In aggressive, offensive operations against terrorism and insurgency, Nigerian Army troops have obliterated yet another terrorist stronghold, successfully rescuing kidnapped students and seizing a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Troops also eliminated some insurgents, while some others were captured alive.
On 12 September 2024, acting on reliable intelligence, troops stationed in Kaduna State launched a highly coordinated operation aimed at rescuing abducted persons from violent extremist camps. Engaging in an intense firefight at Chigbolu village, Kachia Local Government Area, the troops overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to flee and abandoning their captives.
A thorough sweep of the area led to the rescue of 13 victims, comprising six males and seven females, as well as the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, 87 rounds of 7.63mm ammunition, four magazines, a locally fabricated rifle and the sum of ₦192,220.00.
Five solar panels, five mobile phones, dry rations, and clothing items were also recovered. The rescued victims have been evacuated to 1 Division Medical Services and Hospital for medical attention.
In another decisive operation, troops in Kachia Local Government Area have intercepted two notorious terrorist logistics suppliers, Mallam Usman Waikili and Salisu Idris, at Kagarko village. The troops confiscated the sum of ₦1,306,700.00, three SIM cards, two mobile phones, three national identity cards, 8 ATM cards, 2 Moniepoint POS machines, an MTN MiFi and other items from the suspects.
In a separate operation in Suleja, Niger State, troops stormed a terrorist hideout, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. The troops’ overwhelming firepower led to the neutralization of 3 terrorists, while three others, identified as Mallam Halalu, Mallam Suleiman, and Mr. Musa, were captured alive. The suspects led the troops to a hidden armoury, where 3 AK-47 rifles, 121 rounds of 7.62mm.
A putatively held belief is that the banditry and crime in the Zamfara region of Nigeria cannot be unconnected to the politics of gold and other natural resources mining. But something deadlier than politics, a stealthy by-product of crude extraction methods at the core of gold mining, might have played a leading role in the increase in crime we are witnessing today in the region.
In the early 2000s, possibly due to the recent change in rule from a military to a democratic one, a renewed gold interest in Zamfara resulted in a mini gold rush. Women and men in the villages would dig out rock ore and extract the gold through crushing and grinding; the resulting dust was contaminated with lead. Some even brought this newfound work to their homes, contaminating their food, water, clothes, and, most dangerously, children. What followed in child deaths from lead poisoning created an unintended raucous through polio vaccination outreach and ended up inviting several efforts to clean up the areas and treat the surviving children.
It is well known that lead is dangerous, even in small doses. It mimics calcium in the body and can be stored in bones, continuing to poison the body even years after initial exposure. The brain is the most sensitive organ to lead. It basically blocks the release of neurotransmitters, which causes headaches and memory loss, and children are especially susceptible. There is no doubt among scientists that lead exposure can cause permanent learning disorders and behavioural problems.
Studies on baby teeth showed that even lead exposure well below the “safe” level results in delayed learning, decreased IQ and increased behavioural problems. There was a direct correlation between lead in children and the inability to graduate from high school in the US. While the CDC has since lowered the acceptable levels of lead in children’s blood from 60ug/dL to 3.5ug/dL over the years, there is no safe lead level as far as it is known today.
Globally, about 65% of all unexplained intellectual disability are believed to be caused by lead. Many countries have monitored the levels of lead exposure in their children over time. In Nigeria, we have little to no data nationwide. A particular US data, however, shows troubling correlations.
Violent crimes steadily rose from the 1970s to the 1990s before abruptly declining. The troubling part? A graph of average preschool blood lead levels looked strikingly similar to crime levels roughly twenty years apart. The question was whether kids exposed to higher levels of lead grew up to commit more crimes.
The same pattern appears in Britain, Canada, and Australia. In another study, the lead concentrations in the blood of those arrested for violent and anti-social behaviour could not have been more correlated with their behaviour. This shows that lead is at least very likely responsible for some of the increase in crime.
Whatever the reason for the resurgence of artisanal gold mining in Zamfara in the early 2000s, children raised in that period were in their early teens and 20s when the country began to witness an upsurge in bandit activities at the start of 2010. Thankfully, considerable clean-up efforts and community sensitisation mean there is an unlikely recurrence of lead poisoning effects on this scale around the region. A decline in violent activities can only then be hoped for.
Glissading along the same line, the biggest source of lead pollution worldwide was the tetraethyl lead compound that was added to gasoline to make leaded fuel. Nigeria completely phased out leaded gasoline in 2004, as did all other countries between 1986 (Japan) and 2021 (Algeria). Nigeria witnessed a record period of civil violence from the 1970s until about the early 2000s. The current crop of our, in my opinion, clearly cognitive-declined politicians was the most exposed to vehicular lead poisoning in the same generation as the perpetrators of multiple violent religious and ethnic crises.
The dangers of lead had already been known for hundreds of years. In 1786, Benjamin Franklin remarked that lead had been used for far too long considering its known toxicity – “This, my dear friend, is all I can at present recollect on the subject. You will see by it that the opinion of this mischievous effect from lead is at least above sixty years old. And you will observe with concern how long a useful truth may be known and exist before it is generally received and practised on.”
Scientists decided to add lead to fuel one hundred and fifty years later (i.e., after Benjamin Franklin’s speech). Almost one hundred years after that, the juveniles among our (Nigerian) citizenry were exposed to lead, leaving a nation to wonder why there is so much crime in our time.
Dr. Abdulkadir Lawan wrote via abdullwn@gmail.com.
You will find some highly versatile members whose contributions drive their areas in every place. The Department of Chemical Engineering at ABU Zaria is no exception. I cannot imagine the department without Professor Atta’s services.
Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering is among the PhD courses that ring the bell in the department, thanks to the delivery methods perfected by Prof.
Prof. designed his class with weekly assignments submitted before each session. Students take turns submitting and answering immediate follow-up questions, ensuring that even those copied must read. Adhering to this weekly activity is a Prof trademark except for unusual circumstances, keeping students engaged throughout the week. The more time one dedicates to a topic, the better one understands it.
There is also a group project where the class is divided into teams. Each team is assigned a research topic to develop into a term paper. This project often includes laboratory work, computational work, or both to publish a paper in a respected journal. Like the weekly assignments, group work is reported biweekly. The group leader makes a presentation, but each member contributes. Though it is challenging for a group of two or three to produce a paper during coursework, the skill that comes with that is priceless.
Then there is the industrial visit. Prof. Atta ensures that students make at least one visit to a process industry, particularly the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), to study chemical reaction units such as Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCCU) and fixed bed reactors. These academic excursions are vital for complementing student knowledge or, as Prof. puts it, making knowledge functional.
During our visit to the KRPC FCC unit, the chief operator unleashed the practical working principles of the process. At the same time, Prof. Atta facilitated the connection between theory and practice to us. The duo of Prof. and the experienced chief technician, a reservoir of experience, kept us on our toes until we wished to call it a day. A colleague turned to me and whispered, “Whenever a chemical reaction is being discussed, Dr. (then) can never have enough.”
Of course, this rigorous teaching approach doesn’t sit well with every student, but that never makes Prof. Atta take his foot off the gas. I was surprised at the end of the coursework when a colleague, who was in collusion terms with the course, declared, “I now understand modelling and simulation for the first time.” This is another reason one should not be deterred by complaints of those he is supposed to train. Trainees often want to avoid the process and jump to the achievement, so a trainer must stick with his gun; as they say, the end justifies the means.
A conducive environment is a major concern for research students in Nigeria. Simple tools like a weighing balance, pH meter, or glassware can affect and slow down research. To address these small but impactful issues, Prof. prepared a mini lab equipped with all basic and some analytical equipment. This lab includes a working area, a reading area, and lockers for everyone.
One day, an MSc student met me in the lab and, after his observations, declared, “You, Prof. students, are enjoying,” as if he would say I will join you. Still, to my chagrin, he confessed: I couldn’t join Prof. because I wasn’t serious enough to qualify to work with him.
Another major concern for postgraduate students is time. Many suffer from a lack of contact time and engagement with their supervisors. However, with Prof. Atta, the story is different. His office is a Mecca for PG students, with students queuing from morning to evening, each waiting for their turn.
Of course, other significant issues that concern the nation and society pop up and are discussed. As a melting pot, the professor’s office allows free fall for ideas, but primordial affiliation has no place. Such gatherings of students, sometimes Professor colleagues, and visitors from various backgrounds are a rare opportunity not only to get a glimpse into diverse area research and technological trends but also to learn about others’ personal life journeys and ambitions.
The professor’s dedication to academics is exemplary and worthy of emulation by young (and not-so-young) scholars. It will go a long way to facelift postgraduate study in Nigeria.
Bilyamin Abdulmumin, PhD, wrote via bilal4riid13@gmail.com.
Grades play a crucial role in determining academic and professional opportunities, particularly in Nigeria. The importance of graduating with high grades, such as a 2:1 or a First Class, cannot be overstated. These distinctions not only reflect a high level of academic achievement but also significantly influence career prospects and societal perceptions.
In Nigeria, a First Class degree is often seen as a mark of exceptional capability and dedication. Graduates with such distinctions frequently find themselves in advantageous positions, receiving more attention from employers and academic institutions. This respect is not merely symbolic; it often translates into tangible benefits, such as better job opportunities and career advancement.
The significance of high academic grades is underscored by how people’s attitudes shift upon learning of one’s academic achievements. A First Class graduate, for example, can command immediate respect and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. This is not just about the prestige associated with such grades but also about the perceived reliability and potential of the individual.
The connection between academic success and professional opportunities is evident in real-world scenarios. For instance, prominent individuals in various fields often inquire about a candidate’s degree classification during recruitment or networking conversations. This highlights the weight that academic performance carries in shaping career trajectories.
Moreover, discussing school grades has become a notable topic in the Arewa media space. This debate is one of the region’s most engaging and influential trends, reflecting how deeply academic success is intertwined with personal and professional development.
The discussion around grades not only fosters a competitive academic environment but also serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about educational standards and career prospects.
In conclusion, while opportunities exist for all graduates, those with higher academic achievements often have enhanced prospects. The debate around school grades, especially within the Arewa media, underscores the critical role that academic performance plays in shaping futures. Thus, striving for excellence in one’s academic pursuits is a matter of personal pride and a strategic advantage in the competitive landscape of career opportunities.
Abdurrazak Muktar (Makarfi) wrote via prof4true1@gmail.com.
Hajiya Dada Yar’adua, the mother of Nigeria’s former president, the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, has passed away.
She died on Monday evening at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina after a short illness.
Hajiya Dada was also the mother of the late Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army.
The family is expected to announce the burial arrangements at a later date.
The education crisis in Northern Nigeria has reached alarming proportions, with millions of children out of school and illiteracy rates soaring. We must take immediate action to address this crisis, and a private and public partnership led by the Federal Government is the way forward.
The federal government must lead the implementation of an ‘Emergency Education Liberalization of Northern Nigeria.’ This initiative should not only focus on reducing the number of out-of-school children and setting targets for illiteracy reduction but also on implementing a comprehensive strategy that leaves no stone unturned in achieving these goals.
To achieve this, a task force led by the President, with a prominent Northerner as Deputy 1 and a foreign expert as Deputy 2, should be established. This task force should collaborate with international organizations like UNESCO, the UN, the World Bank, and foreign governments like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Morocco.
Furthermore, local and international philanthropists, Northern business leaders like Dangote and BUA, and UN Deputy General Secretary Amina Mohamed should be involved in this initiative. The private sector should manage funds to ensure transparency and efficiency.
In addition, Northern governors and LGA chairmen should submit lists of schools and enrollment figures. At the same time, traditional rulers, Imams, Pastors, celebrities, musicians, and social media influencers should be engaged to promote education. Skills acquisition centers should be established, and technical colleges should receive more equipment.
Finally, I firmly believe this approach can make significant strides in addressing the education crisis in Northern Nigeria. The time for action is now, and we must work together to ensure that every child in the region has access to quality education.
Whether you like it or not, populism is the giant stallion politicians ride to victory in every race. They strike at the cords of the utmost desires of the public, exaggerate the failures of the existing structure, and swear by the deities they worship that they possess the magical cure. They have the staff that can open up the Nigerian Red Sea of trouble to ‘let my people go.’
So, this upcoming August protest in Nigeria is another populist stage—dramatic personas will sing the chorus of what everyone already knows, what everyone already endures, and what everyone already believes is no longer humanly possible for the current crop of Nigerian politicians to address.
#ENDSARS was a huge success (?), to a relative extent. Youths expressed their rage at an overtly abusive agent of the government, a special unit of the Nigerian police force, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS, as it became notoriously known in 2020.
The protest was beyond police brutality and high-handedness. This was when the country was amid the coronavirus pandemic, economic recession, and poverty –you could perceive the pungent odor of poverty in the air. Life was becoming unaffordable and unpalatable. So if poverty provides the ground for hunger, then hunger was close relative to anger and frustration, then it was clear that #ENDARS was bigger than the demand for an end to police brutality.
It could be concluded that the frustration, hunger, and anger that hung in the air were the oxygen in the protesters’ blood. It was the crucial component of the energy that drove the protesters to the streets—although the activation energy came from the said ‘police brutality’ through the SARS.
Four years later, these youths moved on, and the country’s situation did not seem to display any sign of positive change. The only visible changes, obviously, must be said—there’s a proactive approach to leadership. Even if some government areas prove difficult and impossible, the leadership is resilient.
It is now widely seen that the federal government has hastily increased the national minimum wage, granted autonomy to local government, launched a student loan scheme, and is vigorously engaging with stakeholders on the eve of this August protest.
The government is already taking important measures to prevent a protest from escalating into an ugly situation.
Here in the North, the Ulama have strong control over the youth, and they are already calling on youths to avoid violence or any action that could potentially undermine the nation’s fragile state. So, if the protest eventually occurs in parts of the North, it is expected to be peaceful.
The Northerner respects leadership – good or bad, as long as such leadership does not directly conflict with his religious belief, especially the unity of God. But this calm doesn’t suggest silence! Neither does it imply agreement with the prevailing hardship. There will always be strong condemnation and damnation against the extravagant and ostentatious lifestyle of the political elite amidst hardship among the talakwa. This is sometimes expressed in rhetorics – with Allah ya isa.
This weekend, the Hausa political praise singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara, had his Facebook page deleted after users reported him over a song. In Rarara’s usual style, the song in question seeks to indicate that the life of talakawa has improved under the current Nigerian government. It can essentially be said that the song trivializes the grievances of the public against the government.
Rarara is known to reduce the opposition to his benefactors to nothing, sometimes even mocking them using his rhythm and lyrics. So, this was undoubtedly one of those instances met with the appetizer of the upcoming protest.
Back to the protest—one thing is certain in this part of the world: no matter how hard the poor fight, the elitist lifestyle that serves as a precursor to their pathetic condition cannot be changed. Protests do not improve the quality of life in this part of the world; they rather push the poor from frying pan to fire, leaving behind ashes of instability and unrest that go on long after the protest is over.
So it’s best to be wise and think twice – peaceful dialogue and engagement with the authorities.
For so long, I abandoned writing on Nigeria and its leadership situation because doing so wastes time, energy, and resources. I avoided discussing its precarious situation because I am still very sceptical and, most of the time, extremely despondent about its progress and development.
But whenever one realizes that certain classes of people in the country, most especially the current Nigerian politicians, are clueless and ignorant about the dynamics of global change in various countries of the world, one has no choice but to waste another day clearing the bushfires or/and the politicians’ colonial hot air historical jargon.
Most of my friends have known my candid view(s) for so long about why Nigeria, and by extension, Africa, is generally not developed and almost 98% of the countries on the continent, including mine, cannot grow!
The stupefaction of colonization historical facts by the Nigerian “political class” and even its military apparatus is entirely unwholesome, very untrue, and most of the time very dangerous to our national savvy! I don’t want to call the current political crooks in Nigeria “leaders” because most of them are perturbed and pathological liars! Indeed, the legendary Bob Robert Nesta Marley had squarely defined the world’s political ruling classes, especially the political presidents and their ruling maladroitness, in one of the songs that he dubbed “Real Situation.” Marley and his honourable Wailers explained succinctly through music the political mentality of the local and international politicians.
Hear the legendary Marley and the Wailers:
“Check out the real situation. Nations war against nation. Where did it all begin? When will it end? Well, it seems like total destruction is the only solution. And there isn’t any use; no one can stop them now. Nobody can stop them now. Give them an inch; they take a yard! Give them a yard; they take a mile (ooh). Well, it seems like total destruction is the only solution. And there ain’t no use; nobody can stop them now. Check out the real situation. Check it out. Nation fights against nation… Everybody is struggling. There’s no use in you even trying. Got to say ‘bye-bye!” (Emphasis mine).
I quoted this legendary musical maestro of all time to make a case in point over Nigeria’s political class’s incomprehensible incompetence and distorted Western colonization historical accounts. They fabricated and are still fabricating lots of lies by blaming the Western world for the country’s political and military underdevelopment. They always point accusing fingers at the colonial masters, and, very recently, they are “perfecting” their scheme by throwing their “leadership” lacklustre truncheon at foreign countries’ influence!
You may accuse Bob Marley by calling him names for being an Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp) chain smoker. However, one thing you can never take away from him is his mastery of the English language through music. He concluded that global politicians, especially the Nigerian brand (emphasis mine), are generally “devils and corrupt.” May Allah give Marley relief for advocating the nicest words via philosophical lyrics!
According to Bob, ninety per cent of what politicians say is untrue. Therefore, one should think twice before taking them seriously.
The real Nigeria’s situation 15 to 20 years after independence
Both the Nigerian military “elites” and the political class are too economical with the truth nowadays. They shamelessly accuse Western countries such as America, Britain, and France of intervening or meddling in their leadership affairs! They blame these countries for Nigeria’s lack of economic development and prosperity because they think everybody will believe what they say.
With due respect, I beg all Nigerians, whether army or civilian, to sincerely disagree on the veracity of Nigerian politicians and even its military leaders’ blame for Western influence, interference, or blame game. Why does the Nigerian political class, including its military, resort to this unfounded ideology to ruin our people, make them highly impoverished and pauperized, and, in the end, make the entire citizenry appear inferior to the political class subjugation and their cantankerous posture? One hasn’t the vaguest idea!
Twenty years after the country’s independence, Nigeria’s situation was by far the best in Africa and, by extension, more than certain countries in Europe and the Americas (both North and South).
Many foreign nations were present in Nigeria, doing business with grandeur, style, and passion for their businesses in Nigeria. Canada and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1980s, with their businesses thriving remarkably. Italy and Italians came to Nigeria and did serious business with FIAT Coy. They competed very seriously with Steyr Motor Company in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Britain, our colonizer, and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s, flourishing their grand businesses in Nigeria. Indeed, Italy and its companies were here in Kano, Nigeria, in the 1970s and 1980s, doing their business generally in the country. France and its companies were here in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s, doing their business diligently with respect for the Nigerian people.
Let’s start with Canada! The Canadians were interested in investing in Nigeria. They came with their renowned company, Steyr, founded by its farmer, Mr. Leopold Heide. They sought a partnership with the Nigerian government. Canada convinced Nigeria of the reputation of the Steyr motor company, which was performing remarkably in Steinbach. It entered into a partnership business with Nigeria and established an assembly plant in Bauchi State. It supported the Nigerian government to employ hardworking Nigerians.
Canada trained and taught Nigerians how to assemble Steyr tractors, trucks, and buses in Bauchi. Within a year, Nigerians could produce 5,000 tractors, 2,000 trucks, and 2,000 buses inside the Steyr quarters, located just a little bit on the outskirts of Bauchi State. This Canadian company was performing remarkably. At that time, Nigeria was not purchasing trucks or tractors from China or anywhere else.
Then Nigeria produces its farming tractors and trucks! It did not matter to look anywhere else the way its current president is busy wasting his time globetrotting to Qatar and France to beg their leaders to come and invest in an atmosphere that is no longer passionate!
Steyr tractors and buses were all over Nigeria until the company met its Waterloo in the hands of Nigeria’s military government. The military privatized it and sold it to individuals. The remnant of the company is now grappling with the issues of its old workers who spent well over six years without salaries as of 2002. The rest is history! But I shall come back to this point and advise on how it could be revived and salvaged for the Nigerian farmers. So that they no longer look up to China to have agricultural success.
Fabrica Italian Automobili Torino, popularly called FIAT Company, was here in Kano State, Nigeria! They came from Turin, Italy, and established FIAT IVECO, which Giovanni Agnelli originally founded. Indeed, the actual English translation of FIAT is not roughly far-fetched from the Italian Automobiles Factory, Turin (FIAT).
Then, Kano produced amazing tractors for farmers who farmed large hectares of land and produced groundnut pyramids that were second to none globally! Kano, Nigeria, was a hub and a beehive of groundnut activities worldwide. Kano imported groundnuts to most parts of Europe and other African developing nations.
Courtesy of Torino Italiano! Where our politicians got the notion to accuse the white people of killing Nigeria, and Nigerians are just trying to tell half-truths or untruths about the reality of Nigeria’s situation.
11. The British and their companies were visibly doing great business to elevate Nigeria to the loftiest heights. And I will tell you how! I will explain in clear terms to the corrupt Nigeria’s political class that the majority of them are either not educated, half-educated, or even ignorant about what colonialism and colonial or external inference stand for, especially in this modern world.
The British came from Nottingham, England, and established their Raleigh Bicycle Company in various places in Nigeria, including Kano State. My dad bought a Raleigh for my elder brother around 1982–1983! I cannot remember the year, but I was busy stealing a show of Brother Abubakar’s mastery. Anytime he was cycling on his brand-new Raleigh, it was amazing! One day, he gave me an idea of how to ride a bicycle!
In 1984, our dad was posted to the local government of Hadejia in old Kano State. We were housed at Site Quarters along Birniwa Road! Our staff quarters were a few kilometres from a village called Gandun Sarki in Hadejia local government. Our daddy’s neighbour and a father to our two friends, Sani Bello and Abubakar Bello, bought them a Raleigh Chopper! I still remember Sani giving me a ride on his beautiful Raleigh Chopper. And lest you forget, Raleigh was initially founded by Sir Frank Bowden.
Frank discovered himself and his high penchant for cycling on Raleigh after experiencing its health benefits firsthand after he had a spell of bad health. But unlike Frank’s, Sani Bello’s Raleigh Chopper and Abubakar’s Raleigh Bicycles sincerely made our days feel like we were on top of the world! We were, of course, busy cycling and dreaming of growing up in Britain so that we could have our Raleighs!
Contrary to our terrible political leaders, who are bereft of ideas and don’t know what to do to salvage the city’s public transportation systems, they refuse to revive the Raleigh Companies or to go and beg Nottingham to come back to Kano and construct a new brand of Raleigh Company and Bicycle Roads’ network to alleviate mass transit in petrol cars and buses.
The French Michelin Company and its people were in Lagos and Port Harcourt! The Michelin Group of Companies, headquartered in Clermont Ferrand, France, felt very comfortable leaving their comfort zones to come and invest in Michelin tyres in Nigeria! Then, the Michelin Group provides excellent-quality tyres to Nigerian motorists and over 170 countries at a very cheap and affordable price!
Today, these political crooks in governance are trying to fix Nigerian roads in a very crooked way, using trillions of naira that ordinarily were supposed to have been utilized in other areas to build a world-class transportation system in Nigeria. The French also had their Peugeot assembly plant in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Every government senior staff member in either local, state, or federal civil service was officially provided with a brand new Peugeot car and a driver! Then, Nigeria was doing excellently in terms of staff welfare and human capital development. One hasn’t the slightest idea how our modern-day and broad daylight political thieves got the notion of always pointing accusing fingers at the Western world over the current national predicament.
To be continued!
Nura Jibo, MRICS, wrote in from Marriot Marquis. Contact Nura at jibonura@yahoo.com.
A devastating clash between farmers and herders in Kodomun, Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, has left at least eight people dead and several others injured.
According to Suleiman Nguroje, Police Command PRO, a joint security team has been deployed to restore order in the area, but no arrests have been made yet.
This latest incident marks a recurring pattern of violence, resulting in significant loss of life, livestock, and property over the years.
The Daily Reality gathered that the crisis allegedly began with the murder of a youth in Kodomun by suspected herders, escalating tensions and spreading to neighboring villages, including Kudiri, Sabonlayi, Kwayine, and Gorogbakai.
In response, Demsa LGA Chairman Akham Jalo called for calm during an emergency meeting at the palace of Hama Batta, HRM Homun Alhamdu Gladstone Teneke. Jalo urged stakeholders to work towards a lasting solution to the persistent conflict.
Gombe State has made a significant stride in its investment drive by becoming the first state in Northern Nigeria to benefit from the Nigeria Investment Promotion Certification programme, which is being implemented by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The programme is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This was disclosed by the UNDP representative, Adejumobi Fashola, at the opening session of a three-day workshop for officials of the various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Gombe state on building the state’s competence to provide information capable of attracting investment for sustained economic growth and development.
According to Fashola, the selection of Gombe as the first beneficiary in Northern Nigeria underscored the state’s strategic importance and the potential it holds for attracting both local and foreign investments, emphasising sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, and renewable energy, which have been identified as key drivers of the state’s economic growth.
“The goal of this programme is to build the capacity of state MDAs to effectively engage with investors and create a conducive environment that will encourage sustainable investment.
“Gombe State has demonstrated a strong commitment to this process, and we believe the outcomes of this workshop will significantly enhance the state’s investment profile,” the UNDP representative said.
“The Nigeria Investment Promotion Certification Process (NIPC) aims to standardise and enhance the capabilities of MDAs at state levels in promoting and facilitating investments by equipping them with the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to create a more conducive and attractive environment for both local and foreign investors.
It focuses on improving the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of investment promotion activities, ensuring that states become competitive and preferred destinations for investment in Nigeria”, he added.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary/Sole Administrator of the Gombe State Investment and Property Development Company Limited, Mohammed Abubakar Bello Kumo, expressed Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to transforming Gombe into an investment hub, noting that the state government has been working tirelessly to improve the business climate by implementing reforms and infrastructure projects that will attract investors.
“We are honoured to be the first state in Northern Nigeria to benefit from this programme. This is proof of the ongoing efforts of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to make Gombe State a business-friendly environment. This workshop will equip our MDAs with the necessary skills to attract and retain investment, which is crucial for the economic development of our state”, Kumo stated.
He also acknowledged the role of UNDP and NIPC in supporting Gombe State’s development agenda, particularly in fostering partnerships that will lead to job creation, poverty reduction, and improved living standards for the people of Gombe.
Some of the participants who spoke at the event expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from industry experts and engage in practical sessions that will help them apply the knowledge gained in their respective MDAs.
They noted that the training provided them with valuable insights into how the state can leverage its unique resources to attract investment.
