The ICT ONLINE TEAM – UnicornDivine Technologies, BSI
- Erena, BS; MB Shehu, BS: S. Rumala, Ph.D; F. Haruna, BSc.
NIGER - The Power State of Nigeria.
Transparency, Accountability, Integrity
NIGER - The Power State of Nigeria.
Transparency, Accountability, Integrity
GOVERNOR Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has said that his administration will give priority to the education of females in the state, saying, "if you educate a woman, you have invariably educated the society." The governor who was addressing women at the flag-off of women sensitisation tour of the three geo-political zones of the state in Minna yesterday said since government cannot solely finance education, full support in form of grants or donations will be provided by government to any women organisation or NGO that intendeds to support female education in the state.
Over N30 million is nee- ded by the Minna Polo Club to enable it build a befitting club house, the cap-tain of the club, Warrant Officer (WO II) Rtd. Salisu Moham-med, has said. Mohammed made this known at the just concluded Minna Polo Tournament, explaining that the Minna Polo club was the only club in the country operating without a club house. He said that even though the club has since been allocated the polo ground over five years ago, it has been difficult for the club to put in place necessary facilities including a standard playing field and a club house due to lack of funds. "We need the assistance of government and sports loving individuals to enable us build the club house. The club has been successfully hosting major polo tournaments without these facilities but it would be better if they are provided. "Minna is the only club in the country without club house. The government of Niger state during the past administration gave the club this land with the certificate of occupancy (C of O) over five years but we have not gotten the fund to develop it," he said.
Mohammed explained that the chairman of the club, Mohammed Babangida and its President, Dr. Muazu Baban-gida Aliyu, the executive governor of Niger state, have been making concerted efforts to ensure that the facilities were provided at the polo ground.
He stated that Dr. Aliyu, who was made the president of the Minna club long before he became the governor, has given his words on government determination to assist the club with the club house. The captain said it was however necessary for private individuals and sports loving Nigerians to come to the aids of the club in the building the club house estimated to cost over N30 million, adding that govern-ment alone cannot provide the amount without assistance from the public.
June 03, 2008
June 04, 2008
LAGOS (AFP) — Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is to import 500,000 metric tonnes of rice as part of the fight against food shortages, a senior government official said Monday. Olusegun Agagu, governor of southwest Ogun State, made the announcement in a televised interview though he did not say from which countries the rice would be imported. Usually, Nigeria, which was self-sufficient in rice in the 1960s, imports rice from Asia, particularly Thailand. Last month, Nigeria and South Korea signed an agreement to set up a rice processing mill in a bid to boost production and fight spiralling food prices. Under the agreement, the Korean government will provide 1.8-million-dollars (1.1-million-euro) in funding for the mill to be set up at Bida in central Niger State. Rice is the staple cereal in this oil-rich country of 140 million, but its price has more than doubled in past months. A 50 kilogram (110-pound) bag of rice which cost 6,000 naira (51 dollars) in December is now sold for 13,000 naira. Nigeria has pledged to double annual rice production to 5.6 million tonnes over the next four years.
June 02, 2008
Niger State has emerged champions in the just concluded 1st Shehu Musa Yar’Adua National Open Squash championship, which ended over the weekend in Abuja.
June 02, 2008
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the nation's hydro-electricity dams.
He said this when the Senate committee on Power, Steel Development and Mythology paid him a courtesy visit.
“They cannot satisfy our people with the kind of power they generate, so they are as good as dead'', he said of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Aliyu said rather than being projects of pride to the host communities, the dams had turned out to be “danger zones. “Kainji, Shiroro, and Jebba dams are now sources of disaster instead of what they were originally meant for, due to poor maintenance. Most of our dams are not generating electricity supply, neither are they supplying water for irrigation'', he said. He called on the Federal Government to also take drastic measures to assist the dams' host communities, whose sources of livelihood were under threat. Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, said the visit was to rob minds with states covered by the Hydro-Power Produ-cing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) bill. “Farmers have lost farm lands, fishermen have lost their source of livelihood, and houses are destroyed during flooding. Also the European cemetery, which used to be a very good tourist centre, was destroyed six years ago following a very serious flooding. So, our committee has taken it with vigour to see to the successful passage of the bill'', he said.
June 01, 2008
Yar’Adua And The Governors, One Year After: How Well Have They Fared?
A year has just gone by since a new democratic dispensation took off (call it the Fifth Republic ). With the Umaru Yar'Adua government at centre stage, the nation has indeed seen another set of leaders attempt to take the nation out of the woods. In this piece, LEADERSHIP WEEKEND Stanley Nkwocha, beams the searchlight on the character of the Yar'Adua-led federal government, as well as the governors of the 36 states of the federation.
