Zulum unveils counterterrorism curriculum for Borno Islamic schools.

Zulum unveils counterterrorism curriculum for Borno Islamic schools.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled a unified curriculum for Islamic schools aimed at countering violent extremist ideologies and preventing young people from being radicalised by terrorist groups.

Borno is one of the hardest hit states by Boko Haram insurgency, which began in Maiduguri around 2002.

The fundamentalists group, known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, preached against Western education as depicted by its name, Boko Haram (Western education is unlawful).

The sect formed by the late Muhammed Yusuf and later led by Abubakar Shekarau from 2009 until his reported death in 2021, launched violent attacks on Western education, as it reportedly destroyed about 2,500 classrooms, chasing out hundreds of thousands of the pupils while it also engaged in pupils abduction.

Unveiling the curriculum on Tuesday, Zulum said, “Our Islamic schools have been operating without a unified curriculum for at least three to four decades and that is a matter of great concern to all of us.

“The so-called Boko Haram insurgency was started as a result of some misleading preaching, therefore it is imperative for us to devise a way such as this curriculum to avert such in the future.”

Zulum said his administration would ensure that all Islamic schools strictly follow the new unified curriculum.

He emphasised the importance of teaching and preaching following the authentic content of the holy books.

He said, “We are currently witnessing another development recently; we are concerned by the way some scholars preach. Therefore, the Government of Borno State will do everything possible to ensure that teaching and preaching comply with the proper content of the holy books.”

Zulum also noted that the new curriculum was prepared based on the policies of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, which, he said, would qualify students from private Islamic schools to get admission to universities and colleges.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board, Khalifah Sheikh Ali Abulfathi, said “The curriculum, which is based on the Maliki school of thought, centred on the teaching of Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Tauhid and jurisprudence.

“The board reviewed existing teaching methodologies and instructional materials used by the Islamiyya schools as part of efforts to give the knowledge and values needed.”

Abulfathi called on parents and other stakeholders to support the new curriculum to ensure that every child had access to quality Islamic education.

FG vows clampdown on officials leaking sensitive documents.

FG vows clampdown on officials leaking sensitive documents.

The Federal Government through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has commenced moves to ensure that official government documents dubbed sensitive are not leaked to the public.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, in a memo dated February 19, 2024, and uploaded on the website of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation “ohcsf.gov.org”, said the leak of such documents had become embarrassing to the government and must therefore stop.

The memo tagged HCSF/3065/VI/189 reads, “It has been observed with dismay, the increase in the cases of leakage of sensitive official documents in ministries, departments and agencies. This is very embarrassing to the government and therefore unacceptable.

“As part of the efforts to curb this undesirable development, all Permanent Secretaries are to fast-track the migration to the digitalised workflow system and ensure effective deployment of the Enterprise

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Content Management Solution. This will reduce physical contact with official documents, thereby checking the increasing incidence of leakage and circulation of the same.

“Furthermore, Permanent Secretaries are advised to strongly warn all staff against leaking and circulating official information and documents.

“Any officer caught engaging in such unbecoming act will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant circulars.”

There has been an increase in the leak of sensitive government documents to the public space in recent times. Recently, a memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, revealed plans to allocate the sum of N500m as allowances to members of the tripartite committee on minimum wage set up by the Federal Government. Also, a memo about a huge amount of money to be allocated as subsidy for the Hajj pilgrimage, which purportedly emanated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, was seen in public space.

The two memos had generated outrage with civil society organisations and organised labour demanding probes of such allocations.

FG hands over Zungeru power plant to concessionaire.

FG hands over Zungeru power plant to concessionaire.

The Federal Government on Tuesday officially transferred operations of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant to Penstock Limited, instead of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited which it selected in February 2023.

Tuesday’s move is expected to “boost Nigeria’s power generation capacity and contribute significantly to meeting the country’s growing energy demands,” a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, read.

The statement is titled ‘FG finally hands over Zungeru Hydroelectric power plant to concessionaire.’

It comes one year after the National Council on Privatisation, on February 23, 2023, approved the appointment of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited as the preferred bidder for the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant.

However, The PUNCH observed that Penstock Limited was not one of the three companies shortlisted in December 2022 to present proposals for the concession.

That year, 11 consortiums had sent Requests for Qualification out of which three—NSP Consortium, Mainstream Energy and Africa Plus Partners—were shortlisted.

The 740MW Zungeru power facility located at the upper and middle reaches of River Kaduna in Niger State is the largest hydropower project in Nigeria. Though conceived in 1982, construction works only commenced in 2013 following a deal with two Chinese firms-China National Electrical Equipment Corporation and Sinohydro Consortium.

According to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the project has gulped around $1.3bn, with a preferential loan facility from the Export-Import Bank of China.

With the FG providing 25 per cent funding for the project, the Exim Bank will fund 75 per cent with low-interest loans.

The facility is expected to produce 2.64bn kWh of electricity annually and meet around 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total domestic energy requirements. It was commissioned in 2023.

At the first meeting of the NCP for 2024 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the council announced significant progress in the Plant concession, including the official transfer of the plant’s operations to Penstock Limited.

The Concession Agreement was signed on December 13, 2023, by the BPE and Penstock Limited.

Following Council approval, the Concessionaire fulfilled its obligation by paying 50 per cent of the commencement fees on January 5, 2024.

The official handover ceremony took place on January 23, 2024, officially transferring the plant’s operations to Penstock Limited.

Vice President Kashim Shettima who chairs the council also disclosed plans by the Federal Government to recapitalise and restructure the Bank of Agriculture BOA to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector and achieve national food security.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima noted the potential of BOA to play a central role in achieving national food security, citing its extensive branch network across all senatorial districts in the country.

However, he expressed concern over the bank’s current practices, particularly its tendency to disburse unsustainable loans.

Shettima advocated the modernisation of the BOA, emphasising the need to leverage technology and upgrade branch facilities, urging that embracing modern financial systems would enable the bank to function more effectively and fulfil its vital role in supporting agricultural development.

He also alluded to the potential of the Green Imperative Project, proposing its integration with the BOA’s restructuring plans.

“For me, we can marry the Green Imperative Project while we are going to bring in assorted agricultural machinery. Every farmer should be given a tractor, harvester and other necessary machinery.

“We can take in the latest advances in science and technology and make it possible to track these items so that divergence can be minimized.

“We have no business being poor. Nigeria must attain national food security. Let us leverage science and technology. There are three or four states that can feed the whole of this country,” the VP said.

Currently, “a committee led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is finalising a report on the BOA’s recapitalisation and restructuring, while key decisions have been made, and further updates are expected soon,” Nkwocha’s statement revealed.

The Council also received updates on the report on the sale of NITEL/MTEL property at Moloney Street, Lagos.

It was noted that efforts are ongoing to evict illegal occupants and resolve the court case on the property.

On the audit of NIPOST properties nationwide, it was noted that the BPE has provided detailed information to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Postmaster General to assist with the ongoing Postal Sector Reform, facing pushbacks from NIPOST and unions.

On the Federal Mortgage Bank Restructuring, it was noted that the bank’s management has submitted nominations to the Implementation Committee which is expected to commence work shortly.

Credit: The PUNCH Newspaper. 

Tinubu appoints Bakari as new NFIU CEO.

Tinubu appoints Bakari as new NFIU CEO.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as the new Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). 

 Bakari’s appointed is however pending her confirmation by the Senate. 

The new appointment was announced Tuesday evening in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. 

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari to serve as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), pending her confirmation by the Senate.

“Ms. Bakari is a lawyer and financial intelligence expert with years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

Alleviate suffering of Nigerians, control food prices, Lagos traditional ruler appeals to Tinubu

“Before her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, she served as Deputy Director at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, and was at different times the Head of the General Services Unit; Head of the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and Head of the Board Secretariat of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The President anticipates that Ms. Bakare will bring her wealth of experience and expertise to full discharge in this critical role, especially in view of his administration’s war against illicit financial flows and other sharp practices currently prevalent in segments of the nation’s foreign exchange markets,” the statement reads. 

Aiyedatiwa declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for Akeredolu’s burial.

Aiyedatiwa declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for Akeredolu’s burial.

The Ondo State Government has declared Thursday, February 22 and Friday, February 23, 2024, as public holidays to honour the late former governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu, who died on December 27 in a German hospital during a protracted illness, is scheduled to be buried on Friday in Owo, his home town.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Tuesday, the public holidays were declared to allow the people of the state to participate in the burial activities of the former governor.

The statement read in part, “The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared Thursday, 22nd and Friday, 23rd of February 2024 as public holidays in the state. This is in honour of the former governor of the state, the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

“The two work-free days will allow the people of the state to participate in the burial activities of the former governor.”

According to the statement, the burial activities which had started last Thursday, continued on Wednesday, February 21 with Ajabue (traditional rites) Owo.

It also includes the special court session in Court 1, Ondo State High Court headquarters, Akure while the lying-in-state and commendation service holds at the Akure Township Stadium.

The evening of tributes at St Andrews Church, Imola Street, Owo will hold in the evening on Wednesday.

On Thursday, February 22 there will be a Service of Songs at St Andrews Cathedral, Imola Street, Owo while Wake-Keep will be held at Maranatha Villa, Owo.

Candlelight Procession and World Gyration by the Kegites Club will hold at 8 pm till dawn

On Friday, February 23, funeral service will be held at St Andrews Church, Imola Street, Owo and interment will follow immediately after the burial service at the burial site, Owo.

Reception will holdat Mydas Hotel and Resort, Ikare Road, Owo by 1 pm.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 will feature Akeredolu Memorial friendly football match at Akure Township Stadium, Akure.

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, there will be a thanksgiving service at St Andrews Church, Imola Street, Owo.

Customs to begin distribution of seized food items — Spokesperson.

Customs to begin distribution of seized food items — Spokesperson.

The Nigeria Customs Service said it has concluded plans to commence the direct disposal of seized food items to Nigerians.

The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday.

Maiwada said that the move was in response to the critical challenges of food security and the soaring cost of essential food items in the country.

He added that the items must be certified fit for consumption before they could be distributed to Nigerians.

Recall that hundreds of Nigerians in some states recently demonstrated against the soaring cost of living in the country. Nigeria is suffering an economic crisis and soaring prices have left many people struggling to afford food.

Maiwada said, “To alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government

“These items would be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our areas of operations.”

He explained that the modalities for the disposal would be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, “with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety.”

“We pledge that this exercise would be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need,” he said.

The NCS spokesperson added that the service has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation, “and public engagement in its commitment to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains.

“This urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within our nation and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens”, he said.

Earlier, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to advance President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda.

He said that the commitment was deeply rooted in the NCS’s core mandate of serving the best interests of the Nigerians, “thereby fostering economic stability and prosperity.”

“The NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians. With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, we will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation,” Adeniyi concluded.

Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA.

The early morning flood on Tuesday in Command and Ipaja communities in Lagos impacted about 151 houses. Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said this in a statement.

Farinloye said preliminary assessment in some communities affected by the rainfall showed that residents were evacuated from 23 houses at Oke Ishagun.

He said 35 houses were affected at Isale Aboru, 29 houses at Ikola Community and 15 houses at Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi.

Also affected were 12 houses at Makinde Street, 16 houses at Olokowo Street, 21 houses at Adeola Street, among others.

Farinloye said NEMA was working with appropriate state MDAs to ameliorate the effect of the flood on residents.

He added that Lagos State had promised to make the state safer for residents.

Farinloye said Tuesday’s excessive rainfall and downpour earlier on Sunday were strong signals of what to expect with the outset of 2024 rainfall.

He said it was important to imbibe disaster risk reduction strategies.

“We must begin to adhere to safety measures against flood disasters.

“Thanks be to God that no live was lost and no one injured,” Farinloye said.

Meanwhile, Farinloye said the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, appealed to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages and desilt them.

Ahmed urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to be alive to their responsibility by coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments.

He appealed to Local Government authorities to sanction corporate organisations blocking drainages around their offices.

Read Also: Commuters stranded as flood takes over Lagos communities

He added that residents dumping refuse in drainages should be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to save the society.

The director-general expressed his support to the Lagos State government for its bold decision after the 2023 rainy season when it pulled down structures obstructing drainages across the state.

He urged other state governments to emulate Lagos State by taking bold steps toward making the environment safer.

(NAN)