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UI @ 75: Zulum delivers first lecture, highlights graduates, labour market mismatch 

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UI @ 75: Zulum delivers first lecture, highlights graduates, labour market mismatch 

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, delivered a lecture to mark the 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan (UI). 

The Governor noted that most of the graduates produced by universities across the country are less able to compete in terms of skills for the highly competing requirements of the labour market. 

Professor Zulum delivered the first in a series of lectures organised to commemorate the University of Ibadan’s 75th anniversary titled “Leadership, Citizenship and Meeting Contemporary Social Justice in Nigeria”.

The Governor delved into the prevailing challenge of graduates experiencing a mismatch between their acquired skills and the requirements of the labour market. 

He also highlighted the implications of this mismatch, including high unemployment rates, underemployment and reduced productivity. 

The Governor stressed that addressing this issue is crucial for sustainable economic growth and the reduction of poverty in Nigeria. 

Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of universities in shaping the future workforce of the country and the need for their continuous adaptation to meet the demands of the evolving labour market.

“Our universities need to do more in the area of research and linking research to industries that can translate ideas into solutions that can be sold within and outside the shores of our nation. We must consider restructuring our university system to become centres of production of ideas and solutions that can attract industrial-scale investments”, Zulum said. 

The Governor cited the rapid technological advancements, changing industry needs, and the inadequacy of curricula in many tertiary institutions. 

He however emphasized the significance of practical skills, such as entrepreneurship and vocational training in empowering graduates and those who could not attend formal education to navigate the labour market successfully. 

Drawing from his experiences in Borno State, Governor Zulum noted that to address the problems of unemployment and youth restlessness, his administration has built five new mega-size Vocational Training Institutes alongside 19 smaller Technical and Vocational Training Institutes across Borno State in 5 years. 

Zulum also challenged citizens to imbibe the spirit of patriotism while holding those in the position of leadership accountable. 

 “I want to encourage the citizens of this great country that while things take time, we all have a responsibility to show leadership in whichever sphere,” Zulum said. 

In his address, the host, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, commended the Governor for his stride and for identifying with the university.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Bawu Musami, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busuguma, and some senior officials of Borno State Government. 

Also on the Governor’s entourage were officials of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers which includes its National Chairman, Engr Professor Folarin Alonge, Prof Babagana Muhammed of the Agricultural Engineering Department of the University of Maiduguri and Prof Faborode, President of the Pan African Association of Agricultural Engineers among others.

UI @ 75: Zulum delivers first lecture, highlights graduates, labour market mismatch 

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National News

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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National News

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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