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VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

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VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

** As Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue to resume after decade-long break

By: Our Reporter

Ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said due to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies, Nigeria is now on a new growth trajectory, ready for investments across different sectors.

This is just as Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, is set to lead a delegation of top executives in the country’s public and private sectors on a state visit to Nigeria for the second session of the Brazil-Nigeria Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue, after over a decade-long break.

Speaking on Tuesday during an update meeting with relevant ministers and heads of agencies at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Shettima noted that “in President Bola Tinubu, we have a leader who has shown that dexterity, that audacity to hope for a better tomorrow.”

Senator Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism slated for the later part of the year.

He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the meeting, noting that there has to be some clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion.

He said, “I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level, let’s walk the talk. Please, drive the process, engage with the different strategic focus groups to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.

“The most important thing at this moment is for us to actualize the dreams of our nation’s development. We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country.”

On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, the Vice President stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries to actualize Nigeria’s vision across agriculture, culture and tourism, livestock production and military technology, among others.

Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain the food sovereign goals of the administration.

“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership. We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership, saying, “There is a huge population in Brazil of Nigerian descent who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.

“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy. Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.

The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival soon.

On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, stated: “All is set for signing of a defence agreement with Brazil. We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”

Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria, noting that the platform is an important relationship for Nigeria.

He said, “Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain. Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it.”

Also, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Ms. Marion Moon, said, “Brazil’s agricultural expertise—from their successful cropland expansion to their global leadership in key commodities—offers invaluable insights for our development. The upcoming $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project exemplifies the depth of our relationship and its potential to revolutionize Nigerian agriculture through modernization and technology transfer.”

She explained that the Strategic Dialogue will be preceded by a Trade and Investment Forum coinciding with the anticipated visit of Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin.

Others who spoke at the meeting included the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and a representative of the Minister of State for the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, among many others.

VP Shettima Attributes Nigeria’s New Growth Trajectory To President Tinubu’s Bold Leadership, Policies

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Zulum Resettles 6,000 Families from Dikwa, Mafa

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Zulum Resettles 6,000 Families from Dikwa, Mafa

… To Upgrade Skill Center at Maiduguri Correctional Facility

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum Umara, has announced the resettlement of 6,000 families displaced by Boko Haram insurgents. The families mostly hailed from Dikwa and Mafa local government areas.

Zulum announced the plan on Monday at Muna IDP camp, one of the largests with about 11,000 families taking refuge due to the over a decade old crisis in Borno.

Addressing journalists, Zulum reiterated that the resettlement became imperative due to the high-level of illicit activities in the camp.

“Boko Haram can never be eradicated without resettlement taking place. People have to go back to their homes and earn their livelihood. We have observed that in the IDP camp, there is increasing prostitution, increasing gangsterism, cases of child abuse and other criminalities,” Zulum said.

He added, “If you could remember, about four years ago, we announced that all formal IDP camps within Maiduguri metropolis would be closed. So far, so good, we have closed all down, about 12 of them. We have two informal camps remaining. We have resettled about 75% of the IDPs here (Muna camp), and the remaining 25% will return to their ancestral localities in the next few days.

According to Governor Zulum, each of the 6,000 families will receive food aid, shelter materials, and access to healthcare services as part of the resettlement process.

The Governor also announced that while each head of both male and female households receives N100,000, an additional N50,000 will be distributed to the housewives.

… To Upgrade Skill Center at Maiduguri Correctional Facility

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum also announced a plan to upgrade the vocational and skill acquisition centre at Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility to enhance rehabilitation and reduce the tendency for inmates to relapse into criminal activities.

The Governor who visited the facility on Monday morning emphasised that the essence of prison sentences is to transform lives, not just to confine individuals. He said, “I am here to examine the living conditions of the inmates here, especially in the areas of technical and vocational skills.

The essence of keeping them at the correctional facility is largely to reform them, but this cannot be feasible without facilities on the ground. We can also examine cases of some inmates, and within the ambit of the law, we will look to the possibility of releasing those convicted of minor offences,” Zulum said.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Shiekh Modu Mustapha, and the permanent secretary of the Government House, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busuguma.

Zulum Resettles 6,000 Families from Dikwa, Mafa

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Provide solutions to challenges confronting your people, Buni tells northeast governors

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Provide solutions to challenges confronting your people, Buni tells northeast governors

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has told his colleagues that destiny has placed on you the leadership of your respective states to take decisions and provide solutions to challenges confronting your people.

Governor Buni, who is also the chief host of the 11th Northeast Governor’s Forum, said the northeast is committed to working together to address the challenges facing the region.

