World Bank has promised to continue to provide necessary support to the Katsina State Governmenttoward the development of the education sector.The World Bank Country Director, Dr Ndiam Diop, made the promise in Katsina on Thursday at the Adolescent Girls Initiative forLearning and Empowerment (AGILE) project Implementation Support Mission (ISM) meeting.

The meeting was organised by the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education,in collaboration with the AGILE office in Katsina. The project has been supporting the education sector in the state through the construction, rehabilitation of schools, provision of potablewater in schools, conditional cash transfer, among others.The country director, however, said “we are here to learn not just about the project and how we are modestly supporting you, but also to learn about Katsina itself.“So, I would like to really commend the ministry and the leadership for the commitment to education.“I’m very pleased to see the progress that you have already made so far. I was just looking at the numbers in 2021 when the project started, the completionrate at the senior secondary education level was only 21 per cent.“This was very low, and I think by today, the number has gone up quite significantly, but we’re still not there yet.“But I think the objective should be to really go even further. But I would like to commend you for the commitment.”Diop added that the global research in Nigeria and elsewhere, shows that each additional year of education at secondary level increases the lifetime earning of the beneficiariessignificantly.He stressed that “if we want to reduce poverty in the future, we cannot skip education, we have to put a lot of efforts and emphasis on the sector.“As you know better than me, education is a sector that’s complex, with many stakeholders involved and many factors affecting the result, that’s why leadershipand commitment at the top is critical.”He pointed out that basically, officials cannot make significant progress in education without strong commitment and leadership, commending thestate government and other stakeholders’ commitment.“I also want to reiterate the commitment of the World Bank to continue supporting this sector to achieve the results that you have sets for yourselves,” the country director assured.Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Zainab Musawa, said huge successes were recorded in the sector, “due to the political will of Gov. Dikko Radda.“I would like to assure you that anything education, comes from the bottom of his heart. He takes it so personal that nothing slips under the carpet without his knowledge or decision.“The ministry is the highest level of decision making in terms of education. We have about five agencies, 13 departments that are very key and institutional to education in the state.“I would like to say that AGILE has been able to give the girl-child the opportunity to know that she is special.”(NAN)

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Shaibu Lawal, in a Correctional facility over an alleged armed robbery and attempted murder.Lawal, whose address was not provided was charged with conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder.The Magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Ayofe thereafter adjourned the case until Jan. 23, 2025, for mention.The Prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Oct. 26, at about 6.01 p.m, at Ago-Are, Tede area of Ibadan.Ibrahim said the defendant and others at large, while armed with knives, cutlasses, robbed Jamiu Wasiu of his motorcycle worth N1.2 million.He said the defendant also unlawfully attempted to cause the death of Wasiu by cutting off his left arm.Ibrahim said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000, as well as Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Laws of Nigeria,2004.(NAN)

A bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi to Moses Orshio Adasu University has passed first reading at the Benue State House Assembly.

The bill was read during Wednesday plenary by the acting Clerk of the House, Mr John Hwande.

Also during the plenary, a bill for the establishment of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, in Vandeikya local government area also passed first.

Daily asset reports that three other bills also passed first reading.

The bills include a bill for a law to amend a free and compulsory basic education and a bill for a law to establish a task force on quality healthcare and prevention of quackery in the state.

Report says that two out of the bills, which were from the executive, were presented to the house by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer.

The others were presented by the member representing Gboko East Constituency, Mrs. Becky Orpin, and that of Kwande West, Mr Thomas Dugeri.

The Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, who presided over plenary, referred them to the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative scrutiny. (NAN)