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FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration

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FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration

… Tuggar Insists Constitutional Governance Solutions to Terrorism

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has concluded plan to appoint undersecretaries as part of its foreign policy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar has said.

Tuggar also said that the threat to peace from terrorism and irridentism in the Sahel can only be countered with a solid foundational basis of constitutional governance, strong democratic institutions and an alliance of democratic countries in the region.

The Minister said plans are underway to reintroduce underscretaries to enable the federal government achieve the set foreign policy agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Tuggar made the disclosure while presenting a paper: “The Foreign Policy Agenda under the Tinubu Administration” at the Annual Lecture of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy (Democracy, Diaspora, Demography and Development) could be attained in a technology-driven foreign affairs ministry with appropriate bureaucracy.

The Minister noted that: “None of these (4Ds) will be possible without reforming our workplace- the Ministry- into a technology-driven environment with the right bureaucracy to achieve our smart objectives.

“The reform is already in place and we are improving the working terms and conditions of the ministry’s staff.”

Tuggar said: “We also intend to bring back the system of undersecretaries in the New Year, with the return of several senior ambassadors.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives still exist and are entailed in the country’s constitution.

“With regards to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, they exist and remain immovable because they are enshrined in our constitution.

“They are: to promote and protect Nigeria’s national interest, to promote African integration and support African unity, promote international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda that catalogued President Bola Tinubu’s promises to Nigerians during the Presidential campaign further elucidated three objectives: to protect against all forms of external aggression; promote the best possible outcomes for Nigeria in all engagements with other nations; improve Nigeria’s standing and dignity among the comity of nations,” he said.

On reemergence of coup d’etat in West Africa, the Minister noted that the illusion that military regimes may somehow be better equipped to fight terrorists and separatists remains just that, stressing that soldiers are prone to turning their guns on each other instead of terrorists, in their contestation for control of the capital metropolis.

He said: “This leaves the periphery and border areas more at the mercy of non-state actors, creating more insecurity and instability to neighbouring countries and the region as a whole.”

The Minister while some citing instances, said many countercoups have been encountered in West Africa and perhaps more to come adding that Burkina Faso government currently only controls less than 40% of its territory.

He therefore maintained that it is incumbent on Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy (and serendipitously Chair of ECOWAS) to pull its weight ally with other democracies and constitutional governments to reverse this deadly trend.

“Nigeria and ECOWAS’s role in the successful elections in Liberia and President George Weah’s noble concession is an indication of what can be achieved through Diplomacy. But the Democracy in 4-D also calls for Democracy in global organisations and institutions that remain exclusive clubs under sketchy criteria.” He added.

In his remarks, the President ARCAN, Amb. John Shinkaiye stated that the formulation and execution of the foreign policy of the country is crucial as decisions made in this aspect of the nation’s governance have far reaching implications for Nigeria, the West Africa region, the African continent, and even beyond.

He said: “It is important therefore that the new government sets appropriate
priorities and strategies and identify potential challenges that the government may face.

“It is recognised that Nigeria’s foreign policy will be shaped by, among other
things, a combination of domestic factors and imperatives, regional dynamics and global realities.

“Understanding how these factors can affect the country’s position on
many key issues, including security, economic cooperation, relations with other countries and the international community at large, is very important to the success of the Tinubu administration,” Shinkaiye advised.

Shinkaiye also said ARCAN was also disposed to exchange views with other arms of government with interest in the implementation of the nation’s foreign policy.

FG to Reintroduce Undersecretaries into Its Foreign Policy Administration

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Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare

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Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare

… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, held a high-level meeting on Thursday with key stakeholders in the education sector to review current challenges and outline fresh directives for improving learning outcomes, infrastructure, and coordination across the state.

The meeting, chaired by the Governor at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and heads of education boards, agencies, and institutions.

Zulum emphasised the synergy among all agencies in the education sector noting that with proper collaboration effective service delivery would be provided for the people of Borno.

Governor Zulum outlined a multifaceted plan to rejuvenate the education sector, which includes building houses for teachers, renovating dilapidated schools, providing professional development opportunities, and improving teachers’ access to resources.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, among other senior officials.

… orders more high Islamic colleges, libraries

Meanwhile, as part of his policy direction for the education sector, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed the establishment of additional High Islamic Colleges in some local government areas.

The High Islamic Colleges are designed to offer a wide range of programmes, including traditional Islamic studies, literacy and numeracy, modern sciences, and vocational training.

According to Zulum, the High Islamic Colleges were to ensure the integration of the non-formal education sector with formal education. He also affirmed that the colleges will teach basic literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills to Almajiri pupils and will provide a second chance for out-of-school children who have exceeded the enrollment age.

In addition, the governor directed the establishment of additional state libraries in Biu, southern Borno, and Monguno, in the northern part of the state.

“Deliberately, I upgraded the Maiduguri library, with the aim of establishing another one in Biu and one in Monguno in order to promote reading culture, which is fast eroding. I want you to rejuvenate the reading culture by ensuring the library is effective. But most importantly, apart from the physical books, let’s put a mechanism for e-books in place,” Zulum said.

Education: Zulum upgrades infrastructure, teachers’ welfare

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Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna

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Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a cache of locally made weapons.

According to sources, the detectives acting on credible intelligence stormed Kurmin Kogi Village and apprehended the suspects Isah Bello, and Sa’idu Haruna, both of Damdami Village, Richifa Ward, Soba LGA.

The sources said the suspects confessed to being in possession of firearms and led investigators to their hideout, where four locally made guns and four locally made pistols were recovered.

The sources added that the suspects are in custody as discreet investigations continue.

Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna

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Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe

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Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe

By: Zagazola Makama

Security personnel in Gombe have arrested a man for allegedly attacking another with a hoe over claims of adultery.

Sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:30 p.m. in Shongo Kagadama Village, Kwami Local Government Area, when one Musa Usman allegedly confronted Abdulmumini Misa, 38, accusing him of having an affair with his wife.

The suspect struck the victim on the head and injured his fingers on both hands, leaving him with serious wounds.

The victim was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where he is receiving treatment.

The sources say the suspect has been arrested and is under investigation.

Man attacked with hoe over alleged affair in Gombe

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