Category: News

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

Snakes and other reptiles becoming a great threat at GGSS Kwa where the students and staff of the school remained very cautious when using the toilet facilities.

Our correspondent who witnessed the capture of some of the huge snakes reported that there different types of snakes at the school and the students always become very frightened whenever they wanted to use the toilets which is very disturbing.

Malam Saleh Karamin Dawa who æcatched a bigger snake Tuesday evening told disclosed that ” there are many snakes in the soakaways and it is important to fumigate the whole sorroundings in order to ensure the safety of the school and other parts of the areas”. He emphasized.

In this regard, the ministry of education is advised to conduct a sprays in the boarding schools in order to sanitize the premises.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Sokoto State Commitee for the Establishment of Community Guards Corps has commenced local governments tour to sensitize rural dwellers towards the success of the committee’s mission.

The General Manager of Alu Ya Gode Television,Bashar Abubakar who made the statement available to newsmen said the committee visited three local government insecurity troubled areas of Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo respectively.

Addressing the people of the local governments, the Chairman of the committee Yusha’u Muhammad Kebbe explained that, the committee will strive hard to come up with modalities for a successful establishment of community guards with 2760 personnel in the state.

Alhaji Yusha’u Muhammad Kebbe further said the 120 security guards would be recruited in each of the 23 Local Government areas of the state.

He noted that Security agencies in the state are doing their best to protect the lives and property of people, saying with the establishment of the guards Security situation will be improved especially in troubled areas.

He called on the bandits and informants to repent and embrace peace for the socio-economic development of the state.

While urging the local government committees to be fair and just during the recruitment exercise, Yusha’u Kebbe also called on youths to fill the form distributed so as to contribute their quota in that direction.

Secretary of the committee Barrister Gandi Umar said each ward will be allocated with their slots for equity, justice and fairness to all.

Gandi Umar also advised Sokoto Marshal and neighborhood security personnel to switch to the guards if they are interested.

Speaking, an Islamic scholar in the state Malam Ahmad Umar Helele who is also a member of the committee called on community leaders to select responsible people in the guards for the desired goal to be achieved.

In their separate remarks, Sole administrators of Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo local governments, Isah Muhammad Dandela,Garba Umar and, Kabiru Sarkin Fulani commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his efforts towards protecting the lives and property of people of the state and assured to be fear and just in the recruitment process.
The tour continues.

Says together, we ‘ll bannish poverty in Nigeria

*… .. NDE tasked to assume leading role in lifting Nigerians out of poverty

By Joy Babayeju

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to transforming Nigeria into a nation of creators and builders, ensuring a prosperous Nigeria for Nigerians and future generations to come.

Tinubu made this statement on Tuesday through the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at the 55th International Conference & Exhibition and Emerald (55th) Anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

Tinubu said that his administration is committed to steering Nigeria towards self-reliance and reducing dependency on others. He envisions an unprecedented level of industrial activity, marked by the establishment of unique industrial hubs tailored to the strengths of each region in the nation.

He also said that his commitment to ending poverty is deeply intertwined with his focus on economic growth and job creation.

The President recognises that sustainable development can only be achieved by fostering an environment where job opportunities abound, ensuring food security, and eradicating poverty.

In addition, President said that inclusivity is paramount in the pursuit of his vision. He said that women and youth will be prominently featured in all endeavours, recognizing them as integral contributors to the nation’s success.

His words: “I am reminded of the crucial role that human resources play in shaping the destiny of our nation. Our collective vision must transcend the ordinary, and today, I wish to share with you a vision that centres on transforming Nigeria into a nation of creators and builders, ensuring a prosperous Nigeria for us and future generations to come.

“As I have said repeatedly, poverty is not a shameful thing – but it is an unacceptable thing. Therefore, my vision for the Nigerian workforce is one where every citizen who wishes to be, is gainfully employed and able to take care of themselves and their family. Together, keying into this vision, we will banish poverty.

“In the face of global challenges, my administration is committed to steering Nigeria towards self-reliance and reducing dependency on others. We envision an unprecedented level of industrial activity, marked by the establishment of unique industrial hubs tailored to the strengths of each region in our great nation.

“Our commitment to ending poverty is deeply intertwined with our focus on economic growth and job creation. We recognize that sustainable development can only be achieved by fostering an environment where job opportunities abound, ensuring food security, and eradicating poverty.

“In the pursuit of our vision, inclusivity is paramount. We will prominently feature women and youth in all our endeavours, recognizing them as integral contributors to our nation’s success.

He said government’s commitment to making Nigeria a nation of creators and builders is essential for the country’s long-term growth and prosperity.

Similarly, the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has charged the leadership of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to assume a more significant role in lifting Nigerians out of poverty.

She said the NDE is a critical agency in the fight against poverty in Nigeria. By assuming a more significant role in lifting Nigerians out of poverty, the NDE can help to build a more prosperous and equitable society.

Onyejeocha made this call earlier at a meeting with leadership of the NDE with the theme: Developing a Roadmap for the NDE within the framework of the Renewed Hope Agenda, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

She described the NDE as the apex job creation agency in the country and said that its role is more crucial than ever before as the Federal Government under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR is working towards propelling the nation towards a sustained progressive economy and job creation.

The Minister said that the current administration has weaved its employment policy around skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development for blue collar jobs and that the NDE is a catalyst in the attainment of the President’s desire to lift 50 million Nigerians out of poverty.

She called on the NDE to strengthen strategic initiatives to create more decent jobs and to be ready to translate the articulated policies of government into tangible realities. She also charged the NDE to focus on the youth, women, and vulnerable groups to build the core skills needed for national revival, growth, and prosperity.

Onyejeocha also stressed the need to increase the tempo of sensitization and awareness for the skills acquisition programmes and entrepreneurship development initiatives of the Directorate. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the opportunity to contribute to the upliftment of the unemployed in Nigeria and declared the meeting open.

The Minister said the call to the NDE is timely and necessary, especially at a time when Nigeria is faced with unemployment challenges, especially among the youth and women.

She noted that the NDE, with its mandate to create jobs and promote employment, has a critical role to play in addressing this challenge.

She further noted that by focusing on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development, the NDE can help to equip Nigerians with the skills they need to be self-employed or to find jobs in the growing sectors of the economy.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Banks,public schools and government offices in Akwa Ibom were on Tuesday shut as workers complied with the directives of the national leadership of organised labour to commence an indefinite strike.

The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had yesterday directed workers to commence an indefinite strike over the inability of the Federal Government to fulfill the terms of agreement it entered with Labour in addition to showing displeasure over the manhandling of NLC President by alleged agents of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State in Owerri recently.

Many bank customers who had thought that the strike may not be complied with by workers were shocked as bank doors were shut against them while some school children who had earlier gone to school were seen returning as they met no teachers in their schools.

However, students and teachers in private schools in the state were seen going about their normal academic activities undisrupted while activities in markets and other private businesses went on as usual.

At both the State and Federal Secretariat complex, both located along Olusegun Obasanjo Way in Uyo, the leaders of the various labour unions were seen enforcing the directive.

Additionally at the state secretariat, labour leaders were seen playing drums while workers were dancing to its tunes, while at the federal secretariat, the gate was seen open but with security operatives on standby.

Chairman of NLC in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Sunny James while addressing workers at the Idongesiy Nkanga Secretariat gate in Uyo told newsmen and workers that the workers in the state would ensure total compliance until the Federal Government is able to meet with all demands of workers.

The NLC chairman said leaders and other willing members of the labour unions would move around all offices in the state to enfoce the nationwide strike as directed.

“We are in total compliance, we were waiting for people to arrive more, so that we can proceed, as I’m leaving this place we are going to the Federal Secretariat and the Judiciary headquarters to enfoce the strike.

“It is an indefinite strike, tomorrow we will all assemble here. We will not surrender until all our demands are made by the Federal Government. After that we will come down to Akwa Ibom and meet with the Governor.” James said.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, has approved the establishment of 10 new dialysis centres, one each in the ten federal constituencies of the State.

