Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

My dear Compatriots,

I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.

I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation.

I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.

Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

The support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country.

Seeing the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.

The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal.

Government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits.

In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges.

The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness. Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.

I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says “it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch”. Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers.

I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us. We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.

These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.

We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table.

As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law.

On our part, in the past 20 months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right.

The agricultural revolution has begun.  Farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice, and the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.

As you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

In pursuit of this administration’s philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy “Made In Nigeria” goods. Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future. They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

On job creation, this administration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves.

Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream.

I thank you for the public support for our administration’s efforts to transform Nigeria. I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I urge you to continue to support this administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all.

I wish you a Happy New Year, 2017.

 MUHAMMADU BUHARI
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

katsina state Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari has pledged to revisit the Act establishing the state pilgrims Welfare Board to free it from political manipulation.

Governor Masari was speaking shortly after receiving the 2016 Hajj report from the chairman of the Board, Alhaji Ado Shinkafi at Government House, katsina.
The Governor explained that the activities of the pilgrims welfare board should be purely religious devoid of political sentiments.

He assured that credible persons would be constituted to serve in the pilgrims welfare board before the next Hajj exercise.

Alhaji Aminu Masari expressed displeasure that the connivance of officials of the pilgrims welfare board made some pilgrims to loose their accommodation in Mecca.

He added that the same connivance made some pilgrims who are mostly from the rural areas to be shortchanged in their Basic Travelling Allowances-BTA .
The Governor maintained that officials of the pilgrims welfare board discovered to have substituted 100 dollars bill with one dollar bill would be severely punished to serve as deterrent to others.

He said the state government would also investigate how some international pilgrims got their visas from the Saudi consulate through the state
 pilgrims welfare board.

Governor Masari was also not happy that some staff of the pilgrims welfare board that were sent as advanced team were made to travel empty handed and had to wait for the arrival of Management team to function.

Earlier, the chairman of the board, Alhaji Ado Shinkafi told the Governor that the seventeen man committee is pleased to report that the 2016 Hajj operation could best be described as the most successful in recent years.

Alhaji Ado Shinkafi explained that the state government had played its role properly in the pre-hajj preparations, stressing that the resources committed in subsidising pilgrims accommodations in Mecca has been justified because of the relative proximity to the ka’aba.

He commended the support of the Governor’ s gift of three hundred riyals to each pilgrim from the state,which is none to any other state in the federation.

Alhaji Ado Shinkafi however complained of some lapses recorded which include the cheating of some unsuspecting pilgrims in the BTA exchange, unbecoming conduct of some pilgrims and officials in spreading false rumors and the non performance of some staff of the board.

He later presented four recommendations to the Governor for the general improvement of future hajj exercises in the state.

katsina state Governor Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari has announced that contracts for the rehabilitation of  Daberam, Ruwan Sanyi and Masari dams has been awarded.

Alhaji Aminu Masari was speaking during the lunching of KTSG/CBN Anchor Borrower for Rice production at Jibia Irrigation project site.

The Governor revealed that contracts would costs-N-250 million, -N- 118 million and-N-30 million respectively.

As further support to irrigation farmers, Governor Masari said 620 water pumps worth -N- 20 million have been purchased and will very soon be distributed to irrigation farmers in the state.
In addition, Alhaji Aminu Masari announced that contracts for the rehabilitation of seven irrigation schemes at kwanar Are, Yartsaku, Makera, Ruwan sanyi,  Daberam, Sonkaya and Bakori have been awarded adding that work on the rehabilitation of the schemes is nearing completion.

On mechanisation, Governor Masari announced that government is making efforts to provide to irrigation farmers about 300 tractors, 1000 power tillers and irrigation kits.

He said the state is making consultations for the establishment of Rice Research centre in Daudawa with a huge warehouse in Dandume.

The Governor revealed that the state ministry of Agriculture is currently conducting Farmers Data capture to have an authentic farmers list and the identification of soil types suitable for planting of various crops in the state.
Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Quantity Surveyor Mannir Yakubu who is also the state commissioner of Agriculture announced that the lunching of the followed the need to diversify the state economy.

There were goodwill messages from the CBN Governor, the managing Director of Bank of Agriculture and ,the managing Director of NAIC among others.
The Governor also lunched the planting of Rice in one of the farms.

After a review of what he referred to as the reality on ground, Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, on Monday disclosed that the education sector would receive the largest allocation of the state annual fiscal appropriations throughout  his tenure.

Speaking in House Government House Katsina when he granted audience to the Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Alhaji Umaru Muttalab, and the management team of the varsity, Governor Masari specifically noted that it was the resolve of his administration to accord priority attention to the education sector in view of its universal importance.

“We are in a mission to restore education’s pride of place for Katsina State and its people,” the governor told the recently appointed UMYU’s Chancellor and the cream of Katsina academia.

He pointed out that education sector had been so blighted in Katsina to the extent that about 80 per cent of teachers in public secondary and primary schools in the state send their children to private schools and won’t mind enrolling them in “miracle centres” to undeserved credits in WAEC and NECO.

He insisted that the choice of a business icon of Alhaji Muttalab’s calibre to lead the state university was a deliberate strategy, saying universities are an industry that even generate revenue into public coffers in other climes.

Masari, therefore, charged the statesman and his team to build a solid structure that would free the university from its overdependence on government and tailor its programmes to the need of the state.

The governor, who decried that fallen standard of education in the state and indeed the nation, revealed that his administration would focus on building a sound basic education as a stepping stone towards having the right calibre of students in tertiary institutions of learning.

Earlier, Alhaji Umaru Muttalab thanked the governor for the opportunity given to him to serve the state and the nation as chancellor of university and promised to contribute his quota to uplift the institution, saying it has great potentials.

Katsina State governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has promised to pay all outstanding gratuities to retirees in the state and local government civil service before December 31, this year.
The governor, who made this known during Eid Maulud –Nabiy celebration in Daura, home town of President Muhammadu Buhari, confirmed that the money to offset the gratuities was from the refund made to the 36 states from the illegal deductions made by the federal government over a period of time.
He also promised to expend the money judiciously on education, health, agriculture, security, women and youth empowerment among other key sectors of the state economy.
Masari expressed gratitude to the federal government for bailout funds given to each state of the federation for development projects, adding that Katsina State had earlier received over N11billion bailout for gratuities arrears.
The governor also said his administration is spending millions of naira every month to ensure peace in the state, warning that the current government would not condone any act of lawlessness.

The measures taken by Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari against cattle rustlers shortly after taking over the mantle of leadership is one the commendable things that have happened in the state.

The efforts have yielded positive result as many rustlers have been arrested or killed.

The villagers who were sacked from their homes by miscreants have returned, while social and economic activities such as farming, cattle rearing and weekly markets which were affected by the crisis are gradually returning.

To achieve this, the government met with officials of the Miyetti Allah cattle Breeders Association and promised amnesty for repentant rustlers.

The maiden peace meeting held at the popular Rugu forest in Safana Local Government opened the way to sustainable peace and tranquillity in the area.

The historic meeting which was presided over by the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, on behalf of Governor Aminu Bello Masari, had all the heads of security agencies in attendance.

During the meeting the leaders of various deadly gangs expressed their resolve to stop the attacks and pledged to cooperate with the government for peace to reign in the area. They presented demands which included construction of earth dams in the forest to ease difficulties of rearing cattle.

In his address at the meeting, Dr Inuwa said containing cattle rustling was in fulfilment of one of the campaign promises.

He said the Masari administration was determined to integrate repentant rustlers into the society.   No doubt, Governor Masari deserves accolade for initiating a peace accord that has engendered peace in the state.

Dikko Bala wrote from Kofar-Sauri, Katsina State.

Katsina state governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari has challenged corporate
organizations operating in the northern partof Nigeria to emulate the corporate social responsibility activities of the Nigerian Breweries Plc. in resuscitating the lost glory of education in northern Nigeria.

 Governor Masari who was represented by theHonorable commissioner for education,
Professor Salamatu Sa’adiyya Idris at the official commissioning of the two blocks of
six classrooms constructed and donated bymaltina at Government Day Secondary
School, Kofar Yandaka, said

 “the construction of two blocks of six classrooms, a library and six number cubicle toilets by maltina, (NB Plc) is a gesture worthy of commendation and a noble cause worthy of emulation, most especially by other corporate organizations and wealthy
individuals in the state. The project will indeed help in decongesting our classes and
assist tremendously in boosting the education of our younger ones in the state’’.
Professor Idris maintained that education sector in the state has continued to receiv the desired attention from the present government as it has accorded the sector highest priority in last year’s budget, and now in the proposed 2017 budget education
still gets the largest share. ‘’We must, therefore commend the effort of His
Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari for his foresight and astute leadership qualities in steering the affairs of the state toprosperity ’’ Idris who also stated that Katsina state government will continue to partner with maltina said ‘’ I sincerely register our profound appreciation on behalf of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu BelloMasari CFR, (Dallatun Katsina), government and the good people of Katsina state for this gigantic project executed in this School.

I want to assure you that this government will continue to partner with maltina to
support education in Katsina state.” Also speaking, the managing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc. Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde said ‘’

we are proud to be a veritable partner to Katsina state. We see the state as special
to us –supporting us towards our business Success.

Still basking in the euphoria of their recent victory at the NNL Super 4 Challenge in Bauchi, Katsina United yesterday defeated 2016 Federation Cup winners, FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 in a pre-season friendly played in Nnewi.

Before yesterday’s victory, Katsina United were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Anambra Warriors in their first friendly match played on Tuesday.

Katsina opened scoring in the first half before their host later equalised to even scores in the highly entertaining match.

However, luck deserted FC IfeanyiUbah yesterday as they failed to cancel out the lone goal scored by Katsina United’s Frank in the second half of the keenly contested encounter.

The victory came as sweet revenge for Katsina United who were controversially eliminated in this year’s Federation Cup at the quarter final stage by FC IfeanyiUbah in Ilorin.

In a chat with the media, Chairman of Katsina United Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi who doubles as Senior Special Assistant on Sports to Katsina State governor said the victory is a morale booster for his team.

He said the team being assembled by Coach Bala Nyiku is gradually taking shape and would surely take the Nigeria Professional Football League by storm.

Kurfi added that Katsina United are not going to rest on their oars saying the recent successes achieved by the club would induce more determination and commitment.

He noted that the club is enjoying maximum support from the people and government of Katsina State and is duty bound to win laurels to justify the unprecedented support coming to it.

“I am happy to inform you that we defeated FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 in our last pre-season game.

“Our first match ended 1-1 but in the second match, we were unstoppable. They couldn’t stop us from beating them in their home.

“Our team is taking shape and we shall not take our foot off the pedal. “There is more work to be done and we are hoping that before the season commences, we would be battle ready.

“Without doubt, we shall continue to do our best as the support from our amiable and sports loving Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari continues to come in steady supply,” he assured.

Sports analyst and blogger Wole Odeyemi has tipped newcomers Katsina United to make a huge impact in next season’s Nigeria Professional Football League after an impressive showing at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4 events.

In a chat with SHOTS, Odeyemi said the Katsina State government seems ready to give full support to Bala Nkiyu’s side formerly known as Katsina Spotlight as they aim to cement their place among Nigeria’s elite teams.

“They have a very impressive team and I’m sure the state government is ready to boost the side with one or two quality additions given recent utterances by the club’s chairman. Personally I’m really looking forward to seeing them in action in the NPFL and I strongly feel they might be the surprise package of the top flight this time around.” He said.

The founder of wolexis.com added that for those who can remember the exploits of the Katsina team before their ill-fated relegation to the second tier of Nigeria’s domestic football 15 years ago, their return for next season’s NPFL will no doubt make a mouthwatering prospect.

Katsina, in their glory years lined up top internationals like Dahiru Sadi, Eric Ejiofor and Victor Ogundsanya.

Chairman of the newly promoted side, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Katsina State governor on sports, maintains the club’s target is to clinch a top four finish and a place in any of the continental championships at the end of next season.

Katsina State Governor Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari will  tuesday 20 December 2016 lay the 2017 Appropriation bill before the state house of Assembly.              

A statement signed by the senior special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran Malumfashi explained that the presentation will take place at two o’ clock in the afternoon.

The statement requested media practitioners and members of the public to witness event.