • Gov Idris presents 2025 budget proposal to Kebbi assembly

    Gov Idris presents 2025 budget proposal to Kebbi assembly

    Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has presented the 2025 budget proposal of over N580 billion to Kebbi House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

    Presenting the budget at the assembly’s chambers on Wednesday, the governor said the budget is tagged: “Budget of Economic and Infrastructural Consolidation”.

    He said of the total budget estimate of N580,327,469023:80, capital expenditure stood at N453,017,982,782, while recurrent expenditure was N127,309,486,651.

    The governor added that the state was expecting N235,228,160,910:16 as revenue statutory allocation from the federation account and internally generated revenue (IGR) of N25,979,766:80.

    Idris noted with satisfaction that the state’s internally generated revenue had steadily improved.

    According to him, the budget seeks to enhance agriculture and mineral resources, social welfare of workers and retirees, improving critical infrastructure as well as youth and women empowerment.

    The governor explained that the budget would also improve good governance and institutional reforms amongst other sectors.

    He expressed delight that the federal government had finally handed over the construction of Koko-Dabai-Mahuta road to Kebbi Government, assuring that very soon the construction would be flagged off.

    Idris recalled that apart from distributing fertilisers free-of-charge to farmers to enhance food security and foodstuff to public, his administration had also empowered 65,000 persons with N100,000 each to enable them become self reliant.

    The governor appreciated the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative arms which had culminated into tremendous successes in running the affairs of the State.

  • Gov Idris appoints 200 APC youths as Special Assistants

    Gov Idris appoints 200 APC youths as Special Assistants

    Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has appointed 200 youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as his Special Assistants.

    Presenting the offer to the beneficiaries comprising male and females at the APC Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the party Chairman in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, said the party was proud of the governor.

    The chairman recalled that during their electioneering campaign they went to nooks and crannies of the state seeking for people’s mandate by making different promises.

    He, however, noted with satisfaction that the governor had been able to fulfill about 80 per cent of such promises, assuring that in no distant time he would soon complete the rest and even go beyond.

    Kana-Zuru listed some achievements of the governor to include procurement and distribution of free fertilizer and foodstuff, roads, solar power street lights and the completion of ultra-modern state secretariat among others.

    The chairman said: “If you haven’t visited Kebbi in the last one or two years, if you come today, you will never believe what your eyes are seeing.

    “His Excellency, Kauran Gwandu runs an open and inclusive government. He wants everybody to enjoy the fruits of democracy, that’s why he always tells his appointees to exhibit the habit of free will gift.

    “On several occasions, our amiable governor is saying to allow the dividends of democracy to filter down to the public.”

    He assured the new appointees that they would start enjoying their salaries by the end of December.

    Earlier, Hajiya A’isha Gulabi, the State APC Women Leader said they converged on the party’s secretariat to show appreciation for what the governor did to them.

    She urged the beneficiaries to be loyal and respectful so as to be able to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    Gulabi appealed to those who did not get the appointment to be patient for  their turn coming soon.

    A cross section of the benefiting youths who spoke, expressed appreciation to the governor for keeping his promises.

  • Commissioner debunks illegal mining claims in Kebbi

    Commissioner debunks illegal mining claims in Kebbi

    Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, Kebbi Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining has debunked media report that the state government was supporting illegal mining activities in the State.

    Addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on the matter, Aliyu-Wasaguthe described the report as fake, malicious and a calculated attempt not only to tarnish the image of the present administration but also to distract its attention from the developmental strides.

    He said: “The briefing is to categorically debunk a recent online report published by www.truthng.com which falsely alleges that the Kebbi Government is supporting illegal mining activities in Libata in Ngaski Local Government Areas.”

    The commissioner recalled that the ministry of solid minerals was established in 2023 alongside eight other new ministries by the administration of Gov. Nasir Idris aimed at diversifying the state’s revenue sources and addressing key developmental priorities.

    The commissioner also recalled that in Sept. 2023, the state government took a decisive action with a view to sanitising mining sector by suspending all mining activities across the state due to the concerns about illegal mining and related security issues.

    He said that the decision was also informed by several critical observations, including lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, community development agreement projects, and proper payments of royalties and tax to federal and state governments among others.

    He, however, said that the state government had so far approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate within Libata area.

    The commissioner said that strict protocols were in place to ensure compliance with the laid down rules and regulations including registration with the state ministry of solid minerals development and mining.

    Others according to him, include; obtaining an introduction letter from the ministry to be presented to the Emir or District Head concern for signing of consent letter to be forwarded to the mining cadastral office, Abuja and applying for license at the Ministry Cadastral Office, Abuja.

    “The rule also insist on validation of licenses by the ministry through the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) server, engaging host communities for compensation and designing a Community Development Agreement (CDA) projects.

    “Also insurance of permits/clearance by the state ministry before the commencement of any mining activity.

    “In specific case of Libata, Ngaski LGA, Three Crown Company was issued a license by Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja for a total landmass of 5.4 square kilometres (27 cadastral units). Subsequently, a portion of this land (2 square kilometres or 10 cadastral units) was allocated to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited.

    “This overlap caused by mining cadastral office, Abuja, led to a dispute between the two companies. It is important to emphasise that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining has no involvement in this conflict.

    “While Three Crown Company registered with the state government in 2023, El-Tahdam Company did their own in 2024, Three Crown fully has completed the licensing process from the state to the federal levels,” he said.

    Also contributing, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, Commissioner for Information and Culture said the write-up was done to distract government’s attention from the good works it had already started for the people of Kebbi.

    He said that the state never had the opportunity to have government that was more responsive, more inclusive and more caring like the present administration, hence the need for opposition parties to shied their swords and join the vanguard of positive change.

    While assuring that governor Idris was democratically elected to foster democracy and ensure good governance, the commissioner said: “we should have an opposition party that will say the governor is working let’s support him.”

    Ahmed-BK appealed to all and sundry to rally round the the governor to enable him actualise his vision for a new prosperous and transformed Kebbi.

  • No village under bandits’ control in Kebbi – Deputy Gov.

    No village under bandits’ control in Kebbi – Deputy Gov.

    The Kebbi Government has refuted an online media report that bandits have taken control of some villages adjudicating in Sharia Courts and self-appointed traditional rulers in the state.

    The State Deputy Gov. Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, debunked the report at a news briefing in his office in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

    “There is no single village, in the whole of Kebbi State, where bandits are in-charge of Sharia courts or have appointed village heads of their choice.

    “The report is false, with no iota of truth; this is just the imagination of writers of such online news.

    “We do not have a bandit base or camp in Kebbi. These marauders infiltrated from neighboring states, and from Niger Republic to Kebbi through their informants to strike and retreat,” he said.

    Abubakar-Tafida assured that the state government had put in place incisive and effective strategies to put an end to the acts of banditry.

    “The delegation sent by the state government under the leadership of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu to meet with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa has held a fruitful discussion with the military high-command.

    “This discussion was on ways to wipe out banditry and insurgency in Kebbi, Northwest and the North generally,” he said.

    Abubakar-Tafida announced that, so far, N92.5 million had been disbursed to the families of victims who lost their lives in the bandits’ attack on Friday, Nov. 7.

    “Gov. Nasir Idris donated N50 million, Sen. Bagudu gave N30 million, members of the National Assembly from the state donated N10 million while Minister of State for Humanitarian Services, Dr Tanko Sununu, donated N2.5 million to the families.

    “We are grateful to them for their condolence visit to Mera in Augie Local Government Area, as well as their benevolence to the victims,” the deputy governor noted.

  • Kebbi: PDP appoints Dododo as Publicity Secretary

    Kebbi: PDP appoints Dododo as Publicity Secretary

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State has appointed Alhaji Sani Dododo as its new Publicity Secretary in the State.

    The appointment is contained in a statement by Alhaji Abubakar Bawa-Kalgo, the State Secretary of the party issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

    “Following voluntary resignation of Alhaji Garba Liman-Buma as the PDP Public Relations Officer in Kebbi, the State Executive Committee of the party has approved the appointment of Alhaji Sani Dododo as his replacement,” he said.

    Bawa-Kalgo quoted the outgoing publicity secretary thanking the state council for the cooperation accorded him during his service as the party’s PRO.

    “He also called on the party members to extend the same level of cooperation to Dododo.

    “On his part, Dododo, during a  meeting on Monday, appreciated the leadership of the party for finding him worthy of shouldering the responsibility and promised to discharge his duties with utmost objectivity and in line with the party’s manifestos,” he said.

    Bawa-Kalgo commended the outgoing publicity secretary for his tremendous contributions to the party.

    “PDP urges the new publicity secretary to emulate the virtues and team spirit of Liman-Buma, the former publicity secretary,” he urged.

  • Fishermen kill huge hippopotamus in Kebbi

    Fishermen kill huge hippopotamus in Kebbi

    A video showing the moment fishermen from Yauri town, Kebbi State displayed a huge hippopotamus which was killed after an extensive search has surfaced on social media.

    According to AIT News, the fishermen distributed the meat to villagers after killing the animal on Monday, October 7.

    It was gathered that the animal had killed one of the emir’s staff, and on the order of the State Governor, enforced by the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Abdullahi, the fishermen went after the animal.

    The hippopotamus was put down by the efforts of 40 fishermen using bows and arrows.

    Several videos posted on Facebook show moment the animal was k!lled and later ferried in a local dugout canoe to the Palace of District Head of Gungu, Kasimu Aliyu, where it was slaughtered and its parts shared as meat to people.

  • Gov Idris distributes new official vehicles to 4 emirs

    Gov Idris distributes new official vehicles to 4 emirs

    Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, on Wednesday, has given a Toyota Land Cruiser each to the four First Class Emirs in the State.

    Presenting keys to the vehicles to the emirs in Birnin Kebbi, Idris said the aim was in recognition of their role as facilitators of peace, security and development in the society.

    The traditional rulers are the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar.

    Others are the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad-Mera; the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi; and the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sami.

    “Your Royal Highnesses, my administration recognises the importance of all institutions.

    “The government has given new vehicles to members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners, Security Services, and Chairmen of Boards, Departments and Agencies for optimal operation.

    “Today, we are tackling our royal fathers’ transportation problems, because you have been riding in old vehicles.

    “Morally speaking, as a government, we know what traditional rulers are doing nationwide in contributing to peace and stability among communities.

    “We must be alert to our responsibility. We uphold the high esteem of traditional institutions as foundation for social cohesion.

    “The vehicles presented to the emirs are exactly the same as what the governor is riding. This is to preserve the sanctity of the royal fathers.

    “Wherever you go with the vehicles, you will be recognised with honour as 1st Class Emirs from Kebbi,” he said.

    Idris reiterated the commitment of his administration to seek constitutional role for traditional rulers.

    “We rely on them as problem solvers; traditional institutions are of paramount importance in societal growth and prosperity,” the governor said.

  • Flood wreaks havoc on 21 LGAs as Kebbi govt seeks FG’s support

    Flood wreaks havoc on 21 LGAs as Kebbi govt seeks FG’s support

    The Kebbi Government has called on the Federal Government, local and international partners to urgently come to the aid of flood victims in the state.

    Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, made the call at a news conference on the devastating impact of the flood disaster in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

    Ahmed-BK said that 16 out of the 21 local government areas were hard-hit, leaving 329,000 houses destroyed and 858,000 hectares of farmlands washed away by the disaster.

    He listed some of the worst affected LGAs to include, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Ngaski, Jega, Augie, Yauri, Maiyama, Shanga, Koko-Besse, and Gwandu, among others.

