National News
North East Masterplan: NEDC Organizes Stakeholders Meeting
North East Masterplan: NEDC Organizes Stakeholders Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) on Monday took a mighty step towards developing a masterplan for the rehabilitation of the crisis-torn North East region with the convocation of a stakeholders consultative forum in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The forum was initiated towards producing a masterplan with credible and comprehensive strategies for recovery and sustainable socio-economic development of the North-East.
At the stakeholders meeting are representatives of the Borno State Government led by the representative of Governor Babagana Zulum, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Jida Shuwa, .dignitaries from the Humanitarian Partners, Traditional, Religious, the Academia, Security Agencies, the Media, Judiciary and Civil Society Organizations.
The Chief Host and Managing Director, NEDC, Alhaji Goni Alkali said, the Commission under the present administration is leaving no stone unturned to address most of the short term and long term challenges in the region, hence, the need to conduct this stakeholders’ engagement based on the needs assessment of the zone to have 10-year North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP).
He disclosed that the meeting is to allow for meaningful interaction and inputs from the stakeholders on the various aspects of the Plan before its final adoption as a workable blueprint for the wholesale development and rehabilitation of the North East region ravaged by insurgency.
He said: “We are here as Critical Stakeholders in Borno State, to have our own state-wide Consultative Meeting on the draft of the 10-year Stabilization and Master Development Plan of the NEDC.
“The Meeting is to allow for meaningful interaction and input from all stakeholders on the various aspects of the Plan before its final adoption as a workable blueprint for the wholesale development and rehabilitation of the North East region devastated by insurgency.”
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He enjoined all participants to feel free, cross-fertilize ideas that would contribute towards realizing the goals and objectives of the Masterplan.
The Lead Consultant, Dr Kassim Gidado in his presentation said the North East region is one of the most impoverished and educationally backward in Nigeria, adding that, the lingering Boko Haram crisis has worsened the situation which needs to be addressed holistically.
He noted that the Commission has conducted similar and separate engagement with stakeholders in Gombe, Bauchi and Yobe states, while after finishing with Borno, the Commission will move to other states of Adamawa and Taraba for the same purpose that will help alleviate poverty and create prosperity in the region as well as come out with some pillars for sustainable development.
He said some of these pillars according to Gidado include rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, peacebuilding, Law and Justice, socio-economic development in the primary, secondary and tertiary education, healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene.
Others are adequate funding, housing, transportation, climate mitigation and adaptation as well as waste management, agriculture, food security and agribusiness, monitoring and evaluation among other pillars of institutional changes.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, ably represented by Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (Rtd), commended NEDC, Borno State Government and security agencies for their unflinching support and collaboration efforts defeat insurgents in the region.
She assured that her ministry will continue to support the Commission to realize its aims and objectives to salvage the North East and its people as a result of the over decade Boko Haram crisis.
While declaring the meeting open, Governor Zulum, represented by Borno SSG, Alhaji Usman Shuwa thanked the Commission for organizing a very crucial meeting that would provide opportunities to brainstorm on the way forward.
He said, “Borno State Government has since constituted a high powered Committee to come up with inputs on the extent of physical and psychological trauma inflicted on the people of the state.
“This meeting is timely as it will help the State Government in coming up with strategies to address challenges associated with thousands of repent Boko Haram sect and reintegrate them into the society”.
North East Masterplan: NEDC Organizes Stakeholders Meeting
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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