Connect with us

Defence and Security

Senate seeks to establish Fed. College of Education, Gwoza

Published

on

Share

The Senate has considered a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, Borno State.

The bill which scaled second reading on Tuesday during plenary is sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South).

Leading debate on the bill, Ndume said the intent behind the establishment of the institution of learning is predicated on the need to have a strong educational sector that would continuously produce well qualified and trained teachers.

According to the lawmaker, the Federal College of Education, when established would, among others, transform the educational fortunes of the people of Borno north, and contribute to the development of the north east region devastated by insecurity.

He said, “Mr. President, my highly respected Colleagues, the enactment of this Bill Will help in transforming the educational fortunes of the people of Borno North, a Senatorial District that has existed without a higher institution of learning despite its size and population.

“It may also interest you to know that the establishment of this College would be an addition to the only existing higher institution (University of Maiduguri) in the State.

“The enactment of this Bill will help not only in transforming the decayed educational infrastructures in Nigeria, but also help in the development of the hitherto devastated North East Region of the Country.”

According to the lawmaker, the establishment of the institution would bring quality change in education by focusing on teacher education through teaching and learning innovations.

He added that the Institution would collaborate with other national and international institutions involved in training, research and development of Education with a view to promoting governance, leadership and management skills among Educational managers.

Ndume stressed that the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, would identify educational needs of the society with a view to finding solutions to them within the context of overall national development; as well as provide and promote sound basic education training as a foundation for the country’s development, taking into account indigenous culture and the need to enhance national unity.

Highlighting the need to provide higher education and foster a systematic advancement of the science and art of teacher education, the lawmaker said the institution would be a bastion that provides instruction on the various branches of Teacher Education for the purpose of research advancement and dissemination of knowledge.

Lawmakers such as James Manager (PDP, Delta South) and Ibrahim Shekarau (APC, Kano Central), in their contributions, said that having such an institution in Borno State, particularly against the backdrop of insurgent activities which threaten education, would encourage parents to send their children to school.

On his part, Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno North) described the proposal to establish the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, as a “welcomed idea”.

He added that the presence of the institution would meet the educational needs of residents of the area, which is considered the most populous local government in Borno State.

Also contributing, Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East), called on the Federal Government to approve the establishment of the institution when eventually passed by the National Assembly, adding that doing so would assuage the people of the state which has been worst hit by the activities of Boko Haram.

“We have to, on a continual basis, bring development to that area, so that the deficit can be assuaged”, Sekibo said.

The bill after passing second reading, was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further work.

The Committee which is Chaired by Senator Ahmed Baba Kaita (APC, Katsina North), was given four weeks to report back to the Senate.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Defence and Security

ARMY’S DEDICATION HAS RAISED CITIZENS’ CONFIDENCE’ — SANWO-OLU TELLS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Published

on

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Share

 

COAS in Lagos to launch new security operations

•Governor seeks military cooperation on traffic, environmental enforcements

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has hailed the Nigerian Army for committing to the rules of engagement and professionalism in its peace mission across the country.

The Governor said the Army had continued to live up to the expectations of their roles as provided by the constitution, stressing that the sacrifice paid by soldiers to keep the territorial integrity and peace of the country would not go unappreciated.

Sanwo-Olu spoke when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, at Lagos House in Marina, on Monday, in a courtesy visit.
Lagbaja was in Lagos for the clearance of Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) at the 9 Brigade Military Cantonment, Ikeja.

The Army, the Governor said, has earned the citizens’ confidence and respect as a member of the nation’s armed forces, given its sense of commitment, dedication and patriotism.
Sanwo-Olu said: “We are grateful to the Army and its men for their dedication to the country at this difficult time in different parts of the country. You have continued to uphold the constitution, maintain high integrity and stick to the best rules of engagement to protect the sovereignty of our country.

The Army is well respected by the citizens, given the commitment, dedication and sense of patriotism in discharging its statutory roles.

“The 2002 Ikeja bomb explosion was a trying moment for the Army, given the magnitude of the damage. But the event never weakened the resolve of the military. The Army has continued to live up to their responsibilities provided by the constitution and the sacrifice paid by soldiers to keep the territorial integrity and peace of our country would not go unappreciated. Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that the Army gets all the necessary support for your security operations.”

The Governor assured the Army boss that the State Government would rebuild a military primary school in Orile demolished for the construction of Lagos-Badagry Expressway. He sought for the cooperation of the military personnel in restoring sanity back to the Lagos-Badagry corridor, where the State Government has been clearing illegal shanties built along the expressway.

Sanwo-Olu also appealed for cooperation among military personnel in the ongoing enforcement across Lagos, including Okada ban enforcement. He noted that the ongoing enforcements were geared towards bringing sanity back to the State and preserving public assets.

The Governor said: “We have collective responsibility to keep Lagos safe for commercial activities. It is important to acknowledge the complementary effort of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in supporting our security architecture in Lagos, with OP Mesa operatives working with the police to ensure our safety.

That synergy among all security agencies is all that is required to maintain security.”

Lagbaja used the occasion to express his appreciation for the “tremendous support” the people and State Government accorded to the Army units and formations.

The Army boss acknowledged the infrastructure renewal programme of the Lagos Government, stressing that improved infrastructure would go a long way in helping the military respond rapidly to security situations requiring quick interventions.

He said military personnel will be major beneficiaries of the Lagos’ Blue and Red Line rail projects, as the trains would aid personnel’s commuting.

Lagbaja said his visit was to inform the Governor about the Army’s activities to be conducted in Lagos, noting that the exercises were designed to further entrench the peace and stability we have enjoyed in Lagos.

He said: “The Nigerian Army has put together a ceremony to remove unexploded ordnances at the site of the 2002 Bomb Explosion in Ikeja cantonment. The objective is to make the area safe and securely remove unexploded ordnances to a safe location in Ajilete area of Ogun State.

“We are ushering in the last three months of the year where citizens travel across the country for festivities. We need to provide safe and secure passage for the people travelling. We have put together three security exercises to prevent any form of breaches and these will be flagged off on Tuesday in Lagos.”

Continue Reading

Defence and Security

NAF Airstrike Kills 8 Terrorists In Borno

Published

on

NAF-Airstrike
NAF-Airstrike
Share

Airstrike undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has killed eight terrorists in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, said the aircraft was on armed reconnaissance mission on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 when it took out a guntruck with about eight terrorists at Baranga village in Marte local government area of the State.

He said the strike was carried out when two armed terrorists on a motorcycle along an active track were sighted and trailed to the location.

He said the terrorists after sighting the aircraft, took cover under a thick vegetation.

“Upon engaging the vegetation cover, a gun truck with eight terrorists suddenly appeared, speeding off to evade the attack.

“Subsequently, the gun truck was engaged and destroyed, thus eliminating the terrorists,” he said.

The statement reiterated that remnants of terrorists in the North-East have continued to seek the covers of thick forests and vegetation to evade being detected by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies.

He said the strike was yet again a clear indication of the commitment of the AFN towards ensuring terrorists find it difficult to randomly roam about freely attacking law-abiding Nigerians.

 

Continue Reading

Defence and Security

Police kill 3 IPOB Members, Recover Arms In Enugu

Published

on

Nigeria Police Force
Nigeria Police Force
Share

The operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have neutralised three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in their hideouts in Ezioha Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.

The police officers also recovered three pump-action guns, 10 machetes, and other incriminating exhibits.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who made the disclosure via a statement, said the gunmen were killed at about 2:15 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023.

Ndukwe stated: “A joint security team, comprising police operatives of the Enugu State Command, NPF Special Forces, and Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, acting on credible intelligence, busted the criminal hideout of IPOB/ESN subversive criminal elements.

“The criminal elements were already perfecting plans to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in the state.

“Three of the hoodlums, who opened fire on the joint team upon sighting them, were neutralised, while several others escaped with severe degrees of gunshot wounds in the ensuing gunfight.

“There has been an intense manhunt for those on the run.”

He quoted the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, as commending the joint team, assuring the security and safety of citizens and urging them to go about their lawful businesses in the state.

The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the police and other security forces to sustain the onslaught against unrepentant violent criminals operating under any guise, urging the people of Enugu State to report individuals sighted with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.

“The good people of Enugu State should remain law-abiding and continue to provide the police with actionable security information and intelligence,” Uzuegbu said.

 

Continue Reading