NEWS
Why FG Established Applied Sciences Varsity in Southern Kaduna – Alausa

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The federal government has explained that the establishment of University of Applied Sciences in Kachia was a deliberate effort to stimulate development in Southern Kaduna and promote fairness and equality across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa stated this while inaugurating the governing council and other principal officers of the university chaired by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kuka in Abuja on Friday. He disclosed that the university which aims to offer high-tech courses in Applied Sciences also plans to establish a College of Medicine in the nearest future.The Minister said the university’s creation was part of broader educational reforms, which include a focus on technical and vocational training, STEM education, reducing the number of out-of-school children, and promoting girl-child education.”We’ve written to JAMB to ensure that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is part of the portal when students begin to apply. NOK has been directed to ensure that every single thing that needs to be done is done.“The resource verification is underway. When we spoke to the Executive Secretary of NUC just a few days ago, we discussed how we need to quickly ensure that this resource verification is completed. The visitation to the university will happen on April 7th. Once that happens, we will have completed our processes at the Federal Ministry of Education,” Alausa stated.He further emphasised that the university would offer courses in Applied Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Sciences, and Medical Sciences.Speaking earlier, Bishop Kukah said that the establishment of the university has solved about 60% of Southern Kaduna problems.Kukah, who is the chairman of the governing council of the institution, stated that the realisation of the university was a result of God’s intervention.“Nigeria may have its own problems, and will continue to have its own problems, but I can assure you, Honourable Minister, that 60% of the problems of Southern Kaduna now have been solved.“We will not look back, because if God wanted us to look back, he would have given us at least one eye at the back of our head. We have, and we know absolutely no bitterness. We are, despite everything else, still one of the most educated parts of the whole of Northern Nigeria.“Today, Southern Kaduna has no less than over 200 professors. The education that we have had, that has brought us so far, that people like me benefited from, the education that came from the missionaries. But I want to assure you that by locating this University of Applied Sciences, you have presented tools to us. And I want to assure you that we will do everything that is humanly possible. Don’t be disappointed, Mr. President,” he said.In his remarks, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, assured that adequate security would be provided for the university and expressed confidence that the institution would become a center of excellence, fostering unity among all Nigerians in the region.“It will bring a lot of goodwill to the people. I want to assure Mr. President that we are fully committed to providing security to Nigeria and to assure Nigerians that we should not be afraid of anything. God is on our side.“The federal government means very well for us as Nigerians, so we will all put our hands together to ensure that this university thrives. I want to appreciate everybody for being here today. I want to say a very big thank you,” General Musa stated.NEWS
Gunmen Kill 11 Persons in Plateau

The police command in Plateau says gunmen have attacked Rubi community in Butura District in Bokkos Local Government and killed 11 persons.
Mr Alfred Alabo, the command’s spokesman made this known in a statement on Friday in Jos.
The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC),also in a statement, confirmed that 11 persons were killed.
Alabo quoted Mr Emmanuel Adesina, the Commissioner of Police in the state, who visited the scene, as condemning the attack.
“On March 27, at about 10:00 p.m., we received a report of some gunmen who invaded Ruwi village at about 09:20 p.m. and began to shoot sporadically.
“As a result, some law-abiding citizens of the community who were at a wake-keep unfortunately lost their lives.
“Many others secured varying degrees of injuries.
“Immediately, the Commissioner of Police directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bokkos to mobilise to the scene for necessary action,”he said.
To have first hand information on situation, Alabo said that the commissioner visited the scene and commiserated with those who lost their loves ones.
Similarly, the Plateau government had condemned the incident and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
Mrs Joyce Ramnap, the state Commissioner for Information, called on residents of the community not to take the law into their hands.Ramnap reiterated the state government’s commitment to security of lives and property of all citizens of the state.(NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Moves to Strengthen River Basin Authorities, Approves new Appointments

President Bola Tinubu has approved new appointments to strengthen the leadership of River Basin Development Authorities under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
At the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Abeokuta, Mr Sowade Adebayo will replace Mr Julius Oloro as the Executive Director of Engineering Services, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Friday.
At the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Mr Chucks Erhire steps into the role of Executive Director of Engineering Services, succeeding Dr Austin Izagbo.
The president also appointed Mr Sunday Hassan as the Executive Director of Planning at the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, replacing Mr Chris Tarka.
Mr Okibe Timothy retains his current position as the Executive Director of Engineering at the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority.
The president urged the appointees to uphold the highest standards of integrity and performance as they work to improve water management and rural development for the benefit of all Nigerians.(NAN)
NEWS
Stanbic IBTC Holdings to Pay Shareholders N38.87 bn as Dividend in 2024

Stanbic IBTC Holdings has announced plans to pay N38.87 billion in dividends to its shareholders for the financial year ended Dec.
31, 2024.This is a 36.3 per cent surge from N28.505 billion paid to its shareholders in 2023.
The company disclosed this in a corporate disclosure through the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
, on Friday.The disclosure reads “A Final Dividend of N3.
00 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each, that is N38,870,991,489.00“Subject to deduction of appropriate withholding tax and approval will be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of members at the close of business on Friday 11 April 2025.
“This is in addition to the Interim Dividend of N2.
00 paid in September 2024, thus bringing the total of 2024 dividend to N5.00.“The Register of Shareholders will be closed from Monday 14 April to Friday 18 April 2025.
“On Friday May 16, 2025, dividends will be paid electronically to shareholders whose names appear on the register as at the close of business on Friday April 11,
2025.
“It will be paid to those who have completed the e-dividend registration and mandated the Registrar to pay their dividends directly into their Bank accounts,” it said (NAN)