By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Newly Sworn-in Governor of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned the attack on the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, by some youths in the state.

Some angry youths had on Friday attacked the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, alongside other dignitaries at the venue of El-Rufai’s inauguration.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Samuel Aruwan disclosed this in a statement shortly after the inauguration.

“A vital part of change is respect for institutions and a commitment to using only lawful and peaceful means to express grievance, discontent or dissent.

“Even in such instances, there can be no justification for any attempt to inflict embarrassment or cause disorder in the state,” he said.

El-Rufai further thanked the people of the state for the massive turn out during his swearing-in ceremony at the Murtala Square.

He added that “I look forward to the continued support of the people as the new government settles down.

He pledged to do his utmost to deliver good governance”. The statement said

He has been a military dictator, political prisoner and serial election loser. The rise and fall and rise again of Muhammadu Buhari was complete on Friday when he was sworn in as Nigerian president in front of cheering crowds and with a 21-gun salute.

Buhari made history when he became the first challenger to defeat a sitting leader in the west African country in a March election that was more peaceful than many had dared hope.

But in taking the helm of Africa’s biggest economy, the 72-year-old Muslim must get to grips with a deadly Islamist insurgency, high unemployment and even higher expectations – an inheritance that some analysts describe as a poisoned chalice.

On a day filled with symbolism, the outgoing president, Goodluck Jonathan, handed over the constitution and national flags. Buhari shook hands with the elected president he ousted 32 years ago, Shehu Shagari, and the general who deposed him 20 months later, Ibrahim Babangida, before taking the oath of office.

“I, Muhammadu Buhari, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the federal republic of Nigeria,” he said, wearing traditional robes and an embroidered cap at the ceremony in Abuja’s Eagle Square. “That, as president of the federal republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability and in accordance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and the law

He was sworn in by the chief justice, supreme court president Mahmoud Mohammed, and the crowd rose to their feet, dancing and singing his name. The former general then inspected troops in the plaza, decked out in the colours of Nigeria’s green and white flag, from the back of an open vehicle and waved at supporters who raced forward to record the moment on their phones.

“I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” he told the crowds. Striking a note of caution, he warned that the economy was in “deep trouble” and needed careful management to overcome the impact of low oil prices, slowing growth, high unemployment and the security threat from Boko Haram.

He vowed to tackle the militant Islamist group “head on” but said no victory would be complete without the rescue of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok last year.

Security was tight at the ceremony attended by African leaders including Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, as well as US secretary of state John Kerry and France’s foreign minister Laurent Fabius. In 2010, two car bombs and a grenade blast triggered by militants from Nigeria’s oil-rich delta region killed 12 people at Independence Day celebrations.

During his brief spell as dictator in the mid-1980s, Buhari sent soldiers into the streets with whips to enforce traffic regulations and ensure commuters formed orderly queues at bus stops. Civil servants arriving late to offices were forced to perform frog squats. Around 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were imprisoned in a populist campaign against waste and corruption.

Buhari has described himself as a “converted democrat” who repeatedly contested and lost elections after civilian rule was restored 16 years ago. He has vowed to unite a nation of 173 million people riven by ethnic and religious fault lines and to hammer corruption. Nigerian newspapers carried unconfirmed reports that some politicians had already returned millions of dollars in the hope of avoiding scrutiny.

The most populous country in Africa is also $63bn in debt and borrowing to pay government workers. In the past week it has endured fuel shortages that crippled banks and businesses and grounded flights.

Boko Haram’s six-year uprising has killed more than 13,000 people and driven more than 1.5 million people from their homes. Gains have been made against the group since February in an offensive backed by neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger but the region is far from peaceful.

The inauguration marked the end of the once unassailable reign of the People’s Democratic Party. When its defeat in the recent election became clear, the outgoing President Jonathan phoned Buhari to concede defeat, winning plaudits around the world.

Curled from theguardian.com

By Muhammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Some youths have attacked Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, at the inauguration of Nasir El-Rufaa’i, the new state governor of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.

It was gathered that the youth stoned the emir and his convoy at the venue, chanting in Hausa language “Sabon Sarki Sabon Gwamna”, meaning – new Emir, New governor.

It took the intervention of police personnel to tear gas the youths in an attempt to disperse them from the venue.

The emir was alleged to have supported Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the last elections.

Dr Shehu Idris was whisked away by security operatives after the swearing-in to avoid physical attack on his convoy by the youth.

It was gathered that, the emir was invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony by the immediate past administration of Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the organiser of the event.

One of the youth at the event, Haruna Gambo, said “The emir of Zazzau is a PDP member and not our traditional ruler.

“The emir is partisan, we expected him to be father to all in Kaduna state, but he chose to support PDP openly against our candidate.

“So why is he coming to attend this inauguration?. We believe, the emir will learn his lesson from today to be father to all, irrespective of one’s party affiliation.

“We thank Allah, nobody harm him, but the mood of youth will tell him, he is not with his subjects”. He said

Majority of the invited dignitaries at the venue lamented on the youths behavior describing it as uncivilised.

Meanwhile, State Governor,Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai shortly after swearing-in by the State Chief Judge, Justice Tanimu Zailani, pledged that his administration will avoid ostentation and foolish big manism, but would embrace transparency, modesty and accountability.

“In recognition of the difficult challenges we face, our deputy Governor and I have concluded that the sacrifices that change requires must begin with us.

“We have decided to take a pay cut and donate 50 percent of our salaries and allowances, until our fiscal situation improves.

“We understand that leadership by example is the most persuasive way to demand sacrifices from all of us as citizens”

“We will obey the same rules that we demand of all of you. After all, the law is the difference between civilization and anarchy.

“We submit ourselves to the principle that all are equal before the law” he said.

By Muhammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Outgoing governor of Kaduna State Muktar Ramalan Yero has announced that his administration is living behind 8.6 billion naira in the state government treasury.

The governor also disclosed that over 73 billion naira would be left as debt for the state.

This is contrary to rumour making the round that the outgoing government is living an empty treasury for the incoming government.

Governor Yero disclosed this in Kaduna while handing over government notes to the incoming governor Nasir El-Rufai.

He said the debt comprises both external and internal sources

“The current debt position of the state as at 28 May, 2015 has been indicated in the compiled notes.

“We are therefore handing over the total debt stock of 73, 933,104,923,22 naira which comprises external and internal debt.

“External loans USD 234,416,052.16 equivalent to N46,062,745,245.51 at the exchange rate of 195.5 naira per dollar as at December, 2014.

“Internal loans Bond- 2.031,612,259.31, naira, contractors Arrears- 23,531,154,819.69 naira, Gratuity Arears- 1,307,592,598.71 naira and CBN MSMEDF- 1,000,000,000.0 which gives total of 27,870,359, 677.71 naira,” he said.

He added that the state government has awarded many projects in the state which some have been completed with the contractors paid.

Yero added that the hand over notes which has comprehensive information would enable successful take – off of his successor.

In his remarks, the incoming governor, Nasir El-Rufai said he was surprised that the situation in the state was not as bad as he thought.

He said they will still go through the notes and hope the outgoing government would be ready to explain areas that need to be explained.

He thanked the outgoing governor for his support, saying with his prayers the new government would succeed in moving the state forward.

He also commend the Transition committee for a job well done.

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Ahead of his inauguration on Friday, Kaduna State Governor-elect, Nasiru El-Rufai, has appointed Malam Balarabe Abbas-Lawal as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

A statement by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, on Wednesday says Salisu Suleiman will serve as Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the incoming governor.

Others appointed include Abu Musa-Sheyin, who will serve as Private Secretary to the incoming Deputy Governor, Barnabas Yusuf-Bala, while Bala Yunusa will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, Legislative Affairs.

The statement says Samuel Aruwan will serve as Special Assistant, Media.

It said that Aruwan had worked as a reporter with the Leadership and Blueprint Newspapers at different times.

According to the statement, all the appointments will take effect from Friday, May 29, 2015, when the new government is sworn-in.

By Longtong Ibrahim
Jos (Nigeria) – Less than 48hrs to the expiration of his administration, the Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang has embarked on massive inauguration of projects carried out by his administration.

Among the major projects were the reinforced 5000 cubic meter concrete water reservoir at the Anguldi NDA Base camp, aimed at distributing water to jos metropolis and Bukuru, costing over seven billion naira; ultra modern Mineral resources museum, aimed at maintaining and sustaining the history of mining structure; dualization of 19km Jonah David Jang way, costing over six billion naira; 6.5km kabong-gada biyu-rukuba road, costing over one billion.

Other projects included 16km Bukuru-lowcost Nyango-Gyel road network, costing over one billion; 5km ECWA Staff school road network, costing over two million; 29.35km Bukuru Township roads, costing over four billion; and the NYSC Permanent orientation camp; among other projects.

Others major projects to be awaiting inauguration were the new government house, and the Plateau State revenue house.

Governor Jang said he carried out such projects in order to fulfill the promises he made during his campaigns, adding that some of the projects were dear to his heart.

He further called on the incoming administration to continue from where he stopped by completing unfinished projects, and preserving them.

He said, “the state has signed MOU with Aso savings and loan to construct a befitting market at the TCNN Junction, Bukuru, the new government should assist that it is been completed. The street lightening at Jonah David Jang way is not completed, I hope the incoming administration would take that into consideration.”

He also thanked the various contractors for their dedication and hard work for a job well done saying the projects witnessed in the state was as a result of their commitment and dedication.

Plateau State Commissioner for Works, Gyang Tanko in his remarks said the various various carried out were well supervise by the ministry and the costing covers site clearance, drainage construction, payment of compensation, concrete pavement among others.

He added that the roads constructed were to provide access road, ease transportation for business activities, and open other areas for development for people residing in the state.