By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT Chapter, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen.

Maikalangu, in a condolence message to the leadership and members of the FCT NUJ Council, described the late journalist as a courageous media professional, an advocate for truth and an exemplary leader who contributed significantly to the development of journalism in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

The ALGON FCT Chairman said Osadebamwen’s death was a major loss to the NUJ, the journalism profession and the wider media community across Nigeria.

According to him, the deceased was a “soldier and a real bulldozer of the pen profession,” whose commitment to truth, justice and responsible journalism earned him respect within the media industry.

 “His bold commentary, developmental reporting and steadfast leadership left an indelible mark on the media landscape in the Federal Capital Territory,” Maikalangu said.

He extended his condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and associates of the deceased, as well as the entire NUJ family, praying that God would grant them the strength to cope with the loss.

He also urged journalists in the FCT to preserve Osadebamwen’s legacy by upholding professional ethics, unity and courageous journalism in the discharge of their duties.

“May his gallant soul rest in perfect peace,” Maikalangu prayed.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu State Government has trained over 15,000 civil and public servants on e-governance and digitalisation fostering improved productivity, seamless and smarter discharge of duties.

The Enugu State Head of Service (HoS), Dr Godwin Anigbo, told newsmen on Sunday in Enugu that the over 15,000 target was achieved after the completion of the 5th batch of the “Enugu State Civil Servants Digital Literacy Programme”.

It would be recalled that Anigbo, a seasoned technocrat, who assumed office on July 18, 2025, disclosed this while enumerating his achievements in one year.

The HoS said that Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration had given civil and public servants necessary support and innovative-driven vision to meet the state’s economic growth and expansion targets.

He said that training and activities in the one year under review included: participation in the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja and conduct of confirmation/promotion for Clerical Assistants, Messengers, Store Officers etc from Feb. 23  to March 25, 2025.

“Training of Permanent Secretaries on Strategic Policy Alignment and Disruptive Innovation between Feb.10 and Feb. 13, 2026 and a 3-Day Workshop for Directors and Deputy Directors on Fiscal Stewardship, Strategic Oversight and Institutional Integrity in the Era of Disruptive Innovation between March 23 and March 25, 2026.

“Training of Chief Drivers/Mechanics and Plant Operators transferring to Works Superintendent between April 13th and May 6, 2026 and a 3-Day Training of Permanent Secretaries and Directors on Artificial Intelligence (Al) in collaboration with UNESCO between May 26 and May 28,  2026.

“4-Day Training of Administrative Officers on Optimizing Service Delivery and Productivity in a Digital Age between Oct. 28 and Oct. 31, 2025 and a 2-Day Sensitization Workshop for Nodal and Desk Officers SERVICOM service and wide projects.

“Conducted 2025 Senior Management Promotion; Organized 2025 Civil Service Week; documentation of newly-appointed political appointees and newly-employed officers; and monitoring workers attendance Service-wide-MDAs, General Hospitals and Local Government Areas among others,” he said.

Anigbo said that his initiated Public Service Training institute, being established through re-purposing and upgrading of the Staff Development Centre, would not only serve as training institute but also be a policy research, evaluation and think-tank institute.

The HoS noted that the new Staff Clinic at the State Secretariat Complex, which is being established leveraging partnership and corporate social responsibility through the private sector, is close to completion.

“In the period under review, Enugu State participated actively in the 47th Meeting of the National Council on Establishment, Kano 2025 and 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishment between July 20 and July 24, 2026 in River State.

“My office, through the Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), has maintained the State database by collecting, compiling, analyzing and updating Nominal Rolls from all the MDAs in the state.

“This exercise would, at the snap of the finger, show the total number of the state workforce, where they are posted, and their general status,” he said.

He said that his office is currently coordinating the processing of House Renovation Loans which attract a maximum of N1 million loan with a low single-digit interest rate of 6 per cent from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Anigbo added that the loan, which would be given proportionately based on one’s salary, had no further attachments to it except that the beneficiary must be a civil or public servant.

“To ensure that every worker justified his/her pay, which the governor has graciously paid above the national minimum wage, we set up a monitoring committee unit in a department.

“The unit is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring of staff attendance in all MDAs in the state; while reports are generated from the field, analyzed and queries are issued to erring officers.

“At other times, their salaries are stopped to serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.

According to him, as Enugu State works towards a $30 billion economy by 2031, we are building a civil/public service that can work faster, use data better, reduce paper-based processes and deliver more efficient public services.

“Under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, we are investing not only in infrastructure, but in the people and institutions required to deliver and sustain Enugu State’s transformation and growth.

“We are building a smarter, resilient, more productive and digital-cum-technological enabled government meant to deliver quality, measurable and impactful services to the people,” he added.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Federal Government, officially handed over 188 housing units to the Taraba State Government in Jalingo, as part of its renewed commitment to providing access, increasing affordability and bridging the housing deficit in the country.

The houses were built under the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme (NHP), initiatives in all the states of the federation.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqa Rabe Darma, PhD performed the hand-over of the houses to the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas at a colourful ceremony held at the Government House in Jalingo.

Minister Darma described housing as a basic human need and said the project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to closing Nigeria’s housing gap.

“Housing is one of the most essential needs of any human being,” Darma said. “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is building these houses across the country. They must be functional, and they must be occupied.”

Darma said the fastest way to get the houses to Nigerians is for state governments to acquire them and allocate them to citizens, including civil servants, members of the security forces, and the general public.

“Taraba State has taken this giant step under the National Housing Programme,” he said. “By acquiring the units directly, the state can now allocate them quickly and ensure that working families benefit without delay.”

The 188 units are part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, an initiative aimed at providing affordable and decent housing and reducing the country’s housing deficit. The programme also seeks to stimulate job creation through construction and support the development of sustainable communities.

In his remarks, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, thanked the Federal Government for the intervention and credited the Ministry for driving the process.

“We appreciate the proactive leadership of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development,” the Governor said. “This handover is clear testimony of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to providing affordable housing for all Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Governor added that the state government will put in place a transparent allocation process to ensure that the homes reach those who need them most.

With the Taraba handover completed, the Ministry said it expects more states to join the acquisition model as part of efforts to move houses from government inventory to citizens faster.

The Renewed Hope Housing Agenda includes the delivery of Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in all states of the federation, with a focus on affordability, quality, and access.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for housing policy, the National Housing Programme, and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda nationwide.