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

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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.

READ ALSO: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/27/ndlea-boss-warns-drivers-against-use-of-hard-drugs/

“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

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

** As VP Shettima demands urgent action to bridge nation’s skills gap

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for immediate and united action to close Nigeria’s widening skills gap, describing it as a national priority critical to economic transformation.

This is just as the federal government has hinted at a proposal for the review of existing skills training centres across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to align their work and functions with national development goals.

The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday during the 6th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) at the Presidential Villa, noted that the council’s mandate is to develop a strategic workforce capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving economic demands.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. We have to make this country work. We need to fill in the skills gap,” he said.

VP Shettima pointed out that the council has a mission to strategically position Nigeria’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

“This council was established with a clear mandate to drive the strategic development of the skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity,” he added.

The Vice President described the session as an open forum where positions were aired and important decisions were taken, emphasising that stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and decisive leadership are essential to fixing Nigeria’s skills and employment crisis.

A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a National Skills Infrastructure Audit to create a centralised database of all training facilities, verify their functionality, and identify gaps or overlaps in infrastructure.

“The government’s policy trajectory is to strengthen human capital development for national growth and industry through skills development. However, unless the skills infrastructure across MDAs is optimised, this vision will remain unattainable,” the council noted.

The audit will also involve physical verification of centres and a detailed cataloguing of operational training facilities, ensuring alignment with national occupational standards and labour market needs.

Earlier, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa made a presentation on the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), an initiative aimed at training 10,000 artisans annually in high-demand construction trades.

The programme is designed to formalise Nigeria’s informal artisan sector by providing certification and onboarding qualified artisans onto a Digital Artisan Marketplace.

“The overall goal of NASAP is to establish a reliable and competent artisan workforce to drive the Ministry’s housing and infrastructure agenda while empowering Nigeria’s youth with employable skills,” the Minister said.

He noted that NASAP seeks to tackle youth unemployment while simultaneously addressing the skilled labour shortage in the construction sector, just as he said it is projected to have a significant impact on both job creation and long-term infrastructure development.

FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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Army intercepts railway vandals in Yobe, arrests 8 suspects including 5 NSCDC personnel

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Army intercepts railway vandals in Yobe, arrests 8 suspects including 5 NSCDC personnel

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai in Yobe have intercepted a truck loaded with suspected vandalised iron railway sleepers and arrested eight suspects, including five personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), during a targeted operation in Katarko area of Gujba Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which took place on July 8 at about 4:00 p.m., followed credible intelligence about the movement of vandalised railway materials.

The truck, was intercepted while en route to Damaturu. A Hilux vehicle marked NSCDC CD 234 A, believed to be providing escort for the illegal consignment, was also impounded.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the railway materials were vandalised from a section of the tracks around Kukuwa, also in Gujba LGA.

Further findings revealed that the arrested NSCDC officers were allegedly invited by the vandals to provide safe passage in exchange for monetary compensation.

A cash sum of ₦128,500, believed to be proceeds of the illegal escort, was recovered from one of the NSCDC officers. The money was reportedly concealed in his inner clothing.

The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Damaturu for further investigation. An anti-bomb squad has also been directed to sweep the recovered materials to ensure public safety.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing and all those found culpable will be prosecuted accordingly.

Army intercepts railway vandals in Yobe, arrests 8 suspects including 5 NSCDC personnel

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NHRC: Over 320,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Received in June

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NHRC: Over 320,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Received in June

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried the rising incident of human rights violation in the country, stating that last alone over 320,000 cases were reported across the country.

Speaking during the presentation of June 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu said: “In the month of June, we received 327,154 complaints reflecting another sharp increase in human rights violations, each one a desperate plea for justice and a stark reminder of how much work remains to be done.”

He lamented that: “Every month, when we gather to present this human rights dashboard, we are confronted with a sobering reality of the lived realities of those affected by violence, injustice, discrimination, and systemic neglect. These numbers compel us to reflect deeply on our collective responsibility and ask ourselves the difficult question: Are we doing enough? The events of June 2025 demand not just reflection, but an honest and urgent response.”

He said: “Last month, Nigeria witnessed a harrowing surge in violent attacks, with devastating consequences for affected communities and our national conscience. Among the most tragic incidents were the brutal assaults on the Yelewata and Dauda communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where over 200 innocent lives were lost. These were not mere figures on a report; they were fathers, mothers, children, and breadwinners; families torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and futures extinguished in moments of senseless brutality.

“Equally alarming is the rising trend of attacks against law enforcement and local security forces. In Kaduna and Niger States, more than 17 soldiers were killed in coordinated attacks, further destabilizing already fragile regions. Equally distressing was the massacre of over 40 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Ruggar Chida, brave individuals who stood on the frontlines to protect their communities, only to pay the ultimate price.

“Their deaths leave a void in local security structures, rendering civilians even more exposed to further violence.”

Ojukwu noted that: “The wave of insecurity plaguing our highways has also intensified. In June alone, more than 50 travellers were abducted along major transit routes in Kogi and Benue States. These are not isolated criminal acts; they represent a direct assault on the fundamental rights to freedom of movement, economic participation, and personal dignity. These abductions inflicts lasting trauma on victims and their families while further eroding public trust in the safety of our roads. This pattern of violence marked by impunity, fear, and systemic failure highlights a grave deficit in protection and accountability.”

He added that: “In the month of June, we received 327,154 complaints reflecting another sharp increase in human rights violations, each one a desperate plea for justice and a stark reminder of how much work remains to be done.

“To the government, we reiterate the need for decisive and coordinated security interventions. To civil society and the media, we urge sustained advocacy and amplification of these issues. To our development partners, we call for strengthened collaboration in addressing the root causes of these issues. This dashboard must not merely serve as a record of tragedies; it must be a catalyst for meaningful and sustainable change.

“Let us never forget; every complaint documented, every statistic recorded in these dashboards represents a Nigerian citizen, a fellow human being seeking justice, safety, and the fulfilment of their basic rights.

“The National Human Rights Commission remains unwavering in its mandate to promote, protect, and enforce human rights across Nigeria. We will forge ahead with purposeful and sustained action.”

NHRC: Over 320,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Received in June

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