National News
Yobe: Workers’ Salaries will not be deducted For Education Recovery Fund- HoS

Yobe: Workers’ Salaries will not be deducted For Education Recovery Fund- HoS
By: Our Reporter
Following the announcement on Monday that the Civil Servants in Yobe state will be contributing ten percent of their salaries for the state to rescue its education sector, the Head of Civil Service in the state Mohammed Nura on Wednesday said, the government has considered the implications and rescind its earlier decision.
He announced that the state will not deduct workers’ salaries for the planned Education Recovery Funds.
The Head of Service said that any donation from civil servants to that effect has to be voluntary and not by any form of deductions from salaries.
“Government has reviewed her position on this matter. The current position of the government on this matter is that, no salary of any worker would be deducted in respect of the education Fund.
“Anyone who wishes to donate for the appeal funds should do so voluntarily and not by deduction from his or her salary. The state government does not want to force anybody and we don’t have the right to do so,” Mohammed Nura said
To collaborate the position of the State government, The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Muhktar Tarbutu at an emergency press briefing today Wednesday said the state government has shifted grounds on the deduction of salaries of workers.
The NLC Chairman said the government has however asked any civil servant that is willing to contribute to the Trust Fund to voluntarily do so.
According to the NLC Chairman, the decision was based on the directives from Gov. Mai Mala Buni that no salaries of workers should be deducted in respect of the education appeal fund.
“Gentlemen, you are aware of the burning issue in the state now about the deduction of workers’ salaries for the education fund. We are just coming out with a meeting with the Head of Service of the State. And he has informed us that His Excellency, Gov. Mai Mala Buni has directed that the salaries of workers will no longer be deducted,” the NLC Chairman said.
Comrade Tarbutu said the workers have welcomed the decision of the governor despite their meeting yesterday where labour agreed on the deduction of 2.5% of their salaries as against the 10% that the government proposed.
He appeals to the civil servants to go ahead and make voluntary donations to the good of the educational sector in the state.
The NLC boss also maintained the inclusion of Labour in the implantation of the funds when realized.
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“We welcome the decision of the government not to deduct our salaries even though we had a meeting and agreed for 2.5% to be deducted. But I want to maintain that Labour will not back down on mobilizing the civil servants to make voluntary donations.
“It is for the betterment of education in our dear state. We however maintain the inclusion of Labour in the implementation of the funds for proper accountability,” Comrade Tarbutu said.
It would be recalled that, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mohammed Lamin, who is the Sub-Publicity Chairman of the Appeal Fund on Monday informed journalists that the state will be deducting 10% from workers’ salaries for the Appeal Fund effective November. A position which drew a lot of mixed reactions from the public.
It was however gathered that following the announcement on the deduction of 10% from the workers’ salaries, many Civil Servants in the state has kicked against the decision.
According to some workers, the salary in full is not even enough to cater for their families and the government is also bringing the issue of deduction, which did not go down well with workers.
“It is not the duty of workers to do what the government is asking, and they know about that. I am happy that they have to withdraw this because at the end it is going down on the political strategy of the APC administration because the opposition are already gathering issues to talk about in the coming days. ” Musa Lawan, a Politician in Damatur said
Yobe: Workers’ Salaries will not be deducted For Education Recovery Fund- HoS
National News
Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism

Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism
By: Zagazola Makama
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the true meaning of jihad, noting that it is not about violence but about striving for excellence in all spheres of life.
The Sultan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).
He cautioned against misinterpretations of Islamic concepts, saying extremists and uninformed commentators had for decades wrongly associated jihad with terrorism and violence against non-Muslims.
“Jihad simply means striving — striving to be a better Muslim, a better Christian, a better citizen, and a better human being. It is not about killing anyone. Islam abhors extremism, and no true Muslim can claim to follow the teachings of the Prophet while embracing violence,” the Sultan said.
He explained that Islam, properly understood, promotes peaceful coexistence and good governance, adding that Islamic teachings have over the years helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey by emphasising justice, accountability, and leadership responsibility.
According to him, Islamic institutions such as mosques, scholars, and traditional councils continue to play a stabilising role in the country by mediating conflicts, guiding leaders, and educating citizens on tolerance and civic duties.
“Islam is not about seizing power; it is about ensuring good governance and accountability in society. Our democracy has benefitted from these values because justice and fairness are principles rooted both in the Qur’an and in democratic practice,” he said.
The Sultan also called for stronger interfaith dialogue, stressing that Nigeria’s unity depends on mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims.
“If I know who you are, and you know who I am, we can live in peace. Understanding one another is the foundation for national security and stability,” he added.
He commended Gen. Irabor for writing the book, describing it as a timely resource that not only documents the scars of insurgency but also provides insights for policy, governance, and national healing.
The launch attracted dignitaries including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, senior military officers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism
National News
Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions

Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions
By Hamza Suleiman
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Boko Haram insurgency remains one of the most complex and enduring security challenges in Nigeria’s history, warning that military action alone cannot end the crisis.
Jonathan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd).
He said that unlike previous crises in Nigeria such as the Niger Delta militancy and ethno-religious violence, the Boko Haram insurgency carried deeper scars because of its external connections, extremist ideology, and advanced weaponry.
“Boko Haram is more complex than what many people imagine. At some point, their fighters had more ammunition than our soldiers, which clearly showed that external groups were deeply involved,” Jonathan said.
The former President noted that the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 remained one of the most painful scars of his administration, stressing that no form of cosmetic remedy could erase it from the nation’s collective memory.
He recalled his personal engagement with Niger Delta militants as Vice President, saying that his decision to personally visit their camps without armed escorts was borne out of the conviction that dialogue must complement military action.
“In the Niger Delta, I met the militants in their camps. We succeeded in restoring peace not only because of military action but because we engaged them, listened to them, and created opportunities for their communities. That approach worked,” he said.
Jonathan, however, emphasised that Boko Haram presented a different challenge. According to him, the insurgency must be tackled through a holistic strategy that combines security operations with good governance, poverty reduction, youth empowerment, and social justice.
He said: “We cannot treat Boko Haram simply as a law-and-order problem. It is rooted in poverty, exclusion, and broken dreams. Only a comprehensive approach will deliver lasting peace.”
According to him, Nigeria must adopt a similar approach to Boko Haram by tackling poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion in communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
He commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his reflections, saying the book would enrich national understanding of insurgency and guide future leaders in shaping policy responses.
“Those who were directly involved must tell their stories. This book will help the nation understand what really happened, what lessons we must learn, and how we can do better in the future,” he added.
The event attracted dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), service chiefs, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers.
Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions
National News
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
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