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In Kaduna, El-Rufai reshuffles cabinet

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2021

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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has assigned new portfolios to some commissioners and senior officials of the state government.

According to a statement by the governor’s mouthpiece, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-rufai explained that the reshuffle was designed to help harness fresh energy for the government’s final lap, bring new insights, and enable the commissioners to have a more rounded experience of the government.

Although there were no changes in the Ministries of Finance, Justice, Health, Housing and Urban Development, Internal Security and Home Affairs, as well as Human Services and Social Development, but Eight of the 14 commissioners swapped portfolios.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Muhammad Abdullahi, was redeployed to the Ministry of Planning and Budget Commission as commissioner – a position he held during the governor’s first term.

Other commissioners redeployed include Jaafaru Sani (Environment), Thomas Gyang (Public Works and Infrastructure), Halima Lawal (Education), Ibrahim Hussaini (Agriculture), Shehu Muhammad (Local Government), Kabir Mato (Business, Innovation, and Technology), and Idris Nyam (Sports Development).

Governor El-Rufai also appointed Balaraba Aliyu-Inuwa, Muhammad Bayero, and Phoebe Yayi as administrators of the Zaria Metropolitan Authority, Kaduna Capital Territory, and Kafanchan Municipal Authority respectively.

This follows the passage of the law creating metropolitan authorities to manage the areas as organic cities.

Similarly, the governor approved the deployment of Umma Aboki as Permanent Secretary, Planning and Budget Commission; Murtala Dabo as Executive Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission; and Abubakar Hassan as Director-General, Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA).

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Others are Tamar Nandul as Managing Director, Kaduna Markets Development and Management Company; Khalil Khalil as Executive Secretary, Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA); and Maimunatu Abubakar as General Manager, Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA).

“Amina Ladan will oversee the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA) following the redeployment of Engineer Muhammad Lawal Magaji to the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure,” the statement said.

“The government has also announced the appointments of Professor Mohammed Sani Bello as Chairman of the Local Government Service Board; Muhammed Muazu Muqaddas as Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA); and Dr Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu as Permanent Secretary.

“The governor has nominated Dr Ishaya Sarki Habu (Chairman), Aminu Yusuf Musa, Engineer Rabiu Tanko, and Rebecca Nnawo Barde as the new members of the Legislative Service Commission. Malam Nasir El-Rufai has conveyed the state government’s gratitude for the service of Aliyu Saidu, former DG-KADCHMA and Lawal Jibrin, former GM of KEPA who are leaving the government.”

ufai of Kaduna state has assigned new portfolios to some commissioners and senior officials of the state government.

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The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Muhammad Abdullahi, was redeployed to the Ministry of Planning and Budget Commission as commissioner – a position he held during the governor’s first term.

This follows the passage of the law creating metropolitan authorities to manage the areas as organic cities.

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May Day: ASUU urges Tinubu, governors to prioritise Nigerian workers’ welfare

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

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...workers worse hit by worsening economic situation

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, has implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors to make the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian workers a top priority.

Speaking on Tuesday, Professor Akinwole emphasised the dire impact of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, particularly exacerbated by the recent fuel subsidy removal backlash and ongoing fuel scarcity, on the working class and their families.

In a statement released to commemorate the 2024 May Day celebration, Akinwole underscored the invaluable contributions of Nigerian workers to the nation’s development, despite enduring undervaluation and inadequate compensation from both government and private sectors.

“Nigerians, particularly the working class, are celebrating 2024 Workers’ day experiencing fuel scarcity,” lamented Professor Akinwole.

“Workers who are poorly paid will still have to pay hiked transportation fare. The inflation in Nigeria is killing, and many are getting malnourished as the cost of food items have skyrocketed.”

He highlighted the disillusionment stemming from unfulfilled promises by federal and state governments to improve wages and working conditions, condemning the stark disparity between government officials’ wealth accumulation and workers’ impoverishment.

Expressing gratitude to Nigerian security forces for their service, Professor Akinwole urged President Tinubu to ensure special welfare provisions for families of those who have lost their lives defending the nation.

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He emphasised that just as education is vital, the welfare of security agencies should be of utmost concern to the president.

Also, Professor Akinwole called upon the President to finalise agreements with ASUU and enhance working conditions for intellectuals in Nigeria, warning of a brain drain if lecturers continue to face inadequate compensation and poor working environments.

“If this trend persists, Nigeria will lose the talent needed to develop the education sector, while those lacking skills will secure employment with little to contribute,” cautioned Akinwole.

He urged the president to address this disparity and collaborate with ASUU to establish a living wage and improved conditions for public university lecturers, recognising them as essential patriots deserving of special consideration.

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Court halts Multichoice Nigeria’s tariff increase on DStv, GOtv

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

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The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has issued a restraining order against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, preventing the company from implementing its planned tariff increase and adjustments to the cost of products and services scheduled to commence on May 1.

Presiding over the three-member tribunal, Saratu Shafii, granted the interim order on Monday, in response to an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal counsel representing the applicant, Festus Onifade.

In her ruling, Shafii directed MultiChoice to refrain from proceeding with the impending price hike set to take effect from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the tribunal.

Also, she mandated all involved parties to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 a.m. for further proceedings regarding the motion on notice.

The petitioner, Festus Onifade, filed a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), seeking two specific orders.

These orders include an interim injunction restraining MultiChoice from implementing the impending price increase and any actions that could negatively impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd had previously raised the prices of all its packages on April 1, 2022, prompting legal action from concerned parties.

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Kogi Assembly Urges EFCC to Remove ‘Wanted’ Tag on Ex- Gov. Yahaya Bello

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2024

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In a recent session of the Kogi State House of Assembly, members passed a resolution urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove the ‘wanted’ tag placed on the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, following a presentation by Jibrin Abu, the representative of Ajaokuta State Constituency.

Abu brought forth a motion titled, ‘A call to end all false, frivolous, fictitious, and far from the truth smear campaign against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.’

Abu alleged that the anti-graft agency had been engaging in a witch-hunt against Bello, stating, “Kogi State, by allocation standard, is not rich so much so that N80.4b will be missing that the State will not be shaken to its foundation. This claim by the EFCC should be sanctioned and taken as laughable. Innocent Nigerians and Kogi State citizens that bought into the lies should by their personal volition withdraw their support.”

Former Deputy Speaker of the House, Enema Paul, echoed Abu’s sentiments, urging the EFCC to uphold the rule of law.

In his ruling, Speaker Aliyu Yusuf emphasized the importance of the EFCC operating within the boundaries of the law.

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He stated, “This House is not against the EFCC doing their job but they should do it within the ambit of the law and not in a Gestapo way. The country belongs to all of us, so we must respect the law and work with it.”