Kaduna Convict Prison to get Junior Secondary School
government
Kaduna Convict Prison is to get a Junior Secondary School to be established by Kaduna State Government in addition to the upgrading of the Prison study centre of National Open University (NOUN), Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai has announced.
According to him under the youths empowerment programme of the state government, workshop equipments will also be provided in the prisons within the state to empower inmates with useful skills that they can rely on to sustain their lives outside the prison.
El-Rufa’i made this disclosure Wednesday at commissioning of Zaria Prison renovated by the state government and ordered for the imediate return of the inmates to the upgraded facility.
Represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Amina Ruth Sijuade, the governor promised to continue assisting the Command with operational vehicles.
Speaking, the Controller General of Prison, Dr. Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu expressed appreciation to the governor for undertaking the renovation work in the Zaria Prison. He called on other state governments to emulate Kaduna by assisting the Prisons with logistics and renovation of their facilities.
In his welcome address, the Controller Kaduna Sate Prison Command, Abubakar Garba said the renovation work was not the only assistance the governor rendered to the command, as he donated a generating set and hospital equipments worth millions of naira to Kaduna Convict Prison.
According to him, plans are underway to embark on another decongestion exercise by the Chief Judge of Kaduna State by reviewing the cases of 119 inmates charged for various offences. This he said would aid the reduction of awaiting trial inmates.
It could be recalled that on the 28th May, 2015, Zaria Prison was destroyed by the inmates. All the cells, the workshops and administrative block were set ablaze by the inmates, the only buildings left untouched was the Mosque and the Chapel.
Kaduna Convict Prison to get Junior Secondary School
Sustain fight against cattle rustling–ACF tells Northern Govs
Sustain fight against cattle rustling–ACF tells Northern Govs
By; Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
Arewa Consultative Forum has said the Security Joint Task Force formed by the state governments of Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa and Niger to tackle the issue of cattle rustlers and other heinous crimes must be sustained.
According to the northern socio-political group, the joint operations in forests bordering the states have started yielding results with the recovery of many stolen cattle and the arrest of suspected cattle rustlers.
This was contained in a statement signed by ACF Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim and made available to journalists in the state.
“ACF is happy with this development as it had consistently advocated for this Joint Task Force to tackle the menace of these cattle thieves who not only steal but in most cases kill the herders.
“ACF appeals to the concerned states to sustain the operation of the Security Joint Task Force by regular funding”, the statement said.
ACF also reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians irrespective of their cultural, religious and other persuasions in order to consolidate the country’s political, social and economic development.
The group however said it was saddened by the recent suicide bomb attacks on innocent Muslim faithfuls during their evening and morning prayers in Maiduguri, Borno and Yola, Adamawa states respectively, where about 75 people were killed and many injured.
“This wicked attack on soft targets using innocent female suicide bombers by the Boko Haram terrorists is most unfortunate and worrisome” it stressed.
However, ACF said it is pleased with the stakeholders meeting embarked upon by the Borno State Government where religious and traditional leaders including security agencies partner to discuss community policing that will make the people be more vigilant and security conscious.
END.
PDM Faults Ganduje over N24B Loan
PDM Faults Ganduje over N24B Loan
By; LAMARA GARBA AZARE, Kano
Gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) in the 2015 elections, Engineer Bashir Ishaq Bashir has faulted the decision of the state government under to borrow the sum of N24bn from the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some Commercial banks describing the idea as uneconomical.
Governor Umar Ganduje is planning to borrow N24bn for the state to finance
recurrent expenditure and also offset the five months accumulated
salary and pension arrears.
Engineer Bashir, who stated this while speaking to press men said it is unwise to for Kano to secure the loan when the state is battling to offset N300bn outstanding debt.
“This kind of loan is only taken to run critical developmental ventures that can generate revenue to pay the loan and also sustain the venture. But you don’t borrow money especially from commercial banks to finance recurrent expenditure or pay salaries and pension arrears” he said.
According to him, about 80 per cent of the uncompleted
capital projects in the state which government intends to finance with the loan were captured in the 2014 budget.
“I learnt that N10bn out of the N24bn loan will be spent on salaries and pension arrears, and another N10bn to complete Challawa and Tiga power plants. The two projects were ill-conceived because 35 megawatts at N14bn is the most expensive power projects in the world; it means
we are going to spend 1.75 million US dollars per megawatt”.
“Already, he said the dams were on ground and directing a river to power the project. Rather we are only installing turbines and possibly two sub-stations. And in the 2014 budget the actualexpenditure of N10bn have been paid by Kwankwaso’s government leaving behind only N4.22bn to be sorted out,” he asserted.
He also questioned the whereabouts of the N10bn that has beencaptured in the 2014 budget, asking “has it not been paid? Why the duplication, if it has been paid, has the contract been reviewed upward?”
The PDM guber candidate also argued that the two power plants cannot generate any revenue to the state, suggesting that instead of financing the two projects, government should rather build fertilizer plants to encourage farmers go into commercial farming so that they can create more job opportunities and stimulate the economy of the state.
He said: “From my little knowledge, you cannot get a loan from commercial banks in Nigeria with less than 25-27 per cent interest. Soif the state secures the loan with 25 per cent interest, then it is expected to pay N6bn interest annually.”
New Law Transfers PHC Staff From LG To The State In Kaduna
New Law Transfers PHC Staff From LG To The State In Kaduna
By; ABDULL-AZEEZ AHMED KADIR, Kaduna
A new law in Kaduna State has transferred Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) from the Local Government Councils to the State thereby permitting the state to organize its primary healthcare activities under one roof.
The State Governor, Mallan Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai unveiled this while addressing the second Kaduna State Healthcare Partners’ Summit and thanked the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the law.
In a statement issued by Mr. Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to the governor and made available to New Nigerian, El-Rufai said health is one of the priority sectors for his government and applauded the healthcare partners for sharing his government’s goal to deliver for the State citizens better health and longer life expectancy.
“During the first summit, we shared with you some of the dismal indices of our state in infant and maternal mortality, malaria treatment, measles vaccination and HIV/AIDS prevalence. We did that, not for purposes of pointless lamentation, but to underline the scale of the challenge, and our duty to deliver better healthcare outcomes for our people. One of our key goals is to place our state in the top tier for healthcare delivery. Participants responded positively to our request for coordination and collaboration among partners and donors to support our government’s healthcare programme.
“Since then, our State House of Assembly has passed a law to place Primary Healthcare under One Roof. We have advanced the partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Dangote Foundation close to the implementation phase. We have been prompt in making our counterpart funding available for health programmes. The 2015 workplace with UNICEF is proceeding. “Our MoU with GE Healthcare has reached costing level, and both parties are ready to deliver modernised 255 primary healthcare centres, one in each ward, in 2016. This is a priority item in our 2016 budget, as are improvements to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities and the recruitment of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals” the governor was quoted to have said.
Abandoned Road Projects: El-Rufai sets up Review Committee
Abandoned Road Projects: El-Rufai sets up Review Committee
By; OJO SHOLA, Kaduna.
Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has set up a special committee to review and verify capital projects inherited by his administration.
The committee is to also identify other new projects in line with the need of people as promised during the election campaign.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, Engineer Usman Mahmud Hassan, stated this in a statement signed by his Image Maker, Umar Gora and made available to New Nigerian Newspapers NNN on Wednesday.
According to him, it is necessary to set up the committee because the past administration left huge road project debts running into billions of naira.
“When the administration came on board, some of the roads were completed but with lot of liabilities, while others were abandoned by the contractors due to non-payment.
“Government is however awaiting the report of the committee and its recommendations on the way forward and to assist decision making in terms of continuing the projects and their payment for the betterments of the people of the state as a whole,” the statement added.
