Friday, August 9, 2013

Pfizer to pay $491M to resolve drug marketing case

Pfizer to pay $491M to resolve drug marketing case - Las Vegas Sun News

Thursday, August 8, 2013

ETIGWE UWA: OUR DEPENDABLE LEGAL LUMINARY

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Insolvency & Restructuring Practice Area Overview

AUGUST 2013

Etigwe Uwa SAN of Streamsowers & Köhn takes an in depth look at the insolvency and restructuring legal sector.

Restructuring may be implemented by state authorities where a corporate entity has been declared insolvent or by private administrators to avert insolvency or expand the business base of an organisation. A number of matters pertaining to insolvency and restructuring occurred in Nigeria in 2012, particularly in the banking sector where policy changes and industry reform occasioned major overhauls in the way players in the sector operated. Some examples of restructuring were also undertaken in non-financial sectors such as manufacturing and processing.

In a bid to prevent a recurrence of the crisis in the financial sector circa 2009 caused essentially by the cavalier attitude of banks and bank debtors alike to the recovery and repayment of bank loans in a loosely regulated business environment, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the sector’s primary watchdog, implemented policies and directives aimed at remodeling the sector, including the recapitalisation of banks and other financial institutions.

An example of such a policy was the reversal of the universal banking policy (introduced in 2010) which permitted Nigerian banks to consolidate or integrate various distinct operations under one corporate structure. Instead the CBN directed commercial banks either to spin-off their subsidiaries involved in non-commercial banking activities such as insurance, asset management, capital market and investment banking or to adopt a holding company structure which would separate these subsidiaries from the mechanism of holding retail deposits. This policy was aimed at preventing depositors’ funds from being used to speculate in the capital markets to avoid a repeat of the 2009 crisis.

In September 2012, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FBN), a top-tier Nigerian commercial bank, sought the approval of its shareholders to transfer the assets of its subsidiaries, including its capital market and asset management units, into a holding company called FBN Holdings Plc. The corporate restructuring was patterned to allow shareholders an equivalent holding in the new FBN Holdings Limited as they did in the previous incarnation of the bank. In July 2011, Oceanic Bank and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated entered into a Transaction Implementation Agreement, setting out the framework for the acquisition of Oceanic Bank by the latter which was later completed in 2012. The merger of Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank pursuant to Part XII of the Investments and Securities Act (No. 29) of 2007 was also concluded in 2012.

Further, in the Nigerian courts, there are several pending cases bordering on issues of insolvency and more cases are being instituted regarding this issue. The large volume of cases may be attributed to provisions of the law which provide for a company to be compulsorily wound up if it is unable to comply with its financial obligations. It is also possible for a company to voluntarily apply for winding up, especially where it is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and the purpose has been achieved. This is not common in Nigeria as most SPVs are more often than not maintained as going concerns after they have achieved their intended purpose. However, in the course of insolvency proceedings, if a company is able to prove its ability to meet its financial obligations but still disputes the nature or quantum of the liability alleged, the Court may not make an order for compulsory winding up of the company.

As the global financial sector evolves, the focus of modern insolvency regulation has shifted from the punishment of insolvent entities through compulsory liquidation to the more constructive alternative of reorganisation and restructuring of such business entities and their operations with a view to rehabilitation to ensure economic stability and financial propriety. In Nigeria, on the other hand, the traditional approach is retained wherein the liquidation of the business and or the winding-up of the company remain the sole mechanism for dealing with instances of insolvency.

There are various laws applicable directly and indirectly to the area of insolvency in Nigeria. These include:

Primary Legislation

• Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) CAP C20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

• Companies Winding Up Rules 2001 (made subject to CAMA above).

• Bankruptcy Act – as amended by Decree 109 of 1992 CAP B2 LFN 2004.

• Bankruptcy Rules – made pursuant to the Bankruptcy Act.

• Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

• Securities and Exchange Commission Rules (made subject to ISA above)

Secondary Legislation

• Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) CAP B3, LFN 2004.

• Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Act 2010.

• Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act, CAP F2, LFN 2004.

• Insurance Act CAP. I17 LFN 2004

• Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004.

• Mortgage Institutions Act, CAP M19, LFN 2004.

• Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act CAP N102, LFN 2004.

The major legislation regulating the restructuring of companies in Nigeria is the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Together with the Companies Winding Up Rules, CAMA makes provisions for the appropriate procedures to be taken in the event of insolvency. Under this statute, winding-up proceedings can be instituted voluntarily by a company or by its shareholders, creditors, a contributory, a trustee or personal representative, an official receiver, a receiver so authorised by a debenture, or by the Corporate Affairs Commission, which is the public body charged with the administration of the provisions of CAMA. Nonetheless, provisions in the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act as well as the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation Act also deal with insolvency as it relates to banks and other financial institutions. The Insurance Act contains certain provisions on the winding-up of Insurance Companies while the Investments and Securities Act provides for various alternatives to winding up or liquidation of an insolvent company; such as mergers and acquisition, management buyout, arrangement with creditors, receivership and administration, reorganisation by way of a scheme for a compromise, arrangement and reconstruction. The Bankruptcy Act governs bankruptcy of natural persons and partnerships together with the Bankruptcy Rules.

In the Nigerian context, the general trend is for creditors to commence winding-up proceedings to recover bad debts without exploring other alternatives by which debtors can achieve business recovery as a route to repayment of debts. For this reason, in a recent judgment, the courts rejected the practice whereby the procedure for winding-up of a company is used to extort the payment of debt or channelled as a direct means of debt collection.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Nigeria’s financial institutions have benefited from a forward-looking policy shift in the regulation of the sector as the CBN has looked to restructuring as a tool for dealing with the financial crisis. Some of the changes imposed by the CBN which have necessitated restructuring include the increase in the minimum share capital requirement for banks and the subsequent recapitalisation by banks which resulted in several mergers and acquisitions; the recategorisation of banks based on equity and the reversal of the universal banking system. It is expected that there will be further developments in the area of insolvency in Nigeria. Some of these anticipated developments are:

Foreign investment and acquisitions in the banking Sector

Presently, the policies of the CBN encourage foreign investment in the sector to ensure a transfer of management expertise and skills lacking in the industry. Consequently, it is expected that the banking industry will see the entry of more foreign banks in addition to those already operating in Nigeria, such as Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank. Also, the proposed sale of the three banks which were nationalised during the banking reforms – Keystone Bank Ltd (formerly Bank PHB), Mainstreet Bank Ltd (formerly Afribank Plc) and Enterprise Bank Ltd (formerly Spring Bank Plc) – and subsequent restructuring by AMCON already indicates that a substantial number of interested bidders are looking for big impact and wider entry strategy since several foreign participants have so far indicated interest in these entities.

Further consolidation and restructuring among indigenous banks

In order to increase efficiencies and expand asset- and customer base in the face of ever increasing competition, it is expected that some of the better capitalised indigenous banks will merge or acquire the assets of smaller banks.

Review and enactment of legislation

A review of current legislation on insolvency and restructuring reveals some unresolved issues which have become a cause for concern for practitioners. For example, despite modernisation in the area, the Bankruptcy Act has not been amended since 1992. Also, the AMCON Act allows for the exercise of various arbitrary powers which conflict with the interests of shareholders and can be used punitively against banks with little scrutiny. It has been proposed by some eminent legal practitioners that a specialised revenue court may be set up with sole jurisdiction as a court of first instance for the settlement of disputes in the financial sector to curb the arbitrariness of the current regime for dealing with insolvency.

Nigeria does not have a composite approach to the issue of insolvency. Rather, there is piecemeal legislation to address disparate matters without providing for a consistent scheme for ensuring standardised practice thereunder. The Bankruptcy Act covers bankruptcy proceedings against individual debtors and partnerships alone while the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) deals with winding-up of companies as well as arrangements and compromises. The latter option is seldom used in reality because practitioners prefer to push for the courts to liquidate and terminate the life of companies without the debtor company being given an opportunity to restructure its business in other to pay its debt over time. While liquidation is the last resort in some other jurisdictions, in Nigeria it is used as a first option thus causing the untimely death of many companies which could have been salvaged if given the chance to properly manage their debts. The focus of modern insolvency laws elsewhere has been recalibrated to promote the option of restructuring business entities and their businesses and permitting the continuation of business which would yield prolonged employment, payment of taxes and dividends and other similar socio-economic benefits.

There is therefore the need for comprehensive reform of the existing insolvency legislation in line with the modern and global trend to focus more on nipping insolvency in the bud by encouraging business restructuring mechanisms. Non-governmental groups in the sector actively pursue this school of thought, including the Business Recovery & Insolvency Practitioners of Nigeria (BRIPAN) who, in their workshop held on 7-8 June 2012, expressed the view that Nigeria’s insolvency regulations need to be updated to align with the new global paradigm.

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Qur’an offers panacea for modern problems

intl. Qur’an expo wraps up

Tehran 21st intl. Qur’an expo wraps up

Kwankwaso re-engineers Office of SSG for enhanced development

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•Dazzles opposition with two years achievements

GOVERNOR Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso has in the past two years built a reputation for providing leadership that is a driving force for developmental governance in Kano State. The Governor does not pretend to be a philosopher king who knows it all but demonstrate charismatic leadership for dynamic governance within the framework of aggregated technocrats and state actors. Every office in the State House has the mandate to perform executive functions to ensure good governance and rapid development on behalf of the Governor.

Apparently, Kwankwaso has extended the functions of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) from mere records keeping of government activities to active participation in the dispensation of policy objectives. Such mandate empowered Engineer Rabiu Sulleiman Bichi to lead the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to monitor implementation of certain government policies to the letter.

To ensure strict compliance in policy implementation, the Governor directed Engineer Rabiu Sulleiman Bichi, the SSG, to disburse the sum of N356, 874,563.34 for the second phase activities in house numbering and street naming to the committee responsible for that assignment. The SSG was further mandated to disburse N108,159,000.00 for annual tuition and other charges for Kano State-sponsored students at the Bell University, Ota, Ogun State. The Office of the SSG also facilitated the availability of funds for 100 Kano students to study at Mideast Aviation Academy, Jordan.

Other groundbreaking achievements of Governor Kwankwaso through the Office of the SSG in the past two years include the screening of students for academic pursuit under the state sponsorship.

Engineer Rabiu Bichi has remained an administrator to be reckoned with in the endeavour to ensure that citizens resident in Kano State enjoy the dividends of democracy as their reward for voting Dr. Kwankwaso a second time governor of the state.

Moreover, as preparations for the second year anniversary of Governor Kwankwaso in his second tenure are in top gear, his political antagonists, rivals and oppositions are on the other divide working out their political arithmetic to juxtapose the past and present administration to enable them assess whether or not the governor has any cause to celebrate his second year in office.

The dossier of Kwankwaso's performance in the past two years presents intimidating records of unprecedented in the state and most parts of the country. Our investigation revealed that his most bitter enemies cannot but lead the celebration of his achievements. Some of them consider it vulgar to even raise an iota of criticism against the Governor believing that such criticism would obviously contradict the realities in the state.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

KANO SSG: "Arranged Marriage" for 100 Women in Kano State

Seyi Macaulay's Blog.: "Arranged Marriage" for 100 Women in Kano State: Pictures of the arranged marriage sponsored by the Kano State government attended by the emir of Kano Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero, Professor S...

ENGR RABIU SULAIMAN BICHI KNSG Secretary to the State Government task to look into the process aspects of some critical issues raised at the EXCO MEETING

63rd Kano State Executive Council Meeting

Today Wednesday 5^th September, 2012 (18, ^TH Shawwal, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Sixty Third (63^rd) sitting in continuation with sequence of previous sittings during which important policy issues and programmes that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon. Authentic, indelible and easily retrievable records show that since inception of its second tenure, the current administration pursues tangible projects spanning all sectors putting emphasis on its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises driven by the general resolve to providing good governance characterized by exemplary leadership in which utilization/deployment of resources, though conspicuous, is guided by prudence and transparency.

It is delightfully encouraging to witness the reawakening of the hopes and fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of Kano State as depicted in the glaring progress achieved in the improvement of the quality and quantity of services provided by Government across all sectors – especially education, healthcare delivery, water supply, agricultural production, environmental sanitation and refuse disposal, beautification of urban Kano, provision of skill acquisition and employment opportunities, installation/repairs of street and traffic lights, road construction/repairs, provision of security etc.

Importantly, in Sixty Two (62) sittings the present administration approved a capital expenditure of over N203 billion of which N1,785,189,960.07 was approved for the execution of 30 projects by the Council during its most recent 62^nd sitting.

Today, Council sitting was presided over by the Governor Engr. RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE during which 24 memoranda were submitted by10 MDA’s for deliberation by the Council. An expenditure of N2,508,567,848.00 covering 14 projects was approved for execution by the Council.

1. Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted 12 memoranda for deliberation by the Council as follows:

a) Submission of a proposal for the enrolment of the recently sponsored Government married Zawarawa into either the Kano Poultry Institute Tukwui (Makoda LGCA) or Kano Poultry Institute or both:

The present administration is commended over its recent approval and execution of the Zawarawwa Marriage programme successfully, by contents of this memorandum. Nevertheless, the Hisbah Board proposes for the establishment of a Zawarawa Training center meant to serve as a source of economic empowerment to the beneficiaries or any other interested House wife. Careful perusal of the propose informed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to recommend that they can be enrolled either into the Kano Poultry Institute Tukwui or Kano Fisheries Institute or both.

Council noted, considered and directed the Chairman State CRC to study the matter/issue and advise Government on the way forward. Again, Council directed the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation to include among skills and craft acquisition

b) Request for operational funds as well as utility vehicles in respect of the State Post Graduate Medical College operating at Murtala Mohd. Specialist Hospital:

The Hospital Management Board politely notified the attentive Council, through contents of this memorandum that the Post-Graduate Medical College was established in 2009 so as to address the high demand of Medical Consultants across the State. Presently the college is headed by a Director/Coordinating with one consultant as Head of Department, three (3) visiting consultants as well as ten (10) resident doctors who have already passed their examinations. Currently, the college is planning to setup a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in addition to the already existing family Medicine training being conducted in the college. So, this position of the College makes it imperative for the Hospitals Management Board to request for the Council to consider and approve the provision of operational vehicles for the college by Kano University of Technology, while more comprehensive memorandum on the procurement of equipment should be presented by next Council sitting.

c) Request for assistance on Logistics to enable the implementation of capacity building programmes in collaboration with Cooperative Societies nationwide:

Attention of the Council was politely drawn, by the contents of this memorandum, to the provisions required for the take-off of the National Policy on ethics and values piloted by the Office of the Special Adviser to the president on ethics and values. An approval was granted by the Council for the conduct of the exercise. Accordingly, Kano State has been selected as the permanent Headquarters of the North-West zone while at the same time it is a zone of its own standing. So, to ensure prompt take-off of the project, certain requirements need to be provided-Thus:

S/N	ITEMS	RECOMMENDATIONS
I	Official Zonal Liaison Office Official State Office	To be provided by the ministry of Commerce, co-operatives and Tourism. Same as above
II	Provision of Land for the CTC (1-1000 Hectares) in each LGCA in the State.	To be provided by each of the LGCA’s in the State
III	Provision of Land for Farming of different crops.	Same as above
IV	Provision of two utility vehicles	To be provided by AGS and SSG’s Office.

Council noted, considered and directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to look into and process aspects of the issues raised in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Governor/ Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments. Representation of this memorandum with more comprehensive contents is expected subsequently.

d) Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of outstanding water bill arrears in respect of the permanent NYSC Orientation Camp, Kusalla, Karaye LGCA:

Council noted and considered contents of these memoranda which prompted for the Council to direct the Secretary to the State Government to write a letter instructing the water board for a waiver considering the significance of the NYSC Programme.

e) Submission of an alert for the likely occurrence of flood disasters from the Office of the Special Adviser:

Office of the Special Adviser on environment drew the attention of the State Government through the contents of a submission that “a serious flood disaster might occur” for which there is an urgent need to take appropriate measures so that lives and property as well as the socio-economic activities of the citizenry could be saved. The following recommendations were presented for Council’s consideration:

I. An ad-hoc Committee needs to be enacted under the Chairmanship of the Special Adviser on Environment with membership from SARERA, Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture, CRC and SSG’s Office to study the alert report.

II. The Committee is to implement pro-active assessment of areas, structures and plants of strategic significance prone to destruction or suffer on account of the current unsuitable weather condition resulting from GLOBAL warming.

Council noted the presentation.

f) Request for funds to facilitate for the upgrading of the Outside Broadcasting (OB) van of ARTV:

N7,998,000.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the management of ABUBAKAR RIMI Television to facilitate for the upgrading of its obsolete OB van which was locally constructed since the year 2006. The van is in a state of disrepair for some time now due to the unavailability of spare parts which indeed crippled the station in disabling the transmission of live out-of-station events.

g) Request for funds to facilitate for the building of classes at Fatima Islamiyyah School situated within Bukavu Barraks of the 3^RD Brigade Nigerian Army:

The responsive Council was politely reminded of the request submitted by the Ministry since November 2011, by contents of this memorandum which prompted the approval for the release of the requested sum ofN8,140,676.25 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate for the construction of additional classrooms at Fatima Islamiyya School in Bukavu Barracks. The gesture is in line with the policy of the present administration on qualitative provision for education in all ramifications. And, Council directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to supervise the project.

h) Presentation of the final report submitted by MESSRS Ancover Investment Limited on the Sale of Government Property (GP) houses:

Contents of this memorandum adequately presented highlights of the final report detailing information about observations and recommendations as reviewed by the consultant on the State of the referred houses. Main recommendations consist of six (6) items for which the Council was requested to consider and approve for adoption.

The responsive council was adequately informed of progress achieved so far on the referred issue. Meanwhile, beaconing of the houses and issuance of grant letter to beneficiaries will soon commence as reflected along with other issues raised in this memorandum.

i) Request for clearance to arrange a tripartite meeting among the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and cooperatives, KNUPDA and officials of the Business Works Enterprises Association:

Council was informed of the receipt of a complaint letter, from the Business Works Enterprises Association, against the notice/directive to vacate the premises they are currently occupying and operating business along Yahaya Gusau Road behind Kano State Polytechnic in Gwale LGCA. The letter was served by KNUPDA.

Clearance was granted by the considerate Council which directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to arrange for and supervise proceedings at the tripartite meeting so as to observe and present recommendations on next action to take by the Government.

j) Presentation/introduction of a non-governmental organization (NGO) named “Association for the Development of Education in Africa(ADEA)”:

Contents of this memorandum amply intimated the Council of the existence of an NGO named ADEA along with its proposal to explore the possibility of engaging its services in mutually beneficial relationship in the education reform effort currently undertaken by the State. The association was established in 1988 as an NGO policy dialogue agency on education supported by Africa Development Bank (ADB). The state stands to gain immensely from interacting with the association considering its performance in other African countries especially Burkina Faso. Notably, the association is based in the U.S.A. As such, council considered contents of this memorandum and approved for enaction of a consultative team consisting of the Honorable Commissioner Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Chairman SUBEB, the Executive Secretary KSSSMB secretary science and technical schools board and the executive for official discussion areas for intervention in the educational sector of the State. The team will also embark on a performance appraisal visit to Burkina Faso and Tunisia to assess the activities of the association.

k) Request for funds to facilitate for the conduct of capacity building for teachers and Head teachers using 2012 UBE/FGN intervention Funds:

Council was notified by contents of this memorandum of the release of the sum of N140,000,000.00 by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the conduct of 2012 Teacher Professional Development Program. The Commission also approved for the execution of the action plan submitted by SUBEB and gave guidelines which emphasize use of Colleges of Education, Universities and specialized training providers such as ESSPIN, DFID, SMASE, HCA, British Council and NTI for the conduct of the exercise.

Council did not hesitate to approve for the permission to utilize the already released N140,000,000.00 by UBEC for the conduct of the training program.

l) Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of Sitting allowances to members of the Committee on the establishment of Kano College of Nursing and Midwifery Madobi:

The sum of N1,200,000.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate for payment of the five (5) committee members on the establishment of the referred College for the period November, 2011 to June,2012.

3. Office of the Head of Civil Service

Three (3) memoranda were presented for deliberation by the Council from the office of the Head of Civil Service as follows:

a. Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of claims for bereaved family allowance received from various organizations:

Council was politely reminded, by contents of this memorandum, of its approval for the release of the funds that facilitated for the payment of the ninth 9^th batch (2012) of bereaved family allowance to the tune ofN3,090,000.00 disbursed to heirs of 56 deceased Civil servants. Office of the Head of Civil Service went further to request for payment of the tenth (10^th) batch (2012) bereaved family allowance to the tune ofN5,490,000.00 for disbursement to bereaved families of one hundred (100) deceased civil servants across the entire service. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the office of the Head of Civil Service to facilitate for the payment of the referred allowance while commiserating with the respective bereaved families of the deceased praying for the divine mercy of the Almighty Allah to grant each of them the strength to bear the loss.

b. Presentation on posting of Directors and other Centrally Controlled Staff:

The office of the Head of Civil Service presented, through contents of this memorandum, a situation report on the current posting/deployment of Directors embarked upon since the inception of the present administration. Council was notified of eight (8) important issues highlighted in this memorandum that guide the process so as to uphold the established standards usually applied in staff re-alignments. Deviation from the etiquettes is not allowed due to its negative impact. So, the desired transformation of the State Civil Service into a purposeful and result oriented machinery of Government is tactically being achieved. Council directed the Head of Civil Service to submit the names of Directors with professional area’s for Council’s clarification and consideration.

4.Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Request for funds to facilitate for the renovation work and provision of new structures at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Headquarters:

The sum N13,913,570.73 was approved for release by the Council as requested by contents of this memorandum, to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to execute the referred projects as detailed in this memorandum.

5. Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Submission on the need for MDA’s to comply with due process and existing regulations for the Award of Contracts for better service delivery:

Attention of the Council was respectively drawn, by contents of this memorandum to the State of affairs in the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation as affects its relationship with MDA’s. Our slow and bleak performance center on noncompliance of majority of the MDA’s to the due process guiding award of contracts. As such, the Ministry of project Monitoring and Evaluation requested for the Council to consider and approve/direct the following:

i. Direct all MDA’s to adopt due process features in the award and management of contracts, procure and other public works by effective liaison with the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

ii. Direct the MDA’s to obtain CERTIFICATE OF NO OBJECTION from the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation before submitting any request to the Council for approval to award contracts.

Council noted, considered and directed all MDA’s to abide by (I and ii) above.

6. Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner of Local Governments.

Two (2) memoranda were presented for deliberation by the Council from the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments as follows:

a. Request for funds to facilitate for the foundation laying ceremony of North-West University Kano:

Council was adequately reminded by contents of this memorandum, enaction of a Committee for organizing the Foundation Laying Ceremony for the North-West University, Kano inaugurated by His Excellency the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments on 1^stMarch,2012.

The Committee has done its job commendably and only awaits the new date (Saturday 29^th September, 2012) slated for the foundation laying ceremony. Nevertheless, the necessary financial requirements to undertake the activities of the ceremony (as highlighted in 16 items) cost the aggregate sum ofN62,351,962.40 which was requested for release by the Council.

Council noted and considered significance of the activity and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments to enable the Committee organize a befitting foundation laying ceremony of the North-West University, and directed the Committee to draft invitation letters and submit for the signature of the Governor RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE.

b. Request for funds to facilitate for the purchase of Instructional materials and payment of facilitators and Monitoring Officers of the Mass literacy campaign programme:

Council was adequately reminded by the contents of this memorandum, of its directive to the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments (13^th June,2012) facilitate for the purchase of Instructional materials and payment of facilitators and monitoring officers allowances. So, Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N520,825,506.66 to the Office of the Deputy Governor to facilitate for the entire duration of the referred programme.

7. Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture.

Request for funds to facilitate for the participation of Kano State contingents in the preliminary stage of National Sports Festival at Zonal Headquarters Kaduna State:

The requested sum of N7,313,600.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture to enable the participation of Kano State contingents at the referred festival in which the State will be represented in five (5) events namely Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and Hockey. The Kano State Sports Council is represented for presenting suitable contestants at such events. So, the Council wish them good luck in the impending endeavor coming up in Kaduna State (16^th – 20^th September,2012).

8. Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

Two (2) memoranda were submitted by this Ministry for deliberation by the Council-thus

a. Request for funds to facilitate for the construction of 200 two (2) bedrooms and Zaure houses under the Model village programme as phase one at Warawa Kunchi and Makoda towns:

Cost of one house, as presented in this memorandum is N753,341.40.council noted, considered and approved for the release of the sum ofN152,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to facilitate for the construction of 203 such houses using sandcrete blocks. The houses should be distributed thus:

i. Warawa – 94

ii. Makoda – 48

iii. Kunchi – 61

Total = 203

b. Request for funds to facilitate for the execution of the phase 1 Development works at the proposed Governors Lodge, Office at Kwankwasiyya city, Umarawa/Riga fada alond Zaria-Kaduna Road express way Kumbotso LGCA:

The requested sum of N500,065,730.41 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to Execute the referred construction project in view of its significance to the resolution of the present administration to transform Kano into a better place to live in. And, transformation the referred location is paramount so as to make it an inviting place for the business community across the world.

9. Ministry of Health.

Request for funds to facilitate for the rehabilitation of the existing Patient Relation(s) shed, Toilet and additional Landscaping/Interlock Tiling work at the Maternity Unit of Murtala Mohd Specialist Hospital:

The laudable achievements recorded by the present administration from its first to the present second coming in the total reinvigoration of the health sector was acknowledged by contents of this memorandum. Especially Accident and Emergency unit which is presently receiving a befitting renovation/interlock tiling works supported by the supply of medical equipments to the tune of an appreciable sum of money. The Ministry of Health profusely extends its gratitude to the Council and yet requested for the release of the sum of N13,507,802.26 to facilitate for the rehabilitation of the existing patient relation(s) shed, toilet and additional landscaping/interlock-tiling works at the Maternity Unit of the Murtala Mohd Specialist Hospital.

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Health to facilitate for the execution of the referred project in view of its significance.

10. Ministry of Land

Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of compensation for Market extension and new Juma’at Mosque at Kwankwaso town:

The sum of N15,005,525.00 was approved for release by the council to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to facilitate for the payment of compensation for land, economic and structures acquired for the referred project thus:

i. Land (1.43he) * N600,000/ha = N858,000.00

ii. Economic trees = N73,000.00

iii. Structures = N14,074,525.00

TOTAL = N15,005,525.00

11. Ministry of Education.

The ministry of Education submitted two memoranda, as follows:

a) Request for funds to facilitate for the Construction of 1000 classrooms:

Contents of this memorandum requested for the release ofN1,066,549,347.98 to facilitate for the construction of 1000 classrooms across the State in order to provide for the vitally required accommodation for school attending children in the society especially at basic, middle and intermediate level stages where congestion and overcrowding seriously hinder the teaching and learning process. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Education to facilitate for the stated project.

b) Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of annual rental fees on PMB owed NIPOST by 55 Schools:

Council approved for the release of N1,328,400.00 as requested by contents of this memorandum, to the Ministry of Education to enable the settlement of three (3) years P.M.B rental fees owed NIPOST by 55 government (public) schools. This is to ensure continuity in the usage of the service by the beneficiaries.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES.

Council acknowledged and appreciated the under listed noteworthy happenings-viz:

1. The “August” revalidation of the inherited contract awarded for the construction of 1000 classrooms by the previous admission. Part payment was made on the awarded contract leaving the sum of N1,066,549,347.93as outstanding balance.

The Council magnanimously approved for the release of the stated balance on the liabilities so as to ensure continuation to completion of the project which will surely provide solution to the congestion problems in our schools and ease for the entire education sector.

2. The conferment of National Merit awards to two glorious indigenous citizens of Kano State in the persons of:

a) Senator Hamisu Musa : Conferred the National Honor of the rank CON.

b) Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed: Conferred the National Honor of the rank MFR.

Council wish them success in all their under taking.

3. Presentation of Award of Excellence to His Excellency Governor RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE on his excellent contributions and general effort in the promotion of training programme(s) for piloting by the Air Services Communicators of Nigeria (30,08,2012).

4. The signing of agreement between the State owned Kano State Housing Corporation and the private firm “Urban Shelter” construction firm for the construction of 400 housing units at loko goma Abuja at zero cost to the Government on completion of the project, 60 of the houses will be donated to the state.

5. The victory of the Kano Pillars Football Club in the final Match scheduled between the club and Sunshine Football Club which absconded from the encounter. This is the National Premier League final which makes the Kano Pillars Football the current National Champions. This is an honor to the Government and the State in general.

6. The appointment of principal officers to run the affairs of the Kano North-West University.

I. Professor Dato Muhammad – Vice Chancellor

II. Umar Farouk Yanganau – Registrar

III. Mohd Sunusi Nassarawa – Librarian

IV. Yusuf Isa - Bursar

Council wish them good luck and success in the discharge of their duties.

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