…as reps panel reviewed over 150 bills

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has reaffirmed the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to delivering a Constitution that reflects the interests and aspirations of Nigerians.

Speaking at the close of a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, organized by the House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu commended lawmakers for their dedication. The retreat focused on reviewing bills, incorporating expert input, prioritizing proposals based on national interest, and preparing for zonal public hearings and a harmonization process with the Senate.

As Chairman of the Committee, Kalu stressed the importance of the constitutional review process, urging members to stay resolute in their task. He expressed confidence that their collective efforts would produce a people-centered Constitution.

During the retreat, the committee reviewed, amended, and voted on over 151 bills referred by the House. These bills, grouped into key thematic areas, covered federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, and electoral and judicial reforms.

…advocate PPP, endowment at ZEDA AGM

By Gloria Ikiba

The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasised the need for diversified funding sources in Nigeria’s education sector to reduce dependence on government allocations.

He highlighted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and endowment funds as viable alternatives to sustain and improve education financing.

Speaker Abbas made this call on Saturday during the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He was also honoured by constituents for his contributions to society.

As Chairman of the combined AGM, Abbas encouraged ZEDA to explore various funding opportunities to support educational development.

The Speaker stated that human capital development remains the cornerstone of our national progress, citing the examples of Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Denmark, which have achieved remarkable progress.

He said: “Diversifying funding streams is critical as well. By establishing endowment funds or engaging in public private partnerships, we can reduce our reliance on government funding. Successful models in countries such as Denmark and Ireland have demonstrated that diversified funding can drive long-term, sustainable growth in the education sector”.

“They have done so not by relying solely on natural resources but by investing heavily in education, training, and innovation. Their success is reflected in their high rankings on the Human Development Index and ease of doing business.

“Nigeria, blessed with vast natural resources, must equally prioritise the development of its people to realise its full potential”.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas underscored Zaria’s long-standing educational legacy, tracing back to the 16th century, as a cornerstone of academic excellence and national development.

Recognized as home to Ahmadu Bello University and several other institutions, he highlighted Zaria’s vital contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional landscape.

“Our collective history compels us to safeguard and expand this legacy for future generations,” said Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency. He noted that several new educational initiatives he facilitated would significantly enhance learning opportunities in Kaduna State and beyond.

Among these are a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a National Open University of Nigeria campus, and a College of Legal Studies. “Once fully operational, these institutions will drive both educational and socio-economic progress within our community,” he stated.

However, Abbas stressed the need to tackle obstacles hindering educational growth, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, and noted challenges such as out-of-school children, support for learners with special needs, and overall education quality as urgent issues requiring attention.

He said: “I commend the proactive measures by Governor Uba Sani’s administration in Kaduna State. The efforts have notably reduced the number of out-of-school children through the construction of over 62 new secondary schools, thereby addressing critical infrastructure deficits.

“Looking ahead, it is imperative that ZEDA continuously evolves to meet emerging challenges. Successful models, such as the United Kingdom Education Development Trust and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, have shown the benefits of embracing digital innovation.

“ZEDA should integrate technology in order to transform how we monitor educational outcomes, facilitate virtual training for teachers, and expand access to learning resources. By doing so, we can connect stakeholders, streamline processes, and enhance transparency.”

In the House of Representatives, the Speaker pointed out that the Legislative Agenda is aligned with these priorities.

He said: “We remain committed to advancing universal basic education, enhancing secondary and technical education, and integrating innovative reforms that address both current and future challenges.”

Speaker Abbas hailed the Grand Patron of ZEDA , His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, LLD, for his “fatherly guidance and unwavering commitment have been a beacon for ZEDA.”

Later, Emir Bamalli thanked the Speaker and other prominent indigenes of Zaria for their developmental strides in the ancient city. The monarch emphasised the importance of ZEDA to Zaria, while seeking more support from stakeholders.

By Gloria Ikiba

The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasised the need for diversified funding sources in Nigeria’s education sector to reduce dependence on government allocations.

He highlighted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and endowment funds as viable alternatives to sustain and improve education financing.

Speaker Abbas made this call on Saturday during the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He was also honoured by constituents for his contributions to society.

As Chairman of the combined AGM, Abbas encouraged ZEDA to explore various funding opportunities to support educational development.

The Speaker stated that human capital development remains the cornerstone of our national progress, citing the examples of Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Denmark, which have achieved remarkable progress.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas underscored Zaria’s long-standing educational legacy, tracing back to the 16th century, as a cornerstone of academic excellence and national development.

Recognized as home to Ahmadu Bello University and several other institutions, he highlighted Zaria’s vital contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional landscape.

“Our collective history compels us to safeguard and expand this legacy for future generations,” said Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency. He noted that several new educational initiatives he facilitated would significantly enhance learning opportunities in Kaduna State and beyond.

Among these are a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a National Open University of Nigeria campus, and a College of Legal Studies. “Once fully operational, these institutions will drive both educational and socio-economic progress within our community,” he stated.

However, Abbas stressed the need to tackle obstacles hindering educational growth, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, and noted challenges such as out-of-school children, support for learners with special needs, and overall education quality as urgent issues requiring attention.