END
2,500 Corps Members Begin Orientation In Kaduna
2,500 Corps Members Begin Orientation In Kaduna
By; OJO SHOLA, Kaduna
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed 2,500 Corps Members to Kaduna State to participate in 2015 batch ‘C’ orientation exercise, marking the beginning of one year mandatory service to the country.
The orientation course, which is the first of four cardinal point of NYSC, is designed to orient and prepare the qualified Nigerian graduates for the entire service year and leadership role after the service.
The state Coordinator of the scheme, Prince Mohammed Momoh told New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) that security of Corps Members remain the top priority of the NYSC which is why all the security agencies are involved in this regard.
He further revealed that Corps Members who are either pregnant or nursing will be immediately registered at the orientation camp and exempted from military and Man ‘O War trainings because of their fragile health status.
According to him, “the state will be hosting 2,500 qualified Nigerian graduates for this batch. We have made adequate preparations in terms of security and other in-house things including skill acquisition and entrepreneurial programmes, leadership training, Martial Arts among others.
“We have contacted all the security agencies for security during and after the orientation exercise. We are optimistic that we will have hitch-free exercise.
“As at now, I’ve been directed to register pregnant women and nursing mothers within two to three days of their resumption on camp because we don’t have medical facilities for children and pregnant women.
“No any form of indiscipline will be tolerated from any Corps Members through the service year,” he warned.
He called on Corps employers to apply for required number of Corps Members in terms of discipline and number their organisations can adequately cater for.
He thanked the State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai for the good patronage the Service has been enjoying with the latest been provision of an electricity transformer to replace the vandalized one at the Black Gold Orientation Camp, located at kilometer 18, Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The four cardinal points of NYSC are Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Passing out Parade. The orientation is expected to run between today Wednesday 28th of October and Monday 16th of November, 2015.
Insurgents; Nig Troop kills 30 Boko Haram, Rescuers Abductees, clears Camps
Insurgents; Nig Troop kills 30 Boko Haram, Rescuers Abductees, clears Camps
The troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Bitta and Pridang carried out a successful raid on suspected Boko Haram camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road at the fringes of Sambisa forest on Tuesday, killing 30 of the Boko Haram insurgents and rescued more abductees.
According to a statement signed by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, they rescued 338 persons that were held captive by the insurgents in the enclaves. “The rescued persons which comprised of male 8, female 138 and children 192, have since been evacuated to Mubi.
“Troops also recovered arms and ammunitions during the raid operation which include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun and 2 Dane Guns. 150 rounds of 7.62mm (nato), 6 boxes of 7.62mm (nato) and 3 cutlasses” the statement explained.
The statement also revealed that following tip off, troops also “ambushed and killed 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State” and in the aside 2 AK-47 rifles recovered, “the troops also recovered some Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs), Mortar bombs and cash sum of N153,385”.
He further stated that “It is worthy to note that the raid operation on the Boko Baram terrorists enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff’s operational visit to the brigade headquarters in Mubi.
“The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent victims of their suicide bombings.
“Having appealed and given the terrorists final warning, we would like to state that from now on, troops within bounds of respect for human rights and rules of engagement, we shall continue to decisively deal with Boko Haram terrorists until they are defeated.
Therefore, we are appealing for continued vigilance, security consciousness and above all, cooperation with the military and security agencies to enable us successfully defeat the terrorists”.
Fifth Chucker: Keffi Pony Claims African Patrons Cup
Fifth Chucker: Keffi Pony Claims African Patrons Cup
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON, Kaduna
Keffi Pony have emerged champions of the 2015 African Patrons Cup Polo
Tournament, which ended weekend at the Fifth Chucker Polo and Country
Club, Kaduna.
They beat the Maigari Farm Team 7-4 in the highly competitive finalmatch watched by several dignitaries including the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari and former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.
Speaking to newsmen after the presentation to his team, the Patron of Keffi Pony, Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada said that proper planning and coordination gave his team the victory.
Speaking further, he said that his team is preparing for this year’s Kaduna International Polo Tournament, where they would be vying for popular trophies.
“As usual, Keffi Pony is well ready to participate in this year’s
Kaduna International Polo tournament, not only that, we are also ready to compete for the popular trophies”.
Commenting on his victory at the Patrons Cup, the former lawmaker thanked God for giving his team the victory by winning the trophy for the first time after several years of competing.
“I feel fulfilled, accomplished. And also feel complete after years of competing and losing, today God gave us the victory. Let me also thank my teammates on this great job of history. With this victory of today, Keffi Pony have bounced back to challenge any team in the game of Polo” he assured.
Neglected Bakassi Indigenes get free Medicare from US-based Effik Medicals
Neglected Bakassi Indigenes get free Medicare from US-based Effik Medicals
BY; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Worried by the precarious health condition of the people of Bakassi since they were displaced, the Efik Medical Association in US has agreed to offer a 5-day free medical screening/treatment to indigenes and other residents in the area.
The exercise is expected to take place between November 9th and November 13th, 2015.
The Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Edisua Usang Iso, disclosed this while speaking to our correspondent in an interview.
She said the gesture was to compliment government’s effort in the provision of medical services to the displaced people of Bakassi. Iso regretted that since the ceding of their original home to the Republic of Cameroons, the people have not been finding things easy, hence this free medical service.
According to her, “the issue was discussed with Efik Medical personnel in US during one of her trips and they overwhelmingly agreed to come down to offer this assistance.
She however regretted the health condition of mothers especially the pregnant ones and of the unborn babies, adding that “their present condition calls for global attention.”
Therefore, she advised indigenes of the area as well as residents to come out and avail themselves for this all important medical treatment and screening.
Over 20 medical doctors majoring in different fields of medicine are expected in the country for this humanitarian service.
In a related development, this year’s World Breastfeeding week ground finale was held in Bakassi Local Government Area with the theme: ‘Breastfeeding and Work, Let’s Make It Work.”
Speaking at the event, Iso said that exclusive breastfeeding promotes the act of not giving water, pap, or any other food or drink to the child within six months of child birth.
She implored community members, men and women to be well informed of this vital infant feeding practice for optimal health of mothers and infants in our communities, thereby preventing early malnutrition among the infants.
She expressed hope that mothers will adhere to the global practice of allowing the child suck the first yellow milk which is known as colostrum, adding that “a child is an asset of inestimable value and must be treated as such.”
Earlier, the wife of the governor, Linda Ayade, who was by the Director, Department of Community and Primary Healthcare (DCPH), Dr. Onebieni Ana, described the week as a huge success.
He later presented prizes to the best breastfed children on behalf of the Chairperson.
‘Don’t behave like Jang’ – Plateau Diaspora to Lalong
‘Don’t behave like Jang’ – Plateau Diaspora to Lalong
By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos.
The indigent indigenes of Plateau State in Diaspora has called on Governor Simon Lalong to see his victory at the tribunal as the vindication of the wish of the people of the state, utilize it to heal the wounds inflicted by, and not behave like former Governor Jonah Jang who polarized the state along ethnic and religious lines
The group, in a statement signed on behalf of its Chairman and Secretary General by Comrade Ali Sani Kanam said “the judgment is expected and it goes to confirm the state desire for change against mis- rule that characterized the regime of now Senator Jonah David Jang in the state”.
The Diaspora group noted that things will now change in the affairs of the “segregated state” urging Lalong never to go the ways of Jang “which is responsible for deplorable condition of infrastructures in the state“.
The indigents posited that there was an urgent need for a thorough overhaul of the state government machinery for effective performance which was relegated before now.
They called on the government to beware of those who mismanaged the state resources under Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye’s regime, “who are holding positions now”.