Author: Our Correspondent

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Palpable tension has enveloped Kano following the take over of Emirs palace in the ancient city by heavily armed security operatives.

Although no official reasons have been advanced for the taken over, however, the action may not be unconnected with plans by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to hold a meeting on the Nigerian economy, especially on tax reform bills, with some experts and meet with religious clerics on what to extend to the public during sermons of Friday prayer.

It is also said that the Emir is appointing a new District Head of Bichi, the former Emirate reduced to second class status by the current administration.

Despite the heavily armed police, with anti riot vehicles, the Emir came out of the residential area riding on a horse, to the palace where he holds sessions.

Efforts to meet the with the state’s Commissioner of Police CP Salman Dogo became futile, because he was said to have gone to the airport to receive the Vice President.

Meanwhile the Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Bichi told newsmen that the state Commissioner for Information will issue a statement to that effect.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has handed over the remodelled Federal College of Education site in Gwoza Local Government Area to the Federal Ministry of Education.

The institution, formerly Teachers College Gwoza, was owned by Borno State Government before being remodelled and handed over on Wednesday in a brief ceremony at the council chamber of government house, Maiduguri.

The College comprises over 100 upgraded classrooms, modern laboratories, improved administrative facilities and staff quarters for principal officers, among other infrastructures.

Zulum had earlier, in addition to the upgrade and handover of a permanent site for the college, approved N200m as take-off package, according to statement on Thursday by the Governor’s SSA on new media, Abdurrahman Bundi.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to the smooth take-off of the newly established college; he said, “I will not relent in my effort to support the smooth take-off of the Federal College of Education, Gwoza. We will do what is needed and ensure all the support is provided to the best of our ability.”

Governor Zulum also commended the federal government for citing the college in Borno as an opportunity for citizens of the state to acquire the needed teaching and learning skills, noting that Borno was the only state without a federal college of education.

Zulum charged the management of the college to ensure a good standard that would produce graduates who could add value to society. He said, “What matters is not the number of students we graduate but the quality of the output. There is apathy toward the National Certificate of Education (NCE). Let’s make sure that we get this one right.

The governor stated, “Let’s see how our children can study NCE in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, TVET courses, and all those subjects that can create wealth and accelerate our development. I will not be happy if you immediately establish a Kanuri or Hausa course. We can learn all these in our homes and on the street.”

Earlier in his address, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo, commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Zulum, for donating a completely remodelled edifice as the permanent site of the Federal College of Education, Gwoza.

Dr Sani Gwarzo, who was represented by the Director of Polytechnic, Education and Allied Institutions, Dr Ejeh Usman, said, “Your announcement of a donation of N200m by the state government towards the take-off of the new Federal College of Education is a gesture that speaks volumes about your leadership and commitment to the growth of education in this region.”

The delegation also comprises the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, the Chairman of the College’s Governing Council, Professor Sule Tagi, and other senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Education.

From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa

As part of activities to commemorate the day, the Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN has paid a visit to the Bayelsa State School for Children with Special Needs.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated every 3rd of December to advocate for decisive actions to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities particularly in the context of gender based violence.

Executive Director, WOMAN, Lady Eunice Nnachi who led other members of the organization on the visit noted that the day is also part of the 16 days of Activism against gender based violence.

Lady Nnachi who spoke on the significance of the day encouraged the students to see themselves as children with abilities to become successful and achieve their goals in life.

“There is no disability, it only exist in the mind, you can become anything you choose to be, you have abilities in you, your future is bright”

While speaking on gender based violence, she urged the children to always speak up when they are faced with any form of violence either in their homes or school.

” No one should abuse you, no one should touch your private parts, if anyone, even an adult tries to defile you, please speak up, report it”

Also speaking, Woman Leader, ENWAF, Lady Oby Ezissi urged the children to see themselves as having God given abilities to excel in life just like all other children.

Administrative Secretary, Ebizimo Agedah called on parents, caregivers and teachers to always speak positively into the lives of their children and support them in their academics.

Responding, Vice Principal, Mrs Celestina Mbakwe thanked Lady Eunice and all other members for visiting the school to educate the students on recent events.

Some of the students, Seminiziber Joseph and Sawari Paigha expressed appreciation to all members of WOMAN for the visit.

Highpoint of the event was the distribution of books, writing materials and sanitary products to the students.

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it has achieved a 56 percent local content level in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Engr.Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) made the disclosure at the opening of 13th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference and Exhibition holding at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The executive secretary assured that the NCDMB remains committed to the Board’s programme, Back to the Creek initiative, aimed at improving the human capacity of indigenes of oil and gas host communities, including scholarships award for high educations learning.

According to him, the Board is also committed to establishing a Revised Community Contractor fund to remove obstacles for community contractors and the establishment of Nigerian Content Academy in order to enhance the capacity of local operators.

He stated that the academy, resident at the NCDMB headquarters in Bayelsa State, offers a range of courses while assuring that the Board would build befitting Zonal Offices in Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State and Delta State.

He said: “This academy is a cornerstone of our commitment to enhancing local capacity in the oil and gas industry, in line with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.

“The Nigerian Content Academy is also a beacon of hope for employment. Our training programs are designed to prepare Nigerians for various roles within the sector, opening doors to new career paths and economic opportunities for local communities.
“Our academy offers a range of courses that cover every aspect of the oil and gas industry, from upstream exploration to downstream processing.

“As part of our commitment to further deepen Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry, we are committing to developing more conducive and befitting Zonal Offices.

“This will enable us to deploy our personnel across various Directorates to operate fully from our Zonal offices thereby making the Zonal offices to be fully operational”.

Similarly, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said: “Under the exemplary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources – gas is aligning its policies with the aspirations of Nigerians, ensuring that local content remains a priority in all facets of our energy strategy.

“Through the Decade of Gas Initiative, we are accelerating the development of critical gas assets and infrastructure to further boost production and distribution of gas across the country and for export purposes.

“In the last 12 months, 2 critical gas projects with combined volumes of 600 MMSCF/day were completed”.

According to him, “the projects already inaugurated included SEPLAT ASSA North – 300 MMSCF/Day, SPDC Ohaji south – 300 MMSCF/Day.

“Final investment decisions that will guarantee an additional 420 MMSCF/day of natural gas to existing production have been taken in the SPDC Iseni Project – 90 MMSCF/Day, TOTAL Ubeta Project – 330 MMSCF/Day while the SEPLAT Assa North and SPDC Ohaji South gas plants are already commissioned, critical pipeline infrastructure like the OB3 Gas Pipeline – This is a 48”/36″x 130km pipeline that runs from the Obiafu-Obrikom plant to Oben which sits at 97% completion and AKK – This is a 40″x 614 km pipeline from Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano currently at 77% completion.

“The OB3 Gas Pipeline and the AKK Gas Pipeline both present enormous prospects for local businesses engaged in construction, maintenance, operations, and security services as well as gas-based sectors like gas to power, gas to fertilizer and other manufacturing businesses along the lengthy corridors. By 2030, the country’s current gas production is expected to increase by almost 4 BCF/day, according to the Decade of Gas plans. At this point, we have accomplished 25% of this goal.

“Gas will be the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy shift, and we’re giving local businesses a chance to engage in gas distribution, processing, and power generation.

“The probable replacement for PMS has also been determined to be natural gas in the form of CNG. To encourage other solutions and alternatives to the massive payout from the nation, the President’s inauguration speech prohibited further fuel subsidy payments. The Presidential CNG Initiative has greatly advanced the nation’s cause of switching from PMS to CNG-powered engines”.

In his remark, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, lauded the NCDMB for organising the Forum and for significant milestones recorded thus far since its establishment in 2010. He revealed that wherever he has been across Africa for oil and gas-related events, other countries want to come to Nigeria to learn from its local content success story.

The Minister stated that, on divestments by international oil and gas companies (IOCs) in the country, he said there is no reason to be alarmed as indigenous operating companies have adequately filled the gaps and thus significantly increased the country’s stake in the industry. He said the affected IOCs have not left the country but simply moved their investments and operations from onshore to deep offshore.

The Minister urged industry players to be strategic in their thinking, noting that “quality, standards and capacity developed have to be sustained” if the country is to be able to sustain the gains made so far.

