Kebbi

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has declared Monday, July 8, a public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar, 1st Muharram 1446 AH.

The state commissioner for establishment, Auwal Dogondaji, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Friday.

According to him, the 1st of Muharram is July 7, citing its importance, the government attributes it to the Islamic new year and has decided to shift the public holiday from July 7 to July 8. 

Manu-Dogondaji congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the advent of the new Islamic calendar, urging the Muslims to sustain fervent prayers for peace, security, and prosperity for Kebbi and the nation as a whole. 

“I extend the congratulation of the governor to the entire Muslim Ummah across the globe,” the commissioner said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Civil society organisations have unleashed strong criticism against Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State following his decision to bestow brand new SUVs upon members of the state House of Assembly, executive members, and heads of parastatals. 

The move, initially perceived as a gesture of appreciation, has ignited widespread condemnation due to its ill-timed nature amidst prevalent economic hardship and hunger among residents. 

Comrade Ibrahim Ngaski, Secretary of the Coalition of Civil Society in the state, articulated the collective sentiment, noting that while the governor’s intent might have been noble, the gratuitous distribution of the vehicles, funded by taxpayers’ money, is contentious.

He advocated for either monetizing the vehicles or deducting their cost from the recipients’ transport allowances to ensure prudent use of public funds. 

Ngaski also underscored the populace’s discontent with the timing, stating that the distribution of luxury vehicles to government officials fails to address the pressing needs of ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet. 

Gurusa Abubakar, Secretary of the Civil Liberties Organisation, echoed this disappointment, stating that the gesture fell short of people’s expectations, stating their desire for essential services like stable electricity rather than lavish gifts to already affluent individuals. 

In the midst of this outcry, Abubakar Aliyu, a vulcanizer in Birnin Kebbi, expressed his disillusionment, highlighting the disparity between the officials’ windfall and the citizens’ dire circumstances. 

Governor Idris defended his actions, asserting that the vehicles were essential tools to facilitate officials’ duties, citing previous allocations to security agencies and commissioners.

However, he faced further scrutiny as critics questioned the necessity of such extravagance amidst the state’s challenges. 

In response to mounting criticism, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, clarified that the vehicles were not gifts but rather loans extended to officials to enhance their operational efficiency.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Sani Yakubu Noma, the Member of the House of Representatives for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, has announced plans to give out 100 female orphans in marriage as part of his efforts to contribute to the welfare of orphans in his constituency.

 Addressing journalists in his hometown of Argungu, Noma revealed that the marriage ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, on Saturday. 

He explained that a committee has been established to oversee the event, and the selected individuals for marriage were chosen from the two local government areas he represents at the National Assembly. 

According to Noma, “Already, I have procured beds, mattresses, essential furniture, and other matrimonial commodities for the beneficiaries.” 

However, this initiative has sparked a wave of controversy, with varying opinions on the appropriateness of such a move. 

While the lawmaker frames it as a benevolent gesture toward orphans, critics argue that it raises ethical questions about the right to choose a life partner.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has officially commenced its Post-University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) Admissions Screening Exercise for the upcoming 2023–2024 Academic Session. 

The announcement was made by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Jamilu M. Magaji, during a press briefing held at the institution’s Main Campus in Birnin Kebbi on Monday. 

This highly anticipated screening exercise is set to span five days, running from Monday, September 25th, to Friday, September 29th, 2023.

Candidates from various academic faculties will undergo this rigorous evaluation process to secure their positions at FUBK. 

To streamline the screening process, the university has divided the candidates into groups based on their respective faculties. 

On Monday and Tuesday, candidates from the Faculty of Science and the College of Health Sciences will be screened.

Wednesday is reserved for candidates from the Faculties of Art and Social and Management Sciences, while Thursday and Friday will see candidates from the Faculties of Environmental Sciences and Education undergo their assessments. 

Muhammad Atiku, a candidate pursuing a B.Sc. in Geology, praised the screening exercise, emphasising its focus on academic and moral standards. 

Atiku’s sentiments echoed the positive feedback from other candidates, such as Hauwa Salihu Adamu, a Department of Microbiology applicant, who described the process as “perfect” and an excellent opportunity for interaction with fellow applicants from across the nation. 

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi, established in 2013, is a federal government-owned institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence. 

Currently, the university boasts three campuses and offers a wide array of academic programmes, including thirty-seven undergraduate and twenty postgraduate programmes, making it a preferred choice for aspiring scholars in Nigeria. 

As the screening exercise unfolds over the next five days, candidates are eager to showcase their qualifications and secure their places at FUBK, contributing to the university’s legacy of academic excellence and growth. 

By Muhammad Sabiu

The governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, has advised the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.

Mr Matawalle made the recommendation when he hosted Ali Janga, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi on Wednesday.

The governor also expressed his concern over the incessant attacks of bandits on communities in the northwestern part of the country, which, according to him, are what call for the declaration of a state of emergency on security.

A statement made available by Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, indicates that the governor said: “No one feels safe anymore, and the only way to return the country on the path of sanity is to act out of the box.”

He also praised the federal government and security personnel for their diligence in the fight against killings in the region.

Nevertheless, he said, “extra effort is required to contain the growing security problems that are mounting by the day.

“The problem in Zamfara State is quite unique from those in other places and therefore require very careful and constructive solutions to control it.”

The state has, over the years, suffered killings and kidnappings, which lead to the death and displacement of countless people.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin

Compared to the road, rail is the most preferred means of transportation, safety, security, economy, and comfort.

This particular means of transportation can be a way of improving the life of connected regions. With the railway development, goods are easily transported out, which maximize income. Therefore, goods from other areas are easily shifted in better cost of goods and services for the local masses.

The prosperity of the cities where the rail stations are located, when in full function is made from heaven. 

During its heyday, Kaura in Zamfara State was a farm produce hub bustling with social and economic activities though it has become a caricature of its former self.

Like Kaura, the Zaria railway station was once a vibrant centre. A visit to the site now could quickly bring the prosperous memory back to life. In nostalgia, a friend narrated how the Zaria Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) staff attracted a lot of pride and glamour, therefore becoming a dream of every unemployed person.

Since coming into power, President Muhammad Buhari made it clear that railway construction will top his priority. The president argued that it could be accessed by both the poor and wealthy compared to airlines, which only elites can access.

There are signs of commitment towards this vision of President Muhammad Buhari as various activities toward the railway construction are undertaken by his government.

There are four major lines: Lagos-Kano, Warri-Itakpe, Port Harcourt-Borno, and Katsina-Maradi.

The first segment of Lagos-Kano, Abuja -Kaduna was started by the previous administrations and completed by the present. President Buhari made this point clear at the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna segments, perhaps to water down the heat of the debate the project generated from the public.

The second segment of Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan, was newly constructed and commissioned by this administration which earned them considerable goodwill.  While the third segment, Kano-Kaduna, was flagged off this year, the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan were commissioned in 2016 and 2021, respectively. This 1300km standard gauge rail, when completed together with other segments, will connect states of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger, Lagos, Kaduna and Kano 

Itape-Warri, inaugurated early this year, connects to the Lagos-Kano line. This brought two other states of Delta and Edo to the federal line

Port Harcourt-Borno traverse almost all the south-eastern and north-eastern states of Nigeria: Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebony, Enugu, Rivers, Benue, Nasarawa, Jos, Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe and Borno 

Katsina-Maradi was flag off earlier this year. It connects two more other states of Katsina and Jigawa to the national rail line

From the four railways mentioned, virtually all the Nigerian states were connected to the federal rail (including some states outside the country), but Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, fondly called SOKEZA, are conspicuously left out

It is imperative to consider this region for at least two reasons. First, as an agriculture hub, the SOKEZA holds a vital position in the federal government drive for agriculture revolutions, so providing an effective means of transportation will go a long way to complement their work. Second, unfortunately, this region is not doing well based on the numerous human development index given by United Nations Development Programs (UNDP), such as education and per capita income. However, this wallowing at the bottom of the human development index can be reversed with infrastructure development such as railway development.

The nine senators, 25 members of the house of representatives from the region, appear not to be doing enough lobbying on the issue.

A glimpse of hope came in 2017, during the Minister of Transportation courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, where he confirmed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to construct the rail lines to link the three states.

The minister also said, if the SOKEZA is connected, “then, President Buhari’s mandate of connecting all the 36 states of the Federal through railway would be achieved.”

President Buhari later promised the crowd of supporters gathered at Halliru Abdu Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, during the 2019 general election campaign that “My administration will extend the railway project to Kebbi State, which will come from Gusau to reach Sokoto and finally Kebbi State.” 

Four years after the FEC approval and three years since the presidential campaign promise, the flag off to Kebbi-Sokoto-Zamfara-Zaria remains more like a fantasy.

For the spirit of the average 1.5 million voters who have been standing still behind the president in each of his five presidential aspirations, the federal government should consider a speedy commitment to connecting the SOKEZA to the national rail network.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at ABU Zaria. He is also an activist for a better, informed society.