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Out-of-school syndrome, recruitment for future Boko Haram – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the out-of-school children menace in the country provides a fertile ground for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents, if not properly addressed now.
Obasanjo said this on Sunday in Bauchi, when he inaugurated the dualised seven-kilometre Awala-Mairuguri Road and 17.70-kilometre Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa National Airport Road.
He also inaugurated the 30-kilometre Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road.
In a speech at the ceremony, Obasanjo said that education and human capacity building are very essential in ensuring development and creation of a safer society.
He said: “World Bank says we have over 20 million out-of-school children, who should be in school but are not.
“For a population of about 220 to 230 million, that is 10 per cent of our population that should be in school that are not in school.
“Dear governor of Bauchi State, your Royal Highnesses present here, brothers and sisters, that is recruitment for future Boko Haram and nobody needs to tell us that.
“Apart from the 10 per cent of our population not being equipped to develop their inate capacity to be able to serve themselves, their family and communities, we are also preparing them to be recruited in 10 years or 15 years time for whatever form of Boko Haram it would be that time.
“We are preparing them for whatever form of banditry and it will not be kidnapers in the usual sense of it by that time, they may be coming to homes and be snatchers of people from their homes. Think about it.”
Obasanjo called on leaders at all levels to put hands together and find a lasting solution to the menace once and for all.
He commended Gov. Bala Mohammed for embarking on the road construction, renovation and dualisation, adding that they would open new opportunities for development.
He further said that the projects would significantly enhance transportation, boost commerce, create new jobs and make life easier for the residents and farmers in the state.
Earlier, the governor said that the roads were part of the larger transformative vision of his administration.
He said: “As of today, we have undertaken the construction of over 116 roads, totalling 1,482.25-kilometres across the state.
“Out of these, 79 have been completed and are ready for inauguration.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo also launched the distribution of 10,000 hearing aids to indigent people from the Northeast in Bauchi facilitated by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, in partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation. (sa
The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kano State Censorship Board Amendment Bill 2025, granting the board broader regulatory powers over entertainment and media content in the state.
The passage followed the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House and the third reading by the Clerk, Bashir Diso, during Monday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.
Briefing journalists after the plenary, the lawmaker representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Husseini, explained that the amendment empowers the board to oversee the registration of event centres and enforce strict compliance with Islamic principles in entertainment-related activities.
He further disclosed that the board’s name had been officially changed from State Censorship Board to Kano State Censorship Board to reflect its jurisdictional authority.
All films, series, and serials must now be censored and certified by the board before they can be aired,” Husseini stated.
Additionally, the amended law prohibits the indiscriminate shooting of films within the state without obtaining prior approval from the board.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Water Users Association Bill 2025 has passed the second reading in the Assembly.
Beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers, associated with the Northern States Governors Forum, have expressed their deep frustration over the prolonged issue of unpaid benefits totalling N2.1 billion. As of January 2025, the death toll of members awaiting these payments has tragically reached 106.
A statement issued by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum, and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers, highlights that “following the recent out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co, which was ratified on 27th November 2024 by the Federal High Court, expectations have soared due to the extreme poverty exacerbated by the delay in these benefits.”
It is worth noting that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers, had previously taken the Northern Governors to court over the payment of check-off dues. They successfully secured a garnishee order that froze the account of New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL), where the proceeds from the sale of NNN assets were held.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the case was eventually dismissed, and all previous garnishee orders were vacated, with all parties duly settled except for the New Nigerian Beneficiaries,” the statement emphasised.
The statement further lamented, “More than 100 days have passed since the resolution of this decade-long court battle, yet all New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors continue to suffer in silence, overwhelmed by pain and despair.”
However, the workers have praised the current Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna for providing some relief through strategic discussions with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariats. “These efforts are comforting, but in light of the harsh economic realities, the over 800 beneficiaries who have nearly 10,000 dependants are left in tears,” they added.
The statement reiterated, “The Northern Governors, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, possess the authority to shape the futures of nearly 1,000 New Nigerian Beneficiaries.”
“We take this opportunity to implore our Northern Governors’ Forum to extend their support, as the death toll of NNN beneficiaries awaiting payment has sadly risen to 106 as of January 2025.”
“In the spirit of Ramadan, we beseech our Northern Governors to show compassion towards our families, as many of us are struggling to break our fast.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks.
Rewane attributed the reduction in fuel price to a fall in global crude oil price.
Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has predicted that the cost of premium motor spirit also known as petrol will continue to decline until June 2025.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks, easing the pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on fuel for their energy needs.
But Rewane says the recent reduction in the pump price of the product is expected to continue until mid-year.
“So, generally between now and June, we will see prices begin to decline. But after June as things stabilize, depending on what happens in the global oil and currency market, we might begin to see some stabilisation,” Rewane said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Business Morning.
According to him, the price war between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL will benefit the consumer more.
“In a price war, nobody wins, the consumers win in the short run then eventually the market goes back to where it should be. But, at the end of the day, between now and June, the price leadership will be firmly established,” Rewane said.
He attributed Dangote Refinery’s reduction in the pump price of petrol to production cost efficiency.