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Naira Redesign: After Ganduje, El Rufai, Another Northern Governor Dares Buhari
The Jigawa State Government has said the old naira notes remain legal tender in the state pending the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The state Commissioner for Information, Youths Sports and Culture Bala Ibrahim Mamsa stated this in a statement issued to media organizations on Thursday.
According to him “Jigawa State is among the states before the Supreme Court of Nigeria the CBN and the court have issued an order “…restraining the CBN from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February, 2023 the time frame within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of the …. Motion on notice…”
He said Jigawa State Government enjoined its citizens to desist from disobeying the law and causing hardships to the people of the state.
Mamsa stated that it has come to the government’s notice that some individuals and corporate bodies in the state are rejecting the now old N200, N500, and N1000 notes.
He said the government would take action against anyone found rejecting the old naira notes.
The commissioner, however, advised the general public to report any trader or business organizations that refused to accept the N200, N500, and N1000 notes as legal tender in Jigawa State to the nearest appropriate authorities.
February 17, 2023
Kaduna State Govt Denies Plan to Shut down Telecom Services
The Kaduna State Government has said it has no plan to shut down telecommunication services in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.
According to the statement, the government has not made such a decision, neither has it announced any such plan.
“The Kaduna State Government did not reach out to any federal agency to request a telecoms shutdown and it has not in any way ordered or effected a communications shutdown,’’ the statement said.
It called on residents to ignore the rumours saying that is a fake news which some people were trying to pass off as genuine by placing KDSG logo on their false statements.
“The Kaduna State Government is transparent about security matters. If a telecoms shutdown is deemed necessary that decision will be formally announced in a properly signed statement posted on official information handles,” it said.
September 8, 2021
No going back on five days Warning strike on Monday – Kaduna NLC declares
..Urge workers to disregard Govt circular
..El-rufai break world history of sacked workers
..NLC President, others bills for kaduna Monday
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
The Nigeria Labour Congress Kaduna State Council has directed workers to disregard the government’s circular against the five days warning strike beginning on this Monday, saying there’s no going on the warning strike..
The State Secretary of the council, Comrade Christiana John Bawa made the call in a press release distributed to journalists in Kaduna on Saturday.
Comrade Christiana John Bawa said no any employer of state government under the present leadership of Governor Nasir Elrufai has job security nor is saved from disengagement.
Comrade Bawa lamented that in April 2021, Kaduna State Government sacked over four thousand workers without following due process.
“It will be recalled that Kaduna State Government sacked over thirty thousand workers in twenty sixteen and up to date their entitlements have not been settled” she said.
“Since the history of Nigeria there’s no government that disengaged workers like the present government of Governor Nasir Elrufai.
“This is the time to tell the world that Kaduna State government is antiworker and want to destroy the civil service in the name of reform, enough for the sacking of workers by Kaduna State Government”, she stated.
She said all affiliates of NLC in the state has already directed it’s members to join the strike, among which includes the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Road Transport Workers( NURTW), National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria(NUEE), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFIE).
Others are Nigeria Union of Railway, Textile, National Association of Nurses and Midwives, Aviation workers Union, Construction union, local government employees among others.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Ayuba Waba and other national Presidents with General Secretaries of affiliates will be in Kaduna State to ensure full enforcement of the strike.
“An injury to one is an injury to all”. the release stated.
May 15, 2021
Why the Judiciary should be decentralized — El Rufai
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Governor Nasir El Rufai has called for the decentralization of the judiciary because the heavy caseload of High Court Judges in Kaduna State hinders the administration of justice.
The governor who made this known when the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Olumide Akpata paid him a courtesy call on Tuesday, said that ‘’on average, a High Court judge in Kaduna state handles about 250 cases.’’
El Rufai said that his administration has ‘’been making cases for the National Judicial Council(NJC), to double the number of High Court judges in Kaduna State, which will reduce the case load to about 100 per judge which is still too high.’’
Governo El-Rufai in a statement by in Kaduna Tuesday, noted that it is an anomaly to have a unitary judiciary in a federation, saying that “I am one of the major advocates of the decentralization of our unitarist judiciary to a federal one.’’
‘’We are pushing for the creation of State Judicial Councils that will handle the appointment of High Court judges in the states, because that is the only way that we will be able to take our fates in our hands.
“I believe that we have enough lawyers in the public and private sectors in Kaduna state, to get 20 judges tomorrow, if the State Judicial Council screens them and makes their recommendations. But we are constitutionally constrained as speak.’’
The governor said that he is ‘’happy that the National Assembly has started the process of trying to remove the bottleneck and I urge the Nigerian Bar Association to openly support it.’’
El Rufai argued that decentralizing the judiciary will be ‘’in the interest of administration of justice, it will give more opportunities for qualified lawyers in the private and public sectors and the academia, to be part of the judiciary.’’
The governor who also has a degree in law, further argued that ‘’ bringing in outsiders always brings innovations and new ideas to improve the system.’’
‘’I do not believe that the only path to being a High Court Judge is to be a magistrate or state counsel. There are many other paths as other countries have shown and have produced excellent judges at all levels,’’ he added.
March 24, 2021
Security challenges cut across ethno-religious divides — El Rufai
…As bandits killed 937 in 2020 in kaduna
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Mall. Nasir El-Rufai said the State Government has been using its limited tools as a subnational, to address the security challenges facing the state, saying it cut across ethno-religious divides.
The governor who made this remark at the presentation of the 2020 Annual Security Report on Wednesday, paid tributes to the victims of insecurity, reiterating his administration’s ‘’ resolve to continue to protect our people and stop the criminals.’’
El Rufai reiterated that Kaduna state has been supporting the federal security agencies deployed in the state with vehicles and other logistics since 2015.
According to him, Kaduna State Government has also invested in technology to help secure the state, adding that ‘’a CCTV network is being deployed in Kaduna metropolis while options for consistent operations of its drones are being explored.’’
The governor also explained that Kaduna state has been collaborating with neighboring states to tackle insecurity.
‘’Together with Niger State and our neighbours in the North-west, we put together resources to fund military operations against bandits in the Kamuku-Kuyambana forest range that straddles the region.
El Rufai however regretted that this collaboration which was done in 2015, ‘’was not sustained or expanded into a campaign of continuous, simultaneous operations against the bandits across our vast region.’’
‘’Failure to contain and defeat them in one place has emboldened them to develop a national footprint and endanger national cohesion,’’ he argued.
The governor also said that the military and police need modern technology and equipment and more boots on the ground.
‘’The security of our communities depend on the robust projection of state power, and that can only done with sufficient security numbers to overawe and deter criminals,’’ he maintained.
The governor called for the decentralization of policing, arguing that ‘’there simply are not enough police officers in Nigeria and the idea of policing such a vast, federal republic in a unitary manner is not pragmatic.
In his presentation, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said that victims of kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities cut across all ethnic and religious groups in Kaduna state, contrary to skewed narratives.
‘’Victims of criminal acts like banditry and kidnapping are to be found across ethnic, religious or political leanings and persuasions,’’ he pointed out.
The commissioner noted that the total number of deaths linked to banditry and other forms of violence in 2020 is 937, adding that ‘’of this number, Igabi has the highest figure of 152, followed by Kajuru with a figure of 144.’’
According to Aruwan, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local governments in Kaduna central senatorial district account for 468 deaths out of the 937 people that died last year, representing over 50% of the entire fatalities in the state.
‘’The southern senatorial district accounts for 286 deaths, which is about one third of the total, due in large part to sporadic clashes , alongside banditry which triggered attacks and counter-attacks, especially between June and November 2020,’’ he added.
Aruwan further said that ‘’out of 1,972 people kidnapped in the period under review, Kaduna Central Senatorial district accounts for 1,561 and out of the total, 1,461 were kidnapped within Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local government areas.’’
March 11, 2021
Pyrates flay FG, El- Rufai over handling of Southern Kaduna crisis
By Bassey Afahaeme, Yenagoa
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has berated the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government over its failure to curtail the killings in Southern Kaduna.
The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje in a statement tagged, ‘Stop the Killings in Southern Kaduna’ said the association “is extremely concerned about the resurgence of killings in Southern Kaduna”
He expressed worry that the imposition of curfew and deployment of security agencies “rather than stem the tide of killings has done the opposite”
According to NAS “the inability of the security agencies to stop the reign of terror has fuelled allegations of genocide against Christians in the area.”
The group noted that steps taken by the state government have not provided an amicable resolution because it has been largely divisive and unresponsive.
The statement read: “Regrettably, Governor Nasir El- Rufai has not been able to rise above the fray. His utterances as the Chief Security Officer of the state have been distasteful. He has not acted like a leader desirous of bringing the crisis to an end. His tirades directed at the critical stakeholders of Southern Kaduna have clearly betrayed lack of tolerance that has undermined a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“The Federal Government has not fared better by its lukewarm attitude to the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna. Its indifference has allowed the crisis to fester creating an impression that the President Muhammadu Buhari led government is bereft of a security strategy that can protect lives and properties in the crisis-ridden area.
“NAS as an organisation that advocates for a just and egalitarian society, calls on the Federal Government to wake up from its deep slumber to lead the charge and urgently arrest the security situation in Kaduna from deteriorating further.
“It should commence the healing process by ordering the release of all innocent youths of Southern Kaduna in detention over the crisis, including all those arrested over the Saturday August 8, 2020 peaceful protest in Kaduna. The security agencies should be tasked to be professional in the discharge of their duties, and apprehend all those implicated in the murder of innocent people and destruction of properties, no matter how highly placed.
“The Buhari led government should consider the convocation of a peace summit of all stakeholders in Southern Kaduna to resolve all lingering disputes pertaining to ownership of land and address issues of mutual suspicion.
“It is the considered view of NAS that the Federal Government needs to take a second look at the reports of the different Commissions of Enquiry set up on the Southern Kaduna crisis, and summon the required political will to implement recommendations in the interest of peace. The people of Southern Kaduna deserve to live in peace. Enough of the tears and blood.” He said.
August 13, 2020
Gov. el-Rufai approves N200m for women empowerment, says Commissioner
Gov. Nasir el-Rufai has approved N200m fund for the Kaduna State Women Empowered Programme (KADSWEP) to support women at the grassroots in their entrepreneurial activities.
Hajiya Hafsat Baba, Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna State, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Baba said that the programme, established in 2017, was specifically designed to improve financial inclusion and provide women access to low-interest loans to begin new or expand existing business.
She explained that the ministry was working on the guidelines and modalities for the disbursement of the money to new beneficiaries.
The commissioner added that the state was working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to deepen financial inclusion among women, adding that about 14,000 women have recently opened bank accounts.
According to her, the women will be thoroughly screened to ensure that only new beneficiaries access the money.
“We will use Bank Verification Number to screen existing beneficiaries out so that others can benefit,” she said.
The commissioner said that over 7,000 women benefited from the programme in 2019, noting that individual received N20,000 while association of 10 members got N200,000.
She said that while others have paid back, the ministry was working with the remaining beneficiaries to pay back the soft loan to provide opportunities for others to benefit. (NAN)
June 22, 2020
El Rufai opens up Kaduna, gives guidelines

Governor Nasir El Rufai has been opened up Kaduna state, after 75 days of partial lockdown, following the invocation of the Quarantine Act and the Kaduna State Public Health Law, to impose the Quarantine Regulations on March 26.
In a state broadcast on Tuesday, El Rufai paid tribute to the good people of Kaduna state, for their immense sacrifices in the last two and half months as containment measures against Covid-19 were implemented.
The governor said that as from Wednesday, 10 June 2020, the Quarantine Order will be amended to permit a significant reopening of the state, especially businesses and places of worships.
El Rufai however said that schools and markets will remain closed because at this stage of Covid-19 containment, it is still considered unsafe for markets and schools to reopen.
READ ALSO: Again, Gbajabiamila intervenes in planned strike by resident doctors
He promised that government will ‘’keep engaging with the relevant stakeholders on the matter, to determine the appropriate timing and conditions precedent.’’
‘’Businesses can reopen, subject to the provision of thermometers for temperature checks, sanitizers or hand washing equipment and physical distancing measures within all facilities. Working hours will be 9am to 3pm daily,’’ he said.
The governor further said that ‘’church services are allowed only on Sundays and Mosques are allowed to conduct only Friday Jumat services, for the time being, subject to compliance with the safety stipulations above.’’
El Rufai maintained that transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50% of capacity.
The governor said that the ban on intra-state travel has been lifted but government officials will continue to control state boundaries to reduce unauthorised interstate travel.
‘’Within the state, security checkpoints will be allowed only to enforce compliance with the night time curfew. During the day, any violations of the adjusted Quarantine Order like failure to wear facemasks etc. will be enforced by Operation Yaki, KASTLEA, the Vigilance Service and our Mobile Courts,’’ he said.
According to him, ‘’supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can reopen; hotels can fully open, but with their restaurants and bars offering only room service.’’
The governor warned that restaurants may all reopen after decontamination, but are still restricted to takeaway services, adding that ‘’Public servants will be summoned back to work in phases to be announced by the Head of Service.’’
El Rufai counselled that after the opening up of the state, ‘’the next step of staying safe while pursuing socio-economic activities is strictly in the hands of each individual.’’
‘’While we require individual citizens to practice personal responsibility, the places where they work, worship or shop and the vehicles in which they travel must also protect their health and safety’’, he clarified.
The governor pointed out that ‘’this requires that all sectors of society understand and discharge their responsibility for safe reopening, including the specific steps they are required to take.’’
According to him, government officials embarked on series of sensitisation and consultations with stakeholders in the last two weeks as part of conditions for reopening the various sectors, in order to promote this wide understanding.
The governor said that government officials submitted the draft guidelines for debate at those meetings and ‘’we have considered the contributions, suggestions and feedback received from the stakeholders in concluding the detailed re-opening protocols being published for each sector. ‘’
El Rufai warned that ‘ any facility or sector that generally violates the guidelines will be closed down under the Quarantine Order No.2 of June 2020 that I will sign today for immediate gazetting. ‘’
While urging citizens to take responsibility and comply with these measures, he further warned that ‘’this relaxation will be reversed in the event of a spike in Covid-19 infections or unsatisfactory compliance levels with the conditions, and total quarantine re-imposed to preserve health and protect lives.’’
El Rufai appealed to people who are 50 years and above restrict their movement, in spite of the fact that restriction of movement has been lifted in the Kaduna state.
‘’As we open up, we advise older people to stay home as much as possible,and avoid condolence visits and attending congregational prayers. Older people above 50 years should avoid receiving visitors’’
‘’ If you must receive, please wear a facemask and stay two meters apart from your visitors. Younger people that may be infected but showing no signs of the disease can easily infect older people,’’ he counselled.
The governor promised that his administration ‘’ will continue to implement the policy of repatriating almajirai back to their parents to afford them due care and the right to free education.’’
According to him, ‘’this is is an important step in complying with our state’s Child Welfare and Protection Law. We do not regard modern education and quranic education as mutually exclusive. A child can get both without being abandoned b their parents, leading to child abuse, mistreatment and an uncertain future. ‘’
El Rufai pleaded with residents of Kaduna State to commit to taking personal responsibility.
‘’Let us honour the sacrifices that have been made to ensure that this opening up supports the pursuit of livelihoods without risking widespread infection, illnesses and death. You have done it for more than ten weeks under partial lockdown. Let us show that we can stay safe in relaxed conditions,’’ he added.
June 9, 2020
Aisha Buhari excites El Rufai with palliatives

Nasir El Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state has expressed deep appreciation to First Lady, Aisha Buhari, for donating food items as palliatives to low income earners and vulnerable people in the state.
The President’s wife donated food stuff worth millions of naira under her Future Assured Palliatives Support for the less privileged.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muyiwa Adekeye, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, said the government and people of Kaduna, commended the First Lady for identifying with the people in times of need, especially by giving succour to residents, who were in dire need.
The statement indicated that Buhari’s wife’s kind gesture was part of efforts of public-spirited individuals, who had been contributing to the COVID-19 fund to cushion the effect of the pandemic on people in the lowest stratum of society.
Kaduna state recently expressed its gratitude to individuals, firms and agencies that made cash donations amounting to N641 million to its COVID-19 fund.
June 5, 2020
65 Out of 169 Almajiris Brought Back To Kaduna Tested Positive For COVID-19 – El Rufai
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that 65 out of the 169 almajiris brought back to the state have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The governor said this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
“We received 169 almajiris from Kano, of Kaduna State origin, and we immediately quarantined them because of the situation that we are aware of in Kano.
“Out of the 169 so far, 65 were positive for coronavirus,” he said.
The governor had earlier explained that the Northern State Governors’ Forum had taken a decision at a meeting three weeks ago, that they would put a stop to the almajiri system in the region.
According to him, part of the steps taken was to repatriate all almajiris back to their states of origin.
“What we agreed on as governors, is that each state governor will take delivery of these almajiris and return them to their parents and ensure that they go to school”.
In Kaduna State, he confirmed that over 30,000 had been repatriated to their own states.
“We have repatriated over 30,000 who are from other states in the north, back to their states and we are happy to receive any almajiri from any state of the federation that is indigenous to Kaduna State”.
El-Rufai, however, said: “the only thing we request is that they should be brought in officially by the state government.
“They should be brought to the Kaduna State Government on a bilateral basis, so that we know when they are coming, we can prepare to receive them, we test them and so on,” he added.
For the 169 who have been repatriated to the state so far, the governor said, the state is happy to receive them.
According to him, they would soon be taken back to their parents and sent back to school when schools re-open.
“We are happy to receive them, they are being treated and infact two of them have already tested negative and they will be taken to their parents soon so that they go to school when schools re-open.
“It is a big problem but we are happy to receive them because it is our duty to ensure that they go to school”.
May 7, 2020