National
Army chief’s wife reiterates commitment to academic excellence in NAOWA schools
The President, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Maria Lagbaja, has reiterated her commitment to promoting academic excellence in NAOWA schools in support of the Nigerian Army’s educational drive.
Lagbaja made the commitment at the NAOWA College Abuja Speech and Prize Giving and Graduation Ceremony for the Year 2023/2024 Academic Session, on Saturday in Abuja.
She congratulated the graduating class for their dedication and determination which had brought them to that stage in their educational development.
According to her, the presentation of the NAOWA President’s prizes and awards to outstanding students and teachers was introduced to honor the exceptional achievements of the students and teachers and to serve as an inspiration for others to strive for excellence.
“This initiative highlights my commitment to developing the potentials of our future leaders and providing steadfast support to our dedicated educators who guide them.
“By recognising excellence, my aim is to motivate everyone in our community to reach new heights and contribute to a brighter, more promising future and society,” she said.
NAOWA president urged the graduating students to embrace all the opportunities to improve themselves in both academics and vocational skills in their future academic pursuits and also be good ambassadors of the school.
“For the graduating class, your achievement today only sets the important foundation for your future development.
“Therefore, as you embark on the next phase of your educational journey, remember the core values instilled in you here at the College which are hard work, integrity, respect, and kindness.
“These values will help to guide you through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of you,” she added.
Lagbaja advised parents to always guide their children in choosing the right career path without imposing their will in them.
She urged them to identify the innate ability and potential in their children to be able to guide and support them in their chosen career path.
In her lecture, Nafeesat Dada, Chairperson, NAOWA Educational Committee, said that every child needed mentorship from an experienced and trusted role models to be able to make right choices.
Dada Spoke on the topic, “The Role of Mentorship in Success: Learning from those with experience”.
According to her, it involves providing advice, support, encouragement to facilitate the personal and professional growth of the mentee.
“Mentorship typically involves sharing expertise, knowledge, insight and network to help the mentee achieve their goals and navigate challenges.
“Montors help the mentees to set goals so that their development will not be ended.
“They can help mentee self, professional and personal development goals for effective goal setting.
“The mentee must trust that the mentor has their best interest in mind and will provide adequate and honest guidance,” she said.
The Director of Administration of NAOWA College, Maj. Helen Otitolaiye, encouraged the graduands to reflect on the knowledge and experiences they had gained during their time in the school.
Otitolaiye urged them to embrace the challenges that lie ahead with confidence, knowing that they were well-prepared to make a positive impact in the world.
“I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the families and friends who have supported and encouraged our graduands throughout their academic journey in the school.
“Your unwavering support has played a crucial role in their success story, and today is a celebration of your dedication.
“I most sincerely thank the President NAOWA Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja for her continuous guidance, support and direction that has made today a reality,” she said.
Cyril-Elvis Okoh, the College Headboy and the overall best graduating student of Class of 2024, said the occasion was filled with a mixture of emotions, pride, excitement, nostalgia and a hint of nervousness.
Okoh said their graduation marked a significant milestone in their lives, saying that graduation was not merely a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, but also a celebration of growth, resilience, and the countless memories they had created together.
“Each one of us has embarkeat d on a unique journey faced with its own challenges and triumphs.
“But through it all, we have persevered, supported each other, and emerged stronger than ever.
“As the head boy of this college, I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve alongside such talented and inspiring individuals, the likes of the head girl, the deputy head boy and other prefects.
“Together, we have worked tirelessly to uphold the values of our school, to foster a sense of community, and to lead by example,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured debate, cultural performance and prize to students and teachers in different categories. (NAN
The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the N1.1 trillion Sukuk road projects from 2017 to 2024.
The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during the plenary on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Gaza Gbefwi, a lawmaker from Nasarawa.
The investigation aims to uncover and identify “instances of diversion, inflation, or contractor non-compliance” in the execution of the road projects.
While moving the motion, Gbefwi said a report by the Debt Management Office (DMO) shows it raised over N1.1 trillion through six sovereign Sukuk issuances to finance 124 federal road projects spanning 5,820 kilometres across the six geopolitical zones.
The lawmaker highlighted the breakdown of Sukuk financing as follows: N100 billion in 2017, N100 billion in 2018, N162.557 billion in 2020, N250 billion in 2021, N130 billion in 2022, and N350 billion in 2023.
He said reports suggest that an additional N150 billion was issued in October 2023, bringing the cumulative total to approximately N1.242 trillion by the end of 2024.
“Despite this significant investment, Nigeria’s road infrastructure remains in a deplorable state, with over 70 percent of the country’s 200,000-kilometer road network still unpaved, as noted by S&P Global Ratings in January 2024,” he said.
“Without robust accountability mechanisms, the Sukuk programme risks becoming a conduit for mismanagement or corruption.”
The motion was adopted when it was subjected to a voice vote by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over the plenary.
Consequently, the house mandated the committee on works to conduct a “forensic probe” into the allocation, expenditure, and outcomes of the N1.242 trillion Sukuk fund.
The parliament also directed the federal ministry of works to provide detailed records of all Sukuk-funded projects, including financial disbursements, project statuses, and updated contractors’ performance.
National
INEC Notifies Natasha Akpoti Of Recall Move, Confirms Receipt Of Petitioners’ Contact Details
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written to notify Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, about the petition by constituents seeking her recall from the national assembly.
INEC said it has also received the contact details of the petitioners.
“Pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the senate,” the letter reads.
“The notification is in line with the provisions of clause 2 (a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
“This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the senate and simultaneously published on the commission’s website. Thank you.”
The letter was signed by Ruth Oriaran Anthony, secretary to the commission.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC said it has now received the updated contact details from representatives of petitioners seeking to recall the senator.
In the statement, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of information and voter education, said a letter notifying the senator of the petition has been delivered to her official address, copied to the senate presiding officer, and published on the commission’s website.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency. This will be done in the coming days,” Olumekun said.
“The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
The allegation came in the wake of her seating arrangement altercation between Akpabio and the Kogi central senator at the red chamber
She was subsequently suspended from the senate for six months for “gross misconduct” over the incident.
The constituents behind the recall move also alleged her of “gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceitful behaviour”.
The senator has denied wrongdoing and called the recall effort a “coordinated suppression” of her voice.
….Says Ibas only Accountable To Tinubu,Wike Only
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the United States has rejected the appointment of Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as sole administrator of Rivers state.
BACKGROUND
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis and vandalisation of oil facilities.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers state governor, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibas as the sole administrator for Rivers state.
On March 20, the senate and the house of representatives controversially ratified Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.
The presidency had said the decision to prevent further escalation of the political crisis in south-south state.
A statement on Wednesday by Lloyd Ukwu, NADECO USA president, said Ibas would only be accountable to Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory(FCT), and not the people of Rivers state.
Ukwu claimed that Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to suspend Fubara and appoint a sole administrator, describing the appointment as “illegitimate”.
“Nigeria operates as a federation, with Rivers State as a sovereign entity, and Tinubu, as President, lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend an elected governor like Fubara,” he said.
“Rivers State is not a subordinate institution, neither is it a High School and Tinubu is not its overseer and not the Principal of a high school who can suspend a student willy-nilly.
“In a democracy, sovereignty resides with the citizens, not with an unelected administrator or an aspiring autocrat or want-to-be civilian dictator in Abuja.
“Governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed—leaders are entrusted with the power to serve the people, not to rule over them by imposing an administrator over them.
“The people of Rivers State exercised their democratic right in 2023 by electing Siminalayi Fubara as their governor.
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“They did not choose an imposed administrator. NADECO therefore demands the immediate resignation of this illegitimate appointee.
“True democracy requires that governance be rooted in the people’s will, expressed through free and fair elections.
“This imposed administrator is accountable not to Rivers people but to Tinubu, Akpabio, Kereke-Ekun, and Wike. His allegiance lies with these political actors, not with the citizens he claims to govern.
“The principle of ‘Power to the People’ is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights instruments, including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“Upholding this principle, NADECO insists that Rivers people must completely and resolutely reject this illegal administrator, forcing his resignation. Anything less is unacceptable.”