Headlines
Ododo flags off construction of 20km Obajana-Uro-Aku rural road
Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi State, on Wednesday, flagged off the construction of a 20 kilometre Obajana-Uro-Aku rural road linking parts of Lokoja and Adavi local government areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was part of interventions by the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) supported by the World Bank Group and other stakeholders.
The 20km road was the first phase of an over 65km network of rural roads in the state aimed at creating access to farms, farming communities, and markets to ensure food security in the state.
Gov. Ododo, while flagging off the construction, emphasised the pivotal role of rural roads in the development agenda of his administration.
Ododo stated that rural roads would not only enhance transportation but would serve as catalysts for rural economic growth and food security in the state.
“This administration believes that rural roads will provide access and connectivity to farmers and traders as part of his administration’s broader strategy to enhance rural development and bring governance closer to the people.
“We are appealing to benefiting communities to take ownership of the project and ensure its good usage and management,” he said.
The governor, however, advised contractors handling the project not to divert project funds but should demonstrate a high level of integrity and professionalism.
Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Mr Abdulmutalib Mohammed, said the project was meant to benefit farmers by reducing the cost of transportation.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr Aminu Bodinga, represented by Mrs Joy Amadi, commended Gov. Ododo for his unwavering commitment to rural development.
Bodinga noted that rural development would enhance connectivity and access to markets, social services, and opportunities that were previously out of reach by rural dwellers.
The State Coordinator of the project, Mr Sheidu Obansa, said the network of rural roads would expose the communities to opportunities and promote agricultural development in the state.
The Olu of Oworo, Muhammed Baiyerohi, commended Gov. Ododo on the road project and noted that the project would enhance agricultural development and reduce vehicular traffic along Obajana Road.
The Apata of Apata, Oba Frederick Balagun, who spoke on the development, said the initiative would help rural dwellers, who are mostly farmers and traders in the state.
Headlines
Kano inaugurates 14-member committee to review education policies
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 14-member committee tasked with reviewing existing education policies in the state.
Inaugurating the committee on Thursday in Kano, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Makoda, said that the committee was constituted by the Kano State Executive Council to assess the state’s education policies.
“This committee was originally scheduled to be inaugurated by the governor, but due to prior engagements, he has delegated the responsibility to me so that we can begin our work immediately,” Makoda stated.
The Commissioner outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include reviewing the four existing education policies in the state to assess whether they align with the cultural and religious beliefs of the people.
“Evaluating the feasibility of implementing the policies, and making recommendations to strengthen the state’s education system.”
He noted that the four policies to be reviewed include the Kano State Girls’ Education Policy, Kano State Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy, Kano State Non-State School Policy, and Kano State Teacher Development Policy.
Makoda announced that the committee has been given three weeks to submit its report, and urged the members to leverage their expertise to produce recommendations that would enhance the state’s education sector.
In his response, the committee chairman, Malam Abdullahi Dutse, assured the commissioner of the committee’s commitment to work collaboratively to meet the expectations placed on them.
“Considering the diverse expertise of the committee members, I believe the government has selected individuals with the right skills to address the challenges facing education in the state. We will work diligently to provide the necessary report,” he said.
The committee’s members include Malam Abdullahi Dutse (Chairman), Prof Abdallah Uba -Adamu, Habibu Dan Almajiri, Alhaji Danlami Garba, Kano State Commissioner for Women, Children, and Disabled Affairs Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, and Isa Ahmad.
Other members are Prof Tijjani Naniya, Malam Kabiru Hanga, Munzali Mustapha, Prof Auwal Halliru Arzai, and Dr Bashir Aliyu -Umar.
The remaining include the representatives of the Emirate Council and Civil Society Organizations, and Ibrahim Bawa, Director of Archives and Publications, who will serve as Secretary of the committee.
Headlines
U.S commends Nigeria over Galactica funds repatriation efforts
The U.S. Deputy-Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, has extolled Nigeria’s partnership in the successful repatriation of funds linked to forfeited luxury real estate and Galactica Star Superyacht. (more…)
Headlines
Tinubu congratulates Nigerian scientists, engineers on making Biden’s honour list
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated six Nigerians named by President Joe Biden among the 400 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in the United States.
This recognition, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers.
This year’s awardees, announced by Biden on Jan. 14, are employed or funded by 14 participating United States government agencies, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The Nigerian honourees include Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa; and Ijeoma Opara, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Yale School of Public Health, Yale University.
Others are: Oluwatomi Akindele, Postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and Eno Ebong, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University;
The rest are: Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University; and Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive vice Chair of the Case School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Case Western Reserve University.
Tinubu commended the awardees for their achievements in science, technology and engineering.
He noted that recognising the talents of the awardees underscored Nigerians’ vast potential to excel both at home and on the global stage.
Tinubu looked forward to the honourees sharing their multidisciplinary expertise to benefit Nigeria’s development efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda. (more…)
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology4 months ago
Zero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Phyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business8 months ago
Nigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business10 months ago
We generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines7 months ago
Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet