After serving as governor of Kaduna State for eight years (1999-2007), SENATOR AHMED MOHAMMED MAKARFI, currently representing Kaduna north Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, has floated a scholarship programme that consistently reminds the people of Kaduna state of his eventful  tenure as a governor and also assures them that he is always there for them. In an interview with SHU’AIBU GIMI, he explains the spirit behind the introduction of the programme which he modestly describes as just a pay-back or a  practical expression of appreciation of the assistance he received from government and some public-spirited individuals when he was in dire need of it. [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hat informed your decision to introduce the Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi scholarship programme? The scholarship programme started as a pilot scheme restricted to my local government area, which is Makarfi local government area, about eight years ago, just as...

He needs no introduction particularly in the political arena and with the civil society groups.  He is Alhaji Abdul Ahmed Isiaq.  He is a philanthropist, consultant, founding member and former chairman of the 44 Coalition of Political Parties in Kaduna State and Gubernatorial Candidate in 2011 general elections. In this exclusive interview, he bares his mind on issues of state and national importance. Excerpts: [dropcap][/dropcap]You contested the 2011 general elections as gubernatorial on the platform of Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), making you an opposition figure, so to say, could you assess the administration of Governor Patrick Yakowa ? To refresh your memory regarding my electoral contest in 2011. I had contested  for the Federal House of Representatives in 2003 and  as deputy gubernatorial candidate in 2007 . I want to also say add that I won my election in my own way . Reasons: all the development initiatives I ...

Yobe is an agrarian state as 70 per cent of the inhabitants are farmers. The state is also endowed with agricultural and mineral deposits. In this interview with our correspondent in Damaturu, the Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, on Political and Legislative Affairs, Mai Mala Buni speaks on the efforts of the state government to woo potential investors to invest in agricultural and mineral resources, saying the state government would leave no stone unturned to create wealth and jobs for the unemployed. Excerpts: Yobe is endowed with rich agricultural and mineral deposits that can create wealth and employment opportunities. What effort is government putting to woo investors to establish industries in the state? Actually government is presently concentrating on creating the enabling environment with the basic infrastructures that will attract both local and foreign investors to the state.You Know we are almost starting fro...

ALHAJI YAHUZA SA'EED MAKARFI is the Overseer of Kaduna State Pilgrims Board. In an interview with Alheri Radio monitored by MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM in Kaduna, he spokes extensively on some issues bothering pilgrims in the state. According to him, all intended pilgrims for this year hajj should know that the exercise is full of challenges right from the day they made up their minds to embark on the journey. Excerpts   It has came to public notice that some officials at local government areas collect people's hajj fares and register them on a different seat particularly in rural areas . Are you aware? This is why we keep repeating and appealing to intending pilgrims wherever they are to ensure that they collect receipt from the person they pay their money to. So as to avoid this kind of problems. This is why. Very soon we intend to place the names of all the people that paid for this year's hajj fare in all the 23 local government...

  As Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has now clocked 50 years, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha speaks in an interview with THOMAS ADEJO, on the preparations for the celebration which has been scheduled to hold in November this year . He says the institution has served the purpose for which it was established How far has the University gone in producing distinquished Nigerians in its 50 years of existence? I would like to respond to this question by first, making reference to the Mission of the Ahmadu Bello University which, according to its founding father, the late Premier of the Northern Region and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was to ‘advance the frontiers of learning and break new grounds, through teaching, research and the dissemination of knowledge of the highest quality; establish and foster national and international integration, develop and promote African traditions and cultures; pro...