Category: Featured

Agency Reporter

The abducted pupils of Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, Maradun council of Zamfara State have been freed.

They were abducted from the school on September 1.

Governor Bello Matawalle announced their release after the Commissioner of Police Ayuba Elkanah presented the pupils to him at Government House, Gusau, on Sunday.

Read Also; Abducted day-old baby rescued in Kano

A number of measures have been taken by the authorities to ensure the North-west is safe.

While the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ordered telecommunications providers to suspend services in Zamfara, some governors ordered the closure of markets from where bandits could get food supplies.

When TheCable visited Kaya a week ago, a student who escaped the bandits’ camp, narrated how they were given a bottle of water for 70 of them to share.

APC chieftain in the state Alhaji Abdullahi Shinkafi has applauded security agents for rescuing the released pupils.

The governor said the state government in collaboration with the security agencies were strategising to secure life  and property in the state.

By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja; Adekunle Jimoh, Kwara; Toba Adedeji, Osun; Ibrahim Rasaq, Ekiti and Justina Asishana, Niger

• Gunmen kill soldier, policeman in Kogi prison attack

There was anxiety on Monday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and six states sharing boundaries with Kogi State.

The panic led to heightened security following Sunday night’s gunmen attack on the correctional facility in Kabba, Kogi, resulting in the escape of 240 inmates.

The whereabouts of the inmates, some of them condemned hardened criminals, are unknown, causing fears that they might be headed to neighbouring states.

The Kogi government has also raised the security to red alert, seeking information on the movement of the escapees.

Police in Kwara, Edo, Osun, Ekiti and Niger have taken measures to secure the states and boundaries.

In the FCT, Force Police spokesman Frank Mba, a commissioner of Police, said the force had activated all its operational and intelligence platforms in pursuit of the escapees.

Mba told one of our reporters that all hands were on deck to re-arrest the fleeing inmates.

According to him, the force will collaborate with the NCS to forestall a further breakdown of law and order.

The police spokesman said: “We have experience in dealing with matters of this nature and we will dig deep into our operational experience and toolbox to make sure we get them rearrested.”

Read Also; Attacks on schools threaten Nigeria’s future, by UN agencies

Urging the inmates to voluntarily turn themselves in, Mba said: “We have activated all our operational and intelligence platforms in pursuit of the escapees or the suspects and also in assistance and support of the correctional services.

“We are making all our intelligence and operational services available to the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) and we will work with the NCS as well as other patriotic citizens of this country to make sure that those suspects are rearrested as quickly as possible.

“In that vein, we are advising the suspects to give up voluntarily or face the law.”

The Kwara Police Command said it has closed its borders to forestall infiltration of any of the escapees to the state.

Command spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi said policemen in Kwara are collaborating with their colleagues in Kogi to arrest the escapees and their accessories.

Ajayi said: “The command is combat-ready to ensure there is no spillover. That’s why all our borders between Kogi and Kwara are now closed.”

In Osun, Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode met with the Controller of the Custodial Centre in the State Command of the NCS, Olanrewaju Amoran.

The Command said its men have been put on the red alert to apprehend criminals, especially those who escaped from the Kabba custodial centre.

Spokesperson of the Command Yemisi Opalola, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed to our correspondent that the CP’s meeting with the Controller of the Custodial Centre was on how to fortify security around the facility in the State of the Living Spring.

The Edo Commissioner of Police, Phillip Ogbadu, ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other policemen in the state to be on the alert over the jailbreak in Kogi.

Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bello Kontongs, quoted the CP as saying that patrols in the 18 local government areas of Edo had been intensified to prevent the invasion of the state by escapees from Kogi.

Ogbadu also tasked all policemen in the state and the various police formations in Edo to closely monitor and check suspicious movements across the three senatorial districts.

He admonished Edo residents to offer useful and timely information to the police about criminals in their midst, particularly the escapees from the Kogi jailbreak. The police chief promised to shield the informant’s identities.

The Ekiti State Police Command said it has beefed up boundary security in a bid to arrest the fleeing inmates from Kogi.

Police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, told our reporter on the phone that policemen had been placed on the alert to apprehend the fleeing inmates.

According to Abutu, operatives and undercover intelligence personnel had been deployed in all boundary communities.

He said: “We are working in collaboration with our counterparts in Kogi to ensure the arrest of the fleeing inmate. Our men are already in the towns that share a boundary with Kogi, Ondo, and Kwara states.

“Security at the border towns has been beefed up and surveillance intensified to prevent the inmates from seeking refuge in Ekiti.”

Officers and men at the Niger State Police Command have been put on red alert.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Abiodun Wasiu, a DSP, told The Nation that officers and men in Lapai axis were on the lookout and on patrol to ensure that no prison escapee find their way into Niger state.

He said: “The Command is aware of the effect this might have in the state because we share a common boundary with Kogi.

“The Command has therefore taken some proactive measures and has placed its officers and patrol teams across the state on red alert and being watchful of strange faces who might be wandering around as visibility policing is reinvigorated.

“Members of the public were equally admonished to be more vigilant and be security conscious in our various communities, by informing security agencies whenever something strange is observed in their localities.”

Some residents in Lapai Local Government Area, the route to Kogi from Niger, said they were confident that the escapees cannot find their way into the state.

Baba Musa, one of the residents in Gulu, said for the escapees to be able to make it to Niger State, they would have to board a boat that will open them up to suspicion.

He said: “Everyone is aware of what happened in Kogi and we are all on alert and we are ready to question or report any strange face we see coming into the state through the river. We do not doubt that if anyone tries to come in, we will know.”

He said that those who ride the boats have also been put on the alert.

“I have noticed more security presence today which means that the Police are also on the alert. So, we have nothing to fear,” he said.

Security personnel deployed in the Ondo North Senatorial District have been put on the red alert over the possible influx of fleeing inmates from Kogi.

It was learnt that Amotekun Corps have also been deployed to strengthen security.

The Amotekun Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said his operatives, including the intelligence units, had been alerted to the Kogi jailbreak.

Adeleye assured that any fleeing inmate from Kogi would be arrested and sent back.

He stated that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had previously tasked the corps to watch out for fleeing bandits and insurgents from other parts of the country.

Ondo Police spokesman, Fumilayo Odunlami, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said policemen at the Ondo boundary towns with Kogi State had been on the alert.

Odunlami urged the locals to report any suspicious movement of persons or any strange persons in their community.

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

• NBA panel to probe lawyers over conflicting rulings

President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem on Monday painted a grim picture of the welfare and remuneration of judicial officers and court staff in the country.

The PCA expressed concern about the inadequacy of budgetary allocation to the Judiciary, which she said, was hampering the capacity of the court to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

In her remarks at the opening of the 2021/2022 legal year of the Court of Appeal, she noted that “the Judiciary is really in a very bad shape,” and called for urgent intervention of the relevant government agencies to improve on the current state of affairs.

Justice Dongban-Mensem urged  the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and his FCT counterpart, Mohammed Bello (who were at the event) to help put in words in favour of the Judiciary when the issue gets to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

She noted that although the Judiciary is deemed independent, the President remains the head of all the government, and “so, we will appreciate that he is duly informed of our predicament.

“The salary structure for judicial officers and staff in Nigeria has consistently ranked poorly when compared to that of their counterparts in other African and commonwealth countries.

Read Also; FG actions may compel us to go on strike again, says ASUU

“The last time salaries of judicial officers were reviewed in Nigeria was via the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008, which came into force on February 1, 2007.

“According to the Act, the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s annual basic salary is N 3,353,972.50 or N 279,497.71 monthly, while other Justices of the Supreme Court and the President of the Court of Appeal earn N 2,477,110.00 as basic annual salary or N 206,425.83 monthly.

“My brother Justices of the Court of Appeal, earn an annual basic salary of N 1,995,430.18 each or N 166,285.84 monthly, exclusive of benefits and allowances.

“We therefore call upon the Federal and State Governments to live up to their obligations under the law.

“I also implore the governments of the federation and states to urgently review the salaries and allowances of judicial officers and staff.

“The salaries of Justices are static with no graduation as in the civil and public service. We have been on one salary grade for over ten years now.

“I call on the government to increase allocations that will enable us to introduce technological innovations that will improve adjudication.”

On the effect of inadequate funding on her court, the PCA noted that the Court of Appeal is currently plagued with aged, deteriorating houses.

“The reason is not far-fetched.  Most of the houses the Justices occupy are in fact older than the Court of Appeal being houses donated by the then regional authorities.

“These structures are overdue for replacement.  Alas, the Court of Appeal has very meagre budgetary allocation which cannot sustain the development of new infrastructures being all drawn by repairs of the ancient buildings.”

Justice Dongban-Mensem said in spite of the identified challenges, the court improved on its performance in the previous year.

She said with the current increase in the number of the court’s Justices from 70 to 88, more would be achieved this year.

