news north-East, north-west 9
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Kano: Chinatown Project To Gulp US$300m By Abubakar Salihi, Kano
The Kano State government is partnering with Minsource Investments Limited, an indigenous private company to build a $300 million Chinatown in Kano. The project which will house businesses and create jobs for the residents shall gulp at least US$300millon. It is a mega project which will be the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. It will cover more than 43 hectares of land outside the metropolitan city of Kano and will consist of a model China Market,12 storey Medical Centre, 10 storey shopping mall, 3 star hotel,253 factories and ware-
houses as well as other facilities. The project is some few kilometres outside the city, opposite the newly constructed Amana city along Zaria road. The group coordinator of this gigantic project, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, the immediate past president of Kano Chamber of Commerce and national vice president of NACCIMA, said that majority of the financing of the project was coming from the largest commercial bank in the world, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and other partners. He further explained that the project will boost Kano’s business relation-
ship with China and stated that the state government’s commitment to the project is what is encouraging them. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed soon and arrangements are on top gear according to him for the success of the project. He said the Kano State government under the visionary leadership of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has shown great interest and commitment in the project that will see the creation of over 100, 000 direct jobs and several millions of indirect jobs and general improvement in the quality of lives of the citizens. This is in line
with the governor’s call for more involvement of the private sector in the development of the state and the need for foreign investors to come and invest in the commercial city. “ 80% of the fund has been approved by our partners the ICBC of China while 15% is expected from the state government and 5 % from the Chinese community in Kano,” he said. Minsource Limited has already signed an MoU with China No 3 Railway Engineering group for the construction of the Kano Chinatown which will commence this year and is expected to be completed in three years.
Umar Expresses Happiness Over Return Of Peace Taraba State acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar yesterday expressed happiness over the gradual return of peace to some parts of the state that have been witnessing crises. Umar, in a chat with newsmen in Jalingo, said government had spent a lot of money to ensure peace and security in the state, adding that it would continue to do more to ensure sustenance of peace in Taraba State. He called on people of the state to live in harmony irrespective of their ethnic and religious differences. The acting governor also paid tribute to the late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who died last Friday at the age of 83. He described the late emir of Kano as a man of peace who had contributed to the progress and unity of the country. “The late emir of Kano has been a man of peace, in fact, his demise has been a great loss to this country “, he said. By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo
Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko (left), with Argentine ambassador, Amb Gustaro Dzugala at the Government House in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTO NAN
short news 12,747 Widows Get Cars, Tricycles In Katsina No fewer than 12, 747 widows from Katsina senatorial zone have received 30 vehicles, 70 tricycles and other economic empowerment tools donated by a Katsina based philanthropist, Umar Abdullahi. The items which included trade tools and capital for small scale businesses were distributed to lucky beneficiaries through a raffle draw conducted at the popular GRA Jumaat Mosque in Katsina municipal, yesterday. By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina
‘Nigeria Is Not Crisis Ridden’ By Yahya Sarki, Kebbi
The World Assembly of Youths, a nongovernmental organisation based in Malaysia has described as untrue the news in some international media that Nigeria is engulfed in total crisis as a result of the current insecurity bedevilling parts of the country. President of the organisation, Umar Elkatum stated this in Birnin Kebbi at the Presidential Banquet Hall while honouring Alhaji Lawali Na Malan Dakingari for his support to the youths in the state especial-
ly the less privileged in the society. Elkatum said contrary to what was making news in some foreign media that the Nigerian State is in crisis his visit to the country had proved that only a small portion of the country was facing security challenges due to insurgency, pointing out that 90 per cent of the country such as Kebbi is safe and peaceful. The president of the association was represented by Ohurizeku Tochukwu, a member of the association. Speaking shortly after the occasion, Alhaji Sani Idina, described the honour done to Lawali Na Malan as
well deserved and timely. “This is a welcome idea for even international organisations to recognise the philanthropic assistance to the youths. I’m also happy that they have come to realise that most of the stories on Nigeria about terrorism is over blown,’’ he said. Also in their separate remarks, Alh. Zayyanu Abubakar Maigishiri and Alh. Bello Dan Kane urged other politicians to emulate Alh. Lawali Na Malan in his effort to better the lives of the youths while also calling on the youths to shun political thuggery and give peace a chance.
Bauchi APC Inaugurates New Executives By Obed Minchakpu, Bauchi
The Bauchi State executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were yesterday sworn into office to take up leadership responsibilities of the party in the state. The elected state executive members led by the state chairman, Alhaji Uba Nana were sworn in at about 1:00 pm by the national legal adviser of the party. In his
inaugural speech, the chairman assured that they would work assiduously to ensure the victory of the party, not only in Bauchi State, but also in the next presidential election in the country. The swearing in ceremony which held at the party’s state secretariat along Gombe Road, Bauchi, was attended by the party’s leaders in the state and national level.
Among the political leaders of the state who attended the event are Dr Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, a former minister of police affairs and gubernatorial aspirant; Bala Jibrin, a former commissioner in Bauchi State; Ibrahim Zailani, also a former commissioner; and, Ali Wakili, a senatorial aspirant, Bauchi South and former deputy controller, Nigerian Customs Service.
short news FG, Gombe To Distribute 35, 000 Tonnes Of Fertiliser To Farmers Farmers in Gombe State are to receive 35,000 tonnes of fertiliser from the state and federal governments for the 2014 farming season, the commissioner of agriculture, Alhaji Dahiru Buba-Biri, has said. Dahiru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Gombe that the state government would distribute 20,000 tonnes. He said that the remaining 15,000 metric tonnes of the commodity would be jointly purchased by the state and federal governments. By NAN
Kaduna APC Elects State Officials The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday announced the election of new state officials to lead the party. The chairman of the State Congress Committee, Col. Mustapha Abdullah (rtd), announced the result in Kaduna. He said that Mr Barnabas Bala emerged as the state chairman, while Alhaji Shuaibu Idris was elected vice chairman and Malam Saidu Kudan as the organising secretary, while Dr Katuka Sanaka was elected the public relations officer. According to him, the election, held on Saturday, adhered strictly to electoral processes set by the party. He described the exercise as transparent, saying it was witnessed by security agents, representatives of INEC, APC national headquarters and the media. Abdullahi called on the 35 elected officials and other party members to set aside their differences and work together towards achieving the mandates of the party. He disclosed that 200 persons vied for the 35 positions available, including 10 persons who contested for the position of state chairman. By NAN