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

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‘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’,

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Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

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Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

By: Our Reporter

In his ongoing effort to bring solar street lighting to every part of his constituency, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan has today extended his solar streetlight installation program to Mafa local government area.

This development is part of the senator’s larger initiative to brighten rural communities, complementing the efforts of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum in improving the livelihoods of the people.

With the successful installation in Mafa, it is evident that Senator Lawan is on the brink of achieving his goal of covering all eight local governments in his constituency, with only Ngala and Kalabalge remaining. Senator Lawan, known for his deep commitment to his people’s welfare, continues to honor his promises, striving to meet the needs and aspirations of his constituents.

The senator is expected to tackle Ngala and Kalabalge together, bringing this ambitious solar streetlight project to completion and further advancing the development of Borno Central Constituency for a brighter future.

Senator Lawan Installs Solar Streetlights in Mafa Local Government

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ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

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ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

By: Michael Mike

For the second time within six months, the International School Ibadan (ISI), University of Ibadan lost its application of stay of execution for the usage of hijab by female Muslim students of the school.

This was sequel to striking out of the application for stay of execution of the previous judgement in May 22, 2024 granting the female Muslim students the right to wear their hijab on the school uniform by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

Justice Moshood Isola, who presided over the court on Tuesday gave the judgment following an appeal by the management of the school asking for stay of execution.

Delivering the ruling on the application, Justice Ishola who delivered the May 22 Judgment, ruled that it amounts to judicial impertinence for the court to entertain a pending application at the appeal court.

"This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain such an application; it can only rule on a matter if the application is in limbo without being given number at the appeal court", Ishola declared.

Earlier, the leading counsel to the applicants, Mr. Magnus Ejelonu argued that his application was premised on order 4, rule 10 of the Appeal Court stating that a case is admissible when records had been received and assigned file in the court registry.

In his submission, the leading counsel to the 11 female Muslim students of the UI-ISI, Mr. Hassan Fajimite expressed disappointment in the school management for making attempt to scuttle enforcement of fundamental human rights, following a well founded judgement of the High Court.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Yusuf Anikulapo, Counsel to an incorporated trustee of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, corroborated Fajimite’s submission that a record of appeal has been transmitted by the applicant, adding that his case has been assigned Suit No: CA/IB/345/2024.

The Presiding Justice Ishola, therefore struck out the application for lack of merit and not in consistent with the laid down rules.

Reacting to the judgment, the Chairman, ISI Muslim Parents Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun described the judgement as a welcome development, as the school children have been living harmoniously, as evident in the 2024 Yearbook where all the students live peacefully irrespective of their tribe and faith.

Balogun added that the judgement also gave testament to the international status of the school which ought to allow for inclusivity of all irrespective of race, tribe and religion.

ISI-UI HIJAB: ISI LOSES AGAIN AS COURT STRIKES OUT STAY OF EXECUTION APPLICATION

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Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

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Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the “Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee,” which is responsible for managing relief funds to streamline the process of compensation for residents so that each ward will know when they will be coming to their aid financially or materially.

The streamlining process being demanded will enable the 35 man committee to capture the entire residents affected and ensuring that justice is done to the myriads of people shouting to be included in the process which is looking almost like a selective jamboree weeks after it started.

The call was made by Hillary Ogbona senior Adviser (SA)to the executive secretary of the NHRC during a town hall meeting on the state of human rights during and after the maiduguri flood which took over the homes of over 200,000 residents within the state capital.

Hillary Ogbona stated recently that there was need for a timeline for the community to work with even as residents wait patiently for the Gujibawu led committee members to tend to their immediate needs.

Ogbona called on the numerous non governmental organizations (NGO’s) in the state to do more by engaging the committee to ensure all is well with the teeming residents waiting for their rightful compensations.

He regretted that it was sad that even the health sector and the information machinery in the state could not work together to fish out information from a common front instead of the piece meal approach employed in which residents were actually confused in certain instances of what to do to stay alive.

He regretted that many residents could not be reached in time for rescue because of the fact that they did not know who to call for help at such a desperately difficult period of their existence.

” I believe that the non governmental agencies would have done far better if they had engaged with the committee whose business it was to stabilize the people in the state capital.

” The values and approach to disaster management should be streamlined for effectiveness. This is because flood is not a respecter of people, creed, ranks or races. It is a leveler of all the people regardless of status.

“This is why is is important for the right thing to be done as at when due. People who earn daily wages are the most affected in such circumstances. Human rights inaction during flooding is key.”said Ogbona.

The SA stressed that there was need for the government to build a permanent and standardized camp for internally displaced people (IDP’s) with all the facilities so that all the principles of human rights based approach to disaster management will be employed without biases to anyone.

Ogbona emphasized that the usual discrimination based on status which is a common phenomenon in such circumstances in which some people are given compensation while others are not given was not permissible.

“It’s unfortunate that lots of discrimination was employed during the difficult period in which the flood was being managed but I feel this should not happen again because children should not be discriminated against at any time because major priority must be given to both women and children at such desperate circumstances.

“I had an experience in Germany which I wish to share with you people. While I was there, I observed that the selection of brains are placed above everyone during disasters, then the elderly and others may be considered later. This can equally be applied here whenever there is a similar disaster.” Said Ogbona.

Lessons from Community based human intervention in Borno were highlighted by barrister Okoro who insisted that leaders of religious groups have a very critical role to play in such trying times.

He posited that community and religious groups can be much more effective in handling such disasters if carried along when it occurred.

Okoro stressed that communication skills and the too much emphasis on the English language while encoding and decoding could also become a major challenge to the flood management approach.

Head of the Borno office Barrister Jumai Meshelia while welcoming stakeholders to the town hall meeting, called for the application of empathy while managing the people who have been traumatized by the flood.

She presented a summary on the state of human rights issues in Borno state from 2009 till date.

Stake holders present in the meeting highlighted the fact that some landlords have been coming to claim damages for the houses destroyed instead of first worrying about the fate of tenants who lost everything including lives to the flood.

One of them told stakeholders that his ten year old boy who was at home on that fateful night of Sept 10th lost his life in a fate of panic when on seeing the water pouring into the house, tried to get out but was swallowed by the raging flood from the dam.

On landlords who go to snap their homes while tenants are inside to claim damages and present same to the committees or coming to share humanitarian awards or compensations given to tenants, he called for a change of mindset by such shylock landlords.

Over 150 souls were reported as dead by the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Zulum approves additional 4 weeks for disbursement Committee

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has approved a four-week extension for the “Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee,” which is responsible for managing relief funds for affected residents.

The Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Mallam Bukar Tijani, conveyed the approval on recently in Maiduguri to stakeholders when it became obvious the duration given to the committee was inadequate.

The SSG noted that Governor Zulum has approved the extension of their work to allow for a thorough assessment of the victims to ensure all those affected were reached.

Alhaji Bukar Tijani added that the state government had received an interim report from the disbursement committee, which achieved a substantial part of their terms of reference.

Many wards are yet to be reached by the committee which has not been able to touch over 50 percent of the areas affected because there has not been any programmed time tables

Human rights Commission calls for transparency within the 35 member Borno flood disaster relief committee

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