By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Abia Government says it has begun investigation to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices found in Union Primary School, Afaraukwu Umuahia.

The Commissioner for Information, Chief Okiyi Kalu, stated this in a statement issued in Umuahia on Thursday.

According to Kalu, government has started working with relevant security agencies in the state concerning the development.

The statement explained that initial examination of the devices shows evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era.

We are awaiting definite official report from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal squad of the Nigeria Police, who are currently investigating the incident.

He stated that necessary measures had been taken to protect the pupils and members of staff of the school with security sweeps ongoing.

He further stated that government had temporarily closed the school.

Kalu added that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations in the state.

He said that government was grateful to God that no injury to life or property was recorded.

He urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious situations to security agencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hassana Yakubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), says it will meet with the Federal and Kaduna State Governments on the plight of students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization who have been in captivity since March 11.

This is part of the forums resolution at the end of its National Executive Council meeting (NEC) on Thursday in Kaduna.

The ACF National Publicity, Mr Emmanuel Yawe said in a communique issue at the end of the meeting.

It said that the meeting, coordinated by ACF National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, was briefed by parents of the kidnapped students.

The forum regretted that the kidnapped students had remained in captivity and the Kaduna state government has not done much to get them released.

It therefore agreed to take up their plight with the state and federal government.

The ACF expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the region, noting that activities of insurgents, kidnappers and bandits had stunted the progress and development of the region.

It also decried the utterances of some actors and leaders who sought to inflame regional, ethnic and religious divisions in the country.

The ACF called on Nigerian leaders to exercise restraint in their utterances over the current security challenges.

It particularly frowned at the unfortunate killings of some northerners in the South East and called on security agencies to investigate the killings and fish out the culprits,

We also warn our youths who have suddenly started distributing messages on the social media calling on reprisal attacks on Ibos and their business interests in the north.

We the Arewa Consultative Forum stand against all lawless acts of self help and call on all northern youths to stop such evil plans.

The Forum unveiled a new firm, ARECON Integrated Company, which would serve as its business arm.

Already contacts have been made with the Minister of the FCT and some state governors of the North who have promised land to facilitate the takeoff of ARECON LTD, it stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has launched a Zakat fund to support refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.

The fund which is to be drawn from the freewill donation of a percentage of Zakat paid by Muslims, was launched in Abuja on Thursday.

UNHCR Country Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya said that the fund was needed to cater to the rising number of refugees in the country.

She said that the initiative was to bridge the funding gap for humanitarian interventions.

Kapaya said that the UN had been exploring various avenues to augment its funding, just like the recently launch One Billion Dollar intervention fund for vulnerable people in the North East

The Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund is a part of UNHCRs global Islamic philanthropic engagement and faith-based giving.

Faith is a strong conduit in actualizing giving. I have seen first-hand in Nigeria whereby faith-based organizations both Christian and Muslim have supported UNHCRs work in responding to the refugee and IDP situation in the country.

I also have had the opportunity to have met with several Muslim community leaders who have pledged support and partnership to respond to the humanitarian needs and IDPs situation.

Now with the Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund, we can further this commitment through a philanthropic tool that will allow Zakat contributions to be used to support the IDP families.

She expressed gratitude for the interest shown by many with regards to the fund, stressing that the Zakat fund would be a game changer in actualising private sector support to most vulnerable communities.

Giving insight into the state of vulnerability in Nigeria, Kapaya said that there were 2.1million IDPs in the North East, 728,688 in the North West and North Central, 1.7 million Nigerian refugee returnees as well as 69,000 Cameroonian refugees.

She added that about 300,000 Nigerians have also sought refuge in neighbouring countries, adding that the total number of IDPs was 2.9 million.

The UN representative pointed out that the funds needed to carter for displaced persons were unfortunately dwindling, hence the need to seek alternative funding.

As we witness increasing levels of internal displacement in the country, we struggle to adequately respond to the growing humanitarian needs.

UNHCR has been chronically underfunded, and so far for this year, we have only received 14 per cent out of the 96.4 million dollars we need in 2021 to support the various populations of concern.

What continues to give me hope is that even though we are faced with the challenges of internal displacement, the willingness and generosity of Nigerians to respond has not wavered, she said.

In his remark, Mr Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor to UNHCR and the Gulf Corporation Council Countries, said that the fund was an opportunity to provide the needed humanitarian interventions.

According to him, if all Muslim faithfuls gave out the right zakat, there would be no one living below the poverty line, adding that zakat was not only about giving money.

Khalifa stressed that the zakat fund was also opened to non-Muslims willing to contribute as part of their charity work.

He called on all Muslims to use the opportunity of the Ramadam to donate to the fund, so as to assuage the sufferings of IDPs in the North.

