NEWS
History as Abuja Gets Youth Wing of KSM
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
History was made on Friday 13th August 2021 when the Supreme Grand Knight (SK) of the Knights of St. Mulumba inaugurated the youth Wing of the Abuja Sub- Council office the Order. The event began with a concelebrated Mass led by Rev. Fr. (Prof) Moses Orhungur, the Abuja Metro Chaplain.
It would be recalled that the Abuja Sub Council of the Order is the mother Council of the KSM in Abuja, being the first Council to be inaugurated in 1990 and has birthed 14 other sub-councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The inauguration of the first Youths of St. Mulumba (YSM) in the Abuja Metropolitan Council (Archdiocese) of Abuja makes it another trail blazing record in the Metro and is coming only after such a feat by Calabar and Lagos Metropolitan Councils in Nigeria.
The inauguration of the YSM is in fulfilment of the vision of the Founder of the KSM, priest and Monk Rev. Fr. Abraham Anselm Isaghome Ojefua before his death in 1988 that there should be the youth arm of the Order.
Accordingly, the Calabar and Lagos Metropolitan Councils have pioneered the inauguration of the YSM in Nigeria, followed by the Abuja Metro Council led by the Abuja Sub- Council.
Administering the oath of Membership of the YSM on the 38 successfully screened youths at the ceremony held at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro- Cathedral, Area 3 Garki Abuja, the Worthy Supreme Knight (SK) Sir. Diamond Ovuaraye reminded the youths that their admission to the Order now places an onerous task on their behaviours and conducts and urged them to remain spotless and be shining examples to other youths around to emulate.
The Worthy SK represented by the Worthy Deputy Supreme Knight (DS) Sir. Dr. Charles Mbelede charged the Youths further: “As Youths of St. Mulumba your honour and integrity is at stake. You have to measure it because your actions and inaction are now to be monitored.
“You are a light that has been lit for others to look at. You have to be very careful. I’m happy to note that two of your members before this inauguration have gotten wedded in the Church. You are boys and girls if integrity. Please don’t get pregnant out of wedlock. The YSM is not a place for you to come and befriend yourselves and disgrace the Order.”
He posited that with the take- off the YSM, the KSM can now sleep well because of the assurance of vibrant successors.
Speaking on the occasion, the Worthy Metro Grand Knight (MGK) Abuja Metro, Sir Michael Mtomga Aule expressed happiness that the inauguration of the YSM was happening during his tenure. He assured the Supreme Knight that very shortly he will be back in Abuja again for the inauguration of another Sub Council’s chapter of the YSM.
The Deputy Metro Grand Knight, Sir (Dr ) Frank Odafen under whose tenure as the Worthy Grand Knight of the Abuja Sub – Council, the idea was given vibe to thanked God that after 5 years what was like a tall dream has become a reality.
“It is gratifying to note that what we dreamt about five years ago has found fulfillment today with this inauguration. We must commend the current Worthy Deputy Grand Knight (DGK) of the Abuja Sub- Council, Sir Martin Dibang Achua for his untiring and committed efforts in seeing that this vision has seen the light of the day today. With this inauguration KSM in Abuja Sub-council is now standing on a tripod. Namely: the Knights; Ladies and now the Youths. We are now complete,” Sir Odafen added.
He also mentioned for acknowledgement the pioneering efforts of the Abuja Metro Grand Knights such as Sir Ignatius Adaji, Sir Clement Uganden; Lady Rebecca Uganden and Lady Naomi Agbali.
The current Worthy Grand Knight of the Abuja Council , Sir David Igbazua Kpue ,expressing joy and fulfillment following the inauguration assured the youths of continuous mentoring and guidance to nuture them to maturity.
He equally in a fit of happiness announced a waiver of membership fee and dues payment for one year for the two youth members who are now qualify to upgrade to the KSM by virtue of their marriage status and attainment of the ripe age for enlistment into the KSM.
“The Executive of the Abuja Council has approved automatic membership of two of the YSM to be enlisted into the KSM. Their Dues for one year is going to be borne by the Exco. This is to reward them for their leadership and mobilization role in the formation of the YSM,” Sir Kpue said.
The two lucky youths are: Brothers Chinonso Mbagaha and Ejike Cajetan.
The Deputy Grand Knight of the Abuja Sub–Council, who spearheaded the formation of the YSM, Sir Martin Dibang Achua expressed appreciation to the Supreme Council, the Metropolitan Council and the Abuja Sub- Council Exco for making their work come to fruition with the inauguration.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fully transitioning to Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other exam bodies by 2026.
Dr Alausa made this known while monitoring the conduct of WAEC’s CBT examinations in Abuja on Wednesday.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to modernise its examination system and reduce widespread malpractice through digital innovation.
Commending WAEC’s initiative, the minister described the shift from traditional pen-and-paper exams to CBT as a historic and crucial step toward fairness and educational integrity.
“We are working very hard to eliminate fraud in our exam system, and WAEC is taking the lead,” he said.
Highlighting the advantages of CBT, Alausa noted that the system simplified the exam process while significantly curbing cheating.
“We now have clear evidence that when exams are done using technology, the level of fraud is minimised to almost zero,” he stated.
He further lauded WAEC’s internal safeguards, explaining that the CBT system was operated via a secured Local Area Network (LAN), making it “literally impossible” to hack.
According to the minister, by Nov. 2025, all WAEC multiple-choice exams will be conducted using CBT.
He added that essay questions and NECO examinations would follow suit by 2026.
On infrastructure and logistics, particularly in remote areas, Alausa acknowledged the challenges but assured that scalable solutions are in progress.
“Are we going to be ready to provide every single needed infrastructure by November? Absolutely not.
“But as we move into the future, we will be ready. We have to challenge ourselves as government,” he said.
He also addressed concerns over the logistics of conducting multiple exams.
“In WAEC, the average student takes about eight to nine papers.
“They do it over several days. Those are the logistics we, as administrators, have to work through, and we already are,” he explained.
The ongoing WAEC exams, which began on April 24, are scheduled to conclude on June 20, 2025.
A total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools are participating. Of this number, 979,228 candidates are male, accounting for 49.63 per cent, while 994,025 candidates are female, making up 50.37 per cent.(NAN)
A Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), JB Daudu (SAN),has advocated for a higher minimum entry requirement for the Nigerian Police Force, suggesting a university degree or its equivalent.Daudu, who is the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation made the call at the 13th Webinar series organized by the foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.
Report says that the webinar had the theme `Overview and Mid-Term Report of The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (May2023-May 2025)’. He suggests that a more educated workforce would be better equipped to handle the challenges of policing, potentially leading to improved performance and effectiveness“This will ensure that all entry level officers receive a mandatory course in the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights that have been enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).“It will also ensure that they receive sufficient training in the handling of firearms to curb the wave of accidental discharge of firearms and all other cases of abuse of firearms that our citizens now suffer from’’.“As far as many Nigerians are concerned, the police force is not only moribund, but a large percentage of its personnel are branded as corrupt.“Most Nigerians don’t report crimes in which they are victims because of the fear that they may, in the course of pursuing their rights, be branded as the criminals, or be exploited for financial gain.“The federal government must commence the rebranding of the Nigerian Police Force’’.He equally called for improvement in their remuneration package, the provision of institutional support such as insurance cover, mandatory housing program, promotions as and when due, affordable health services, and educational support.The Learned Silk stressed the need to rewrite the disciplinary protocols of all security agencies and ensure that these rules are subjected to ordinary laws of the land through trials in our criminal courts.“Offences by errant policemen amounting not only to civil disciplinary issues but are also criminal in nature, must attract punishments that fit the offence.“Such offences as reckless misuse of firearms and police power leading to death or serious bodily harm of, and on, innocent victims must be appropriately punished rather than a mere slap on the wrist”.He added that serious and immediate thought must be given to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force.“20 years ago, I championed the advocacy of an autonomous and independent state police completely severed from the umbilical cord of the federal police that is the Nigeria Police Force.“I cannot in good conscience state today that I can still support the creation of a blanket State Police left in the hands of the Governor of a State.“The reason for this shift in position is that the political maturity, and I say this with the utmost respect and humility, of our new set of leaders at the state level is not such as was in existence 25 years ago’’.He noted that creating state police at this point in time is to encourage flashpoints in different parts of the country some of which may escalate into ‘civil wars’.“I shudder to think of what would have happened if certain states which were recently plunged into political crisis had recourse to their police units during the political crisis that recently plagued their states.“For now and until the political actors improve in their political maturity, the alternative would be and should be ‘community police’.“I propose most respectfully a measure where every ward in a local government would have an office of the community police that will monitor and ensure the reportage of all crimes.“This should include the movement of all suspicious characters who may likely pose a threat to the peace and harmony of the community”.He added that where the threat is beyond the capability of the community, and escalates to the remaining wards and the Local government Headquarters, the State Police Command should step in.He said that all the funds being used to buy rice and other palliatives could be used to fund and equip security-watch offices in these locations as described above.“This means therefore that the local government council of every LGA must be made to be the centre point of the maintenance of law and order and the promotion of security in Nigeria.“Note that there is still the corruption factor and strict or severe punishment must be meted on local community police officers who corruptly abuse their power”. (NAN)
The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of CSP Baba Ali, a Divisional Police Officer in Kano State. Report says that the Police Command in Kano confirmed the killing on Monday, along with the burning of the Rano police station.
The DPO was reportedly killed by angry youths in Rano town, Rano Local Government Area, sparking widespread condemnation and concern across the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, expressed sorrow and described the incident as a grave national loss. “CSP Baba Ali served with dedication and integrity. His commitment to peace and security must be recognised and remembered,” Abubakar stated. Abubakar urged the Federal Government to launch an impartial investigation, calling for cooperation among relevant agencies to reveal the circumstances of the officer’s death. He emphasised that the investigation must be transparent, keeping the victim’s family and the public informed at every stage. The NYCN president also demanded justice not only for CSP Baba Ali but for all Nigerians striving for safety and security. He called on the government to adopt measures that strengthen security forces and ensure better protection for officers on duty. “The death of CSP Baba Ali underscores the urgent need for united efforts against violence. Government must act decisively to prevent similar tragedies,” he added. (NAN)
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