News
CSOs fault newspaper story on SSS Director
Nasiru Yusuf
A coalition of civil society organizations fighting corruption in Nigeria, Citizens Voice Against Corruption (CIVAC) has described a story published by Pointblank Newspaper on Director, State Security Service as a deliberate misinformation.
Kano Focus reports that the convener of the group Abdulrazak Alkali stated this at a Press Conference held in Kano.
Mr Alkali who described the report as politically motivated said it was published to tarnish the image of the Director General of the SSS, Yusuf Bichi.
“The Pointblank reporter deliberately chose to launch his blackmail toward the DG by hiding behind the destruction of lives’ and public properties arising from the recent #ENDSARS protest that engulfed the nation some months ago.
“The aim is politically motivated to discredit the selfless service of the DSS as an agency, create division within the ranks of its officers and politicise the efforts of the DSS boss in bringing the agency back to effectiveness and respect to rule of law.
Mr Alkali recalled that, President Buhari appointed Mr Bichi as experienced and selfless Director to steer the DSS away from the rot and impunity.
According to him Mr Bichi came in with so much experience gained over decades of service with the SSS.
“During his career service, Mr Bichi underwent training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling, as well as recruitment and processing in the United Kingdom. This is in addition to various other strategic training at the National Defence College.
“Mr Bichi worked as the State Director of DSS in various states including Jigawa, Abia, Niger and Sokoto states. He also served in the capacity of Director at the following units; National Assembly Liaison (National War College), Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence and Directorate of Administration and Finance. We can all agree that Mr Bichi brought enormous experience and skills to the job,” Mr Alkali said.
The civil society activist highlighted some of the success recorded by DSS under the leadership of Mr Bichi in areas of fight against bandits and their collaborators, kidnappers, gun runners and members and sympathiser terrorist organisations, as well as the handling of the activities of IPOB and #RevolutionNow movements whose aim is the total destabilisation and destruction Nigeria.
This according to him is evident from the increasing number of national and international commendations showered to the the DSS boss for the effectiveness and efficiency of the DSS under his leadership as well as its respect to citizens right and the Nigeria’s constitution.
“The DSS does not flaunt its operations and activities to the public, rather most operations and activities are classified, and this is the norm for State and Secrete Service departments all over the world.
“As such if the Pointblank reporter is not aware of the actions of DSS regarding operations pre and post the #ENDSARS menace that is because such information is not meant for the public.
“The present DG, have instil selflessness and discipline within the DSS and that might be something that corrupt officers and their political sponsors are not happy with.
“It is on record how previous administrations use the DSS officials as political tools to attack and blackmail opposition and in manipulating democratic processes, all of which is no longer happening under his leadership.
“However, in such circumstances it is expected that corrupt officials and their sponsors will fight back mainly by resorting to smeared media blackmail against the DG which we are presently witnessing,” the activist said.
To this end Mr Alkali call on Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation to avoid spreading misinformation that will damage the integrity and confidence of security agencies and their personnel.
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.
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.
Gov Yusuf receives fellowship, award of excellence from US Management Institute
World Teachers’ Day 2024: NUT Honors Gov.Yusuf for Outstanding Performance in Education Reform
FG, Tinubu and Daily Trust’s faux pas on Samoa Agreement
LG polls: Kano APC urges court to stop INEC from releasing voter register
Gov. Yusuf Flag Off Distribution of Instructional Materials to Public Schools
Fagge, Mai Bushira, Naniya now professors as BUK Promotes 90 Senior Academics
Kano State Politics Set for a Major Shift as Kwankwaso and Ganduje’s Influence Wanes: What’s Next for the Power Dynamics in 2027?
Why Presidency need not search farther for a new Spokesman!
Kano State Reforms: Sa’adatu Rimi University Reverts to College of Education Status
