GNN24 News

FCE ZARIA: A LEARNING INSTITUTE WITH DIFFERENCE.

FCE ZARIA: A LEARNING INSTITUTE WITH DIFFERENCE.

Investigation conducted by teaming journalists has shown that significant achievements have been achieved in federal college of education zaria, under the present administration of Dr. Suleiman Balarabe

A team of journalists concerned with the development of education particularly in the North visited the institute in Zaria, kaduna state, were they assess the achievements made so far under the able leadership of Dr. Balarabe.

with simple view to encourage the leadership and for others to emulate “FEDERAL COLLEGE OF ZARIA”, a learning institute with difference”.

The investigative reporting conducted by the journalists, has shown that one of the gigantic achievements recorded was employment and deployment of additional qualified academic and non academic staff.

This no doubt will help in meeting up the demand of qualified staff in the institute.

The achievements recorded so far in the institution (FCE ZARIA ), is highly commendable.

For an institution of this magnitude to achieve the required success staffing is vital to this situation.

Similarly, investigation has shown that additional commitment was made by the leadership of the institution engaged sponsorship in training, conferences, and workshops with a view to boost academic excellence, whereby many academic staff enjoyed.

The leadership of the institute engaged in regular promotion of staff.

Dr. Balarabe’s emergence as substantive Provost in 2022 by the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, has brought serenity by setting new path for the institution looking at the infrastructural and academic development his administration has recorded in the last two years, is a big development and testimony.

Also, to meet the standard of a developed learning institute that can compete with others globally, Dr. Balarabe was able to recruit more than 200 newly appointed staff both academic and non-academic.

Further investigation conducted by the visiting journalists, discovered that many projects were put in place by the present leadership of the College (institution), through IGR. Few are infrastructural developments, etc.

Disciplines and academic performances are the core of our today’s education. . However, our findings clearly showed that the Provost ( DR. SULEIMAN BALARABE) inculcate discipline among the staff and the students, encouraged in controlling students behaviour which boost their morals and general academic performance.

The visiting journalists haven assessed these gigantic achievements called on the Federal government to partner seriously with the present leadership in the institution, because of it’s beautiful and transforming programmes that deserves commendation.

2027: Arewa Group Blasts Elrufai’s Son ,Co- travelers Over Attack on Tinubu,Says Northerners’ll Support Him Again

2027: Arewa Group Blasts Elrufai’s Son ,Co- travelers Over Attack on Tinubu,Says Northerners’ll Support Him Again

Arewa Progressive Forum for Good Governance (APFGG), said the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Bashir Elrufai and his fellow co- travelers cannot Stop Northerners from re-electing Tinubu come 2027.

Bashir Elrufai via a post on his social media handle did attack President Bola Tinubu and his father’s successor, Governor Uba Sani, predicting that both will be voted out of office in 2027 for ”non-performance”.

But in a reaction to his attack on the President in a statement signed by Mal Ibrahim Musa Bichi, the Chairman , the group which described Bashir Elrufai as ‘disrespectful and mannerless’ alleged, ,”The boy is simply speaking the voice of his couchy father,who is accused of misappropriating 423 billion naira state funds”.

According to the statement, his anger no doubt stemmed from the fact that his father was denied ministerial position.

It explained, “Those who understand politics know that Tinubu has built a political structure over the years that is helping him to move Nigeria forward in the right direction.And we don’t see reasons to fight an administration that is determined to make the country a better place .

“We want the likes of Bashir Elrufai to know that the real voters within the north will support Tinubu, because they are fully aware of the President’s efforts via his Renewed Hope Agenda to tackle the challenges of insecurity and economic hardship caused previous administrations”.

While stating that Bahir and his co-travelers are children,who have history of lack of home training ,the group dared Elrufai to contest the Presidential election in 2027.

“If your father has the capacity and popularity, why hide under former Rivers State Governor ,Mr Rotimi Amaechi and not personally contest the highly coveted seat of President in 2023 .

“We are challenging he, Elrufai to pick presidential ticket and contest against Tinubu and see who the north will vote .” It declared.

BREAKING: SHEHU SANI MOCKS ELRUFAI OVER N432 BILLION SCANDAL

BREAKING: SHEHU SANI MOCKS ELRUFAI OVER N432 BILLION SCANDAL

Senator Shehu Sani has accused the past administration in Kaduna State of looting the state’s treasury, leaving behind a huge debt burden for the children and grandchildren of the state.

