Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

‘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’,

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist

Published

on

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled a ISWAP attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) along the Pump House axis of Gamboru Ngala–Kala Balge Road in Borno State.

Sources report that the attack occurred at about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday when terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military base.

According to the sources, the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat. One of the terrorists was fatally injured during the exchange of fire, and his corpse was recovered from the scene.

The security situation in the area has since been stabilized.
End

Continue Reading

News

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

Published

on

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, have been advised to pursue academic aspirations in Saudi Arabia Universities.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the Forum of Saudi Arabia Universities Alumni in Nigeria and Neighboring Countries. Vice President for Educational and Academic Affairs, King Khalid University, Prof. Saad Daajim, said no fewer than 850 Nigerian students are currently schooling in various universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over
3,200 Nigerians graduated from Saudi Arabian universities in last one decade.

The forum which was has as theme “alumni of Saudi universities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding countries and their impact on sustainable development.”

Daajim said: “In Saudi Arabia, there are more than 850 students from this country (Nigeria) studying in Saudi Universities. Already, in the last one decade, there are more than 3,200 graduates from Nigeria.”

He said his country is open to admitting more Nigerians to study in their universities, adding that prospective students from Nigeria will be given acceptable rate.

“We are actually proud to accept more Nigerian students in our university in different disciplines, education, engineering, science, Arabic language, religious studies and medical sector. Hopefully, we will arrange a good acceptance rate for this country because it contributes a huge number of population to the African contigent,” he added.

He also revealed that his country has a scholarship scheme which is available to all irrespective of religion.

The Khalid University Don said scholarship are for both Muslims and non-Muslims, adding that: “According to our regulation, admission will be accessible to all even scholarships.

“And we have King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, most of the scholarships for students are for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. And King Fahd University for Mineral and Petroleum also employs and accepts students from all cultures, all religions, all continents.”

Speaking on the forum, the Don said it is to open communication with alumni from Saudi Universities and see how they are impacting on their environment.

He said: “We found them very active and we expect that when they come back to their country, they will contribute to sustainable development, either for personal living or in the country.”

On the prospect of Nigerian graduates in Saudi Arabia, Daajim said graduates who wishes to pursue higher degrees after their first degree are allowed to continue and also those whose skills are needed stand the chance to be employed.

He said: “Actually, when they graduate from Saudi University, they could continue their higher studies in Master or PhD. And if they are well qualified, they will be hired by the university as a professor.”

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, in her opening remarks commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its long-standing commitment to educational cooperation and cultural institutions with Nigeria.

Ahmad said: “Such partnerships enrich our human capital and strengthen bilateral ties for mutual good. As we celebrate this gathering, I urge the alumni to continue to serve as ambassadors of knowledge, peace and development.”

She added that: “Your role in mentoring young Nigerians, advancing intercultural understanding and contributing to national development cannot be overstated. The Federal Ministry of Education will continue to support initiatives that harness alumni network for national advancement, for educational advancement and sustainable nation building.”

She also recognised the invaluable contributions of Nigerian alumni of Saudi universities to the national growth, peace, education, culture and development of the country.

She said: “Beyond academic achievement, you embody the bridge of friendship, cooperation and shared values between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Education, as we know, is the bedrock of progress.

“The training and exposure you acquired in Saudi institutions have not only equipped you with knowledge but also instilled in you discipline, global perspective and a strong sense of science. These qualities are critical to advancing Nigeria’s quest for inclusive and sustainable development. Indeed, many of you have become respected scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders and public servants whose influence continues to shape our society positively.”

On his part, the Secretary of the Alumni, Dr. Mohamed Munir Ilyas, who was a graduate of Islamic University of Medina said since returning home, he has been contributing towards peaceful co-existence between the two major religious groups in Nigeria.

He stressed that “Of course, when you look at development, where there is no peace, it’s very hard to have development. We have been encouraging our members to be law-abiding citizens and peacemakers, peace builders and peace keepers also. And also to make an impact as far as academics is concerned, as far as moral is concerned, as far as even earning livelihood is concerned.”

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

Continue Reading

News

Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

Published

on

Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected bandits, an informant, and a suspected drug supplier during a coordinated raid on a criminal hideout in Kware Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the operation, carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on Oct. 4, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a five-man syndicate notorious for terrorising communities in Wamako and Kware areas.

The police team stormed the suspects’ hideout in Sabon Birni, Kware LGA, leading to the arrest of Bubale Mohammed and two others, alongside an informant and a suspected drug baron who allegedly supplied the gang with hard drugs.

Items recovered during the operation include dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and various illicit drugs.

According to the sources, video footage retrieved from the suspects’ phones showed them dressed in military uniforms and displaying rifles inside their camp.

Sources said efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights