NEWS
Gbong Gwom Urges Berom to Give Back to their Community

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba, has urged Berom sons and daughters to give back to their community.
Buba gave the advice at the inauguration of a six-classroom block built and donated to BECO Comprehensive Secondary School, Kwi, by Dr Simon Mwadkon, representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency.
Buba said that gone were the days when people’s representatives would never look back, thinking government would do everything for their communities.
“Government resources are dwindling by the day, those that are privileged should emulate Mwadkon by giving back to their communities.
“We have this attitude of believing that government will do everything, government resources are also limited.
“We pray that individuals will take up some of these responsibilities as they have done here,” he said.
Buba commended ‘Wunato Besa’ (Unity of Friends) who renovated the school’s science laboratory and other facilities to aid learning.
Mwatkon said in his remarks that he would continue to attract development to the area for the good of the people he represents.
The lawmaker who said that the block of classrooms was part of his 2021 intervention projects, promised to provide furniture for the school in few weeks.
“By the grace of God, we will build another six-classroom block in the school this year because it has already been approved in this year’s budget,” he said.
The President, Berom Cultural Organisation (BECO), Mr Gyang Dudu, described Mwadkon as`a different breed of politician’ who keeps his word.
“We should have commissioned this project last year but for some unforeseen circumstances we could not.
“This is to the glory of Berom nation, this is for the destiny of our children including those that are yet unborn.
“This is for the entire Plateau and Nigeria in general because professionals in different fields of human endeavours would come out of this school,” he added.
The Chairman Wunato Besa, Elder Austin Dalyop, said that they were able to renovate the science laboratory, connect the school to public power supply, fixed the school borehole and reticulated the water from members’ individual contributions.
“We observed with great admiration the prowess of the Berom people in science and technical education. We know that the development of any nation or people is dependent on their education.
“Our desire therefore, is to make life much better for our future generations.
“Here is our giving back to community to empower the educational system for the next generation of Berom sons and daughters.
“I implore you students on the need to strive to achieve greater heights and explore the world which is now a global community and God almighty will crown your efforts,” he advised. (NAN)
Foreign News
Philippine President Calls for Resignation of All Cabinet Secretaries

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked all of his Cabinet secretaries to submit their resignations on Thursday in what he called a “bold reset” of his administration following last week’s mid-term elections.
The elections saw more opposition candidates win crucial Senate seats, signaling shifting political tides.
Marcos, the 67-year-old son of the late Philippine dictator overthrown in 1986, won the presidency in a landslide in 2022, a stunning political comeback marked by a call for national unity.
However, his vice-presidential running mate, Sara Duterte, also widely popular, later distanced herself from Marcos in a falling-out that had sparked intense political discord.
Marcos had since emerged as one of the region’s most vocal critics of China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea, bolstered by support from the United States and other allies. Domestically, he continued to face significant challenges, including high inflation, unfulfilled promises to lower rice prices, and growing concerns over kidnappings and other crimes.
“This is not business as usual,” Marcos said in a government statement.
“The people have spoken and they expect results, not politics, not excuses. We hear them and we will act.” (AP/NAN)
NEWS
Reps to Investigate Alleged Irregularities in Driver’s licence Issuance, Revenue Generation

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate operational issues related to driver’s licence issuance, revenue generation and usage within the last three years.The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Victor Ogene (APC-Bayelsa) at the plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion, Ogene said that a tripartite arrangement between Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) led to the digital issuance or renewal of a driver’s license. He said that the approving signature on a driver’s licence typically comes from a designated officer at the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the state where the licence application originated.He explained that a learner’s permit for driving a vehicle was first issued at a prescribed fee by Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the relevant state before the release of a driver’s licence.According to him, FRSC operates a Very Important Person (VIP) centre, ostensibly for the renewal of a driver’s licence, which is reportedly being used for issuing fresh driver’s licences that are not preceded with a learner’s permit.Ogene said that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) reviewed the fees payable for a five-year and three-year driver’s licence to N21,000 and N15,000 respectively for a vehicle, N11,000 and N7,000 respectively for a motorcycle or tricycle since Nov. 1, 2024.“FRSC is alleged to use its Information Processing Centre (IPC) for warehousing data for driver’s licences and shortchange the state Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the collection and usage of fees for processing driver’s licences.“Worried that FRSC is reportedly controlling and receiving accounts for drivers’ licence fees, the yearly revenue generated from chargeable fees which amounts to hundreds of billions of naira, is also allegedly unaccounted for by the VIO and various state boards of internal revenue.“Disturbed that the processing of drivers’ licences is unexplainably being delayed for upward of two to three years after the biometric data capturing of applicants.“Also disturbed that the huge debts the FRSC owes Galaxy Backbone Ltd. and other system consultants who are the network providers and maintainers of the biometrics data capturing system are responsible for the system slowdown and the resultant long delay in the issuance of driver’s licences,” he said.Ogene also expressed the need to clearly ascertain which public agency had the legal responsibility of designing, producing and issuing a driver’s licence.In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen said that the committee, when constituted, would report its findings within four weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)NEWS
Those Waiting for Wike’s Downfall ‘ll Wait Endlessly – Aide

Mr Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says those waiting for the minister’s political downfall will wait endlessly.Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, made the remarks while reacting to comments by former governor of Ebonyi Sam Egwu.
Egwu had in a statement on Tuesday, said that Wike was living on borrowed time, adding that the FCT minister’s influence would soon burn out. Reacting, the spokesman said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, that those waiting for Wike’s downfall would wait forever.He argued that Wike’s political progress was based on personal hard work, dedication, commitment and most importantly, God’s grace.Olayinka also faulted Egwu’s challenge to Wike to make it possible for the suspended governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara to return to office.He also described allegations that the FCT Minister now exercises the powers of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly in Rivers as absurd.“This type of statement should not come from a former lawmaker,” he said.The Wike spokesman also dismissed the threats by a faction of the South East leaders of the PDP to withdraw their support for the party.According to him, it was illogical for people who could not deliver anything substantial in terms of votes to the PDP in the 2023 elections to be threatening to withdraw their support for the party.“The PDP constitution is clear as to who is the National Secretary of the party. His name is Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and anyone saying or doing anything contrary is only interested in the collapse of the party.” (NAN)