Headlines
Ganduje to review road contracts awarded by Kwankwaso
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state government has constituted a committee to assess the five Kilometers dual carriage way projects in the 44 local governments of the state awarded by the previous administration.
Kano Focus reports that the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held at the Africa House, Kano.
It could be recalled that former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has during his tenure awarded the construction of five Kilometers dual carriage ways in each of the 44 local governments of the state.
However, most of the road projects are yet to be completed five years after Mr Kwankwaso’s tenure.
The relationship between Messrs. Kwankwaso and Ganduje has become sour after the latter became the governor of Kano state with the full support of the former.
Mr Garba said the committee will evaluate, redesign, complete or terminate any contract awarded for the projects.
He explained that the committee is to be chaired by the permanent secretary, ministry of works and infrastructure with representatives from the state Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and ministry for local government.
According to him the committee would also determine the extent of execution of the projects and payment made to the contractors handling the projects.
Mr Garba revealed that the council has already terminated the contract awarded to Rocad Construction Nigeria Limited in 2012 for the construction of the five kilometers dual carriage way in Dawakin Tofa local government.
He said the Council has re-awarded the contract to Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Limited at the cost of N651, 844, 966.51 million after Rocad has abandoned work exposed the residents of the area to many hardships.
Other Contracts
The commissioner also stated that the council has approved the adoption of the Revised Estimated Total Cost of the contract amounting to N26, 824, 866.72 and the augmentation of N15, 600, 718.35 being additional cost in the contract for the repair works at the dilapidated Bagauda Bridge along Wak-Tiga Road in Bebeji local government area of the state.
He stated that the contract, which was initially awarded to Messrs. Bindigari Construction Limited in 2014 at the cost of N11, 224, 148.37, which scope includes reclamation of eroded sections, provision of retaining wall at both wings, among others, was not fully completed.
Mr Garba also announced the council’s approval for the reactivation of the state government initiative on mini vans empowerment program tagged “Kano Kal-Kal” that aimed at economic empowerment of the womenfolk in order to achieve sustainable clean environment in the state.
He said the program would identify genuine cooperative women groups to be given the mini vans as part of the administration’s women empowerment initiative.
The commissioner added that the council has approved the release of N20, 000, 000.00 for the renovation of four Women Development Centres to a standard level in the four new Emirate Councils in the state.
Revenue Generation
He announced that the council has approved the setting up of a committee to work out ways to ensuring that Ministries, Departments and Agencies support and collaborate towards smooth implementation of Revenue Harmonization Law 2016 for the improvement of revenue generation in the state.
Mr Garba said the committee, which is to be chaired by the commissioner for planning and budget, has commissioners of finance, information, chairman, Kano state Internal Revenue Service, managing director Kano state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), among others as members.
He revealed that the council has also received a proposal from the management of Porto Golf Group of Companies for the establishment of Porto Golf Resort at Tiga Castle Rock Hotel in Tiga, Bebeji local government of the state.
The commissioner stated that the council has received another proposal from a private developer, Hietech Development Project Limited to use the old Triumph Publishing Company Complex for the construction of specialized Bureau de Change Market “Kasuwar ‘yan canji”.
He said the Ganduje administration plans to partner with the private sector for investment to boost revenue and create employment opportunities, and as well to re-assert Kano as one of the leading economic centers in the country.
Headlines
Gov Yusuf receives fellowship, award of excellence from US Management Institute
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship by the United States Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Institute also presented Governor Yusuf with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his efforts in human capital development and resource management.
The recognition was conferred by representatives of the Institute’s Governing Council, led by Barr. (Dr.) Steven Longe, during an investiture ceremony at the Abuja Governor’s Lodge.
This event followed shortly after the governor received the National Award from the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) during the World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Dr. Longe explained that the decision to honor Governor Yusuf with the Institute’s highest Fellowship and an Award of Excellence came after extensive research into his effective management of both human and financial resources.
