Zamfara governor approves recruitment of additional 2,000 teachers
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has announced the approval of 2,000 new teaching positions to strengthen the education sector in the state. The governor made this announcement during an Executive Council meeting on Thursday at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital. According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the recruitment
Zamfara governor approves recruitment of additional 2,000 teachers
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has announced the approval of 2,000 new teaching positions to strengthen the education sector in the state.
The governor made this announcement during an Executive Council meeting on Thursday at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the recruitment drive fulfills promises made during the governor’s campaign. It forms part of the administration’s efforts to overhaul the education sector, which ranks second on the government’s priority list.
“The government will employ 2,000 qualified teachers to help improve and revitalize the education sector.
“The recruitment will be carried out in phases to ensure that only the best candidates are employed to address critical needs in our schools,” he said.
The first phase, scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, will focus on hiring 500 teachers specializing in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, ICT, and Entrepreneurship studies.
The recruitment initiative is part of the Accelerating Girls’ Education in Nigeria (AGILE) programme aimed at addressing long-standing deficiencies in Zamfara’s education system.
Since declaring a state of emergency in education on November 14, 2023, the government has undertaken significant projects, including: Construction and renovation of over 400 schools across the state’s 14 Local Government Areas, provision of more than 12,000 two-seater desks for pupils and students, equipping renovated schools with over 700 tables and 1,000 chairs for teachers, commitment to Development.
Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving the quality of education in Zamfara, saying, “This recruitment and other ongoing projects are a testament to our commitment to reversing the rot in the education sector and ensuring a brighter future for our children.”
The announcement comes as Zamfara continues to prioritize human capital development despite facing various challenges, including security concerns and economic pressures.
Zamfara governor approves recruitment of additional 2,000 teachers
Osun Govt imposes dusk to dawn curfew in warring communities
The Osun State Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect. Governor Ademola Adeleke has also ordered the deployment of security personnel to the affected communities to forestall further breakdown of law and order and directed the immediate arrest of culprits in the two communities. The curfew
Osun Govt imposes dusk to dawn curfew in warring communities
The Osun State Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has also ordered the deployment of security personnel to the affected communities to forestall further breakdown of law and order and directed the immediate arrest of culprits in the two communities.
The curfew is coming after renewed pockets of violence between the two warring communities last week.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi made this known in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday.
The curfew, the statement pointed out, is to forestall further escalation of the crisis and it will hold from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am.
The statement urged stakeholders in the two areas to cooperate with the government to resolve the issues permanently.
Parts of the statement read: “Following the outbreak of another communal clashes between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, the Osun state government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the warring communities.
“That a 7pm to 7am curfew be imposed with immediate effect starting from today, Thursday 16th of Jan 2025 until further notice.
“That a contingent of all security personnel, comprising the Army, Police, and Civil Defence has been, accordingly, deployed to the warring communities to forestall further anarchy .
“That all stakeholders in the areas are advised to cooperate with the State Government to resolve the issues amicably at ensuring lasting peace.
“That an enlarged Committee of Stakeholders which shall consist of the representatives of the Communities, the Service Chiefs,the representatives of the State Council of Obas and other relevant bodies be immediately constituted to resolve the issue permanently.
“Finally, anyone or group of persons, found or caught doing or instigating any further violence, knowingly or unknowingly, in breach of lasting peace would be made to face the full wrath of the law, via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictates of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
DAILY POST had reported earlier in the week that two persons from Ifon-Orolu town were injured in renewed communal clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu towns in Osun State.
It was gathered that the victims were injured in a shooting incident in the Apiponroro area of Ifon.
Ifon indigenes also alleged that the attack was purportedly carried out by individuals from the neighbouring Ilobu community.
The allegation was also corroborated by the Ifon Progressive Union, an umbrella body for the indigenes of Ifon-Orolu indigenes.
Providing details of the latest incident, the Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, Jide Akinyooye, disclosed that the violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Ilobu leaders however countered the allegations.
Countering the allegation, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, accused gunmen from Ifon of attacking Ilobu residents in the early hours of Tuesday.
Osun Govt imposes dusk to dawn curfew in warring communities
I was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers – Abducted Archbishop recounts ordeal
Retired Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, who just regained his freedom after he was kidnapped on December 6, 2024, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. Okpala was abducted alongside his driver, but was only able to regain freedom on January 3rd, after spending 27
I was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers – Abducted Archbishop recounts ordeal
Retired Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev Godwin Okpala, who just regained his freedom after he was kidnapped on December 6, 2024, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.
Okpala was abducted alongside his driver, but was only able to regain freedom on January 3rd, after spending 27 days in captivity.
The clergyman spoke to journalists at his residence in Nnewi, during a visit by former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
He said: “Those 27 days were hellish because the people were not behaving like human beings. They kicked us about like thrash.
“They kept us in a very thick forest and none of them cared,” the Archbishop said.
Reacting to questions on whether his abduction was as a result of mistaken identity, and whether he was in his priestly attire, the retired prelate said it didn’t matter to the kidnappers who anyone was.
He said: “I was in my cassock and they knew that I was a Bishop, but they didn’t care. They pulled down my cassock, asked me to undress and I had only shorts, a shirt and my collar on.
“For the 27 days that I was with them, I didn’t take my bath, I didn’t brush my teeth. They were giving me water which I don’t know the source.
“They were giving me one meal a day and it was either rice or garri. The food was usually remnants from those they gave to boys who worked with them. They have cooks who prepared food there.”
The 75 years old Archbishop praised Peter Obi for coming to visit him, saying that since his return from the kidnappers’ den, no one had visited him until Obi came.
“He (Peter Obi) has again shown the humanity in him. I’m not the first person he is coming to see in this manner. I want to say thank you to Peter Obi who came to visit me after my travails.”
Meanwhile, Nnewi Catholic Diocese on Thursday buried three priests of the diocese, including Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
The priest was murdered on December 26, 2024, in Ihiala, Anambra State, by gunmen operating in the area.
Until his death, the priest was the manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
Anambra has for sometime now been in the news because of the spate of kidnapping, which has not abated despite promises by the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and police authorities in the state.
I was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers – Abducted Archbishop recounts ordeal
NDLEA arrested 546 suspects, secured 46 convictions in 2024 – Oyo commander
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command, arrested 546 suspects for alleged involvement in illicit drug activities between January and December 2024. The NDLEA Commander, Mr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile, shared the update during a press briefing on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital, highlighting the command’s achievements over the past year. “The suspects arrested
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command, arrested 546 suspects for alleged involvement in illicit drug activities between January and December 2024. The NDLEA Commander, Mr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile, shared the update during a press briefing on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital, highlighting the command’s achievements over the past year. “The suspects arrested
Trump’s return threatens freedoms – Human Rights Watch
The Human Rights Watch says the return of the US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House next week threatens freedoms at home and abroad, warning that his second term could be more damaging than his first. The Executive Director of the New York-based independent rights group, Tirana Hassan, made this statement on Thursday. This
Trump’s return threatens freedoms – Human Rights Watch
The Human Rights Watch says the return of the US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House next week threatens freedoms at home and abroad, warning that his second term could be more damaging than his first.
The Executive Director of the New York-based independent rights group, Tirana Hassan, made this statement on Thursday.
This is coming as the rights group launches its World Report reviewing rights practices in over 100 states.
“The Trump administration’s first term showed us what they’re capable of and particularly showed their lack of commitment to human rights.
“But Project 2025 and the statements that we’ve heard from the (incoming) President have already begun to demonstrate that there will be an all-out assault essentially on migrant rights,” Hassan said.
Hassan, an Australian lawyer who has represented asylum seekers, added that the tone set by Trump’s administration could embolden autocrats around the world to pass repressive policies.
She also criticised outgoing President Joe Biden’s policies for providing arms to Israel in the Gaza war despite what she called clear evidence they were being used to commit atrocities.
DAILY POST recalls that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was announced on Wednesday.
Trump’s return threatens freedoms – Human Rights Watch
Five soldiers killed in Sokoto terrorist attack
Troops of the Defence Headquarters Special Operations Brigade have neutralised six terrorists during a coordinated operation against Lakurawa terrorists in the Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State. According to a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Abubakar Abdullahi, the
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Troops of the Defence Headquarters Special Operations Brigade have neutralised six terrorists during a coordinated operation against Lakurawa terrorists in the Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State. According to a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Abubakar Abdullahi, the
UN condemns mass killing of civilians in Borno, calls for accountability
The United Nations has denounced a recent mass slaughter of civilians in the Kukawa region of Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. A statement from the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick, referred to the murder of at least 40 civilians in the Dumba community on 12 January 2025, allegedly by a non-state armed group, as
UN condemns mass killing of civilians in Borno, calls for accountability
The United Nations has denounced a recent mass slaughter of civilians in the Kukawa region of Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria.
A statement from the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick, referred to the murder of at least 40 civilians in the Dumba community on 12 January 2025, allegedly by a non-state armed group, as shocking.
The victims, mainly farmers and fishermen, were reportedly slain for supposedly violating a ban on agricultural activities imposed by a non-state armed group.
Malick expressed sympathy to the grieving families and hoped for a quick recovery for the injured, stating that the UN supports the people and the Government of Borno State.
He insisted that the murderers be revealed and held accountable to face the complete force of the law.
Malick stated, “Those armed individuals responsible for these assaults must be recognized and held accountable in adherence to both national and international human rights regulations.”
The statement included, “This recent assault serves as another somber reminder of the severe threats that civilians in conflict-impacted regions of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states persistently endure in their fight for survival.
“In 2024, several assaults on civilians were documented.” In February 2024, it was reported that NSAGs supposedly kidnapped hundreds of internally displaced individuals (IDPs), with a significant number being women, boys, and girls in Ngala LGA, Borno State.
“The IDPs were said to have ventured outside the safety of the trenches encircling Ngala to search for firewood.”
“In June 2024, reports indicated that numerous civilians were killed and many others were severely injured due to suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza LGA, located in Borno.”
In July 2024, alleged NSAGs assaulted farmers in the Firgi community, located in Gwoza LGA, resulting in the deaths of an unknown number of IDPs and the kidnapping of two women and seven teenage girls who were subsequently freed. And during September 2024
UN condemns mass killing of civilians in Borno, calls for accountability
NAPTIP rescued 253 victims in Borno in 2024 – Commander
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Maiduguri Zonal Command, says it rescued 253 victims of human trafficking and other related offences in 2024. The Zonal Commander, Mohammed Barde, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno state capital. He disclosed that out of the 253 victims, 163 were minors aged
NAPTIP rescued 253 victims in Borno in 2024 – Commander
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Maiduguri Zonal Command, says it rescued 253 victims of human trafficking and other related offences in 2024.
The Zonal Commander, Mohammed Barde, made this known on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.
He disclosed that out of the 253 victims, 163 were minors aged between 0-17 years, comprising 105 females and 58 males, while the remaining 90 were adult men and women.
“In addition to rescuing victims, the command secured nine convictions for various offences in 2024.
“The victims were provided with legal and medical support, rehabilitation, and reintegration services.
“Family tracing and reunification efforts were also carried out, while some of the victims were empowered to rebuild their lives,” Barde said.
According to him, the agency was also engaged in preventive measures like extensive sensitization campaigns in markets, schools, communities, and motor parks.
Barde noted that the campaigns were aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
The commander further said that stakeholders engagement remained a key focus area for the command to enhance collaboration in the fight against trafficking.
He commended the support of community leaders, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders in the efforts to combat trafficking in persons and ensure the safety of victims.
Barde reiterated the agency’s commitment to intensifying efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and prosecute offenders to create a safer society.
NAPTIP rescued 253 victims in Borno in 2024 – Commander
Nigerian forest security service names new zonal commander for North West
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has appointed Saifullahi Muhammed, a native of Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano State, as the Zonal Commander for the North West Zone effective January 13, 2025. The appointment was approved by the Commander General of the NFSS, Ambassador Osatimeh Joshua, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees,
Nigerian forest security service names new zonal commander for North West
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has appointed Saifullahi Muhammed, a native of Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano State, as the Zonal Commander for the North West Zone effective January 13, 2025.
The appointment was approved by the Commander General of the NFSS, Ambassador Osatimeh Joshua, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, AIG (Rtd) E. E. Amakulor, in accordance with Articles 5 and 6, Subsections A and B of the NFSS Constitution.
In his acceptance speech, Saifullahi Muhammed expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the NFSS leadership.
He pledged to enhance the Council’s operations in the North West Zone and work diligently to promote security in the region.
“It is an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility. I am committed to improving the activities of the Nigerian Forest Security Service in the North West Zone and will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to make Nigeria a safer and better place for all,” Muhammed said.
With this appointment, Muhammed joins a team of visionary leaders dedicated to addressing security challenges across Nigeria.
His efforts will focus on fostering partnerships with local communities, security agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen grassroots security initiatives.
The NFSS remains committed to empowering leaders like Saifullahi Muhammed to enhance security measures nationwide and contribute to a more peaceful and secure Nigeria.
Nigerian forest security service names new zonal commander for North West
Trump considering executive order to save TikTok from being blocked
United States President-elect Donald Trump is considering using an executive order to prevent the TikTok app from being blocked in the US. The Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The order would suspend enforcement of the law, which required TikTok to be either blocked or sold on Jan.19, for 60
Trump considering executive order to save TikTok from being blocked
United States President-elect Donald Trump is considering using an executive order to prevent the TikTok app from being blocked in the US.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The order would suspend enforcement of the law, which required TikTok to be either blocked or sold on Jan.19, for 60 to 90 days.
This will be giving Trump’s administration time to negotiate a sale or find another solution.
However, from a legal perspective, this action is rather disputable, the report said.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration is also looking for ways to keep the app available in the US, NBC News reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.
The White House is reportedly seeking to apply the law banning TikTok in a way that would allow US users to access the app when the law goes into effect on Sunday.
Earlier this week, The Information news portal reported that TikTok was preparing to shut down its app for US users on Jan. 19.
In April 2024, Biden signed a law forcing TikTok owner ByteDance to find an American owner for the app.
If this does not happen by Jan. 19, the app will be banned in the US.
However, US President-elect Donald Trump has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the ban so that he has time to resolve the dispute after his inauguration on Jan. 20.
This is according to a document obtained by RIA Novosti.
TikTok, launched in 2018, remains under scrutiny by US authorities, who fear the app may be sharing user data with the Chinese government or spreading propaganda.
TikTok has consistently denied the allegations.
The app has about 170 million users in the US alone.
Trump considering executive order to save TikTok from being blocked