News
Gov Namadi Solicits World Bank Support for ICT, Digital Economy Initiatives
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa state governor, Malam Umar Namadi has urged on the World Bank to key-in to the State’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy Initiatives for the State to achieve its objective in that regards
The governor made the call while receiving the county director in Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri in government house on official visit to the state.
Namadi pleaded with the director to use the visit to open new frontiers of development for the State such as support for the ICT & Digital Economy Initiatives in the State.
The governor disclosed that “The overarching mission of World Bank is helping to fight poverty and improve living standards of the people all over the World. While the success of the World Bank is legendary in this respect, challenges still continue”.
According to him “The recent bold reforms by the Federal Government of Nigeria might have stopped the slide towards a serious fiscal crises with renewed hope for macroeconomic stability, at least in the long run. Several factors have continued to conspire against the sustainability of gains achieved”.
“However, in the immediate and short run, these reforms have been apparently very painful to many Nigerians and could potentially reverse the gains achieved in the fight against poverty by both the World Bank as well as by the Federal and State Governments”, he emphasis.
He stated further that “a significant proportion of the so-called middle class are gradually falling into the low-income quadrant. Even at the State level, despite the success stories I have mentioned earlier and the decades of positive impact of the various development projects implemented by the World Bank, the State is still facing multi-faceted development challenges”.
The governor maintained that “Most worrisome of challenges is the persistence of Poverty in spite of decades of Interventions which were implemented in line with the Bank’s mission of leading the fight against poverty”.
Adding that “The 2022 Nigeria Poverty Assessment Report published by the World Bank indicated that Jigawa State is still among those with highest poverty headcount or with highest percentage of the population being multi-dimensionally poor”.
Namadi decried that the number of out-of-school children in the State is still relatively high despite the acclaimed success stories in the implementation of the BESDA Program.
“Another existential challenge is the devastating effects of Climate Change as demonstrated by the adverse effects of perennial floods, desert encroachment, and extreme weather conditions”.
He also stated that “As the Country is Director is aware, Jigawa State has over the years recorded several success stories in the implementation of its development initiatives across various sectors and in the implementation of various PFM Reforms”.
“The agricultural transformation agenda implemented by the State Government has significantly benefited from the Agricultural Development Projects implemented over the years with the assistance of the World Bank, today the State is a major player in the diversification of the National Economy through Agriculture and a great contributor to National Food Security”.
Governor Namadi added that “As we speak, Jigawa State is a leading producer of rice, sesame, hibiscus, industrial tomato, wheat and many other crops in Nigeria. In the area of PFM Reforms, the Jigawa State Government has over the years also pursued several institutional and governance reforms aimed at instituting a regime of fiscal transparency, financial accountability, as well as prudence and value for money in the State’s public expenditure and financial systems”.
He maintained that the state’s success stories in these regards were attested by various independent assessments such as by annual ICAN-Accountability Index Assessments and Budget Transparency Index Assessment by the Civil Resources Development & Documentation Center (CIRDDOC) in which the state has continued to be in the forefront.
Malam Umar Namadi disclosed that even in the ease of doing business, Jigawa state is not doing bad in improving its business environment and investment climate the state is second best-performing state in the recently concluded SFTAS Program.
“I mentioned these because these are success stories in which the World Bank has significantly contributed such as through the State’s participation in the recently closed State & Local Governance Reform Program funded by the European Union but implemented by the World Bank”.
The governor noted that the government and People of the state are most delighted for this high-level in-County mission to the state, this is the first time a country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria is leading a Bank Mission to the state, this is certainly a very important and historical visit for us for to the best of my knowledge.
“On behalf of the People of Jigawa State, who are the direct beneficiaries of all the World Bank Assisted Interventions in the State, we heartily welcome you and your team”
Speaking earlier the World Bank country director in Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri said he in the state with his team on official purpose and hold a technical discussion on the developmental on human and economical sectors.
**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News1 year agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi2 years agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro12 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News1 year agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu