Connect with us
Tinubu possesses magic wand to tackle business challenges – Sanwo-Olu
L-R: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and his Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje during APC Presidential Campaign Council town hall meeting with the Business Private Sector, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.L-R: Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim SheGov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, possesses the magic wand to turn around contemporary challenges facing the business community.
Sanwo-Olu said this on Tuesday at Victoria Island, during interactive session by Tinubu and his team with industrialists, business executives, entrepreneurs and foreign investors in Lagos.
The interaction was an avenue for the APC candidate to share details of his economic blueprint with the organised private sector.
He said that Tinubu’s meeting with the organised private sector players demonstrated the APC candidate’s commitment and seriousness to drive the desired change expected in the national economy.
The governor said that Tinubu was not a stranger to the needs, concerns and interests of the private sector.
According to him, Tinubu, as a visionary political economist, understands the pulse of investors and possesses the magic wand to turn around contemporary challenges facing the business community.
He said that the APC candidate would change the business community’s concerns to positive results.
”Asiwaju Tinubu is a man that has been able to combine political acumen with the understanding of the economy and economics of every jurisdiction.
”As Governor of Lagos, Tinubu pioneered several firsts, which still stand till today.
During Asiwaju’s tenure, he initiated the idea of the Economic Summit as a catalyst for economic development.
”He started in Lagos with the Ehingbeti Summit in 2001. That summit has continued to lead the successive administrations after him into various applaudable economic agendas.
”Under the Tinubu’s leadership, Lagos became the first sub-national entity to bring about the Independent Power Project (IPP) and first state to initiate the idea of establishing a seaport.
”Yesterday (Monday), that vision came to fruition as we witnessed the completion of Lekki Deep Seaport.
This speaks to the sheer doggedness and audacity of this man of vision.
”Eko Atlantic City is today the biggest real estate developed in this part of Africa through reclamation of the ocean.
All thanks to the vision of Asiwaju to turn problems to opportunities,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the immersion of private sector professionals in public governance was an idea fiercely pursued by Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos Governor.
.
The governor said that the APC candidate created a first-rated private sector-driven cabinet that remained the envy of every government in the current republic.
Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu would bring his private sector dexterity and acumen to bear in administering the country, as the APC presidential standard bearer understood the pains and concerns of those in the business sector.
”Today, Tinubu is here as a politician and leader of our party.
On the other side, you all see a man that is compassionate, intelligent, business-driven and has acumen to solve the challenges the private sector experiences on a daily basis.
”I present to you, the man that has what it takes to lead this country forward to the prosperous future with Renewed Hope,” he said.
The Director General of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong, noted that marketing Tinubu to the business community would not be a difficult task.
Lalong, who is the Governor of Plateau State, said that this was so, given the antecedent of the candidate in turning hopeless people to business owners.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, says the state government will use funds provided under a World Bank assisted programme, AGILE, to revamp schools infrastructure across the state.
AGILE is Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, a World Bank Assisted Programme to help improve the secondary education of girls in targeted areas.
Bagudu said this on Sunday when he addressed students of Government Girls Secondary School, Mahuta, headquarters of Fakai Local Government Area.
He assured students in the state of his administration’s commitment to ensure their security and comfort.
Bagudu said his administration would provide the needed atmosphere conducive for effective teaching and learning across the state.
“I assure you that some of the challenges of the school as enumerated by the Head Girl and the Principal would be addressed soonest.
“You will have improved security, provision of additional water and toilet facilities, as well as the repairs of the collapsed fence, among others,” he said.
Bagudu also challenged staff and management of schools in the state to be involved in the execution of projects by contractors.
He said it was the duty of all and sundry to ensure that contractors execute quality jobs, rather than deliver shoddy work.
Bagudu expressed happiness with the large number of students who returned to school after the holidays.
He also expressed delight with the impressive performance of the students of the school in the last National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
He announced a gift of 20 bags of rice and 40 cartons of indomie noodles to students of the school.
Earlier, the school Head Girl, Maryam Shehu, expressed joy with the visit of the governor.
She enumerated some of the problems faced by the school to include poor state of hostels, dining hall and toilets.
Others, she said, included wall fencing at the rear of the school, lack of adequate water and electricity in the school.
The Principal of the school, Hajiya Rabiatu Faruk, also appealed to the governor to reconstruct the school’s dilapidated structures.
She told the governor that the school had performed well in the 2022 WAEC Examinations.
