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Vice President of NigeriaShettima lays foundation of nedc HQ in maiduguri
Vice President of Nigeria
Shettima lays foundation of nedc HQ in maiduguri
…. Flags off economic road construction in Jere
… Commissions agro equipments for north east farmers
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Vice President of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima, has laid the foundation stone for the head office of the north east development commission (NEDC) in Maiduguri the Borno State capital.
Senator Kashim Shettima, who came home for the sallah holiday recently, was at the Foundation-Laying Ceremony of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Head Office on Wednesday, with the chair of the northern governors forum Inuwa Yahaya and the acting Governor of Borno State Umar Kadafur.
Shettima described the proposed new project as one born out of the resilient people of the north eastern region of Nigeria adding that the head office shall symbolize the strength of the people and Nigerians in general.
He described the project as a great achievement and a conduit of hope for north east of Nigeria which has gone through fifteen years of devastation by the insurgent Boko Haram.
Before the foundation laying ceremony of the multi billion naira project Shettima assured that much more will be the leadership of the country to make the region comfortable.
“We are not gathered here today to merely witness the architectural ambition of an organization that has become a conduit of hope for the North-East.
” Today is a demonstration of our promise, an assurance of our commitment, and a reminder of what this sub-region means to the nation. So, I am deeply honored to witness the making of a history of service that will outlive each of us.
” The North East Development Commission (NEDC) is a product of the people, and it shall serve the interests of the nation. Every organization that aspires to influence the welfare and future of society must draw its core from the people it sets out to serve. It is this foundational principle that guides the North East Development Commission (NEDC).” he noted.
The Vice President reiterated that the institution, therefore, embodies the collective resolve to transform the narrative of the region—from one marred by despair and devastation to one defined by renewal and triumph.
He posited that the NEDC is a critical engine driving the development of the North-East region of the country adding that in the face of adversity, it has demonstrated resilience, vision, and an unyielding dedication to its mission.
Shettima hinted that the laying of new infrastructure for its head office doesn’t only bring it closer to the people but invites them to be first-row stakeholders in the implementation of programs aimed at economic revitalization.
“Today’s foundation-laying ceremony is a step towards fulfilling His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to prioritize initiatives that safeguard the interests of the North-East.
” This promise is not merely a political commitment but a moral obligation to the people who have endured so much and deserve nothing less than a future defined by peace, stability, and prosperity.
“The head office we gather to commence today is not just a building. It is a fortress of our shared aspirations as a people with shared objectives.
” This head office shall symbolize the strength of our collective will to rebuild, to restore, and to rise above the challenges that have long hindered the progress of the North-East.
“As we lay this foundation, we do so with a vision of a North-East that is vibrant, resilient, and forward-looking. We do so imagining our contributions to building a nation where every child has access to quality education, where healthcare is accessible to all, where infrastructure supports thriving economies, and where peace and security are the bedrock of daily life.” he pointed.
Shettima noted that the region can only reclaim and shape the narrative of this region if the people stand together adding that every part of this country looks to them to transform their story of anguish into one of revival and triumph.
” This is an opportunity for us to do so, and this new head office shall serve as a hub of innovation and a center for strategic planning that guides the North-East towards a brighter future.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the nedc Mohammed alkali maintained that.” Section 9 (1) of the NEDC Act provides that “The Commission shall have its head office in Maiduguri, Borno State and shall establish an office in each Member State of the North-East Zone’.
” Therefore, the foundation laying ceremony we are about to witness is in fulfilment of the law establishing the Commission.
” Also, regarding State Offices, we have already achieved over 90% progress in the construction of such offices in most Member States.
” The upcoming edifice is an iconic 8-floor structure with Basement and Mezzanine Floors. Apart from its adequate and conducive office spaces, the complex will have other state-of-the-art ancillary facilities such as an expansive Parking Space, Conference Rooms, Prayer Halls, Restaurants and Catering Facilities, Sick Bay,
Gymnasium/Creche, Exhibition Halls and Humanitarian Center, among others.
“The Commission is currently implementing the North-East Stabilization and Development Master Plan (NESDMP), a holistic roadmap consisting of 11 Pillars that cut across various sectors.
” The Pillars are fashioned to propel the Socio- economic development and long-term prosperity in the North-East Region.
The Master Plan, which is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Present Administration requires synergy, cooperation and collaboration by all Stakeholders to make meaningful impact.
“In sync with the Master Plan, His Excellency, the Vice President will also today perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the Phase 2 of the Jere Bowl Road Network which spans 22.38Km.
” it is gratifying to note that the ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase covering 22.5km was done by His Excellency, the Vice President in 2023 and is now over 95% completed. This road network of 44.88Km that passes through the famous rice producing Communities of Galamari, Dusuman, Ngowom, Koshebe, Gongulong, Zabarmari and Khaddamari will improve freer movement of people and goods, thereby stimulating economic activities through food production, processing agrobusiness, as well as enhance security in the area.” said the MD.
Launch of agro interventions in North east Nigeria
The MD noted that another milestone event today was the official launch by the Vice President of the Commission’s Agricultural Interventions in the North-East Region towards boosting food production, processing and food security in general.
He revealed that the Commission has acquired and is set to distribute assorted and diverse units of agricultural machines, implements, inputs and other processing equipment to eligible farmers across all the 18 Senatorial Districts in the region.
“These include Tractors, Tillage Implements, Trailers, Planters, Harvesters, Rice and Oil Mills, among others. There would be an interfacing Committee between the States and the Commission for effective distribution and monitoring.
“There are many other infrastructural projects being executed simultaneously in other Member States including inter-and intra-State Roads, Mass Housing and Mega School projects and of most prominence is our Plan to introduce E-Mobility within the entire region.
” Your Excellency, within this year alone, many on-going multisectoral milestone projects will be completed, and we will respectively invite you for their commissioning.
“We will continue to roll out relevant and demand-driven Human Capital Development Initiatives, Youth and Women Empowerment Programmes, Stabilization and Sustainable Development Infrastructural Projects for the Short, Medium and Long-term Socio-Economic benefit of the people of the North-East Region.
“We call on all Stakeholders, including Federal MDAs, Development Partners and the Private Sector, to key into the Regional Master Plan and join us in re-building a Safe, Peaceful, Enterprising and Prosperous Region.
Acting Governor of Borno State Umar Kadafur called on the Nedc to collaborate with the state government in the area of energy generation which is important to them.
Present at the ground breaking ceremony of the 26.2 billion naira head quarters building were representatives of Governors of North east states of Nigeria
Others were political chieftains and representatives from the entire region, Religious figures, the board chair Paul Tarfa, the pioneer board members of the nedc including Dr Theodore Ekechi and the entire security apparatus in the Borno State capital maiduguri.
Vice President of Nigeria
Shettima lays foundation of nedc HQ in maiduguri
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COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
By: Our Reporter
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, has visited Borno State to engage with students, educators, and government officials, highlighting the benefits of the NELFUND initiative.
NELFUND, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to provide all higher institution students with access to financial resources, enabling them to pursue their educational goals and aspirations at ease.
The Managing Director NELFUND Akintunde Sawyerr emphasized his commitment to revitalizing education in the country, stating that the loan programme is designed to also reduce unproductivity and unhappiness amongst Nigerians students, which often lead to broader societal issues.
Sawyerr explained The loan’s modalities, which include creating an online profile as a prerequisite for application, clarifying that the loan is interest-free and does not require a fixed repayment period, making it accessible and flexible for students.
Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, reiterated the state government’s commitment to facilitating student access to the loan, hence announced the establishment of a dedicated desk officer for NELFUND in the state Ali Sherriff to work in collaboration with the Special Adviser to governor Zulum on Higher Education and other educators.
This initiative, Wakilbe added will guide students throughout the application process and ensure they fully understand THE benefits of the loan, which he described as a low-risk grant and encouraged all eligible students to take advantage of the programme.
During the session, questions were raised seeking further clarification, where the Managing Director provided detailed responses, shedding more light on the programme and its benefits.
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
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STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, marked yet another significant milestone, as participants of the Strategic Leadership Programme Phase 11/2024 successfully graduated in a brief but colourful ceremony at Hall C, TY Buratai Block of the Centre.
The graduation ceremony followed an intensive five-day executive education course programme, conducted in collaboration with King’s College London, an initiative designed to enhance human resource capacity and deepen participants’ understanding of leadership in an evolving global environment.
The course brought together senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, government officials, retired senior military officers and professionals from the private sector, equipping them with critical insights into the contemporary complex and dynamic challenges and how to navigate through.
The Special Guest of Honour, Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede GSS mni was represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General SG Mohammed, who presented certificates to the participants, thus underscoring the programme’s importance in fostering strategic thinking and professional growth.
The event was further enriched by the esteemed presence of the Director General of NARC, Major General GA Wahab (Rtd), PhD, alongside some management staff the centre and consultants, distinguished members of academia from King’s College London, directors, resource persons, and senior officers, both serving and retired.
The ceremony, further highlighted the enduring partnership between NARC and King’s College London in advancing leadership excellence and human capital development in Nigeria.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
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MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
By: Our Reporter
On Thursday, 21st November 2024, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, welcomed students from Madonna University, Department of International Relations on an academic field trip designed to enhance their understanding of the practical dimensions of International Relations and Diplomacy. The visit formed a core part of the students’ academic programme, specifically their International Relations Study (IRS) 482 course, which integrates practical learning to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications.
Major General GA Wahab (rtd) PhD, the Director General of NARC, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Impact of the Military on Nigeria’s External Relations.” He outlined the military’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy and international engagement, emphasising its role as a crucial pillar of national power. General Wahab further explained that a country’s foreign policy is deeply influenced by internal factors such as leadership, national security, public opinion, economic conditions, and social structures, as well as external factors, including international relations and global order. He stressed the importance of aligning internal stability with foreign policy goals to foster effective international diplomacy.
The interactive session allowed students to explore the military’s strategic role in Nigeria’s external engagements and its impact on global diplomacy. Accompanied by two faculty members, the students expressed appreciation for the hands-on learning opportunity, which deepened their understanding of how theoretical concepts translate into practical realities.
In his vote of thanks, the team leader, Dr Jude Odigbo, Head, international relations department, thanked the DG NARC for the warm reception, wonderful and enriching presentation and the collaboration between academia and strategic institutions like NARC. He highlighted the importance of such partnerships in developing graduates equipped with practical knowledge and leadership skills necessary for national development.
The field trip underscored the Nigerian Army Resource Centre’s commitment to fostering academic and professional collaboration while promoting awareness of the military’s multifaceted contributions to Nigeria’s development and diplomacy. This initiative serves as an exemplary model of how academic institutions and national establishments can work together to prepare future leaders.
Present at the occasion were Major General AS Ndalolo mni, the Executive Director Consult at NARC, Brigadier General SK Usman (rtd) mni and Lieutenant Tosin Taiwo.
MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISIT NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTER TO LEARN THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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