Alhaji Muhammad Maidoki, the Executive Chairman, Sokoto State Zakat and Waqf Commission, said that IDPs were among the categories of people that should benefit from Zakat.

He called on Nigerians especially Muslim faithfuls to donate to the fund, so as to alleviate the plight of refugees and displaced persons.

Maidoki announced a donation of one million naira to the UN Zakat fund. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former Vice President Atiku Abubaka has advocated increased public and private investment in youth development and empowerment to break vicious circle of illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and insecurity in the nation.

Abubakar made the call in his remarks at the official inauguration of the Abubakar Kawu Baraje Foundation (AKBF) in Abuja on Thursday.

The former vice president, who was the chairman of the occasion, represented by Jamil Mohammed, said the greatness of any nation was tied to the quality of investment in its youth population.

He added that education remained the gateway for enabling inclusive and sustainable development.

I have always been an advocate of youth-focused policies aimed at empowering and providing them with opportunities to add value to themselves, family and society at large.

This is key as most of the leaders that are being celebrated today made their impact at their youthful age largely because they had quality education and opportunities were provided, where such did not exist they were empowered to create them.

A typical case in point was the Nigeria Youth Movement (NYM), which assembled young Nigerians in their 20s and 30s who played critical leadership roles in accelerating the attainment of our independence.

I strongly believe that we can still produce the same quality of young leaders who will equally play critical roles in regaining Nigerias place as the giant of Africa, Abubakar said.

While commending the initiative, he said the foundation represented hope for many potential beneficiaries, while it also takes away potential recruits for thuggery, armed robbery, banditry and terrorism.

Abubakar said that the inauguration of the foundation gave him hope that young people would have the needed support mechanism, which would empower them to bring their dreams to reality and add value to the nation-building journey.

Instructively, the fact that the foundation is not only visioning to produce just leaders, but those that are morally and spiritually upright is laudable and unique.

Equally worthy of commendation are the key support areas of the foundation which speaks to Interventions we are in dire need of as a nation.

They are in the areas of educational support, care for the vulnerable, entrepreneurship support, skills acquisition support, environmental sustainability, public health support, and peace and conflict resolution, he said.

Abubakar said that providing the above intervention would go a long way in addressing the challenges of unemployment, social exclusion, poverty, criminality and insecurity.

In his remarks, former President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, said the foundation was not about Baraje, but promoting the needed moral values for the development of the society.

Saraki called for continuous supports for the foundation as it touched on education, less privilege and providing spiritual and moral direction for future leaders.

PDP National President, Uche Secondus, said it was high time Leadership of the country gave priority to legacies that would live beyond them.

Secondus said that all hands must be on deck to raising youths and leaders with moral values, by going back to how parents of old trained their wards.

Founder of AKBF and former National Chairman of PDP, Dr Abubakar Baraje, said the foundation was set up as an NGO with clear vision to support the society in producing leaders that are morally and spiritually upright.

Baraje said the foundation intended to achieve the vision through the instrumentality of education support, care and well-being of determined young people, less privileged and vulnerable in the society.

He said the aim was to contribute to the humanity and Islamic development through education, with the hope to turn the centre into a higher institution in the nearest future.

He said that since the inception of the foundation, located in Ilorin, Kwara, the cost had been fully shoulder by him.

Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, in his remarks, described the launch of the foundation as another milestone towards securing the future of the country.

Sulu-Gambari said it was another scouting for sustainable measures for promoting peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic, religious and social groups through provision of platform for mentoring of younger generations.

He stated that Baraje had over the years demonstrated sincere passion for national cohesion as an accomplished civil servant, politician, community leader and fulfilled family man.

The emir urged other well to do individuals to emulate Barajes kind gesture and continue to extend necessary supports to the noble foundation towards achieving its objectives for humanity.

Highlight of the occasion includes fund raising to support the foundation.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State says his administration is planning to send more than 4,000 youths to police constabulary training.

The governor said this on Thursday in Kano when he received the new Commandant of the Police Academy, Wudil, CP Lawal Tanko-Jimeta on a courtesy.

According to him, some youths from the state are also trained recently as police constabulary as part of the state governments efforts to prepare them.

And anytime there is need for security outfits to recruit, it means we have already made applicants for them.

He said the state government had provided a functional command control centre at the Nigerian Police headquarters in Kano with CCTV arrangements to monitor what is happening in the state.

The governor noted that the state government had provided what he called security dormitories on major roads coming into the state.

By doing so, we are able to control what is coming and what is going out of the city.

And at Dansoshiya forest, which is neighbouring Katsina, we are developing a Ruga system for herdsmen with all what it takes to have them settled and the education of their children is guaranteed.

With all these measures put in place by implication, security challenges are reduced, the governor said.

Earlier, the new commandant said the academy had been enjoying full support from the state government, especially their immediate host communities.

He further appealed to the governor to look into the possible construction or renovation of their students hostels.

Some of the hostels are dilapidated and old, we are working closely with stakeholders so that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund can improve our infrastructure, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, on Thursday, narrated how he escaped death in the plane crash that claimed the life of the former Military administrator of the state, late Col. Abdullahi Wase, and some other state government officials.

The governor narrated his experience when he received on a courtesy visit, the newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, Barr. Safiya Nuhu, a Kano indigene, whose father also died in the plane crash.

According to Ganduje, myself, as the then Commissioner of works, housing and transport, was to visit the Wase Jumaat Mosque which was under construction.

And I was the Coordinator for the appeal fund to build that mosque. The governor was to travel to inspect the project and also pay a condolence visit over a relation that died. So, I coordinated the journey.

I secured the aircraft that was used for that journey, the aircraft was owned by Alhaji Aminu Dantata. I was the one who wrote all the names of those that were to travel with the administrator.

And your father was not among, as I was going out from the government house, the late Wase was climbing the stairs through the family wing and your dad came to me asking why his name was not there.

Then the late Wase after climbing one step, stopped and asked your dad: you are Permanent Secretary Government house, when there is communication from the villa, who will receive that communication? It is just like a chief of staff.

Then late Wase asked what was happening, I then told him that the DG was insisting that he wants to follow us, he then said he should be included, then I included him. Ganduje told Nuhu.

He added that two of them, in their separate vehicles, drove home because they were staying along the same route in Sharada, and her dad waved and said good night to him and he responded.

According to him, But on reaching my house, I called my permanent Secretary and told him that we were scheduled to be in Wase through Jos, so I will not be in the office.

He said that there was an important message. The memo you were asked by the governor to write to the Head of state, they sent the money requested for the rehabilitation of metropolitan roads.

And probably the president will send some people to come and see what is going on. I said if that is the case, I am not traveling again.

I then asked him to invite the technical people so that we will meet in my office by 8am, to prepare the necessary memo and whenthe governor comes back, I will take the memo to him for approval so that we can swing into action.

Ganduje explained that after that interaction with his permanent Secretary, he decided not to travel with the governor to Wase.

He said that in the morning the technical people came, and as they were holding a meeting then I was told that I was being requested to be at the government house, and I asked who would ask me to be at the Government house when the administrator was not around.

The messenger said that it was a massage, then I left for the government house and went to the council chamber where we were holding our meetings, that was 1996, about 25 years ago.

Immediately I entered, I saw the brigade commander, who had taken over immediately and some commissioners were crying, then I asked if it was not an air crash. How can commissioners be crying in government house? I asked.

Ganduje quoted the brigade commander, well, my colleagues, the administrator left here in the morning, there was a crash in Jos, and no survivors. I am giving you one hour, to go and get ready so that we go to Jos and sort out the dead bodies.

That was the end of it. Your father was my friend, since secondary school, to the university, and we later started working at the Gumel Advance Teachers College Ganduje told the envoy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government on Thursday presented provisional licences to 20 new universities approved at theFederal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Feb. 3.

Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, while handing over the licences to the universities in Abuja, charged operators to abide by laid down standards for establishing the universities.

The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the approval of the establishment of the universities was a testimony to the continued partnership of the Federal Government with the private sector.

He said that with the additional 20 universities, the country now has 99 private universities.

He said that there was need for the establishment of more universities to cater for the challenge of admission into universities by the huge population of prospective students.

He therefore advised proprietors of the universities to sustain funding toward improved infrastructure and equipment for teaching.

Earlier, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said that the approval was a landmark achievement for Nigerian universities.

Rasheed said that the commission appreciated the roles of private universities in the provision of quality university education.

He commended the minister for deploying his goodwill to convince the FEC to approve the universities.

Rasheed said that the Nigerian university system had experienced a rapid expansion over the last two decades from less than 40 universities in 1996 to as many as 197 today.

According to him, out of this number, 99 representing roughly 50 per cent are private universities.

He however warned that the commission would not tolerate any unwholesome practices outside the commissions guideline from the proprietors of the approved universities.

The NUC is well aware of the need for the nations universities to sustain the quality of their programmes along with the quantitative expansion.

This is the reason why todays event is coming a little over three years after licences were issued to the last four private universities that came on board in 2019.

Consequently, in processing todays 20 universities for licencing, NUC took adequate care to ensure the currency and relevance of their proposed academic programmes in addressing the challenges of contemporary society, he said.

A proprietor, Dr Jim Ovia, of James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos, assured that the owners of the universities would commit to abiding by the rules and regulations of establishing the universities.

Ovia said that the establishment of the new universities had enabled the creation of education platformto mentor the youths.

Also, Dr Yahaya Abubakar, the Chairman, Board of Trustee, Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination to develop education in the country.

Abubakar also commended the minister for improving education sector through the new universities.

He promised to follow the laid down rules and regulations of the universities to promote and ensure qualitative education in the universities.

The universities are Top Faith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom; Thomas Adewumi University, Oke-Irese, Kwara; ANAN University, Kwall, and Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau; Claretian University, Nekede and Maranatha University, Mgbidi, both in Imo.

Others include Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja; Khadijat University, Majia, Jigawa; Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State; Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo and University of Offa, Kwara.

Also in the list are Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State; Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State; NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State; Ave Maria University, Nasarawa State; Ahman Pategi University, Kwara; and James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos State.

Others are Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, Capital City University, Kano State and Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano State. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kylian Mbappes double and a goal from skipper Marquinhos guided Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 3-2 away victory over Bayern Munich in the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Mbappes brace steered the visitors to victory over holders Bayern Munich in a topsy-turvy Champions League quarter-final first leg match at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The France forward fired in his eighth goal of the competition in the 68th minute on a snowy evening in the Bavarian capital.

This was after Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 37th minute and Thomas Muller on the hour mark had cancelled out a two-goal PSG lead.

It was Bayern Munichs first Champions League loss in more than two years and the first ever for coach Hansi Flick.

He had been unbeaten in his previous 16 matches in Europes premier club competition.

The Germans will be wondering how they failed to earn at least a point with 31 goal attempts to PSGs six, 15 corner-kicks to one and a string of golden opportunities.

PSG had stunned the hosts in the third minute through Mbappe, whose powerful low drive squeezed through the legs of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The French champions were brutally efficient and scored with their second chance of the game.

This was when Neymar picked out Marquinhos with a pinpoint cross and the PSG captain beat Neuer in the 28th minute.

Marquinos went off injured immediately after scoring.

The defenders absence dealt a blow to Mauricio Pochettinos back line before replacement Ander Herrera could settle in.

Bayern Munich quickly took control of the game and came close through Muller and Choupo-Moting, who was replacing the injured Robert Lewandowski.

Choupo-Moting had headed onto the crossbar in the second minute but did better with another header, and Muller brought the hosts level, nodding in a Joshua Kimmich free-kick.

The 22-year-old Mbappe then scored again, drilling in from a tight angle and with two defenders in front of him to put PSG back in front.

The 2019/2020 runners-up had to survive intense late pressure from Bayern Munich, with David Alaba and Muller going agonisingly close for the hosts.

But they hung on for victory ahead of next weeks return leg in Paris.

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Kano Pillars Football Clubs management has given its players a four-day break to enable them prepare for the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Rilwan Malikawa, the clubs Media Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Kano.

The four-day break, which is from Wednesday to Sunday, will enable the players and the technical crew rest and prepare ahead of the leagues second stanza.

Malikawa quoted the club chairman as warning that no player would be allowed to travel outside Kano because the aim of the break was for them to rest.

Sirajo Shuaibu, the club chairman, thanked the state government, fans, players and coaches for their efforts and successes recorded in the first half of the season.

He also restated the clubs commitment to reinforce the team with quality players.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kano Pillars ended the first round in second position in the log with 36 points.

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

A group under the aegis of Concerned Edo Citizens Forum (CECF) has appealed to the Federal Government to prevent an abrupt shutdown of the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF).

The group under the leadership of Mr Roy Oribhabor, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday.

Edo Government had on Wednesday threatened to shutdown the 20th NSF by noon on Thursday over non-release of support fund promised the state by the federal government.

Oribhabor said that the hope and aspirations of many youths who are currently participating in the NSF would be dashed should the government renege on its promise to Edo.

We hereby call on Nigeria Government to immediately fulfill the promise made to Edo State Government in regards to the supportive funds.

A promise is a hope, Nigeria Government must act now.
As concerned citizens, we are seriously embarrassed and disappointed to note that Nigeria Government has not shown serious capacity to fulfill her promise made to Edo State Government.

This is national embarrassment. Its frustrating, disappointing and great embarrassment to all Nigerians, Oribhabor stated.

The group however commended Edo Government over its uncommon display and commitment to host the 20th NSF.

The Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Mr Sunday Dare, is yet to return calls and message sent to his line.

But the ministers aide, John Akanji, referred NAN to the Secretary of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Peter Nelson, for comments.

However, the MOC of the festival is also yet to react to the threat by Edo government to shutdown the NSF by noon on April 8. (NAN)

Source: NAN News