In a scathing attack, Sani alleged that the former officials embezzled billions of naira meant for projects, including a light rail scheme that never existed. He also said that they tied the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fraudulent bank loans, suffocating the state’s economy.

The senator likened the situation to a woman being raped, with the rapist seeking honour.

He vowed that the state would recover every penny looted by the former officials, whom he described as “rodents” and their leader as “larcenous”.

Sani’s comments are the latest in Elrufa’s struggle to extricate himself from a damning indictment of a allegedly embezzled N432billion under his watch as governor between 2015 and 2003. It would also be recalled that some of his former Commissioners had addressed press conferences two times, within three weeks in a bid to defend him.

Alleged 423 Fraud: Elrufai and His Commissioners are Shameless – Kaduna Group

Alleged 423 Fraud: Elrufai and His Commissioners are Shameless – Kaduna Group

Coalition of Kaduna based political groups under aegis of Good Governance and Accountability Forum(GGAF) have described former Governor of Kaduna State ,Mal. Nasir Elrufai and His former Commissioners as Shameful individuals for accusing the State Assembly of fabricating figures of the recent probe .

Apparently angry at the recent criticism of the State Assembly’s probe, the group averred that Elrufai must be arrested and compelled to give account of the funds siphoned and misappropriated during his days as Kaduna Governor.

In a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the Forum,Comrade Muhammad Jibrin , ” El-Rufai’s administration embezzled over N423 billion, but Some former Commissioners who served under him, claimed the Assembly’s report was tainted with bias, riddled with inaccuracies with intensions to inflict reputational damage on the former Governor and his government.

However the forum in statement said at this critical period and with the tension stirred up due to the wanton looting of state treasury,it is laughable that Elrufai and his former aides couldn’t provide evidence to counter the allegations of the wanton fraud and misappropriation of funds.

The statement further reads : ” Though the Commissioners who spoke at a press conference in Abuja described the Kaduna State House of Assembly report as tainted by bias, riddled with inaccuracies and intended to inflict reputational damage on the former Governor and his government, but we ask them to counter the allegations with facts and figures.

“It is unfortunate that under Elrufai’s eye ,coordinated looting of the State funds through phoney contracts and looting were done and these aides who know the truth have come out twice now to defend an open truth.

“We can authoritatively say from our findings that the Kaduna State House of Assembly, in line with its constitutional mandate has done a thorough job to unravel the humongous debts incurred by the immediate past administration without commensurate projects.

“On a sad note , it is unfortunate to a historical state such as Kaduna is battling a huge debt burden due to the financial mismanagement by Elrufai’s government.

“The overt corrupt acts by aides and cronies from outside the State cannot be overlooked,thus we asking the anti-graft agencies to swing into action and do the needful with a view to serve as deterrent to public office holders.”It stated.

“We want to announce that the forum has concluded arrangements to formally submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the allegations of misappropriation of funds by ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The Paradox of Power: A Cautionary Tale of Leadership and Legacy

The Paradox of Power: A Cautionary Tale of Leadership and Legacy
By
Martins Chiedozie Ugwu
johnmartinsworldonline@gmail.com

One of humanity’s most profound struggles is relinquishing power and understanding its limits. This conundrum has toppled empires, ruined legacies, and humbled even the most formidable leaders. The allure of power, combined with wealth and influence, can be intoxicating, leading to a toxic blend that often spells downfall.

African leaders, particularly in Nigeria, have developed a culture of clinging to power even after leaving office, exemplified by former governors who refuse to surrender power. Like one of the former governors of Rivers State, His rapid rise to power, fueled by circumstance and patronage, created a sense of invincibility. However, his inability to recognize the ephemeral nature of power and cultivate genuine influence has marked him as insensitive leaders who fail to understand the dynamics of power.

Their attempts to exert control after leaving office demonstrate a misunderstanding of true influence, built on humility, wisdom, and recognition of limits. Instead, they rely on authoritarian tendencies and intimidation, alienating them from the people and potential allies.

History teaches us that absolute power or influence without after leaving power is unsustainable. Those who seek to retain power after leaving office are often untaught, failing to recognize the reality of limited influence. In contrast, leaders who understand the value of humility and wisdom in exercising power are those who have earned it through hard work and dedication.

As former governors navigate the treacherous waters of power politics, they would do well to remember that there can be no absolute power after leaving office. Their refusal to acknowledge this reality will only hasten their downfall. The people of Nigeria, weary of authoritarianism and eager for genuine leadership, will not be swayed by their antics.

In the end, it is not power that defines a leader, but their legacy. Their refusal to accept the limits of their influence and failure to cultivate genuine power will relegate them to obscurity.

-Martins Chiedozie Ugwu
Director General, Rescue Movement For New Nigeria (www.rescue.org.ng) and the Secretary General of Africa Thinkers Union

NNPCL:Enemies of Progress, Blackmailers Behind Call for Mele Kyari’s Sack

Group under aegis of Nineteen-Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace Unity Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) has described those calling for sack of the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Engineer Mele Kyari as enemies of progress and blackmailers.

According to the group, the call for his sack is not only baseless;biased, but also very retrogressive, citing proactive measures taken to block all their possible ways and means to continue the cannibalization of the Nigeria oil sector as only reason for the attacks.

“Apparently the handiwork of so-called 401 ethnic Nationalities Leaders sponsored by enemies of Nigerians Economic transformation and general development who also are suspected boys of Bunkers and their agents.” It added.

The National Chairman of the group,Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, who disclosed this during a Press conference held at Abuja said ,” It is clear that Mele Kyari is one of the best things that have ever happened to NNPC Ltd and therefore, it would be suicidal to nurse any negative attempt to unseat him at this crucial time that he is already transforming the corporation, unless if the nation is not truly after the economic transformation and revitalization of NNPC Ltd and Nigeria.

He further said, “We don’t want to believe someone somewhere is nursing an Anti-North agenda which we strongly believe is not President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, having known how much the North rally around him with the massive vote and looking towards 2027 for his re-election,considering the President, Economic, Security and Infrastructural developmental drive a word is enough for a wize.

“The transformational and developmental drive of the oil sector by Mal. Mele Kyari, through robust revenue generation, redirection and scientific upliftment of the Nigeria oil sector, is making this enemies of Nigeria Economic boom to have sleepless night.”

Speaking on how deliberate efforts were made to strengthened Nigeria’s energy security and improved the profitability and efficiency of its oil and gas sector, the Chairman of group of Amalgamation of 596 registered affiliated grassroots Northern Association from Nineteen Northern States and associations of Northerners Resident in the Seventeen Southern States and FCT, further stated: “President Buhari appointed Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC in July 2019, succeeding Maikanti Baru upon his retirement. Since assuming the role, Kyari has implemented numerous reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the corporation.

“One of Kyari’s major initiatives is the TAPE agenda, which focuses on transparency, accountability, performance, and excellence.

This agenda seeks to eradicate corruption, bribery, and racketeering within NNPC, transforming it into a reputable oil giant.

“Kyari has also set ambitious goals for the corporation, including raising crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and increasing reserves to 40 billion barrels by 2023. His efforts have already led to significant achievements, such as resolving a longstanding dispute in the Akuku Toru community of Rivers State, which restored 35,000 barrels of oil production per day.

“Under his leadership, the NNPC successfully reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in November 2019, a project expected to generate over $20 billion in revenue and create over 50,000 jobs. Additionally, Kyari oversaw the commencement of the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, with funding secured from a Chinese bank.

“Kyari has also driven the digitization of NNPC’s operations, reducing human-related operational risks. For instance, the corporation launched software that enables marketers to view inventories across 22 depots in real-time, improving decision-making and efficiency.

“In terms of recruitment, Kyari organized a transparent and fair exercise, leading to the employment of 1,050 candidates out of 600,000 applicants. This marked the first publicly advertised recruitment exercise by NNPC since 2012.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyari mobilized stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to raise N21 billion for the Petroleum Industry Intervention Fund, supporting medical interventions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“The creation of the National Assembly has significantly empowered NNPC Limited to ensure Nigeria’s energy security, a critical aspect of national security. This responsibility is particularly crucial during the year-end festivities and beyond, with the NNPC Limited making robust plans to avoid any shortages in petroleum product supplies.

“The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 by the National Assembly has transformed the NNPC into a commercially-oriented National Oil Company governed by the Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This legislative effort has turned NNPC from a loss-making entity, with a loss of N803 billion in 2018, to a profitable organization, declaring a net profit of N674 billion in 2021.

“The leadership of Mele Kyari played a pivotal role in this turnaround, reducing losses dramatically in 2019 and achieving profitability by 2020. The company is now aiming for a profit increase of N2 trillion in its 2022 Audited Financial Statements.

“NNPC Limited’s acquisition of OVH Energy in 2022 and its existing assets have positioned it as a major player in the African energy market. This move has significantly boosted the profitability of its subsidiary, NNPC Retail, to N18.4 billion in the first quarter of this year.

“Addressing challenges like crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, NNPC has adopted advanced surveillance methods similar to those used by Saudi Aramco. The Central Coordination, Data Integration, and Activation Control Room enable real-time monitoring of the Niger Delta’s pipeline networks, enhancing security and increasing crude oil production. This system has already recovered over 22 million litres of stolen crude through improved surveillance and intelligence.

“Citing the above transformational and developmental drive of the oil sector by Mal. Mele Kyari, through robust revenue generation, redirection and scientific upliftment of the Nigeria oil sector, is making this enemies of Nigeria Economic boom to have sleepless night.

“Therefore, we are requesting, that the transformational government of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to get this people arrested for undermining National Economic development and trying to create bad blood and disharmony between the North, other Nationality and the Government.”

Chivido2024: Fadojoe chides Nigerian Youths.

The leader of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria aka Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative and a presidential aspirant under Labour Party, Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph popularly called Fadojoe has chided Nigerian youths who major in minor and minor in major, busy turning “@davido Chivido2024 wedding to negative debate on social media of who was invited and who wasn’t when the couples glady jetting out on honeymoon enjoying their lives, grateful to those who attended and happy for themselves”.

In a message on his official Instagram page, he laments what he termed, purposelessness and visionlessness, nothing that “Nigerian youths, especially the so called influencers, celebrities who could have used their platform and their voice to rant and rage about so many abnormalities happening in our nation are busy ranting and raging over a successful wedding for who wasn’t invited as if that is the problem facing the country, as if that will solve youths unemployment, youth brain drain, epileptic power supply in the country, hunger in the land, bad and poor condition of health facilities, kidnapping, and insecurity all across the nation, politicians embezzlement and other striking evidences of bad governance. What a poor mentality, what a wasteful generation who has lost touch with reality and are daily chasing clout”.

Calling Nigerian youths to learn from some African youths that took their fate in their hand and took decisive action, over bad governance in their country. Citing examples of Kenyan youths, Ghanaian youths and South African youths.

“They can’t take a toll from Kenyan youths who took to the street and demanded change in their nation, and they got one.

“They can’t learn from Ghanaian youths who refused bribe from corrupt politicians and demanded accountability in governance for Ghana, and they get one.

“They can’t learn from South African youths who decisively fought against apartheid to free their nation

“Rather Nigerian youths are either busy ranting at good things or hailing bad leaders or been tools for violence in the hands of political gladiators! What a shameful generation of youths, yet we blame older generations for the problems of our country. So sad!” he concluded.

Chivido2024: Fadojoe chides Nigerian Youths.

“They can’t take a toll from Kenyan youths who took to the street and demanded change in their nation, and they got one.

“They can’t learn from Ghanaian youths who refused bribe from corrupt politicians and demanded accountability in governance for Ghana, and they get one.

“They can’t learn from South African youths who decisively fought against apartheid to free their nation

Group to MURIC: Sokoto people are aware of your failed 2020 Ogun incitement

Group to MURIC: Sokoto people are aware of your failed 2020 Ogun incitement

Sokoto-based group, the United Arewa Support Forum, has lambasted MURIC’s Director Professor Ishaq Akintola for “promoting religious irredentism in Nigeria”, urging him to “avoid unnecessary incitement in the media with patently false campaigns.”

Chairman of the group, Musa Ibrahim Illela who issued the warning to MURIC in a press statement in Kaduna on Wednesday, said the same MURIC bandied false allegation in Ogun State in August, 2020, compelling a Muslim group – “Community of Muslim Professionals(CMP)”to raise alarm”.

He recalled that the Ogun State Muslim professionals (CMP) advised the MURIC Director not to sow seeds of religious lfriction in Ogun State, with unfounded allegations.

He recalled that the Ogun-based Islamic advocacy group, (CMP) has had to warn the Director of MURICProfessor Ishaq Akintola, to desist from sowing the seeds of religious friction in Ogun State in a bid to promote his own brand of irredentism.

” Indeed the Ogun-based advocates described Akintola as “a well-known rabble-rouser fond of hiding under the guise of Islamic rights advocacy to promote division, sectionalism, and religious strife, adding that Muslims in the state, being responsible and progressive individuals, had not at any time given him a mandate to act as their spokesman. This was widely reported
as a statement issued by its Secretary, Alhaji Saliu Adewusi in Abeokuta, the state capital, in the year 2020″.

Professor Akintola’s MURIC was the only group that went to the media with the spurious allegation that then Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had sold the state to Christians.

The Arewa Group, therefore, said it shares the view of the Ogun-based group that MURIC as a group is now notorious for libellous allegations.

The Arewa Group warned the people of Sokoto State to “ignore the attempt by MURIC to create bad blood between the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the Sultanate, saying no one sitting in his comfort zone in Lagos should be allowed to set Sokoto on fire”.

CBCN Holds Conference of Largest Gathering of Bishops in Abuja

CBCN Holds Conference of Largest Gathering of Bishops in Abuja

Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) led by Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas holds largest gathering of Bishops in Abuja, Nigeria

The Synod attended by over five hundred Archbishops, Bishops and very senior Apostles/Church Founders opened with a welcome service, a Visionary Banquet & Special Prayers for Nigeria

The Synod which is the 10th Edition since the founding of Charismatic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in 2013 by Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas devoted time on the second day to Seminar, workshops after the Synod had been declared open by the Honourable Minister of Information Alh Mohammed Idris ,who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the occasion.

The Grand finale of the Synod witnessed presentation of Meritorious Service awards to dignitaries which included Nigeria’s First Lady, wife of the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector General of Police (IGP) amongst others.

The Synods also waded into the lingering crisis over minimum wage and high rate of electricity tariff between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour, calling on the warring parties to sheath the sword.

The Charismatic Bishops loudly expressed the view that with fervent prayers by the citizenry, Nigeria would overcome the current socio-economic hardship in the country.

In a statement to newsmen after the Abuja Synod, the President General of CBCN, Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas and the General Secretary Bishop Dr. Chivir Chianson noted that the Synod calls on the NLC to continue to engage the federal government for negotiation, rather than going on strike or shutting down the country which will only increase hardship for innocent Nigerians.

At the welcome service and banquet which held at World Harvest Ministries INC Headquarters, Jikwoyi, Abuja on the Charismatic Bishops hosted by Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas, the President General, had over 500 Nigerian Bishops from the 36 states of Nigeria, Europe, USA and over 20 other countries from the first day of the great event, making it the largest number of Bishops present in any single event in Nigeria.

“They sang praises to God, prayed for Nigeria earnestly before retiring to a Visionary banquet where every Bishop ate together with the President – General, Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas.

“The second day of the event, saw the Bishops processed into the National Christian Centre, and settled down for the business of the National Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, with seminars, teachings, workshop, and prayer sessions for the country.

The high point of the day being June 12, 2024 was the approval stamp of the Federal Government in partnering with the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, signalled by the arrival of the Minister of Information who addressed the Bishops unbehalf of Nigeria’s President/Federal Government. He enlightened the Bishops on all aspects of the RENEWED HOPE agenda of this Administration and called on the President General of the Charismatic Bishops to serve on President Tinubu’s initiative on National Orientation in Nigeria”. The statement added.

On the third day of the conference, being the grand finale of the Charismatic Bishops Synod holding at the National Christian Centre, Abuja; “the workshop and training continued and the grand finale of the event was the welcoming of the representatives of H. E Sen. Dr. Mrs Oluremi Tinubu the wife of Mr. President, Hajia Nana Kashim, wife of the Vice President, Chief of Defence Staff, Senate President, and Inspector General of Police who received meritorious service awards of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; to encourage them for the work they are doing and to publicly signal a new dawn of partnership for progress between the Charismatic Bishops conference of Nigeria and the federal government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.