The Deputy Executive Secretary (services) Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr  Isiaka Olayinka Kolawole has said Nigeria journalists must approach their routine assignment purposefully with the relent or highlighting and shaping public discourse on the larger multi-dimensional issues.

Dr Kolawole who chaired the first lecture of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State 2020 press week with the theme “Journalist and the Development of underdevelopment in Nigeria” said “we are aware of the fact that journalists play one of the most vital roles in the socio-economic development of nation-state and transformation of society.

He said the management and dissemination of facts and information are known to have served as a catalyst for effective management of resources, efficiency in governance and steady progress towards sustainable and inclusive development.

He said effective discharge of the journalist’s critical role as manager of information is what has earned journalists and the press as a whole, the unique recognition of being the fourth pillar that supports the triune structure of government Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Adding that being the fourth estate of the realm and playing such vital roles in social-economic development, journalist and journalism practice can rightly be considered as one of the primary agents of development.

Dr Kolawole made it clear that development is a change process that targets the improvement of life of human being as well as the enhancement of the environment that man operates within.

He said journalists are expected to lead in the process of development communication which for all purposes and intent is aimed at innovating and institutionalizing a development plan that suits the peculiarities and specific yearning of each society.

The Deputy Executive Secretary added that the import of the journalist’s role in development communicate in his/her capacity to mould or influence public opinion in a manner that encourages the positive and active participation of stakeholder in development programmes.

By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan

The Nigerian Government has warned electricity companies and their representatives not to sell the meters planned to be rolled out for the mass metering initiative, noting that culprits would be made to face the wrath of the law.

This  comes as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC assured its customers that it was already working on addressing banding issues that the tariff regime brought up.

The stakeholders spoke in Ibadan, on Wednesday, during an FGN/NLC-TUC Ad-hoc Committee Electricity Tarriff parley with customers, consumers and relevant stakeholders of the electricity sector, chaired by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Sounding the note of warning, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Infrastructure, Mr Ahmed Zakari, said the government, through the regulator’s direct order, had made it clear that with the intervention of the Ministry of Power, the meters are to be provided to Nigerians at no cost.

He said, “Even for meters that would be paid for through the MAP, there is a directive from the regulator to the discos that they need to find a way to reimburse citizens over time. It may not be immediate but over time.”

 “If we find any discos or disco representatives selling these meters or exploiting Nigerians to be able to get meters by paying, we will take the full measures of the law against the regulator and we will charge such to the full extent of the law,” Zakari asserted.

According to Zakari, the president had mandated that meters must be free and must come from the local manufacturers so as to create jobs and revive the industry, noting that the government would not take any games from the discos, meter assemblers or manufacturers.

The Chairman of the Committee, Festus Keyamo, said the Committee had been working to achieve an equilibrium figure that would reflect the true price and value for the service of the electricity consumed.

Keyamo stated that the intention of the government was to ensure that consumers were not strangulated by unnecessary exploitative tendencies of discos and that discos were kept afloat, so they would deliver service to the Nigerian people and also attract investors.

He said, “We are not saying service delivery will automatically mean price increase. We are only saying there is an acceptable figure. That figure is the equilibrium and we are looking for that equilibrium that will make everybody happy. And that means that the discos can be kept afloat to deliver services without having to go and look for money to subsidise their operations.”

Keyamo explained that the objective of the Committee is that the ordinary man is not cheated in the sense that the price is not exploitative and the consumer pays the actual price of the service, which is why it is called service reflective tariff.

He assured that at the end of the day whatever consensus reached going forward on electricity would be an agreement between government and labour.

The IBEDC acting Managing Director, Mr John Ayodele, said the issue of banding, which is quite expensive to classify, was being fine-tuned, highlighting some of the teething problems the company had been working on to ensure that banding was achieved.

Some of the electricity consumers at the event identified estimated billings and lack of meters as foremost challenges bedeviling the sector.

In their separate remarks, NLC representative, Comrade Joe Ajero and his TUC counterpart, Dr Chris Okonkwo, said the committee would address issues raised by the consumers and ensure that issues on electricity tariff are resolved without breakdown of peace.

Confidence Okwuchi

The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has decorated the newly promoted Police Officers attached to the Government House, with their new ranks in Birnin Kebbi.

The Kebbi State Governor said, “I am happy to felicitate with you, your various families and loved ones, for moving a step ahead.

“I must also commend all of you for the good work you have been doing for Kebbi State and Nigeria, in general.

“I am also fervently praying to the Almighty Allah for several more of such elevations to come.”

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yahaya Sarki, Governor Bagudu further appreciated the invaluable support of the various security agencies in the state and urged them to sustain the tempo.

He noted that, the security agents have been sacrificing their lives, comfort and welfare, individually and collectively.

According to him, “You have been doing this, all-year round and diligently, dedicatedly and committedly too.

“You should also sustain doing so and we are really appreciative of these noble gestures aimed at securing our lives and those of the people of the entire state.

“Please, do not hesitate to tell us whatever you need to make your work easier and faster, as usual.”

He however lamented the ugly turn of events during the recent #ENDSARS protests, which turned violent in some parts of Nigeria.

Bagudu stated that, it was not peculiar with the Nigerian Police to have one or two bad eggs, saying, “this obnoxious trend happens in other organizations.”

The Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu (Jarman Kabi) presented the newly promoted officers to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for decoration with their new ranks.

The Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, (Jarman Kabi), Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar Yauri, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Hassan Muhammad Shalla, Special Adviser on Energy, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna Rashid, Permanent Secretary Government House, Alhaji Aliyu Mistapha Gwandu, Chairman of Bagudo Local Government Area and that of Argungu, Alhaji Kaura Danhakimi and Musa Tungulawa respectively assisted the governor in decorating the newly promoted officers.

The promoted officers from the rank of Sergeant to the rank of Inspector are,  Ishaya Zhakom, Yakubu Isyaku, Nura Muhammed, Liman Sani, Abdullahi Danhabu , Hassana Sule, Sahabi Abdullahi, Lawal Muktar, Muntari Maikudi ,Aminu Usman, Ahmed Shehu, Kabiru Ado and Bala Alto.

Those from the rank of Corporal to the rank of Sergeant are Abubakar Zakari, Auwalu Haruna, Muhammd Ishaq, Idris Shehu, Bashir Muhammad, Bashir Zubairu, Umar Lawan, Mudassiru Salisu and Hamisu Abdullahi while those promoted to the rank of Corporal from Police Constable are Abubakar Alhassan, Aliyu Tanimu and Abdulmutallib Abdullahi.

The Nigerian Air Force NAF has taken delivery of a second Mi-171E Helicopter acquired by the Federal Government from Serbia.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said “the Ilyushin 76 Strategic Airlifter aircraft that brought the brand new helicopter touched down at NAF Base Makurdi.”

Daramola noted that the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Olusegun Philip, received the new aircraft on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

He said “a combined team of NAF personnel and technical support staff from the equipment vendor were also on hand to assist in offloading the new aircraft, some parts of which came in crates.” 

In addition, officials of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service were present to ensure necessary documentation.

According to him, the new aircraft is the second of two Mi-171E helicopters procured by the current Federal Government Administration and brings to 23 the total number of brand new aircraft acquired since 2015.

He added that the new aircraft will undoubtedly boost NAF’s contributions in the fight against insurgency, armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country.

The newly-received aircraft will now be assembled in Makurdi by a team from the equipment vendor, assisted by NAF technicians, prior to test-flying and formal induction into the NAF

.

Nneka Ukachukwu

Ebonyi State Government, South-east Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to curb crime in the State during and after Christmas festivities in collaboration with National Drug law Enforcement Agency NDLEA.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security, Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolution, who is also the State Chairman of All Progressive Congress APC, Mr Stanley Okoroemegha stated this while addressing Journalists on the readiness of his Ministry to curb crime in the State.

Mr Okoroemegha alleged that  80% of  criminal acts are being committed under the influence of hard drugs and alcohol, hence the partnership with NDLEA.

“Our youths who commit crimes do that under the control of hard drugs they take, therefore the State Government uses National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to raid both the suppliers and the users of those drugs”, he said.

He warned members of the public to be security conscious as the hoodlums device new ways of attacking unsuspecting citizens.

“But even at that my office is ever ready to re-strategise and we are always ahead of the criminals”, he added.

Youth empowerment
He said the peace Ebonyi people are enjoying is based on the fact that the Governor of the State, Engineer David Umahi has made everybody busy by empowering Ebonyi citizens in various capacities.

“As I speak, grants are going on in the State. The windows have been empowered, some are given grants while others receive monthly stipend to support their families.

“The youths in all the 13 Local Government of the State have also been empowered to start businesses of various types”, he added.

He advised the people who have been empowered, to make good use of the opportunity to help themselves and others around them.

The Commissioner said he has made some sacrifices to make sure that APC remains one strong family.

“As Commissioner for Internal Security, Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolution and also  State APC Chairman, I visit elders in the state house to house. In the course of doing that, I discovered that what elders of the State needed before I came in as Chairman was simple respect and nothing more. Today, I have succeeded in uniting all the members of APC in the State”, he added.

He called on all Nigerians to eschew violence in all ramifications.

Then Gombe State Government has awarded a contract for the Gombe State University-Malam Inna erosion control works.

The project is worth over 2.9 billion naira and its being awarded to Triacta Nigeria Company, through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP.

The State Government says the project will address severe Gully Erosion problems in the short term, reduce vulnerability to soil erosion and climate variability in the medium term, such as the Aforestation of the state Government, the Gombe Goes Green Project.

Similarly, the project is to promote long-term climate resilience and low carbon development.

The Commissioner of Environment and Forest Resources, Dr. Hussaina Muhammad Goje, said the state had initially submitted 40 active erosion sites in the state to the World Bank for consideration and approval, but the bank approved only five priority sites for intervention.

“The Gombe State University to Malam-Inna Gully System, secondly, the FCTE Staff School to Wuro-Kesa Gully System in Akko, and also within the Gombe Metropolis, is the East of the Gombe International Hotel to behind the Gombe State House of Assembly Gully System, fourthly, is the Wuro-Bajoga to Barunde Bridge Gully System, which goes out to the Gbogo Area in the Gombe Metropolis and lastly and fifthly, is the East of the General Hospital, Kumo to the Jauro Tukur Stream, in Akko Local Government,”  Dr. Goje said.

She said the NEWMAP in Gombe state had already carried out detailed engineering designs for the two sites in the Gombe State University and the Federal College of Education Technical Staff School, while the process for the project designs of the remaining three sites were ongoing.

Dr. Hussaina Goje said the contract was awarded in accordance with the World Bank’s procurement regulations and guidelines to Triacta Nigeria, following the acceptance of the recommendation of the evaluation team by the World Bank.

 “The Company was found to be the most advantageous bidder having submitted the lowest responsive evaluated bid”, Dr. Goje.

The Commissioner commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment towards achieving NEWMAP’s objectives in the state, which has reflected in the payment of counterpart contribution of 500 million naira by Gombe state Government.

The State Governor, Muhammadu  Yahaya, said the contract signining was a testament of his administration’s commitment to addressing the devastation caused by gullies.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, said his administration had always been disturbed by the incessant flooding, caused by gullies, which have affected infrastructure, lives, property and people’s means of livelihoods.

He also said the contract signing was the culmination of the struggle to sustain the environment and protect lives and property through engagement with the World Bank and other development partners.

He said his administration would stop at nothing until the degraded environment was improved on and the menace of gullies addressed.

He called on the Gombe State NEWMAP and the State Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources to ensure that the company completes the job within the stipulated time and does not compromise standard in carrying out the work.

The Project Coordinator, Gombe State NEWMAP, Mr. Mohammed Garba, said the Gombe State University-Malam Inna Erosion Site consisted of 3 communities that include the State University, Malam-Inna and Kagarawal with a combined length of 4.4 kilometres.

He explained that the project was expected to be completed before June 2021.

In his remarks after signing the contract on behalf of the managing director of Triacta Nigeria, Mr. Imran Amin Khan, said his company had a long history of infrastructure relations with Gombe State and gave the assurance that the company would execute quality job within the agreed contract period and specifications.

Confidence Okwuchi

By Rahila Lassa, Maiduguri

The Borno State Government says lack of road network across the State has worsened the state of insecurity in the North-eastern region of Nigeria.

the Ste Governor, Babagana Zulum stated this in Maiduguri the Borno State capital while receiving delegation from the Nigerian Government following the killing of farmers in Zabarmari community of Jere Local Government Area of the State.

“Once the road networks are fixed, the insecurity will reduce by 50% and unless it is addressed, the people in the region will continue to suffer”.  Governor Zulum said.

He appealed to the delegation which was led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq to implement the recommendations made by the State to stamp out insurgency in the North East.

Comprehensive Master Plan
Governor Zulum also appealed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to develop a comprehensive master-plan to help tackle the menace of insurgency in the country.

“We don’t have good roads networks and this has impeded the state’s efforts in fighting the insurgents, so we appeal to you to assist the North East by developing a road-map that will see to the end of these senseless killings”, he added.

The Minister visited the Zambarmari community Mosque to sympathize with the community leaders and  later handed over trucks of food items

to the State Government for onward distribution to the families of affected persons and people of Zabarmari community .

Apart from the 43 persons who were confirmed dead and subsequently buried on Saturday, the District Head of the community Lawan Abba Umar stated that more than 100 farmers were still missing after the incident and were currently being sought after by the combined team of the military and other security agencies.

Nneka Ukachukwu