He has consequently directed the immediate commencement of recruitment and training of professionals to meet the manpower needs of the dialysis centres which are to be fully operational by June 2024.

Eno who snnounced these at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he commissioned the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Center, donated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, also ordered the deployment of relevant personnel from the State hospitals to the dialysis center to ensure that the facility is not underutilized due to lack of personnel.

“I am directing the Honourable Commissioner for Health and critical stakeholders of the state to ensure that they provide a Dialysis Center in each federal constituency and guarantee me that between now and June 2024, those dialysis centres will be available and functional.

“I have already approved deployment of staff to the centre. I had given the Honourable Commissioner for Health approval to headhunt for qualified people to come and work here.

“I have also directed the Head of the Civil Service to work with Ministry of Health and the Civil Service Commission to absorb them as quickly as possible so that we can have permanent staff here. We don’t want to have equipment here, yet we don’t have the manpower to operate them.” The Governor stated. .

He made a case for aggressive sensitization on kidney related ailments and measures to checkmate its occurrence and directed that the Ministry of Health collaborates with the Ministry of Information and Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor to undertake the sensitization.

Eno extolled the gesture of the RCCG General Overseer and wife Folu, in partnering government through the Church’s humanitarian arm, ‘His Love Foundation’, to provide medical services to Akwa Ibom people, especially those hopelessly plagued with the ravaging kidney diseases.

Describing the dialysis facility provided as critical healthcare intervention, Governor Eno urged other religious and business organisations to emulate such robust corporate social responsibility gesture to partner the government in developing the state, assuring of the readiness of his administration to partner in such direction.

“The huge investment here today speaks loudly to the fact that Government needs to partner with the other layers of the society to ensure that we advance development across sectors of our economy.

“This is pioneered by the church, and I also expect all of the people doing business in Akwa Ibom to rise up to the occasion and partner with the State Government to provide facilities that will stand in their names and show that they are resident and doing business around these communities.

“Don’t give us money, but you can do what you have seen here today. We will give you the enabling environment, we will do the building, we will provide the staff if you partner with us in your own way.

“For me, this is a clarion call on all churches to come forth and be inspired by what we have seen here today. It is a step in the very right direction.” He stated.

The RCCG Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social Responsibility, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, speaking on behalf of the Church, said the Foundation was driven by passion for humanity and need to bring help to people afflicted by the scourge of kidney diseases and has set up 13 Dialysis Centres across Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Augustine Umoh, expatiating on the imperative of the intervention said dialysis is one of the best ways of managing kidney failure and lauded the State Government-RCCG partnership as he affirmed the delivery of three dialysis machines, with accessories, by the church to the centre.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has directed civil servants appointed as Local Government Secretaries to resign as their appointment is political.

He gave the directives during a meeting with Local Government Sole Administarators and their Secretaries across the State.

The Governor said the controversy surrounding the position of Local Government Secretaries was now over as the law categorised them among political office holders.

The statement by the Press Secretary quoted the governor as saying,”It is now clear that you are occupying political offices, therefore, if you are a civil servant make sure you resign”

“We believe in the rule of law and will not accept any situation where by people will flout the law,”he added.

The press secretary Abubakar Bawa also said Gov Aliyu directed the Local
Government Sole Administrators to ensure regular security meeting with the relevant stakeholders in order to check banditry and other crimes in the State.

He added, ” Securing our community is not only the responsibility of governments but the responsibility of all of us.”

The Governor also charged the Sole Administrators to carry everyone along on security issues to achieve maximum success.

The Governor further charged them to be vigilant and report any suspicious character to relevant authorities for necessary action.

Dr Aliyu also stressed the need for effective surveillance and intelligence gathering in the rural areas as a means of tackling insecurity in the State.

Gov. Aliyu futher assured the readiness of his administration to fight banditary and other criminal activities in the State.

He thanked the people of the State for their maximum support to his administration.