Three Key bandits Leaders, several leaders killed in a deadly rival clash in Kastina

By: Zagazola Makama

A deadly violent clash between rival bandit factions erupted on Tuesday in the Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, resulting in the death of key leaders and heightened security concerns in the region.

The confrontation, involving the Yan Kambari group and followers of the late notorious bandit leader, Usman Modi Modi, led to heavy casualties and the seizure of livestock belonging to Harisu, a known associate of one of the factions.

The Yan Kambari group reportedly launched the attack on Harisu’s residence, sparking a deadly confrontation that claimed the lives of several bandit leaders, including: Nasiru Bosho, Bala Yatsa and Audu Mankare, who succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the clash.

Nasiru Bosho is a notorious leader of bandit operations in Safana LGA and heading the Dogon Marke Camp, who was overseeing weapons previously held by Usman Modi Modi, Bala Yatsa was known for his role in the killing of Usman Modi Modi while Audu Mankare who sustained a gunshot wound in the chest during the engagement, is believed to have succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.

More infighting is expected to unfold as both groups are warming up to carry out reprisal.

Three Key bandits Leaders, several leaders killed in a deadly rival clash in Kastina

Anti-Corruption: International IDEA, Stakeholders Advocate for Domestication of Fiscal Responsibility Act in North Central States

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders in Anti-Corruption and Accountability in public funds have called for the domestication of Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act in the North Central States of Nigeria to promote transparency and accountability.

The call came during the North Central Zonal Summit of Fiscal Responsibility Institutions funded by the European Union and being implemented by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) held in Jos the Plateau State Capital.

The two-day engagement with the theme: ‘Integrating the Citizens into Fiscal Decision-Making in States and Local Governments: Insight from Fiscal Responsibility Act’ is aimed at ensuring the dividends of democracy reach the people as expected with prudence in financial management.

Addressing participants at the summit, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, harped on the need for citizens’ participation in fiscal decision-making, stressing that such will promote transparency and accountability, which are essential components of good governance.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Chris Uwadoka, the FRC chairman said that the essence of the summit was to facilitate the domestication of the Act by sub-nationals.

He maintained that the theme of the summit underscores the importance of strengthening fiscal responsibility and promoting citizen participation in public finance management at the sub-national level.

He said, “Transparency and accountability are essential components of good governance. The public has the right to know how public funds are being allocated, spent, and managed. This includes information about budget proposals, expenditure reports, and audit findings.

“By promoting transparency, we can empower citizens to hold public officials accountable and ensure that public resources are used efficiently and effectively. 

“Recent initiatives such as the Open Government Partnership, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Sustainable Fiscal Frameworks (SFF) have made significant strides in promoting citizen participation and accountability in public finance management. These reforms aim to strengthen transparency, enhance public oversight, and improve service delivery.” 

The Plateau State Coordinator of RoLAC Programme of International IDEA, Mr Pwanakim Mantin Dala, said citizens’ participation in the management of resources is key for any government operations across various levels, especially at the grassroots level.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Act looks beyond releasing budgetary information to the public; it looks at how the fund is being applied. It also looks at what the funds were allocated for and whether the funds were properly utilized for the purposes. So that you’re not spending so much for so little and that’s what this engagement is all about.”

On his part, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Grace Dongkum, assured that the state was already in the process of domesticating the Fiscal Responsibility Act to further strengthen government operations.

He said, “Fiscal Responsibility is an integral part of government, especially financial management, because it is about transparency.

“One thing about transparency is that you manage the resources in such a way that it meets the critical needs of sectors and still have resources for future use. Fiscal Responsibility and Act wants to ensure that we don’t finish everything we have right now; we think of the future.

“So, in decisions that we will make, we are being transparent, and we situate projects or services in such a way that they will have long-lasting effects and also ensure that the future benefits from the decisions that are taken now.”

Anti-Corruption: International IDEA, Stakeholders Advocate for Domestication of Fiscal Responsibility Act in North Central States

Yobe Maps Out Investment Opportunities for Employment and Wealth Creation

By: Mamman Mohammed

Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON said his administration has mapped out investment opportunities with huge potentials for employment generation and wealth Creation.

He stated this today when the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria Ms Elsie Attafuah, paid him a courtesy call.

The Governor said government would explore the huge agricultural, livestock and other natural resources in the state for massive investment opportunities to promote international trade.

He explained that the state government had in the previous years concentrated on rehabilitation and recovery programmes to resettle communities displaced by the insurgency.

“With the improvement in security in the state, we are now looking inwardly to explore and exploit the potentials in the state to develop investment opportunities” he assaured.

He noted that as a leading state in Sesame seeds and livestock production, government is investing in the two areas to make Yobe state an international hub for export of Sesame seeds and livestock.

The Governor said the reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery programme for resettlement of displaced communities came with a huge financial commitment.

“Government is providing infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and curb rural-urban migration” Buni said.

“As the second most affected state, Yobe did not enjoy much support from development partners due to accessibility challenge.

“We now have a functional airport, development partners can now easily access the state and make their presence felt more by our people” the Governor said.

The UNDP representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, commended the efforts of the Buni administration in resettling the communities.

She noted that UNDP is willing to partner the state government on areas of development including the investment opportunities.

Yobe Maps Out Investment Opportunities for Employment and Wealth Creation