VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 69th ECOWAS Summit in Freetown

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Senator Shettima will join other political and business leaders across West Africa and beyond at the Summit scheduled to take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, Freetown, today, July 19, 2026.

The summit is expected to focus on key policy decisions, strategic resolutions, and reaffirm the leaders’ collective commitment to peace, democracy, economic growth, and regional integration.

A part of the ECOWAS Mid-Year statutory meeting, the summit will bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, senior officials and regional institutions to advance the Community’s shared priorities of security, democratic governance, economic integration, trade, infrastructure and sustainable development.

The Vice President will return to Abuja at the conclusion of his engagements in the West African nation.

VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 69th ECOWAS Summit in Freetown

Buni approves N74 billion for projects in Yobe

By: Yahaya wakili

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved the sum of ₦73,323,775,914.05 billion for various projects and services across the state.

In its meeting held today, presided over by His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni. The council approved the sum of ₦28.531 billion for the procurement of agricultural tools and implements for the mega agriculture empowerment program of Governor Mai Mala Buni for the year 2026.

The council has also ratified ₦4.939 billion for the construction of the Buni-Yadi modern motor park and grains market. In addition, the sum of ₦5.687 billion was approved by the council for external facilities and augmentation of the perimeter fence at the Damaturu modern motor park.

The state executive council also approved 3.945 billion for the construction of a new shopping mall and mini-market in Buni-Gari town. The council also ratified ₦ 652 million for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Limited.

The sum of 3.424 billion has been approved by the council for the construction of an office complex/HQ for the Ministry of Housing and the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The council also approved the sum of 1.342 billion for upgrading, remodeling, landscaping, and installing safety barriers for four major roundabouts in the Damaturu metropolis and some upgrades in the ongoing construction of the Damaturu mega shopping mall, respectively.

The state executive council has also approved the sum of 460.828 million for the procurement of beans for distribution to female small business owners as empowerment support. In addition, a total of 1,780 bags of 50 kg of beans will also be distributed to beneficiaries, as well as the sum of 364.475 million for the procurement of 1,000 units of Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines for empowerment support to people across the state.

The sum of 23.974 billion was ratified by the council for two major road projects. These include $21.904 billion for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45 km Kalallawa-Kaliyari road in Damaturu and Tarmuwa local government areas and $2.070 billion for the construction of the 7 km Damagum-Gubana road. The project completes 17 km of road to Gubana town from Damagum.

Buni approves N74 billion for projects in Yobe

FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Charges Graduands to Be Solution Providers, Choose Character Over Certificates

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has challenged graduating students of Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA) to become solution providers, build bridges rather than walls and choose character, integrity and service over certificates and material success.

Ike gave the charge at the weekend while delivering the keynote address as Guest Speaker at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Beautiful Beginning Academy, held at Nile University, Abuja.

Addressing the graduands, the NUJ chairman said the ceremony should not be viewed as an end, but as the beginning of a new journey filled with purpose, responsibility and possibilities.

She urged them to understand that academic achievement, though important, would not by itself determine their success in life, stressing that character would ultimately define their reputation and impact.

According to her, while examinations in the classroom may have ended, life would continue to test the values and principles of the graduands.

“The examinations that truly matter are not set by teachers but by life itself. They test honesty, courage, discipline, resilience, compassion and integrity,” she said.

Ike noted that knowledge without strong moral values was insufficient, adding that certificates and academic achievements could open doors, but character would determine how long individuals remained relevant and trusted.

“The questions life asks are not answered with pencils; they are answered with character.

“Knowledge may make you intelligent, but character will make you unforgettable. Long after people forget your grades, they will remember your integrity. Long after certificates gather dust, your reputation will continue to speak for you,” she said.

She also encouraged the graduands not to be discouraged by setbacks, describing failure as an inevitable part of the journey to success.

“There will be days when life will not go according to your plans. You may fail an examination, lose an opportunity, face disappointment or experience rejection.

“When those moments come, remember this: failure is not the opposite of success; it is often the road that leads to it,” she said.

The NUJ chairman urged the students to remain curious, cultivate the habit of reading, respect others, choose their friends wisely and maintain confidence in their abilities.

She further challenged them to become agents of positive change who would use their knowledge and opportunities to improve the lives of others.

“Success is not measured by how much money you make but by how many lives become better because you lived. Success may fill your pocket, but significance fills your purpose. Service earns respect. Character earns trust. Legacy earns remembrance,” Ike said.

She paid tribute to parents for their sacrifices and support in the education of the graduands, while commending the teachers and management of Beautiful Beginning Academy for their commitment to quality education, mentorship and the development of future leaders.

The ceremony also featured a powerful demonstration of the transformative impact of inclusive education and compassion, with Adaeze’s scholarship emerging as one of the defining moments of the event.

The scholarship, which opened a new door of opportunity for a child with special needs, underscored the importance of creating an inclusive society where every child is given the opportunity to learn, grow and fulfil his or her potential.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Beautiful Beginning Academy, Sir Chinasaokwu Innocent Okolie, charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the school, stressing that the world was waiting for their contributions and exploits as future leaders.

He urged them to uphold the values they had acquired in the institution and to approach the future with courage, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.

FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Charges Graduands to Be Solution Providers, Choose Character Over Certificates