Author: Olusegun Oshin

By Abdullahi Shugaba

APC Government has failed, claims PDP National Chairman.

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PDP

Dutse, March 12, 2018 (NAN) Prince  Uche Secondus, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman claimed that the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed because it couldn’t fulfil its promises to the people.

Secondus made this claim while addressing members of the PDP during his working tour to Dutse, capital of Jigawa on Monday.

He said that the APC made a lot of promises to the people during  the electioneering campaigns but it has failed to fulfil the promises.

“APC  said if they win, they will revive the economy, they will address the problem of insecurity and corruption”

“Sen. Dino Maleye said before the floor of the house recently that in the 16 years of PDP government they collected a loan of only N6 trillion but APC government in just three years collected N11 trillion.”

These figures, bandied by Melaye and Pastor Tunde Bakare  have been discredited as wild guesses, by fact checkers.

According to data provided by Debt Management Office,  the Federal Government borrowed  N6.76 trillion  since June 2015. When state debts are added, what has been borrowed is  N8.3 trillion — still significantly lower than the N11 trillion being touted.

In contrast, the PDP in 16 years borrowed  N9.25 trillion,  higher than Bakare and Melaye’s claim.

“Corruption has pervaded the APC government from the top to bottom, APC government is more corrupt than PDP’s own’, claimed Secondus.

“There is insecurity in the country, you cannot sleep with your two eyes closed, there is poverty and hunger in all the houses in Nigeria, therefore APC is a government of deception”

“I therefore urge us to come out en masse and vote for PDP so that we could fight hunger, poverty and the insecurity.”

The PDP Chairman said that APC has come to divide the country while PDP is out to unite the country.

“APC should therefore prepare to hand over to PDP as we also handed over to them”

The Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Hassan Dankwambo, who is nurturing a presidential ambition, said that since the PDP left government in Jigawa, he has not seen any changes under the present APC administration in the state.

Dankwambo urged the people to support PDP, which he said would win the 2019 election, by the power of God.

Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, immediate Caretaker Chairman of the Party said the party has put all the the necessary machinery in place to wrest power from the APC.

Alhaji Sule Lamido former governor of Jigawa charged the people to protect their votes on election day.

The PDP National Chairman was accompanied on the tour by prominent Party stalwarts like former governor of Kano state Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Senate House Leader Alhaji Abdul Ningi, Amb. Aminu Wali, first civilian governor of Jigawa, Alh Ali Sa’ad Birninkudu, former Governor Kaduna, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, who was the immediate past chairman of the PDP and many others (NAN)

Jigawa local council tackles CSM outbreak
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Meningitis
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Taura (Jigawa), March 8, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ismail ChiKwekwewa, the Chairman, Taura Local Government Council, Jigawa, says the council is tackling the outbreak of Cerebrum Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Majia town.
Chikwekwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Taura on Thursday that the council was collaborating with the State Government and Federal Governments as well other stakeholders to contain the situation.
He said meningitis had claimed nine lives in the area as against the 40 earlier “mischievous reports speculated’’.

“Every mortal can fall ill sick and can die; I don’t see any reason why we should play politics with illness and death.
“What really happened is that some people fall sick complaining of headache and fever, and they were taking self-medication.
“When the problem persisted, the matter was reported to us at the local government council and we swiftly swung into action and sent doctors and medical personnel to find out the problem.
“After diagnosing the patients the case was found to be meningitis and the people affected were immediately rushed to Comprehensive Basic Health Centre Taura for necessary action.
“Before then, seven persons out of the patient who complained of headache and fever died at home while two later died at the hospital.
“We don’t know where those people got the figure that 40 people died in Majia; that is very unfortunate, can they come and show us where those people were buried?
“Right from the time we received the report of the outbreak of the ailment we have been up and doing, the state government also came to our rescue in addressing the problem completely.
“My appeal to people is that they should always try to find facts before spreading any information in the interest of progress and peaceful coexistence among people,’’ the chairman said.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakar, confirmed that the situation was under control.
Zakar also confirmed that nine patients died of the disease and not 40 as reported earlier. (NAN)
AIS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-87

Donation

Dutse, March 5, 2018 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Jigawa has donated wheel chairs to 10 physically challenged persons.

Mr Micheal Alomo, the state NYSC coordinator told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that beneficiaries were selected from the five emirates.

He said the donation which was part of the Rural Health Initiative of the scheme, was given to a males and females in  Hadejia, Gumel, Ringim, Kazaure and Dutse emirates.

He said that the gesture was initiated by the incumbent Director General (DG) of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure to assist the less-privileged and put smiles on their faces.

The Coordinator said last year the scheme donated three wheel chairs to beneficiaries in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Amolo said that the NYSC DG is sensitive to the plight of the handicapped, especially in the rural areas where poverty and hunger are prevalent.

“The NYSC DG, Brig.-Gen. Kazaure came up with this initiative to improve the living conditions of the less-privileged in the society, ” he said.(NAN)

AIS/DS/MTM

Edited by Dauda Shehu/Tukur Muntari.

NAN-AE-9
Expenditure
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse (Jigawa state), Feb 27, 2018 (NAN) The International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said on Tuesday that N8billion has been earmarked to boost agricultural production in seven states that were in partnership with the fund.

Alhaji Abdullahi Surajo, the head of knowledge management communication of the fund, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

He said the state that would benefit from the fund included, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe and Borno.

He said that the amount would be spent in training farmers on new agricultural techniques, climate change adaptation and agribusiness support programme.

Surajo said a farmer’s field school will be established to train the farmers new farming methods in view of the climate change and global warming affecting agriculture and farmers.

The official said business schools will also be established to train farmers on the appropriate crops to produce and the marketing strategy for the sale of the commodities.

According to him, IFAD had engaged 207 farmers groups in the benefiting states.

He said said that IFAD Climate Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme, IFAD-CASP was a new programme in view of  the climate change and global warming that was affecting farming.

Surajo explained that under the scheme, farmers would be encouraged to shift from substance to commercial agricultural production.

NAN reports that the IFAD head of management knowledge communication had embarked on an assessment tour of the state to identify and resolve challenges in the IFAD programmes. (NAN)
AIS/DS/AFA
Edited by Dauda Shehu/Felix Ajide

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Cards
By Abdullahi Shugaba

Hadejia (Jigawa) Feb 26, 2018 (NAN) A Fulani Socio-Culltural Group, Billital Maroobe, under the aegis of Pastoralists Association of Nigeria (BILMPAN), have urged its members to obtain voters and national Identity (ID) cards.

Alhaji Ya’u Malammadori, member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the organisation in West Africa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia on Monday.

He said the call was necessary in view of the importance of the two document.

Malammadori advised members of the association to collect voter’s cards to enable them elect candidates of their choice during upcoming general elections in 2019.

He advised them to also acquire national ID card pointing out that without national ID cards, they can be denied citizenship.

“The two document are very important, I therefore urged all of us not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of Africa to obtain the two documents because they are very important for our co-existence.

“We may be driven away in a country if we don’t have the two document, especially the national ID card.

“Let me also emphasise here that voter’s cards will also help us during elections to exercise our civic right.

“We will be able to elect candidates of our choice, candidates that will be sensitive to our plight,

“We have now changed our patterns on election matters.

“We shall votes candidates based on interest not on any sentiments:

Malammadori said that he observed with dismay that about 70 per cent of the members they usually elect at the national level have never raised any motion that would improve their well-being.

He said, “Those people always come to meet us in the bush soliciting for our votes but if they win they forget about us,”he said.

He disclosed that the association had concluded plans to mobilise its members and sensitise them on the need for them to register and obtain their Permanent Voters and national ID cards.

The BoT, however advised members of the association to live peacefully with people wherever they are pointing out that Fulanis are not known to be trouble makers. (NAN)

AIS/AAB/MTM
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Tukur Muntari.

NAN-H-31

Grazing land

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Hadejia (Jigawa), Feb. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Billitar Maroobe Pastoralist Association of Nigeria (BILMPAN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on Jigawa Government to return their grazing lands to its members.

Alhaji Ya’u Malammadori, a member Board of Trustees (BoT) of the association in West Africa, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia on Monday.

Malammadori alleged that Gov. Muhammad Badaru seized the grazing lands from its members in various parts of the state without providing alternatives.

He said that pastoralists in jigawa were in a difficult situation because they derive their livelihood from grazing.

“Since Badaru seized these lands from us, we don’t know what to do and where to go with our animals.

“We are in dilemma because we are also indigenes of Jigawa and citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria living peacefully with everyone:

“We wondered why he should deprive us of these privileges and rights,

“The grazing lands have been in existence since the colonial era but we wondered why the governor should take the lands from us without providing alternative.

