NEWS
Group Seeks Domestication of FOI Act in Katsina

A group of concerned citizens, Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiative, has called on the Karsina State Government to domesticate the extant Freedom of Information Act.
This was part of the group’s recommendation in their analysis report on the state’s ‘2023/2024 Anti-Corruption War’, presented at a stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina on Friday.
The meeting was part of the activities organised to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day.
Presenting the report, Mr Bishir Dauda, the Executive Director of the group, said that domesticating the act would enhance access to information in the state.
Other recommendation he mentioned was that the government should regularly publish the resolutions of the State Executive Council’s meetings in the national dailies.
He said, “The Annual Citizens’ Budget Sensitisation Town Hall meetings should be conducted in each of the 34 LLGAs of the state.
“The governor should from time to time hold a media parley with the state owned-media outfits to enable the citizens ask questions and make meaningful suggestions on how they are being governed.
“The state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission should be adequately funded. Its staff should undergo retraining and capacity building regularly.
“Massive sensitisation against corruption can be done via multiple channels, including conventional and social media.”
Dauda suggested that rewarding dedicated civil servants by the state government should be sustained while the LGAs should follow suit.
According to him, one of the highly recommended policies against corruption that is now enjoying full implementation in the state is the ‘Treasury Single Account (T.S.A)’.
Dauda further said that the policy has continued to yield positive results by blocking financial leakages, adding,”it is helping the government to save a lot of funds.
”The implementation of TSA in Katsina is addressing financial profligacy in the public sector, making diversion of public funds nearly impossible.
“The take-off of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption is a right step towards institutionalising the anti-corruption war.
“The commission has just taken-off and has the better prospects to help not only the present administration rid the state of the cankerworm of corruption, but also the subsequent governments.
“We are living witnesses to the impact the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is making.
“Thus, if given all the necessary support, including adequate funding, the Katsina Anti-Corruption commission will perform even better,” the group’s leader said.
On the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which the state has already signed, Dauda said it would enhance transparency, accountability and public engagement.
According to him, it will also empower the citizens to be actively involved in policy making, implementation, and will also attract development funds to the state.
Dauda said, “The removal of human interface in revenue collection is also yielding positive impact as the state’s IGR is witnessing significant boost.
“This will no doubt reduce the state’s vulnerability in over-dependence on the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“The state’s ministry of budget and economic planning has continued to organise town hall meetings annually across the state to generate input for the state’s budget proposal.
“This has been creating awareness, making the state annual budget pro-poor, and therefore reflecting the needs and aspirations of the greater majority of the citizenry, instead of a tiny class of elites.” (NAN)
NEWS
Bauchi Govt Earmarks N4.7bn for Yankari, Tourism Development

The Bauchi state government says it has earmarked N4.7 billion to reinvigorate Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park, to encourage sustainable tourism development.
The government has allocated the fund in its 2025 budget, to fasttrack infrastructure development in the parks and other tourism sites in the state.
Mr Abdullahi Hassan, Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, said this in an interview with on Tuesday in Bauchi
He said the government was making huge investments to upgrade key tourism facilities, showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage for pleasure seekers and researchers.
Hassan said that N2.7 billion has been set aside for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Yankari Game Reserve and Resort.
He said the project included installation of solar power systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply while modern park facilities would be provided at the cost of N1 billion.
The commissioner said the government would expend N1 billion on the upgrade of the Sumu Wildlife Park to attract tourists and boost the state revenue base.
Hassan said that a 13.3 kilometre Kafin Madaki – Sumu Road, an administration block and earth dams would be constructed to support park operations and provide clean water for animals and human consumption.
“Sumu Park, known for its friendly giraffes, zebras and other non-threatening wildlife will see enhancement aimed at preserving its unique features.
“Plans are underway to introduce new species to the park, further enriching the visitor experience,” he said.
Also, Nasiru Yusuf, the General Manager, Bauchi State Tourism Board, reiterated the state government commitment to revitalise the wildlife reserves through an ambitious project tagged: “Wildlife Rejuvenation Programme.”
The programme, he said, is designed to herald habitat restoration and restock endangered species as well as strengthen conservation laws.
“We are focusing on rebuilding the wildlife populations, especially in the Yankari Game Reserve, which has long been a symbol of pride to Bauchi and Nigeria at large.
“Wildlife conservation is not just a government responsibility rather a shared duty for future generations,” he said.
According to Yusuf, the state government is partnering with international bodies, including the Czech Republic, and signed several Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs), to enhance development of key tourism sites.
Similarly, Steven Gassol, a former Head of Forestry Department, said the Bauchi state government was collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), to innoculate over 12,000 cattle in agro pastoral communities surrounding the Yankari Game Reserve.
According to Cassole, the current state of wildlife in several protected areas across the country remains precarious, largely due to poaching, habitat loss and climate-related pressures.
He, however, said the federal and state governments have initiated a series of interventions to counter the threats.
He said the interventions included the expansion of protected reserves, stricter enforcement of anti poaching laws, and community-based conservation programmes aimed at empowering local communities to take active roles in preserving biodiversity.
This, he said, was being complemented by awareness creation activities to educate the people about the ecological and economic value of wildlife.
Cassole further lauded the synergy between regional bodies towards addressing cross border wildlife trafficking, which has been a major concern of the transnational conservation corridors.
“This collective action represents a promising shift towards sustainable conservation, continued synergy between the stakeholders will ensure long term success
CRIME
EFCC Traces Laundered $300,000 to Yahoo Boy

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has traced over 300,000 dollars, laundered to a suspected internet fraudster.
A statement by Mr Dele Oyewale, the Spokesperson of the EFCC on Tuesday in Abuja said the suspect was among the 35 suspects arrested Sunday in Auchi area of Edo.
Oyewale said the arrest was sequel to credible intelligence that linked the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.
He said investigations had revealed that the suspect had collected and laundered over $300,000 for his syndicate members who were at large.
”Apart from internet fraud, EFCC’s investigations revealed that the suspect is equally involved in investment and banking fraud.
”He will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” he said
NEWS
NIMC Begins free NIN Registration for Public school Pupils, Students in Kano

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has concluded arrangements to commence free registration of pupils and students in public schools in Kano State.The exercise would cover pupils and students in primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools, who would be issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) at the end of the process.
Briefing stakeholders during an advocacy visit to the state Ministry of Education, the Regional Coordinator of NIMC, Mrs Emmanuella Igbinovia, said the exercise was crucial due to the increasing demand for NINs, especially for students sitting for WAEC and NECO examinations. She said the visit was to engage relevant stakeholders in the state and map out modalities for a smooth registration.According to her, preliminary requirements for the registration include a comprehensive list of public schools, names and phone numbers of principals.Igbinovia added that registration forms would soon be distributed to parents to complete, validate and return before the scheduled registration date.“A date will be announced for the registration and biometric capturing. We will also set aside another period for the printing and distribution of NIN slips for all registered pupils and students,” she said.Also speaking, the Kano State Coordinator of NIMC, Mr Garba Balarabe, said the project would boost enrolment figures in the state and enable students to obtain their NINs within a short time.He noted that Lagos State currently leads Kano by about 2.2 million enrolments, adding that the new initiative could help close that gap.In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, assured the Commission of the state government’s support to ensure a successful exercise.Makoda, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad, called on parents and stakeholders to support the initiative and ensure all eligible pupils and students are duly registered. (NAN)