FOCUS MDAs:

KADUNA WEEKLY REVIEWNo. 69 18th February, 2019

FOCUS MDAsGOVERNMENT HOUSEKADSWACMINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYMINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CHEIFTAINCY AFFAIRSMINISTRY OF YOUTHS, SPORTS& CULTURE

IN THIS EDITION

El-Rufai's Wife Visits Emir of Jema'a, Solicits Support KDSG Procures Mobile Teaching Aid for Science EducationKDSG Spends N380.7m on NECO, NABTEB Examinations Emir of Zazzau at 44KADSWAC Gets New BossMato Charges LGAs for Peaceful 2019 PollsKaduna North Wins Maiden State Para-Soccer CupKaduna Absorbs Roller-Skate into its Sports List

Governor El-Rufa’i making Kaduna State Great Again through variousInfrastructural Developments and Investment Opportunities.

The Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Architect Hadiza Isma El-Rufa'i has called on Kafanchan people to support APC in the general elections, both at the federal and state level.The governor's wife made the call during her house to house campaign at Kafanchan and Jagindi in Jema'a Local Government Area.Arch. Hadiza who paid homage to the Emir of Jema'a, Alhaji Mohammed Isa Mohammed noted that taking the house to house campaign to the grassroots has become very necessary in order to endear the party to the people.She admonished women to avoid the use of henna designs (lalle) so that they will not be disenfranchised and also called on all to pray for successful and peaceful elections across the nation come Saturday.

“If you want the ruling government to continue, you need to come out during election and vote for APC,” she said.Earlier, the Deputy Governor's wife, Mrs. Ladi Bala Bantex also urged the people to vote enmasse for the party in the general elections.She reminded them of the ruling party's progress, saying they deserved a second term in view of the established principles of equity in power rotation.“This government works with women in the state,” she added.She urged the people to massively vote for APC from the Presidential level to the House of Assembly on Saturday.The APC Chairman, Jema'a Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, urged the people to guard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to be eligible to vote in February and March.The Chairman commended the governor for all efforts put in place for healthcare delivery and the primary school feeding, while he assured that the people would vote massively for the ruling party in the state as APC government is for the people.“Vote for APC, this government carries both Christians and Muslims along.” He said. He also advised parents to caution their children not to allow themselves be used in causing chaos in the state.

Kaduna State Government has procured 460 mobile teaching aids as part of its efforts to boost science education in basic and secondary schools in the state.The Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Alh. Ja'afaru Sani made this known at the opening ofa one-day training on the use of mobile teaching aids and intervention laboratory for science teachers.Sani, who was represented by Sabon Tasha Zonal Director, Mr. Joshua Ayuba, explained that the 460 teaching aids invented by the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, would be distributed to 361 secondary schools across the state.He added that all science teachers in the state were being trained simultaneously in six centres across the state on how to use the mobile teaching aid for effective teaching of science subjects.According to him, the measure was to improve the learning outcomes of students in the area of science and technology, which is currently not too encouraging.

“This administration has realised that the expected learning outcomes is not being achieved, particularly in science and technology due to non-availability of adequate instructional materials.” He said.Sani also said that since 2017 till date, government has procured and distributed mobile laboratories to selected secondary schools, supplied consumable materials and tools to five technical colleges and more than 15,000 tablet computers to students and teachers to promote science and technology education in the state.“I assure you that with these steps and more, we will soon address all challenges regarding laboratories and workshops in our public schools.” He said.The inventor, Sadiq Lawal of Mechanical Engineering Department, FUT Minna, described the equipment as science educational demonstrations, experiments, display and instructional materials that aid the teaching and learning of sciences.Lawal explained that the equipment, which could be used in the absence of a laboratory provides multifunctional interface for variety of experiments for all science subjects.Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, FUT Minna, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, commended Gov. Nasir El-Rufai for his commitment towards promoting science and technology education in the state.Prof. Bala who was represented by the Director, Research, Innovations and Development, Prof. Moses Olutoye said that the equipment was invented to improve the learning outcomes of students in science subjects.On his own part, the Director, FUTMIN Ventures, FUT Minna, Malam Mohammed Ashafa noted the importance of science education to the development of any nation, stressing that Nigeria must pay attention to science education from basic level to tertiary levels to tap from its benefits.