“The performance of the students in the 2022 WAEC examination is excellent, most of the students who sat for the exam had 5 credits and above,” she said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, on Sunday, extolled the high level of discipline , confidence and courage of the students from Command Science Secondary School, Girls, Goru, Birnin Kebbi.
Bagudu extolled the students at a special luncheon as part of the 62nd Independence Anniversary in Birnin Kebbi.
”I am happy that the school is standing out in the state and the country in general.
“The school is developing a culture of discipline, mutual support and confidence.
“Hitherto, the children were afraid of abduction fuelled by some unfounded social media reports.
“But, happily, they were courageous and they braced up the fear,” he said.
According to him, the students should continue to be proud of themselves as an element of success.
Bagudu expressed delight the students had requested for more girls to join them in the school during the personal interactions he had with them.
He said that his administration attached greater attention to education, especially that of the girl-child .
He urged the students to always speak, adding nobody had the right to make them feel uncomfortable.
“School is a place where you should be happy, where you should explore your interests.
“It is also a place where you should participate in extracurricular activities without fear, intimidation or worry.
“Once that is happening, you will not lose interest in schools.
”
Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Samaila Yombe-Dabai, also advised the students to be dedicated to their studies so as to remain relevant in the future.
“One of my tutors who taught me how to fly with plane in the sky is a woman.
Women are playing vital role in the modern military unlike before,” he said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Higher Education, Hajiya Halima Boyi-Dikko, advised the students to remain focused to their studies, to realise their dreams.
She also advised the students to be inclined to their academics and also engage in extra curricular activities and report any form of harassment to the commandant or their teachers.
She charged the students to focus, aim high and build up your dream; do not be distracted by the outside world.
She thanked the governor for hosting the students in Government House for a lunch.
The Principal of the school, Major Justina Uwaeghianye, thanked the governor for the rare privilege of hosting the school children to the luncheon.
The Head Girl of the School, Mabaruka Shamaki, expressed gratitude to the governor for what she described as a befitting lunch they had with the governor in the Government House.
.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has approved the dissolution of the State Executive Council with immediate effect.
The dissolution is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar-Yauri and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
“The governor is sincerely appreciative of the individual contributions of each member of the cabinet.
“He thanked them for their dedication to duty and ensuring peace and steady development of the state during their tenure in office,” it said.
The statement said Bagudu commended all the members of the dissolved council for their performance.
“A reconstituted state executive council would be announced soon.
” Some of the members of the dissolved council may be reappointed as well as others from outside,” the statement said.
.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has inaugurated the State Contributory Healthcare Scheme ( KECHES), in a move to bo0st access to affordable healthcare services by vulnerable people in the state.
Bagudu, who officially kicked off the scheme in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, said the initiative by the state government was aimed at ensuring that the people were healthier and productive through the provision of quality primary healthcare services.
“The Contributory Healthcare Scheme is a great milestone and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that it thrives successfully”, the governor said, adding that the scheme provides ample opportunities for the communities across the state to collaborate with the state and local governments in running primary healthcare centres.
He explained that such collaboration would enable the efficient running of the PHCs and the possibility that over 80 per cent of diseases could be dealt with at the PHC level with only the rest 20 percent of diseases requiring referrals.
“All these will be done without over burdening the families and what more can be better and happier than this?”, he asked.
He pledged to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the scheme functions effectively, especially by ensuring sustainable training of all the personnel to handle the scheme, provision of the needed facilities and sensitization, while commending the invaluable contributions of all the stakeholders, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, to the scheme.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Jafar Muhammad, said that the state had been taking the appropriate steps towards ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The scheme is a strategy at ensuring sustainable funding for health, and to defray out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) for health care, hence the domestication of the State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) in line with our culture and religious beliefs.
” It is also established to ensure that residents of the state, irrespective of tribal, religious or social affiliation, enjoyed unfettered access to qualitative and affordable health care without the risk of financial hardship linked to paying for care,” he said.
Muhammad said that the vulnerable groups, pregnant women, children under five years and orphans as well as the elderly would be cared for from the pool of funds generated from others and from government subsidy in the form of equity funds as provided for in the law.
The commissioner assured the people of the state that the scheme would be people-centred, urging them to own the scheme and participate fully in order to ensure successful outcomes.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the scheme’s management agency, KECHEMA, Dr. Jafar Augie, commended Gov. Bagudu for his visionary leadership and foresight both of which, he said, would help in achieving UHC in the state.
“The organized labour, CSOs, State Council of Ulama, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the association of private medical practitioners were all important in proactively shaping the contributory healthcare scheme. They remain important stakeholders whose support is practically indispensable for the agency, ” he said.
The secretary also commended the Wife of Gov. Bagudu, Dr Zainab Shinkafi- Bagudu, for her advocacy and being a true ambassador of KECHEMA.
Giving an overview of the Scheme, the Permanent Secretary state Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ibrahim Maigandi, told the gathering that the Agency came into being in line with the National Healthcare policy on the provision of accessible quality health care as the foundation for socio-economic development.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Abubakar kaoje, welcomed the establishment of KECHEMA, describing the action as an important achievement and blessing to Kebbi as it would enable more communities access quality healthcare without facing any financial problems.
He disclosed that all primary healthcare centres in the State were now functional as 112 health centres have been renovated and upgraded statewide.
Alhaji Attahiru Gwandu, the State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Scheme, ( NHIS), in his speech at the occasion, described the introduction of KECHES by the government as a huge step forward in reducing expenses incurred on health services by the people. .
Edited By: Mouktar Adamu
Source: NAN
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has commended youths in the state for exerting their energy on farming to ensure food security rather than engaging in destructive activities.
Bagudu gave the commendation during a visit to a cassava farm in Maiyama Local Government area on Monday, as part of government’s efforts to boost food security in the state.
“This development across the state is a good omen to the sustained strides of both the federal and state governments to bolster food production.
“This is more so as Kebbi is among the states recently ravaged by rampaging flood that devastated hundreds of thousands of farmlands, houses as well as other critical infrastructure, apart from the unfortunate loss of lives and property,’’ he said.
The governor particularly expressed delight that youths in the state had ‘wholeheartedly and patriotically’ themselves engaged in farming activities in the state.
According to him, this will contribute towards making Nigeria self-sufficient in food production, improve their personal lives and boost the economy of the state.
“I am happy our youths have restrained themselves from being lured and influenced into violent protests to cause mayhem and destruction.
“Rather, they have made themselves useful to themselves and the state by massively embracing all the invaluable agricultural programmes of both the federal and state governments.
“This development couldn’t have come at a better time than now, when we are strenuously making efforts to uplift the living standard of the people of the state,’’ he said.
Bagudu, while outlining the importance of cassava and other food crop programmes towards adding significant value to the National Food Security programme, pledged to expand the programmes and provide more inputs to farmers in the state.
He commended the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, describing it as a motivating factor to achieving the desired result for food production in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the farmland, stretching over 10,000 hectares, is one of the farms where cassava is being produced under a partnership between the state government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Edited By: Zainab Garba and
Source: NAN‘Wale Sadeeq
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, says the state government will liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure formidable support on assisting flood victims in the state.
The governor stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting on the menace of flooding and insecurity which occurred in some parts of the state organized by the state government, on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi.
He said that plausible arrangements were ongoing to commence dry season farming in order to augment the colossal losses caused by devastating flood disasters in the state.
Bagudu decried that the 2020 flood and rainfall had greatly surpassed the earlier predictions by the National Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and other related weather prediction agencies.
“The unprecedented flood disasters have regretably resulted in the massive losses of farmlands, houses and other infrastructure across the state.
“The rapid responses by the State and Federal Governments, as well as their agencies, have remarkably mitigated the negative impact of the rampaging flood disasters,’’ he said.
Bagudu also expressed gratitude over the assistance to the victims from well-meaning individuals like the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, and business mogul, Abdussamad Isyaku Rabiu, among others.
On Insecurity, the governor lamented that the state, which was still one of the most peaceful states in the country, was now witnessing some pockets of threats against lives and properties of innocent citizens, especially in Zuru Emirate.
He said that indigenes of the state who were hitherto engaged in farming activities in parts of Dansadau area of Zamfara State had returned to the state, and were mostly resident in Zuru emirate.
“They came back with tales of woes and this ugly situation led to the springing up of self=help security groups , ‘’ `Yan Sakai,’ apparently in self defense or revenge.
“This obnoxious situation aggravated the security situation. For instance, recently, the District Head of Bajida was brutally murderered.
“Also, just yesterday, when a meeting was going on to select his replacement, a group of ‘Yan Sakai’ stormed the meeting, uninvited and threatened to kill everybody if their nominee was not selected,” he lamented.
The governor also warned communities in the state against taking the laws into their hands, as well as creating militias.
