News
Societal dev’t hinges on rural economy – Commissioner
The Commissioner of the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), Mr Mukthar Ahmed, says development in any society is hinged on the rural economy.
Ahmed said this while speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the 4th Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) Policy Dialogue on Wednesday in Kaduna.
He pointed out that the rural economy in Kaduna state was driven by agriculture, adding, ”this dialogue aligns with item five of Gov. Uba Sani’s ‘SUSTAIN Agenda’, which is agricultural and rural development.”
Ahmed that over the years, the government had spent hugely in trying to develop agriculture in the state but to no avail, saying, ”that is why the present administration came up with better initiatives.”
He said the event, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including policymakers, academics, civil society, the private sector, media, and students, was to discuss critical economic issues facing the recent times.
Ahmed said, “It’s a platform for knowledge sharing, exploring best policy options for the government, and receiving valuable feedback from all participants.
“Through open discussions, we can all learn from each other and work towards a more prosperous future.
“The Policy Dialogue will be conducted regularly and will focus on critical economic and social challenges facing the state/country.
”Participants will engage in a review of relevant publications, including those from the EIU and the government.
“Open discussions will explore policy options and solutions, fostering collaboration between policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.”
He said the reports and findings from the dialogue would be shared with the government, where it aims to generate constructive criticism and valuable insights to inform future policy decisions.
Also, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said agriculture contributes about 43 per cent of the state’s GDP.
He said it was critical to engage in ways that would improve agriculture in the state for its prosperity and the wealth of farmers.
Dabo said the ministry was doing a lot in supporting farmers across the states, while restarting their commitment to the cause.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of the state, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, said through the discussion, they aimed to identify actionable strategies for the government to achieve swift progress towards its vision for a prosperous populace.
She added that insights from the dialogue would also provide valuable information for the EIU’s analysis of current economic trends in Nigeria.
“We anticipate that the dialogue’s report will equip policymakers with the necessary knowledge to formulate the most effective policies for the state,”she said.
Mr Bashir Ladan, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the commission, said the EIU was a research-driven unit dedicated to strengthening policy making, service delivery, and good governance.
Ladan, who doubles as the EIU Head, said they achieve their mandate by developing and monitoring leading economic and fiscal indicators.
Similarly, they advise the government on robust and adaptable economic policies that could withstand economic challenges and navigate desirable changes.
He stated that the unit’s research reports have gone beyond informing Kaduna State policy.
“Our insightful analyses have shaped economic discussions at the National Economic Council, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and even reached the President’s Office.
”This demonstrates the national significance of the EIU’s work,”Ladan said.
Speaking further, the unit head said the policy dialogue focused on agriculture and rural economic development, two critical pillars of the government’s ‘SUSTAIN Agenda’.
He stressed that the dialogue was a prime example of the government’s commitment to open governance by fostering citizen engagement, the seventh pillar of SUSTAIN manifesto.
Ladan said, “Insights from this dialogue will also provide valuable information for our analysis of current economic trends in Nigeria.
”We anticipate that the dialogue’s report will equip policymakers with the necessary knowledge to formulate the most effective policies for the state.” (NAN)
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.