Adding that, today we are here on this occasion for us to deliberately reflect and make far-reaching decisions for and on behalf of our people to promote peace, security, and prosperity of the North Eastern States.

The high-level meeting, which is held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Damaturu, brings together governors from the six northeastern states, including Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, and Yobe, aimed at discussing collaborative strategies to tackle the resurgence of Boko Haram hostilities and revitalizing agricultural activities and other ongoing challenges.

In his opening remarks, the Governor of Borno State, who is also the Chairman of the forum, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, emphasized the need for a unified approach to terrorism, banditry, and other security threats destabilizing the region.

“Your Excellencies, our forum’s determined efforts in tackling collectively all issues affecting our region have further made us a force to be reckoned with in the nation,” Zulum said.

He urged all well-meaning citizens of our region to support and work with us in the interest of the development of our people.

Experts and representatives from the Northeast Development Commission, National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, and Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology were present to address the governor.

The ceremony was attended by secretaries to the state governments in the six states in the region, traditional rulers, security heads, and heads of the relevant agencies from the region.

Provide solutions to challenges confronting your people, Buni tells northeast governors

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IJAP Welcomes NJC Disciplinary Action, Demands Structural Reform in Electoral Justice

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IJAP Welcomes NJC Disciplinary Action, Demands Structural Reform in Electoral Justice

By: Michael Mike

Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP) has welcomed the recent action taken by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in suspending three judges and nullifying the appointment of an Acting Chief Judge in Imo State, asking the body to adopt a proactive framework which rewards consistently ethical judicial officers while identifying and disqualifying those who act in breach of public trust

IJAP, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Honourable Justice Mojeed Adekunle Owoade JCA (rtd.), noted that: ‘‘The decisions, taken in response to judicial misconduct and procedural irregularities, reflect growing public demand for transparency, integrity, and accountability within the judiciary,” adding that: “However, this must not remain a reactive gesture. As a body entrusted with safeguarding the independence and ethics of the judiciary, the NJC must rise beyond disciplinary enforcement driven only by public petitions. We reiterate the urgent need for the NJC to adopt a proactive framework which rewards consistently ethical judicial officers while identifying and disqualifying those who act in breach of public trust.”

IJAP’s recommendations, outlined in its Technical Working Group’s policy submissions, call on the NJC to: Implement a “Punishment and Reward” System. Judges who uphold integrity and demonstrate consistent professionalism should be elevated. Conversely, those who compromise due processincluding misusing ex parte orders should not only face sanctions but also be disqualified from elevation to the Higher Bench and from being given sensitive roles like election tribunals.

IJAP commended the NJC for its resolution to henceforth publish the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to Superior Courts of Record for information and comments by the public, noting that this will Introduce Citizens’ Scrutiny in Judicial Appointments, to enhance transparency, build public confidence, and ensure that only fit and proper candidates ascend to the bench

IJAP also recommended that Disciplinary Reports should be made public to deter judicial misconduct and align the Council’s actions with public interest; Strengthening of Judicial Oversight by investing in the collection and analysis of judicial performance data, addressing inconsistent judgments, and collaborating with the National Judicial Institute to train judiciary staff on global best practices.

It also advocated for the Passage of the Whistleblowing Bill on Judicial Misconduct, which would provide a formal mechanism for reporting unethical behaviour in the judiciary while protecting whistle-blowers from retaliation.

IJAP also called for urgent reform in post-electoral justice delivery, to ensure that tribunal decisions are not only timely but also uphold the democratic mandate of the people—free from political interference or inducement. “We further emphasise that justice in electoral matters must be both swift and credible. The current constitutional timelines for pre-election and post-election petitions—though important—must be revisited to ensure that all election disputes are resolved before the swearing-in of declared winners. Nigeria must learn from regional peers like Kenya, where judicial processes prioritise electoral integrity and prompt adjudication.” It further stated.

IJAP said that: ‘‘In this defining moment, we call on all judicial stakeholders including the NJC, legal practitioners, civil society, and the general public—to collectively restore faith in Nigeria’s judiciary by demanding proactive reform, fostering ethical leadership, and holding all actors accountable.’’
Independent Accountability Judicial Panel (IJAP) consists of a team of renowned retired court of appeal judges, academia, legal practitioners and development experts with a track record of transparent leadership in judicial matters, to review Judicial pronouncements/actions and provide informed analysis that will enable Citizens to hold the Judiciary accountable.

IJAP Welcomes NJC Disciplinary Action, Demands Structural Reform in Electoral Justice

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