Today's Headlines:You’ll not regret supporting me, Tinubu tells women, Emefiele has been charged to court – DSS
You’ll not regret supporting me, Tinubu tells women
Credit: PUNCH paper
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured women in the country that his administration is dedicated to reclaiming the nation from the vested interests that have hindered its progress. He expressed his commitment to not betray the confidence placed in his administration by women, promising that they would not regret their support. Tinubu made these remarks while meeting with All Progressives Congress Women Leaders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
He emphasized that security, healthcare, and industrialization would be key priorities for his administration. Tinubu highlighted the implementation of various policies and programs, including a Students’ Loan Scheme to ensure stable academic calendars in tertiary institutions, and scholarships for four years of tertiary education. He also stressed the importance of addressing security concerns, improving healthcare facilities, and creating employment through industrialization. Tinubu expressed gratitude to the women leaders for their support during the campaigns and elections, and noted that his new position as ECOWAS Chairman would bring additional responsibilities.
He reassured the women of his commitment to a better Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of unity and an open-door policy. Tinubu urged the women leaders to be inclusive and educate citizens about the government’s policies and programs, while assuring them that the present difficulties are temporary and the gains from subsidy removal would be used to improve the lives of Nigerians. The APC National Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu, also congratulated the president on his election victory and praised his administration’s policies. She appealed for more women to be appointed to government positions.
Emefiele has been charged to court – DSS
Credit: Vanguard
In a surprising turn of events, the Department of State Services (DSS) has announced that it has charged suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to court. This comes shortly after a Federal High Court had ordered the DSS to either arraign or release Emefiele from custody.
Dr. Peter Afunanya, the spokesman for the DSS, released a statement on Thursday night confirming that Emefiele had been charged. However, the details of the charges and the specific court where the case is pending were not provided by Afunanya.
According to Afunanya, the DSS had previously applied for a court order to detain Emefiele in 2022 in relation to a criminal investigation. Despite obtaining a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the DSS arrested Emefiele in June 2023 based on new information, which now forms the basis for his current prosecution.
The DSS emphasized that it will handle the matter with professionalism, justice, and fairness, ensuring that its duties are executed within the confines of the law. The public is assured that the DSS is committed to upholding these principles and will keep the public informed about further developments in the case.
People obey IPOB sit-at-home order to avoid death — Uzodimma
In a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State addressed the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the southeast region of Nigeria. He stated that the people comply with the order out of fear of being killed, rather than due to any official government directive.
Uzodimma denied having knowledge of the presence of former Niger Delta militants, led by Asari Dokubo, operating in Imo State. He emphasized that the issue of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Biafran Prime Minister based in Finland, should be handled by the Federal Government as it falls under foreign affairs. The primary purpose of Uzodimma’s visit to the Presidential Villa was to address the security situation in the country and seek the president’s intervention.
He expressed concern over the high level of insecurity in the southeastern region and the need for additional support from the federal government to restore peace. Uzodimma clarified that the leaders of the southeast believe in the unity of Nigeria and emphasized the importance of providing security for the people to carry out their daily activities.
Regarding Asari Dokubo’s claim, the governor stated that he was unaware of any presence of Dokubo’s men in Imo State. He also addressed the issue of security votes, stating that while he does not personally use security votes in Imo State, governors should have access to funds to manage security issues. Finally, Uzodimma highlighted the exclusive authority of the Federal Government in dealing with foreign policy matters and diplomatic options, particularly concerning Simon Ekpa’s actions from Finland. He emphasized the need for both foreign and local contributions to be addressed by the Federal Government.
Ganduje’s free education policy fundamentally flawed – Kano Govt
Credit: Daily Post Nigeria
Umar Haruna Doguwa, the Commissioner for Education in Kano State, has criticized the free education policy implemented by the previous administration, stating that it was flawed and ineffective. During an unannounced inspection of public secondary schools in the state, Doguwa found numerous schools with insufficient furniture, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of resources. He specifically mentioned the poor feeding plan in boarding schools as another indication of the policy’s shortcomings.
One school that was particularly noteworthy was GGASS Tumfafi, located in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. Doguwa observed that the classrooms were overcrowded and many students were forced to sit on the floor due to the lack of furniture. Out of the 16 classes, nine had no furniture at all, while the remaining classes had only a few chairs and desks. With a total of 1,808 students and only 21 teachers, the situation was far from ideal. Additionally, a construction project initiated by the Tumfafi community to allete the overcrowding had been abandoned. Doguwa pledged to complete the project to help allete the problem.
Another school that caught Doguwa’s attention was Government Technical College Dambatta. He highlighted the previous administration’s failure to renovate the college’s four hostels, leaving 530 students living in cramped and uncomfortable conditions in just two hostels. Furthermore, the college’s rear fence had collapsed, posing a risk to the safety and security of the students.
During the visit, Doguwa requested the assistance of IDEAS, a World Bank-funded project that aims to improve infrastructure in science and technical schools in the state. He asked them to prioritize the renovation of the damaged hostel at Government Technical College Dambatta. He also emphasized the need for all future projects to align with the state government’s plans to enhance teaching and learning.
The Commissioner for Education’s inspection visit also included other schools, such as GGAC in Goron Dutse, a girls’ secondary school located in Kano Municipality. This visit further highlighted the urgent need for improvements in the state’s educational infrastructure.
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