News

By Anwar Usman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, affirmed that Nigerians are going through a serious difficulties, but assured that the situation will soon change for the better.

While Tinubu insisted that his administration was on the right track, he also noted that solutions to these problems cannot be an instant one.

On his part, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the current administration as tough men working to get Nigerians through the prevailing difficulties.

Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu, and the Lagos governor spoke at the 70th birthday of the Overseer of Citadel Global Community, Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos.

Akume said: “The president is aware of the hard times, but at the end of it all, there is always light. And solutions to diverse issues can never be as instant as coffee, but we are on the right track.”

The president also described Pastor Bakare as a spiritual leader and advocate for truth who had left an indelible mark, not just on those who follow his teachings, but on the nation as a whole.

“I am aware of your relentless passion for better Nigeria, a country where equal justice and good government prevails. This celebration is a testimony to a life of strength and courage, of powerful messages and fearless advocacy, deep volumes of your dedication to lifting humanity.

On another development, Sanwo-Olu said those in public office needs the public’s prayers, saying “It’s a hard times, but you see, we are also tough men, and we know that at the end of the tunnel, there will be a bright phase.”

By Uzair Adam

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed an indefinite strike across states that have not implemented the 2024 Minimum Wage Act, effective December 1, 2024.

The Daily Reality gathered that the directive came after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Friday.

In a communique issued on Sunday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero highlighted the union’s dissatisfaction with the delay or refusal by certain states to adopt the new minimum wage, viewing it as a violation of workers’ rights.

The strike order will apply to all state councils where the minimum wage remains unimplemented as of November 30, 2024.

The NEC communique expressed concerns over escalating inflation, economic hardships, and rising costs of living, all of which have severely impacted Nigerian workers.

It called for a comprehensive wage review and immediate intervention to ease citizens’ suffering. Additionally, the NLC emphasized the need for reforms in Nigeria’s energy and fuel sectors, including enhanced transparency in fuel pricing and reactivating domestic refineries to stabilize costs.

The communique criticized some state leaders, stating, “This betrayal by certain governors and officials disregards both legality and morality, denying workers their rightful earnings amidst worsening economic hardship.”

To ensure compliance, the NLC has set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, which will launch campaigns to mobilize workers and citizens against what the union termed an assault on workers’ dignity.

By Uzair Adam 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another act of vandalism, this time targeting its 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line. 

This attack comes as Nigerians await the restoration of power following the recent sabotage of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna lines.

In a statement issued on Sunday by TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the company revealed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 9, 2024. 

Vandals destroyed transmission towers T306, T307, and T308, disrupting power transmission along the affected route.

Efforts by TCN engineers to restore the line earlier on Saturday were unsuccessful when the line tripped. 

A subsequent inspection by TCN’s patrol team confirmed the vandalism, which included the theft of two spans of aluminium conductors. 

Although the double-circuit transmission line remains operational through line two, the company is working to replace the stolen components.

This incident is part of a worrying pattern of increasing vandalism targeting Nigeria’s power infrastructure, particularly in the Gwagwalada area. 

Previous attacks include the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on December 10, 2023, and the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024. 

Such ongoing disruptions are severely hindering the stability and expansion of the national power grid.

TCN has once again called for cooperation from local communities and security agencies to address the rising threat of vandalism. 

The company stressed that these criminal activities undermine efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s transmission system and serve as a disservice to all citizens.

By Uzair Adam 

A review of Niger State’s budget performance report has revealed that the state government allocated N1.2 billion to celebrations and special occasions in the first nine months of 2024. 

This expenditure represents about 4% of the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), which totalled N29.2 billion from January to September.

The spending has raised concerns, particularly as the state grapples with severe developmental and security issues. 

Recently, Niger State has faced violent attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of ten residents and the destruction of homes. 

Additionally, widespread flooding has devastated over 300 communities, with reports indicating eleven lives lost and 245 schools damaged.

Despite these challenges, the budget shows zero allocation for capital expenditures within the Ministry of Rural Development and the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency. 

This lack of investment comes at a time when a cholera outbreak has claimed sixteen lives and left 165 others infected. 

Due to the absence of potable water, many residents have resorted to using stagnant water sources shared with livestock.

In contrast, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education received only N196 million in capital funds, while the state’s basic healthcare sector saw no allocation for critical infrastructure improvements. 

