National News

BORNO emirate concerned citizens condemn recent political violence between the APC and PDP

Published

3 years ago

November 15, 2022

News Net Global

BORNO emirate concerned citizens condemn recent political violence between the APC and PDP

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Borno Emirate Concerned citizens Forum (BECCF) has condemned the recent political violence that led to the pelting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convoy of Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar by Hoodlums in maiduguri

The group Chaired by Hassan Zanna, the “Boguma of Borno” in a news conference in Maiduguri on Sunday said it has started talking to its people to abstain from involvement in such dangerous vices during this critical campaign period.

“We do not believe it is right for people to gather under the guise of any political party to foment trouble. As a result, we will call for a town hall meeting to address issues that were not thrashed before now.

The group said that it was saddened by the fact that the elders in the land have not said a word about the attack on the opposition party which he said was not good enough. adding that “we on our own have been gathering people to speak to them on the dangers of violence at this time when we are trying to end the spate of insurgency in the state. We have come to a point in which we must directly speak to the party stalwarts regardless of the party they belong to drop their swords.” said Zannah

Speaking on those who were injured during the November 9th fracas between the All Progressive Congress(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs in maiduguri, Zannah said that they have in their own way commiserated with those who were attacked and wounded in the capital during the visit of Atiku stressing that they are independent minded professionals who want the peace of the people to be maintained at all times.

“The Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum (BECCF) is an apolitical and non-religious socio-cultural group established for the promotion of social justice, peace, unity, and the perceptive promotion of the culture and tradition of the people of Borno. The objective of which is purely to unity in the State for us to reclaim its acronym of ‘Home of Peace’ and to promote peaceful coexistence among members of Borno Communities. It is deeply concerned about the recent happenings in the State. The renaissance of political thuggery and mischief-making is in its resurgence and the need to urgently curb the situation before it escalates to another problem.

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“The Forum believes that the incident of 9th November is attributed to some elements within the two major political parties in the State. These political parties are established by law and the need to draw their attention to respect and abide by the rule of law and the provisions of their constitutions during campaigns. This genuine respect for law and order by all is non-negotiable. Regrettably, the recent happening in the State is tantamount to a breach of peace and concerted efforts in bringing down the successes recorded so far in bringing a lasting peace to our State in the recent past. We observed with dismay that the political upheavals in Bama, Biu, M.M.C. and pockets of others in some designated locations.

“The Forum condemned in strongest terms all acts of violence and disruption that may likely breach the entrenchment of peace in the State. Therefore, we call on all political stakeholders to eschew all forms of political violence that may open ways to hoodlums from de-escalating the relatively hard-earned peace achieved in recent times.

“We equally call on all indigenes of Borno to shun activities that will lead to violence of any type at all costs. We particularly want to intimate parents to call on their wards to avoid places, friends, and associates that can lure them to obstruct peace in the state. It is also important to remind the general public to legitimately operate their mobile phone devices (Smartphones). Especially, the wrong use of social media sites in spreading unconfirmed/fake reports or news against people of all types should be discouraged.

“Recently, people used to enjoy recording their voices expressing unwanted views or commenting on what they do not know is becoming worrisome and condemnable. The need for caution and the creation of public awareness campaigns to inculcate appropriate handling of those digital devices is timely.

“Given the above scenarios, it is the Forum’s observation that it was in the tradition that every season had its unique ways of seeking divine intervention and so it is strongly recommended that the constituted authorities should embark on a call for special prayer sessions for the peaceful conduct of electioneering campaigns, the conduct of 2023 elections, and another transition to civil rule in Nigeria.

“Any form of blackmail orchestrated to dent, smear, or defame his person by some unpatriotic individuals would be fully resisted. Let the whole world know the Governor is a humane and open-minded person, we want to categorically express our unalloyed support for his humanitarian and developmental policies and programmes for the good people of Borno State.” said Hassan Zannah

BORNO emirate concerned citizens condemn recent political violence between the APC and PDP

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

23 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

23 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy