Bauchi State Within The Week Under Review
By Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol
AREWA AGENDA – Unlike the previous weeks, His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed had spent this week out of Bauchi State. Reports indicated that the Governor ran the affairs of Bauchi State Government from his office in Abuja.
The Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Lawal Muazu Bauchi reported that His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Kauran Bauchi, while in Abuja, attended engagements on issues that are geared towards economic, social and political development of Bauchi State.
The governor started by participating at the virtual meeting of the National Council of State Meeting on Thursday, 27th – August, 2020.
On the same day, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed held a crucial discussion with officials of the OCP Africa where Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two bodies for revamping agricultural sector of Bauchi State.
Signing the MoU is in line with the desire of the administration of Governor Bala to ensure the advancement of the sector thereby improving agricultural production and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
Areas of collaboration in the MoU include: implementation of Mobile Soil Testing Laboratory, development of one-stop-shop (Agricultural input supply at rural areas), implementation of Agribooster project (reaching smallholder farmers, recruiting & training of Youths as agricultural extension workers, supply of farm inputs such as fertilizers and agrochemicals as well as facilitating access to credit for farmers.
Others are a collaboration with six universities based in Morocco with higher institutions in Bauchi such as state-owned University, Polytechnic and College of Agriculture for exchange programmes of lecturers and students, research support for agricultural projects, scholarship to most performing students, provision of learning equipment and setting up of model farms for learning.
OCP Africa is a subsidiary of OCP Group – A leading Moroccan global producer of phosphate and its derivatives with almost 100 years of experience. OCP AFRICA was established in 2016 to contribute to the sustainable development of African agriculture.
Governor Bala signed the MoU on behalf of Bauchi State Government while Mr Caleb, the Country Manager OCP Africa Fertilizer Company signed on behalf of the company.
On Friday, August, 28th comes a report that the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, in furtherance of his stakeholders’ engagements geared at socio-economic development of Bauchi State, visited the Minister of Health, Dr Osaghie Ehanire.
Governor Bala’s visit was to afford him the opportunity to strengthen the working relationship between Bauchi State and the Federal Ministry of Health.
The governor congratulated the Minister and the Federal Government for being “Polio free”.
Governor Bala informed the minister that, Bauchi is the only state in the North East with over 15% allocation of its budget to health sector in-line with the “Abuja Declaration”
The Governor solicited the support of the Minister towards the development and expansion of health care delivery in Bauchi State through advancing the capacity of health workers in both General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres.
He, therefore, extended an invitation to the minister to the forthcoming “Bauchi State Health Summit”.
On his part, the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osaghie Ehanire congratulated Governor Bala for providing the required support to critical stakeholders in the health sector.
He assured continued support of the Ministry of Health to the Bauchi State Government in achieving its goals in the health sector.
Still, on Friday, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had received Mr Osita Okechukwu, Director-General Voice of Nigeria at Bauchi Governor’s Office, Abuja.
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The VON DG’s visit was to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Bauchi State Government on its quest to digitalize Bauchi State-owned radio and television stations.
Governor Bala Muhammad who pledged to continue to work hand in hand with the press, stressed its importance in the nation’s building.
According to Governor Bala Muhammad, media’s role cannot be overemphasized considering the vital roles they play in the aspect of promoting democracy, informing, entertaining and educating the general public as well as promoting government’s policies.
On his part, the VON DG, Mr Osita Okechukwu said that the board would continue to ensure accurate and balanced reportage for the developmental growth of Nigeria.
Mr Osita expressed gratitude to the governor and pledged to collaborate with Bauchi State Government towards promoting its policies.
On the same day, Governor Bala had visited the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Headquarters in Abuja.
The governor’s visit was in line with his administration’s efforts in reviving business sectors and invite partners to Bauchi State.
The discussion focused mainly on Bauchi State investment plans. The governor assured the NIPC that Bauchi State is now open for businesses.
Governor Bala Muhammad also sought for the NIPC’s support in attracting investors to the state.
Also on Friday, the Governor paid a working visit to the management of NEXIM Bank in Abuja.
The visit was to partner with the Bank for the promotion of export business in the state.
During the visit, Nexim Bank promised to donate two Billion Naira in order to promote the exportation of agricultural and solid mineral commodities through Small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs in Bauchi State.
In other news, Governor Bala Muhammad had received his lawyer at the Election Tribunals, Chris Uche (SAN) at his Abuja office on Friday.
The respected lawyer was the leader of the legal team of Governor Bala Muhammad at the Election Tribunals which comprised sixty Bauchi lawyers and five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs.
Governor Bala Muhammad who welcomed the lawyer, expressed satisfaction with his brotherly pieces of advice, contributions and sacrifices in making him succeed. Adding that words cannot describe his commitments.
On the other hand, reports from the Abuja Central Mosque had it that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed was among the dignitaries who performed Jumu’at Congregational prayer at the Masjid.
The Governor prayed for continued peace and unity of Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Earlier in Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammad had on Tuesday sent the names of Hon. Maryam Garba Bagel from Dass Local Government and Dr Asmau Ahmed Giade from Giade Local Government to Bauchi State House of Assembly for confirmation as Commissioners.
Spokesperson to the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abdul Ahmad Burra said that the nominees appeared before the Honourable House on Wednesday, 26th August, 2020.
The House, according to him, had scrutinized the curriculum vitae of the nominees and asked them constitutional questions. Thereafter, they were asked to take a bow and go.
The Honourable House later confirmed both Hon. Maryam Garba Bagel and Dr Asmau Ahmed Giade as Commissioners and members of Bauchi State Executive Council.
The House had adjourned till Tuesday, 1st September, 2020 as moved by the Majority Leader Hon. Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu and Minority Leader Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo.
On a sad note, the Governor had on Thursday in Abuja, condoled with Alhaji AB Shehu over the death of his son.
Governor Bala was accompanied by the State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Aminu Gamawa, SSA Liaison, Alhaji Maula Aliyu and Alhaji Abdullahi Yari.
Governor Bala Mohammed had on Saturday returned to Bauchi state.
Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol
[email protected]
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.
