The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Hasan Bala Abubakar has applauded the support of Kano state government under the stewardship of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf towards strengthening it’s operational mandate in the state.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature, said Air Marshal Abubakar made the commendation on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at Government house in Kano.

The Chief of Air Staff disclosed the joint force of his troops with sister security agencies in combating internal security in Kano yielded tremendous successes and maintained peace and stability in the state.

Air Mashal Abubakar noted the impact of Nigerian Airforce personnel in several operations that led to arrest of bandits and kidnappers on wanted list of DSS in Kano. He reassured the state government of NAF readiness to sustain internal stability.

The Kano born Chief however raised concern over encroachment of NAF land and re-allocation of its property. Abubakar pleaded for restoration of the land dedicated for its future expansion.

He also craved the Governor’s support in connecting the Kano state water facility to the NAF Base in the state for access to water supply.

Responding, Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf pledged readiness to strength partnership with Nigerian Air Force in the discharge of its operational mandate of ensuring internal peace and stability in the state.

The Governor Yusuf disclosed the critical role of the Nigerian Airforce in securing the nation’s air security component and providing cover to the ground troops against the internal and external enemies.

The Governor stressed the contribution of Air Force and sister military agencies in sustaining stability in Kano, reassured his administration’s commitment to build on the institutional relationship.

He however sought the consideration for Kano indigene in the recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Air Force, indicating the large percentage of youth population in the state.

The Governor equally requested for the establishment of Air Force Girls Comprehensive Secondary in Kano to complement the existing Boys Comprehensive Secondary School which is located in Kwa, in Dawakin Tofa, a long Kano-Katsina express way.

According to him, ” The government of Kano is proud of you and we are proud of your appointment which was based on professionalism and track record. Kano is also proud of your efforts to tackle the security challenges especially the menace of kidnapers, bandits and other criminals.

” Since we took over the mantle of leadership, the administration has enjoyed tremendous relationship and support from Air Force and sister security agencies and that was responsible for the peace and stability in Kano.

” We assured you, our administration will sustain support to the airforce in Kano especially in the area of operation and welfare of your personel for optimum performance of your statutory mandate. We also want to request for special consideration of placement into the air force consider our population which is estimated at 25 million.

” It is also noteworthy to request the reture of Girls Comprehensive secondary school to Kano. We are aware the girls were relocated due to the security challenge. We are also in need of more personnel to strengthen human capacity of the troops in Kano” Gov. Yusuf noted.

Civil society groups have raised concerns over the withdrawal of police personnel from the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, criticizing the move during a press conference held in Abuja.

The groups said the withdrawal of approximately 40 police officers, responsible for security and investigative tasks, has not only hindered the commission’s work but also raised questions about the impartiality and independence of law enforcement agencies.

According to them the action is perceived as an attempt to impede ongoing corruption investigations involving Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All-Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Kano State.

The civil society groups have also issued recommendations to address corruption effectively in Nigeria.

They emphasize the need for autonomy and integrity within the judiciary, urging the National Judicial Council to monitor its members diligently.

They also call for transparency and accountability in governance, urging political parties to denounce and suspend members facing corruption allegations.

They also call for adequate resource allocation to anti-corruption agencies and also highlighted the essential to uphold their independence and efficiency.

Furthermore The groups called on religious leaders, community leaders, and opinion influencers to promote ethical behavior and combat corruption within their spheres of influence.

The reinstatement of police personnel withdrawn from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission are urged to facilitate the commission’s duties effectively.

The Civil society organizations also reaffirm their commitment to the fight against corruption and call for collective action to build a corruption-free Nigeria.

The withdrawal of police personnel from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission was allegedly ordered by the Inspector General of Police on April 25th. The move has sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability in law enforcement actions related to anti-corruption efforts.

The groups are as follows

1. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
2. Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre)
3. Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED)
4. Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
5. African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
6. Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)

7. BudgIT Foundation
8. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
9. State of the Union (SOTU)
10. Tax Justice and Governance Platform
11.Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)
12.Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)
13.Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)
14.Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE)
15.Centre Democracy and Development (CDD)
16. Accountability Lab, Nigeria
17. Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID}
18.Say NO Campaign – Nigeria
19.Femi Falana Chamber
20.Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
21.Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
22. Good Governance Team
23.21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative
24. OCCEN-Kano
25. Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Centre ( MAMA Centre)
26.Social Action
27.Centre for Transparency Watch
28.West Africa Civil Society Forum WASCSOF
29.Global Rights
30 African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)
31.Partners West Africa
32.Order Paper
33.Say No Campaign
34 Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria. ERA
35.Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity
36.Amnesty International Nigeria
37. RULAAC – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre
38. Connected Development (CODE)
39. Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT)
40. Praxis
41.CLEEN Foundation
42.Spaces for Change
43.Abuja School of Social and Political Thought
44.Yiaga Africa
45.Policy Alert
46.Socio Economic Research and Development Centre
47.Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative
48.Media Rights Agenda
49.MEDIA INITIATIVE FOR TRANSPARENCY IN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES (MITEI)
50.Centre for Social Justice

By Asile Abel,Jos

Plateau state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Comrade Eugene Manji, has mandated goverment to ensure that the new minimum wage to be implemented covers the local government sector.

“As workers, we want to place on record that, we will no more accept differential salary structures in the Plateau State between state and local government workers in the new minimum wage arrengment.”

Comrade Manji made the appeal at the annual international workers day been marked in Nigeria every 1st of May each year.

The Plateau State NLC boss equally complained that workers are being shortchange of their due rights.

“Even the recent fertilizer that was shared by government of Plateau state, workers were denied.’

Speaking on the insecurity bedeviling Nigerians, Comrade Manji said security operatives are not doing enough in protecting citizens.

“It should be noted that Nigeria is in a sorry state.” People are Killed daily and our national security offices are Celebrating drop on the number of deaths resulting from banditry, kidnapping, armed robberies and other vices as if Nigerian lives do not matter.” He noted.

On his part, Chairman TUC Plateau State chapter, Comrade Kenneth Shammah, reminded government that workers of a state owned hotel (Hillstation hotel) are being neglected.

Comrade Shammah revealed that the said workers are owed 50 months salaries.

“Workers in the Hillstation hotel have not been paid salaries for as for as over 50 months, we therefore appeal for the payment of those salaries to those category of Workers.”

Reacting to the agitations of the workers, governor of Plateau State Barr Caleb Mutfwang, reminded workers that his administration prioritize welfare of workers.

The governor pledged that his administration shall always prioritize welfare of civil servants.

Governor Mutfwang was represented at the event by the Head of Civil Service Plateau State, Barr Rauta Dakok.

Mutfwang told the gathering that his administration has upset the 11 billion naira unpaid salaries of civil servants; according to him, the said salary arrears was abounded by his predecessor, Ex-governor Simon Lalong.

He stressed that his administration has commenced payment of pension arrears from year 1986, since December 2023.