Author: Zubairu Idris

Radda asks Katsina emirate why district heads shunned Sallah celebration
Radda asks Katsina emirate why district heads shunned Sallah celebration
Explanation
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has demanded an explanation from the Katsina Emirate Council for the non participation of some District Heads in the 2024 Eid-el Kabir Sallah celebration.
This is contained in the letter to the emirate council, which was signed by the Director, Administration and Supply, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sani Rabiu, dated June 27, 2024.
The later, which was addressed to the Secretary, Katsina Emirate Council, was received on Friday.
It was titled: ‘Re: Sanarwar Hawan Sallah Babba” (Re: Information on Eid-el Kabir celebration)’.
The letter read: “I am directed to refer to your letter on the above underlined subject matter dated June 7, 2024.
“And convey the directive of His Excellency, the governor, for you to provide reasons for non participation of some District Heads in the 2024 Eid-el Kabir Hawan Sallah celebration.
“Grateful for your prompt response as always, please.”
The Governor’s Director-General on Media, Mr. Maiwada Danmallam said the matter was purely an administrative issue with no underlying motives as being misrepresented and discussed out of context in the social media.
He said, “Comments alluding to any conflict between the government and the Katsina emirate are built on baseless assumptions and conclusions.
”They are clearly intended to distract the government with trivialities given the absence of more cogent reasons to interrogate governance in the state.”
Danmallam said that the state government has the supervising authority over the two Emirates of Daura and Katsina.
“In line with this authority, it’s expected that the government will seek clarifications when and if necessary to ensure full compliance with government’s policies and directives.
“Not necessarily in a conflict situation but to ensure optimum accountability and efficiency as generally required of other MDAs by His Excellency, Gov. Radda.
“Assuredly, the Katsina State Government is enjoying a cordial relationship with the two Emirates of Katsina and Daura.
“Any idea of conflict between the state government and any of the two emirates is a figment of the imagination of some conflict entrepreneurs,” the director-general explained.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 30, 2024
Police confirm kidnap of popular Hausa singer, Rarara’s 75-yr-old mother
Police confirm kidnap of popular Hausa singer, Rarara’s 75-yr-old mother
Mother
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Katsina State has confirmed the kidnapping of a 75-year-old, Hauwa’u Adamu, mother of the renowned Hausa singer, “Dauda Kahutu Rarara”.
A statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said the elderly mother was kidnapped at her residence in Kahutu, Danja Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Friday.
“Today, June 28, at about 1:30a.m., an information was received at the Danja Divisional Police Headquarters, that some suspected kidnappers silently invaded the residence of one Hauwa’u Adamu, aged 75, in Kahutu village, Danja Local Government and kidnapped her.
“Upon receipt of the report, promptly, the DPO Danja led a team of operatives to the scene with a view to arresting the culprits and unhurt rescue of the victim,” he said
However, the kidnappers had already fled with the victim.
The PPRO further explained that two suspects were arrested during investigation for questioning on the matter.
Aliyu said that further developments would be communicated in due course as the investigation into the matter was in progress.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 28, 2024
Kastina farmers cry out for help as worms destroy crops
Worms
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Katsina State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on the state government to assist farmers in controlling worms that are destroying crops in their farmlands.
The AFAN Chairman in Kastina, Alhaji Yau Umar-Gojo-gojo, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.
He said that the appeal had become imperative because whenever the worms invaded farmlands, they ate up stems which made it difficult for the crops to survive.
Umar-Gojo-gojo said that the problem was much in places like Batarawa, Mani, Daura and Funtua axis.
He said that the worms mainly attacked newly planted crops like maize, guinea corn and millet.
The chairman advised farmers affected by such incidents to apply recommended insecticides to kill and prevent the worms from spreading to other places.
“We have received complaints from some of our members that the worms are seriously destroying their crops.
“We have visited such affected places and seen how the worms but we advised them to, as a matter of urgency, use recommended chemicals to kill the worms before the government intervenes so as to reduce losses.’’
