Category: Featured

By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagaba Umara Zulum, has inaugurated committees on verification and biometric data capture of local government staff and Primary school teachers in the state.

Inaugurating the two committees at the Government House, Maiduguri Prof. Zulum said: “The state salary bill for the state and local government staff stood at N3.5 billion, hence the need for the biometric verification to ascertain the actual number of staff.”

He said “local government system used to be the nexus of various outstanding achievements and an embodiment of effective service delivery at the local government level, however, over the past years dynamics and interplay of number of sociopolitical factors and some compelling institutional imperatives have led to the gradual erosion of its overall performance”.

” The verification and Biometric exercise are not intended to witch hunt anybody and should not be construed as such.it is rather an impeccable assessment of the work force at the local government level, specifically designed to arrive at the actual number of staff in any particular local government area. We need not to stop anybody’s salary during the verification exercise. I urge you to be fair and just to all”, the Governor said.

The committee is to ascertain the actual number of staff in the payroll of the each local government, to verify the correct vertical and horizontal placement of each staff in respect of their aptitude scheme of service and salary scale, to determine the total number of staff employed by each local government from 2,000 to date and whether or not such employment were properly authorized, among others.

He said only qualified teachers will be allow to be in the payroll of the state, as gone are the days where senior public servants, political office holders and traditional rulers will put the names if unqualified teachers in the payroll of the local. Government.

He further said “intact, we have note reached a point whereby some local government have to be assisted with extra funds just to meet their personnel cost. This kind if situation I’d unacceptable as it is financially unviable SNF administratively untenable”.

The committee is to ascretain the actual number of staff in the payroll of the each local government, to verify the correct vertical and horizontal placement if each staff in respect of their aptitude of service and salary scale, to determine the total number of staff employed by each local government from 2000 to date and whether or not such employment, were properly authorised among others.

He said only qualified teachers will be allow to be in the payool of the state, as gone are the days where senior public servants, political office holders and traditional rulers will put the names if unqualified teachers in the payroll of the local government.

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, its Chairman, Sen. Kaka Mallam Yale, thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in the committee.

“We will not fail you, we share in your belief and commitment to salvage the local government area. This step was borne out of your desire to put the local government on the right track,” Senator Yale added.
Ends

Press Statement:

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the judgement of the 2019 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal dismissing in its entirety the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.

A statement by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC) praised the court decision the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof.Osibanjo on what it described as a landmark judgment.

*The APC congratulates the Judiciary for refusing to succumb to the opposition party’s subterfuge. We note the painstaking efforts and thoroughness of the Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in arriving at their decision. Today’s judgment, no doubt, would go down in the annals of our nation as the longest and detailed, spanning almost 10 hours.

The Judgement by the five-member validates the decision of most Nigerians to do away with the past as expressed in their overwhelming votes in the 2019 elections.

The PDP and Atiku’s petition was largely hinged on the educational qualification of President Muhammadu Buhari and tales of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) server and allegations of electronic transmission of election results. This was rightly dismissed by the Tribunal for lacking in merit.

From the outset, our party was not perturbed over the PDP and Atiku’s petition, which will go down in Nigeria’s history as the most frivolous in the history of Election Petition. Infact our position has now been justified that the PDP and Atiku’s petition was a complete waste of time. In their puerile efforts, they insisted on taking the country on a circus and wild goose chase.

Going forward, APC’s victory at the presidential polls and the election tribunal represents our collective desire as a people to remain focus on the progressive growth and development of our country’s economy, fight against corruption, and providing security.

Consequently, we have taken a bold step by rescuing our nation from the satanic era of PDP, when our collective interests were being corruptly traded among a few pillagers.

We note, unfortunately, the continuous efforts being made by the unpatriotic elements in PDP, having held our country down for nearly two decades, to truncate our movement towards greatness. We, however, remain resolute in this journey being ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari. The APC administration would lead this country to the fulfillment of its destiny.

By Mike Oboh

The Zenith Women Basketball league continued to gather momentum on Wednesday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the M.K.O. Abiola stadium Abuja, as Nigeria Customs team defeated FCT Wings 73-37 just as Air warriors Babes out dunked Kanem Queens 79-19.

Customs team maintained their winning streak from their performance on Tuesday with 84-31 victory against Kanem Queens.

Air Warriors Babes also on Wednesday had 20-0 victory against Benue Princess.

Other results from the competition which is climaxing on Thursday are Blackgold Queens 62 against FCT Wings 58, Nigeria Customs 75 against Plateau Rock 48. Air Warriors Babes 91 Nasarawa Amazons 18, Kanem Queens 20 Benue Princess 0.

