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Tag: Nasarawa State

  • Nasarawa govt to spend 20% of 2024 budget on education

    Nasarawa govt to spend 20% of 2024 budget on education

    The Nasarawa State Government has earmarked N40.16 billion to be spent in the education sector in 2024, representing 20 per cent of the total budget of N199,9 billion.

    Mrs Munira Abdullahi, State  Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning made the disclosure to newsmen during the 2024 budget breakdown on Friday in Lafia.

    The Commissioner explained that education was the topmost priority of the state government which was why it allocated 20 per cent of its 2024 budget in compliance with UNESCO’s recommendation.

    She added that the budget was made up of N113.123 billion as recurrent expenditure and N86.8 billion for capital expenditure.

    The Commissioner said that the budget was expected to be funded from the following anticipated revenue sources; opening balance of N3.56 billion, statutory revenue allocation of N45 billion.

    Others are; value added tax N27.50 billion, exchange gain of N7.50 billion, special allocation of N11 billion, refund from NNPC N20 billion and other revenue from FAAC N5.9 billion, with N43.3 billion from Internally Generated Revenue.

    Abdullahi also said that the government had budgeted N500 million for the purchase Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in Lafia the state capital to tackle security challenges.

    She noted that the administration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule had adhered to international best practice in preparing the 2024 budget to ensure accountability, transparency and prudence in the management of public resources.

    She, therefore, assured the people of the state of government’s determination to complete all ongoing projects.

    Governor Sule signed the 2024 budget into law on December 29, with a commitment to consolidate on the gains so far recorded in the State.

  • I will not betray people’s trust – Nasarawa Speaker

    I will not betray people’s trust – Nasarawa Speaker

    Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr Danladi Jatau has assured people of the State that he would not betray their trust in him.

    He also pledged his continued commitment to lead without fear or favour in the interest of development.

    Jatau made the promises on Wednesday in Lafia during a visit by Hausa/Fulani political appointees from Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

    He urged the appointees to be good ambassadors of their principal, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, by propagating the policies and programmes of the administration to the people at all times.

    The Speaker appreciated them for the visit and assured of his readiness not to deviate from his responsibilities in the interest of development.

    Besides, Jatau assured of his resolved to partner with the executive arm in order to bring more projects that would have direct bearing on the lives of his constituents.

    “I will continue to effectively partner with His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, in order to promote development in the state.

    “As His Excellency is being up and doing in developing the state,” he said.

    The Speaker however called on them and other people of the state to support Sule to implement policies and programmes for the overall development of the state.

    He also said that the assembly would ensure good working relationship with the executive arm for speedy development to be achieved in the state.

    Jatau also to appeal to herders and farmers to co-exist peacefully in order to boost food production in the state.

    He said both herders and farmers must live together peacefully for the socio-economic growth and development of the state.

    Earlier, the Special Assistant (SA) to the governor, Mr Bashir Abubakar, who led the appointees, congratulated the speaker on his emergence as leader of the House.

    He advised the speaker to justify the confidence reposed in him by supporting the governor to achieve the task ahead and promised to work in synergy for the development of the state.

  • Strange woman steals newborn baby at Lafia hospital

    Strange woman steals newborn baby at Lafia hospital

    A yet-to-be identified woman stole a new-born baby boy at the postnatal ward of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State on Tuesday.

    Mother of the one-day-old baby, Mrs Wosilat Suleiman, told newsmen that she was delivered of the baby early on Tuesday through Caesarean Section.

    “My relation that was looking after me introduced the strange woman she met in the ward to me before she went home to pick something.

    “She told me that the woman would take care of me and the baby before she returned from the house.

    “My relation thought the woman had a patient at the ward and she trusted her to help us before she returned.

    “The woman told me she wanted to bathe the baby and disappeared with him,’’ Wosila lamented.

    She appealed to relevant authorities to help her to find her baby as she was still going through pains.

    Reacting to the incident, the hospital management expressed regret that the theft happened in spite of strict security measures put in place in the facility to protect patients and staff.

    The hospital’s Acting Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Dr Mohammed Salihu, said it was the first time such theft was witnessed in the hospital.

    He explained that Wosilat was delivered of the baby at about 3 a.m. and the baby was handed over to her relation before mother and child were transferred to the postnatal ward.

    He added that unfortunately the relation of the patient entrusted a strange woman to look after her sister on account that she wanted to pick something from the house.

    He said further that the hospital management had reported the matter to the police and investigation was on-going to unravel the case.

    “Already the relation of the mother of the baby has been arrested and some of our staff on duty were invited by the police for questioning,’’ he said.

