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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
News
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
By: Michael Mike
Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.
Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.
The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.
The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.
The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.
The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.
It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.
The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.
The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
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Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks
…… Call for community engagement and collaboration with security agencies
By: Our Reporter
In Rann, the Borno State Deputy Governor His Excellency Dr Umar Kadafur led a government delegation on a condolence visit to Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.
It could be recalled that a few days ago at the Furunduma area in Kala balge, an IED explosion claimed lives of over twenty people and some injured during the attack that claimed several lives and suspected to be a Boko Haram insurgents.

During the visit, the Deputy Governor and other members of the delegation prayed for the departed souls and wished them eternal rest . They also prayed for the families and the entire community to bear the irreparable loss.
Dr Kadafur condemned in the strongest terms the heinous act of the insurgents, calling for intense prayers to avert future occurrences and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with security operatives to sustain peace that was regained in the region.
The delegation visited Rann General Hospital to sympathize with those injured in the attack, praying for their quick recovery. The Deputy Governor announced that all medical bills for the injured would be covered.

The Deputy Governor made cash donations of N300,000 to families of the 27 affected victims and also a cash support as a morale booster to military personnel, Police force, Local vigilante, Kesh Kesh and Civilian JTF , including youths group at Rann.
The Chairman of Kala Balge Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajid Musa Ajid expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum , Deputy Governor, and the delegation for their timely support and condolences.
…….. In Chibok LGA
The delegation led by His Excellency, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur also proceeded to Chibok town on a similar condolence visit to the families of affected attack by Boko Haram insurgents, whereby fourteen people were killed, church and houses were burnt down with properties worth millions of Naira.
The deputy governor said, “We were here to sympathise with you and the families of recent attacks, lives and properties were lost whereby we can only condone you and pray for the deceased. We are here to support the families and victims but we cannot replace what has been lost, life is irreparable “.
Dr Kadafur condemned the attack and supported the families with similar cash support of 300,000 to victims families, assured that the government will support them in rebuilding their destroyed church and houses.

Members of the delegation which includes
Member Borno State House of Assembly representing kala Balge LGA Hon.Dige Mohammed , Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Former Chairman kala Balge LGA Zanna Jabu. Member House of Assembly representing chibok LGA, Former Chairman chibok and Hon.Hauwa Mai Musa .
Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks
News
One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom
By: Zagazola Makama
A man was killed and another critically injured on Tuesday night following an ambush by unknown gunmen in Kum village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims, identified as Joshua Ezekiel, 48, and Dung Jatau, 51, were reportedly riding on a motorcycle along the Riyom to Kum road at about 8:15 p.m. when they were attacked by armed men who opened fire on them.
Residents said the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Riyom, where Ezekiel was pronounced dead on arrival. Jatau is currently receiving medical treatment and is said to be in stable condition.
Tension remains high in the area as locals express concern over the safety of rural commuters, especially during evening hours.
Community leaders in Riyom have called for calm and urged residents to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the attackers.
Police said they have lunched investigation into the incident.
One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom
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