Recently the president ,Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, Alhaji Aliyu Kiliya, spoke to our Correspondent Raphael Atuu, on the need to reorganised the Auctioneering sector and it’s importance to national economy growth. Alhaji bore his minds on issues affecting the sector and
stressed that only the association of Auctioneers can train and educate the public on the best practices which are accepted world wide, this and many others excerpt…
Question.

Answer. Thank you very much , my name is Alhaji Aliyu Kiliya, the president of Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, am from Zamfara state of Nigeria.

Answer. It dated many years back,I have been in the business for over forty years, after my retirement from public office from Sokoto state, that is after working in North Western state of Nigeria , as secretary of Board of Survey,, I venture into the business, which I was elected the Zamfara state chairman of the body, I later became the zonal chairman of North West ,which I did two terms and eventually I was elected the National President, I have done my first term ,am going on the second term now.

Question. How is this sector important to national building?
Answer. Thank you very much . You know work is mainly to sell properties out to the public . The National Association of Auctioners have in the past ,raised money to sponsor 2017,2018, and 2019 budgets. This was made possible after I wrote to then president that we should be permitted to sell some national assets to raise money which we did. So,coming back to your question, if Mr president can allow us to do so, we can raise money through sells for the country and raise money to implement the budget, the wount be any need to borrow money for that.

Question, sir,I can see many of your members running up and down about training of the members by another institution?
Answer. Laughter. Is very funny how we play in this country. We are taking about a sensitive organisation which deals with important materials and properties guided by law,operate by given standard rules and regulations ,then someone or a group of persons will come in the name of institution to train people? The truth is ,only experienced members of Nigeria Association of Auctioners led by myself as the president have the right to train the public on best practices of the association .I advise the public, not to be misled by anyone to fall in trouble through short change information by any institution who is soliciting or calling people to come for training.

Question. As the president what is the way forward sir?
Answer . The way forward is for the current administration of president Tinubu to partner with us to increase the revenue for the government. These are things I have done for previous administrations and am ready with my team to do. One thing about the business of Autionering is that ,most of the government officials don’t know what belong to government even after the privatisation. For example, the managing director of Alcon once came to my office to appreciate me for putting him through and the money he made through the association. I also educated most government agencies that core assets remains government properties not buyers and money is made here too.

Question. What are some of your achievements?
Sir The achievements are a lot ,but I will mention a little , I personally stopped buyers from taken away core assets of public companies away, I also approached Bayero university Kano to have the public and our members be informed on public Autionering education in Hausa,Igbo,Yoruba and English, I was asked to bring the curriculum, we also have a bill at national assembly to regulate our practice, I recovered some government properties taken away by members of the public after government privatised some companies, I printed original registration forms for our members to stop forge members and impersonation, etc.

Question Aside the auctioniing, what other things do you do sir?

Answer. I do many things,am a farmer ,business man and consultant. Am a consultant with the bank of industries, also an agent with the Asset management debt recovery,,Auctionering consultant with the Transmission company of Nigeria, consultant with AG mortgage bank, retained Auctioners with cooperate affairs commission,,registered auctioner with NNPC,,Unity bank plc, and various public institutions ..

Question. Sir. With all these many years of practice and leading the sector from local to regional and national level, do you think you still what to offer ?
Answer. Yes!
Question. Like what ?
Answer. Nobody is tired of serving his father land ,especially if you love it. The sector is part of me and I have contributed all to make it grow to this level , though I have reached where I want it to be, my plan is to stabilise it to level of no misbehave by members, through quality education, practice the business with the laws governing it, working as a team and in unity, discipline of members, and above respecting the constitution of the body,so that nobody can wake up one day to come deceive our members and Nigerians . We also partner with EFCC, ICPC,Police,judiciary and other sectors in the country to operate our business, therefore we need to be always on the right track backed by law.

From Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir on Wednesday approved the payment of seventy (70,000) minimum wage.

Bala announced that his administration will commence the payment of the new national minimum wage starting at the end of the month of November.

The governor said this during the executive council meeting held at the exco chamber of the state government house.

According to him, “I must express my concern over a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which listed Bauchi State among those with high poverty levels”

“This report serves as a wake-up call for us all, underscoring the urgent need to redouble our efforts in delivering meaningful and impactful projects to our people”

He said that he remains committed to addressing the backlog of gratuities owed to the retired civil servants in the state.

He appealed for their continued patience and understanding as they work diligently towards resolving the longstanding issue.

From Samuel James, Ilorin

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Edu Local Government Area has openly criticized the State party leadership, accusing them of neglecting internal democracy, party cohesion, and equitable resource distribution.

The criticism came in a statement issued after their maiden meeting of the Edu APC Liberation Elders Consultative Meeting recently in Tsaragi, Edu LGA.

The co-signed statement by the group’s chairman, Mohammad Mariam Al-Hassan and Secretary, Abubakar Zubairu Shonga    outlined their grievances and resolutions, while calling for fairness in resource allocation and the support for Kwara North’s governorship bid in 2027, and to adhere to party principles.

The Edu party Elders who expressed dissatisfaction with the state party leadership, said they recognise Governor Abdulrasaq as Party Leader in the State but regrettably, soon after, came to the realisation that the Party Leadership in the State is unconcerned with Party cohesion, internal party democracy, or the overall well-being of the party faithful.

They described the state party leadership approach as “hostile and damaging to the fortunes of our party and the good people of our beloved State.”

The chapter however advocated for Kwara North to be prioritized for the APC governorship ticket in 2027, as they argued that the region has consistently supported the Central and South senatorial districts in achieving governorship positions since 1999.

“Without prejudice to none, the party should follow the zoning and rotation policy for party and public election offices in accordance with the principles of equity, justice, and fairness.

The Kwara North ought to automatically be given the right of first refusal for the 2027 governor’s ticket,” the communiqué read.

They also appealed to Kwarans from other senatorial districts for support, stating: “In order to achieve and maintain the intended goal and aim of ongoing mutual advantages and peaceful coexistence we’ve enjoyed in Kwara State, we are appealing for the understanding, cooperation, and support of Kwarans from other senatorial districts about Kwara North project 2027.”

The statement also criticized the lopsided distribution of state resources, appointments, and infrastructure. “The current uneven, skewed, and concentrated social amenities, appointments, and empowerments are generally not representative or reflective, ” the chapter noted.

The chapter also demanded a fair share of resources to curb rural-urban migration, unemployment, and poverty in Kwara North, adding “The votes that brought the current administration to power were a collective mandate and this is neither reflective, nor representative of the current lopsided, skewed, and concentrated pattern of appointments.

The elders also welcomed the local governments autonomy granted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging citizens to hold local officers accountable.

“Given the autonomy granted to local governments by the President Tinubu-led administration, we have high expectations for significant development and progress in our communities. We therefore implored our citizens to maintain oversight and keep administrative officers legally accountable”.

The statement explained the growing discontent within the state APC and raises questions about the party’s ability to maintain unity ahead of the 2027 elections. The Edu APC Liberation Elders’ demands for zoning, equity, and fair resource distribution could significantly influence political dynamics in the state.

They further said 2027 elections are closer, and all eyes will be on the state party leadership to see whether it addresses these grievances or risks alienating key stakeholders within the party.