Meanwhile all road lead to the venue on Thursday as basketball enthusiast storm the event to cheer their favourite teams as Blackgold Queens takes on Nasarawa Amazons; FCT Wings will slug it out with Kanem Queens, Air Warriors Babes will confront Nigeria Customs in a game expected to bring out the best of the two side, the curtain will be drawn with the match between Blackgold Queens and Benue Princess.

Speaking on the game between Air Warriors Babes and the Customs, the coach of Air Warriors Babes, Samson Sotimu expressed optimism his team will spring surprise against their opponent to carry the day.

“The hard work, the commitment, and team’s strive to win is now working for us because during the break we didn’t go for any break, we are still training and today we are seeing the result,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head Coach of Custom Female Basketball, Abdulrahman Muhammed hinted that his dream is to win a trophy, saying, “As far as I am a concern we are going to win.

“Game between Custom and Air Warriors Queens is not a big match; Air Warriors Babes is just a new team coming to the league we’ve been there for decades how do you think it’s a big one?

“It’s a new team coming into the premier league, we’re going to beat them, and we have played First Bank, Deepwater, Dolphins, etc. So, we can’t be playing Air Warriors Babes that are making their first appearance in the league and be saying it’s a big game. I am not saying they don’t have a chance of winning they can win as well but not the game.”

Most fans who spoke to our correspondent expressed delight with the improvement in the league, describing the Musa Kida led board as a team with a focus which is taking the sport to the next level.

BY Mike Oboh

The Federal Government will no longer tolerate bullying in the nation’s schools to eliminate its effects on the victims.

The Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who made the declaration, maintained that the damage the act does to the mental, social and psychological wellbeing of victims calls for concern.

Hon. Nwajiuba stated this in Abuja at a training of over 100 young boys and girls on anti-bullying organised by ‘I AM THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA YOUTH INITIATIVE’, a non-profit organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Federal Capital Territory Authority Nigeria Police Force and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The Minister said that bullying was capable of stopping children from being productive and responsible members of the society, hence, the need to urgently address the ugly phenomenon in the nation’s secondary schools.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the entire society to ensure that ‘”We bring up children who know that every other child is very important. ‘The wellbeing of every child is our concern.’

Speaking further, he said it was the duty of the government. To ensure that Nigerian children find their school environments conducive for learning and other beneficial activities.

In their remarks, founders of the Initiative, 20-year-old Renee and 15-year-old Zara Okocha, also known as the Okocha Sisters, said that the training was necessitated by their drive to kick illiteracy and bullying out of the nation by creating safe learning environments for students.

According to them, the ‘Kick Out Bullying in our Schools’ program was a great example of young people’s voices and how they can initiate anti bullying programs to make a huge difference on individuals, schools and communities in the country.

They disclosed that the anti-bullying programme was developed to teach Nigerian children to respect others as well as ensure that kindness and quality education continue to grow and develop in all schools in the country.

The Renee and Zara are also using football shoot out as a tool to curb It.

There was football shoot out moment where adults and children all kicked a ball through a hole to kick out bullying.. The Okocha Sisters, who stated that they are young authors of over 20 school children books for first readers, said they aim to be as good in academics as their uncle (JayJay Okocha) was in football.

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the Nasarawa State Government are to collaborate to encourage the study of sciences and mathematics by young girls.

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, disclosed this when the wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Hajia Abdullahi Sule, paid him a working visit in Abuja.

Abdullahi said the girl-child in Nasarawa State would be encouraged to see mathematics and science subjects as the pathway to a glorious future.

“We will leverage the office of the First Lady to encourage the girl-child to embrace mathematics and science subjects,” he added.

Abdullahi said the ministry would soon initiate programmes targeting the girl-child in Nasarawa State.

He said that the Ministry of Science and Technology would collaborate with the governor’s wife to execute pet projects aimed at the development of the girl-child in Nasarawa.

Eze Willy Okonkwo Ejimnkeonye, the EzeNdigbo (Igbo 1) of Ogun State, has disclosed that Igbo indigenes and non-indigenes in the State will unite in unison to pray, and celebrate the New Yam Festival for 2019.

According to Eze Ejimnkeonye, the celebration is not new, but a traditional culture handed down to Igbos from the Eastern parts of Nigeria, living, working or doing business across the world to unite especially with people from their host communities in peace, love, unity and progress.

He further stated that during the celebration, which is expected to hold on Sunday, September 15, 2019, at EzeNdigbo Palace, located at Abekoko area of Ogun State, where roasted yams served with African Salad and drinks, non- Igbo indigenes, all over the country, are welcome to attend and participate in the prayers and merriment.

Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are:  Prince Dapo Abiodun and Hon Kunle Taiwo, Oluomo, Governor and Speaker of  Ogun State, respectively, whom Ejimnkeonye described as his bosom friends.

