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NIGER - The Power State of Nigeria.
Transparency, Accountability, Integrity
Feb 06, 2008
All over the world, the people who make up the urban population come from different geographical areas. As a mater of fact they are of different nations, tribes, religion, economic, social, political and educational status. For this reason it is generally accepted that urban centres are the abode of conflicting cultures, interests and aspirations.
Feb 06, 2008
Hardly could one park his car in a filling station, popular restaurants and supermarkets or any place of public functions or ceremonies in most Northern cities without encountering these youths popularly known as almajirais, characteristically with their bowls begging for alms.
Feb 05, 2008
A veteran journalist and chairmanship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), for Chanchaga local government area of Niger State, Hon Usman Kwatu, has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the area.
Feb 05, 2008
Death yesterday dealt a devastating blow on the LEADERSHIP newspapers family following the sudden death of the paper's pioneer deputy editor, Mr. Danjuma Zakari. He died at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. He was 47.
Feb 05, 2008
Activities in most courts and tribunals across the nation came to a halt yesterday as judiciary workers, under the umbrella of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), embarked on an indefinite strike to demand better working condition from the Federal Government.
Feb 04, 2008
Leadership Conferences Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group, makes its debut with a two-day conference on "Deindustrialisation of Northern Nigeria: Which Way Out?", on February 26 and 27, 2008. On each day, the commencement time shall be 11am at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Feb 12, 2008
Niger State Government is soon to build a cargo airport to boost economic activities in the state. This was disclosed by the state governor, Muazu Babangida, on Monday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Feb 08, 2008
Niger State Government has released the sum of N405 million to members of the State House of Assembly for the execution of constituency projects. The state commissioner for information and culture, Alh. Ahmed Adamu Kagara, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Minna yesterday on the out come of the state executive council meeting, said each of the 27 Legislators was given N15 million. Kagara explained that the gesture was aimed at bringing dividends of democracy closer to people at the grassroots.
Feb 08, 2008
The 17 new local government areas that were created in 2002 by the Kure's administration have been scrapped by the Niger State government. With this development, the state has reverted to the original 25 local government areas while the 17 scrapped ones have been re-designated as development areas.
Feb 08, 2008
Production level at the four newly privatized sugar companies in Nigeria has remained a major challenge as they still produce at an uninspiring 30 per cent. Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Alhaji Usman Bello, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja .
Feb 14, 2008
Yemi Davies, in this piece, examines the decision of some state governments to close some private schools, due to poor facilities, concluding that governments at all levels should improve facilities in all public schools to give private schools a fight.
Feb 13, 2008
Niger State has constituted a 12 man committee to review and harmonize the salaries of all judiciary staff in the state and recommend measures to improve their working environment.
Feb 13, 2008
The Federal University of Technology, Minna has expressed its readiness to partner with the Niger State Government in making the state one of the three most developed states in Nigeria by the year 2020.
Feb 13, 2008
A 10-man rape gang has been smashed by the police in Niger State, the state Commissioner of Police, Sir Paul Iseghohi has announced, explaining that the gang also specialized in snatching mobile phone sets from their victims.
Feb 13, 2008
Like the Biblical Prophet Moses, late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed saw the promised land and conceived a Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria's heartland. He did not live to realise his dreams. On Murtala's 32nd remembrance day today, Nuhu Yarwa looks back to the history of the FCT.
Feb 13, 2008
The Kwara State government has approved the take off of the proposed Kampe Game Reserve in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
Feb 07, 2008
Niger State government has approved N78.2 million for the purchase of 30 electricity distribution transformer to enhance electricity supply within the Minna metropolis.
Feb 11, 2008
Niger State Governor Dr Aliyu Babangida Muazu and his Lagos State counterpart Mr. Babatunde Fashola at the weekend jointly called for additional revenue allocation to states and Local Governments from the Federation account.
Feb 11, 2008
The 19 Northern State Governors have resolved to embark on independent power projects in their respective states.
Feb 11, 2008
Two suspected armed robbers who have been terrorising motorists along Mokwa-Bokani road in Niger State have met their waterloo following a gun battle with men of the Niger State Police command.
Feb 07, 2008
Niger State government has approved N78.2 million for the purchase of 30 electricity distribution transformer to enhance electricity supply within the Minna metropolis.
Feb 14, 2008
On his being called the 'chief servant' of the state - It is to really give credit to those that deserve it. The people that deserve the credit of leadership are really your employers and in my case, my employers are the people who voted me in. Whenever I remember the days we were campaigning, we were literally begging them to come out to vote for us. So, they are like an interview panel or like an employer trying to employ you. By the time he employs you, then you become superior to him and you begin to bear the word "Excellency" and you see yourself as so excellent that you can never make mistakes. Some people became so excellent that they flew, and unfortunately, flew with the money and left the people on the ground. So, we thought that it is time to demystify it and to be humble enough to really speak with the people all the time. I have discovered within a short time that the people understand and know their problems. They have defined them properly and they have solutions. All that they are looking for from you, as their employee is to confirm to them that the solution they have adopted for that problem is the right one. That is why we thought if we are humble and we are able to really speak to the people, we would be able to get much.
Feb 14, 2008
The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has blamed the growing level of poverty in the northern parts of the country on the emphasis placed on politics as a profession by the elite of the region.
Feb 14, 2008
The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu was a super permanent secretary whose civil service career appeared very bright and destined for the apex level. He served as permanent secretary in several key federal ministries such as Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Transport, National Planning, Cabinet Secretariat and Office of Head of Service among others. Infact, he was widely tipped as a potential Head of Service of the Federation by many civil service analysts. But somehow God had a different thing in stock for him as he soon found himself at the Government House, Minna as Governor of Niger State. Aliyu, who is the current chairman of Northern Governors Forum, would not want to be addressed as ‘His Excellency’. The Talba of Minna who wants to be addressed simply as ‘Chief Servant’ was in the Southwest zone last weekend to attend some functions in Abeokuta and Lagos. He took time off his tight schedule for a session with newsmen on Monday in Lagos. In the encounter he admits that he had been praying to be appointed Head of Service and also reflects on his soured relationship with his predecessor, Abdulkadir Kure among other issues. Nosike Ogbuenyi who witnessed the encounter reports.
Feb 18, 2008
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State dropped the toga of ‘His Excellency’ when he was sworn in last year and directed his aides to refer to him as Chief Servant. After nine months in the saddle, the governor has stepped on toes and from the look of things he is not likely to retrace his steps. Aliyu came to town last week and had a session with journalists, where he spoke on his relationship with his predecessor; former heads of state; his colleagues at the Northern Governors Forum. He also touched other sundry national issues. Habib Aruna, Group Politics Editor was there. Excerpts:
Why are you, at loggerhead with your predecessor and what has been your relationship with the Northern governors and former heads of state, some of who, are said to be uncomfortable with your posture? Thank you very much. On the question of what is between me and my predecessor, if a former commissioner for transport had not been able to travel within his domain, I don’t know what kind of administration he would bring to the council meeting. So basically, if there is any problem between my predecessor and I, it is probably on the style and substance about determining what governance is all about.
Feb 03, 2008
The Arewa House, on a yearly basis, holds its annual memorial lecture, where the virtues of the North and Northern leaders, vis-à-vis the larger Nigerian society are often show-cased. Recently, this lecture held in Kaduna and the political class, including government officials, politicians and bureaucrats as well as ordinary Nigerians, graced the occasion which was chaired by Chief Ken Nnamani, former Senate President. Speaker after speaker eulogized the leadership qualities of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Premier of Northern Region and Sardaunan Sokoto. Specifically, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the Niger state governor and chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, mooted the idea of immortalizing the late premier. Northern governors, according to him, will set up an Ahmadu Bello Foundation for this purpose and the proposal will be tabled at their next meeting.
Feb 19, 2008
Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in this interview with Features Editor, Wole Efunnuga, speaks on what he has been able to achieve since he became governor, why he believes in being called chief servant and how he has been able to clear the arrears owed retired civil servants in the state. Excerpts: Chief Servant, in your comment, you said there is nothing excellent about the so-called excellencies as governors are referred to and you govern a state where two former heads of state hail from. Does that define your relationship with them?
The word 'excellency' is meant for ambassadors who are seen as direct representatives of their countries.
Feb 18, 2008
Niger State Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has directed the construction of three new Tennis Courts at the Minna Sports Club to raise the number to seven to properly position the state ahead the hosting of international tennis championship in the state.
Feb 18, 2008
Elections into the 25 Local Government Councils in Niger State have been slated for March 29, 2008. The State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu who dropped this hint in Minna at the weekend while addressing intending Christian pilgrims, said every thing would be done to ensure that the exercise was hitch-free. Aliyu who swore not to skew the election in favour of any candidate or political party, declared that whoever won in the election would be sworn-in. He revealed that political parties in the state were being encouraged to embrace internal democracy as a way of sustaining the growth of democracy in the country. The governor admonished the intending pilgrims to avoid anything that could tarnish the image of the state and the country while in the Holy land.
Feb 18, 2008
“Have you washed your hands?” the headmaster of a primary school in a village in northern Nigeria asked 160 children standing in line one morning before starting class. “Yes master!” answered the youthful, enthusiastic crowd. This daily ritual has become a game, said Sani Marafa, the headmaster at the school which is in Lokoto, a community of some 50 mud and brick houses 20km from Niger State’s capital, Minna.
Feb 10, 2008
NORTHERN state governors rose from their meeting in Minna, Friday, with a decision to reverse some policies taken by the Obasanjo regime considered to be inimical to their people. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting presided over by its chairman and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the governors agreed to itemize the policies soon for immediate ratification.
Feb 09, 2008
“Any society that accepts guests and strangers will grow and develop.”
The above statement, a quotable quote of worth, was one of the remarks the Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, made in response to the submission of the LOC, Northern Writers’ Summit, who paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Minna. Members of the Niger State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, the hosts of the Summit, undertook the visit to identify with the sterling strides of the Governor and to acquaint him with the activities of the Association generally and the scope, goals and objectives of the Summit in particular. The Summit, which will provide a platform for discussion, articulation and propagation of the vision of a corporate Northern Nigeria in terms of its educational, literary, cultural, social and political directions, has the following objectives:
Feb 21, 2008
Feb 21, 2008
Like every other state in Nigeria, Niger State has had its share of elec-toral violence since it was created in 1976. During the 1983 general elections, not less than 18 people were burnt to death at Kuta in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. The 18 people, all electoral officers, were returning to Minna with results of polls conducted in the area which the people felt were manipulated in favour of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) against the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP).
Feb 20, 2008
IBB University, Lapai, Niger State, will hold its first national conference on education. The conference, which is being organised by the faculty of education, is scheduled for between February 25 and 28, 2008 at Abubakar Gimba Library complex, with its main theme: Education And Development In Northern Nigeria.
Feb 20, 2008
The death has occurred of the pioneer registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr. Michael Saidu Angulu. He would have been 75 if he had lived till December this year. Born in Bida, Niger State, in December 1933, the ex-JAM boss attended St. John's Primary School, Bida, Middle School, Ilorin, Kwara State, and later University of Ibadan where he studied English language.
Feb 19, 2008
Niger State government has approved the release of N136 million monthly for the development of the 272 wards in the State. Governor, Babangida Aliyu disclosed this in Minna yesterday at an interactive forum organised by the Talba Alliance Group. Aliyu explained that the gesture was aimed at bringing development closer to the people at the grassroots. He Stated that the sum of N500, 000 would be made available monthly to each of the 272 wards in the state to enable them solve their peculiar and immediate development needs.
Feb 18, 2008
The Niger Government has suspended heads of treasury departments in all the 42 local governments with immediate effect. Alhaji Abdullahi Bawa, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs has said in Minna that the treasurers were suspended for alleged fraudulent acts.
Feb 21, 2008
The Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu has laid the foundation stone for 250 houses in Kontagora.
Feb 21, 2008
The problem of agriculture in Niger state is lack of mechanized farming system. Right now people are not interested in using hoes and cutlasses. It is an old way of farming practiced by our old parents, who have now grown old without the energy to continue to till the ground with these crude implements.
Feb 25, 2008
Feb 22, 2008
The Federal Government has been enjoined to revisit the current age limit of eight years on second-hand vehicles imported into Nigeria, and extend it to 12 years with mandated yearly vehicle condition/maintenance inspection policies as is done in United States and other countries.
Feb 22, 2008
Life of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu has set up a computer training centre for Minna Prison inmates. Speaking at the inauguration of the centre at the Minna old prison yesterday, Hajiya Aliyu said the gesture was aimed at equipping the inmates with computer skills to be able to meet greater challenges after serving their prison terms.
Feb 21, 2008
Feb 27, 2008
Feb 27, 2008
Feb 26, 2008
Feb 26, 2008
Feb 26, 2008
NIGER State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, has said the state was embarking on a Private Partnership Programme (PPP) with the Federal Government to make the Minna Airport a cargo airport.
Feb 25, 2008
Sexual abuse on children has become a menace and has continued unabated because of the irgnorance of the society or the shyness of parents to discuss the issue with the children", this was the view of the wife of the Niger state governor, Mrs. Jummai Aliyu Babangida during the launch of the book "How to protect your child from sexual abuse" in Abuja at the weekend.
Feb 25, 2008
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has Flaged-off the N574 million Minna street lights project. Speaking at the event in Minna at the weekend, Aliyu said the project was aimed at securing and beautifying the state. He explained that the gesture was aimed at making Minna one of the three most beautiful state capitals in the country by the year 2020. According to him, no investor will be willing to invest in a dirty and insecured environment. The governor disclosed that the reactivation of the 31 kilometres Minna Western by-pass would cost about N136 million while the 23 km dual carriage road from Chanchaga bridge to Maikunkele would be powered through solar energy at the cost of N233 million. Aliyu further explained that the third phase of the street lighting project would involve all the intra-city road in the state capital at the cost of N205 million.
Feb 25, 2008
Feb 28, 2008
Feb 29, 2008
Feb 28, 2008