He said that the worms appeared due to rainfall seizure in many places in the state for over 10 days.
“We are hoping that they will disappear as soon as rainfall resumed; we are hopeful for the rainfall any moment from now,” he said.
Umar-Gojo-gojo urged the state government to assist the farmers in controlling the worms and prevent them from recording pre-harvest losses.
“We are calling on the government to assist the farmers with chemicals to control these worms.
“The government can deploy the 722 extension workers to each ward in the state to ensure elimination of such insects in their respective communities.
“At least, the government has given each extension worker a motorcycles and sprayer for use in his area where necessary.
“So, the government should also provide them with the chemicals to control the worms,” he advised.
He expressed fear that the problem could affect agricultural productivity, especially maize, guinea corn and millet if urgent measures were not taken.
The chairman explained that farms that reported such problems were located in the major areas producing such crops in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

June 27, 2024
Mercy Corps, KTSG take tree planting campaign to communities
Mercy Corps, KTSG take tree planting campaign to communities
Desertification
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Mercy Corps and the Katsina State Government have enlightened the residents on the importance of planting trees to combat desertification, mitigate climate change and preserve the ecosystem.
Mr Philip Ikita, the Senior Programme Manager, Mercy Corps, said on Tuesday in Katsina that the event was part of the activities to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day, with the theme: “Our land, Our Future”.
Ikita stressed the need for collective efforts to promote the activities of land restoration, drought resilience and combating desertification.
He explained that the importance of land can never be overemphasised, saying, ” because we live on it and plant crops to survive.”
He, however, said one of the major factors posing threat to the environment was desertification.
Ikita urged farmers and herders to live in peace with one another and inculcate the habit of planting trees in their environment.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Musa Adamu, represented by a Director, Alhaji Nura Abubakar, said that human activities on the environment have negative consequences on the environment.
He said that it was such activities causing global warming and climate change, which affect not only the environment, but even the human beings and other living organisms.
The commissioner, therefore, urged the people to inculcate the habit of planting of trees and proper dumping of waste disposal to avert desertification and other environment related-diseases.
Also, the Director, Climate Change in the ministry, Dr Yusuf Gide, said as a result of desertification, some trees, plants, shrubs and animal species were at the stage of extinction.
He further revealed that desertification causes low agricultural productivity and increased temperature that have serious consequences on all living organisms.
Gide said that the government would continue to raise tree seedlings for free distribution to people as part of measures to fight against desertification.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that mercy corps, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), are currently implementing a project in the state.
The project tagged: “Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation”, is being implemented in Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa and Kankara LGAs.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 25, 2024
FG, North-West Govs’ll braisntorm to tame insecurity— Minister
FG, North-West Govs’ll brainstorm to tame insecurity— Minister
Insecurity
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, says they will sit down with the North-West Governors to look at the recommendations of the peace and security summit to proffer workable solutions to insecurity in the zone.
Abubakar stated this at the two-day Peace and Security Summit organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday in Katsina.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is: “Regional Cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods”.
“In a few days, I assure you that we will all sit down with the governors, look at the outcome and recommendations on the issues in this summit.
“We will visit state-by-state with all the security agencies to look at the security situation and recommendations from this summit to proffer workable solutions toward ending insecurity in Nigeria.
“I know we can do it, we will finish this, together we will solve the problem of this insecurity, and together we will fight poverty and together we will bring Nigeria back on track,” he assured.
Abubakar said the government was ready for all possible collaborations intended to end insecurity.
The minister said, “We have opened for partnership, we have opened for collaboration, we have agreed for us to succeed, we must collaborate with the governors.”
He assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to ending insecurity not only in the northwest but Nigeria as a whole.
Also speaking, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohammed Malick, said that maintenance of peace and security was a central work of the United Nations in order to save future generations.
He said that Nigeria has continued to experience a number of challenges ranging from insecurity, to economy, among others.
Malick said those challenges could affect the country from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He revealed that most of the vulnerables affected by security challenges were women, hence the need for all to continue to address the situation.
The coordinator assured of UN’s support to Nigeria in every step it would take to address such challenges.
Also speaking, the representative of UNDP, Ms Elsie Autafua, stressed the importance of peace and security in the development of any nation.
“Without peace, there will be no development,” she said.
Autafua said the region has a lot of potential that require proper attention.
She further explained that the region has vast land and market to be used for economic growth and development.
Autafua said that peace and security in the northwest should be a teamwork of all the stakeholders.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bashir Rabe Mani
June 24, 2024
VP Shetima leads others to Northwest security summit
VP Shetima leads others to Northwest security summit
Summit
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and governors from the Northwest on Monday converge on Katsina for a two-day security summit.
The summit, organised by the Northwest Governors Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at discussing insecurity in the zone and proffer solutions to the problem.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that governors present at the summit include Dikko Radda of Katsina, Uba Sani of Kaduna, and Nasir Idris of Kebbi.
Also present are Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto and the Secretary to the Kano State Government, who represented Abba Yusuf.
Other dignitaries at the summit include the Emirs of Katsina, Alhaji abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq, Zazzau, Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli and Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Adamu.
The summit also had in attendance the former governors of Katsina State, Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema, a Katsina business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Barau-Mangal, as well as the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
The Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, Sen. Ibrahim Ida, serving members of the National and States Assembly were also at the summit.
Similarly, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mr Ahmed Rufai, were also present.
The Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and her counterpart in Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, were also in attendance.
Service Chiefs, heads of some paramilitary agencies, retired security officers and other security experts are also expected at the meeting.
NAN gathered that the Vice President representing President Bola Tinubu would inaugurate a 16-bed capacity state-of-art dialysis centre at Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Katsina.
He would also inaugurate a road project in the state all executed by the administration of Dikko Radda.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola
June 24, 2024
Tinubu commits to addressing insecurity in North-West, nation
Tinubu commits to addressing insecurity in North-West, nation
Peace
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 24, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the commitment of his administration to address insecurity in the North-West and the country in general.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday in Katsina at the opening of a two-day Summit on Peace and Security in the North-West, organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with UNDP.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is: “Regional Cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods”.
Represented by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, the president urged Nigerians to continue to unite as a people and embrace peace for development.
“We promised to make Nigeria safe and the security agenda has been a top priority of the administration for the past one year.
“We are not slowing down until we achieve our goal,” he said.
Tinubu said that the government would continue to ensure that every child goes to school and returns home safely, while the farmers would plant seeds in a secured environment.
The president said that the government was strengthening collaboration with all the stakeholders and it had intensified military operations to address the situation.
Tinubu, however, pointed out that it was disheartening that Hausa and Fulani, who have been one before, were now divided and fighting each other.
He stressed the need for them to embrace peace for the development of the zone and the country in general.
In his remarks, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, stressed the importance of confronting the menace collectively , saying,”because it is a concern to all.”
Radda said that their goal was to provide peace, security and ensure property in the region.
He urged that the summit must address the root causes of the insecurity to enable the governments to address the menace.
The governor revealed that ensuring every child access to quality education and youth empowerment would assist in tackling the menace.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said that the problem has persisted over a long period, hence the need to provide answers to the root causes of the problem.
“We have had a series of conferences on this problem, we must provide solutions to them.
“We have met with the Northern Governors’ Forum four to five times on the same issue. We must tell ourselves the truth about what we must do to challenge these bandits,” he said.
Abubakar assured continued support of the traditional institutions in addressing the problem.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Ediitd by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 24, 2024
Congresses’ ll resolve internal crises in Katsina PDP — Atiku
Congresses’ ll resolve internal crises in Katsina PDP–Atiku
Congresses
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, says the forthcoming party congresses will resolve the lingering internal crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State.
Fielding questions from newsmen on Saturday in Katsina, Abubakar said that he was in the state to condole with the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, over the death of his son, Abdullah Abdulmumini.
“I also condoled with the family of the former Governor of the defunct Kaduna State, late Alhaji Lawal Kaita, over the death of his widow, Hajiya Yelwa Lawal-kaita,” he said.
Atiku also visited the former President Muhammadu Buhari in his Daura country home, after which he condoled with the family of late Alhaji Sade, father to the Managing Director, NNPC Trading Limited, Lawal Dade.
He then visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq and condoled with him over Sade’s demise.
On the internal crises that had divided the party into two factions, Atiku said: “There will soon be congresses, so, people will elect whom they want to be their party leaders.”
NAN recalls that a group called ‘PDP major stakeholders’ and the state caretaker committee are at loggerhead over the sales of congress forms.
While the group claimed that they were denied purchase of the forms, the state caretaker committee has remained silent on the issue in spite of several efforts to get their reaction to the allegation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 22, 2024
E-border solution’ll help check transborder-related crimes, says immigration chief
E-border solution’ll help check transborder-related crimes, says immigration chief
Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
E-border
By Zubairu Idris
08064439715
Mai’aduwa (Katsina State), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (CGIS), said the e-border solution deployed across the country’s border posts would help check transborder and other related crimes.
Nandap stated this on Friday in Kongolam, Mai’aduwa Local Government Area of Katsina State while addressing immigration officers, during her assessment tour to the border post in the area.
“I know the government has deployed an e-border solution and I am here to see how it is.
“The essence of e-border solution is to improve border management by ensuring that the way we manage our borders is intelligence-based.
“It will help us have accurate information in terms of monitoring who goes out and who comes in, thereby helping us in tackling transborder crimes such as smuggling of immigrants and other forms of insecurity,” she said.
She, therefore, charged the immigration officers to understand why they were posted there and what their mandate was.
“And you must do the job professionally. The era of leaving your job to others is over,” she observed.
The comptroller-general further stressed the need for effective synergy with other agencies operating at various border posts.
Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service alongside some personnel of the service.
“Synergy with other agencies is compulsory because security is a collective effort.
“But your core mandate must be observed strictly and diligently by you.
“The mandate is to secure the country’s borders and the President has mandated us to ensure that our borders are secure.
“And I am determined to deliver. That is why I’m here,” she said.
Nandap explained that although every agency has its mandate, “all agencies can work collectively to achieve the same goal.”
She said the tour would enable her to focus on the challenges observed to tackle them and ensure effective border management.
She reiterated the service’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of the personnel is given the required attention while providing them with the modern facilities and logistics they require to enhance their operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 21, 2024
Be vigilant, Immigration boss charges border communities
Be vigilant, Immigration boss charges border communities
Communities
By Zubairu Idris
Mai’aduwa (Katsina State), June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, has urged border communities to be vigilant and to provide useful information to authorities on suspected illegal immigrants.
Nandap made the call on Friday while addressing Kongolam border community in Katsina State, as part of her assessment tour to border posts in the country.
“Nigeria is our country, we need to join hands to ensure peace in the country and our job is to manage the nation’s borders.
“We need your support by giving us information on movement of suspected persons around the border areas, because you know the people who lives amongst you.
“Border communities are critical stakeholders in border security, so we need them to continue to join hands with the service to enable it achieve its mandate.
“Safe border is a safe nation, and the NIS is the lead agency when it comes to border security.
“I am here to assess our border facilities, what do we have and what do we need to deploy, all in an effort to effectively man the borders,” the CGIS stressed.
Nandap also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq, where she solicited for the emirate’s continued support by working with the service to effectively manage the nation’s borders.
Responding, the Emir assured of continuous support to the service to enable it achieve the mandate of securing the borders.
He urged the government to provide the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) with all requirements in order to discharge their duties diligently. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Sadiya Hamza
June 21, 2024