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NIGER - The Power State of Nigeria.
Transparency, Accountability, Integrity
Sept 06, 2008
Thousands of indigenes and government officials gathered in Bangi community, Mariga Local Government Area, Niger State on Thursday, last week, to witness the commissioning of a cottage hospital by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu.
Sept 03, 2008
I am intrigued by the latest developments on the story of the 84-year-old Pa Bello Abubakar and his 86 wives, all living happily with him and their over 100 children in Abubakar’s two-storey building in Masaba, Bida, Niger State.
Sept 06, 2008
The Managing Director of Air Wave Communication, the company in charge of the maintenance of all communication gadgets including satellite and other accessories at the Niger State Government House in the last administration, Mallam Ibrahim Audu Zhuru, has admitted that he was in error when he claimed that the state government owed his company N5m.
Sept 06, 2008
Sept 05, 2008
The Commissioner of Police in Nigeria’s northern Niger State, Mr Paul Iseghohi, has said 27 nationals of the Niger Republic who were rounded up during a raid of criminal hideouts in the state would be deported to their country.
Sept 05, 2008
Police in Niger State have arrested three persons over the death of top functionaries of the Niger State government in a boat mishap at River Mariga about a week ago. Commissioner of Police in the state, Sir Paul Iseghoghi, disclosed this to journalists in Minna, confirming that the accident was indeed premeditated.
Sept 05, 2008
Sept 04, 2008
Sept 04, 2008
Sept 02, 2008
Education Minister, Dr Igwe Aja Nwachuku, has appealed to state governments lagging behind in the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme, to take basic education delivery more seriously in their respective states.
Sept 01, 2008
Sept 01, 2008
Contrary to media reports that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) was withholding the Niger State counterpart funds, the Commission he said that the state failed to meet the requirements and procedures for accessing the funds.
Sept 01, 2008
SENATOR Nuhu Aliyu (PDP, Niger North) has pledged to contribute his quota to the reversal of the education backwardness of the people of his constituency. Aliyu in an interview shortly after the presentation of vehicles and cash to party officials in his senatorial zone also denied any connection between his recent philanthropic gestures to a possible fourth term in the Senate or a run for the governorship of the State.
Sept 01, 2008
ALHAJI Abubakar Bawa Bwari etched his name as a political survivor and maybe a master on account of his record as the only individual that served eight straight years as a principal officer in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2007, having been the chief whip of the House of Representatives in that period.
Sept 01, 2008
Dr Abdulrahman said, it became necessary to mark the anniversary because of the tremendous achievement recorded, particularly in this present administration of Dr. Muazu Babangia Aliyu, Governor Niger state.
Sept 07, 2008
The president's health has continued to generate so much controversy. Should this be so? In a democratic setting, such as we have, the state of health of top public officials cannot and should not be treated as an official secret or classified information. People are entitled to full disclosure on matters concerning those they elected. Today's world has been reduced to a global village, therefore, a grave matter such as the health condition of a sitting president is expected to attract the kind of due sensitivity that we just witnessed. I think the problem is that some top government officials handled the issue badly. Like Sam Nda Isaiah observed in his last Monday’s column, Last Word, the president's handlers have bungled it again. Everyone is wondering if it has become an offence for a president to be ill. Nigerians should pray for the health of the president. Churches and mosques should declare prayer sessions across the nation.
Sept 06, 2008
Sept 07, 2008
Sept 07, 2008
The winning pupils, represented by Omoogun and Amuda, thanked Mobil and STAN for giving them the opportunity to meet renowned scientists. They promised to work harder at becoming successful adults in life. The 2009 MOBIL/STAN national essay and quiz competition will hold in Minna, Niger State
Sept 07, 2008
Sept 07, 2008
Penultimate Thursday was a sad day in Niger State as a canoe in which Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu and some top government officials were travelling capsized in River Rakumi in Mariga Local Government Area.
Sept 11, 2008
The Niger state government has concluded plans to establish a Minna Geographic Information System (MGIS). According to the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mrs Salome Ndakotsu, it is in line with modern day trends of land use and allocation.
Sept 11, 2008
Sir Ahmadu and other prominent politicians of the First Republic were assassinated in the first military coup of January 15, 1966. The launch of the foundation is being packaged by the Northern Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Muazu Babagida Aliyu of Niger State and the body put together by the Arewa Consultative Forum under the headship of Justice Mamman Nasir.
Sept 11, 2008
Some staff members of the Niger State Ministry of Finance have been suspended over an alleged fraud uncovered in the Accountant-General’s office last week. The amount involved in the scandal could not be ascertained, but investigations revealed that it was millions of naira. According to investigations, the fraud was perpetrated when one of the top officials in one of the departments in the ministry was away on a one-month vacation. It was learnt that when the official returned from the vacation, he discovered the fraud and immediately informed the governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who ordered investigations into the matter.
Sept 11, 2008
Police in Niger have arrested three persons in connection with the recent boat mishap in Bangi in which three top government functionaries lost their lives. Police commissioner, Paul Iseghohi, told newsmen last Wednesday in Minna, the state capital that the state Assembly man, Usman Musa, identified the suspects as among those who molested him minutes before the incident.
Sept 10, 2008
Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has charged the police to rid his state of criminals and ensure the continued peace and stability in the state.
Sept 10, 2008
NIGER State gover-nor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has described the removal of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as nothing extraordinary.
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said he had only two houses, one in Minna, the Niger State capital and the other one in Abuja. He denied allegations that he rented the two houses to himself, challenging anybody to present information and documentary evidence to the contrary. “I do not own any house anywhere in the world except in Minna and Abuja.
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 08, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 09, 2008
Sept 08, 2008
Sept 22, 2008
The sum of N5 billion has been earmarked for the construction of 17 roads projects by the Niger State government. The commissioner for Transportation and Infrastructural Development, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Minna at the weekend, said the bids for the rehabilitation of the roads were almost concluded.
Sept 22, 2008
National President, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Daud Mustapha, has said that the man with 86 wives, Mallam Mohammed Masaba, has not insulted the Islamic religion as some Muslims claim
Sept 22, 2008
THE conspiracy against President Umaru Yar’Adua, a good, generous man, has been taken to a ridiculous level. A newspaper reported on Tuesday that President Yar’Adua had donated N100,000 to two young children orphaned when their parents were electrocuted in Minna, Niger State.
Sept 22, 2008
Sept 22, 2008
Are you amazed at how 86 women could share their love with one man? Then, you need to listen to Hajiya Hafsat Bello Masaba, the third wife of Bida, Niger State-based Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abubakar Bello Masaba, acclaimed as Nigeria’s number one polygamist. Hajiya Hafsat says the detained cleric facing trial in a Sharia Court in Minna for marrying more than four wives prescribed for Muslims, lifted her and many of her mates from despondency and made them happy and responsible married women, hence they decided to stick to him for better for worse.
Nigeria’s Niger State Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, has said the state is partnering with a US firm, Transatlantic Investment and Development for the construction of a US$300-million hydro-electric plant at Gurara falls in north of the country.
Sept 21, 2008
In its bid to eradicate poverty in the country, the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), has approved the release of N69m to improve some projects in Niger State.
This was made known in a press release signed by Alh. Abdullahi Halilu Abuja, the principal public relations officer of NAPEP.
Sept 21, 2008
Sept 21, 2008
Sept 21, 2008
Sept 21, 2008
Sept 21, 2008
Sept 19, 2008
The Chinese government has reiterated its determination to establish a new partnership in the field of education, economic, tourism and other fields with the Niger state government. Mr. Qi Xuchung who led the seven man Chinese parliamentarians of the People Republic of China made this known during the visit to Zuma Rock and Gurara Water Falls in Niger state over the weekend.
Sept 17, 2008
Sept 17, 2008
The tragic deaths of Jibril Babacheche and his wife Aisha from electrocution have attracted uncommon sympathy from unexpected quarters. Aisha was electrocuted as she was spreading her veil on an old cable, which had contact with a PHCN high-tension wire that had been brought down by a downpour. Her husband also got killed while trying to rescue her. Deaths from electrocution are not always reported, but the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) got the news and promptly donated N100, 000 cash to the orphans of the couple who lived at Kpakungu, on the outskirts of Minna, the Niger State capital. NAPEP gave the credit to President Umaru Yar'Adua. And the Niger State governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, donated N500, 000 for the children's upkeep.
Sept 17, 2008
THE Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Professor Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem warned yesterday that failure by government Ministries, departments and agencies to submit to it data of employment and appointments on or before December 1 would attract serious sanction and subsequent prosecution.
Sept 17, 2008
Sept 16, 2008
The controversial octogenarian with 86 wives and 190 children , Malam Muhammed Abubakar Bello Masaba, was arrested by the Police in Niger State yesterday. He was arrested at his residence in Bida at about 4a.m when he was about to take his sahur (morning meal in preparation for the day's fasting) and brought straight to Minna. In Minna, he was arraigned before the Upper Shariah Court, Minna on a three-count charge of insulting or attempting a contempt of religious creed, deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage and marriage ceremony without lawful marriage contrary to section 210, 383 and 386 of the penal code respectively. The accused had been ordered to be remanded in Minna Prison and the case adjourned till 6th of October for further hearing.
