News
SPPG holds 2024 Conference in Abuja, October

SPPG holds 2024 Conference in Abuja, October
By: Michael Mike
As political, economic, and social crises continue to ravage Africa, the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) is set to host its 2024 Africa Conference from 3rd to 4th October, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, with the aim to rethink governance and leadership in Africa.
The conference, which is expected to bring together value-orientated politicians, policymakers, and civil society leaders from across the continent, will also see participants connect, share insights, and develop actionable solutions to the governance challenges facing Africa today.
Former Minister of Education and founder of SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, while giving views about the conference, said the time has come for Africa to bring on board leaders who are courageous, can change the narrative, and will prioritise citizens’ welfare and interest above self-interest.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Africa faces a complex confluence of crises, including an alarming food and nutrition emergency and also regional insecurity, climate-related disasters, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and global economic disruptions that have combined to exacerbate governance challenges. Protests and unrest, driven by electoral disputes, governance failures, and rising living costs, have erupted in countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Tunisia, with a surge in coups in the Sahel since 2020.
The WFP added that since 2020, multiple coups d’état in the Sahel region and widespread civil unrest from Nigeria to Tunisia have demonstrated the urgent need for a reformed governance model that centres on African citizens. Civil society organisations and social movements across the continent are sounding the alarm, calling for more inclusive, citizen-focused leadership.
Despite these challenges, however, African civil society and social movements have consistently called for a transformation of the continent’s governance systems. They advocate for a future where the interests of African citizens are at the heart of decision-making, driven by effective and accountable leadership.
“Africa Conference 2024 presents a unique platform for leaders who are committed to disruption, not for disruption’s sake, but for the transformation and betterment of our nations.
“At a time when our continent faces multiple crises, we need leaders who possess both the values and the courage to reimagine governance, prioritise citizens’ interests and foster resilience,” Ezekwesili, a leading advocate for transparent governance, said.
The two-day event will feature expert panels, facilitated discussions, and breakout sessions designed to explore innovative solutions to Africa’s governance challenges. These sessions will focus on political leadership, institutions and policies, and citizen engagement. The event will also include a Citizens’ Solidarity Walk, symbolising participants’ commitment to building connections and reinforcing solidarity across Africa.
The conference, which has its theme titled “Good Governance in Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systematic Change,” will have a Member of Parliament for Klottey Korie Constituency, Accra, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, as key note speaker.
Also to speak at the event among others are Adama Gaye, Co-convener, Fixpolitics & SPPG Senegal; Gift ‘Ostallos’ Siziba, Member of Parliament-elect, Pelandaba-Tshabalala Constituency, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe; Lahiani Najla, Member of Tunisian Parliament; Ambassador Erastus Nwencha, member, Fixpolitics & SPPG, Kenya; Comrade Reagan Miviri, Executive Director, La Lucha, DR Congo; Ayobami Olunloyo, SPPG Alumnus; Dr Abiola Akiyode, Dean, SPPG Nigeria; Alero Ayida-Otobo, CEO, The SPPG; Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Founder and Chair, Fixpolitics & The SPPG.
According to the organisers, through discussions and collaborative efforts, Africa Conference 2024 aims to develop strategies for systemic change that will influence governance in the short, medium, and long term with the objective to build a future where political leadership, institutions, and policies work effectively for the people and not against them.
SPPG holds 2024 Conference in Abuja, October
News
UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing

UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing
By: Balami Lazarus
Hospitals are considered universally to be the most serene environment where patients are expected to have the best healthcare services and attention and also to be provided with quality medical treatment and care through their doctors and caregivers, aided by other health workers, to enable the sick ones to recuperate, feel better, and get well. How can our hospitals achieve this?
However, this can be achieved not only by discharging their primary objectives through the provision of medical treatments but also in some other related friendly environmental health windows.
When the NEWSng team took a post-flood visit to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) recently to assess some projects like the one and only Interventional Radiology Centre (IRC) in Nigeria and the Stroke Centre (SC), among other few ongoing projects that are not peculiar to most hospitals in Nigeria.

Farms are of different types, but the one in question herein is an orchard, a special kind of farm. Orchards have never been part of the hospital environment, while gardens and parks are a common sight in our hospitals. Therefore, UMTH, under the able good leadership of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, decided to make yet another landmark by establishing a large orchard within the hospital premises in Maiduguri.
Why an orchard in UMTH? Speaking to the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo on the Orchard project, he happily said, “The Orchard is meant to provide a conducive environmental atmosphere/space for patients, their relatives, visitors, staff, and students to have contact with and the feel of the natural environment provided by the Orchard.” He further emphasized by saying that “patients will have a natural environment for them to relax, which will help in their healing processes.” He informed NEWSng that it is also meant to provide sources of fresh fruits for the patients and members of the hospital community at affordable prices. “The Orchard is not only established to provide leisure/relaxation, but its products—fruits—are going to be sold to assist in maintaining the facilities of the orchard.”

In the course of our reports, NEWSng spoke to Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, officer in charge of the orchard, who took us round. The Orchard is 1.75 hectares of land totaling 26 plots that are 25 meters in size. Abubakar Dawule said that each plot is planted with a single variety of economic tree that bears quality fruits. All the plots are planted with single different varieties of economic trees like cashew, custard apple tree , mango , orange, banana, guava, mango apple, pawpaw, date trees, tangerine, berries of different kinds, watermelon, and other varieties of economic trees/plants.”
Sadiq further informed NEWSng that the aims of the orchard are “to create a green area of plantation that will provide economic trees for the production of fruits.” He also said that is to help reduce global warming and provide protection for the hospital’s environmental beauty. “To have natural environment space for nutritional benefits of patients to improve their healing.
UMTH Orchard has standard functional facilities like a water fountain, a set of concrete backrest seats in each plot, and an office block consisting of shops, stores, and restrooms. The orchard is beautifully designed with paved walkways to each plot and free flow of water to all the plots. It is fenced with one main entrance. These efforts are carried out by an 18-man workforce, including security operatives, to secure the orchard.

Interestingly, the UMTH Orchard was sponsored by a well-meaning Nigerian Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu Bungudu (Zanna Bungudu), a member of the National Assembly—House of Representatives representing the Bungudu/Maru Federal constituency of Zamfara State, with the sum of 20 million Naira.
Challenges faced by the Orchard, according to Abubakar Sadiq Dawule, are the need for additional borehole walkways and lights and more fertilizer/manure.
Garden scissors, an axe, a cutlass, and watering cans, among other handy tools, “are necessary for the maintenance of the orchard.”
UMTH: Orchard, for the Benefits of Patients’ Healing
News
Five Children Injured in IED Explosion in Mafa LGA, Borno State

Five Children Injured in IED Explosion in Mafa LGA, Borno State
By: Zagazola Makama
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State on May 8, 2025, left five children injured, one of whom lost a hand.
Zagazola Makama understands that the explosion occurred around 1425hrs when the children unknowingly tampered with IED devices, hidden in block holes near a culvert on the access road to the ongoing construction site at the New Mafa Central Mosque.
The victims, four males and one female, were identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar, all of Mafa town. The blast caused varying degrees of injuries, with one of the boys losing his hand.
Following the incident, a combined team from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, police from Mafa Division, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) responded. The scene was cordoned off, and secondary devices were searched for, with pieces of can tins used as improvised containers for the IED found and professionally detonated.
Four of the victims were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment, while one victim with minor injuries was treated and discharged at Mafa General Hospital.
In response to the attack, the EOD-CBRN team conducted Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE) for children and community members in Mafa.
Five Children Injured in IED Explosion in Mafa LGA, Borno State
Crime
FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu

FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising Kurudu and its environs.
The suspects, identified as Hassan Adamu and Auwal Mohammed, both aged 25, were arrested on May 8 at about 2:00 p.m. during a targeted raid by operatives of the Scorpion Squad.
Police sources said that the suspects were linked to multiple violent robbery incidents in the area.
“One of the suspects confessed to a specific robbery at Angwan Hausawa, Kurudu, where a male victim, identified as Mohammed, was stabbed and later died from the injuries sustained during the attack.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed a criminal hideout in Kurudu where the suspects were apprehended. A sharp dagger, reportedly intended for use against police operatives, was recovered during the search.
The suspects also revealed the identities of other members of their gang who remain at large and are believed to be armed.
The police sources said a manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.
FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu
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