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Speaker Abbas Advocates for Technical and Vocational Education Reforms

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the urgent need to revamp Nigeria’s technical and vocational education sector to equip young people with practical skills essential for national development.
Speaking at a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Abbas highlighted the importance of updating existing laws or introducing new legislation to strengthen technical education in the country.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Students Loan, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, the Speaker reiterated the House’s commitment to education sector reforms, with a strong focus on technical and vocational training.
“Modernizing technical education is crucial for equipping our youth with the skills needed to drive economic growth and innovation,” he stated.
He underscored the role of vocational training in tackling unemployment, fostering entrepreneurship, and bridging the skills gap in key industries.
The House of Representatives, he assured, is dedicated to advancing policies that will enhance technical education infrastructure, improve access, and align training programs with industry needs to create a more skilled workforce for Nigeria’s future.
“To achieve this, we made a commitment to amend existing laws or introduce new ones to improve Nigeria’s technical and vocational education.

“In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the critical role that technical and vocational education plays in national development.

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“It is no longer sufficient for our educational institutions to merely impart theoretical knowledge; we must also equip our youths with practical skills that will enable them to thrive in a fast-evolving global economy that is characterized by stiff competition.

“Therefore, the establishment of these institutions is a crucial step in our resolve to bridge the gap between knowledge and employment”.

According to Speaker Abbas, the proposed Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State is expected to provide essential training opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in science, technical education and management science, adding that it is envisaged that this Polytechnic will focus on equipping individuals with management, technical and entrepreneurial skills, necessary for fostering innovation, and economic growth and development.

Similarly, he said, the proposed National College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Illela, Sokoto State will address specific needs of those seeking entrepreneurial knowledge and skills tailored to meet local business needs.

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He said “as a border community, establishing this institution in Illela will not only boost commercial activities and international trade, it will also take our youth out of poverty, unemployment and cross-border crimes such as banditry, trafficking, smuggling and drug abuse, ensuring their creative energy is channeled to productive ventures.

“Overall, by aligning educational programs with regional economic activities, we can empower communities through skill acquisition and development while also addressing unemployment challenges. Let me therefore assure you that the House will continue to support every effort that seeks to improve the quality and access to all forms of education in Nigeria.

“Given the crucial nature of these bills, I urge every stakeholder here to make very useful contributions that will enable the House to make informed decisions on them. Your insights are invaluable as we strive towards creating an inclusive educational framework that reflects our diverse needs and aspirations. You should feel free to share your perspectives, by making contributions that will help us refine these bills for further legislative action.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Fuad Lagunda said the two bills strongly align with the quest by the House for a strategic educational progress and sustainable human capital development in Nigeria.

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He said the primary objectives of establishing the Federal Polytechnic in Adikpo, Benue State and College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Illela Sokoto State is to teach
and train technicians and middle-level Nigerians who will serve as catalysts for rapid industrialization and development of the real economic sector.

He said “given the uncertainties in global economy, you will collectively agree with me that knowledge and skill in social sciences, technology, entrepreneurship, vocational, and technical education are the panacea to socio-economic development.

“It is therefore important for us to prioritise and recognise the importance of establishing these academic and training institutions for specific purposes of driving economic growth, improving the standard of our youths, creating platform for skill acquisition, empowering human capital as well as addressing general societal challenges.

“The passage of these Bills into Law would adequately ensure that our youths are technologically empowered to strategically address the complex challenges of
unemployment, wealth or income inequality, and chronic poverty in our society.

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“Based on potential benefits of these institutions, | urge us all to work collaboratively as patriots towards a successful deliberation by approaching this public hearing with an open and teachable mind, willingness to learn, and commitment to finding sustainable solutions to our educational challenges.

“More importantly, let us work together towards ensuring a productive educational sector for the overall benefits of our dear citizens and the nation at large”.

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DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.

According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.

“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”

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The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.

“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.

The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.

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It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.

(NAN)

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Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death

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Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.

In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:

Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.

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Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.

Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.

Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.

She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.

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The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.

“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.

Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.

“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.

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Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.

According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.

General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.

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“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.

The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.

The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.

He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.

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While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.

“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.

On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.

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“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.

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