Kaduna State Government has said that it has expended N380.7 million on payments of National Examination Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) fees for 33,750 students.The Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Alh. Ja'afaru Sani made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna stating that the amount was spent between 2016 and 2018.Sani explained that N363.6 million was spent on NECO examination fees for 32,032 students and N17.2 million on NABTEB fees for 1,716 students.He noted that quite a number of secondary school students drop out of school after reaching senior secondary school because they could not raise money to pay for NECO or NABTEB examination fees.

El-Rufai's Wife Visits Emir of Jema'a, Solicits Support

KDSG Procures Mobile Teaching Aid for Science Education

KDSG Spends N380.7m on NECO, NABTEB Examinations

Arch. Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, paying homage to the Emir of Jema’a,Mohammed Isa Mohammed during the visit.

Alh. Ja’afaru Sani, Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology.

The commissioner said that the government had to come in with such support to improve the completion rate of students particularly the girl child and academically sound students, especially those from poor background.“The state government has declared free education from primary one to junior secondary school, and free education for the girl child up to senior secondary school to reduce financial burden on parents.“The payment of examination fees and the free education was to ensure that we remove all barriers that stand between our children and education in Kaduna state.“All we want is to ensure that every child in Kaduna state has access to quality education, rich or poor, in rural or urban areas.” He said.The commissioner said that the state government would continue to support parents in the educational development of their children towards building a learned population that would contribute to the development of the state.He urged parents to continue to support government efforts in its quest to improve schools' infrastructure, provide learning materials and ensure quality teaching and learning in public schools.

thAs part of activities lined up to commemorate the 44 Anniversary of the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Alh. Dr. Shehu Idris, a special prayer session was held in Zaria.

In his remark at the prayer session, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa'i described the Emir of Zazzau as unbiased, committed and reliable traditional father who believed in peace, unity of Nigeria as well as progress and development of Zazzau emirate, Kaduna state and the country as a whole.Governor El-Rufa'i used the occasion to applaud the fatherly roles of the traditional institution in the state especially in the area of promoting peace and harmonious living among the diverse people living in the state, mobilizing their subjects to support the government in achieving its laudable policies and programmes at all levels.He further assured the emir that Kaduna state government under his watch will continue to accord priority to the welfare and working conditions of the traditional institutions in the state with a view to making things easier for them. The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof. Kabir Mato shed more light on the traditional institution reforms recently implemented by the government.According to the governor, the reform is aimed at repositioning the traditional institution in the state as well as restoring their glory, stating that doing so will make them more effective in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities. The reform will also give them the necessary power of control they deserve to pilot the local affairs of their various emirates and chiefdoms.El-Rufa'I felicitated with the emir and extended the goodwill of the government, Zazzau emirate and the entire people of Kaduna state and prayed for sound health, strength and many more blissful years on the throne.On his own part, Alh. Shehu Idris expressed his gratitude to Allah for making it possible for him to rule for such a long period, and also appreciated members of the Emirate Council, district heads and the entire people of Zazzau for the hand of fellowship extended to him throughout the 44 years he has spent on the throne.

The emir called on the people of Zazzau and Kaduna state at large to always uphold peace and harmonious coexistence

with each other to enable sustainable development.

Alh. Shehu Idris described the working relationship between his office and that of the past and present Kaduna state government as very cordial. He then appreciated Governor Nasir El-Rufa'i for carrying traditional rulers along in his government.

Speaking on the forthcoming polls, the monarch appealed to politicians and their supporters to ensure a violence free election.

Dignitaries in attendance included top government functionaries, diplomats, religious leaders and traditional title holders of the Emirate and other well-wishers from far and near.

In a bid to accelerate its water reform agenda in the state, the Kaduna State government has appointed an interim management committee for the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC) headed by Alh. Sunusi Maikudi.

Until his appointment, Maikudi was the acting Managing Director of the corporation with vast experience in entrepreneurship and public service.

Prior to the appointment, he headed Kaduna State Investment and Finance Company and served in various public sectors within his 30 years of working experience.

Part of the interim chairman's mandate is to ensure that the corporation attains its expected goal and implement all government's water reform agenda across the state.

Born in Kafanchan, Maikudi holds a degree in Architecture and Masters degree in Business Administration from A.B.U. Zaria.

He also worked as the Centre Manager in Katsina for the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, SMEDAN and also served as a Senior Special Assistant on Projects Monitoring in Kaduna State government.

In a related development, the corporation's new secretary, Fatima Ladi Abdullahi has also assumed duty.

Prior to her appointment, she was a Principal State Counsel in the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, a graduate of Law from A.B.U. Zaria and called to bar in 2003.

Emir of Zazzau at 44

KADSWAC Gets New Boss

His Highness Alh. Shehu Idris during his remarks at theprayers for his 44 years Anniversary on throne.

Prof. Kabir Mato, Commissioner of Local Gov’t Affairs andEngr. Aliyu Idris, Chairman of Zaria LGA with other guests at the event.

Alh. Sunusi Maikudi, Chairman, Interim Management Committee,Kaduna State Water Corporation.

As the country approaches another round of polls, local government chairmen have been charged to work with all the relevant stakeholders in their respective local governments to ensure a peaceful and violence free elections.The Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Prof. Kabir Mato gave the charge during the January 2019 local government funds allocation meeting which had in attendance all the 23 local government chairmen in the state.The Commissioner explained that even though all over the globe election process is associated with one problem or another, there's no reason whatsoever for violence and disregard for law and order hence, the need to put all hands on deck to ensure a hitch free elections process.Prof. Kabir Mato drew the attention of the local government chairmen on the importance of availing themselves to the people during the elections to enable them ample opportunity of having firsthand information on what is going on within their respective areas with a view to responding to issues and matters arising that require timely response.The Commissioner appealed to the people of Kaduna state especially the youths not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction during the elections as it is a game of numbers where one must emerge winner and the looser may equally become a winner during another round of elections. Therefore, fighting and lawlessness during elections is old fashioned and uncalled for.Mato further called on the traditional institutions in the state to use their God given position in the society to sensitize their subjects on the need for a peaceful election process because without peace, people's constitutional rights of returning candidates of their choice will be disenfranchised.

On the part of the state, government is working round the clock together with security agencies to provide the enabling environment where law abiding citizens will be free and safe to go to the polls and vote for the candidate of their choice without any fear of intimidation or hindrance. He warned trouble makers to amend and be well behaved otherwise the law of the land will surely catch up with them.

Kaduna State Para-soccer Association concluded her maiden edition of Para-Soccer Peace and Unity Cup with Kaduna North L.G.A beating Igabi L.G.A 6:0 to win the trophy. The theme of the competition is '4+4' in solidarity with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Kaduna State, Mal Nasir El-rufai.It is important to note that the Governor of Kaduna state has since assumption in office, supported persons with disabilities in sports with the approval of the construction of Para-Soccer pitch and has provided the necessary support to the sport team which resulted in winning the National Para-Soccer tournament 2018, held in Lagos after defeating 3 times defending champions, Kano.The final which was played at Murtala Mohammed Square, had in attendance, important dignitaries such as; Commissioner of Youth Sports and Culture, Hon. Daniel

Danauta, the Chairman, Kaduna North L.G.A. Hon. Saleh Shuaibu, State Director of Sports, Mal. Yakubu Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the governor on disability matters, Aliyu Mohammed Salish, National President Association of Persons with disabilities, Comrade Rilwani Abdullahi, Chairman, persons with Disabilities in Kaduna state, Suleiman Abdullaziz and the Director of rehabilitation, Hon. Mansur Na'ayash.

The Kaduna State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture has officially inaugurated Roller-skate sports and its association into the list of official sports of the state.Roller-skate clubs in Kaduna State include United Kaduna Skaters, Kaduna Sky Skaters, Golden Skaters and Zazzau Skaters. Skating disciplines include speed skating, artistic of slalom and aggressive skating.Consequently, the Ministry will appoint the association's secretary while the sport will enjoy privileges other sports enjoy by virtue of being adopted by the state government. Kaduna state government oversees more than 40 sports in the state which ranges from athletics, team sports, traditional sports etc.

About 20 states and clubs across the country participated at the maiden Roller Sports Federation of Nigeria championship in November, 2018, at the National Stadium, Abuja. With this inauguration, Kaduna state can now participate in subsequent competitions in the country and beyond.

Mato Charges LGAs for Peaceful 2019 Polls

Kaduna North Wins Maiden State Para-Soccer Cup

Kaduna Absorbs Roller-Skate into its Sports List

Prof. Kabir Mato, Commissioner of Local Gov’t Affairs (middle) and Alh. Abdullahi Sani, Perm Sec. Ministry of Local Gov’t (left) while addressing the LGA Chairmen.

Hon. Daniel Danauta, Commissioner of Youths, Sports and Culture and Hon. Saleh Shuaibu, Chairman of Kaduna North LGA,

presenting the trophy to the winners.

Some members of the Kaduna State Roller-Skate Team.