The PCA said: “A total of 5,092 appeals and 9,249 motions were filed in our 20 Divisions in the last legal year from September 2020 to August 2021.

“At that time, the court disposed of 3,111 appeals and 7,492 motions.  Of these appeals, 2,169 appeals were dismissed while 942 appeals were upheld as at 31st August 2021.

“By comparison, in the 2019-2020 legal year, a total of 5,478 Appeals and 6,140 motions were filed at the Court of Appeal’s divisions.  In that time, the court disposed of 5,061 motions and 3,091 appeals respectively.

“In comparison with the 2019-2020 legal year, the court handled more appeals in the 2020-2021 legal year.

“In totality, the court currently has 33,647 appeals and motions pending in our docket, as compared with 45,775 appeals and motions pending at the end of the previous legal year.  This represents a 26.47 per cent reduction over the course of this legal year.”

In his remarks, Malami assured judges that the Government was working to improve on their welfare and remuneration.

The AGF said a committee set up by the President was already working on improving the welfare of judicial officers and court workers.

He urged them to continue to protect the integrity of the Judiciary to retain public confidence in the system of justice administration.

Malami saird: “I respectfully urge My Lords to maintain the sanctity and credibility of the court, and to ensure that the sacred integrity reposed on Your Lordships remains unshaken at all times in order to foster and promote public confidence in all rulings that emanate from this court.

“Your resolved as a temple of justice in ensuring that justice is not trivialized to a common bargain and is in effect accessible to all is highly commendable.

“I hereby also extend a call of solidarity, reverence and respect for the courts and court processes, to all our learned distinguished colleagues here present to ensure that justice is not trivialised to a commodity bargained for and taken by the highest bidder, at the detriment of the indigent who for want of equal bargaining power, wallow in the shadows of judicial neglect.

“Uniformity, consistency and universality of judgement and rulings in the face of judicial precedent is an exceptional value of our judicial system that we must at all times strive to uphold as a way of upholding the sanctity of the judiciary in re-enacting the confidence of the common man in our judicial system.”

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata expressed discomfort about the role played by some lawyers and judges in the cases of arbitrary issuance of conflicting ex-parte orders.

He said: “In more specific terms, it is particularly disturbing how politicians, aided by the conduct of some of our colleagues, appear to be bringing disrepute to the hallowed chambers in their battles for political supremacy.

“Their target is to make a mockery of an institution that must always inspire confidence, trust and fairness. In particular, what may appear to be the ignoble roles and potential judicial rascality of some of judges in the internal political crises of a major political party and the primary elections of a state few weeks ago, were eyesores better imagined than experienced.

“We woke up nearly every day to the news of another order on the subject of the leadership of a political party in a manner that smacked, not only of the possibility of forum shopping, but also of suspected compromise of such mushrooming injunctions.

“At this juncture, I must say and boldly too, that the blame does not only rest at the desk of the judex; some senior members of the Bar also allowed themselves to be used as purveyors of abuse of court processes and perversion of justice,” Apkpata said.

Represented by Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), Akpata said the NBA has constituted a committee headed by Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) to identify and recommend appropriate punishment for any lawyer involved.

“On the part of the Bar Association and irked by this burgeoning crisis, I was constrained to issue a stern statement calling the Bar to order and setting up a committee to investigate the involvement of lawyers who may be found culpable for such infamous and unethical conducts.

“We will continue to provide our support and solidarity against invasion by any marauder.

“This we have done by tasking the Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN-led committee to identify and recommend the appropriate disciplinary measure to any legal practitioner who, either directly or indirectly, brings disrepute to the legal profession.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, the NBA unequivocally abhors any attempt either directly or indirectly of any of its member(s) or indeed, politicians who attempt to ridicule the profession or indeed and by extension, undermine the justice system in Nigeria.”

Akpata urged the Judiciary to do everything within its powers to forestall future attempts to ridicule the nation’s justice system, noting that “it is a call that is manifestly tied to our collective peace and survival as a nation.

“My Lords, will litigants desist from these ignoble conducts? It is respectfully most unlikely. It therefore behooves on Your Lordships to guard your respective doors against invasion by perverts.”

By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has told troops and operations commanders that they need to take decisive actions to defeat the security challenges confronting the country, irrespective of the circumstances.

Troops have often attributed the failure to run over the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits to lack of weapons and poor remuneration.

But the COAS, who gave the marching order in his address at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja, stressed that he would no longer accept excuses from troops.

