News
Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda

Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda
By: Michael Mike
Researchers in the country are set to unveil strategies toward achieving the eight priority agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
This was the outcome of the National Research, Development and Innovation Coordination Summit. A Summit convened and facilitated by Research for Impact, Knowledge Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD) and organised by West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) with financial support from Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, UK.
Speaking at the closing of the Summit in Abuja at the weekend, the Global Impact lead, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development( RIKE SD), Dr Mustapha Popoola, said the group of researchers plan to provide workable solutions to pronouncements of the president especially his eight-point agenda.
The blue print according to him, would be presented to President Tinubu by 29 May 2024 when he marks a year in office.
Mustapha said the private sector driven innovation aimed at tackling various challenges bothering the country through Research, Development and Innovation.
Mustpha stressed that the initiative aimed at moving the president pronouncements from an instruction to practical implementation.
He said: “Over the decades there has been the same problem, problem of research is not making money, research commercialization problem, everything people have been talking about RDI whereas, Mr. Presidents, in his wisdom has actually directed the need for us to institutionalize research development or innovation across board.”
He noted that as it happens in other climes, when a presidential pronouncement is made, it gives life and it is actually a national direction, and researchers in Nigeria have taken the steps to follow the president’s directive.
He said: “So we take it and in taking it we are making sure that we are taking it to the next level. So the first thing we want to do is to interrogate the Presidential priority areas, eight of them.
“So it’s like we are using the directory of the president using the toolkit that we have with us as a people before and as experts to now provide solution to the agenda been set for the country by Mr. President.
“So for the past three days, we have actually been doing that. And we have our working groups who are actually going to be reconstituted as the national think tank for the presidential priority areas.
“We are saying for the first time, we are launching out Research, Development and Innovation think tank that will be looking at the agenda of Mr. President, and particularly the priority areas.
“So in this room, we have eight groups that have been working on for the past 48 hours on this agenda. And the next thing is for us to allow going to the phase of evidence and synthesis, and come back with solutions to our national problems that are under each of the agenda.
“And to actually get that one down to Mr. President, for implementation, and see those that needs to go to the private sector.”
He said the idea would be demand driven with emphasis on end users of the research work
Mustapha added: “That is we are actually looking at the end users of those research which are the communities. So the communities are going to be on display, but as a new approach to make sure that we deliver results.
“So in the past three days, we’ve set out to actually achieve that. And we have actually done a great job. We believe before May 29, 2024 when the President would be celebrating his first year in office, he would have a clear blueprint of what research, development or innovation can be used to catalyze the achievement of his eight priority areas.
“So that is what we promise that’s what we want to deliver. And we are actually looking at initializing this particular platform at both state and non state levels, at national and sub national level, so that we can actually build sustainability into it.”
Also speaking to journalists at the closing of the Summit, the former Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Jomo Osahor (Rtd) said efforts are on to ensure that Nigeria joins in the knowledge base economy, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the transformation era.
He said: “We are all aware that the great nations and the nations that are making so much progress in their economies and every sector of their development have moved away from resource based to a knowledge base, and that is what the whole world is doing, going on knowledge based economy.
“So research and development is very essential in the development of every nation, because you need to be creative. You need to be innovative. You don’t have to depend on the ideas that are foreign.
“Most of the times you face some unique challenges, and this unique challenges you cannot buy their solutions off the shelve and even if you can, they might not be willing to sell it to you for political reasons or other reasons.
“But when you have developed it yourself, then you can always use it and until you get to that level as a nation, where you are independent in the production of your needs, you are not independent.
“So I think research and development is something that is key. And that is why this summit is very timely and very important.”
Former Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Elias Bogoro, on his part, stressed the importance of research in a knowledge based economy.
Bogoro said it would be difficult for any country to move forward without research, adding that: “Talking about knowledge economy. And as you can imagine, research is at the center and defining line of knowledge economy.
“You cannot undertake advancement without generating information based on investigation, creativity, and innovation as it were. And I think that is exactly the situation and the world is operating knowledge economy in the 21st century.
“Nigeria could not be different. And government realizes this. Precisely why, for quite a long time, I’ve seen very strong involvement, facilitation and support of government through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the summit, stressing importance of research, development and innovation.
She said: “Because without data, without research, without developments, we cannot grow.
“So we see what other countries are doing with it. We should not be left behind. And that is why Mr. President himself has stressed the need for research, development and innovation.
“And what we have to do is ensure that in every sphere of our lives, in every Ministry and Department in every organization, it becomes a critical part of the organisation.
“You need to grow but you cannot grow without researching, or you cannot grow without innovations, and we have a whole lot of talents. And what we are doing with this group is that we can work with the guys in the diaspora.”
She argued that it is in the talents we have as a nation that give us enormous resources and potential for development and not even the natural resources in this case our oil.
She added that: “So it’s about collaboration. So we hope to collaborate with the diaspora in this field with those back at home, so it’s about just bringing out the best of ourselves.”
Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda
Crime
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
By: Zagazola Makama
Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.

The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.

Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.

“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
News
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
… Fagbemi: Zulum, people-centred and reform-driven Gov.
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state justice system especially at the grassroots level.
Governor Zulum made the commitment on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.

The governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make justice delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas. If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he remarked.
“This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted
insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract”.
The governor emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism, corruption, resolving land disputes and securing investments for a better society.
“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see
coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.
The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.
The event was attended by the senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN; APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Chairman/CEO NDLEA, Brig. Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa; Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Heads of Agencies under Federal Ministry of Justice. Others include Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, acting Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, members of the state executive council, and other top government officials.
… Zulum: people-centred, and reform-driven Gov -Fegbemi
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has lauded Governor Babagana Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.
“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in
partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation. With tools such as the Case
Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency
in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi stated.
“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results. You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” he added.
“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied
innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”.
The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy,
cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.

“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
News
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
By: Zagazola Makama
A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.
The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.
Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.
Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.
Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.
A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
-
News2 years ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns2 years ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS2 years ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
News5 months ago
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS