From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Executive Council yesterday directed the Ministry for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs to liaise with the various Local governments, to offer more logistics support to the various security agencies.
This, the council noted, was with the view to bolstering their activities, hence, beef up the security of lives and property of the entire people of the state .
This directive was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the Weekly meeting of the council, which was chaired by the State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Briefing Newmen on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Umar Mukhtar Bunza, said that the measure was in furtherance of the irrevocable commitment of the state government to facilitate the activities of the various security agencies.
Bunza said that, it was also in the bid to ensure the maintenance of peace and tranquillity across the state , especially with the recurring security challenges in some parts of the state .
The Commissioner also stated that, a Progress Report was also presented on the digitization of the Kebbi State Radio and Television Stations.
According to him, the Ministry of Information and Culture had presented a Comprehensive Report detailing on whatever is needed to ensure that, all parts of the state are fully covered.
The council, Bunza, explained, was also informed on the establishment and operations of the Kebbi State Geographic Information Systems, by the Ministry of Lands and Hosting .
Bunza further disclosed that, the same Ministry had reported that, there were three Initiatives, aimed at providing affordable and decent homes across the state, especially for low income earners and less privileged persons.
The Commissioner said that, the initiatives were being implemented in partnership with Omni-Frontiers and African National Development Programme, as well as Family Homes Funds Ltd.
Bunza also said the meeting was informed about myriad of giant strides achieved by the various Ministries, from January 2021, to date.
He enumerated more of them to include the upgrading of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as the School of Health Technology, to full pledged Colleges and introduction of Community Nursing and Midwifery Program. All these, according to him were under the Ministry for Higher Education.
He explained, “the Law was signed by Governor Atiku Bagudu on the 21st of January, 2021. The Community Nursing and Midwifery Programme was also introduced in the College of Nursing sciences.
“This was with the view to take healthcare services to the grassroots and hard to reach communities across the state .”
Bunza further stated that, the council also appreciated efforts made towards the take-off of the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, that had successfully taken off.
He said :” This feat wouldn’t have been possible without the singular efforts of Governor Bagudu,by donating a whole Institution, College of Agriculture, Zuru, with all the facilities contained therein.
”This was a very important landmark that made the take-off of the University a reality ‘, he averred.
According to Bunza, the council also noted the efforts of the Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, towards the provision of yoghourt and milk.
He stated that, the council has particularly directed the Ministry to facilitate NAFDAC registration, to make the products more standard and acceptable.
The Higher Education Commissioner also disclosed that, the council has commended the resilience of the people of Maiyama, who resisted the dastardly efforts of a miscreant land prospector to cut down over eighty palm trees.
” The council urged the people of the state to plant more trees , rather than indiscriminately cutting them , ” Bunza, averred.
The Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals Development , Hon. Hayatudeen Bawa on his part, made clarification on the issue of payment of Leave Grant to Civil Servants.
He said that Governor Bagudu has never said or indicated that government will not pay leave Grant as posted on social media.
According to him what the governor said in his May Day speech was that the leadership of trade unions would be invited to hold dialogue with top Government officials to reappraise current situation and collectively chart a way forward.
He emphasized that the governor never mentioned that he would not pay leave grant to workers.
The Commissioner also said another false report on Social Media was the insinuation that Government would not pay May Salary to workers for lack of funds from the Federation allocation.
Hon Hayatudeen Bawa emphasised that Governor Atiku Bagudu has never fail to pay salary to workers whatever the circumstances since he came to power.
Also addressing journalist, the Commissioner for Works and Transport , Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan said Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has installed digital communication at the Council Chamber which now made it possible for members elsewhere to partake in Exco meeting by virtual participation.
The meeting had in attendance the Chief of Staff Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu (Jarman Kabi), the SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safayanu Garba Bena, Commissioners and some Special Advisers.