Sept 16, 2008
Sept 15, 2008
Niger State government has spent over N350 million to procure assorted grains to be sold to members of the public at subsidised rate.
Sept 15, 2008
As part of its effort to uplift the standard of education, Niger state ministry of education has expended the sum of N297,786,250 out of N300million approved for the payment of NECO and WAEC for about 260 students who will sit for it including other logistics.
Sept 15, 2008
Sept 14, 2008
Sept 14, 2008
Sept 30, 2008
"We have a cash target of N15m to host the game. We have been able to realize the sum of N8m from Governor Sambo of Kaduna and Governor Aliyu of Niger State.
Sept 30, 2008
Niger State Government says it has uncovered a plot by some disgruntled elements to destabilize and incite the public against the government. The state Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Adamu Usman, who disclosed this at a news conference in Minna yesterday, said the group had been circulating forged documents and government approvals for execution of projects. Usman explained that the forged and inciting documents being circulated were intended to create ill-feelings against the state government.
Sept 30, 2008
Suleja Local Government Council in Niger State has expressed fear over the menace of erosion gullies threatening the area, thereby causing stagnation in the socio-economic development plans of the council.
Sept 30, 2008
THE Niger State government says it has uncovered plans by some persons to destabilise the government and also cause disaffection between the administration and the public. The government said in Minna on Monday that those behind the plot were forging and circulating documents in parts of the state purporting same to be genuine. The Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Adamu Usman, said some civil servants had been linked to the plot and threatened that on completion of investigation, those found culpable would be tried.
Sept 30, 2008
The family of 15-year-old Larai, who, as reported by LEADERSHIP WEEKEND last week, is a victim of battery and sexual abuse at the hands of a magistrate and her husband, is set to sue the magistrate next week.
Sept 29, 2008
A full-scale probe of the immediate past administration of the former Niger State governor, Abdul-Kadir Kure, may have commenced as the police yesterday quizzed the chairman of the Peoples Democratic party in Niger State, Alhaji Umar Farouk and two former aides of the former governor.
Sept 29, 2008
Top political leaders in the country have called on Nigerian Muslims to adopt the lessons of the just concluded Holy Month of Ramadan and to let the lessons guide their conducts thereafter.
Sept 27, 2008
Niger State is the closest state to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It did not only contribute about 80 per cent of the land area that now constitutes Abuja, it also sacrificed the name to the Federal Capital Territory. But since Abuja became the federal capital, the development therein, which was expected to rub off on the surrounding states, particularly Niger, remains an illusion. In fact, it would seem that the only impact Abuja has had on the state is an upsurge in criminal activities, because the more Abuja strenghtens its security network, the more criminals escape from the federal capital to Niger State on account of its proximity.
Sept 26, 2008
Agricultural sector has been identified as the engine room that would propel the search for a rapid economic transformation.
Niger state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Alh. Jibril Danwake, disclosed this at a press briefing, held at the Government House, Minna. Danwake said the comparative advantage of land mass in which the state has 75 per cent of arable land and abundant water resource potentials would be tapped and maximized in the interest of Nigerians. He said the state government had initiated programmes such as the Niger Feed the Nation Initiative and Niger Food Initiative all aimed at ensuring food sufficiency in the country. adding that the extension services of the Agricultural Development Project (ADP) has been improved upon as well as purchasing of tractors for hiring at the rate of N8,000 a day.
Sept 25, 2008
The Managing Director of Capital Airline, Captain Amos Akpan has said it will soon commence routine flight from Minna to Lagos.
He made this known when he led a team of top management staff to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Minna through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
Sept 25, 2008
Over 250 homes and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed by flood in the recent downpour in Agwara Local Government area of Niger state. The vice chairman of the local government, Mr Peter Chindani, disclosed this to pressmen during a media parley in his office yesterday. He said the local government in its effort to alleviate the sufferings of the people, has made donations to the tune of N500,000 to the affected people. "As part of our efforts to support the victims of the flood, we have disbursed the sum of N500,000 to help solve their immediate needs pending when they will get started in life again", he said.
Sept 25, 2008
The Niger State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Adamu Paiko, says the state government has decided to issue pay slips to civil servants as a way of checking ghost wor-kers. In a press briefing in Minna yesterday, Alhaji Paiko said the state government was also put-ting an end to table payment, ad-ding that the move would help stop the issue of ghost workers which he said was getting to an alarming level in the state. "No more cash payment to civil servants in the state. All salaries must be paid through banks to put an end to the issue of ghost workers. We discovered that the number of ghost workers in the state by far exceed the real staff. He said it would bring an end to a situation where people on same grade level earn differently. He added that the ministry was accountable and as such would go all out to ensure that transpa-rency is maintained in service delivery. Paiko said the ministry had started the process of centralizing workers' salaries, adding that a department would be dedicated for that purpose with use of information technology system for ease of data collection. He said the ministry had helped in preparing the 2009 budget, which he said would be presented to the state House of Assembly within the next two months.
Sept 24, 2008
The robbery suspects.A six-man robbery gang which specialised in holding up motorists on the Pandogari-Birnin Gwari–Kaduna road has been smashed by men of the Niger State Police Special Anti-Robbery team. Before the gang could be dislodged, they had engaged the police in a shoot-out but the police had gained the upper hand, leading to the arrest of four members of the gang while two others escaped
Sept 24, 2008
Mike OkiroDipo Olaleye writes on the efforts of some Northern governors to curtail the rising wave of crimes in their domains with particular reference to the recent gesture of Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State in improving on the needs of the police. For sometime now, Niger State has been relatively peaceful as the police try to keep the activities of men of the underworld under check. This assertion was confirmed from latest statistics by the police about the crime rate in the state. According to the statistics made available by the Commissioner of Police, Sir Paul Iseghohi, between May and July this year, 11 armed robbery cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 42 suspects. The statistics, however, did not show the number of policemen killed on duty or the number of robbers that lost their lives in the exchange of fire between the two groups. But it also stated that rape cases were on the increase in the state. Sir Iseghohi said he was determined to make sure the people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed. Also, after the release of the statistics, he disclosed the arrest of 27 Nigerien nationals. Investigations by the police showed that the Nigeriens were armed robbers and murderers, who had committed crimes either in their country and escaped into Nigeria or combined with other offenders to perpetrate heinous crimes in Nigeria. But the successes recorded by the police were achieved with tears as they have to contend with inadequate and obsolete vehicles and lack of other essential equipment, especially sophisticated arms and ammunition required for them to perform to the optimum. It is no longer strange to see police at the roadblocks without standby vehicles. Most often, they are completely cut off from the rest of the society when at the road blocks because of the absence of communication equipment. Even the commonest, GSM handsets, are not provided for these men by the authorities while on these important assignments. Also gratifying is the posture of some state governments to come to the assistance of the police through the provision of some basic needs when, in actual fact, the responsibility to cater for the force and other security agencies rests squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Government. For instance, the governors of Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Nassarawa and Kogi states as well as and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) met recently, to explore ways of cooperation among themselves with a view to reducing crime rate in their areas, since they all share boundaries. The meeting, spearheaded by the governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Aliyu, in his capacity as the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, took far reaching decisions on the issue among which was that the six state governments should commit more resources to the security of lives and property of the people in their respective areas, assist the police in its crime prevention efforts and .mobilise the people to offer valuable information to assist the police in tackling crimes even before they are committed. It is the implementation of this agreement that led to the recent launch of the Operation Yaki in Kaduna State; and Operation Zuma in Niger State by Governor Aliyu. The governor noted that when he assumed office in May 2007, there was a very high level of youth restiveness and crime in all parts of the state, caused mainly by the unprecedented level of youth unemployment. He said this posed a great danger to the government’s plan to make the state one of the best three economically developed states in the country by 2020. “Without a peaceful and secured economic climate, no investor would want to invest in the state,” he said. The government immediately went about solving the problem by making the youths to be gainfully employed and the security agencies put in position of discharging their onerous responsibilities. The emirate councils, the governor also disclosed, were empowered to strengthen the operations of the vigilante groups in tracking and fishing out criminals. Despite the gains recorded over the years, Governor Aliyu observed that armed robbery and other crimes, including rape, have become a cancer for the administration and the security organisations, adding that “we need to do something to remove the cancer at all cost before it kills us and our people.” This was the reason Operation Zuma was launched, with assurance that with the type of sophisticated equipment that would be provided to the team, the men of the underworld would have no place to hide in Niger State. He also told the security operatives to ensure that they are guided by the ethics of their profession, as they carry out their statutory responsibilities to avoid unnecessary criticism from the public. Under the plan to boost the activities of the security agencies with Operation Zuma as the pivot, 50 Ford vans were donated to the group to be shared, with 33 of them for the police and 17 for other security agencies in the state. Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, who received the vehicles on behalf of other security operatives, described the gesture by the Niger State government as a warning signal to criminals, adding that with the type of vehicles and equipment at their disposal, the state would no longer be conducive for robbers.
Sept 22, 2008
In its bid to eradicate poverty in the country, the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), has approved the release of N69m to improve some projects in Niger State