News
IPCR Commended By BPSR For Robust Financial Management, Procurement System

IPCR Commended By BPSR For Robust Financial Management, Procurement System
By: Michael Mike
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has commended the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) for its robust and prudent resource management and procurement process, which it said complied with the extant laws of the country.
The Director General of the Bureau, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi gave this commendation when he led a team of the Bureau to the IPCR for the presentation of the statutory assessment report of the activities of IPCR as well as presentation of awards to the Institute.
Mr. Arabi congratulated Dr. Joseph Ochogwu on his appointment as the Director General of IPCR, adding that it did not come as a surprise to him because of Ochogwu’s commitment to tackle the enormous problems confronting the country through thorough conflict resolution mechanisms.
He said: “IPCR has robust public financial management, financial and accounting policies that comply with financial regulations which it clearly reviews to ensure efficient and reliable mechanism in line with the extant laws of the country.”
On procurement, Arabi expressed satisfaction with the procurement process of the institute, stressing that it has established adequate systems and procedures and built experienced personnel with required capacity to exercise procurement activities.
He noted that the institute awards contracts only to bidders that comply with all the specifications for procurement process and procedures even as he assured that the Bureau will work with the institute to improve their capacity
He added that the IPCR has met the expectations of all the critical goals of the institute and declared as a Third Level Silver Level organization, explaining that the IPCR in meeting the expectations has performed consistently in areas of responsibility and the quality of work generally.
He however, recommended that the institute should develop a stakeholders engagement mechanism, assess the performance of staff, establish award systems, digitilize data processes and identify short and long term collaboration with partners as well as establish health and safety policies for the well-being of staff.
He also recommended that the institute develop asset management and inclusive policy, develop a formal code of conduct and develop operations and strategic plan and internal control system and to create a mechanism to collaborate with development partners as well as insurance policies for its officers and create anti-corruption standards.
He charged them to address some of the shortcomings of the Institute in order to achieve the goals of the institute through innovation, planning and deployment of self-assessment tools even as he advised them to conduct periodic assessment of their performance.
In his reaction, the IPCR Director General, Ochogwu expressed happiness with the objective assessment of the institute by the Bureau, adding that this will encourage the Institute to address their challenges within their operational system and work in synergy to achieve its mandate through resource mobilization plan.
The DG told the visiting team that IPCR is ready to partner with the BPSR, adding that what the Bureau is doing is in line with global services.
He said: “On behalf of the staff, we are so humbled with the objective assessment. Before you came we have been having meetings with ourselves. We are going to run with this report, item by item. Before you come back again, we would have achieved a milestone.
“We will look at the areas of strength and how we can strengthen it and look at the areas of weakness and see how we can improve on it to become our strength. I want to assure you that you will meet a better IPCR when next you come.”
IPCR Commended By BPSR For Robust Financial Management, Procurement System
News
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security

FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
By: Our Reporter
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.
“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.

“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.
FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security
News
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital

Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
By: Mamman Mohammed
Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.
It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.

Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.
Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.
Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.
This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.
Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.
Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.

Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.
Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.
The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.
Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.
As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.
We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.
Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital
News
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts

Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.
Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.
It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.
The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.
Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.
Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.
Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
-
News12 months ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS12 months ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns12 months ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
National News12 months ago
Fraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama