Economy
Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers Strengthen Commitment To Security, Youth Empowerment
Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers Strengthen Commitment To Security, Youth Empowerment
Northern governors, traditional rulers strengthen commitment to security, youth empowerment. The NSGF chairman called for the speedy completion of key projects.
Northern governors and traditional rulers have renewed their commitment to tackling insecurity, boosting infrastructure, and empowering the youths.
This was at their joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held on Saturday in Kaduna.
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who is also the chairman of the NSGF, described the gathering as timely, given the escalating security challenges and socio-economic pressures facing the region.
In his keynote address, Mr Yahaya expressed condolences to the families and governments of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe over the recent wave of killings.
He called the attacks, “mindless acts of violence” that underscored the need for a comprehensive review of security strategies.
Mr Yahaya stressed that the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in parts of the North-East and ongoing violence in the North-Central must be confronted with renewed synergy between federal, state, and local security structures.
On economic and infrastructural development, the NSGF chairman called for the speedy completion of key projects.
They include the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu expressway, among others.
He lamented the exclusion of the North-East from the federal government’s superhighway project and advocated innovative funding solutions like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds.
The governor said, “The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern.
“Without an urgent intervention, our goals for agricultural expansion and industrialisation will remain a mirage.”
He also emphasised the need to restructure and reposition the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) as a hub for regional economic revival
Mr Yahaya called for decisive action to end the almajiri system and provide the Northern youths with education and job skills.
“Our children must be taken off the streets and given opportunities for quality education and skills acquisition,” he appealed.
Mr Yahaya further called for proactive steps to prevent herder-herder clashes during the rainy season.
The governor urged partnerships with agencies like NEMA and NIMET to develop early warning systems and support mechanisms against climate-related challenges.
He praised the traditional institutions for their role in peace building and advocated for their recognition through constitutional means to make them more effective in governance and conflict resolution.
“The wisdom and guidance of our traditional rulers remain indispensable as we navigate these complex times,” Yahaya said.
Earlier, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, in his welcome address, lauded the efforts of the NSGF and the traditional rulers council in promoting unity and consensus in the north.
He said, “In spite of our diversity, the two bodies have found a way of forging consensus on critical issues.
“We have made progress, but challenges remain. We must hasten the development and implementation of a regional roadmap for peace, security, and development.”
Mr Sani commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to Northern development, particularly for reviving the long-abandoned Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, describing it as a “lifeline for Northern Nigeria.”
Both leaders emphasised the urgency of translating resolutions into tangible actions, with Mr Yahaya concluding that history would judge Northern leaders not by the meetings they hold, but by the lives they impact.
He said: “The people of Northern Nigeria are looking up to us. We must rise above individual interests and deliver results.”
In his remarks,the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Sa’ad Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional rulers to supporting efforts aimed at tackling insecurity across the country.
The sultan commended the governors for their dedication and collective resolve to restore peace, stability, and development in the region.
He stated that the persistent killings across various parts of the North have made it imperative for leaders to unite and take decisive action.
“Every life matters,” he declared, stressing the need for a holistic approach to restore peace and enable citizens to live freely and in harmony.
The sultan strongly condemned the criminalisation of ethnic or religious groups, warning that such narratives only fuel division.
He urged, “We must leave here with the understanding that a criminal anywhere is a threat to all of us,” he said.
Traditional Rulers Strengthen Commitment To Security
The traditional ruler, who also acknowledged the efforts already made to address the crisis, emphasised that more needed to be done.
Mr Abubakar declared, “Much has been done, but clearly not enough.
“As long as people continue to be killed, the perception will remain that nothing is being done.”
He concluded that the challenges facing the North were national in nature, and praised Tinubu’s commitment to finding lasting solutions.
He, however, urged intensified action to end the bloodshed and to reassure the citizens that their safety remains a top priority.
The governors present at the joint meeting included those of Nasarawa, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kogi, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, and Jigawa.
Also in attendance were nineteen esteemed traditional rulers from across the Northern region under the umbrella of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.
He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.
Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.
Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’
Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.
“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”
He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.
“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.
Obaseki
“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.
“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.
He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”
Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.
“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.
“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.
Teachers Register For Special Training
He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.
“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.
He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality
service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.
From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.
“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”
Leadway Pensure
Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.
“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
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