News
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji has called for the creation of special squadron to ward off threat and insecurity at various mining sites in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa.
In his keynote address at the gathering of stakeholders from different mining communities in West Africa to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that are confronting mining activities in the region organized by the international Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), Global Rights and Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), Orji said there is need for the creation of a special squadron for the mining sector to fight insecurity and other issues affecting the mining district.
Orji while noting that Africa is blessed with abundant mineral resources, ranging from gold and diamonds to oil and gas, added that “these resources hold the promise of transformation, the potential to elevate the lives of our people, and to power the development of our nations”.
He however expressed concern that the communities where these resources are gotten from are often left vulnerable and continue to face several security challenges.
He said: “The challenges faced by these mining host communities need urgent resolutions. There is a need for collaboration with security agencies and mining host communities to help curb insecurity in the mining sector.
“It is also the responsibility of the government to ensure that the wealth derived from our minerals is utilised for the common good, and are equitably shared among our people, the environment is protected for generation to come and that the human rights of the people are well protected. “
Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, who hailed the enthusiasm of the stakeholders for embracing the ideas and proposing many pathways to achieving the roadmap, said Nigeria government shall continue to ensure good business and security for mining host communities by ensuring policy consistency and adequate security.
While commending Global Rights for continuous work in protecting and advocating for marginalized communities, the Minister charged the stakeholders to be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and shared responsibility.
The international Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), Global Rights and Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) who organized the gathering expressed worry over the growing challenges facing mining host communities in West Africa, insisting that the troubled communities need to come together, deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that they are confronted with.
Global Rights in conjunction with Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) have gathered the stakeholders in Abuja for the 2023 West African Mining Host Communities’, called INDABA.
The West African Mining Host Communities INDABA is a Natural Resource Governance Summit that provides a critical platform for Mining Host Communities in West Africa to engage and have critical conversations on strengthening safeguards for the sustainability of mining host communities in the subregion.
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said the conference is aimed at bringing together the host communities to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that they are confronted with as West Africans.
“It’s a platform for an open and inclusive dialogue where ideas, experiences and solutions are shared collectively.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the wealth of West Africa’s minerals benefits the many, rather than the few and that becomes a catalyst for peace, development, and progress” She said.
A communique issued at the end of the conference stated that sustainable West African Regional Policy Initiatives must reflect the United Nations Guiding
Principles of protect, respect and access to remedies.
It also highlighted that the sub-region must expedite processes to adapt National Action Plans on Business
and Human Rights.
The conference pointed out that policies on water management, and sustainable resource management should be coherent
with climate-smart mining as an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practice in the mining industry in Africa.
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command, Zone 8 Lokoja, has confirmed the abduction of two women from Edogi community in the early hours of Friday.
The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. when armed men invaded the home of 50-year-old Alhaji Mustapha and took away his wives Shafa’u Mustapha and 35-year-old Fauzat Mustapha.
Upon receiving the report around 8:00 a.m., soldiers, police, vigilante members, and local hunters were mobilized to the scene and began combing nearby bushes in a search-and-rescue mission.
Authorities say investigation is ongoing to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.
Two Women Abducted in Kwara State, Security Forces Launch Search Operation
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
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Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted
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