….WARNS ON DANGERS OF FAKE NEWS AS HE COMMISSIONS RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION IN MAKURDI

In continuation of his visits to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) units and formations across the Country to ascertain current operational status as well as keep personnel abreast of policy direction, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has paid a visit to the Tactical Air Command (TAC), NAF Makurdi.

In a statement by Air Force spokesman Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola, the CAS during the operational visit, held an interactive session with officers, airmen and airwomen, where he urged them to remain loyal and absolutely dedicated to their constitutional role of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity by air.

He also warned against the dangers of fake news. The visit equally afforded the CAS the opportunity of commissioning 4 Airmen’s Quarters recently renovated as part of the extensive infrastructural upgrade by the current NAF leadership to improve the welfare of NAF personnel.

The renovated quarters include 2 blocks  of 12 x one-bedroom flats for Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and another 2 blocks of 6 x 2-bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). The CAS also assessed progress of work on some ongoing projects in NAF Base Makurdi.

Air Marshal Abubakar expressed  his appreciation to officers, airmen and airwomen for their various contributions to NAF operations in the Northeast, Northwest and North-central Theatres,  amongst others. He added that their efforts and dedication were responsible for the successes recorded in these theatres of operations. The CAS reiterated that his desire, upon assumption of Office, was to have a highly-professional and disciplined fighting force for effective and efficient employment of air power in response to national security imperatives. He expressed satisfaction that in the last 4 years, the Service had made substantial progress in achieving this. “To achieve this objective”, he said, “we had to expand our organizational structure by creating 2 additional Commands – the Special Operations Command (SOC) with Headquarters in Bauchi, while the erstwhile Training Command was unbundled to create the Air and Ground Training Commands (ATC and GTC)”. He further stated that the SOC, with its component Quick Response Groups and Wings (QRGs and QRWs), was specifically established to bridge identified gaps in the force protection capability of the Service whilst also enhancing NAF’s contribution to internal security operations across the Country and bringing security closer to the people.

In terms of aircraft acquisition, the CAS highlighted that through the tremendous support of the Federal Government, the NAF had inducted 29 brand new aircraft in the last 4 years with another 20 new ones being expected in the next 2 to 3 years. Meanwhile he noted that the Federal Government’s support had also facilitated the reactivation of 20 erstwhile unserviceable aircraft, which were currently adding value to operations in the various theatres.

In terms of training and human capacity development, he noted that by October 2019, the NAF would have winged 115 pilots, in just over 4 years, with another 94 student pilots undergoing training both locally and abroad. He specifically highlighted that among the 13 pilots who would be winged in October, are the first NAF female fighter pilot and the first NAF female combat helicopter pilot. The CAS equally observed that many other NAF specialties were also receiving attention. He noted that, in the area of personnel welfare, the NAF had embarked on massive infrastructural development including the establishment of new medical and educational facilities as well as the upgrade of existing ones within the last 4 years. He pointed out that 2 Reference Hospitals were established in Bauchi and Daura, while the NAF Hospital in Port Harcourt had also been upgraded to a Reference Hospital. He also added that other NAF Hospitals and Medical Centres had witnessed upgrade of medical equipment. Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the NAF had renovated and constructed new blocks of classrooms and hostel accommodations in existing NAF schools across NAF units while establishing 2 new secondary schools. These are the Air Force Girls Comprehensive School Abuja and the Air Force Secondary School (AFSS) Shasha, Lagos. He remarked that the AFSS Kaduna had also been upgraded to a boarding school and renamed Air Force Comprehensive School Kaduna. Moreover, the CAS disclosed that the NAF, through massive construction of new residential accommodation and renovation of existing ones, had been able to raise the level of accommodation sufficiency from 35 to about 72 per cent, despite almost doubling the strength of its personnel in the last 4 years. While observing that accommodation challenges still existed in terms of number and quality, especially in Makurdi, he promised that the NAF would continue to take necessary action with a view to eliminating the deficiencies.

Earlier in his remarks, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, whilst welcoming the CAS during commissioning ceremony, expressed delight that the CAS’ visits to the Command always bring benefits in terms of improvement of operational capabilities as well as enhancement of personnel welfare. He pledged the commitment of all personnel of the Command to mission accomplishment whilst urging beneficiaries of the remodeled blocks to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained. Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Branch Chiefs from Headquarters NAF, the Commandant Air Force War College, Commander Operation WHIRL STROKE, Commandant Nigerian Navy Provost School, Deputy Commandant Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers as well as Principal Staff Officers from TAC and Commanders of co-located Units in Makurdi, along with other senior NAF officers.