Cubinks NEWS

A comprehensive roads-repairs-and-rehabilitation programme has reached an advanced stage to address the worrisome condition of urban and sub-urban roads in Kaduna state, as part of a renewed and systematic approach of the Kaduna State Roads  Agency  (KADRA) to deliver dividends of democracy. KADRA’s Managing Director, Engr Lawal Mohammed Magaji who made this known in his office, in a chat with correspondents and leading members of the civil society who paid him a courtesy visit to be abreast of operations and the workings of KADRA revealed that the agency has bought into Commitment 2 of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), of the Governor el-Rufai-led administration, which has to do with openness and transparency. “ I am very delighted by your visit. I used to have a wrong impression of some civil society organizations. Initially I thought civil societies were there to confront government and fine fault where there is none. I now think differently, especially given ...

Fallout of lopsided implementation of state budget in the education sector By Nasiru Jagaba j agabanasiru@gmail.com                                 L et me start by commending the Governor of Kaduna state for being consistent in maintaining the January to December budget year. This provides some high level of fiscal and economic sustainability in the State. My commendation may come as a surprise to many who know that I have been a consistent critic of his government as the national youth Leader (out-going now) of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU).  My stand has not changed as I remain a dogged fighter of injustice regardless of its form of manifestation. However, in analyzing governance, one must uphold a higher level of objectivity by appreciating progress (no matter how small) while fighting for fairness, equity and justice. That aside, I have committed myself to tra...

Participants in an experience sharing session F ollowing increased vulnerability of the people to wide-ranging hazards in communities across Kaduna  state, leading members of civil society organizations in the state, during the week underwent a two-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR), with emphasis on  disaster management systems to augment and stimulate participatory tools of the targeted stakeholders. The training, packaged by Christian Aid, touched on  stages of disaster management, disaster risk reduction, risk, hazard, including early warning systems as well as the know how to strengthen governance systems on disaster risk reduction, especially in disaster-prone communities. First to speak was Professor Edwin Iguisi of the Disaster Management Department of the Ahmadu University(ABU), Zaria. While dwelling on vulnerability and the difference between hazard and disaster, Professor Iguisi emphasized that disaster risk reduction, hinged on fun...

 A cross-section of constituents of Sabon Tasha ward, listening with rapt attention to resource persons at the event S trengthening community and rural participation in governance has been identified as the right step towards providing the much needed social infrastructure at the local government level in Kaduna state. This is the standpoint of Hon. Kogi James Ganaka, currently holding sway as the Councilor of Sabon Tasha, one of biggest wards in Kaduna state. Ganaka, who came into light during the last local government elections in the state, when he decamped from the Peoples' Democratic Party(PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), to clinch the seat, following the advice of his teeming supporters, is very passionate about improving the lot of his people.  Remarked one of his constituents: "We are very proud of him. He is the only councilor that I know who has established a constituency office in the entire jurisdiction. He is determined to provide div...

A multi-stakeholder project to plant 10 million economic trees in Kaduna state in the next six years is in the works towards enhancing the state's vegetal  cover, in accordance with the renewed global campaign against climate change. Head, Social and Enterprise Development of the Coalition of Associations for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment and Development (CALPED), Dangwa Abbas Danjuma who dropped the hint during the week in Kaduna while on a courtesy visit to the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, explained: "The Coalition is interested in driving a multi-stakeholder project to plant 10 million economic trees in Kaduna State on or before the end of the year 2025, this is towards re-greening Kaduna. We desire to do so across local governments in the state to empower citizens to take action against deforestation through community based groups with a sustainability plan to develop a robust value chain to improve livelihoods." While apprec...

By Yusuf Goje T he fundamental difference between dictatorship and a liberal democracy is the existence of the legislative arm in the latter. The legislative arm empowers the people via direct representation of their elected legislators to amplify and reflect their voices (needs) in decision-making process; such as in law-making, appropriation and other national or state issues. It is envisaged that the legislative arm either at the Federal or State level should be the closest link between the people and government. As the legislators are expected to regularly consult their constituents on legislative issues to be tabled and provide feedback on the resolutions reached at the Assembly. In view of the foregoing, Nigeria which practice a Federating system  with the States as component units has seen section 90 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria establish the House of Assembly of a State; while section 100 provides for the mode of ex...