Yahaya said: “Commanders must take initiatives; they must take decisive actions to defeat the threats in their respective Areas of Responsibilities (AORs). I will not again take or accept excuses. Gentlemen, failure is failure, irrespective of the circumstances.

Read Also; FUNSHO OYENEYIN: I joined Nigerian Army as ‘recruit’, retired as Brigadier–General

“I want to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute and continue to chart progressive paths towards tackling the security challenges confronting the country.

“Hence, I have directed that serious attention be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army operations across the country. I have also directed for the conduct of special operations, especially in the Northcentral and the Northwest to address the deteriorating security infractions in the regions.

“Commanders must, therefore, glean from my Command Philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army units and formations are sustained and improved upon.

“Commanders must seize initiatives and commanders must take initiatives. They must take decisive actions to defeat the threats in their respective AORs. I will not again take or accept no excuses. Gentlemen, failure is failure, irrespective of the circumstances.”

He said: “I am aware of logistics constraints affecting operations across the country and I am glad to inform you that efforts are in progress to provide us with combat enablers that would enhance and boost our operations. Concerted efforts are also being made to eliminate the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which have been a major impediment to troops and our operations in Operation Hadin Kai.

“I want to assure you that I am determined to rebuild the fighting skills, capacity, confidence, and morale of our troops across the various theatres of operations. Training must also be given due attention that it deserves. In order to achieve this, priorities for the fourth quarter of the year would include training and more training.

“I will ensure that through functional training, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are equipped with the right attitude, competences and skills to effectively undertake daring missions, in addition to developing special operations forces. This would be closely followed by procurement that ensures appropriate kitting and provision of protective gear, weapons, equipment and platforms.

“Let me, however, remind you all that while no effort will be spared in achieving these goals, it is command responsibility to ensure the sustenance and maintenance of all equipment. We must, therefore, strive to improve our maintenance culture to prolong the life span of our platforms and equipment.

“I have serious concerns and remain very committed to restoring, developing, and improving the confidence, skills and competences of individual soldier progressively in his career up to Senior Noncommissioned Officers and Warrant Officers levels.

“I hereby charge Training and Doctrine Command along with the Department of Army Training, Corps and Nigerian Army Schools to develop additional leadership training modules, courses and curriculum to enhance the career of individual soldier.

“The aim is to develop the individual soldier’s competences to enable him conduct his activities more effectively, assert his command and leadership role as Non-Commissioned Officer, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and Warrant Officer.

“We need similar additional leadership development modules and courses for our young officers to enable them grow as competent, effective leaders and commanders. We can explore officers and soldiers’ leadership training modules from other countries even though we should be alert and to domesticate them to best suit our needs, and our environment.

“Sound administration of our troops is essential to operational effectiveness and high morale, hence troops’ welfare and that of their families will also be given paramount attention. Welfare is not only limited to monetary incentives or promotion, but it also includes effective and realistic training which would save the troops’ lives and avert injuries.”

By Blessing Olaifa and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

No fewer than 240 inmates of the Kabba Medium Custodial Centre, Kogi State escaped when gunmen attacked the 13-year-old facility late Sunday night.

A soldier and a policeman died in a gun duel between securitymen guarding the facility and the attackers.

The whereabouts of two Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) personnel had yet to be ascertained as of 9 pm yesterday.

Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola and Comptroller-General of the NCoS Haliru Nababa said a manhunt for the fleeing gunmen and inmates had been launched.

Aregbesola added that the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) had been contacted to watch out for any of the inmates that might attempt to flee the country.

Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said some of the inmates had been re-arrested. He did not give the figure.

The 200-capacity centre located along the Kabba-Lokoja Highway had 294 inmates when the gunmen struck.

Seventy of the inmates were convicted and the remaining 224 were on the pre-trial list.

Aregbesola said in a statement by his Media Assistant, Sola Fasure, that 15 soldiers, 10 policemen and 10 NCoS armed guards were on duty during the attack.

Read Also; FG launches manhunt for fleeing Kogi inmates

The statement partly reads: “The Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as of the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence.

“However, 28 inmates didn’t escape. Some have also voluntarily returned to the facility.

“The NCoS Comptroller-General is currently monitoring the situation. A tour of the facility is also ongoing.

“A Crisis Response Centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilised to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen.

“We are also putting INTERPOL on notice with their details, in case any of them attempts fleeing outside our shores.

“The minister assures the citizenry that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice.”.

Also,  Nababa said in a statement that the gunmen arrived at the custodial centre “heavily armed and immediately engaged the armed guards in a fierce gun battle”.

He added in the statement by the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, that investigation had commenced.

The Kogi  State  Commissioner for Information also confirmed the death of two security operatives.

“Security agencies have zeroed in to ensure those who escaped are rearrested as well as trail the masterminds of the attack.

“We have confidence in our security agencies to unmask the masterminds of the attack and get them apprehended.

“Our security network led to the re-arrest of many of the inmates that escaped as some have also come back to the centre on their own.

“Security agencies, traditional rulers and local hunters are working in synergy to ensure normalcy,” he said

Fanwo asked residents of Kogi and neighbouring states to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) which described the attack as “a grave threat to Nigeria’s national security,” called on   President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the (NCoS) Comptroller- General.

The group said Nababa’s sack would send  a firm message to Buhari’s  appointees that “indiscipline, dereliction of duty and all forms of shows- of –shame would no longer be tolerated.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka; Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Chris Njoku, Owerri; Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia and Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Pupils sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) had a tough day in many parts of the Southeast on Monday.

The exercise was disrupted in many centres by hoodlums who claimed to be enforcing a sit-at-home that had been called off by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group announced the Monday sit-at-home to protest the detention of its leader Nnamdi Kanu, beginning August 9, but later called it off.

Yet, there had been several attacks on residents and travellers by those who claim to be IPOB members on Mondays.

Southeast governors had tried to convince residents to go about their normal business, sometimes issuing threats to workers and business owners, but residents are concerned that their security is not guaranteed.

IPOB has declared another sit-at-home for today to commemorate the alleged invasion of Kanu’s home by the military.

The group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said in a statement yesterday: “The sit-at-home order issued by the IPOB leadership to be observed tomorrow (today) is sacrosanct.

“The peaceful protest is for the remembrance of the victims of the genocidal invasion of our leader’s compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia on the 14th of September 2017.

“No fewer than 28 innocent Biafrans were killed that day by the Nigeria Army during the raid.

“We advise all Biafrans both men and women to stay indoors as a mark of honour to these fallen heroes and heroines.

Read Also; September 14 sit-at-home sacrosanct – IPOB

“We must not fail to remember the supreme sacrifices of these great freedom seekers.

“Nothing done to honour them should be considered too much for they have watered the tree of Biafra freedom with their blood.”

WAEC examination was disrupted at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkume Njaba in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

Pupils and teachers were chased away by hoodlums purportedly enforcing the sit-at-home.

The pupils were to sit for the English Language.

A staff member said a group of men came into the school at about 8.30 am and burnt all motorcycles parked on the premises.

Rather than the empty streets of previous Mondays, businesses, fast-food centres, artisans, roadside traders, supermarkets and mobile food vendors operated freely in Owerri, the state capital.

There were inter-city bus services, but banks were shut.

Anambra Governor Willie Obiano went into the streets to convince residents to open for business.

The governor also visited Onitsha, the commercial centre, to encourage traders to come out.

Some pupils failed to sit for the WAEC examination over a fear of attack.

Banks, markets, shops and other commercial activities were grounded in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

A banker said they were scared of opening despite the governor’s threat to seal any bank that refused to open.

“Yes, he promised to deploy more security personnel. Is it the same security men that are even more afraid than the civilians?

“What plans does it have for any bank that is attacked?” she said.

In Enugu, hoodlums enforcing the sit-at-home set ablaze two commercial tricycles.

The incident occurred at about 8 am at Abakpa Nike in the Enugu East Local Government Area.

The hoodlums asked the riders and their passengers to leave before setting the tricycles on fire.

Some residents said the hoodlums came out early to enforce the sit-at-home order.

Shops, schools, banks and other businesses remained shut in Ebonyi as residents continued to observe the suspended sit-at-home.

This was despite Governor David Umahi’s threat that people risked losing their shops if they failed to open for business.

Torrential rainfall in Abakaliki did not help matters.

Banks remained shut despite the threat that they may be barred from operating in the state.

Aside from pupils sitting for the WAEC examination, others did not turn up.

Petrol stations, including Umahi’s Brass Oil, did not open. Black marketers had a field day.

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu warned that the state government would deal decisively with anyone or group of persons that molest or intimidates visitors or residents while enforcing a sit-at-home.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Okiyi-Kalu, in a statement, urged pupils sitting for WAEC today not to miss the examination.

“The government wishes to advise parents to ensure that their children go to the examination centres for their papers while teachers and examination supervisors are to ensure the protection of the children before, during and after the examinations.