June 01, 2008
Niger State government has placed an order for 28,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertiliser at the cost of N2.8 billion to boost agricultural production in the state. The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Health, Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf Gunu, disclosed this yesterday in Minna at a press briefing on the outcome of the state executive council meeting. Gunu explained that the fresh order is in addition to the 5,000 metric tonnes which was earlier procured by the state government and sold to farmers in all the 272 wards in the state at subsidized rates. He revealed that 15,000 metric tonnes is the actual fertiliser demand for this cropping season, but that the excess was meant to take care of the dry season farming. According to him, NPK is being sold at the rate of N1, 700 per bag, Urea at N1, 700 per bag and SSP at N1, 300 per bag. The commissioner, who said the commodities were heavily subsidized by the state government, explained that this was why Niger State is selling them at the lowest price in the entire federation. Gunu also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to re- introduce produce inspection posts across the state. He explained that this is to ensure that only high quality produce are allowed to get out of the state while those below standard would be confiscated. According to him, about 100 markets have been identified in the state, out of which 32 are to be up- graded and designated as special produce markets. The commissioner said the special markets will be provided with necessary facilities to enable government monitor the revenue flow. Gunu stated that produce that will go into these markets are to be up- graded for quality control and certification. He also revealed that the Jebba Livestock control post will be revitalized to boost government revenue. According to him, the control post will be provided with necessary facilities to enable it treat sick animals on transit, and provide them with clean food and water.
June 06, 2008
Niger State government has put in motion necessary measures for the establishment of a $400 million Hydro power project at Gurara Falls . The state commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, who disclosed this in Minna at the weekend, said the project will consist of two segments, the Hydro power and Water supply. Ndanusa explained that the project will commence by October 2008, after detailed studies, engineering designs, environmental impact assessment and socio- economic surveys of the area have been concluded. According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the state government and Transatlantic Investment and Development Company Ltd, during Governor Babangida Aliyu's, recent trip to Atlanta Georgia in the United States of America. The commissioner disclosed that, "The power project which will be sited at the Gurara River , is the largest private Hydro power initiative in Nigeria that is expected to produce 250 megawatts of electricity and to be completed within the period of 30 months."
Ndanusa stated that the project is part of the Babangida Aliyu determination to lay a solid foundation for the socio- economic development of the state. He stressed that this will lead to the realisation of the mission and vision of the present administration in transforming Niger into one of the three most developed states in the country by the year 2020.The commissioner signed the MoU on behalf of the Niger State government while Dr. Chima Onwukeme signed on behalf of the U.S based Transatlantic Investment and Development Company.
June 08, 2008
Tension has enveloped the entire landscape of Niger state, as the Election petition Tribunal prepares to deliver its judgment on the state Governorship election on Monday.
June 07, 2008
The eight state governments that took the Federal Government to court last month over un-remitted revenues to the Federation Account during the Obasanjo administration have been persuaded to temporarily withdraw the case for a possible out-of-court settlement.... Abia State asked for a refund of N76.3 billion; Bauchi (N25.7 billion), Benue (N91.8 billion), Niger (N96.1 billion), Ogun (N81 billion), Oyo (N97 billion) and Osun (N77.92 billion).... Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said the relationship between the federal and state governments had been misinterpreted over the years, making it look like that of a father and his son. “But in reality, according to our constitutional provisions, the federating units and the federal government are equal partners. It is only the local governments that are under the states
June 07, 2008
Efforts by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate in the April 2007, Governorship election in Niger State, Mr. David Umar, to capture power from the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has suffered a set back as the Niger State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday upheld the election of Aliyu. Umaru’s petition was thrown out and dismissed by a panel of five judges presided over by the Chairman, Justice Suliaman Kawu, for want of evidence.
June 10, 2008
The Electoral Tribunal sitting in Minna, Niger State has upheld the April 14, 2007 governorship election held in the state and has subsequently declared Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu duly elected as governor of Niger State.
June 10, 2008
Seven northern rice producing states are working towards capturing a share of the global market through a joint production scheme, a top Niger State government official said yesterday. Alhaji Yusuf Gunu, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Health, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, identified the states as Niger, Sokoto, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Kebbi. ``The seven states are working together because they have a common FADAMA belt due to the Rima River that passes through the states,'' he said. He said the move became imperative due to the increasing demand for rice, adding that the solution to the soaring price of rice was mass production through mechanised farming. The commissioner said Gov Babangida Aliyu initiated the joint rice production project because of the huge potential available in these states which include human resources and favourable climate. According to him, the governors of these states have forged a common front towards repositioning rice production.
June 10, 2008
The three Senators from Niger State yesterday threw their weight behind Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Chief Servant of Niger State following his victory at the state election tribunal. The three Senators who hailed the decision of the Niger State Election Petition Tribunal for upholding the election of the governor, urged those opposing the governor to burry the hatchet and join the govenor in developing the state. The Senators who spoke in different telephone interviews were Senator Nuhu Aliyu (PDP) Niger North, Senator Zaynab Kure PDP Niger South and Senator Dahiru Kuta (PDP Niger East. They all expossed confidence that the governors, who is known as chief servant of the state was poised to deliver democracy dividends to the people of Niger State.
June 10, 2008
The election petition tribunal sitting in Minna, Niger State, on Monday affirmed the election of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu in the April 14, 2007 governorship polls, describing the petition by the ANPP candidate in the said election, Barrister David Umaru, as structurally defective.
June 10, 2008
The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Minna, Niger State yesterday upheld the election of Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu as Governor of the state and dismissed the petition against his election by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state in the April 14, 2007 General Elections. In a nearly five hour judgment delivered by Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Sulayman Kawu, the tribunal said the petitioner failed to prove his case against the respondents and consequently dismissed the petition and upheld the election of Dr. Aliyu as governor. The petitioner, Barrister David Umaru had entered over 3500 evidences against Dr Aliyu and 13 other respondents in the course of the hearing, and brought three witnesses to buttress his case which had lasted for over a year.
June 10, 2008
When on Monday, June 9, the election petition tribunal sitting in Minna, the Niger State capital and headed by Justice Suleiman Kawo, declared that Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the governor of Niger State, it was a relief to the people of the state who had been held in suspense for about a year.
June 15, 2008
Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida has ordered the immediate removal of bill boards and posters used by various political parties for the 2007 elections at strategic locations in Minna, the state capital. Governor Babangida who gave the directive last week at Government House, Minna said the bill boards and posters have outlived their usefulness since the election period was over, adding that they have defaced Minna town and now constitute an eye sore.
June 12, 2008
Still basking in the euphoria of his victory at the Election Tribunal on Monday, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has called on his arch rival and gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2007 general election, Barr. David Umaru to bury the hatchet and join hands with his administration to move the state forward. Aliyu, who made the call in Minna in a state- wide broadcast, said his administration is ready to negotiate and accommodate divergent view and opinions in his administration. While referring to David Umaru as "my brother," he noted that the over all interest and development of the state should be upper-most in the hearts of all well- meaning Nigerlites. The governor explained that he harbour no ill- feeling against David Umaru, stressing that the decision of the ANPP stalwart to challenge his victory at the tribunal was in order, as he was only exercising his fundamental human right.
June 11, 2008
Dr. Mu’Azu Babangida Aliyu, the Niger State governor, is witty, down-to-earth and frank. He tells KEMI DAYO-AIYETAN his dreams and challenges. DON’T bother referring to him as His Excellency; no, not with Dr. Mu‘Azu Babangida Aliyu (OON), the executive governor of Niger State. ”I quarrel with two things – His Excellency and Alhaji,” he explains.”Alhaji is simply a traveller. The Chief Servant replaces His Excellency because I can‘t remember anytime where the lexicon of Excellency came down to governance. It was originally meant for sovereign leaders, their representatives, ambassadors and high commissioners. Maybe the military rule introduced His Excellency to governors. I have also observed that people are more concerned about titles and, luckily for me, I have earned titles. I have a PhD and, in my local environment, they have given me a traditional title.”
June 15, 2008
Niger State commissioner of police, Mr. Paul Iseghohi, who paraded the suspect before journalists, described the act as very unfortunate and barbaric and promised to charge him to court immediately for culpable homicide.
June 15, 2008
Babangida AliyuAfter 55 weeks of legal fireworks that pitted some of Nigeria’s brilliant legal minds against one another, appeals, counter-appeals and 28 adjournments, the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Niger State on Monday, June 9, declared that Governor Babangida Aliyu remains the constitutionally elected chief executive of the state. In a tediously protracted case instituted by David Umaru, governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in the April 14, 2007 governorship elections, alongside his party, the ANPP, he sought to have the tribunal quash Aliyu’s victory on grounds that would later emerge as ridiculous and frivolous.
June 16, 2008
Suddenly, the hitherto disillusioned, politically demoralised and hopeless people of Niger State are alive again with excitement with much patriotic and nationalistic zeal courtesy of the emergence of the new political leadership and government in the state in the last one year. But just how does good leadership instill patriotism and nationalism in the citizenry? Patriotism and nationalism are dividends of good leadership offered by the followership.
June 16, 2008
Former Head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has said that he will no longer comment on what transpired between the military government and Chief M.K.O Abiola which led to the cancellation of the 1993 election acclaimed to have been won by the late international business mogul. Speaking shortly in an interview after he led members of the University of Ibadan Advancement Board on a courtesy call on Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday, Abdulsalami said it is high time Nigerians and those involved in the entire debacle forget what happened and forge ahead in the interest of the country and her citizenry.
June 15, 2008
June 14, 2008
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources (II), Chief Demola Seriki has been accused of misappropriating estacode of staff attached to his office. The allegation against Seriki, who is in charge of Water Resources, said he is in the habit of collecting various sums of money for travelling purposes without embarking on such trips.
June 28, 2008
National Assembly has been urged to pass the Hydro-Electric Power Development Commission (HYPEDEC) Bill for the socio-economic development of the country. This appeal was made by the special adviser to the Niger State governor on Roads, Highways and HYPEDEC, Engineer Muhammad Ahmad Dabban in an interview with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND in Kaduna.
June 28, 2008
Worried by the frequent shortage of water in Minna and its environs, Niger state government has approved the sum of N229 million to boost water supply in the area. The state commissioner for works and infrastructural development, Engr. Sani Ndanusa disclosed this in Minna at a press briefing after the state Executive Council meeting. Ndanusa said the money would be used primarily to excavate the Tagwai dam so that it will be able to retain more rain water to boost its supply capacity. He explained that since the construction of the dam about 31 years ago it had not been desalted, thereby reducing its capacity to retain rain water.
June 28, 2008
June 28, 2008
June 27, 2008
June 26, 2008
The Niger State Government is constructing a N7.7 million water treatment laboratory to improve the quality of water supplied in the area.
Mallam Abdulahi Kosu, the Director of the state environmental protection agency, told our correspondent in Minna that the project would be completed in December. He said the laboratory equipment were imported more than 10 years ago at N200 million.
June 26, 2008
The Niger State House of Assembly has passed five out of the 16 bills from the state executive forwarded to the House in the past one year. The Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Muhammed Alkali disclosed this at Government House Minna on Monday shortly before a closed door meeting with the state executive council.
Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili has appealed to youths in Niger State to desist from sniffing pit latrines and filthy sands and gutter particles to achieve ecstasy, she also advised commercial motorcyclists in the state capital to stop abusing cough drugs that contain codeine.
June 26, 2008
Recently, the all Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Niger State took the administration of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu to the cleaners over its projects. However, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Kagara, commissioner of information, accused the opposition party of being largely ignorant of government business.
June 26, 2008
NIGER state has donated over N7 million for the resettlement of victims of flood in akare, wushishi local government area. Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who led government delegation to the area announced the gesture at Cheji village which now houses the new Akare during his on the spot assessment of the flood disaster over the weekend.
June 26, 2008
Dipo Laleye recounts the recent breakthrough of the Niger State government in demystifying the Zuma Rock that had hitherto been perceived to harbour evil spirits, concluding that the plans to turn it into a tourist site is laudable.
June 25, 2008
June 25, 2008
June 23, 2008
June 23, 2008
Sir, first, I don't know your disposition towards reading newspapers and magazines but my estimation is that you encourage your personal assistants to bring to your notice, any news or article that concerns your person or administration. This belief represents the motivation for writing this piece.
June 20, 2008
June 20, 2008
As part of the efforts to boost agricultural productivity and tackle food crisis in the state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Niger State Governor has flagged off the disbursement of over N150 million agricultural loan to about 4,000 farmers in the state.
June 19, 2008
What offence could a day-old baby have committed to be remanded in prison? Nigeria's First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar'Adua and the Niger State Governor's wife, Hajia Jumai Aliyu resolved this puzzle recently.
June 19, 2008
In a bid to improve on the water supply situation in Minna, its capital, the government of Niger State says it will dredge Tagwai dam.
June 18, 2008
Tragedy struck in Arabatu and Gwai village in Mariga and Gurara Local Government areas of Niger State respectively when six people including three pregnant women died shortly after eating beans believed to be contaminated.
June 18, 2008
June 30, 2008
Some 32 years ago, the Akere community in Niger state moved to its present location as a result of regular flooding of their farmland and residences at the old Akere, located just after the railway bridge in the city. Before this movement, the original Akere village, which incidentally was the birth place of a former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, had been flooded on two occasions, resulting in loss of lives and property worth thousands of naira, at that time.