The research highlighted his dedication to promoting good governance in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state.
“Your leadership has been marked by prudence and transparency,” said Dr. Longe.
“You embody the qualities of an accountable and dedicated leader.
We are proud to associate with politicians who are committed to selfless service to their people.”
In his response, Governor Yusuf expressed his gratitude for the Fellowship and thanked the Institute for recognizing his leadership qualities on an international platform.
“Despite the many challenges we have faced since the beginning of this administration, our commitment to serving the people of Kano remains unwavering.
We will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” the governor assured.
Headlines
World Teachers’ Day 2024: NUT Honors Gov.Yusuf for Outstanding Performance in Education Reform
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has honored Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, with a prestigious award for his exceptional performance in reforming the state’s education sector.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa on Saturday.
The award was presented during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2024 at Eagle Square, Abuja, in a vibrant event organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
The event brought together teachers from across the 36 states of Nigeria to honor the significant contributions made to the education sector.
Governor Yusuf was recognized with the NUT Golden Award for his transformative efforts in rescuing Kano’s education sector from years of decay and neglect.
In his remarks, NUT National Chairman, Comrade Titus Ambe, noted that only six governors were selected for this honor, based on their unwavering commitment to advancing education, particularly through the support of teachers’ welfare and continuous training.
Specifically, Governor Yusuf’s accomplishments were highlighted, including his administration’s allocation of 29.9% of Kano’s 2024 budget to education and his declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, which has significantly improved both infrastructure and access to quality education in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended the governors for their dedication.
Speaking on behalf of the six awardees, which included the Governors of Borno, Oyo, Benue, Enugu, and Kebbi states, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his commitment to further investing in education, emphasizing the importance of sustaining progress to ensure future generations thrive.
Headlines
LG polls: Kano APC urges court to stop INEC from releasing voter register
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The major opposition political party in Kano, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday instituted a fresh suit against the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the party is asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing voter register for the conduct of the council poll.
The plaintiffs, APC and the party Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, instituted the suit through their counsel, Ismail Abdulaziz.
They also sought an interlocutory application to restrain the state electoral body from continuing with the process and conduct of the council election slated for 26th October, 2024.
Defendants joined in the suit include, the Kano State Attorney General, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, KANSIEC Chairman, Sani Lawan and other members.
Abdulaziz said, “we are asking for the court to interpret some provisions of the constitution, KANSIEC guidelines, the law itself in seeking whether KANSIEC is a revenue generating agency and considering that the N9m and N4m requested to be paid by Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates by KANSIEC were exorbitant.
“We want the court to determine whether KANSIEC will be impartial looking at present members that constituted the commission.
“We are also seeking the court to order INEC not to release election materials such as voter register to KANSIEC until the commission abide by the provision of the constitution.
“We now sought for interlocutory injunction to restrain the continuation of the continuing with process and conduct of the election. The defendants did not receive our processes and the court adjourned till next Friday so that all the parties to file their responses,” Abdulaziz said.
Moving the application before the Presiding Judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, on Friday the court adjourned the matter till 11th October, 2024 and ordered the plaintiffs to serve the defendants.
Meanwhile, in a related matter, the Counsels to Kano State government, Rilwanu Umar SAN and Kano State House of Assembly, Bar. Bashir Yusuf said they have filed a preliminary objections before the Justice Amobeda challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear matters concerning KANSIEC.
The Counsels said only state high court and state assembly have the powers to entertain any matter that border on regulations of KANSIEC and not federal agency or so.
Kano state government application came in response to motion on notice moved by APC and one Aliyu Aminu Tiga on why the court should not stop the conduct of the election.
Recall one Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC had earlier filed an application seeking the court to stop the electoral body from conducting the elections in which Justice Amobeda in interim refused to grant and however noted that the defendants shall be put on notice to show cause why the prayers shall not be granted.
The Court presided by Justice Simon Amobeda however adjourned the matter till 11th October for hearing.