“Other citizens are also encouraged to go about their normal duties without fear of molestation as necessary measures have been put in place to protect them,” the statement reads.

Okiyi-Kalu said residents should report any harassment to the police by calling 08035415405, 08079210003, 0807921000 and 08079210005.

Residents stayed away as major markets were closed.

Workers also stayed away despite government threats; banks and other financial institutions did not open.

A financial expert and former Economic Adviser to Abia State Government, Chief Agu Ojukwu, said: “When businesses are shut down in Aba, the state will be losing nothing less than N2billion.

“What the Southeast loses on each sit-at-home day cannot be quantified.”

Education stakeholders in Lagos State are confident that establishing more universities would help satisfy the people’s yearnings for better qualitative education, writes OYEBOLA OWOLABI

The statistics are alarming and scary. Lagos is home to over 14 million youths, and going by the just-concluded university admission exercise, only 3,500 of the 36,000 qualified candidates that applied for admission into the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, got a slot, leaving the remaining 32,500 stranded.

What do the remaining 32,500 do with their time and results? They would most probably sit back and wait for next year. The waiting process could however become laced with uncertainties, especially because a restive youth could be a time bomb for society.

This thus calls for strategies that would ensure that more opportunities for admission are created for youths.

The Lagos State government has thus initiated moves to bridge the shortfall and improve the quality of education for its residents. These moves are part of the larger efforts to actualise the THEMES agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration, of which education and technology form an integral part. This informed the various infrastructure upgrade across all public schools in the state.

One great move is the transformation of public schools’/institutions’ learning environment and capacity building for teachers. This will help to improve teaching and learning methods in schools.

Perhaps, the most noticeable area where the government is making steady strides is in the development of tertiary education. Approval was given for e-lecture portals for the state-owned tertiary institutions – Lagos State University (LASU); Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH); Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Otto/Ijanikin; Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCOPED), Noforija, Epe; Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM); Lagos College of Health Technology and Lagos State College of Nursing and Midwifery.

These state-owned institutions are also sailing on international waters, with LASU entering into collaboration with Michigan University on staff/student exchange, joint research work, fieldwork and data collection and analysis among others. Also involved in the partnership are Cape Town University, South Africa, Egerton University, Kenya and the University of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone.

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LASPOTECH is not left out of the international accolades as it was ranked third-best Polytechnic in Nigeria by the latest Webometrics ranking for Polytechnic and Colleges of Technologies. Others are also undergoing one form of infrastructure upgrade or the other.

Perhaps to crown these efforts are plans to upgrade three of the institutions into universities. The move is partly in response to the longings of Lagosians who have continued to demand more universities to meet the growing admission needs of their children/wards.

The House of Assembly gave the process support, especially with a public hearing on ‘A Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of the University of Education, Lagos (UNEDLAG) and for connected purposes’ aimed at converting AOCOED and MOCPED to a university, which received wide public approval.

Going by their submissions at the public hearing, stakeholders of MOCPED are showing eager signs to boldly own the initiative and see it to its fruition. MOCPED sits on 88 hectares of land, with additional 60 hectares pledged by the host community.

The Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo, argued that with the large expanse of land available in Epe, the take-off site for the university should not be a problem.

Provost of the MOCPED Professor Nosiru Onibon expressed the institution’s readiness to be upgraded into a university. According to him, the College has the facilities, human resources and community accessibility for the university take-off.

He said: “If you talk of the required landmass, we have it at MOCPED. And it would interest you that we currently occupy only 12.5 per cent of the total landmass and it is not swampy.”

The College’s Academic Staff Union also gave it total support for the proposed project, saying it is ready to work with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. Chairman of the union Jamal Apena said: “We wholeheartedly support the brilliant, noble and commendable transmutation plan of the government in upgrading the college into a University of Education.”

Acting Chairman, Senior Staff Union of the College, Mrs. Ogunyemi Olubunmi, pledged the readiness of the union to ensure a seamless take-off process, while Speaker of the Student Union Government (SUG), Agboola Ifeoluwa, said the transmutation process would expose the students and redirect the minds of Epe residents towards attending the university rather than looking elsewhere.

Stakeholders also believe that when LASPOTECH is eventually upgraded to a University of Science and Technology, teaching and learning will focus on vocational and entrepreneurship skills development for job security. This, perhaps, is to boost entrepreneurship activities in the state, thereby further enhancing wealth creation.

