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‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,

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‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,


NEDC replies critic, cautions public against antics of mischief makers

By: Our Reporter

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) says the people-oriented projects it initiated and executed are visible, verifiable and functional in all the nooks and crannies of the north east region. It stated that contrary to the lies peddled by an “uninformed mischief maker and his co-travelers”, the Commission remains a paragon of transparency and prudence in public project execution.

Reacting to an article that surfaced online and credited to one Reverend Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa which called for the immediate removal of the Managing Director of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, for “corruption and embezzlement”, the Commission says the allegation leveled against its Management “was nothing but wicked desperation and parochial sentiment of the ignorant author and his paymasters aimed at smearing the reputation of the result-oriented MD and misleading the general public, for whatever ulterior motives”.

According to the Commission, it wouldn’t have been necessary to dignify Mr Kallamu and his tales of moonlight with a response but just so to keep the records straight, it is expedient to debunk the “tissues of lies and harebrained innuendoes contained in the said article”. It said the article was as shocking as it was disappointing especially coming from a self-acclaimed reverend, noting that the embittered writer didn’t think that the good people of the North East who could come out with testimonies of the impactful projects initiated, completed and inaugurated by the NEDC under the able leadership of Goni Alkali.

“We make bold to say that the accounts of NEDC are always there for anyone to investigate. The MD, Mr. Goni Alkali is certainly one of the most prudent and strict civil servants we have known not only in the North East, but the entire country”.

“To set the records straight; ever since the inception of the first board in 2019, the Goni Alkali-led team had boldly confronted the enormous humanitarian crisis in the region with the clarity of purpose and sense of responsibility. The intervention agency saw itself standing delicately at the center of the vast wilderness of the monumental devastation meted on the region by the global-class insurgency.

“The NEDC Board, with the competence and commitment of its steersman, the MD/CEO, Mohammed Goni Alkali, had to, first formulate policies, programmes and projects in collaboration with the Federal Government and Six (6) State Governments, global domestic agencies and every other relevant stakeholder to execute the task in line with its statutory mandate. The results of Alkali’s performance since 2019 have been incontrovertibly exceptional on the global scale and aimed at rebuilding entities from the rubbles of all terror and violent conflicts”.

The Commission maintains that its projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of the North East and in all areas of human needs: Houses build for resettlement of IDPs; roads and bridges in all the six states of the region; mega schools in the 18 Senatorial districts, state-of-the-art hospital interventions in all the six states; training of youths in various states in different skillsets including ICT, renewal energy, etc.

But NEDC’s intervention in region goes beyond provision of shelter, roads, basic schools; it has also revamped tertiary Institutions and healthcare service delivery in the affected area and much more. The construction of a befitting facility to serve as the Center for the Study of Violence and Extremism (CSVE) is one of the signature projects of the Commission.

Without doubt, what drives NEDC to its acclaimed excellence is the proficiency and sheer commitment of people at the helm of its affairs. Far-sightedness is the defining leadership quality of the team. NEDC’s blue print which is at the point of implementation is the building of a rail road to connect states in the region with the Nigerian south.

Projects like the introduction of electric mobility to significantly reduce cost of transportation within the region, reduce carbon emission and guarantee clean energy are some of the transformative projects which the Goni-led team are birthing. Also in the pipeline are the proposed North East Airline to carter for not only the region but the entire country, as well as specialized hospitals intervention to provide for the health needs of the people of the region.

Agricultural interventions to guarantee food security in addition to the palliative distribution of food and other non-food items across the entire region is one of the high points of Goni Alkali’s achievements in the last five years.

According to a high-profile politician in the region who pleaded anonymity, it will amount to witchcraft for anyone to accuse Mr Goni Alkali of non-performance or even corruption in view of his accomplishments and style of leadership. “Isn’t it remarkable that under Mohammed Goni Alkali, NEDC has been able to execute over 700 critical projects in about four years? How can such a man who has deployed his entire passion and mind into coordinating the expansive operations of the agency be an object of wicked and destructive criticism by faceless people?

As remarked by a resident in one of the states in the region, the spontaneous outcome of Goni Alkali’s excellent showing as MD/CEO of NEDC is the increased calls by all regions of Nigeria for similar interventionist commissions. Not a few agrees with him.

‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,

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Zulum in Damboa; Inaugurates Tolamari High Islamic School, Garjang Junior Secondary School

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Zulum in Damboa; Inaugurates Tolamari High Islamic School, Garjang Junior Secondary School

… approves N50 million grant for High Islamic School

… inspects ongoing construction of General Hospital

By: Our Reporter

Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, paid a working visit to Tolamari and Garjan community in Damboa Local Government Area in the southern part of the State.

During the visit, Zulum commissioned a Community High Islamic School in Tolamari and a Junior Secondary School in Garjang all part of Damboa.

As part of his ongoing efforts to improve education, Governor Zulum approved a grant of 50 million Naira for the Community High Islamic School and authorized the rehabilitation of the secondary school in Wovi.

During the ceremonies, Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, highlighted the progress achieved in Damboa’s educational sector, expressing gratitude to the governor for his commitment.

Additional remarks were made by the Member of the House of Assembly representing Damboa, Commissioner of Health, the SUBEB Chairman, the District Head of Damboa, and a representative from the Sangaya Board.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by APC State Party Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Musa Askira, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, GM RUWASSA, party supporters among other government officials.

