Author: The Nation

Twenty graduates of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna have bagged First Class.

AFIT, a unique university, which trains military and civilian students in aerospace, defence, engineering.  It awards National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Bachelor degrees.

AFIT Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Paul Jemitola said the institute admitted its 111 pioneer degree students in 2018, after it became a university and others who graduated since 2018.  departments.

He said AFIT, which has admitted its fifth set of degree students, has a combined population of 6,000 students. At inception, it had 520 pioneer students.

The Commandant, however, urged the graduads students to exhibit excellence, adding that to whom much is given, much is also expected.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Haliru Musa, said the theme of the convocation ‘The youth: A panacea for innovation, technology and development’ was apt, as there is no doubt that the youth are the drivers of any nation’s development.

The governor charged the graduates to take advantage of an evolving field of innovation and technology, saying that the field provides immense opportunities for them.

According to the Governor, “We have seen Tech Giants like Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon which were started by youths as hobbies grow into global conglomerates that have enormously boosted the GDP of their host nations.

“In contemporary times, we see young men championing innovations in Technology that have provided modern solutions to hitherto perennial problems in various sectors of national and economic development. A classic example of such innovation is the introduction of electronic and mobile banking solutions such as Opay, Palmpay and Kudaby.

“Also, there are ongoing research and development of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence and so much more. It is worthy to note that these innovations have been championed mostly by the youths.

“In view of the foregoing, I want to charge you, the graduates of this great institution that you have at your disposal tremendous opportunities to make greater impacts in the fields of aviation, technology, economy and national development as a whole. I want to challenge you to draw on the many investments of knowledge, skills and intellectual competences that you have been exposed to during your stay at the Air Force Institute of Technology in order to carve a niche for yourself in your other future endeavors,” the Governor urged.

Highlight of the convocation ceremony was exhibition of various staff and students- oriented projects, including an electric vehicle.

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago has got the approval of the state House of Assembly to appoint 20 Special Advisers.

The approval was given in the first plenary sitting of the 10th Assembly in Minna.

The governor had written a letter to the Assembly seeking the approval to help in the smooth running of his administration.

The letter was read during plenary by the Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, and threw it open for deliberation.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Afiniki Dauda urged the governor to ensure that every geopolitical zone and gender is put into consideration when making the selection for the Special Advisers.

The member representing Suleja Constituency, Murtala Badaru, moved the motion for the Assembly to approve the request by the governor while the Member representing Bida 1, Mohammed Wanchiko, seconded it.

Gombe State House of Assembly yesterday re-elected the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Lugerewo.

Lugerewo became Speaker of the House in November 2020 after the removal of  Abubakar Ibrahim, who is from Yamaltu West State Constituency.

The Speaker is from Akko Central State Constituency.

Lugerewo described his appointment for the second term as an honour with high responsibility.

“The House of Assembly is a complex institution where you are leading your colleagues who come from different constituencies with equal rights as your own. So, their decision to make me lead the House again is an honour with great burden and it humbles me a lot,” he said.

He said the Sixth assembly passed 42 bills with more than 175 resolutions to the  Governor within the last four years.

Lugerewo assured that with the support of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the House of Assembly would do more to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

“We are very optimistic that this Seventh Assembly will be better than the Sixth Assembly in terms of achievement,” he said.

On the allegation of being a rubber stamp for the executive arm of government in the state, Lugerewo said there was no bill passed by the House that was not subjected to public hearing.

“The Sixth Assembly was not a rubber stamp Assembly and I want to assure you that the Seventh Assembly will uphold the principle of checks and balances and separation of powers,” he said.

There is tension in the headquarters of the 17 local governments (LGAs) of Plateau State as the elected council chairmen blocked the new interim transition committee chairmen from taking over.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang  on assumption of duty had  suspended the council chairmen on alleged financial misconduct based on the recommendation of the state House of Assembly.

Mutfwang  thereafter appointed interim transition committees to replace the suspended chairmen.

But the elected chairmen vowed not to vacate their offices, claiming the governor action was illegal.

The situation has resulted in the clash at the local government headquarters yesterday morning as the council chairmen arrived their offices very early to prevent the new appointees from gaining access to the office.

Clashes were noticed in Jos South, Jos North, Langtang South, Bassa, Bokkos and Shendam LGAs. Other areas were Kanke in Pankshin, Riyom.

Our correspondent gathered that as early as 9am, the sacked Chairman of Jos South Local Government, Hon Gideon Danderang and the Transition Committee Chairman Hon Gyang Dung stormed the office at the state Secretariat, claiming the chairmanship seat.

This development, our correspondent gathered, caused confusion at the Jos South LG Secretariat and it took the efforts of security operatives to calm the situation.

 Also in Kanke,  there was a clash between supporters of  the sacked Council boss, Henry Gotip and the Transition Committee Chairman  Hon Caleb Shirkri.

In Langtang South Local Government Council, of Plateau state the embattled Chairman  Prince Vincent Venman, on Wednesday resumed office saying  he would  continue to discharge his duty with fairness, impartiality, objectivity and consideration for all manners of people irrespective of  political beliefs.

He also pledged to continue to provide dividends of democracy to the good people of the Local government council .

The Council boss made this known while  speaking with newsmen in his office at the Secretariat in Mabudi.

“Prince Vincent Venman Bulus said  he remains council boss as he has all the legal backings to be in office as Chairman of Langtang South .”

He said ” I was  given the mandate by the good people of Langtang South   local government and I am here to carry out my duties as executive chairman of the Council “

He also assured the people that he will continue to be chairman until the end of his tenure “

“I call on the People of  Langtang South to remain calm ,as their mandate is intact “.

Hon Venman  encouraged the people of the  council to continue to  keep their faith in him and maintain such understanding and love .

Addressing newsmen in Jos ,Spokesman of the APC in the state  Sylvanus Namang, added that as a responsible opposition in the state ,the Party would hold the People’s Democratic Party PDP , especially the Governor Bar Caleb Mutfwang accountable for critical decisions of his administration as well as keep his pronouncements and actions under scrutiny for the good of the state .

“We condemn in totally the controversial issues involved in the purported action of both the Governor and the Plateau House of assembly which smack of executive recklessness and legislative impudence if not impunity against established legal ,constitutional and legislative procedures .”

“The Local governments are established by law and due process ought to be followed in tempering with their structures and operations ,they said “