The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • NNMDA DG advocates overhaul of educational curriculum

    NNMDA DG advocates overhaul of educational curriculum

    The Director General of the Nigerian National Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s educational curriculum to align with global technological and economic realities.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday during his conferment with the ‘National Outstanding Award as Vanguard of Good Leadership and Epitome of Hope’ by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Emeje described the current curriculum as outdated and ill-suited for the 21st century.

    He emphasized that in a rapidly globalizing world driven by advanced technologies across all sectors, the state of Nigeria’s educational system should be a matter of grave concern for stakeholders.

    Emeje, who pledged to contribute to the development of education in the country, stressed his commitment to improving the educational sector and promoting youth development for a better society.

    Drawing from his own humble educational background, he highlighted the importance of making the system more accessible and less burdensome for students.

    Being in this position can only accord me the opportunity to make my contributions toward finding ways to better the educational system.

    “NANS has the population and you are the end user of the curriculum, meaning that what you don’t want should not be there.

    “You need to utilize that number to engage stakeholders meaningfully,” Emeje said.

    Read Also: NNMDA lists economic, health gains from commercialising local medicinal plants

    Regarding the award, he noted that he accepted it out of numerous offers because of his commitment to youth development, a passion he has consistently demonstrated in his engagements.

    “When the youths pick you up for anything, if it is bad, they are right and if it is bad, they are right, they are the most vulnerable people and the vulnerable people see better.

    “Consider me as one of you and I will be committed to the development of the country through NANS,” he said.

    In his remarks, Abdullahi Bilal, Vice President of NANS, highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in education.

    “The government must prioritize education by increasing its budgetary allocation and addressing the issue of out-of-school children,” Bilal said.

    He also called for the proper implementation of the student loan initiative introduced by President Bola Tinubu to ensure it benefits Nigerian students without commercializing public education.

    Bilal also expressed concerns over outdated curricula, saying, “Our curricula should be designed to solve the problems of the Nigerian nation. NANS has always been at the forefront of advocating for educational advancement and will continue to champion this cause beyond tenures.”

    He explained that Emeje was selected for the award due to his contributions to youth development and his impactful work in the pharmaceutical field.

    “Prof. Emeje has shown a consistent trajectory of promoting youth empowerment and making meaningful contributions to society,” Bilal said.

  • 2027: Kwara PDP rejects zoning

    2027: Kwara PDP rejects zoning

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has declared that its 2027 governorship ticket will not be restricted to any specific senatorial district, opting instead for an open contest among aspirants from all zones.

    This position was made public on Sunday by the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, during a heated online discussion on a popular WhatsApp platform, Kwara Commission, where supporters and critics of the Kwara North 2027 agenda debated the issue. Adewara firmly stated that the opposition party would neither succumb to pressure nor be blackmailed into zoning its ticket to Kwara North.

    “The gubernatorial ticket of any party, including the PDP, is not the constitutional right of any senatorial district—whether North, South, or Central,” Adewara said. “It is the outcome of political strategies, where aspirants with strong connections and wide consultations emerge. Zoning is a gentleman’s agreement within parties, not a mandate dictated by law. I believe this is a fact well-known to all, especially legal practitioners.”

    The spokesperson explained that while the PDP honored the zoning arrangement in 2023 by fielding a candidate from Kwara North, the region failed to deliver adequate support for its own candidate. He argued that the Kwara North agenda had proven to be more of an elite-driven political scheme than a genuine grassroots movement.

    Read Also: Tension in Osun PDP as Reps member Oke criticises Adeleke’s leadership style

    “It is unfair to blame the PDP for listening to Kwara North’s demands in 2023 and implementing a zoning formula, only for the region to fail in rallying sufficient support for its candidate,” Adewara said. “The outcome exposed the agitation as a tool of political elites seeking to exploit zonal sentiments for personal gain. This is a lesson learned by the PDP and other political stakeholders.”

    Dismissing accusations from proponents of exclusive zoning to Kwara North, Adewara described their demands as “unfounded cries” by politicians unwilling to engage in open competition. He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to prioritizing competence, electability, and merit over regional considerations.

    “We have reviewed the realities on the ground and concluded that the ‘Kwara North lokan’ narrative lacks substance. The party will focus on fielding candidates with the capacity to win elections and govern effectively, regardless of their zone,” he added.

    The PDP’s decision is expected to spark strong reactions, particularly from advocates of the Kwara North agenda, who have long called for equitable power rotation among the state’s three senatorial districts. While the 2023 elections marked a historic moment with the PDP zoning its governorship ticket to Kwara North, the eventual loss to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) underscored the challenges of translating zoning policies into electoral success.

    As the PDP positions itself for 2027, the rejection of zoning could reshape internal dynamics and influence the party’s strategy to regain power in Kwara State. However, the broader debate over zoning and fair representation remains a contentious issue that will continue to shape political discourse in the state.

  • Group seeks enforcement of retirement laws in Customs

    Group seeks enforcement of retirement laws in Customs

    The Societal Safety Network has called on the Federal Government to enforce mandatory retirement laws within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    It alleged that some senior officers of the service were violating retirement procedures by refusing to proceed on mandatory terminal leave.

    According to the group, some officers of the Service are deliberately disregarding provisions of the 2023 Customs Act and civil service rules, raising concerns about leadership oversight and organisational integrity within the Service.

    The group’s spokesman, Sunday Asuku, expressed alarm over the alleged non-compliance, warning that the situation could escalate into a scandal capable of damaging the NCS’s reputation.

    But the spokesperson for the NCS, Abubakar Maiwada, dismissed the claims as baseless.

    “They are just trying to be excessively proactive. Nothing of such is happening in the service.

    “I am currently in the office, and I haven’t seen any officer who is supposed to be retired still on seat,” Maiwada said.

    Asuku urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to address the issue, ensure strict adherence to retirement laws, and uphold meritocracy within the service.

    He maintained that ignoring the issue could result in long-term disruptions and damage the reputation of the service.

    “This is a brewing scandal, and if not addressed promptly, it will tarnish the image of the NCS,” Asuku warned.

    Read Also: Customs gets first female pilot

    Asuku said: “The refusal of senior officers due for retirement to vacate their offices disrupts the organisational structure of the NCS.

    “It blocks newly promoted officers from assuming their roles and hampers the recruitment of new personnel. This is especially concerning at a time when the Tinubu administration is focused on reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria.”

    The group praised recent reforms under the leadership of the Comptroller-General but noted that these gains could be undermined if the alleged violations were not swiftly addressed.

  • Project Alert commemorates 25 years, supports 21 GBV survivors with cheques

    Project Alert commemorates 25 years, supports 21 GBV survivors with cheques

    Project Alert on Violence Against Women and Girls, midweek commemorated its 25 years anniversary at a luncheon held at Elomaz Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The event, which falls within this year’s 16 Days of Activism window, also doubled as an occasion to deliberate on the organisation’s next five-year strategic plan.

    Additionally, Project Alert seized the occasion to present cheques to 21 Gender-based Violence Women survivors, with support from Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi’s Above Whispers Foundation.

    The token, according to Josephine Effah Chukwuma, Executive Director, Project Alert, was to assist the survivors in finding their feet.

    Speaking to The Nation on the sideline of the event, Effah-Chukwuma said she was fulfilled and has no regrets piloting the organisation in the last 25 years.

    “I have no regrets. If I have to do it all over again, I’ll definitely do it. We’re not there yet, but we definitely are not where we were in 1999 when we started, because at that time, it was a very lonely road. We were about the only ones doing it, and there was a lot of silence around it, which we have broken. Social media has also helped in spreading the word and deepening discussions; so we’re on track.”

    On the significance of the celebration falling within the 16 Days Activism window, Effah-Chukwuma said it has helped in intensifying the campaign against gender-based violence, even though her organisation never ceases to spread the message all year round.

    On the five-year strategic planning, she said the focus is to look at the next five years, what resources would be needed, where the gaps are, adding that that was why the partners were all present.

    She expressed her appreciation to Open Society Africa for providing the funding for the day’s event as well as Above Whispers Foundation, for the support to the women.

  • NACETEM hosts workshop to inspire Adamawa students on technology careers

    NACETEM hosts workshop to inspire Adamawa students on technology careers

    The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) has organized a technology career sensitization workshop for senior science students from selected secondary schools in Adamawa State.

    Themed “Educational Outreach Program for Secondary Schools in Career Technology,” the workshop aimed to encourage students to embrace self-employment by acquiring skills for self-sufficiency after graduation.

    Seventy students from 14 schools participated in the one-day event held in Yola, where four resource persons guided them on transforming ideas into profitable ventures in the knowledge-driven economy.

    The programme emphasised leveraging technology for entrepreneurship, steering participants away from dependence on scarce white-collar jobs.

    One of the resource persons, a lecturer at the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Dr Abdulmalik Usman Bello, told the students, “There are many ways to make money without relying on government or big companies to give you salary jobs.”

    He urged the students to begin to motivate themselves right away on how to create solutions to problems and make money in the process.

    Read Also: Adamawa APC reconciliation committee vows to reclaim state in 2027

    On his part, Dr Alhakeem Bello, also of the African University of Science and Technology, advised the students to condition their minds against the job seeking bandwagon and take opportunities that the evolving world of technology offers.

    “Map out your own plan and be intentional about it,” Alhakeem said, explaining that young scholars are called by modern exigencies to develop clear ideas and be generally innovative. 

    In a press Interview on the side of the workshop, the Head of Research Department of NACETEM, North East Zonal Office, Engr Chinda Amos said NACETEM, an agency charged with developing Nigeria’s technological manpower, found it necesaey to sensitize students to try their hands on careers in technology because the world is now about technology.

    Amos explained that NACETEM’s capacity building programs are designed to address knowledge gaps in the country.

    Some of the participants of NACETEM’s workshop on careers in technology workshop in Yola

  • NEFGAD supports BPP’s plan to reform procurement processes 

    NEFGAD supports BPP’s plan to reform procurement processes 

    The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a leading public procurement advocacy group in Nigeria, has thrown its support behind plans by the Bureau of Public Procurement to reform the procurement processes. 

    The organisation commended the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun for his plans to fight poverty and hunger in the country through sustainable procurement reforms.

    NEFGAD Country Head of Office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi said this during a visit to the headquarters of BPP in Abuja. 

    Omoniyi said the visit was to familiarise with the new leadership of the BPP and discuss the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians concerning the agency’s operations.  

    During the meeting, Mr. Omoniyi emphasised the importance of engagement and collaboration for improved procurement systems.

    He said: “We are here to felicitate with you on your appointment and outline the public’s expectations of this organisation. Our last visit was during the tenure of the previous leadership, and it is crucial to revisit this agency to reinforce our advocacy for improved procurement practices that benefit all Nigerians.

    “We also want to hear your vision for the agency and explore areas of collaboration.”

    Adedokun said the agency under his leadership will reduce procurement document processing time from several months to a maximum of three weeks.

    The DG said this would ensure clarity and timely responses.  

    Adedokun said the Bureau will also experience digital transformation while revealing efforts made to digitise the entire BPP’s operations.

    He said: “Nigerians should also expect the release of procurement details as soon as decisions are made. This is to enable Nigerians to track projects and hold contractors accountable.

    “Also, we want to establish a Price Intelligence System to combat over-invoicing. This is to aid our intelligence around contract pricing, with this robust system, we can benchmark prices and reject proposals outside acceptable ranges.”  

    The DG stressed the need for renewed procurement practices that enhance transparency and accountability, saying only a renewed procurement system can renew the Hope of the people and deliver good governance.

  • Kano plans to lift 2m women out of poverty by 2029 with WEE policy 

    Kano plans to lift 2m women out of poverty by 2029 with WEE policy 

    The Kano state overnment has pledged to empower over two million women through the domestication and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy by 2029.

    The Commissioner for Women, Children, and the Disabled, Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, revealed this on Thursday during a two-day validation workshop on the domestication of the WEE Policy held in Kaduna.

    The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and the Disabled, was conducted in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and supported by the Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners under the Wali Empowerment Initiative.

    The Commissioner, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Iliyasu Yakasai, said domesticating the policy in Kano state is a commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in the state.

    While describing the policy as not just a programme, the Commissioner added that the state has viewed the WEE policy as a vision that will enable every woman in Kano state to pursue her dreams, contribute to the economy, and enhance the welfare of her family members.

    Read Also: Finidi revels in Rivers United ‘s win against Kano Pillars

    “In Kano state, we understand that empowering women is not just a matter of social justice, but it is a key driver of sustainable development. When you invest in women, you are investing in families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” she added.

    The Commissioner however commended partners, donors, and other civil society for their commitment and investment in the domestication of the policy, hoping that they will support in investing in the implementation of the policy when it is launched next year.

    “We will engage in a thorough review of our existing strategies, assess the effectiveness of our plans in the future, share our thoughts, and learn from one another as we strive to create a more supportive and enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, workers, and caregivers in Kano state.

    “We firmly believe that, with all these in place and with domestication and proper implementation of the WEE Policy, we will succeed in lifting at least 2 million women out of poverty by 2029,” she added.

    Earlier, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr Judith Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnership and Communications, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for national development and growth, adding that when domesticated and implemented, the Policy will contribute 30% of the economic growth of Kano state.

    In her presentation at the event, the Executive Director of IWEI, representing the WEE Catalyst Fund Partner (Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and Fable Advisory), Hajiya Amina Hanga, urged the state government to ensure the full and effective implementation of the policy when domesticated and pledged her organisation’s support in that regard.

  • ‘Expedite work on tax reform bills’

    ‘Expedite work on tax reform bills’

    The Arewa Youth Movement has thrown its support behind the tax reform bills before the National Assembly.

    The group urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the bills which have generated controversy and led to its suspension to allow for further consultation.

    The group said the “comprehensive legislation has the potential to transform the country’s fiscal landscape, promote economic growth, and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.”

    The President, Arewa Youth Movement, Sa’ad Muhammad said the bills would benefit the North by promoting economic development, creating jobs, and increasing revenue generation.

    Read Also: Akpabio: Senate stands with Nigerians on Tax Reform Bills

    He added that the Northern Governors’ Forum has also acknowledged the bill’s potential to address the region’s developmental challenges.

    He said: “The tax reform bills have the potential to address some of the underlying structural issues that have hindered Nigeria’s economic growth. By broadening the tax base, reducing tax rates, and promoting tax compliance, the bill will help to increase government revenue, promote economic diversification and enhance transparency and accountability.

    “We urge the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the tax reform bill, ensuring that its provisions are implemented effectively to benefit all Nigerians, particularly those in the Northern region.

    “We believe that this legislation has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy, promote sustainable growth, and ensure a brighter future for all citizens.”

  • Initiative to empower 2,000 women in agribusiness

    Initiative to empower 2,000 women in agribusiness

    Adanianlabs Nigeria has unveiled the second phase of its “You’ve Got Business for Agri SMEs” initiative where it plans to empower over 2,000 women in the agricultural value chain.

    Founder of Adanianlabs Nigeria, John Kamara said the second phase which is scheduled to commence next year, is focused on empowering women farmers and increasing youth involvement in the agricultural value chain.

    According to him, the initiative aims to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture, equipping them with the tools and skills needed to thrive.

    He said: “Among its objectives, the initiative plans to: Support over 2,000 women and youth-led agri-SMEs through access to financial resources, cutting-edge tools, and market insights.

    Read Also: UNDP, others empower women

    “Promote the adoption of data-driven practices to boost productivity and efficiency.

    ‘Increase youth involvement in agriculture by offering targeted training and opportunities.

    “Empower women to become significant contributors to food security while promoting gender equity in agricultural entrepreneurship.

    “Create a vibrant ecosystem for agricultural SMEs through collaboration and innovation.

    “With preparations underway for the 2025 launch, Adanianlabs and its partners are optimistic about the initiative’s potential to revolutionise Nigeria’s agriculture sector. By addressing systemic challenges and embracing technology, the program is set to unlock new opportunities for growth and sustainability.”

  • SSANIP laments delay in payment of Nov salary

    SSANIP laments delay in payment of Nov salary

    Polytechnic workers on the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) have expressed disappointment and concerns over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to disburse November salaries to workers of Federal Polytechnics and related institutions across the country.

    In statement signed in Abuja on Tuesday by its National President, Comrade Philip Ogunsip, SSANIP expressed dismay in the delayed payment of the November salary of its members amid the prevailing economic challenges currently being experienced in the country.

    The statement added that the “unwarranted delay has imposed severe financial hardships, further exacerbating the already difficult living conditions faced by Nigerian workers.”

    The statement reads: “The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) expresses disappointment and concerns over the Federal Government’s failure to disburse November salaries to workers of Federal Polytechnics and related Institutions across the nation.

    Read Also: SSANIP laments delayed implementation of new minimum wage

    “This is happening amid the prevailing economic challenges currently being experienced in the country. Timely salary payments are not just essential but critical for the sustenance of our members and their families. This unwarranted delay has imposed severe financial hardships, further exacerbating the already difficult living conditions faced by Nigerian workers.

    “The root cause of this issue (as we are made to understand) appears to be tied to the ongoing migration of payroll systems from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. While this transition was expected to be seamless, the process has been plagued by inefficiencies. There has been no transfer of staff records to facilitate the migration, and essential human capital required to oversee this process remains unfulfilled, leaving Institutions in disarray.

    “SSANIP hereby calls on the Office of the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to urgently address this matter to reassure workers, who are growing increasingly agitated.

    “Our union is resolute in advocating for the welfare of its members and urges the government to take decisive steps to rectify this pressing issue without further delay please.”