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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
News
Police arrest six officers over killing of okada rider in Lagos

Police arrest six officers over killing of okada rider in Lagos
By: Zagazola Makama
The Lagos State Police Command have arrested six of its personnel, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), over the killing of a commercial motorcyclist at Onosa town, Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.
Sources confirmed the development to Zagazola Makama on Saturday saying the incident occurred in the early hours of Aug. 29 when a team of policemen allegedly on illegal duty clashed with a group of okada riders.
According to the sources , the officers, led by ASP Dauda Irimia of the Division Motor Traffic Department (MTD), were attacked by motorcyclists in their large numbers.
“In their bid to ensure their safety, the ASP used his firearm, which resulted in three of the riders sustaining injuries. They were rushed to Luscent Private Hospital, Ibeju-Lekki, where one of them, Muazu Abubakar, 22, was confirmed dead,” said the sources.
The incident sparked a violent protest as youths and commercial riders blocked the Lekki–Epe expressway, disrupting traffic along the busy corridor.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, personally led reinforcement teams that dispersed the protesters, cleared the barricades, and restored the free flow of traffic.
He thereafter engaged youth and community leaders in dialogue to sustain peace and prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the ASP who fired the fatal shot and five other members of his team have been arrested and detained.
Police said a thorough investigation into the incident had commenced, adding that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against those found culpable.
Police arrest six officers over killing of okada rider in Lagos
News
Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Akwa Ibom have arrested five suspected members of a child trafficking syndicate along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba highway.
Zagazola Makama learnt from sources that detectives attached to the Criminal Surveillance Unit (CSU), while on stop-and-search duty on Aug. 28, intercepted an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Uwakmfom Transportation Company.
According to the sources , one of the passengers, identified as Precious Emmanuel Bassey, was found with a two-year-old girl, Glory Edet Etim, but could not give a satisfactory account of the child.
“She was immediately arrested and, upon interrogation, confessed that she was taking the child to Lagos for trafficking. She also admitted to having earlier sold another child,” said the sources.
The sources added that based on her confession, four other suspects Godspower Edet, Esther Effiong Edet, Mandu Asuquo Sampson and Eli Adolphus were arrested.
Sources said discreet investigation was ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover previously trafficked children.
Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five
News
Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have launched a joint operation with local vigilantes to rescue two persons abducted on a farm in Amedokhian community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, identified as Mr. Clifford Isolate and an unidentified woman, were kidnapped on the morning of Aug. 29 while working on a farm in Ukoni Amedokhian.
He said the army immediately mobilised troops to the area in coordination with local vigilantes and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Esan youths to secure the release of the victims.
“Our troops were deployed promptly to track and apprehend the abductors while ensuring the safety of the victims.
The sources said the operation is ongoing, and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure a successful rescue.
Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo
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