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Concerns Group Urges Senate to confirm Hashidu As NEDC Chairman

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Gombe Concerned Citizen Forum has
has called on the National Assembly to approve the appointment of the Dr. Umar Abubakar Hashidu from Gombe State, as the Chief Executive Officer and managing Director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), without undue delay.

The North-East Development Commission was established in 2017 to oversee the rehabilitation and development of the Northeast region of Nigeria, which has been devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

As Nigerians await the screening and confirmation of the new NEDC nominee, Dr. Umar Abubakar Hashidu from Gombe State, groups and individuals in the state have come out to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for the nomination.

The call was contained in a communique signed by the association’s Council Clerk, Mubarak Aliyu, and shared with Journalists in Gombe,on Saturday, said his nomination must first be confirmed by the Nigerian Senate before he can assume office.

The Forum, which at the end of its regular quarterly meeting, yesterday, described the appointment as well deserved and called on the Nigerian Senate to expedite action in confirming the nominee.

He said Hashidu appointment as the CEO/MD of the NEDC has been widely hailed as a step in the right direction towards the development of the Northeast region, which has long been neglected by successive administrations.

According to him,”It is therefore imperative that the Senate expedites the screening and confirmation process to ensure that Dr. Hashidu can start work as soon as possible.”

He expressed its gratitude to Mr president , said Hashidu would bring his wide knowledge in the power sector to bear on his portfolio as a CEO/MD of the NEDC.

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The statement stated that by the nomination, President Muhammadu Buhari has rekindled their hope. In the same vein, Gombe Concerned Citizen Forum has commended the President for nominating Hashidu, describing it as putting round peg in a round hole, considering his track record as a thoroughbred professional.

“The Federal Government has validated the President’s early pledge to fish out the best brains the nation has to offer in his efforts to move the country out of socio-economic doldrums.

” The appointment of Hashidu could not have come at a better time, saying his kind of personality is required at this point in time to help set the country on the right path.

“The Northeast region has suffered years of neglect and underdevelopment, and the creation of the NEDC was a much-needed intervention.

“Dr. Hashidu’s appointment is a testament to the Buhari administration’s commitment to the development of the region, and the Senate must do its part by confirming him without delay”.

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Dr Elayo Reappointed As Nasarawa State Women Affairs Commissioner

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By Emma Peter

Governor Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State has reappointed Dr Princess Margaret Itake Elayo as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, following a recent cabinet reshuffle.

Dr Margaret’s reappointment comes after the state executive council was dissolved on 3 January 2025. While she was initially excluded from last week’s swearing-in due to allegations regarding the diversion of palliative materials, a subsequent investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.

The governor has also restructured the Ministry of Humanitarian, Special Duties & NGOs, renaming it the Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office at the Executive Council Chambers in Lafia, Dr Margaret expressed her gratitude to Governor Sule for the opportunity to serve again.

She pledged to revitalise initiatives focused on women and humanitarian issues, particularly empowering elderly women, vulnerable groups, and marginalised communities.

“Women are the backbone of society, the nurturers, and the future builders of the next generation,” she said.

“We must invest in their potential, equip them for success, and create an enabling environment for them to lead and innovate in facing everyday challenges.”

She further assured that under Governor Sule’s leadership, the ministry would drive meaningful change, champion women’s development, and ensure that women in Nasarawa State have a voice and a pathway to prosperity.

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Court adjourns bail application for detained Ohanaeze youth president

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An Ebonyi Magistrate’s court sitting in Abakaliki on Thursday adjourned hearing on a bail application for the release of the detained national president of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Mr Igboayaka Igboayaka until March 12.

Igboayaka was arrested in Owerri on Feb. 8 by operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ebonyi Police Command after winning reelection for a second term as the president of the Council.

He was subsequently brought to Abakaliki, where he was detained by the police.

Igboayaka was later arraigned on Feb. 12 at the Abakaliki magistrate court on a felony charge and was remanded at the Abakaliki Medium Custodial Centre.

The Magistrate, Mrs Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe, ruling on the bail application brought by the defence counsel, Mr Obinna Ekeke, said that the defendant was appearing before the court for the first time after he was remanded on Feb. 12.

But Ekeke, however, argued that the bail application was made consequent on the deteriorating health condition of the defendant and appealed to the magistrate to grant the request in the interest of justice.

“If not for the health condition of the defendant, we won’t stress ourselves; and it won’t serve us any good, the society, the interest of justice if this young man’s life is lost because of this case.

“This is my first time of appearing before this honourable court and this application for bail bears a mark of the Supreme Court, which has made a clear position on this.

” I strongly believe that this court has jurisdiction to allow bail even without application,” Ekeke said.

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The magistrate noted that the matter was coming up for the first time for hearing after the suspect was remanded after his arraignment.

She said: “This is the first time this matter is coming up after the remand; you also know that you can make this application at the High Court , so if by the next adjournment and the law says 14 days, you can apply for bail especially if it’s not a capital offence.

“Therefore , the matter is hereby adjourned to March 12 for compliance,” Ifeanyi-Olive ruled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution counsel was absent in court.

Igboayaka, 42, alongside others now at large, are facing trial for alleged conspiracy to commit felony and accusations of causing extreme fear to the people of Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government in Ebonyi (NAN)

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Oscar-winning actor, Gene Hackman, wife found dead at home

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Oscar-winning U.S. actor, Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog were found dead in their Santa Fe home, in New Mexico.

Adan Mendoza, Santa Fe County Sheriff, in a statement said:”We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

“This is an active investigation, however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hackman was known for iconic roles in movies like : ‘The French Connection’, ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’.

He was a two time Academy Award winner and retired from acting in 2004.

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