It would provide manpower for the development of the state and the country since vocational and entrepreneurship skills development programmes will help develop the potentials of the youths to make them relevant in the 21st-century global digital economy and make them employers of labour.

This will also address youth restiveness, reduce crime and other vices capable of undermining development efforts across the country.

Sacked by Boko Haram, an agrarian community in Borno State has re-emerged beautiful and glowing, writes JOEL DUKU.

It was time for maghrib (evening prayers) and the sound of gunshots and loud explosions rent the quiet village of Ngwom,” Adamu Modu, a father of eight children with two wives recalled.

Modu recalled in 2018 how Boko Haram came to their village Ngwom and set his house ablaze. The flames from the fire pierced his heart because he never got the chance to pick any of his belongings but to run for his dear life.

With his two wives and eleven children, Modu, a 37-year-old man who deals in petty trading of soup condiment from Mafa Local Government, is today a proud owner of a modern house built by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and donated free of charge to him and other thousand beneficiaries.

This reporter met him in his new apartment at Ngwom. Modu was performing ablution for afternoon Muslim prayers. His children were playing in the courtyard of the compound, while his wife had gone to fetch firewood for cooking with the eldest of his daughters.

“I am grateful to Allah where we were staying before at Gidan Taki IDP camp in Maiduguri but this new house that we are staying in has uplifted my life better than it used to be. I pray that Allah blesses all the big men that made this possible for us,” he said.

Abubakar Mustapha was also displaced from this community and wandered around in different IDP camps in Maiduguri and finally settled at Gidan Taki before moving back to Ngwom to occupy a new house from the NEDC.

The story of his gratitude is captured in a few words: “Masha Allah”(glory to God) but his ordeal in the hands of Boko Haram is horrific and traumatising, to say the least.

“Surviving with eleven children in a makeshift house in the IDP camp for more than five years is the most harrowing experience he has faced in his entire lifetime,” Mustapha narrated.

“It was more difficult during the rainy season as the camps were flooded during that time. You spend sleepless nights sometimes holding the children because of water in our thatched houses at the camp,” he added.

The story of Mustapha Kalari is not different from his neighbours. He has also escaped several Boko Haram attacks with his wife and thirteen children surviving in different IDP camps for more than ten years. With a stroke of providence, he has now become a proud owner of a new apartment in the new modern city of Ngwom.

“I have never owned this kind of house in my life. I never dreamt of having one. Look at me, I am 59 years old so when will I have to raise money to build this kind of house in my life? Today, I thank God that I can sleep in this kind of house. All my life as a farmer, I was sleeping in thatched houses.

“I thank the people that built these houses. I was told that we are not paying anything to get the house. Help me thank Baba Buhari, NEDC and Gov. Zulum. Tell them that we are grateful and Allah will reward them,” Mustapha said.

Zainabu Bukar Buskuri and Fanta Modu have both crossed the age of 60. The two widows are proud owners of the modern apartments courtesy of NEDC.

Both could not speak the Hausa Language except Kanuri but their expressions of joy over their new accommodation could not betray the language barrier between them and this reporter. Fanta dragged me into the compound and pointed to her room as she raised her two hands in prayers and thanksgiving to Allah. Both live with their children and grandchildren.

Kyari Abba was not sure he was ever going to get the new house even though he heard about their construction.

For him, it was a dream come true to being allocated a house to live in with his family.

“I prayed silently for one of these houses to be given to me. I feel as if I am dreaming but I also believe that Allah has answered my prayers to occupy one of these houses,” Kyari said.

Our correspondent discovered that not just the people of Mafa are occupants of this new city but people from across the state.

There are people from Bama, Konduga, Gamboru, Dikwa and Kala-Balge who have decided to start a new life at Ngwom instead of going back to their ancestral homes.

Life picks up Ngwom

A visit to Ngwom has indicated that the residents have begun to quickly settle down and adjust to a new life in the community. Petty traders and small scale businessmen have started raising their shops to meet the economic demands of the people.

Abba Ali Shehum, Musa Adams and Bula Ali displayed food items by the roadside.

Abba Ali with his fresh Cassava tubers said he has already sold a 50k bag of the Cassava tubers when our reporter inquired.

Musa Adams has also sold off his sachet water and was planning to travel to Munna Market to replenish his stock, while Bula Ali Kola Nuts is still awaiting buyers.

Both traders foresee a greater New Ngwom with the construction of the new houses in the community.