“We are, therefore, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly intervene because we are also indigenes of the state, we don’t have any place to go, ” he said.

He stressed the need for the Jigawa Government to return their grazing lands so as to prevent members of the association from moving from one place to another in search of pasture for their animals.

He expressed regrets that when calamity befalls farmers or traders, government sympathises with them and even assist them but when cattle breeders lose their herds nobody cares.

NAN reports that Badaru in 2017 allocated some lands in Gagarawa, Taura and Hadejia Local Government Areas to Chinese Firm and Dangote Group of Companies.

The lands were for the establishment of sugar factory and manufacturing of other products. (NAN)

AIS/OFN/MTM

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Jigawa Govt. Plants 5m trees to tackle desertification-Official

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Trees

By Abdullahi Shuugaba

Dutse, Feb. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Government says it has planted five million tress to tackle desertification across the state.

Alhaji Barau Gambasha, the State Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.

Gambasha said that the trees were planted in towns and villages affected by desert encroachment and other environmental challenges.

He added that the trees were also planted in public places such as schools, hospitals, offices and market places so as to lessen the effects of the temperature as well as reduce the global warming.

The commissioner noted that the trees would also provide fruits as well as beautify the environment.

Gambasha said that in addition to the 21 kilometres shelter belts created by the Federal Government in the state, Jigawa also established another 44 kilometres belts toward addressing the menace of desertification .

He then advised the people against indiscriminate tree felling in order to stop desertification and erosion bedeviling the state.

The commissioner said that government would not condone incessant felling of trees so as to check the threats of desertification to the environment. (NAN)

AIS/GOM/WOJ

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Wale Ojetimi
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Contractor says NIS headquarters Dutse gulped N147.15m

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Construction
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, Feb. 22, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Nasiru Dangabi, Managing Director of Kanadhi Global Links Ltd., the firm that constructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters, Dutse, said that the project had gulped N147.15 million.

Dangabi, managing director of the company, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Dutse.

He said that the project, which was awarded to his firm in December 2016, was completed in October 2017.

According to the managing director, the building was handed over to the NIS after inspection and approval by Alhaji Muhammad Babandede, the Comptroller-General of the Agency.

“I am happy, the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.- Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau, has now inaugurated the office, describing it as the best in the country.

“The work was awarded to our company in two phases; the first phase was the construction of the main building, which cost N129, 003,620.

“Phase two cost N18, 152, 91, 50, which takes care of provision of water, linking the office to national grid, landscaping and quarter guard.”

Dangabi said that he did his best not to compromise standards, so that the edifice will stand the test of time. (NAN)
AIS/FLP/AFA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Felix Ajide

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N-Power
Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, Feb. 21, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Bala Chamo, the Jigawa Coordinator/Focal Person of Special Intervention Programme and Social Investment, popularly known as N-Power, on Wednesday, said 12,000 persons have benefitted from the programme in the state.

Chamo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

He said the beneficiaries had been collecting N30,000 monthly since December 2016 when they got employment.

The focal person said that the gesture had drastically reduced hardship and poverty among youths in the state.

He explained that “N-Power is one of the dividends of democracy enjoyed by youths in the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari.”

According to him, youths are equally given Android phones to help them in their work, apart from monthly allowance.

He said most of the employed youths were posted to primary schools across the state to teach.

He noted that aside the 12,000 beneficiaries, another 8,000 prospective applicants were screened and were waiting to be absorbed into the programme. (NAN)
AIS/CEO/HA
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Edited by Chidi Opara

NAN-AE-8
Climate
By Abdullahi Shugaba
Dutse, Feb. 21, 2018 (NAN) Jigawa Government says it is partnering with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Climate Change Adaptation and Agric business Support Programme (CASP) for sustainable development.

Alhaji Umar Danzomo, Jigawa Coordinator of IFAD, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday that the essence of the collaboration was to acquire knowledge on climate change in view of the global warming affecting farming business.

He said that the initiative would teach farmers new methods of farming from production to harvest.

The IFAD coordinator pointed out that the state government, in partnership with IFAD-CASP, was working in 14 local government areas of the state on climate change motivation.

He added that IFAD would support farmers in local government areas that keyed into the programme, from land preparation to harvest.

He noted that over 1,000 farmers had already keyed into the programme from the 14 local government areas of the state.

Danzomo pledged the determination of IFAD to assist farmers in processing and marketing their produce locally and internationally. (NAN)
AIS/CEO/HA
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Edited by Chidi Opara/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu