Niger State Government in North Central Nigeria, has commended the government of the federation for the tremendous support  to curtail the resurgence of banditry and the recent  boko haram insurgents activities in the State.

The Governor of the State , Abubakar Sani Bello stated this  in Minna the State Capital, during  a special prayer session for God’s intervention to bring an end to the insecurity that has bedevilled parts of the country.

The Governor says with the renewed zeal amongst the security agencies in the country and the support of the Federal Government, the security challenges in the state will soon be over.

The  Niger State Governor, recently announced the hoisting of a flag by Boko Haram elements in Kawuri village in Shiroro area of the State.

He urged everyone to remain calm as the state has received tremendous support adding that with the present support and the new confidence among the security agents, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning  to their homes to live their normal lives.

“I am calling on the people to be calm. In the last 48 hours we have received a lot of support with regards to security agents from the Federal Government; I believe they are mobilizing themselves. 

“I am very confident with the zeal I can see from the security agencies, I believe everyone will soon be back to their homes and farms” he said.

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello explained that some of the recently  displaced persons, have returned to their homes while others have been relocated close to their homes.

He expressed hope that with the special prayer and all the measures taken by government, insecurity issues will end soon.

The Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Mallam Ibrahim Isah Fari led the group of Ulamas and other Muslim faithful in the prayers .

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Nigerian Teachers are now being sought after globally.

The Registrar of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof Josiah Ajiboye, made this known during a one-day Capacity Training Workshop for Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN).

Prof Registrar, also said that since the beginning of the Year 2021, he has signed about 100 letters of Professional for qualified Nigerian teachers who secured teaching jobs in Canada an other parts of the world.

He stated that teachers trained in Nigeria are becoming highly competitive ,he added that government at all levels should do it best to attract them to stay back home.

Prof. Ajiboye who emphasised that the approvals given by President Muhammadu Buhari on repositioning teaching profession in the country, call for adherence by the State government as well saying, States are the largest employers of the teachers.

According to him, “Mr President has started with that in 2020,if we can be able to follow through this , I believe very strongly that the trend of our teachers leaving the country will reduce”

“At the Federal Ministry of Education level,the circular has gone out on 65years of teachers retirement,Federal teachers will benefit from this beginning from January 2021, some of the approval will wait till 2022 but we will continue with the implementation”

He gave the assurance that with the approvals given by the President and with its full implementation across the country with the coperation of states, more qualified teachers will be retained in the system.

“We dont want our qualified teachers to leave Nigeria but for those that are leaving ,they are being rated at par with their colleagues abroad

Also speaking at the event, Dr Abimbola Okunola, Assistant Director in the council, said that the teaching profession has been rated more critical than any other profession in the world, hence the need to attract the best brains for the practice of teaching in the country.

“In the honourable court of France, only teachers are allowed to sit on the chair. In Japan, the police force has to take special permission from the government to arrest a teacher for any reason”

“In Korea, only teachers enjoy the privilege of a minister and in Germany, teachers are among the highest paid civil servants.

“In the beginning, teaching was so glorious and so noble that in every community teachers were considered next to kings in importance and development of the society,” he said.

He, therefore, emphasised the need for professionalism as the secret behind the success or collapse of any vocation, hence the need to critically take professionalism seriously in the teaching profession.

On his part, Dr Magaji Waziri, Assistant Director, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics in TRCN, said that the country has been flooded with unqualified manpower which had lowered the quality of teachers in the system.

Waziri maintained that there was therefore the need to set standards at all levels while ensuring quality teaching and learning through monitoring and supervision of teacher education programmes.

Also speaking at the event, Chuks Ukwuatu, Chairman of ECAN, called on journalists to ensure adequate reportage of education stories to foster development in other sectors.

Ukwuatu commended TRCN for its role in ensuring excellence in the education professionalism of teachers as well as maintenance of teachers’ quality.

He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to renew the appointment of TRCN boss to ensure continuity in transforming the nation’s teaching profession.

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Nigerians have been urged to patronize and promote locally made organic products in the the country.

An entrepreneur, Mrs. Folasade Ojo who made the call at a one day First Natural Product Fair in Lagos South Western Nigeria said that Covid-19 pandemic has made so many people to switch to natural organic products and herbs that have been certified toxic free to health, hence, the need for the Fair.

Mrs. Ojo who was the convener of the fair revealed that natural organic products are the most exported because Covid-19 has exposed its health benefits to the world especially ginger, honey and so many of the products proudly made in Nigeria calling on the citizenry to give their support through their patronage.

“‘The demand for natural organic products are high in the international market especially at this era of Covid-19. Nigeria is blessed with standard farms that produce and export these products to the outside world. Most of the different vendors at the fair came together to share the health benefits of natural organic lifestyle. Almost all the exhibitors we have at the fair have their products proudly made in Nigeria ranging from organic farm produce, natural beauty products, natural supplements and natural food products,” she added.

Mrs. Ojo also called on youths to avail themselves of the opportunity of the fair to start up something at a time as this when the economy is biting hard on everyone adding that there are so many business opportunities in the green sector that can help reduce youth’s unemployment rate in the country.

“The Green sector is actually a very broad sector that can help to engage the youths in any business of their choice with very low capital. We need more youths to join in the green business because the situation of the economy at present is beyond the certificate,’‘ she stated.

On her part, one of the exhibitors and the head formulator of MACA organics hair and skin champion, Admiral Lawal called on the government to give more attention to green sectors saying that it is capable of boosting the county’s economy.

The one day First Natural Product Fair has it’s theme as ‘Nature First’

Highlights of the event were , the Zumba fitness and dance and special recognition awards.

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