The work behind the new city Ngwom

The North East Development Commission was established in 2017 to help accelerate the level of development in the region. Due to the Boko Haram insurgency, the commission was also mandated to collaborate with the governors of the region to speed up rehabilitation, recovery, and resettlement of displaced people as well as provide infrastructure and re-build the ones that are destroyed by the insurgents.

The Managing Director of the North East Development Commission(NEDC), Mr. Mohammed Goni Alkali during the inauguration of 1000 houses built for IDPs at Ngwom village in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, said:

“As you can see, we are today delivering a town at Ngwom as against its earlier village status. Each block sits on 400 Square meters with a perimeter fence and ample space for other home activities.”

Apart from the houses, the NEDC also graduated 2018 graduates of ICT who were given starter-packs and N20,000 each as seed money to begin their businesses.

The Managing Director disclosed that an estimated N2 billion was spent on the 1000 housing projects alongside the establishment of technical and vocational centres around the state.

Mr. Alkali said the 1000 mass housing units consist of four blocks of 2-bedroom bungalows with veranda and courtyard in a cluster arrangement, stressing that, “each block sits on 400 square meters with a perimeter fence and ample space for other home activities. The 1000 housing units are also fitted with solar-powered street lights, four industrial solar-powered boreholes, planted over 3000 economic trees, provision made for school, market, police station and motor-park.”

Apart from the handing over of the houses to the community, the MD announced food distribution and another livelihood for the IDPs.

“The NEDC, with the approval of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, will also distribute livelihood support to the occupants of the house after thorough needs assessment and training.

“The livelihood support tool to be distributed comprised 1000 cooking stoves, 200 grinding machines, 200 knitting machines, 200 sewing machines and 200 spaghetti making machines,” the MD explained.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Faruq, stressed the commitment of the Federal Government in the reconstruction of the Northeast and making life better for the traumatised population.

The minister announced how the government has launched very comprehensive programmes to mitigate poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has shown commitment in addressing the issues of food insecurity and malnutrition, by initiating the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS). The Strategy specifically aims to address hunger, malnutrition and poverty through economic growth and social protection programmes.

” Furthermore, the Federal Government is focused on promoting local production, providing loans to farmers and skills acquisition, to enhance socio-economic capacities.

” Additionally, to mitigate food insecurity, malnutrition and other challenges faced by the persons of concern in the north-eastern states, the FMHADMSD through the NEDC is commencing the distribution of food and non-food items to the six states of the region which is part of an overarching goal to improve food security and reduce hunger.

“Apart from that there is the handing over the Burn Centre which would cater for victims of burn injuries as a result of bomb attacks; Handing over of 1000 Ngwom Mass Housing units constructed under the Special Presidential Intervention for resettlement of IDPs; Graduating Batch B from the NEDC ICT training scheme in Graphic Design and Small Phone repairs and Groundbreaking of the construction of 300-seater auditorium/centre for the study of violent extremism for prevention.”

The minister lauded the commitment of NEDC for their commitment to delivering on their mandate. She also praised Zulum and the governors of the Northeast for their support towards the rebuilding process in the region.

Zulum said the 1000 housing units were just one among the support the state gets from the commission and the ministry of humanitarian affairs.

“Today we are witnessing another support in the series of interventions from Mr President. And this one will go a long way in bringing succour and development to our people,” Zulum said.

By Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

• Party to set up a committee on zoning ahead national convention

Ahead of the proposed National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has fixed Saturday, October 2 for the party’s state congress.

Secretary of the party’s CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

He also said the sale of nomination forms for the congress will begin tomorrow nationwide.

Though the CECPC has not fixed the zonal congress that will culminate in the national convention, a party source said the date for zonal congress would be determined after the party would have come up with zoning arrangements for the various positions in the National Working Committee (NWC).

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The caretaker committee is thus expected to inaugurate a committee on zoning arrangements ahead of the zonal congress and the national convention.

It was gathered that the date for the national convention will be fixed through the recommendation of the caretaker committee after wide consultations with some critical stakeholders to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a meeting to hold after the state congress.

The Nation also gathered that the CECPC is mulling a high-powered committee to consult and advise the party on the zoning of the NWC positions.  The recommendations of the sub-committee will then be presented at a special NEC meeting.

The source said: “With the fixing of the state congress for October 2 by the caretaker committee, the party is set for the national convention. The caretaker committee, however, plans to set up a high-level committee on zoning arrangements before a date will be fixed for the zonal congress and eventually the national convention.”

The party’s congresses started on July 31 with the ward congress while the local government congress took place on September 4, 2021.