News
Ezekwesili, Rawlings, Others Call For Reshaping of Africa’s Political Landscape to Build Future Political Leaders
By: Michael Mike
A call has been made for the reshaping of the political landscape in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent to allow future leaders superior supportive environment to acquire the knowledge of governance.
The call was made by former minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili at the 2024 Africa Conference hosted by the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) in Abuja.
Ezekwesili who is also the Founder, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, speaking at the conference with the theme: “Good Governance In Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systemic Change,” said the forum was put in place to change and upgrade the mindsets of future leaders in Africa.
She noted that: “When governance whether at the local level, state or national level in your countries, you don’t govern for the population that you immediately see, you govern for Africa. We want you to immediately have that mindset of the Africa solution that will be exponential in impact as well as as interconnected.
“Academic research findings show clearly that Africa’s development challenge is primarily because of the absence of good governance, and if research gives you evidence of what your malady is or the cause of your malady, what you must do as a sensible group of people is to address your malady.
“So, since poor governance is our malady as a people, as a continent, the research that I did then gives me an insight into how to address the malady. And the critical part of it is to begin the development of an entirely new political mindset and culture,” she added.
The Keynote Speaker Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings called for more involvement of women and youth in politics, decision making and governance in Africa.
She said the time for sitting on the fence is over, stating that: “People who felt that they have something to offer their countries must also consider that grassroot does not mean illiterate, grassroot does not mean not knowledgeable, that is the foundation of everything. And if you feel that you are too big to be at the grassroot level, that is what you will see at the end when other people you feel are not as enlightened as you are will decide who you subsequently have to choose as your leader because you have decided not to take part at the grassroot level of the primary choice of who your leaders should be.”
The Chief Executive Officer, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Alero Ayida-Otobo said the barrier of development is absence of good governance, as such there was need to develop entire new political architecture that will bring in productive leaders.
She said: “The weight of this single mandate is enormous and us on every single one of you because you came and you are hearing this, you are now going to be held accountable to deliver the future.
“Many times, those that are value-driven, those that are disruptive in their thinking, they feel alone and they feel there is no body around them. What we want to do is to build a platform that they can stand on, then connect them.”
The 2024 Africa Conference, a prelude to the graduation ceremony of the fourth graduates of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance brought together value-oriented politicians from Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Zimbabwe among other African countries to brainstorm on how to reposition the continent’s politics and governance.
Ezekwesili, Rawlings, Others Call For Reshaping of Africa’s Political Landscape to Build Future Political Leaders
Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze
By: Zagazola Makama
A deadly bandit attack on Rijiya Village in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State has left eight people dead and a primary school set on fire.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that at approximately 1600 hours, on April 3, a group of armed bandits, heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, invaded the village.
The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CPG) and six civilians.
In addition to the loss of lives, the bandits set fire to a primary school that was being occupied by the CPG members.
Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze
Troops Foil Militia Attacks, Recover Weapons in Plateau State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) successfully foiled militia attacks on communities in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State on April 2, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts under Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A. The targeted communities included Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Taddai, and Hurti.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that during the operation, the troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon one AK-47 rifle and six motorcycles.
The troops also discovered traces of blood along the criminals’ withdrawal route, indicating possible casualties.
On April 3, 2025, a follow-up clearance operation was conducted at Hurti community. Troops engaged the militias in the mountainous area, overwhelming them with a high volume of fire and causing them to retreat.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four motorcycles.
Meanwhile, troops at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gashish launched offensive operations at Dome Hill, Rahul Mazat, and Anguwa Mamuda in Barkin Ladi LGA.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops located a hideout used by notorious criminals, recovering one fabricated revolver rifle, one round of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and cash amounting to 89,800 Naira. However, the suspects had already fled before the troops arrived.
In another operation, troops of Sector 2 OPSH, alongside local vigilantes, targeted bandits along Kampani Zurak Road in Wase LGA. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of one bandit and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle magazine and a motorcycle. Pursuit of the remaining bandits is ongoing.
Operation SAFE HAVEN remains committed to protecting lives and property in the region, ensuring the continued disruption of criminal activities in Plateau State.
Troops Foil Militia Attacks, Recover Weapons in Plateau State
Fire Outbreak Razes IDP School in Sokoto State
By: Zagazola Makama
A fire outbreak occurred at the school section of an IDP camp located within the compound of Alhaji Umarun Kwabo in Sokoto State on April 3, 2025, at approximately 1608 hours.
The fire destroyed several classrooms, including Primary 5 and 6, JSS 1, SS3 classes, the Skills Acquisition Center, and male student hostels.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the inferno. A combined team from the the Federal and State Fire Services and other security agencies responded promptly and extinguished the fire after a prolonged battle.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and the value of the property lost is still to be ascertained. Investigations are ongoing.
Fire Outbreak Razes IDP School in Sokoto State
Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze
Troops Foil Militia Attacks, Recover Weapons in Plateau State
Fire Outbreak Razes IDP School in Sokoto State
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions3 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
