JUST IN; Freed Boko Haram captives need urgent support says Govt

Published

2 weeks ago

January 10, 2025

olalekan

JUST IN; Freed Boko Haram captives need urgent support says Govt

Mr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the Borno Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, has advocated urgent intervention to empower freed Boko Haram captives, to enhance their economic and social protection.

Wakilbe stated this during a courtesy visit by Hamsatu Allamin, Chief Executive Officer of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, on Friday in Maiduguri.

He said the call was imperative to fast track support and integration of the victims into the society, to enable them to resume normal life.

The commissioner lamented that some of the freed victims were exposed to sexual abuse due to their vulnerability, poverty and lack of support.

“I recently encountered an 11-year-old girl surrounded with three children. It was heartbreaking.

“The Cameroonian authorities’ repatriated young girls aged 13 to 15 with multiple children.

“These vulnerable individuals need urgent reintegration and support,” he said, adding that the spate of sexual abuse could be attributed to poverty and lack of viable alternatives for survival.

He also called for the establishment of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in border communities like Bama, Gwoza, and Kamburungara, to empower the resettled victims of conflict.

“We need sustainable programmes to address their vulnerability and provide alternatives. Poverty drives many of these individuals into vices like prostitution.

“Once we offer skills and support, they can rebuild their lives,” he said.

Wakilbe stressed the need to focus attention to handling conflict affected children, noting that traditional education systems were ill-equipped to address their unique needs.

“Our education system must accommodate these children but they are not equipped to handle the specific needs of these children.

“Those children witnessed unimaginable violence, abduction and displacement which requires tailored de-radicalisation and reintegration efforts..

“We tried integrating some of these children into regular schools, but it failed. For instance, some of the Chibok girls were enrolled in secondary schools, the principals reported that they could not handle the unique needs of these children.

“We had to transferred them to special programmes like Second Chance schools,” he said.

According to Walkibe, lack of long term planning in addressing the education needs of the conflict affected children has been a key concern, adding that donor agencies implemented programmes that failed to meet their immediate needs.

He said that teaching local languages like Hausa in areas where Kanuri was dominant missed the point, and stressed the need to focus teaching in English Language, to ensure that the children adapt to modern education.

The commissioner noted that some donor funded programmes failed to address the immediate needs of the region, and urged them to prioritise capacity building for educators, and implement viable long term solutions for conflict affected persons.

“There are 67,000 women and children in the camps. We cannot continue turning a blind eye. We must rethink how to educate and reintegrate them.

“We need centers to teach skills and provide start up packs for these girls. Poverty drives them into vices, but with alternatives, they can rebuild their lives,” he said.

He said the state government had trained over 300 women in vocational skills and distributed start up packs, to enable them to become self-reliant.

Wakilbe reitrated government’s commitment to partner with development organisations and agencies, to address problems affecting victims of the conflict.

In her remarks, Allamin called for interventions to address critical issues identified during the peace building programme initiated by the organisation.

She said the organisation identified serious issues that required immediate, proactive and sustainable interventions to address.

Allamin said the foundation had rehabilitated hundreds of women and girls involved in the insurgency under its Community-based De-radicalisation of Women and Girls in the state.

She said the de-radicalised women had encouraged their peers in the bush to surrender to the authorities. (NAN)

News

Nigerian Govt reacts to emergence of Donald Trump as United States President

Published

2 hours ago

January 22, 2025

olalekan

Nigerian Govt reacts to emergence of Donald Trump as United States President

In a bid to bolster international relations, the Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with the United States, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, the federal government extended its congratulations to the newly sworn-in US president, emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between the two nations.

The message, issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the areas where both countries have worked together for mutual benefit.

“Nigeria and the United States have maintained a productive partnership across various sectors, particularly in advancing good governance, promoting sustainable development, and combating terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement read.

“We look forward to enhancing this strong and historic relationship, ensuring that it continues to serve the interests of our people.”

As both nations seek to strengthen their strategic ties, the federal government remains optimistic about the future of this important international partnership.

News

JUST IN; POS operators to increase charges on transactions

Published

2 hours ago

January 22, 2025

olalekan

JUST IN; POS operators to increase charges on transactions

Point-of-Sale (POS) operators in Nigeria may soon increase service charges following the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% hike in telecommunications service tariffs.

The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) disclosed this development, citing the impact of the tariff hike on their operations.

Ogungbayi Ganiyu, AMMBAN’s National Public Relations Officer, explained that mobile money agents rely heavily on telecom services, particularly data, for their transactions.

“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges,” Ganiyu said.

He added that while POS operators may try to absorb the additional costs, the financial strain could eventually force them to increase charges to sustain their businesses. “We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated, indicating that further deliberations would determine the next steps.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has already vowed to challenge the Federal Government in court over the steep tariff increase, which marks the first adjustment in telecom charges since 2013.

With telecom services being the backbone of POS operations, the new tariff hike could create widespread implications for mobile money agents and their customers nationwide.

News

JUST IN; Saudi Arabia sponsors several Nigerians for Hajj

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2025

olalekan

JUST IN; Saudi Arabia sponsors several Nigerians for Hajj

The Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja has hosted a farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerians selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

A statement issued by the embassy in Abuja said the ceremony held under the leadership of Faisal Al-Ghamdi, the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria.

It said the initiative highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Al Saud, provides Muslims the opportunity to undertake the lesser Hajj with full sponsorship.

The statement quoted the ambassador as thanking King Al Saud and the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for their dedication to Islam’s holy sites.

He also praised their exceptional leadership in enhancing the services provided to pilgrims and ensuring that their journey to the sacred sites is both spiritually fulfilling and seamless.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honour.

” Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey,” he said.

Al-Ghamdi, according to the statement, said the country had invested over 100 billion dollars in the recent expansion and modernisation of the two holy mosques.

According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims.

He added that Saudi Arabia was sparing no effort in mobilising resources to improve pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.

Al-Ghamdi also emphasised the importance of adhering to the country ‘s laws and regulations, designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God.

” This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

Guests at the occasion expressed appreciation for the opportunity made available through the sponsorship initiative.

NAN reports that the programme provides pilgrims with the opportunity to perform the lesser Hajj, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation and other logistics. (NAN)