The Acting Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has refuted claims that victims of the recent bandit attack in Anguwan Magiro, Shiroro Local Government Area, were killed at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday after the three-day Fidda'u prayers held at Kuta Central Mosque in honor of the 13 victims, Comrade Garba clarified that the victims, who were farmers, had left the IDP camp to tend to their farms when they were tragically killed by bandits. He was accompanied by the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Farouk Bahago, and other top government officials.
Comrade Garba highlighted the adverse impact of insecurity on the state's agricultural revolution, noting that despite significant investments, banditry continues to displace farmers from their communities. He also addressed misconceptions about the current administration's security efforts compared to the previous government.
"In a democracy, everyone has the right to freedom of speech. We have set targets, but we are yet to meet them until we eradicate banditry in every nook and cranny of our communities," he stated.
The acting governor emphasized the progress made in the last two years, mentioning that people can now travel beyond Kuta to Zumba and other adjoining communities without fear. He assured that the government is committed to changing the narrative and tackling insecurity, especially in areas plagued by banditry.
Comrade Garba also appealed to the Federal Government to redeploy military personnel to Alawa community, from where they were withdrawn over five months ago, to help restore normalcy for the residents.
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The National President of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers in Nigeria (AOPSHON), Comrade Lagha Oweifyneman Zik, has urged educational stakeholders to prioritize the payment of primary school teachers' salaries as a first-line charge.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the three-day National Annual Finance Workshop 2024 Edition, held at the Comrade Labaran Garba Multipurpose International Conference Hall, NUT House, Gidan Goro, Chanchaga Minna, Comrade Zik emphasized the critical need to address this issue to revive the country's declining educational standards.
Comrade Zik highlighted that prioritizing teachers' salaries would not only ensure their happiness but also enhance the learning experience for students, who are the future leaders. He noted that AOPSHON and NUT leadership fully support the Supreme Court's recent decision to grant full autonomy to local government councils, which he believes will improve resource management, particularly in primary schools located in local government areas.
He further stressed that teachers, being directly involved in children's upbringing, should consistently present their salary-related requests to school authorities to implement the association's stance for effective teaching and learning.
Discussing the workshop's objectives, Comrade Zik stated that the event aims to sensitize and enlighten stakeholders on the importance of financial management and resource utilization to ensure probity and transparency. He added that accountability in financial matters is crucial for any organization's success.
Comrade Zik urged participants to engage actively, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the association's goals.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of AOPSHON in Niger State, Comrade Fatima Abdullahi Kutigi, explained that the workshop aims to create a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and growth. She mentioned that the association organized the workshop to bring together experts and stakeholders from various fields to exchange ideas and perspectives on resource management.
Comrade Kutigi also acknowledged the support of the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, NSUBEB Chairman, Mallam Baba Ibrahim, and NUT State Chairman, Comrade Adamu Muhammed Akayago. She reiterated the association's commitment to providing a conducive environment and fostering innovation.
In a goodwill message, NUT Chairman Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago described the workshop's topic as crucial for the education sector. He emphasized that effective resource management is key to success and called for efforts to curb corrupt practices in resource control to ensure the growth and development of education.
Comrade Akayago commended the association for initiating the workshop to address these challenges.
