NEWS
Ododo Visits Kogi Varsity, Vows to Rescue Kidnapped Students Unhurt
Gov. Usman Ododo on Saturday expressed determination to rescue the nine abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Kogi safe and sound from their abductors.
The governor made the pledge when he visited the university campus on an assessment of the security situation in the wake of the security breach on the campus that led to the abduction of the students.
Bandits had invaded the institution on Thursday night and abducted nine students, whose whereabouts still remained unknown as the assailants yet to make contact with the management of the institution.
Ododo, who was taking round the surrounding by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdulraman Asipita, vowed to secure the safe return of the students from their abductors.
“This visit is part of my concern for what happened on Thursday and to assure parents and management that every necessary step including non-kinetic measures have been activated to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
“I hereby wish to assure members of the university community of efforts of my administration to improve the existing security architecture on the campus.
“We will do whatever it takes to return all the abducted students to the university and to reunite them with their families and friends.
“It is our duty as a government to protect lives and property in all parts of the state. We are prepared to protect the students and that is why we allowed the students to stay on the campus.
“It’s unfortunate that in spite of installed CCTV cameras in all the classrooms and the entire perimeter of the university campus the abductors still struck.
“Our investigation so far revealed that all the cameras were switched off and this can only be attributed to sabotage by internal collaborators,” he lamented.
According to him, security agencies are on their heels and that investigation is ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
He disclosed that there would be regular review of the operation as more facts emerge from the investigation.
“I am here to see things myself; to assess the situation and also to review the ongoing operation that will ensure the safe return of the students to the school. What is most important now is how to rescue our students unhurt.
“We have the right information at our disposal but we can’t put all that out in the media. I want the parents and students to be calm as we are making concerted effort to secure the return of the students,” he said.
Ododo commended the security agencies for their gallantry in minimizing the impact of the attack by preventing the attackers from gaining access to the university hostels.
“Nothing will be spared to bring back the students and to prevent a repeat of such unfortunate attack on the university campus and elsewhere in the state, ” Ododo assured. (NAN)
NEWS
South-East agog as President Tinubu rejigs SEDC Board
The Nzuko Alaigbo Socio-Cultural Progressives has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his reconstitution of the board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).In a press statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the organization also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.
Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for championing the Bill and being in close contact with Mr. President and the leadership in making sure the Bill is signed. The statement, signed by the National President of the organisation, Ambassador Dr Tim Ihemadu, JP, also dismissed a report in a section of the media insinuating that the constitution of the Board of the SEDC had sparked trouble between and among certain political leaders in the region.It declared that the people of the South East are happy and in full support of President Tinubu and his government.Dr Ihemadu, who observed that the President has proven naysayers wrong by immediately reconstituting the Board after some initial hiccups, said people in the South East are in a jubilant mood, having seen President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope in action.He added that since the end of the Nigerian civil war in 1971, this is the first time the federal government is making real efforts to reintegrate the South East with the rest of the country.The organization therefore thanked President Tinubu for this gesture and assured him of the continued support of the South East for his government, Dr Ihemadu further called on Mr. President to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOBP, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whom the Court had earlier cleared of all the charges leveled against him.He said there was no rift between Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu and the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the composition of the Board of the SEDC as reported in the media.Excerpts:“The reconstitution of the Board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set the region agog.“Initially, the first list of the Board that came out had kept everyone silent, but having rejigged the Board with a more dynamic approach, it now has those who will champion the cause of development for the region. Men with impeccable track records are now on the Board to manage the Commission.“We want to thank Mr. President for quickly constituting the Board, because people were thinking that this thing will not materialize. In fact, initially, people were thinking that he would not sign the Bill (for the establishment of the SEDC), but he has signed it and finally he has constituted the Board with the right people.“We want to appreciate Mr. President for this gesture.“Since 1971 that the war ended, all efforts to re-integrate the South East in to the Nigerian State have not really worked out. This is the first time – meaning that the President is talking and doing. It means that he says something, he maintains and delivers it.“We want to appreciate him for bringing the right people.“We also want to thank the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for championing the Bill and being in close contact with Mr. President and the leadership in making sure the Bill is signed.“We have proven the nay-sayers wrong by constituting the Board and Management of the Commission.“This is the first time we are seeing Renewed Hope in action. Indeed, Renewed Hope is already being felt in the South East currently and everywhere in the South East, people are happy and jubilating that indeed, President Tinubu means well for the region.“We therefore want to thank Mr. President and assure him of our continued support.Signed Ambassador Dr. Tim Ihemadu JP, National President, Nzuko Alaigbo Socio-Cultural Progressives
NEWS
Shettima Lauds BUK over Provision of Quality Education, Equitable Admission
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended Bayero University,Kano(BUK) for providing quality education to Nigerians over the years.
Shettima made the commendation while declaring open the BUK Class of 2004 Reunion at the university’s Main Campus on Saturday.
He also lauded the university for its track record of unbiased admission policy across the country devoid of religion and ethnicity.
He was represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Development Finance and Financial Inclusion.
The vice-president said:”Contributions of BUK in providing quality education for all Nigerians and its track record of unbiased admission policy devoid of religion and ethnicity are really commendable.
“We however have some challenges which underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the systemic inequalities faced by women and other marginalised groups,” Shettima said.
According to him, with every challenge comes an opportunity, adding, “with you as Ambassadors, we can leverage strengths, resources, networks, and technical expertise.
”This is to develop innovative solutions, and this is precisely why we participate in today’s reunion.
”I therefore implore all of us to contribute towards making our country great again.”
Tinubu said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognised that government efforts alone could not achieve the myriad of economic potential of Nigeria.
He added,”Consequently, this gathering emphasises the critical role of future leaders and partners, particularly from the private sector.
”This is in ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of our programs, projects, and initiatives.
“We seek your collaboration and contributions, guided by an evidence-based approach to identify new programmes and policies that will drive impactful change.
”All these are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Let us seize this opportunity to exchange best practices, design innovative strategies, and explore groundbreaking/emerging opportunities such as technologies that can drive meaningful change.”
Shettima called for collective efforts to define and strengthen roles, establish impactful partnerships, and create unique, community-driven initiatives and interventions.
“We also call for firm commitment and support for our shared vision of this administration as we remain steadfast in our commitment to translating the outcomes of this reunion into tangible actions,” he added.( NAN)
NEWS
Education Bedrock for Economic Development – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday in Owerri emphasised the need for quality education to speed up Nigeria’s economic development.
Tinubu, in a goodwill message to the 36th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said that his administration places much premium on educational growth.
His message was read by Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
The president said that his administration had repositioned federal universities to enable them conduct researches to solve the nation’s challenges.
“Education is a major fulcrum for national development; it is a catalyst for alleviating poverty and promoting economic growth and development.
“This fact remains sacrosanct for my administration hence the inclusion of education among the eight priority areas that include economy, security, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and health.
“To further underscore the Federal Government’s commitment towards tertiary education, we established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund dedicated to granting students fees and personal upkeep loans.
“A total of N33bn was made available to start the programme which commenced this year with six pilot universities from each of the geopolitical zones,” he revealed.
Tinubu further advised young graduates to embrace farming and vocational training, in addition to their academic qualifications.
“The period white-collar jobs were readily available has faded away. I urge you to harness the potentials in agriculture, vocational skills and Information Technology to add value to yourself and the nation.” he counseled.
Tinubu further said that the Federal Government had made substantial interventions in FUTO to upgrade its facilities and infrastructure.
Report says that the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and his Borno counterpart, Prof. Babangida Zulum, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees at the ceremony. (NAN)