He pledged to sustain the feat achieved by the state of being the hub of food production in the country, adding that, “it is one of the most peaceful states in the country”.
Stakeholders at the meeting included the emirs, religious leaders, politicians, women and youth groups, as well as NGOs and Civil Society Organisations.
Edited By: Idonije Obakhedo
Source: NAN
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, says his administration will partner with Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers Association of Nigeria ( AFGASAN ) to foster development of food production in the state.
Bagudu made this known in Birnin Kebbi on Monday while receiving the leadership and members of AFGASAN, led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Pambeguwa.
Bagudu said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had impacted a legacy of wealth creation, employment generation and economic prosperity through its active policy of agricultural revival.
He said Buhari’s sincere commitment to attaining food security for the nation propelled him to becoming the Chairman of the National Food Security Council, while Bagudu served as the Deputy Chairman.
“God has blessed Nigeria with fertile agricultural land suitable for cultivation all-year-round.
“The present administration will utilise such endowments by encouraging and providing the necessary material and financial support to the farmers, to increase yields,” he said.
Bagudu commended the president for protecting the interests of local farmers by prohibiting cheap foods import through border closure and uplifting the value of agricultural produce internally.
“President Buhari did not just close our borders simply because he wants to do so, it is because he has the interest of protecting Nigerian farmers first,” he said.
The governor also reiterated his commitment to the provision of finance, farm inputs, implements and training on modern farming methodologies to farmers in the state.
Earlier, Pambeguwa informed Gov. Bagudu that members of the association were in Birnin Kebbi for a meeting and the inauguration of the state chapter.
He described the governor as the architect of agricultural revolution in the country and worthy of emulation.
“Your efforts in the agricultural sector in the country has made it possible for Nigeria to attain self- sufficiency in rice production,” Pambeguwa.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor was conferred the position of the National Grand Patron of the association in recognition of his formidable achievements in the
revival of agriculture in the country.
The Personal Assistant to the Gov. Bagudu, Alhaji Faruq Musa and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad-Argungu are all members of the association.
Edited By: Olawunmi Ashafa/Grace Yussuf (NAN)
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has approved the beginning of free registration for the Federal Government’s N-Power programme, for the unemployed youth in the state.
Dr Abba Sani-Kalgo, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, made this known on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi.
He said that the free N-Power registration programme would start on July 6, at all designated centres in all the local government areas and four emirate headquarters of the state.
Sani-Kalgo noted that the applicants from Birnin Kebbi would be registered at the Emir of Gwandu’s Palace, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, and the ICT Centre of the Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
“Kebbi’s Ministry of Budget and Planning is calling on the youth interested in the government’s N-Power programme to hurry up and come for free registration and additional information on the programme at the centres provided throughout the state.
“The registration is to start on July 6, 2020, throughout the centres provided.
“Interested youth are to come with their BVN document and valid Identity Card.
“They are also requested to come along with the original copies of their certificates and other required documents for capturing and subsequent forwarding, via internet, to the N-Power Programme headquarters,” Sani-Kalgo said.
He urged all those coming for the registration to wear their face masks, maintain social and physical distancing at the registration centres.
The commissioner called on the applicants to take advantage of this golden opportunity to get registered for the programme.
He thanked the state governor for his sustained invaluable support to the ministry to carry out the exercise free of charge for the applicants.
“Because of his concern for the development and empowerment of the youth in the state the governor directed that the exercise be carried out free of charge throughout the state,” the commissioner said.
Edited By: Folorunso Poroye/Donald Ugwu (NAN)
The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu , on Thursday reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustain agricultural revival by strengthening support and encouragement to farmers for increased yields and food security.
The Governor gave the assurance while interacting with rice farmers at Zauro Fadama area, in Birnin Kebbi.
He reaffirmed his resolve to sustain the provision of farm inputs to farmers in order to broaden agricultural mechanization.
“This will also encourage them to cultivate more hectares and keep abreast with modern farming techniques,” he added.
Bagudu advised farmers to redouble effort to enable the state not only maintain its premium status as leader in agricultural production, by cultivating both food and cash crops with emphasis on rice.
The governor expressed delight about the large scale farming activities embarked upon by farmers at the Zauro fadama area, pledging to provide them with desired moral and material support.
Responding, a cross section of the farmers, acknowledged the commitment of Gov. Bagudu to revolutionising agriculture in the state and requested for provision of more financial support and fertilizer as well as other farm inputs..
Edited By: Abiemwense Moru/Maharazu Ahmed (NAN)
