By Yagana Ali, Yola

The Adamawa state governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Nigeria Law School in maintaining its high standards and producing skilled lawyers.

He made this known during the inspection of the ongoing construction of hostel accommodations at the Nigerian Law School’s Yola Campus.

Fintiri expressed his appreciation for both the pace and quality of the project.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring that contractors meet expectations and adhere to contractual agreements in a professional manner.

The governor also highlighted the government’s continued support for the institution, aiming to provide students with adequate accommodations, boost enrollment, and contribute to the state’s economic growth in a responsible manner.

Fintiri is optimistic that this support will enhance the institution’s capacity to produce lawyers who can compete on a global scale.

He noted that Nigeria has a reputation for supplying esteemed judicial officers to various countries, a testament to the Law School’s high standards.

By Yagana Ali Yola

The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has announced former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, CON, as Keynote Speaker at its forthcoming Founder’s Day ceremony on November 30, 2024.

The annual Founder’s Day honors the Founder of the University and former Nigeria’s Vice President, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, for his numerous contributions to society and especially his advancement of education and human development.

In a statement signed by the public relations department of the school, the 16th Founders Day lecture will be the highlight of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the American-style Development University where students are educated to direct their learning and research outcomes towards addressing the socio economic challenges of the African Continent.

In the 20 years since its establishment, the numerous community service and outreach projects executed by students, alums, faculty and staff have earned the Development University a spot among the top three Nigerian universities in Times Higher Education (THE’s) 2024 global impact ranking.

Since its establishment in 2003, AUN has significantly expanded its academic programs and affiliations with foreign institutions. AUN presently hosts the American Window in the northeast region where students and members of the public can access relevant information about scholarship and research opportunities in the United States.

President of AUN, Professor DeWayne Preston Frazier, heartily welcomes Mr. Peter Obi as Keynote Speaker and conveys to him the appreciation of the AUN Community for his acceptance of the invitation.

“I am highly pleased and honored to announce that the former Executive Governor of Anambra state, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, will be our Keynote Speaker. Mr. Obi is an accomplished public servant and politician who has spent most of his life providing quality leadership and service to Nigerians. He is a champion of education and will be an excellent speaker to celebrate our 20 years” Frazier said.

Other activities lined up for the special event commemorating the birthday of Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, include a Special 20th Anniversary Community Service/Outreach, a leadership mentoring session for students by the Founder and inspection of AUNs renewable energy projects in the library, students’

By Cyprian Ebele,, Onitsha

The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis has restated its commitment to bringing back the reading culture in communities in Anambra State.

The president, Oby Arinze stated this during a visit to the Onitsha Divisional Library where the club donated a vast collection of books to the library.

The club members were received by the Director of Anambra state library service, Mrs Cordillia Obalum who was represented by the Onitsha Divisional librarian, Mrs Julliet Enemuo.

Arinze described reading as key to unlocking knowledge, creativity and progress, calling on stakeholders in the education sector to join in the efforts to revive the reading culture and create a better future for the community.

“Our goal is to make reading accessible and enjoyable for everyone, especially the younger generation,” she quipped.

Divisional Librarian in Onitsha, Mrs. Julliet Enemuo appreciated the efforts of members of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis in reviving the reading culture and creating a better future for the community.

“The Onitsha Divisional Library is a public library that offers literacy and information services to the residents of Onitsha and its environs.

“The library has facilities and information resources that include books, references, audiovisual resources, an e-library section, and an auditorium.

“The library also has a children’s department that offers storyhour programs for children’s learning services and imbibing reading culture,” she added.

By, Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna

The Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Bishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso yesterday lampooned the Governments of Nigeria for piling up huge taxes burden on Missionary schools in Nigeria who are obviously filling up the gaps in educational institutions.

Ndagoso who spoke during the thanksgiving Mass for Sacred Heart School after the Supreme Court Victory that returned the school to the Catholic Church in Kaduna Archdiocese, maintained that ” It is the responsibility of the Government to provide quality education for Nigerian children especially at the first 6 years of foundational classes. They won’t allow us to do our best with the little money we have they are bringing all manner of taxes to cripple us and frustrate us meanwhile we are helping the public by providing Basic Education for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion”

According to Archbishop Ndagoso, “Nigeria’s Education has become what it is after taking over schools in the early 70s. Remove the missionaries school there were no schools and the few schools were for the elites and well those who took over schools may have meant well but looking at what is happening now they must be regretting now, they have scattered the education and have destroyed it completely.

“They should go to the rural areas and see what education has become. The education system has become in a sorry state and only those extremely rich can afford private schools but as a church our missionary schools are public schools and we don’t discriminate everybody goes to our schools a man with or without religion can go to our schools”

Narrating how the school started, he revealed that” This school was originally built by us, (the Catholic Church) by my predecessor Archbishop Mycathy SMA and you know the Sisters rallied around with management as it was established to cater for the children of the elite especially when the textiles were established,

“The foreigners who came here to work were looking for a good school for their children and at that time Capital school was the only school that catered for the Children of the Elite and it was not enough and therefore the Lebanese Community went to my predecessor and requested that a school be established for their children and so this school was established with the OAL Sisters taking care of it.”

” Along the line, because of the way it was established, few parents were selected to constitute as the board and then came the Government takeover of Schools and so the school was not taken over by Government officially but some individuals who were on the Board decided to take the School and turn it to their own and that was how the battle began, a battle that lasted for nearly 40 years.

“The people in the Board were claiming the school is their own so my predecessor stood his ground going through the Court process for almost forty years, it was only in January 2019 that the Supreme Court gave the school back to us.

“As we got back the school in 2019, the COVID-19 came and a lot of things happened but we took over and we started reorganizing our it and since then I have been trying to come but I said let’s things settle first before I come officially to visit the school, so today I have come, I said let’s us organized Mass of thanksgiving to God for what has happened it could have gone the other way but the truth can’t be hidden.

“Even when the truth is glaring people use whatever means to change things but God helped us using Toroh SAN who fought from the beginning all these years to the Supreme Court in 2019 pro bono for the Archdiocese of Kaduna, so this is my official visit to the school so we are saying the Mass of thanksgiving to appreciate God and all those God use along the line especially Barrister Toroh SAN and his team to bring back the school to us” he stated.

By: Ajiya Ayuba,Bauchi

A lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa-Baleawa University (ATBU), Bala Sulaiman Dalhat has lamented that Northern Nigeria faced significant Socio-Economic challenges of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and educational deficits.

Dalhat made this known during a one day program at the command quest conference hall Bauchi, that was organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups, Bauchi State chapter with the theme: “Imperative of popular participation in tackling Socio-Economic Challenges Bedeviling Northern Nigeria, through Driven Solutions”.

He said that “These issues are often exacerbated by underlying factors like population growth, weak infrastructure, and political instability. Following economic reforms, especially with decentralization, financial inclusion policies, and infrastructural investment, there is a growing need for communal solutions that can complement government actions”

“Some strategies that could provide relief and potentially lead to sustainable development in Northern Nigeria include of Reinforcing Cooperative Societies which have a long tradition in many northern communities.

“They can play a pivotal role in addressing economic inequalities by Pooling resources for business ventures or community development.Facilitating access to finance for farmers, small businesses, and artisans, especially women and youth.

Dalhat said that offering micro-lending and revolving loans that can ease financial exclusion. Encouraging savings and collective investment in agriculture, trade, and manufacturing.

He further said that by strengthening and formalizing cooperatives, communities can have a structured way to share resources, mitigate economic risks, and tackle unemployment.

The Tafawa-Baleawa University Don noted further that traditional rulers and community leaders play influential roles in Northern Nigeria by Serving as mediators between the government and people, ensuring that reforms align with community needs. Promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution, especially in regions affected by insurgencies and communal clashes.

Dalhat said that fostering local entrepreneurial ecosystems can drive economic empowerment could involve in

Setting up community innovation hubs where people can come together to share ideas, develop skills, and build start-ups, creating communal investment funds that members can contribute to and benefit from for setting up small businesses.

“Northern Nigeria’s security challenges, from banditry to insurgency, have a profound economic impact. Community-led security initiatives can provide immediate relief by supporting local vigilante groups or community policing that works in collaboration with formal security agencies. Establishing conflict-resolution platforms where inter-ethnic or inter-religious tensions can be addressed peacefully”

In his part, the coordinator of the Northern coalition groups, Bauchi chapter, comrade Hashim Bala Pali expressed his appreciation to the speaker of the occasion and other distinguish personalities who graced the occasion.

“It was an honor to have you as a guest, your presence contributed to the event’s beauty and refinement.Your energy, optimism, and engaging approach were much appreciated and added to the event’s unforgettable success recorded. It was a pleasure to have you along for the ride, and we hope you had a wonderful time as we did today”

He said that “This gathering represents a crucial opportunity for us to reflect on our current socio-political landscape and strategize on how we can foster community engagement to address the pressing issues facing our dear State and the region” he stated.