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VP Shettima sets up committee, says Nigeria’s future linked to HCD
VP Shettima sets up committee, says Nigeria’s future linked to HCD
By: Our Reporter
In a bid to drive the goals of the Human Capital Development (HCD) programme of the federal government, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday approved the constitution of a multi-sectoral committee.
The multi-sectoral team made up of the federal and state governments as well as donors and partners is expected to convene every two weeks to review the progress of work in addressing the objectives of the HCD programme.
This was the outcome of the VP’s meeting with World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri; the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, among others at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting, Sen. Shettima stressed the need for government and partners to invest in human capital development to create a workforce that is not just globally competitive but also adaptable to the modern demands of the 21st century.
He said, “This gathering marks our collective recommitment to redirecting the promise and potential of our human capital towards safeguarding the economy. It’s an honour to host you and I eagerly anticipate celebrating the success of the initiatives uniting us.
“Our presence today signifies a tacit understanding that our future is intricately linked to the development of our human capital. We have witnessed the growing shift towards knowledge and service-based economies and the advantages they offer, particularly to our youths,” VP Shettima stressed.
Acknowledging the significant impact the two Nigerian wealthy businessmen, Dangote and Elumelu, have had on the population, the Vice President noted that every society rises and falls depending on the quality of its leadership.
Earlier, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Pate, noted the current efforts the federal government has made, putting the people at the centre of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, even as he underscored the importance of investing in human resources.
He noted that going forward, stakeholders involved in the Human Capital Development programme of the Tinubu administration will reinforce and harness existing data to ensure accountability and accuracy in the implementation of programmes and projects under the initiative.
Prof. Pate expressed optimism that the renewed efforts at fast-tracking human capital development across different levels and tiers of government would attract interest from all stakeholders, including international partners and donor organisations.
On his part, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, commended the foresight of Vice President Shettima in convening the meeting, noting that it underpins the commitment of the Tinubu administration to addressing challenges around human capital development.
While pledging his support for the administration’s HCD programme, Dangote called on stakeholders to work diligently towards tackling the challenge of inaccurate data, describing it as the biggest problem in the task of addressing human capital development.
In the same vein, the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, pledged his support for the federal government’s initiatives towards Nigeria’s Human Capital Development.
“We will support you; our commitment is guaranteed. This is a laudable idea,” Elumelu stated.
For his part, the World Bank Country Director, Nigeria, Mr Chaudhuri, pledged the bank’s support for the HCD programme of the federal government, especially in the areas of technical assistance and strengthening of databases.
Remarks were also made by representatives of other partners such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Secretariat, British High Commission, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF and JICA, among others.
In March 2018, the National Economic Council (NEC) had at its Special Session launched a dedicated Human Capital Development programme, in response to Nigeria’s dismal performance in all global indexes of human capital development.
The HCD programme represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to address its human capital development challenges and position itself for sustainable growth and prosperity.
The programme’s comprehensive framework and multi-stakeholder approach provide a solid foundation for achieving its ambitious goals.
It aims to address the challenges faced by Nigeria in areas such as education, health and labour force participation.
To drive the programme, NEC had set up a Steering Committee chaired by the Vice President and comprising representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives, and key ministries.
The committee is also represented by the governors of six geopolitical zones, as well as representatives of development agencies.
The programme is guided by a Steering Committee comprising high-level representatives from the government, private sector, and development agencies, which oversees the implementation of the programme and ensures alignment with the National HCD Vision.
A Core Working Group (CWG) has also been established to work directly with states to ensure the practical implementation of the HCD programme at the local level.
The CWG comprises representatives from relevant ministries, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Organized Private Sector, and donors.
The HCD programme focuses on three thematic areas: Health and Nutrition, Labour Force Participation and Education, and six essential human capital development areas, including under-five mortality rate, malnutrition, adult mortality, expected years of school, quality of learning and labour force participation rate.
VP Shettima sets up committee, says Nigeria’s future linked to HCD
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted the claim that female inmates are left without menstrual care, insisting that it is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground at correctional facilities.
A statement on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Adamu Duza read: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command, has been drawn to a recent narrative alleging that female inmates across Nigeria are being “left without menstrual care” citing the Medium Security Custodial Centre Suleja. This claim is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground.
“In line with its mandate and international best practices, NCoS supplies sanitary pads and hygiene kits to all female inmates at no cost, with monthly distribution recorded in inmates’ welfare registers.”
He added that: “Custodial Centres has a designated healthcare unit with qualified nurses and doctors that attend to the medical needs of female inmates, including menstrual-related issues, with free consultations, medications, and referrals to nearby hospitals when required.
“The Service also collaborates with development partners, civil society organisations, and faith-based groups that regularly donate sanitary products and conduct menstrual-hygiene awareness sessions. Recently the service received a donation of sanitary pads from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to promote menstrual hygiene, amongst others. This is a testament of the power of collaboration.
“Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command remains committed to the dignity and humane treatment of all inmates, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Nelson Mandela Rules, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
“The Service hereby advise reporters to confirm sources of their information regarding the Nigerian Correctional Service before going to press in order not to mislead the general public.”
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
News
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
By: Michael Mike
The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured a top commander of the Ansari terrorist group, Abdulazeez Obadaki, believed to have masterminded the August 7, 2012 mass shooting of Christian worshippers at a Deeper Life Bible Church, near Okene, in Kogi State.
At least 19 worshippers, including the pastor were killed, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries after three men armed with AK-47 rifles walked into the church and opened fire on the worshippers.
Security sources said Obadaki, who, after the church mass shooting, also masterminded another attack on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, was arrested, but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak at Kuje Custodial Centre.
Security sources disclosed that the suspected terrorist leader confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial centre jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
According to the sources, after over three years of being on the run, DSS operatives in a, well-oiled intelligence operation recaptured Obadaki aka Bomboy, on Friday morning.
This arrest comes barely two months after the secret police arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
During the February 2022 daylight bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, which instilled widespread fear across the region, several policemen and bank customers were killed, while hundreds of millions of Naira was reportedly carted away.
The secret police has, of recent, been recording a chain of successes in the capture of terrorists and criminal elements across the nation, with its new leadership fast-tracking the trial of the arrested suspects.
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of critical agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat farming.
The distributed inputs include high-yielding wheat seeds, blended fertilisers, tractors, and pesticides.
The event, held on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere Local Government, marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s intervention programme for wheat cultivation in Nigeria.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security designed to empower farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.
Governor Zulum, while addressing beneficiaries and stakeholders, noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.
He said, “Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative. Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to national output.”
He further stated, “Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centred agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth, providing improved seeds, agrochemicals, and agronomic guidance.”
Zulum commended President Tinubu’s food security initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “Let me begin by acknowledging the steadfast leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to champion transformative investments in agriculture across Nigeria.”
Zulum also said, “Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built.”
The governor expressed gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, noting, “I also express profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining this national programme and for selecting Borno State as one of the priority locations for scaled wheat production.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that 16 states will benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component of the 2025/2026 season.
“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” Sen Kyari said.
According to the minister, “for the current 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160b.”
He added, “Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production, the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers. This support will be followed by the second phase of the programme, which will promote the cultivation of other priority top value chains across the state.”
Delivering the welcome address, Borno’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bawu Musami, enumerated the achievements of the Zulum administration in the agricultural sector.
The commissioner stated that an ambitious South Sudan irrigation scheme and Baga Folders projects have been activated, with thousands of farmers cultivating a variety of produce.
The occasion was attended by the senator representating Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan; Member Representing Maiduguri at the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Rahis; that of Marte, Monguno and Nganzai, Engr Bukar Talba.
Other dignitaries include the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
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