Skill Acquisition: NDE organises orientation for 50 youths in Gombe

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Thursday sensitised no fewer than 50 youths who have been selected for training on solar energy and environmental beautification.

The orientation was to equip them with the necessary information for a successful three month training in the state.

The solar energy and environmental beautification training schemes of the Special Public Works Department of NDE is being carried out under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI).

The Director-General of the NDE, Mr Silas Agara, while speaking during the ceremony in Gombe urged youths in the state and country to embrace government’s skill acquisition programmes to tackle unemployment and become self-reliant.

Agara restated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu under its Renewed Hope Agenda, to ensuring economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction for youths and citizens across the state and country.

He said skills acquisition remained a potent tool to empowering youths and tackling unemployment hence the investment by the Federal Government in that regard to tackle unemployment and ensure better living standards for youths.

Represented by the State Coordinator Mawa Lamu, the DG urged participants to make the best use of this opportunity to better their lives, your communities and the nation at large.

According to him, youths should leverage the skills acquisition programmes of the government to get knowledge in skill and get a skill for job.

He also urged those undergoing trainings learn the necessary skills in line with the essence of the initiative to ensure they become better after the training.

“These transient jobs training have been carefully designed for 18 participants under the solar Energy Set and 32 participants under the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS).

“At the end of the training, unemployed persons will equip yourself with a skill that guarantee employability, create wealth and enhance self-reliance.

“The NDE stimulates the interest in you youths (school leavers, graduates of tertiary institutions to identify business opportunities in alternative energy sector such as solar Energy.

“And also beautify our environment and our homes through learning soft and hard landscaping POP, and horticulture skill.

“I want to congratulate you that out of 20,000 that applied under Gombe State, you are among those selected to participate in this second Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.

“I charge you to use this opportunity to get knowledge in skill and get a skill for job,” he said.

Agara commended Tinubu for RHEI and for supporting the programme towards empowering youths with the right skills to become self-sufficient.

He also commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for also creating an environment conducive for youths to learn skills in the state.

Mr Budidi Ibrahim, a master trainer on solar installation lauded Tinubu’s initiative, stressing that with such initiative being sustained, more youths would be empowered to become job-givers.

On his part, Michael Elisha, a participant, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries appreciated the effort of the Federal Government towards reducing unemployment and creating wealth.

He pledged to use the skill that would be acquired to contribute to the development of Nigeria.

Skill Acquisition: NDE organises orientation for 50 youths in Gombe

Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

By: Zagazola Makama

Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.

The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.

Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.

“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.

Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

… Fagbemi: Zulum, people-centred and reform-driven Gov.

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state justice system especially at the grassroots level.

Governor Zulum made the commitment on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.

“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.

The governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make justice delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.

“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas. If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he remarked.

“This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted
insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract”.

The governor emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism, corruption, resolving land disputes and securing investments for a better society.

“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see
coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.

The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.

The event was attended by the senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN; APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Chairman/CEO NDLEA, Brig. Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa; Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Heads of Agencies under Federal Ministry of Justice. Others include Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, acting Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, members of the state executive council, and other top government officials.

… Zulum: people-centred, and reform-driven Gov -Fegbemi

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has lauded Governor Babagana Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.

“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in
partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation. With tools such as the Case
Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency
in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi stated.

“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results. You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” he added.

“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied
innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”.

The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy,
cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.

“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.

Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System