    “None of the 21 LGAs of the state was spared by this devastating flood and almost all households in the state are either directly or indirectly affected.

    “This was in spite of all the proactive measures taken by the state government to stem the tide of the flood disaster.

    “The state government promptly acted upon the flood alerts earlier received from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Agency (NIHA).

    “The disaster has hugely affected the livelihood of the generality of the people of the state, especially the rural dwellers.

    “Seven victims were reportedly dead in Ngaski LGA, eight in Maiyama, five in Kalgo, seven in Jega and two in Birnin Kebbi local government area,” the commissioner said.

    He also said that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of assorted farm produce had been destroyed by the flood, hence, impacting negatively on the state’s invaluable contributions to the nation’s food supply chain.

    Ahmed-BK described the development as a bad omen for national food security, “as the state remained an indispensable hub of rice production in the country.”

    He therefore, called for an urgent support to the affected farmers, adding that there was an impending food scarcity in the state and the country in general.

    According to him, to prevent the impending doom, there is the need for well-meaning individuals and groups from within and outside the country to extend helping hands to the affected farmers.

    “They should be assisted with assorted improved seeds and other inputs for them to engage in dry season farming, so as to empower them to bounce back.

    “This will encourage and empower the farmers, bolster food production and ultimately have multiplier effects on Nigeria’s food supply chain,” he said.

    Ahmed-BK recalled that the state government had set-up standing committees at the state and local government levels, with a view to assessing the extent of damages caused by the colossal flood disaster across the state.

    He said that the essence was to come up with some measures and actions to assist the flood victims.

    “But, due to the extent of damage caused by the disaster, there is the need for collective actions to assist the victims.

    “Kebbi State Government is doing its best in this direction, but it needs the support of all and sundry, locally and internationally,” the commissioner pleaded.

    He said that the committee established by the state government, led by the Deputy Gov., Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, was working tirelessly to alleviate the impact of the flood on the victims.

  • APC secures all 21 Chairmanship positions in Kebbi LG elections

    APC secures all 21 Chairmanship positions in Kebbi LG elections

    The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s local council elections across the state.

    In an announcement made on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, the KESIEC Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, confirmed that the APC secured all 21 Chairmanship positions and won all 225 Ward Councillor seats.

    Muhammad-Mera noted that a total of 17 political parties, including APC, NNPP, LP, AAC, Boot Party, AP, and SDP, among others, participated in the elections.

    He added that the commission had ratified and adopted the Chairmanship results as announced by the Returning Officers in the various Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the Councillorship results as declared at the electoral wards.

    Expressing his satisfaction with the conduct of the elections, Muhammad-Mera praised the peaceful and hitch-free nature of the exercise.

    He also commended the security agencies and other stakeholders for their support in ensuring a smooth process.

    However, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the elections, alleging bias.

    The PDP claimed that the KESIEC Chairman and his Commissioners were card-carrying members of the APC, casting doubts on the commission’s ability to conduct a fair election.

  • JUST IN: APC sweeps Kebbi LG polls

    JUST IN: APC sweeps Kebbi LG polls

    The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC), on Sunday, declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s local council polls in the State.

    Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, Chairman of the commission, who announced this in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, said the party won all the 21 Chairmanship seats and 225 Ward Councillors.

    Muhammad-Mera, said that 17 political parties participated in the polls, including, APC, NNPP, LP, AAC, Boot party, AP, and SDP among others.

    He announced that the commission had ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the LGAs as announced by the various councils’ Returning Officers and the Councillorship results as announced at the electoral wards.

    Muhammad-Mera, expressed joy that the exercise was peaceful and hitch-free and commended the security agencies and all other stakeholders for their invaluable support.

    Recall that PDP had since boycotted the elections, insinuating that the KESIEC Chairman and his Commissioners were card carrying members of APC. The PDP alleged that the commission’s leadership would not in any way be fair to opposition parties.