    Salihu promised that management would review the CCTV footage in the hospital to arrest the culprit.

  • Abducted LG chairman regains freedom in Nasarawa State

    Abducted LG chairman regains freedom in Nasarawa State

    Mr Safiyanu Isah-Andaha, Chairman, Akwanga Local Area of Nasarawa State, who was abducted by gunmen on Monday has regained freedom.

    DSP Ramhan Nansel, spokesperson of the  Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the release of the chairman and three other victims on Tuesday in Lafia.

    The local government chairman and three others were abducted by gunmen at about 8:30 p.m., in Ningo village, Akwanga LGA.

    Nansel said that the chairman and three others were released at about 8:45 p.m., on Tuesday in Andaha village, Akwnaga as a result of sustained pressure from the combined security agencies search-and- rescue team.

    The police spokesperson explained that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the chairman and other victims.

    He said that upon receipt of information about the incident on Monday night,  the Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, immediately deployed a team, whose effort in collaboration with other sister agencies had paid of with the release of the victims unhurt.

    Nansel said that the victims would be reunited with their families after recieving medical attention.

  • Nasarawa announces date for local government elections

    Nasarawa announces date for local government elections

    The Nasarawa State government has officially announced a date and released the timetable to conduct local government elections in the State.

    The State government says it plans to conduct elections for chairmen and councillors of the 13 local government councils in the State on August 31.

    Mr Ayuba Wandai, Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) said this at a stakeholders’ meeting with officials of the state Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Tuesday in Lafia.

    Wandai said that the current chairmen and councillors were elected on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 and were inaugurated on Friday, October 8, 2021 for a three-year tenure which would end on October 7.

    “This is our second engagement; the first was in August 2023 in line with the law establishing the commission.

    “The law has given them the mandate to begin preparation for elections one year before the expiration of the tenure of the officials.

    “The commission is a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote the adherence to the laws governing the conduct of LG elections in the state,” he added.

    The commission’s chairman said that political parties were expected to conduct their primaries from Wednesday, January 3 to Saturday, February 24 to select their candidates for the elections.

    He said that political parties must submit their candidates’ list on/or before Tuesday, February 27.

    Wandai also said that sales of nomination forms would start on Wednesday, February 28 and end on Monday, March 11 and the candidates would be screened from Wednesday, March 13 to Friday, March 15.

    He said that based on the timetable, electioneering campaigns would commence on Wednesday, April 3 and end on Friday, August 30.

    Speaking, Mr Cletus Ogah, the State IPAC Chairman, commended the commission for early preparation in compliance with the law.

    He expressed confidence that based on the preparation on ground the electoral body would conduct free, fair and transparent election.

    He pledged IPAC support for the commission to enable it to succeed in the conduct of the election.

  • Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State  has rescued Mr Isaac Igbawua, a lecturer at the Department of Micro Biology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, from his abductors.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s  Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, on Friday in Lafia.

    Nansel said that the command, on Wednesday (Dec. 27), received information that gunmen invaded the residence of the lecturer at Old Barracks, Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State, at  4:14 a.m. and took him to an unknown destination.

    “Reacting to the unpleasant development, Umar Nadada, the Commissioner of Police  in the state, ordered an immediate and intensive manhunt for the abductors.

    “The search paid off on Thursday (Dec. 28), at 4:30 p.m.,  when information was received that some strange people wearing face masks were sighted in a forest at Ogba Village, Nasarawa-Eggon LGA.

    “Our personnel,  in collaboration with a vigilante group, mobilised to the scene and,  on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire but were gallantly repelled.

    “The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family after undergoing a  medical examination at the Police Clinic, Lafia,” the police spokesperson said.

    In another development, the command has arrested a suspected notorious criminal and second year  student of the Federal University of Lafia.

    Nansel said in the statement  that the police searched the student’s  residence and found one locally-fabricated Beretta pistol, four live ammunition and charms.

  • Nasarawa Assembly elects new Speaker, Deputy

    Nasarawa Assembly elects new Speaker, Deputy

    Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Friday elected Danladi Jatau (APC – Kokona West), as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

    The emergence of the new speaker followed the Appeal Court judgment, which nullified of the election of the former Speaker, Alh. Ibrahim Abdullahi on Nov. 28.

    The House also elected Mohammed Oyanki (PDP-Doma North) as its new deputy speaker.

    The duo were elected unopposed by members of the legislature.

    Mr Ibrahim Musa, the Acting Clerk of the House announced the result during an emergency plenary in Lafia.

    Alh. Suleiman Azara (APC- Awe South) nominated Jatau for the position of speaker, which was seconded by Larry Ven- Bawa (APC- Akwanga North).

    Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central) nominated Mr Mohammed Oyanki, (PDP – Doma North) for the position of Deputy Speaker and seconded by Hajiya Hajara Danyaro (APC- Nasarawa Central).

    The clerk, thereafter, swore in Jatau and Oyanki as speaker and deputy speaker respectively.

    Jatau, in his acceptance speech, thanked the members for the confidence reposed in him to lead the 7th assembly.

    He promised to promote unity among members of the Assembly for robust legislation for the overall development of the State.

    The new speaker also pledged effective collaboration with the executive arm of government in order to ensure that the people continue to feel the impact of democracy in the state.

  • Nasarawa PASAN suspends strike

    Nasarawa PASAN suspends strike

    The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in Nasarawa State has suspended its three-week old strike over financial autonomy of state assemblies across the country.

    The association had on Monday directed its members to resume work on Nov. 21.

    The state Chairman of PASAN, Mr Suleiman Oshafu, confirmed this on Tuesday in Lafia.

    Oshafa said the resumption of work followed a directive from the national headquarters of the PASAN after an agreement was reached with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

    Accordig to him, the PASAN national executive met with the major stakeholders in Abuja on Nov. 17 to resolve the dispute.

    The PASAN chairman revealed that part of the agreement reached during the meeting that led to the suspension of the strike included full implementation of financial autonomy of the state assemblies commencing from January 2024

    “And full implementation of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure,” he added.

    Recall that the PASAN embarked on indefinite strike on Oct. 30 to press home their demand for financial autonomy of state legislatures.

  • BREAKING: Nasarawa Assembly shut down by PASAN

    BREAKING: Nasarawa Assembly shut down by PASAN

    Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Nasarawa State Chapter, has shut down the state legislature to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the assembly.

    PASAN’s action is in compliance with a nationwide strike ordered by the national body of the association. The workers are demanding for financial autonomy of state legislatures across the country.

    Mr Suleiman Oshafu, the Chairman of the union, stated this while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lafia.

    Oshafu said that the strike is total while urging the state governors to do the needful by implementing financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly.

    “We are here today to embark on strike over financial autonomy for the State Houses of Assembly.

    “As financial autonomy will promote accountability, transparency and good governance in the country,” the chairman said.

    Oshafu recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed an Executive Order granting the financial autonomy of the state assemblies in 2020.

    “What we want from the Government is that all state legislature must be granted financial autonomy.

    “This strike is nationwide, is indefinite strike,” he said.

    He urged members of the association to stay at home until further directive from the national leadership of the association.

    “I call on all PASAN members to comply with the strike and be law abiding,” he said.

    Members of the association carried different placards reading:

    “No going back on financial autonomy”; “Financial autonomy is constitutionally guaranteed”; “Give us our financial autonomy now”; “No Autonomy, no legislator and no work”; and “Autonomy the only solution to vibrant legislation”, among others.

  • Nasarawa legislator doles out N20m for palliatives, empowerment to constituents

    Nasarawa legislator doles out N20m for palliatives, empowerment to constituents

    Assemblyman Aliyu Nana has doled out N20 million to his constituents in Keffi West, Nasarawa State as palliatives and empowerment to improve their standards of living and for the overall development of the constituency.

    He disbursed N10,000 each to 1,000 constituents as empowerment and distributed 2,000 bags of 5kg rice to 2,000 people and additional 1,000 bags of 5kg of maize to 1,000 people of his constituency to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

    The Nana APC lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Pilgrims, made the distribution on Sunday at Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa Square, Keffi, Keffi LGA.

    Nana said that the palliatives and empowerment were to change the lives of his people positively.

    The lawmaker also donated a Sharon bus to Keffi Emirate Council.

    The lawmaker called on the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use it to improve their standard of living and that of their family members.

    ” Today I am disbursing N10,000 each to 1,000 people, including women and others

    ” This is part of my commitment to improve on my people’s standard of living and to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on my constituents.

    ” I want to re-assure you all that I will continue to key into good policies and programmes that will have direct bearing on your lives and other people,” he said.

    Nana also assured of his continued determination to lobby for project as well as provide sound representation to his people at the state legislature.

    He urged those who were yet to benefit from his gesture to be patient, adding that his empowerment programmes would be in phases for the next four years.

    The lawmaker further called on the people of his constituency to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live peacefully with each other for development to thrive.

    Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke appreciated Nana for the gesture and assured him of their support.