National News
National Assembly May Drag Governors to Court to Take Up Responsibility on Correctional Facilities – Lawmaker

National Assembly May Drag Governors to Court to Take Up Responsibility on Correctional Facilities – Lawmaker
By: Michael Mike
The National Assembly may soon dragged the 36 state governors before the Supreme Court to compel them to take responsibility of correctional facilities in their domain, the Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah has revealed.
Speaking at an event to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC ) at the United Nations House in Abuja on Thursday, Ogah lamented that the governors have refused to take responsibility over the correctional facilities after it was placed on the concurrent list in the constitution.
He said that there is an urgent need for the governors to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities in supporting correctional services, stating that the National Assembly would stopped at nothing to ensure that this was done.
He revealed that presently lawyers have been consulted to sue governors who have refused to act according to the constitution to build and maintain correctional facilities.
He said: “Governors must act in accordance with the constitution to build and maintain correctional facilities.”
Chinedu Ogah, who is representing Ikwa/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, noted that the state of many correctional facilities in the country is an eyesore, noted that there is also the need for increased staffing in correctional facilities, lamenting that many of the facilities are severely understaffed.
He also complained about the congestion of correctional facilities in the country, stating that “a facility designed for 500 inmates is currently housing over 2,000, with inadequate staff to manage them.”
The lawmaker also called for increase in daily feeding allowance of N750 per inmate, lamenting that after the deductions what they actually left with is N560.
He called for urgent approval of N2,500 daily feeding allowance to inmate as being proposed by the National Assembly.
Ogar also advocated for increased private sector participation in agricultural projects within correctional facilities. He said this would provide inmates with valuable skills and reduce recidivism.
He said: “We have thousands of hectares of land that can be utilized for mechanized farming, benefiting both inmates and the broader economy.”
In his message on the day, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres said Nelson Mandela showed us the extraordinary difference one person can make in building a better world.
Guterres, whose speech was delivered by the Peace and Development Advisor, Office of UN Resident Coordinator, UN Nigeria, Dr. Kim Toogood, said: “And as the theme of this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day reminds us – combatting poverty and inequality is in our hands, Our world is unequal and divided. Hunger and poverty are rife.”
He lamented that: “The richest one per cent are responsible for the same quantity of planet-wrecking greenhouse gases as two-thirds of humanity.
“These are not natural facts. They are the result of humanity’s choices. And we can decide to do things differently.
“We can choose to eradicate poverty. We can choose to end inequality. We can choose to transform the international economic and financial system in the name of equity. We can choose to fight racism, respect human rights, combat climate change, and create a world that works for all humanity. Every one of us can contribute – through actions large and small.
“I join the Nelson Mandela Foundation in urging everyone to perform 67 minutes of public service on Nelson Mandela International Day – one minute for each year he fought for justice.
“Together, let’s honour Madiba’s legacy and turn our hands towards building a better world for all.”
On her part, Head – Justice, Integrity and Health Unit at UNODC, Muchaneta Mundopa said: “UNODC is the custodian of the Rules, making the Nelson Mandela International Day important for us. This year, the UNODC is calling for the universal, practical application of the Rules via the #PrisonersMatter campaign. Prisoners matter because their treatment affects us all: our safety, public health, community resources, and the social cohesion of our societies. But fundamentally, prisoners matter because they are people. Prisoners’ Rights are Human rights.
“In line with the global theme of Nelson Mandela Day 2024, “Ending Poverty and Inequality,” today, I would also like to encourage stakeholders to broaden the scope of criminal change and related disruptions on prison and offender management, poverty, inequality, and sustainable peace.”
The Controller General of Corrections. Haliru Nababa, said: “Mandela believed in restorative justice – a system that focuses on repairing harm caused by crime rather than mere punishment. The Service explores restorative justice practices, emphasizing dialogue, victim-offender mediation, and reconciliation.
“I recognize the critical role that prisons play in our society. It is our duty to ensure that inmates are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. Rehabilitation, education, and vocational training are essential components of our mission.
Let us use this day to reflect on Mandela’s vision and recommit ourselves to creating a prison system that promotes rehabilitation, reconciliation, and positive change. Together, we can build a more just and compassionate world.”
Ends
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary

VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
National News
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima

President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
- Tasks Nigerians on constructive criticism of government actions, policies
By: Our Reporter
Wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has scored the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high, saying the President is building a better Nigeria for Nigerians through his laudable economic policies, various empowerment initiatives and investments in key sectors of the economy.
And to help the President secure a better future for all Nigerians, the VP’s wife also encouraged the citizens not to relent in giving very useful advice to the government, urging them to be more constructive in their criticism of the administration instead of just attacking for political reasons.

Hajiya Nana Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the annual Ramadan feast, which had in attendance women groups and students
Emphasizing the determination of the Tinubu administration to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, she said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is baking a new cake for us that are alive today, and for the Nigerian children and grandchildren that are coming behind us. It is who he is ably supported by our lovely First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”

Hajiya Nana Shettima noted that the President means well for the people of Borno State as well as Nigerians in all parts of the country, even as she urged the citizens to always pray for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
“I can tell you that he (the President) means well, not only for Borno people but for the entire nation. We should not forget him and his subordinates in our prayers,” she added.
She further commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions towards actualizing the agenda of the administration, especially through the Renewed Hope Initiative which she said has impacted many lives, including women, children and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Dr Asabe Bashir, admonished women and the people of Borno State to imbibe the teachings of the just concluded Ramadan.
She also sought the people’s support and prayers for President Tinubu, thanking the President for picking his deputy from Borno State.
She said, “I always reiterate the importance of prayer because without prayers we can do nothing in life. We have just come out of Ramadan; let us imbibe that culture and lessons we received during the 29-day fast. We need to continue with the spiritual reflection.
“We should thank God and President Bola Tinubu for remembering the people of Borno State again by bringing the seat of the Vice President, not just to the North-East region but to Borno State after Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was elected along with the late Chief MKO Abiola so many years ago.
“We must continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu because if it succeeds, we succeed,” Dr Bashir added.
On his part, the Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Tijjani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his support to Nigerian youths through various youth empowerment initiatives.
Also, Dr Martins Ekunke, who spoke on behalf the South-South, Yoruba and Igbo communities residing in Borno State, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for galvanizing support for people living with HIV/AIDS through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Among those that attended the annual Sallah feast hosted by Hajiya Shettima, were the wife of the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Maryam Lawan; wife of the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Laure Musa-Askira; female Commissioners and political appointees.
Also in attendance were women groups, members of the Borno State chapter of the Nationals Association of Nigerian Students, as well as the leaders of South-South, Igbo and Yoruba communities residing in Borno State, among others.
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
National News
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala

UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
By: Michael Mike
The National Headquarters of University of Ilorin Alumni Association has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing three of its members into various leadership positions in the country.
Those appointed were Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap,, whose tenure was elongated till December 2026, Non Executive Director of NNPC, representing North Central, Mr Babs Omotowa- and the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Prof. James A. Aribisala.
In a congratulatory message to the trio, the National President, Prof. AbdulRasaq Kilani, and the National Secretary, Dr Barakat Raji, said the Association received the news of the appointments with excitement.
The Alumni, who commended President Tinubu for selecting the best for their various positions, assured him that the three alumni would not disappoint him in attaining the goals set for them to achieve.
While felicitating with the appointed members on their well-deserved appointment, the Association charged them to always show the excellence in them in surpassing the targets set for them by Mr President.
The Association who extolled the pedigrees of the appointed members in their various fields, implored them to live up to the expectations of the slogan of the institutions “better by far” in all ramifications.
The Alumni then prayed for their successful tenure and tasked them not to hesitate to reach out to them whenever their services are needed in any capacity towards national development.
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months ago
Kashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident