Uncategorized
VP SHETTIMA TO NEDC MANAGEMENT: Posterity Will Judge You Fairly For Investing In Education, Green Technology
VP SHETTIMA TO NEDC MANAGEMENT: Posterity Will Judge You Fairly For Investing In Education, Green Technology
** Demands enhanced stakeholders’ collaboration in promoting ASSEP project
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said posterity will judge the North East Development Commission (NEDC) fairly for going beyond infrastructure development to investing in education and green technology through the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP).
He described ASSEP as the actual game changer in the age and time, pointing out that education is the greatest leveller through which even a son of a peasant could become a celebrated icon.

Senator Shettima spoke on Thursday during a meeting with the management team of the NEDC, who came to brief him on the level of work on the ASSEP project at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “I want to commend the management of NEDC, the ministry, and, of course, Dr. Masha for doing an awesome job and promoting ASSEP. There are two things that the North East Development Commission is committed to that posterity will judge them kindly.
“Yes, intervention in infrastructure is good, but this ASSEP and the likely investments in green technology will fully change the landscape.”
The Vice President applauded generative platforms introduced by ASSEP, like the Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, saying they are going along in “revolutionising the learning experience, offering numerous benefits for students, educators and institutions because of enhanced engagement and motivation.”
He continued: “We can truly leapfrog into the industrial age. From 100 teachers, we’re able to reach 600 hundred teachers in 71 institutions. I think of all the areas of intervention by the NEDC; none titillates my imagination, none captivates the spirit of the times greater than this ASSEP.

‘It is truly a game changer because, in other parts of the world, they are investing in digital educational tools because of the numerous benefits they offer. From improved knowledge retention to personalised learning to increased accessibility, VR headset enables students to engage in remote learning.
VP Shettima implored the NEDC, the Federal Ministry of Regional Development and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate among themselves to ensure efficiency.
His words: “And of course, there is the possibility of enhanced collaboration among all the relevant stakeholders, improved assessment and evaluation, and of course lastly, they imbue the students with soft skills for future careers in technology, in healthcare and engineering.
“I want to thank you. You may be buffeted with a lot of criticisms; uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. It (NEDC) is one of the most buoyant organisations in the country, and people expect the NEDC to be like drunken sailors on a spending spree, but the MD is a very difficult man.
“In the Nigerian context, when you are described as a difficult man, it means you are a stickler to rules and regulations. The Minister is a very humble man; he is not an overbearing person, and I have seen the rapport between them. I will urge you to work as a team.”
Noting that by investing in education, NEDC is writing its name in gold, the VP further urged the commission and the ministry to maintain the tempo in driving the ASSEP to wriggle the North East from poverty.
He stated: “The base of poverty in Nigeria is found in the North. And if the North East of Nigeria were to be treated as a country, we would be poorer than Chad; we are poorer than Niger. The North East of Nigeria is poorer than Afghanistan. It’s one of the poorest places on earth.
“The World Bank described the North East of Nigeria, the Republic of Chad, the Darfur region of Sudan, the Republic of Niger and Northern Cameroon as some of the poorest places on earth, hence the emergence of militant organisations like the Janjaweed militia and Boko Haram.”
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, said ASSEP is an initiative aimed at enhancing secondary education across the region, which aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to improve learning standards nationwide.
“It is a cardinal objective of this administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to focus on capacity building, scholarships for indigent students, and the upgrading of essential education infrastructure and ICT tools. This is why we are here today—to kickstart this crucial segment of ASSEP,” he stated.
On his part, the Managing Director of NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, highlighted the commission’s intervention in the educational sector with a specific focus on human capital development across the region.
He said the NEDC has commenced the process of reviving teacher training/education in the region and has established a unit within the commission to handle training and capacity building across the educational ecosystem.
The NEDC boss said, “We reviewed and harmonised the training modules that we have in the northeast. We have already engaged a consultant to start the training of teachers. Most importantly, we have already signed an MOU with the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna. In addition, we have established teachers’ training centres across the northeast so that the training will be a continuous process.
“As of today, we have already established the mega schools in the northeast – one per senatorial district. We have also established 18 ICT training centres; we have built halls, laboratories and other facilities across the northeast,” he added.
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the VR headsets to the Vice President by the NEDC MD and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes (Office of the Vice President), Dr Mariam Masha.
VP SHETTIMA TO NEDC MANAGEMENT: Posterity Will Judge You Fairly For Investing In Education, Green Technology
Uncategorized
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Zamfara State have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Mannir Adam, for allegedly transporting 800 rounds of AK-47 ammunition concealed in the fuel tank of a motorcycle.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a resident of Yankuzo village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, was intercepted at about 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway.

He was arrested at a security checkpoint in Yankara while riding a red Boxer motorcycle.
According to the sources, a search conducted by the operatives led to the discovery of 800 rounds of live ammunition for an AK-47 rifle, which had been carefully hidden inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly picked up the ammunition from the Bawa area in Saminaka Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He was reportedly transporting the ammunition to Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where it was suspected to be destined for armed bandits operating in the area.
Security sources described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups terrorising communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

The suspect is currently in custody while further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network involved in the illegal arms supply chain.
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
Uncategorized
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Plateau has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms during an intelligence-led operation in Jos North Local Government Area.
Police sources said the suspects were arrested on March 9 at about 9:15 p.m. by a team of operatives acting on credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Yakmoe of Angwan Rukuba and Alfred Song of Furaka Junction, both residents of Jos North.
According to police, a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly robbed one Nandi Budadi Taki of his iPhone 16 Pro Max at gunpoint.
Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional Beretta pistol from Yakmoe at his residence in Angwan Rukuba.
Police said the suspects had confessed to the crime, adding that discreet investigation was ongoing.
The command also said efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the robbery syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
Uncategorized
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
By Ayo Ajayi
In times of institutional uncertainty, leadership is often tested not by comfort but by crisis. At the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Abuja, such a moment emerged amid internal tensions and the spread of misinformation among sections of the workforce. At the centre of this storm stood the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Lucky Ikharo, whose calm disposition and administrative experience have helped steady the institution through turbulent waters.
For many within the Commission, the period has been marked by a mix of rumours, misrepresentation, and what some observers describe as half-baked narratives circulating among staff who may not be fully informed about the workings of the system. In such an atmosphere, maintaining discipline, order, and institutional focus requires more than routine administration—it demands patience, clarity of purpose, and steady leadership.
Dr. Ikharo has sought to provide exactly that. Known among colleagues for his methodical approach to public service administration, he has remained focused on ensuring that the Commission continues to function effectively despite the distractions created by internal disagreements and misinformation.
His journey within the National Assembly bureaucracy reflects years of dedication to institutional development.
Dr. Ikharo joined the National Assembly Service Commission in 2002 as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer. Through diligence and professional commitment, he steadily rose through the ranks of the public service, eventually attaining the position of Director in 2017.
Dr Lucky Ikharo was among the pioneer staff members entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the Commission’s Meeting Secretariat, a role he diligently handled for over nine years. In that capacity, he played a critical role in ensuring the smooth organization and documentation of the Commission’s high-level deliberations.
Following this period, Dr. Ikharo broadened his administrative horizon by serving in various departments within the Commission. These experiences exposed him to the diverse operational dynamics of the institution and helped shape his deep understanding of its administrative processes.
Dr. Ikharo serves as the Secretary to the Commission. His journey through different strategic units of the organisation has positioned him well for the role, affirming the popular saying that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole.
Over the years, he has held several strategic positions within the Commission. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as Director of Promotions, Discipline and Appeals, a role that placed him at the heart of staff management and administrative justice within the organisation. He later served as Director of Procurement and General Services from 2019 to 2020, overseeing critical operational and procurement processes of the Commission.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Ikharo is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), reflecting his commitment to professional development and capacity building in public service.Observers say his leadership style is defined by calm engagement rather than confrontation. At a time when rumours and internal tensions threaten to distract the Commission from its statutory mandate, his stewardship has focused on maintaining stability, reinforcing administrative procedures, and ensuring that the institution continues to carry out its responsibilities to the legislature and the Nigerian public.
Indeed, leadership within public institutions often unfolds quietly, away from public applause. Yet it is precisely in such moments of internal turbulence that the character of a public administrator becomes most visible. For Dr. Lucky Ikharo, the challenge has been to keep the Commission steady, demonstrating that experience, patience, and commitment to institutional integrity remain essential pillars of effective public service leadership.
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