By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to engage grassroots stakeholders effectively.

Speaking at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa, he emphasized the need for inclusive strategies that reflect the aspirations of all Nigerians.

Speaking on the theme, “Deepening The Next Frontier For Nigerian Content Implementation,” the Acting Governor urged participants of the Forum to move beyond dialogue to implementation with a view to ensuring that the outcomes of the conference drive real and meaningful change

Ewhrudjakpo highlighted the importance of moving from dialogue to actionable implementation, leveraging technology, and empowering local talent for sustainable development.
According to him, “leveraging technology and empowering local talent will create a vibrant ecosystem that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

The Acting Governor commended the NCDMB for their leadership and commitment to advancing Nigerian content that had established a framework for excellence and innovation.

He assured that:”Bayelsa remains steadfast in its collaboration with the NCDMB and other credible partners across various sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare and tourism which aligns with the state’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda.

“Let us focus on building resilient and sustainable frameworks that enable communities to actively participate in emerging sectors particularly the digital economy. This will ensure shared prosperity and a future where no one is left behind.

“Together, we can redefine the landscape of Nigerian content implementation. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and strategic partnerships, we can unlock new frontiers for growth and sustainable development.”

In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, highlighted some of the milestones achieved in the last 7 years to include commissioning of the new library at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company and other joint partners.

Others include commissioning of the Kwale Gas Gathering and injection facility in Delta State, commissioning of 150 LPG in Kaduna state as well as inauguration of gas leak detection facility in Abuja as some of the achievements recorded.

On manpower development, Engr. Ogbe, noted that the NCDMB Academy has started training youths on different aspects of the oil and gas industry, adding that the board was committed to establishing more befitting zonal offices In Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta states.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

A Civil Society Organisation, Open Forum, has called on Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to disband the investigative panel into the feeding crisis in boarding houses set up recently by the state ministry of information.

It has also called on the governor to investigate allegations of corruption in the state secondary education board involving principals charged over N1.3m to influence postings to choice schools.

Founder of the organisation, Mr Mathew Okono told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that the state ministry of education also involved in the corruption saga was not supposed to be a “judge in its own case”.

Okono recommended an independent panel to investigate the myriad cases of maladministration and rot on the education sector for proper and fair diagnosis and effective solution.

“Open Forum hereby appeals to His Excellency, Gov Umo Eno to disband the “investigative panel.” The crisis in the education sector is not an isolated case, but widespread.

The suspension of the Principal of Presbyterian Senior Science School, Dr. Nse Sunday Umoh and consequent setting up of a 15-Member investigative panel earlier headed by herself, and later replaced with Mr Ekanabasi Ubong with members comprising ONLY representatives in the education sector is damage control and medicine after death.

“No one should be a judge in his own case. A better administered and supervised school system would not have brought the huge embarrassment to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

“It is instructive to note that a permanent solution on how to transform the education sector in the state had been documented and handed over to the state government since 2020 under the administration of former Gov Udom Emmanuel.

“If at all a committee is needed to find out why such a heartbreaking meal, unfit for even dogs was served students of Presbyterian Senior Science School, (PSSSI), Ididep, it should be done by an independent body.

“The panel should also be mandated to investigate the allegations of corruption involving principals and the state secondary education board to influence postings to choice schools in the state. This allegation has been captured in a widely circulated article on social media by a journalist, Mr Etim Etim who in his article titled; “Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep: There’s more to the story.” He explained.

It would be recalled that Etim had fingered the board in the rot in the secondary education system.

“I have since spoken to some teachers and principals of public schools in the state and their stories are revealing. The main source of the problem in our boarding schools, according to them, is that would-be principals are made to pay huge of money as inducements to the Chairman and members of the State Secondary Education Board before they are given the job; and after they’ve gotten the job, they continue to pay money regularly to the Board members as “contribution”…

Okono said investigation revealed that, “each candidate for principal position could pay as high as between N1.3 million and N1.5 million before he/she secures the job.” adding that ignoring such weighty allegations woukd further create and or widen the trust deficit in the integrity of the government.

He said the only solution to address the crisis in the education sector in the state remained tr implementation of the Akwa Ibom Strategic Education Roadmap (AKSER) 2020 – 2030 which was produced during the Udom Emmanuel administration through the efforts of an 18-member Education Think-Tank headed by Prof. Hilary Inyang.

“The education masterplan was received and adopted by the then Udom Emmanuel administration and a state of emergency was declared in the education sector, though with just the initial intervention in recruitment of teachers and fencing of some schools, majorly within the state capital.

“It’s wholistic implementation by the Umo Eno administration will address the decay in the education sector typified by the embarrassing food served boarding students of Presbyterian Senior Science School, Ididep and most likely in the 25 other boarding schools in the state.

“In the pursuit of the attainment of the Golden Era, and in the absence of any superior policy document to AKSER 2020 – 2030 His Excellency should call for full briefing by the leadership of the think-tank as it is doubtful if anyone in the ministry of education or government government generally has the capacity to break down the details of the seventeen (17) initiatives contained in the 436-page masterplan for His Excellency to appreciate its inherent huge potential and benefit to our state and country as a whole.

“It is regrettable that despite the huge sacrifices made by Prof Hilary Inyang and others to help the state in putting up the education roadmap, the Akwa Ibom State Government has not honoured her financial obligations to the technical team that facilitated the project.

“As a sign of goodwill and appreciation of selfless service to the state by the globally respected scientist and educator and others who mad-up the Think-Tank, we appeal to His Excellency, Pst. Dr. Umo Eno to direct the payment of the outstanding amount of N11 million to Prof Inyang as well as fund the implementation of the Phase 2 which will enable the state to maximise the benefits of the masterplan.” He concluded

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

No fewer than 18 passengers that boarded GIGM bus from Lagos to Abuja along Obajana – Lokoja were kidnapped by unknown gunmen Over the weekend.

It was gathered that GIGM bus was moving from Lagos State to Abuja on Saturday, when it was attacked by gunmen around Obajana via Lokoja whisking all of the passengers away, as only the driver managed to escape.

An X user claimed that her friend was among the abductees and the gunmen had demanded the sum of N100million as ransom to release her.

“Please guys I need your help my friend who went for her convocation in Benin Republic (Cotonou) on our way back from Lagos to Abuja which was yesterday, she was kidnapped at Lokoja, Kogi State, and the kidnappers are demanding N100million for her release.”

“I beg you all in the name of God; she needs our help. Help a sister help a friend; help me get my friend back. No amount is too small,” the X user said.

Another X user said he witnessed the kidnapping incident and narrated how he escaped.

“I drove past the incident yesterday and it was only the driver left. This happened just after Dangote refinery at Obajana heading to Lokoja. All the windscreens were destroyed. The vehicle passed us at Kabba, I was almost a victim just that car overheated at Kabba; so we had to stop.”

Reacting, the company, in a post shared on Sunday evening confirmed the incident.

The company wrote: “Hello Morris, thank you for reaching out and for your concern during this difficult time. We understand the urgency and emotions surrounding this situation.”

“Please know that we are also deeply affected by this incident, as well as other similar incidences.”

Meanwhile, the Kogi state police command is yet to confirmed the incident as the Command Public Relations Officer SP William Ayah could not be reached for confirmation.

By Philip Sawa

Babagana Zulum, the Borno State governor, has announced State’s readiness to partner with Chinese company 18th engineering to construct the first intra-city rail transport system in the entire 19 Northern States in Borno State, connecting Maiduguri, the State Capital with neighbouring cities, towns and villages

Media reports indicates that the first phase of the project will start with 12 designated terminals within Maiduguri, to connect major markets, schools, other public places and economically-viable locations within the States.

The project, which could be expanded to cover Local Government Areas in the future, will facilitate the seamless movement of passengers and goods, and open up economic activities in different corridors across the State.

Inspecting the proposed take-off rail terminals and routes with the implementation partner, Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC), Aliyu Mohammed Bamanga, Borno’s Commissioner for Transport and Energy, noted that feasibility studies, environmental risk assessment (ERA) and community consultations were underway to ensure the successful implementation of the novel project.

The Commissioner stated that when completed, the project would ease transportation, revitalise the economy, create jobs and re-engineer the city’s transportation network.