News
‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,

‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,
NEDC replies critic, cautions public against antics of mischief makers
By: Our Reporter
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) says the people-oriented projects it initiated and executed are visible, verifiable and functional in all the nooks and crannies of the north east region. It stated that contrary to the lies peddled by an “uninformed mischief maker and his co-travelers”, the Commission remains a paragon of transparency and prudence in public project execution.
Reacting to an article that surfaced online and credited to one Reverend Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa which called for the immediate removal of the Managing Director of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, for “corruption and embezzlement”, the Commission says the allegation leveled against its Management “was nothing but wicked desperation and parochial sentiment of the ignorant author and his paymasters aimed at smearing the reputation of the result-oriented MD and misleading the general public, for whatever ulterior motives”.
According to the Commission, it wouldn’t have been necessary to dignify Mr Kallamu and his tales of moonlight with a response but just so to keep the records straight, it is expedient to debunk the “tissues of lies and harebrained innuendoes contained in the said article”. It said the article was as shocking as it was disappointing especially coming from a self-acclaimed reverend, noting that the embittered writer didn’t think that the good people of the North East who could come out with testimonies of the impactful projects initiated, completed and inaugurated by the NEDC under the able leadership of Goni Alkali.
“We make bold to say that the accounts of NEDC are always there for anyone to investigate. The MD, Mr. Goni Alkali is certainly one of the most prudent and strict civil servants we have known not only in the North East, but the entire country”.
“To set the records straight; ever since the inception of the first board in 2019, the Goni Alkali-led team had boldly confronted the enormous humanitarian crisis in the region with the clarity of purpose and sense of responsibility. The intervention agency saw itself standing delicately at the center of the vast wilderness of the monumental devastation meted on the region by the global-class insurgency.
“The NEDC Board, with the competence and commitment of its steersman, the MD/CEO, Mohammed Goni Alkali, had to, first formulate policies, programmes and projects in collaboration with the Federal Government and Six (6) State Governments, global domestic agencies and every other relevant stakeholder to execute the task in line with its statutory mandate. The results of Alkali’s performance since 2019 have been incontrovertibly exceptional on the global scale and aimed at rebuilding entities from the rubbles of all terror and violent conflicts”.
The Commission maintains that its projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of the North East and in all areas of human needs: Houses build for resettlement of IDPs; roads and bridges in all the six states of the region; mega schools in the 18 Senatorial districts, state-of-the-art hospital interventions in all the six states; training of youths in various states in different skillsets including ICT, renewal energy, etc.
But NEDC’s intervention in region goes beyond provision of shelter, roads, basic schools; it has also revamped tertiary Institutions and healthcare service delivery in the affected area and much more. The construction of a befitting facility to serve as the Center for the Study of Violence and Extremism (CSVE) is one of the signature projects of the Commission.
Without doubt, what drives NEDC to its acclaimed excellence is the proficiency and sheer commitment of people at the helm of its affairs. Far-sightedness is the defining leadership quality of the team. NEDC’s blue print which is at the point of implementation is the building of a rail road to connect states in the region with the Nigerian south.
Projects like the introduction of electric mobility to significantly reduce cost of transportation within the region, reduce carbon emission and guarantee clean energy are some of the transformative projects which the Goni-led team are birthing. Also in the pipeline are the proposed North East Airline to carter for not only the region but the entire country, as well as specialized hospitals intervention to provide for the health needs of the people of the region.
Agricultural interventions to guarantee food security in addition to the palliative distribution of food and other non-food items across the entire region is one of the high points of Goni Alkali’s achievements in the last five years.
According to a high-profile politician in the region who pleaded anonymity, it will amount to witchcraft for anyone to accuse Mr Goni Alkali of non-performance or even corruption in view of his accomplishments and style of leadership. “Isn’t it remarkable that under Mohammed Goni Alkali, NEDC has been able to execute over 700 critical projects in about four years? How can such a man who has deployed his entire passion and mind into coordinating the expansive operations of the agency be an object of wicked and destructive criticism by faceless people?
As remarked by a resident in one of the states in the region, the spontaneous outcome of Goni Alkali’s excellent showing as MD/CEO of NEDC is the increased calls by all regions of Nigeria for similar interventionist commissions. Not a few agrees with him.
‘Our projects are visible in all nooks and crannies of North East’,
News
Troops neutralise ISWAP cameraman, seize propaganda camcorder in Bitta clash

Troops neutralise ISWAP cameraman, seize propaganda camcorder in Bitta clash
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have scored a major psychological and intelligence victory against terrorists of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following the killing of a group’s cameraman during a failed attack on Bitta town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the troops not only repelled the assault but also recovered a sophisticated camcorder used by the terrorists to record propaganda footage.
Security sources confirmed that the insurgents had planned to use the failed operation to generate fear-inducing content aimed at glorifying their attack and disseminating false narratives through online channels.

The ISWAP cameraman was identified by the equipment he carried, which included a ruggedised camcorder and media pouches strapped to his vest. He was taken down in the heat of the exchange.

The camera contained footages that is now being processed for intelligence exploitation.
Troops neutralise ISWAP cameraman, seize propaganda camcorder in Bitta clash
News
Security forces arrest 13 illegal immigrants in Ogun, hand them over to immigration

Security forces arrest 13 illegal immigrants in Ogun, hand them over to immigration
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces on Tuesday arrested 13 suspected illegal immigrants following a distress call from residents of Unity Estate in Pakuro, Mowe area of the state.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the foreigners, who hail from Cameroon, Togo, and Ivory Coast, were allegedly causing public disturbance in the neighbourhood, prompting residents to alert the police.
Police sources said that following the alert at about 11:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mowe Division swiftly mobilised detectives to the scene.
All 13 suspects were apprehended and after initial profiling, they were handed over to the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ogun State Command, Abeokuta, for further investigation and necessary action.
The command assured residents that it would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure peace and order, especially in border communities.
End
News
Police launch manhunt after suspected abduction of two women in Abuja community

Police launch manhunt after suspected abduction of two women in Abuja community
By: Zagazola Makama
The FCT Police Command has launched a joint operation to rescue two women suspected to have been abducted during an armed invasion in the Aco Mbawpe area of Abuja.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when criminal elements armed with dangerous weapons stormed the community and attacked a private residence.
According to a police sources, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iddo Division received a distress call at about 2:10 a.m. on July 23, alerting them to the attack.
“Upon receiving the report, our patrol teams were swiftly deployed to the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed that the residence of one Fati Omale was invaded by the assailants, and she, along with another woman identified as Zainab Ibrahim, is believed to have been abducted to an unknown destination,” the police said in a statement.
In response to the incident, combined teams of Police Operatives from Iddo Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, as well as local vigilantes and hunters, have commenced a massive search and rescue operation.
The joint teams are combing the surrounding bushes and hills around the Aco Mbawpe axis, a semi-rural settlement on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, in a bid to locate the abductors’ hideout and ensure the safe return of the victims.
Police launch manhunt after suspected abduction of two women in Abuja community
-
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
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
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
-
Politics1 month ago
2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift