News

By Uzair Adam Imam

The former governor of Kano State, Engr. Rabu Musa Kwankwaso, has described the rumour of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as false and baseless, contrary to media reports.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator of Kwankwaso Media Center, Malam Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The former governor, according to the statement, has described the petition as politically motivated.

The statement reads in part: “The rumour of my arrest is false and baseless. As a law-abiding and respected citizen, I personally visited the commission on Saturday in order to clear my name and exactly that’s what happened.

By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmad

Reports of sporadic gunshots and explosions behind 777 Housing Estate at the outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital, late Saturday night have gone viral.

The incident was said to have started at about 10:15pm. The residents of Pompomari, 778 and 1000 housing estates confirmed the heavy blasts and gunshots as they were put on alert to be safe and secured for any eventuality.

According to Vanguard news, Nigeria Airforce helicopters hovered after deployed to the vicinity in order to repel the attack suspected to have been masterminded by terrorists group of ISWAP.

By Muhammad Sabiu

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Nigerian youths under the auspices of GYB Awareness Project 2023 across the North-West geopolitical zone have urged Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to run for the office of president in 2023.

The youths on Saturday declared their support for Governor Bello during a press conference in Kaduna. Mr Saifullahi Bawa Kajuru, leader of the group said “the objective of the meeting is to conscientise Nigerians, especially the youths in the north-west on the need to support youth presidency come 2023”. He said a young person of Mr Bello’s calibre in 21st century Nigeria could change the narratives of the country through effective leadership and governance.

Mr Bawa added that “after wide consultation with stakeholders, youth groups, student unions, market unions, religious and traditional bodies from the North-West geopolitical zone, we the Northwest Youth under the umbrella of GYB Awareness Project 2023, hereby call on Governor Yahaya Bello to contest for the office of the President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023. Nigeria must continue to move on the right path in 2023”

“GYB Awareness Project 2023 will continue support, propagate, promote and project the ideals of Governor Yahaya Bello. It also wishes to confidently state that the entire youths of the north-west region comprising of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara States are solidly behind Governor Yahaya Bello candidacy comes 2023” the statement added.

Some of the state coordinators of GYB Awareness Project 2023 from Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara and others urged Nigerians and the leadership of the ruling party to present Governor Bello as the candidate of the party in the next general elections.

By Muhammad Sabiu

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has unveiled a draft budget of 233 billion for the 2022 fiscal year that reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable growth, promoting equal opportunity, accelerate human capital development, and attain fiscal viability.

The governor noted that “when approved, is projected to have the capital to recurrent ratio of 63%:37%. The 2022 estimates are slightly smaller than the proposed 2021 budget estimates of N237.52bn, of which N157.56bn was capital and N79.96bn recurrent expenditure, a 66% to 34% capital to recurrent ratio,” he said.

By Muhammad Sabiu

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i, on Thursday carried out a major cabinet reshuffle in the state executive council.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, said that “the reshuffle is designed to help harness fresh energy for the government’s final lap, bring new insights and enable the commissioners to have more rounded experience of the government.”

The affected ministries include Environment, Public Works and Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture, Local Government, Budget and Planning, Business, Innovation & Technology, and Sports Development.

The Governor, according to Mr. Adekeye, added that “following the passage of the law creating metropolitan authorities to manage Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria as organic cities, Governor El-Rufai has nominated the following cabinet-rank administrators: Balaraba Aliyu-Inuwa Administrator, Zaria Metropolitan Authority, Muhammad Hafiz Bayero Administrator, Kaduna Capital Territory and Phoebe Sukai Yayi Administrator, Kafanchan Municipal Authority”.