Author: Olusegun Oshin

Recruitment
By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse, Aug. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of State Universal Education Board (SUBEB) in Jigawa, Alhaji Salisu Zakar, said on Wednesday that the state government would employ 1,736 teachers, to address the shortage of teachers in its primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

Zakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that out of the 1,736, the state government had already recruited 868.

The SUBEB chief said that the shortfall would be recruited, adding that written test had been conducted for those who applied for the vacant teaching jobs.

“We have conducted written test and interview for those that have applied the job.

“Any time from now, the result of those who are successful will be released,” he said.

Zakar said that the state government was in the forefront of paying the counterpart fund in its arrangements with the board, which has made it easy for the agency to access fund for its projects.

“It is in view of this that we find it easy in accessing money to execute projects in our schools, to keep them afloat.

“ In fact, we don’t have shortage of classrooms, instructional materials, vehicles to  go for monitoring and supervision in our schools,” he said. (NAN)
AIS/FLP/SOA

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Oluwole Sogunle

Bird

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse,  Aug. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Kabiru Ali, said that the state spent N50millon in buying chemicals used to spray and quell  Quelea birds in 2017.

Ali told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday that Quelea birds were found to be destroying farm products in parts of the state.

He said that the exercise was conducted in  some local government areas where the birds were disturbing farmers and destroying their crops.

The commissioner said that the affected local governments include: Kiri Kasamma, Guri, Biriniwa, Malam Madori, Hadejia among others.

He said that the spraying was conducted in two phases across the ravaged areas.

He said that the state government contracted Prophotic Air Spray Company to handle the exercise.

The commissioner said that the exercise had prevented the birds from destroying crops planted in the current season.

“So far this year, we have not received any report that Quelea birds have invaded any farms in any part of the state.

“However, if we receive any, we will swing into action and arrest the situation,” he said.

He urged the farmers in the state to report anything suspected to be harmful to their plants to the state government for its intervention. (NAN)

AIS/JTJ/PAD

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Peter Dada

Posting

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse, Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Jigawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, said that 75 per cent of corps members were posted to rural areas where their services are most needed.

Muhammad stated this in Dutse on Monday at the terminal parade/closing ceremony of  Batch “B” corps members deployed to the state.

He explained that the corps members were posted to secondary schools and basic health facilities to teach and serve the people.

The coordinator charged them to respect the culture of their host communities and learn their languages.

“My dear corps members, I am happy to inform you that the people of Jigawa are hospitable, peace-loving and always ready to show love to all and sundry.

“These good people are genuinely excited and willing to receive you into their midst so there is no cause for alarm.

“As you start your service, let it be known to you that the issue of discipline shall not in any way be compromised.

“It is exceptionally important that you adhere strictly to the NYSC rules and regulations which have been codified in the NYSC bye-laws,” he said.

The State Gov., Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, in his speech admonished the corps members to be responsible and remain as disciplined citizens of the country.

Badaru, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Adamu Fanini, urged corp members to shun cultism, political violence, and religious intolerance and any anti-social behaviours. (NAN)

AIS/FF/MTM

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tukur Muntari.

Hajj

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse, Aug. 9, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board (JSPWB) says it has screened 736 intending pilgrims who will perform the 2018 pilgrimage in Saud Arabia.

The board’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alhaj Ibrahim Kanya, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.

Kanya said that 1,400 slots were allocated to the state but only 736 people had indicated their interests to perform the exercise.

“Already, necessary arrangements have been put in place to transport the intending pilgrims to the holy land.

“We have finished the data capturing, the issuance of yellow cards, departure cards and releasing of basic travelling allowances to the intending pilgrims.

“The only thing that we are waiting for is for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to tell us our flight schedules.

“MaxAir is going to be the carrier that will transport the intending pilgrims from Jigawa to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

The PRO said that JSPWB had met with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Customs and other stakeholders to perfect how the operation would be. (NAN)

AIS/OIF/PAD

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Peter Dada

Programme
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Kiyawa (Jigawa), July 26, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Umar Madaki, Coordinator of  Climate Change Adaptation and Agricbusiness Support Programme of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD-CASP) says the organisation will spend N1.4 billion on its projects in Jigawa.

Madaki said this on Thursday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kiyawa, headquarters of Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa.

He said that the money would be spent on projects in the nine local governments of the state which were benefiting from IFAD-CASP initiatives.

He said that the projects involved youth empowerment; soil and water conservation; climate change adaptation and other agricultural schemes.

Madaki said that some items would be given to the beneficiary farmers under a 50-per-cent subsidy arrangement.

“Funds accruing from the 50-per-cent payment would be used to cater to the needs of other farmers who have yet to benefit from the programme because it is a revolving scheme,” he said.

Also speaking, Malam Zakar Nasiru, the IFAD-CASP Coordinator in Kiyawa Local Goverment Area, commended the organisation for its support to farmers in the area.

He said that the bulls given to the farmers for animal traction would reduce the drudgery of farming in the area, particularly that relating to ground tilling.

He thanked IFAD-CASP for the provision of fertilisers, improved seeds, agro-chemicals and other farm inputs to the farmers at subsidised rates. (NAN)
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Dayo Komolafe

Programme
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, July 23, 2018 (NAN) The Climate Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme of the International Food and Agricultural Development (IFAD-CASP) says it will visit 207 villages in seven states to scrutinise the programme implementation.

Mr Richard Nzekwu, National Coordinator (Climate Change and Adaptation) of IFAD-CASP, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.

He said that the visit would enable IFAD-CASP to ascertain the challenges facing beneficiary farmers as well as their action plans in the course of the programme implementation.

Nzekwu spoke when a team from International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), a Jordan-based non-governmental organisation, visited Jigawa.

He said that IFAD-CASP would assist the farmers to adapt to climate change issues and adjust to soil management, water conservation techniques, while embracing modern crop harvesting technologies.

“It is on this note that IFAD-CASP is partnering with ICARDA to address the major problems facing farmers due to climate change.

“We have noted the problems in each community of every state that is partnering with us, and by the grace of God, we have taken measures to tackle them; the problems will soon be solved,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the ICARDA team has visited Dagwaje and Koya villages, agrarian settlements that are about 200 kilometres away from Dutse, where the people spoke about their problems and the efforts made to address them.

NAN reports that Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara are currently participating in IFAD-CASP programme. (NAN)
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Jigawa provides 5,000 metric tons of fertiliser to farmers
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Fertiliser
Dutse, July 22, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Government says it will sell 5,000 metric tons of assorted fertiliser to farmers for the current wet season farming.
The General Manager of Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO), Alhaji Muhammad Lana, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Sunday.
Lana explained that the fertiliser, equivalent to 100,000 bags, would be sold at subsidised rate of N5,500 each to farmers.
“For now it is only NPK brand of fertiliser that we are selling because it is the only brand that we have in stock,” he said.
The general manager said farmers could obtain the commodity at JASCO’s Retail Outlets in the 27 local government areas of the state.
“Apart from fertiliser, we also sale farm chemicals like herbicides, insecticide, pesticides and harvesters.
“It is the determination of the present administration in the state to provide necessary farm inputs and implements to farmers for the development of agriculture which is its cornerstone,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, told NAN that the state government sold 6,000 bags of fertiliser to 600 members of the association.
Maigogoro said that the fertiliser consisted of NPK and Urea brands with 25 kilogrammes of improved rice seeds.
He stated that each of the beneficiaries was expected to farm one hectre with what he or she collected under the cluster farming initiative.
Malam Abdullahi Abubakar and Hajiya Lami Ali, farmers of Dagwage village of Dutse Local Government Area, however appealed to the state government to make fertiliser available to farmers as early as possible during the current farming season.
Abubakar and Ali decried late distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs by government and called for more action to address the situation to boost food production in the state. (NAN)
AIS/AO/MST
Edited by Muhamamd Suleiman Tola

Partnership
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, July 20, 2018 (NAN) The Climate Change Adaptation and Agri-Business Support Programme (CASP) is partnering the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) on soil management and water conservation in Jigawa.

Alhaji Lawal Idda, the National Coordinator of CASP made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Dutse.

