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Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
By: Michael Mike
The Ministries of Interior and Solid Minerals Development have commenced a joint task to put an end to insecurity around mining sites across the country with the handling over of Mining Marshal from the former to the later.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Thursday formally handed over the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Mining Marshal which was newly commissioned to ensure adequate security in the mining industry to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The Interior Minister who expressed optimism that the squad will end illegal mining activities soon, was represented at the handing over ceremony by the Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi.
The minister noted with satisfaction that the Corps had made unprecedented arrests of illegal miners including foreign nationals from China.
The squad code-named, ‘Operation Hayakinkoko’ according to the Minister is to smoke out all illegal miners who are responsible for the loss of huge national revenue from mining that is supposed to accrue from the sector.
“We are losing huge amounts of revenue from illegal mining activities”, Olubunmi stated.
The 60-member Mining Marshal, also known as the starter group was presented the the Minister of Solid Minerals Development with membership drawn across state commands based on credibility, and trained for effective service delivery under the Command of CSC John Onoja Attah, and would be replicated in all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
On his part, the Commandant General of NSCDC assured the minister of bringing the activities of illegal miners to an end and hinted that already, the Corps discretely has a record of illegal mining sites in the country.
Also speaking in a welcome address, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, expressed delight in the quick response of the NSCDC by making available its personnel who are trained to address the menace of insecurity and ensure that only registered operators exist in the mining industry.
Alake who described the presentation/handing over of Mining Marshal to his ministry as symbolic and epitome of all that had been discussed at the inter-ministerial committee set up by President Bola Tinubu, applauded the Corps for bringing his ministry’s plan to fruition.
On assumption of duty in the ministry, he revealed part of his 7-point agenda in line with the renewed hope of Mr President was to create Mines Police to address insecurity in the sector, and expressed delight with the provision made by NSCDC irrespective of the nomenclature.
The Minister said the expectation of the present government is for solid minerals to contribute over 50 per cent of the nation’s revenue and decried nefarious activities of illegal mining which must be kept in check.
He maintained an inter-ministerial committee comprising ministries of Mining and solid minerals, Blue Economy, Interior and Police Affairs to fashion out ways to sanitise the industry and since then, members of the committee had worked relentlessly noting that the Marshal formed by the NSCDC and subsequent interventions by other agencies are all efforts in addressing challenges in the mining sector.
Other highlights of the event were the presentation of goodwill by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Mining, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi who assured the Ministry and stakeholders of the National Assembly’s support.
The legislator said with the commencement of security protection of the sector economic fortune of the country will change positively against the regrettable practice whereby local minerals are even smuggled out of the country.
Interior and Solid Minerals Development Ministries Collaborate to End Insecurity, Illegal Mining
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
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
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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Police arrest suspected gunrunners, recover eight firearms in Kaduna
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