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Tag: Kebbi

  • Buhari commends gov. Bagudu for a successful APC convention

    President muhammadu Buhari has commded Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, for his efforts in making the APC Convention a success.

    The special adviser to Gov. Bagudu Atiku on Media made this known to newsmen on Friday in Birnin Kebbi.

    Sarki said the commendation was contained in a letter by the president addressed to the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, on  his role in the recently conducted APC national convention.

    At the convention, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was elected the party’s standard flag bearer for the 2023 elections.

    While describing the presidential primary as one of the most competitive and peaceful in the history of Nigeria’s democracy, the president extolled Bagudu’s invaluable efforts.

    He said: “I was pleased to see how you were very professional and efficient in handling the sensitive political position of Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum.

    “Your commitment in pursuit of equity and fairness speaks volumes in the cooperation displayed by APC governors.

    “This indeed demonstrates the camaraderie that brought us together over eight years ago.

    “The party primaries were peacefully conducted and the delegates have selected the candidate to carry the APC flag in the 2023 presidential poll.

    “Today, as a patriotic APC member and stakeholder, I trust that you will come together to work with our candidate to win the 2023 elections.

    “In the past seven years in government, we have achieved a lot.  However, we have a lot more to do. The APC project is far from over and we need all of you to come together to ensure our progressive journey to peace and prosperity is sustained.

    “Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you.

    “He is our friend and brother. We know his commitment, his track record and his capacity to lead our party to success. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory,” the president said.

    The president also said that he looked forward to working closely with APC governors to support Tinubu and all other APC candidates.

  • Why I left APC for PDP – Senate Leader

    The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, said that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to “injustice” in the Kebbi State chapter of the party.

    Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North, had on Wednesday joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    The lawmaker told NAN in Abuja on Friday that “it was a case of serial denial of rights”.

    He said: “Yes, I have left the APC due to injustice by the Kebbi State Governor.

    “It is not just injustice; it’s a serial denial of rights and undemocratic rights which we reported to the party for more than 11 months.

    “Nobody did anything about the manner the governor handles the party affairs in the state; imposing candidates and doing whatever he wants.

    “The national headquarters of the party failed to bring order. We cannot just sit down and mortgage our own political career to the whims and caprices of one man.

    “We thought the best thing is to leave the party,” Abdullahi said.

    It was gathered that Abdullahi’s defection may not be unconnected to his loss of the APC governorship ticket on May 26.

    Abdullahi failed to get a single vote while the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr Nasiru Idris, emerged the party’s governorship candidate with 1, 055 votes out of the 1, 090 votes cast.

    Alhaji Abubakar Gari-Malam, who came second, polled 35 votes.

    In his reaction, Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Kebbi State Governor, said the allegations by the Senate Leader were not true.

    “The governor is a loyal party member that has worked assiduously to unite the party since he came into power in 2015.

    “In fact, he has suceeded in wooing many important politicians into the party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” Sarki stated.

    He added that notable politicians had joined the APC because of the purposeful leadership of the governor.

    “On the issue of alleged imposition of candidates, the governor has never meddled in the affairs of the party. It is entirely a party and electorate affair to elect candidates.

    “In order to carry every one along, whatever decision has to come from the party’s stakeholders which the petitioner or complainant is part and parcel.

    “Numerous stakeholders’ meetings were convened to reach a decision on matters affecting the party.

    “The governor never believes in one man affair to run the party. All stakeholders are involved in decision making.

    “Any time an event, meetimg or any occasion of the party is organised, invitations are extended to all in writing or physically including the complainant.

    “So it is just that he may have lost out on the state politics as well as grassroots politics that is why he left the party,” he said.

    The Senate resumes plenary session on Tuesday after parties’ primaries, it will be expected of the Senate Leader to “vacate his seat” as the majority leader in the Senate.

  • Kebbi youths stage peaceful protest, urge Malami to contest governorship

    Kebbi State Youths, under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths Support (KYS), Wednesday staged a peaceful protest demanding that Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, should contest for the governorship position in the state.

    Newsmen reports that the youths carried placards with inscriptions such as, “We in Kebbi are unanimous for Malami’s project”; “Constitution is superior to Electoral Act”; “Malami is Kebbian” and “Baba Buhari, please allow Malami to run”, among others.

    The Chairman of the group, Malam Muhammad Ruwa, who made their demand known at the end of the protest in Birnin Kebbi, said the youths are pleading with Malami to rescind his earlier decision not to contest.

    “We are calling on Malami as youths from the 21 local government areas of the state to listen to our demands and recant his earlier decision, and come and contest in order to continue with the developmental projects the APC-led government has started,” he said.

    The group threatened to use legal action to press home their demands if Malami refuses to heed their demand.

    Ruwa described Malami as a person with sterling leadership qualities and who assisted his people tremendously.

    Speaking on behalf of women members of the group, the Woman Leader, Hussaina Sa’idu, called on Malami to contest the governorship position.

    She said the minister, through his Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), had impacted the children and empowered the people, especially the women.

    “His programmes empowered and have continued to mobilise the people of the state, especially the women to improve their standard of living,” Sa’idu said.

    Responding, Alhaji Yahaya Koko, the Manager of Kadi Malami Foundation, assured the group that he would channel their demands to the minister for consideration.

    “Malami is a leader that every state wants to have as its governor, considering his immense contributions to poverty alleviation and provision of social amenities to people in remotest areas.

    “He has empowered unemployed youths and women as well as small and medium-scale farmers, businessmen and women, among others, in the state.

    “We appreciate your concern and love for Malami and we assure you that your message will get to him promptly.

    “It is our hope and prayer that he will consider your demands and rescind his earlier decision,” Koko said.

  • Kebbi: FRSC collaborating with relevant stakeholders for accident-free Eid-el Fitr – Official

    Kebbi: FRSC collaborating with relevant stakeholders for accident-free Eid-el Fitr – Official

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kebbi State Command, says it is working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure no road accident is recorded during the Eid-el Fitr period.

    The Sector Commander, Yusuf Haruna, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

    “In a bid to ensure seamless 2022 Eid-el Fitr celebration, the FRSC RS10.2, Kebbi state Sector Command, has deployed personnel, patrol vehicles, and ambulance across the state.

    “This is to ensure free vehicular movement and safety of all categories of road users during the Eid-el Fitr celebration in the state.”

    He also warned motorists against dangerous driving, over-speeding, the use of cellphones while driving, and other actions that contravene road traffic rules during the period.

    He said that there would be massive deployment of both Regular and Special Marshals for the special patrol operations being organised to control traffic and check the excesses of motorists during the period.

    He called on motorists to avoid anything that could lead to accidents on the highways.
    “Some of those things include but are not limited to dangerous driving, excessive speeding, use of phone while driving, route violation, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, among other traffic violations,” he said.
    According to Haruna, the FRSC remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives of motorists and passengers on the highways.

    He further advised the motorists to renew their driver’s licenses and vehicle papers once they expired.
    Haruna noted that road safety is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians, and, therefore, urged them to call FRSC or National emergency numbers 112 and 122 in case of emergencies.
    “Remember, only the living celebrate,” the commander said.

  • 2023: AGF Malami set to contest Kebbi governorship election

    2023: AGF Malami set to contest Kebbi governorship election

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney -General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN says he has accepted calls from the Kebbi people to run for the state governorship.

    Malami will be running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He made the acceptance in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, at an interactive session with APC stakeholders in the state.

    “Since you want me to contest governorship position of the state, I hereby accept your demand since you want me to do so.

    “People from the state have been pressurising me to contest the governorship position in 2023.

    “Going by my proper upbringing as son of an Islamic teacher, I will not show interest to contest for any position or judge myself qualify for any position except the people of the state want me to.

    “I have contributed a lot to the country and also to the state in areas of employment generation, fight against poverty, agricultural revolution and women empowerment,’’ he said.

    “We pray for Allah’s guidance and assistance and may the answer to your demands be the continuous development of the state,’’ he said.

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu urged party leaders not to relent in pursuing a resolution to bring aggrieved members back into the APC fold.

    Bagudu called on the youths to emulate the humility of Malami as a son of Islamic teacher.

    “May Allah bless Malami, and we thank Almighty Allah for your contributions to the people of the state as an upright person, we will continue to pray for you,” he said.

    Malami’s associates have contributed N130 million to support his gubernatorial ambition.

    The contributions are as follows – women supporters in the state, N30 million; Malami Women Support Initiative, N20 million; and the association of serving councillors of 225 wards in the state, N25 million.

    Other are the association of former members of the State House of Assembly – N5 million and friends and associates of Malami, N50 million.

  • 2023: Malami joins Kebbi guber race, vows not to betray his supporters

    2023: Malami joins Kebbi guber race, vows not to betray his supporters

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has declared his intention to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state vowing he won’t betray his teeming supporters in Kebbi State.

    The AGF who declared before his supporters in Kebbi State, vowed not to betray them.

    “If God in His mercies permits, and all goes well, I will as a politician contest the governorship of Kebbi state. I am seeking your support.

    “I want to announce that I will contest indeed and as such I am counting on your prayers and support so that we can all work and survive the race together. I have no history of betrayal and I won’t betray you people. I will work for you,” he told his supporters in Hausa, in a video that was seen yesterday.

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pointed out that leaders need followers and followers in turn need their leaders in order to ensure that the citizens benefit, even as he promised to work day and night to turn the life of citizens around.

    Malami had previously told close friends of his intention to contest the Kebbi state election.

    He certainly would be contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and would be seeking to succeed the current Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is completing his second term.

    In 2014, Malami picked nomination form to run for Kebbi State Governor under the platform of the APC, but lost to Bagudu in the party’s primary election.

    The Attorney General of the Federation was appointed into his current position by President Buhari in 2015. He was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

    Malami obtained his First School Leaving Certificate(FSLC) from Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi. He proceeded to College of Arts and Arabic Studies for his secondary education.

    He obtained a degree in law from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1991 and was called to Bar in 1992.

    In 1994, Malami obtained a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri.

    In 2011, Malami served as the National Legal Adviser of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Chairman, Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organisation and Chairman Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organization.

    Malami was among those that drafted the manifesto of the APC and a member of the inter-party Merger Committees of the CPC, ACN, ANPP, a faction APGA, DPP towards the formation of the APC·

  • EU centre trains 50 journalists in Kebbi on election observation, reportage

    EU centre trains 50 journalists in Kebbi on election observation, reportage

    The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (ECES) has trained over 50 journalists in Kebbi on election reportage, ahead of the Feb.5 local government elections in the state.

    The Project Coordinator of the ECES, Mr Hamza Fassi- Fihri, said at the training in Birnin Kebbi, on Thursday, that the workshop was a three-day event, based on the request of the Kebbi Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC).
    He said,” We are happy to have been able to set up these training in collaboration with our EU- SDGN partners, the Albino Foundation and Nigerian Women Trust Fund.
    “Experience shows there is no democracy without free media. And there is no free media without committed journalists.
    “This is why it is so important to constantly invest efforts in training journalists, supporting their professional development and keeping their knowledge up-to-date”, Fassi-Fihri said.
    He explained that the aim of the workshop was to achieve the objective and offer an opportunity to deepen the reporting of elections as the important work of the journalists.
    “Elections are key moments in democratic life. But, it comes with a lot of challenges, risks, pressure and sometimes even threats and violence.
    ” Reporting on sensitive contexts like elections require high level of professionalism, starting with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the election process.
    “This is in addition to a thorough analysis of the political context within which the election takes place”, he said.
    He also said that knowledge of KESIEC’s mandate would help the journalists to understand the challenges of the commission for better reporting to the audience.
    Fassi-Fihri expressed optimism that the training would contribute to building stronger bonds between the KESIEC and the media towards s stronger local democracy.
    The coordinator also thanked the KESIEC leadership, the Chairman of the KESIEC, Alhaji Muhammad Mera, and his commissioners, for their invitation to ECES to support the training and for the warm welcome.
    Earlier, the KESIEC Commissioner for Publicity and Voter Education, Alhaji Mustapha Ka’oje, called on the journalists to cooperate with the commission and the facilitators, for an outcome of commitment to deliver thorough, verified and unbiased publication, among others.
    ” At the same time, I exhort you to refrain from publishing information that encourages antagonism, which is likely to incite violence or jeopardise social cohesion,” he said.
    Ka’oje also called on the journalists to contribute to fair, transparent and peaceful processes, as part of their role of promoting democracy and respect of pluralism.
    A cross-section of the participants, when interviewed, expressed delight over the workshop, saying that it would help them to create the enabling environment for the attainment of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the 2022 LG elections and beyond.
    ECES is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit foundation headquartered in Brussels with a global remit.
    It was established at the end of 2010 and has implemented activities already in more than 50 countries in Africa and the Middle East, primarily with funding from the EU and its member states.

    ECES promotes electoral and democratic strengthening, through the provision of advisory services, operational support and management of large projects mainstreaming capacity and leadership development via peer exchanges and comparative experiences, dialogue and the prevention and mitigation of electoral conflicts.

  • NDLEA intercepts 1.5million Tramadol tablets enroute Kebbi, Kano

    NDLEA intercepts 1.5million Tramadol tablets enroute Kebbi, Kano

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted about 1.5million tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the drugs, heading to Yauri in Kebbi state, were intercepted in Edo by the NDLEA, on Friday Jan. 14, the same day 425,000 Diazepam tablets were recovered at Segemu, Kano.

    He said that acting on credible intelligence, operatives in Edo on Friday Jan. 14 intercepted a trailer coming from Onitsha to Yauri in Kebbi State.

    “A thorough search of the truck led to the discovery of psychotropic substances concealed under legitimate goods.

    “The drugs seized included: 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets of Tramadol weighing 83.707kg; Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203.315kg; Diazepam: 12,500 tablets weighing 2.05kg;

    In addition, there were “Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets weighing 0.45kg; Codeine based Syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134.865kg; Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.64kg, ” he said.

    Babafemi said that the truck driver, Bashir Lawali, 30, was arrested along with Abubakar Sani, 30, and Ali Abubakar, 19, while the exhibits in Kano were seized from one Sa’idu Yahya, 31.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have frustrated an attempt by drug traffickers to export 73 parcels of cannabis (34.05kg) concealed in foodstuff plastic containers to the United Kingdom.

    This was through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) export shed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos on Jan. 8th

    Babafemi said that the operatives also intercepted another 50 parcels of cannabis consignment (27.25kg) meant for the United States, at the export shed of the airport on Tuesday Jan. 11th.

    He said that at least three suspects have so far been arrested.

    In a reverse bid, moves by illicit drug merchants to bring into Nigeria 94 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4kg, through the Tin Can seaport in Lagos, were crushed on Jan. 13th.

    “When operatives intercepted the drug inside a 40ft container from Canada; the exhibit was concealed inside a Toyota Camry car.

    “This came on the heels of a similar seizure on Jan. 11th of 59 parcels of Colorado (17.3kg) concealed in a Mercedes Benz vehicle imported from Canada, ” he said.

  • BREAKING: 30 abductees of FGC Birnin Yauri regain freedom

    BREAKING: 30 abductees of FGC Birnin Yauri regain freedom

    A total of 27 abducted students and three teachers of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, in Kebbi, have regained their freedom, after four months in captivity, the Kebbi governor, Atiku Bagudu, has announced.

    Addressing the students in Birnin Kebbi, on Thursday, Bagudu, thanked God for their release, while urging them to take heart over their abduction and four months captivity, as a trial from God.

    “Even Prophets of Allah, who are the best and most faithful people, had been tested and tried; but one thing is certain that if you are tested and tried and at the same time you become patient, definitely the sky is your limit and only Allah knows your reward,” he said.

    Bagudu prayed to Almighty Allah to rescue those that were yet to be released as “efforts are still ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.”

    The governor directed that the students should undergo medical screening and be supported while being reunited with their families.

    He thanked the security agencies and all those that had helped in ensuring the release of the students.

    The 30 released abductees, comprised three teachers: two males and one female; while the students included, two girls and 25 boys.

  • FIFA names Kebbi beach soccer player among top100 global best

    FIFA names Kebbi beach soccer player among top100 global best

    Emeke Hego-Ogbonna, a beach soccer player with the Kebbi state Beach Soccer Club, has been named amongst the top 100 top players in the world by FIFA, the world football governing body, an official has disclosed.

    Alhaji Mahmud-Hadejia, President, African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) confirmed this on the side lines of the ongoing second season of the Kebbi State Beach Soccer League (KBSL) 2021/2022 edition, holding in Birnin Kebbi, with 10 clubs vying for the trophy.

    Hego-Ogbonna, also a Nigerian beach soccer international with the Super Sand Eagles, was the highest goal scorer at the 2019 Nigeria Copa Lagos International Tournament, and had won the MVP at the CAF beach soccer African Cup of nations with Nigeria in 2016.

    Mahmud-Hadejia said: “Just like regular football, there are professional beach soccer players across the world.

    “My friend from Portugal who just came, has worked with one of the Portuguese beach soccer professional players, a legend in Rabah Madjer, who was a top beach soccer player in the world. We want to have a lot of Madjers here in Kebbi too.

    “In Nigeria, beach soccer worldwide, under FIFA, recently announced the top 100 beach soccer players in the world and a player from Kebbi Beach Soccer Club (KBSC), who played and won the National Beach Soccer League (NBSL), was named among the top 100 Beach Soccer Players in the World.”

    He described this as a big achievement for Kebbi, advising that sustainable efforts be made by all stakeholders, from the state government to private firms like WACOT Rice, BAM Projects and Cosgrove Investments, who had shown interest and commitment to develop the game, to produce more of such players.

    “From here, the Kebbi Fishers are going to compete in the World Winners Championships in Europe to compete with some of the best in the world.

    ”At the continental level, we have all come together to promote the culture of beach soccer in African countries through the African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU),” he assured.

    Earlier, the National Deputy President of ALGON, Alhaji Shehu Marshal-Jega disclosed that the association, across the 774 Local Government areas in Nigeria, would upgrade the infrastructure used for beach soccer sport across the country.

    “This is because we are very close to the grassroots and we are partnering with the Kebbi Beach Soccer Association to uplift the standard of the game in the state and in Nigeria at large.

    “Here in Kebbi, we are going to do it and all the 774 LGAs in Nigeria will fully participate in uplifting the standard of the game in Nigeria,” he pledged.

    He appealed to private investors to partner with beach soccer, just as the Kebbi State Government was doing, to fully catch the youth in their tender ages and empower them through sports.

    Marshal-Jega, also the Chairman, Jega LGA, as well as Kebbi Chairman of ALGON, commended the state governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for investing in youth and women in the state, observing that by empowering them, the future of the nation was certainly bright.