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Darret foundation holds two days workshop for Christian and Muslim youths in maiduguri
Darret foundation holds two days workshop for Christian and Muslim youths in maiduguri
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Cardinal Onaiyekan and Dr Tim Darret foundations both focused on peace and development have held a two days workshop to bridge the peace gap between Christianity and Islam in the country.
The workshop with theme “youth and conflict: interfaith challenges and opportunities for peaceful co-existence” was held in maiduguri recently mainly to open the eyes of young people in the “Muna community” on how to further strengthen the peace in the state and the region respectively.
Declaring the workshop open, Bridgid O’Connor from the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) who is also the Chief of Party for a project known as “Thrive” noted that it was a workshop to strengthen the capacity of young people of the state especially on promoting peaceful co-existence within themselves instead of living in crisis.
Speaking with newsmen during the occasion, she said that most of the young people assembled at “kirika sama” in maiduguri had training in social cohesion and trauma management which is vital to their keeping of the peace.
She revealed that the talk shop was an opportunity for adherents of both Christianity and Islam to gather together and jaw jaw about the way forward in promoting peaceful co-existence.
O’Connor stated that since peace is not something that comes within one or two days but a phenomenon that should be worked on by parties involved to get a long term solution, she expects the people to be able to rationalize the advantages and go for it at all costs.
“Nobody can eat peace. It has to be worked upon. You also have to have a form of living to be able to provide or create peace. I will not necessarily advise them on how to run their lives but I believe that as matured adults, they have their individual competencies and know what to do.
“They should trust in their own skills and competencies and take the initiatives to their own communities to reach their neighbors and see what they can do together especially by promoting and ensuring a fair share of the resources they have in their communities together. ” said O’Connor.
The convener of the peace project Dr Timothy Darret said he expected that each of the 50 participant who attended will turn out as peace ambassadors in their neighborhoods.
In his presentation, he regretted that the love of worldly things such as money, materialistic materials, was a very big challenge to both religions, as it can lead young people to do things beyond their comprehension.
“This is because a lot of youths today do go to their early graves because of their worldly desires, they engage in rituals, yahoo, kidnapping, etc.
” These desires at times makes them to even sacrifice their parents and loved ones. So, people are advised to engage in legal hustling in order to make a leaving, by doing so, we can be able to overcome this challenge.
” Illiteracy is another challenge faced by interfaith, because lack of knowledge about one’s religion, can lead to certain misinterpretations about one’s religion. So, it is advisable to always look for knowledge, although knowledge is expensive, but if you think so, try ignorance, then you will find out that it is more expensive than knowledge.” He stressed.
On lack of mentorship, he went on: ” You will observe that a lot of people give little or no attention to mentorship, as they think they know everything and don’t need any teaching or guidance from anyone. Most especially in the case of religion. There are lots of things that needs mentorship, Professional guidance and deep understanding, because without good guidance, it can lead to misinterpretation, which can trigger religious crises and misunderstanding.
“Most of the problems faced today in religious perspectives is due to bad mentorship guidance or due to misinterpretation by your own understanding. So, consulting a good mentor or leader for religious guidance is most needed in order to prevent this challenge.” he concluded.
Also speaking Dr Timta Musa said he expects that peace would be fostered and maintained in the state at all times after the two days training.
Speaking on commitment Dr Timta Musa asked what they can do for peace in their own commitment and what can they do to promote peace and understanding among people.
To him, “that’s what we should first decide and then do what’s needed to be done. At times some religious leaders do engage in hate speech, which might trigger some misunderstanding, so we should try to commit our self in any activity that can promote peace and people’s commitment.
Several papers were presented during the two days sessions which include: “Understanding interfaith dynamic in Borno” by Sheikh Talha. “Role of youth in preventing Radicalization.” by Fr Saminu Gabriel. “Interfaith Challenge the common drivers” Sheikh Talha and Peaceful co-existence by Fr Saminu Gabriel. Of course forgiveness was amply handled by Dr Tim.
Darret foundation holds two days workshop for Christian and Muslim youths in maiduguri
Yobe State EXCO Line Up Projects For Commissiong
By: Mamman Mohammed
The Yobe state executive council at its first meeting of the year today lined up some infrastructural projects completed and ready for commissioning.
Addressing the media after the EXCO Meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Alh. Abdullahi Bego, said “these projects and programmes cut across many sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, road construction and Empowerment.
The council resolved to embark on a major modernization initiative to change the face of Damaturu to a befitting state capital in 2025.
The council expressed confidence that many of the ongoing legacy that will be ready for commissioning soon “include the Potiskum Modern Market, Ngalda and Yunusari markets all of which are currently at 90% stages of completion, and the Geidam Modern Market which is now at 75% completion stage, and the Potiskum Truck Transit Park now at 90 percent completion stage”.
The EXCO noted that the four modern SESAME SEEDS processing factories in Machina, Nguru, Potiskum and Damaturu have been completed and ready for inauguration.
Similarly, the phase one of the Fika-Maluri road has been completed while work on the second phase is ongoing. The Kukuri-Chukuriwa-Dawasa is 95% completed, Karasuwa-Galu- Gashu’a main road is completed.
“The Gashu’a-Masaba road is at 48% completion, Chumbusko-Tagali road is 100% completed, Nguru-Balanguwa is 75% completed, while Balanguwa-Kumaganam is at 60% completion stage.
“Danchuwa-Garin Bingel (100% completed); and the Danchuwa-Jajere road (97% completion stage); with a number of township roads under the first phase in Nguru, Jajimaji, Gashu’a, Potiskum, Damagum, Damaturu, Buni-Yadi, Babban Gida, and Geidam completed.
In the second phase, Nguru township roads were completed 100%; Potiskum and Damaturu are at 80% while Geidam and Gashu’a township roads are now at 40% stages of completion. We also have ongoing township road projects in Fika, Buni-Yadi and Yunusari towns.
The Damaturu-Buni Yadi, Damaturu-Bayamari, Potiskum-Gashu’a, Bayamari-Yunusari, and Geidam-Bukarti roads cut off by the floods last year have been repaired.
“There is also ongoing rehabilitation of Yunusari-Yusufari road; Jajimaji-Karasuwa road; Yunusari-Kafiya-Kanamma road junction.
“The state government is also currently constructing a road from Potiskum to Ngojin and from Fadawa to Daya in Fika Local Government area” the council stated.
The state executive council noted the delivery of healthcare equipment to the state donated by World Medical Relief in the United States.
“These equipment include hospital beds, infusion pumps, patient monitors, surgical instruments and tools, defibrillators, fetal monitors and ventilators, amongst others”.
The EXCO. noted with satisfaction the graduation of the Buni Scholars in India in the face of the economic challenges making the state proud with increase in qualified personnel in various fields.
Yobe State EXCO Line Up Projects For Commissiong
WEF 2025: Nigeria, Global Leaders Target $29trn African Economy By 2050
** As VP Shettima reaffirms Nigeria’s resolve to champion AfCFTA
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined other world leaders to push for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with a target to boost Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050.
He restated Nigeria’s readiness to spearhead the AfCFTA and take advantage of the market potential of the sector for digital transformation and economic integration of the African continent.
This is just as the President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Børge Brende, pointed out the transformative potential of the AfCFTA, projecting that its full implementation could boost Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050.
Senator Shettima and the global leaders declared their nations’ positions on Wednesday during a forum of Friends of AfCFTA on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
The Vice President, while addressing the forum tagged, “Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,” reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to AfCFTA as a vehicle for shared prosperity.
According to VP Shettima, Africa stands in a unique position to take advantage of global talent deficits, citing a Korn Ferry study that projects a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people by 2030.
“By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the United States, becoming the third most populous nation on earth at 440 million people,” he stated.
Citing Africa’s growing digital landscape, the VP said Nigeria’s technological strength is propelling it into the knowledge age.
“Today, we have 220 million telecom subscribers and 163 million internet users in Nigeria alone. This provides us with immense opportunities to empower our people. While our highest oil export earnings were $35 billion in 2011, India last year earned about $120 billion from outsourcing alone.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is not only an economic arrangement but a bold statement of our shared destiny,” VP Shettima stated, adding that while Africa may have missed the agricultural and industrial ages, it is positioned to thrive in the post-industrial knowledge age.
On his part, the WEF President, Brende, while welcoming Vice President Shettima and other African leaders to the “Forum Friends of AfCFTA,” said Africa’s demographic advantage presents huge economic opportunities for the continent.
He noted that while most nations face workforce challenges, Africa’s young population positions it for unprecedented growth.
“If the Secretary General of the AfCFTA is given all the support he deserves, we can boost intra-African trade by a staggering 50%.
“As of today, $29 trillion represents one-third of the global GDP. Africa is such a growing continent, and one of its key promises is demography. The challenge now is creating new jobs for the youth population,” he stated.
Others who spoke at the event included the Presidents of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa; Botswana, Duma Boko; DR Congo, Felix Tshisekedi; Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; Prime Minister of Egypt, Mostafa Madbouly; Confederation of African Football President, Patrice Motsepe; Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair; amongst numerous global CEOs.
WEF 2025: Nigeria, Global Leaders Target $29trn African Economy By 2050
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU
The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.
The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.
The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.
To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
aides, friends, well-wishers, and associates the opportunity to share in the joy and pride that the award brings to Mr. President through placement of Congratulatory/Goodwill messages to honour the awardee among other award recipients.
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MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
“GOODBYES ARE NOT THE END, BUT THE BEGINNING OF NEW JOURNEYS,” SAYS MAJOR GENERAL MAINA………as He Hands Over to Major General UM Alkali, the 7th Commandant of AWCN
Yobe State EXCO Line Up Projects For Commissiong
WEF 2025: Nigeria, Global Leaders Target $29trn African Economy By 2050
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