Idda spoke to NAN on the sideline of visit by the ICARDA team from its headquarters in Amman, Jordan,to assess areas of the collaboration.

According to him, CASP is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, a UN agency dedicated to investing in rural people and empowering them to increase their food security.

He explained the partnership became imperative due to the negative impact of climate change on soil and water.

“We need to get new knowledge and technology on how to manage the trends in view of global warming and climatic changes which constitute a threat to our lives and agriculture.”

“For instance, due to global warming and climatic changes, we are faced with soil infertility, water shortage, and erosion among other challenges.

“Therefore, we need specialists and experts to help us tackle the situation.”

Idda said that IFAD-CASP had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICARDA to work for three years to assist farmers in about 300 villages in seven states in Nigeria on soil and water conservation.

“Based on that, ICARDA team is in Jigawa to see and assess the situation.

“We will discuss the old practices by farmers and we will also bring our suggestions and new technology to blend with theirs to move forward.”

“We will teach them a new method of making manure from residues and waste.

“The farmers will be taught how to expand or create ponds to conserve water for themselves and for their animals.

“They will also be taught new skills of controlling erosion.”

Idda appealed to the visiting ICARDA team to actualize the objectives of the MoU.

Meanwhile, Mr Claudio Zucca, Head of the team, told NAN that his organisation and IFAD-CASP had the same goals, necessitating the collaboration.

Zucca pledged that ICARDA would transfer the necessary knowledge and technology to address the threats against the soil fertility and conservation. (NAN)
AIS/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Jigawa government to distribute 3.5m nets to prevent malaria

Nets
Dutse, July 10, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa government says it will distribute 3.5million Long Life Insecticidal Nets to its people during this season to check malaria scourge.

Dr Abba Zakari, the state Commissioner for Health, said this at a one day workshop for journalists and other stakeholders on malaria prevention and control.

The workshop had the theme “Media Orientation on Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs)”, was held in Dutse on Wednesday.

Represented by Dr Umar Balangu, Director Public Health in the ministry, Zakari said that the government would distribute 3.5 million nets to the public in the state.

According to him, the figure was an increase from the 2.5million nets distributed about three years ago.

The commissioner explained that the state government has developed a micro planning strategy for the campaign and the distribution of the nets in all local governments across the state.

He said that each beneficiary was expected to get at least two nets, adding that officials to undertake the distribution had been trained by the government.

The commissioner charged the media to assist in the campaign to prevent mosquitoes which are the causative agents of malaria.

Zakari said that the fight against malaria should be a collective responsibility of all and sundry.

In his remarks, Alhaji Ismaila Yakubu, the Director of Information in the state ministry of information, decried the prevalence of malaria in the state, stressing “all hands must be on deck to fight the scourge.”

Yakubu urged the media to give the campaign the widest publicity to achieve the objective of stemming malaria in the state (NAN)
AIS/AOS/MZA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Maharazu Ahmed

Suspension

By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, July 10, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Dutse Local Government, Alhaji Bala Yargaba, with immediate effect for poor handling of the Polling Unit Allowances put under his management.

The suspension followed a motion moved by member representing Kazaure constituency, Bala Gada, under matters of urgent public importance.

Gada urged the house to suspend Yargaba for not following due process in handling polling unit allowance which led to chaos and breach of law and order at the secretariat of the local government on Monday.

The motion was seconded by member representing Babura constituency, Alhaji Kabiru Isa.

After deliberations on the matter, the house unanimously suspended the chairman for six months.

The All Progressives Congress (APC)-dominated assembly also set up a three-man committee to investigate Yargaba’s action and report to it within two months.

Members of the committee include: member representing Garki constituency, Alhaji Lawal Muhammad; member for Kanya constituency, Alhaji Usman Haladu; and member representing Kazaure constituency, Alhaji Bala Gada.

Reacting to the suspension, Yargaba appealed to members of the APC to unite, especially as the 2019 general election was fast approaching.

Yargaba said that he would continue to be a loyal member of the APC, promote peace and unity among its members as well as work for its success during the 2019 polls. (NAN)
AIS/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf