News

Reps kick against motion seeking engagement of mercenaries

Published

10 months ago

May 30, 2024

The House of Representatives has resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to find a solution to the worsening insecurity situation in the country, just as they oppose a motion seeking engagement of mercenaries.

The resolution of the House was a sequel to the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday moved by the member representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Dabai.

Addressing plenary, Dabai said the people of his constituency are living in a state of fear owing to constant attacks by bandits.

“Families have lost their loved ones, their means of livelihood, and their homes. The psychological trauma inflicted on the survivors, particularly those who have lost family members or witnessed the destruction, cannot be overstated. The kidnappings have further exacerbated the situation, with families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.

“The recent spate of attacks has resulted in significant loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents, thereby necessitating immediate intervention”, the lawmaker said.

He noted that on Saturday, 25 May 2024, at Unguwar Lamido, Guga Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of the State, eight individuals were killed, 100 cattle and sheep were stolen while 26 persons were killed at Gidan Kare near Lamido.

This is just as he added that during the last Sallah celebration, two brothers of a member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Shamsudden Dabai, and his son, were taken away by abductors, adding that they are still in captivity two months after the incident.

In his contribution, a member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, Ahmad Jaha, called on the Federal Government to engage mercenaries, noting that more advanced nations than Nigerians are doing the same.

“Our security agencies are doing their best. Nobody is saying that they are not doing their best but there is nothing wrong if we engage foreign mercenaries to help us get rid of these insurgents, Boko Haram or what have you.

“Ukraine is stronger than Nigeria and so is Russia but these nations are using external forces. I believe this can be of assistance to this country because this war has been on for over a decade”, he said.

Jaha’s suggestion however did not sit well with Abbas Adigun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East, Oyo State, who argued that young military officers retired during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari should be engaged to fight the bandits.

“I don’t think that the way to go is for us to engage mercenaries. Some young military officers were retired a few years ago. These young men can deal with the situation. They can get the job done”, he said.

Also contributing, the lawmaker representing Onuimo/Okigwe/Isiala Mbano Federal Constituency, Hon. Miriam Onuoha said there was a need to rebuild infrastructure by non-state actors.

The lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam urged the government to focus on addressing the challenges of poor access to education, adding that there is a nexus between lack of education and insecurity.

“What is the correlation between insecurity and education? What is the correlation between insecurity and poverty? I think the government will need to create more access to education and focus on poverty alleviation measures. If you take a look at it, you will notice that in places where the level of education is high, insecurity is high and vice versa”, he said.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to meet with the President to find solutions to the challenges of insecurity.

News

Tinubu appoints NABTEB registrar, UBEC board chairman

Published

1 hour ago

March 11, 2025

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Mohammed Aminu the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

The President has also appointed Mr Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Board.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) informed that Dr. Aminu holds a Ph.D. in Automobile Technology and a Masters in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

According to the statement, he brings 28 years of experience in teaching, administration, research, and policy development to his new role.

Until his appointment, he served as Director of Procurement at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

An advocate for vocational education and skills development, Dr. Aminu has authored multiple publications and presented research on innovative pedagogies, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation. He is also a member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the Automotive and Locomotive Engineers Institute.

President Tinubu urged the new NABTEB Registrar to leverage his vast experience to drive transformational leadership in the agency, ensuring it continues to assess and certify skilled Human Resources essential for Nigeria’s industrial growth.

The new UBEC chairman, Mr. Olorunnimbe brings years of experience in innovative leadership and commitment to youth empowerment and education.

Rasaq Olajuwon was named UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), while Tunde Ajibulu will serve as Deputy Executive Secretary (Services).

As Group CEO of The Temple Company, which he founded in 2016, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across education, entertainment, and sports.

He previously served on the Board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committees, driving impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes

Mr Olajuwon, until his appointment, was Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), while Mr Ajibulu, a Fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), is a Director at Tangent Construction Nigeria Limited and Partner at Covenant Consultancy Services.

President Tinubu enjoined the new appointees to strengthen the human capital needed to drive educational reforms and enhance service delivery at UBEC, ensuring greater access to quality basic education nationwide.

News

Abomination ! “I’ve forgiven my wife for sleeping with other men”, says Ijoba Lande

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Naijablitznews

Ijoba Lande, the comedian, has revealed that he has forgiven Darasimi, his estranged wife, for “cheating on me”.

Lande recently claimed that Dara had left him after discovering her infidelity with at least 21 men in the entertainment industry, including Baba Tee.

Baba Tee admitted to having a brief sexual encounter with Dara during a game of ‘Truth or Dare’, but she denied the claim, arguing that she only sat on his lap.

In a recent Instagram live session with media personality Daddy Freeze, Lande said while he has forgiven his wife he will not take her back.

He also said that she would have no access to the child they share.

“She does not need to come to seek forgiveness from me, I have forgiven her. I forgave her because I see it as a part of my life journey,” he said.

“I also forgave her so that God will forgive my own sins as well but she can never come back to me.

“But everything she did to me is gone. However, she cannot have access to the child she had for me because it was her mum who handed the child over to me when I went to their house.”

News

Meningitis outbreak reportedly k!lls 26 Nigerians

Published

3 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Naijablitznews

The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that 26 people have died from a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas.

Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread from person to person.

Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious complications or death.

Details later…