Zulum in Damboa; Inaugurates Tolamari High Islamic School, Garjang Junior Secondary School

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ACTING COAS EMBARKS ON MAIDEN OPERATIONAL TOUR TO TANGAZA, ILLELA… Calls for collaboration to end security challenges

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ACTING COAS EMBARKS ON MAIDEN OPERATIONAL TOUR TO TANGAZA, ILLELA… Calls for collaboration to end security challenges

By: Our Reporter

The Acting Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede today, Sunday 10 November 2024, embarked on an operational tour to Sokoto State in the 8 Division Area of Responsibility. The Acting COAS on arriving Sokoto in the early hours of the day, immediately proceeded to Forward Operations Base Tangaza and 248 Battalion in Illela, where he received briefs on the security situation by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose.

Addressing troops deployed in Tangaza and illela, Gen Oluyede commended the troops for their sacrifice and commitment in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North West zone of the country. He disclosed that he was on an operational tour to obtain first-hand information and assessment of the security situation and challenges of the troops. The Army Chief assured them of his full support and encouragement to decisively deplete the activities of terrorists and insurgents in their respective areas of responsibility and the North West zone in general. He charged the troops to shun any form of complacency that could jeopardize ongoing operations to overcome the security challenges bedeviling the region.

The Acting COAS, while interacting with the Chairman Tangaza Local Government Area, Honorable Bashir Salihu, traditional heads and heads of security agencies at Illela urged for synergy and collaboration with the troops. He called on the people to support the troops with credible information, adding that it is with their support that the troops will effectively protect them and secure the nation as a whole. “Nigerian Army is the people’s Army and Nigeria belongs to all of us, without support of the locals, Nigerian Army cannot succeed. We must collectively do all it takes to defend our country” Gen Oluyede clarified.

ACTING COAS EMBARKS ON MAIDEN OPERATIONAL TOUR TO TANGAZA, ILLELA… Calls for collaboration to end security challenges

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Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

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Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

By: Michael Mike

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the country, Ambassador Kim Pankyu has said Nigeria is among the top contenders to benefit from his country’s $10 billion development assistance to Africa.

He also said Nigeria also stand tall to benefit from the $14 billion boost to Korean companies to encourage their activities in Africa.

Speaking at at the Korean National Day Reception in Abuja at the weekend, the envoy said: “During the Korea-Africa Summit, my President announced that Korea would continue to expand official development assistance up to ten billion US dollars by 2030 as a catalyst for projects for cooperation with Africa.

“In addition, he committed to provide fourteen billion US dollars to Korean companies by 2030 to encourage their activities in Africa.

“I am happy to share the news that
recently an intra-governmental task force team has been composed to follow up on the economic partnership agreements made on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit.
Since Nigeria is a leading economy and the biggest market in Africa I believe that the partnership between Korea and Nigeria will be one of the most vibrant ones in the years to come.”

He added that: “In fact, we are already witnessing meaningful progress. During the third quarter of this year, the trade between Korea and Nigeria increased by fifty-five percent. In particular, I would like to point out the fact that the import from Nigeria to Korea increased by ninety-one percent. I believe that this positive development will continue as more and more Koreans are interested in Nigeria and more and more Nigerians are interested in Korea.”

Speaking in the level of relationship between the two countries, the Ambassador said: “When I first came to Abuja earlier this year, I was pleasantly surprised by Nigerian people’s high interest in Korean culture such as Korean language, K-drama, K-pop and K-food.

“I had an opportunity to observe K-food contest in Abuja and was deeply impressed by the Korean foods made by Nigerian chefs. When I observed Taekwondo championship in Abuja recently I had a feeling that in a few years the number of gold medals that Korean athletes win at the Olympics may decrease due to brilliant Nigerian athletes. My fellow Koreans may be disappointed, but as a former Korean ambassador to Nigeria I will be happy to watch that. I believe these kinds of cultural exchanges between our two countries
will strengthen our bonds of friendship and mutual understanding. Furthermore, I think there is a huge potential for cooperation between the two countries in the creative economy.”

On his part, the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said:
“Over the years, the world has witnessed the remarkable process that led to the emergence of Korea as one of the economic giants of Asia and one of the strongest economies in the world. The success story of Korea following the war in 1953, global economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the strength, determination and resilience of successive governments as well as the patriotism of the good people of Korea.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Regions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Janet Olisa, said: “I wish to commend the government of Korea for the efforts towards increased cooperation with Africa with the overall aim of achieving shared development through sustainable economic partnerships. The successful hosting of the first Korea – Africa Summit in Seoul in June 2024 is definitely a positive step towards a formidable partnership. Nigeria expresses its appreciation to the government of Korea for its decision, which was announced during the Summit, to extend its Trade and Investment Promotion Frameworks to Africa and to increase its investment and Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the continent.”

He noted that: “Nigeria and Korea have enjoyed excellent and vibrant relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980. These relations have continued to grow in leaps and bounds across various sectors, including political, economic, cultural and people-to-people relations. On the political front, the two countries have, in recent years, witnessed the exchange of high-level visits, the signing of significant MoUs, as well as the successful hosting of six sessions of the Nigeria – Korea Joint Commission. It is hoped that these relations will be elevated to a more strategic relationship with the highest level of engagement.

“In the economic sector, there have been close collaborations between the two countries in the fields of construction/heavy-duty industries, electronics and chemicals production. There is a significant number of Korean companies registered and doing business in Nigeria, including prominent companies like Samsung, Daewoo, and Hyundai Heavy Duty Industries, as well as LG, Samsung Electronics, and the Lotte Chemical industry. These companies have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian GDP and have created job opportunities in the country..”

The Minister added that: “With the increasing momentum in our bilateral relations and improved trade relations, I am optimistic that both sides will work assiduously towards achieving a significant increase in the volume of trade for the mutual benefit of both nations.”

Nigeria On Line to Benefit Massively from Korean $24 billion Assistance to Africa- Envoy

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