Reports indicate that 71% of households in Niger lack adequate sanitary facilities, and half the population lacks access to clean drinking water, underscoring the pressing need for investment in essential services.

Amid claims of limited resources, Niger State’s spending priorities have sparked concern. 

The state currently has 1.6 million people living in poverty and an unemployment rate of 38.8%.

By Uzair Adam

Police in Adamawa State have detained a 19-year-old man for allegedly killing his newborn son in Mubi North Local Government Area.

SP Suleiman Nguroje, spokesperson for the Police Command, announced the arrest in Yola on Saturday.

The Daily Reality learned that the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was taken into custody on November 8 after the baby’s mother, who is reportedly his girlfriend, filed a complaint.

She alleged that the suspect came to her residence to see the newborn but later took the baby, under the pretense of an errand, and killed him.

Nguroje reported that the suspect is accused of burying the infant’s body in the Girpata area of Mubi.

Following the arrest, Commissioner of Police Morris Dankombo has ordered the case to be escalated to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State government has pledged its commitment to preventing sexual harassment in its higher education institutions.

The Daily Reality reports that that the Commissioner for Higher Education, Scince and Technology, Professor Isa Yusuf Chamo, disclosed this during a meeting with officials from the state’s educational institutions.

Prof. Chamo stated that the government’s stance is directed at creating a safer and more supportive learning environment for female students.

“The state will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment in our institutions,” he asserted, adding that while Jigawa has reported relatively few harassment cases, the government is committed to proactive prevention and strict enforcement.

The state has recently adopted the Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy developed by the Gender Mobile Initiative, designed to create a secure framework for students across educational settings in Nigeria.

Prof. Chamo noted that the policy will foster an atmosphere in which students can focus on their studies without fear, which in turn will enhance their confidence and academic performance.

He revealed plans to establish a dedicated committee to monitor the policy’s implementation across institutions, ensuring compliance and accountability.

The Commissioner also highlighted that workshops and seminars would be organized to educate students, staff, and faculty about the policy and their roles in supporting its implementation.

The Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Lawan Muhammad Haruna, also expressed gratitude to the Gender Mobile Initiative, noting that the policy positions Jigawa as a model for proactive change in Nigeria’s educational sector.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, announced plans for the state to independently generate and distribute electricity, while leveraging the National Electricity Act to alleviate the current power shortfall.

The governor explained that the Act empowers states to address their energy needs, which has prompted Kano to establish its own power generation and distribution agency.

The Daily Reality reports that in response to concerns about power shortages, Yusuf highlighted that Kano has around 20 dams that could be transformed into Independent Hydro Power Plants (IHPPs) to supply electricity across the state.

Currently, the state-owned 10-megawatt Tiga Hydro Independent Power Plant supplies energy to industrial areas and the Kwankwasiyya residential city.Governor Yusuf also mentioned that the Challawa-Gorge Hydro Power Plant, which is 65% complete, will contribute an additional six megawatts of power upon completion, reinforcing the state’s efforts to meet energy demands.

He called on the federal government to expedite projects crucial for Kano’s energy infrastructure, including the second Kaduna-Kano 330KV line, the Daura-Jogana-Kura 330KV line, and the solar initiative approved for 19 northern states.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in Indonesia has stripped 11 academics of their professorships due to alleged academic fraud. 

The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry launched an investigation after receiving a whistleblower report that the professors published papers in “predatory journals,” which prioritise payment over peer review. 

The investigation revealed that the professors paid approximately $4,500 to $8,640 to have their articles published. While they remain employed at the university, they have lost their professorial titles.

An additional 20 ULM professors are under investigation for similar allegations. 

Arief Anshory, a senior lecturer at Padjadjaran University, described the case as “the tip of the iceberg” in a systemic problem plaguing Indonesian universities.

“If we review all professors in Indonesia, half of them might be disqualified,” he stated. University rectors are often accused of encouraging lecturers to expedite their professorship applications to enhance the university’s reputation and attract funding.

“Every university wants to be among the top 10 or top 20,” Anshory noted. 

ULM Rector Ahmad Alim Bahri downplayed the incident, citing the university’s goal to become one of Indonesia’s top 20 universities by 2025.

“The case of the 11 professors does not prevent us from achieving that target,” he said. 

Experts warn that the emphasis on professor-student ratios and publication quantities has led to unethical practices.

Asep Saeful Muhtadi, professor at the State Islamic University Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, described the race for professorships as “out of control,” and urged swift measures to reinforce regulations and procedures. 

The Bandung Institute of Technology Professors’ Forum highlighted a loophole in the Higher Education Law allowing non-permanent lecturers to receive professorships without proper quality control.

This has resulted in individuals obtaining professorships despite lacking full-time university employment.

By Uzair Adam

The Yobe State Police Command has dismissed a report published by an online media outlet alleging that two of its officers were involved in a recent robbery in Potiskum.

According to a statement from DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the police spokesperson, the Command also denied accusations of obstructing court proceedings or protecting the accused officers.

The report, titled “Police disrupt court proceeding, take out colleagues accused of robbery in Yobe,” was described by Abdulkarim as “misleading and malicious.”

He clarified that no police personnel invaded a magistrate’s court to secure the release of any accused.

“There is no record of any robbery incident involving police personnel in Potiskum or elsewhere in the state,” Abdulkarim emphasized.

Setting the record straight, Abdulkarim stated that on February 23, a collision occurred between a truck and a motorcycle in Potiskum.

ASC Abubakar Umar from the Nigerian Correctional Service sought bail for the driver, which was granted, but the police retained the vehicle due to an ongoing investigation and the victim’s treatment. When Umar intervened, he was detained for obstruction.

The Area Commander subsequently ordered police personnel to return to their station, as the case involved a Fundamental Human Rights issue beyond the magistrate’s jurisdiction.

The Yobe Police Command has demanded that the media outlet retract the report and issue an apology or face legal action.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yobe Chapter has called on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the case and ensure adherence to court orders.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has officially flagged off the campaign for a School Feeding Program by HELLO INTERNATIONAL with the support of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on school feeding, for the pupils of LEA Ngwak, in Bokkos LGA and LEA Kwaghas Bungha in Mangu LGA.

The event which was held at Lamond Hotel Banquet Hall Jos, aimed at improving nutrition among school children, boosting school enrollment, and enhancing learning outcomes.

Barr. Mutfwang who spoke through the Chief of Staff, Government House, Jeremiah Satmak reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the education sector in the State, stating that addressing childhood hunger was a means to promoting education and securing the children’s future.

He acknowledged the efforts being made so far and challenged all to support the initiative for sustainability.

Plateau State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Chrysantus Dawam in his remarks, said the initiative was not just about providing meals, but rather nurturing the future, empowering education and ensuring that no child goes hungry as they pursue their dreams.

He said HELLO INTERNATIONAL, a Non Governmental Organization had also generously donated shade of three classrooms and new set of desks for LEA Ngwak, and essential items for both schools such as school uniforms, sandals, bags and writing materials to ensure that the pupils had the resources they need to succeed.

He commended their vision and noted the significance of education, being a key to a brighter future, adding that a child needed to focus on learning and not to be worried about where their next meal was coming from.

Founder and CEO of HELLO International, Dr. Nkiruka Agbazue said they had a shared commitment to a brighter future for the children of Plateau State, in fostering hope, equality and opportunity for all.

She stated the organization’s dedication to providing essential resources, creating programs that uplift communities, and empowering individuals to build sustainable futures, and that it also aimed at creating an environment where every child would not worry about hunger, poverty, and lack of basic resources.

While appreciating the commitment of all in this cause, Nkiruka assured of the Organization’s willingness to continue to work hand in hand with the Senior Special Assistant to the President and the Plateau State Government to expand and improve the initiative, and enlisted the support of all in order to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Also speaking was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, represented by Mrs. Kyenpia Best who commended HELLO INTERNATIONAL and the Plateau State Government for the step taken toward ensuring that no child in Plateau State faces the burden of hunger while striving for an education.

She added that the combined effort was an inspiring example, showing what is possible when the people come together for the future of their children, and expressed hoped that this initiative would not only continue but would expand to touch more areas of Plateau State and indeed, across the nation.

On his part, the Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board Hon. Sunday S. Amuna, represented by the SUBEB Permanent Member II, Hon. Kassam Goodwin Dul also commended the intervention and assured that as an agency overseeing the Universal Basic Education sector, it would remain committed to supporting the vision by prioritizing the well being and the education of Plateau pupils.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Plateau State School Feeding Program Manager, Mrs Tongdyen Tajan Moltok said the program was initiated to address the issue of malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable children.

And as a step toward improving the lives of the children, she added that it would also strengthen the communities to build a brighter future for their children and urged all to work tirelessly to ensure the success of the program.