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Only 18% of School Children Transit from Primary to Junior Secondary School in Bauchi

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The United Nations Children’s Fund Bauchi Field office has expressed it’s worry over the low transition rate of school children from primary to junior secondary school.

This concern was expressed by the Chief of Bauchi Field Office Mr. Tushar Rane at the opening ceremony of a three days children’s creative workshop for students, organised by the National Troupe of Nigeria (TNT) in Bauchi.

Mr. Rane said that as it is there are 3,183 primary schools, with only 753 Junior Secondary Schools and 191 Senior Secondary Schools in Bauchi State.

He said over 1.2M children enrolled in Primary out of which only 200 thousand transit to Junior Secondary Schools and 130 thousand to Senior Secondary Schools, which put the transition rate from primary to Junior Secondary School at only 18%.

“Every state should invest in young generation and ensure that every child is loved, cared for and protected. Achieving that means promoting quality call for action, investing in early year and adolescent programmes to harness qualitative efforts”, said Rane.

While appreciating Bauchi State Government in collaborating with NTN for organising the creative workshop at school level, he reminded guests that UNICEF work towards improving the lives of Children and Women in Nigeria and also committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Education for All (EFA) goals of educating all children at all levels and in all groups.

“UNICEF has a vision to collaborate with Government institutions, Civil Society Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Communities and other Partners to discuss issues around children and Adolescent Education programmes; hence the “Children’s Creative Station” workshop organised by the National Troupe of Nigeria in collaboration with Bauchi State Government, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and UNICEF.

“The programme aims at equipping children with the rudiments of theatre for expression of prime national aspirations such as promotion of unity in diversity, patriotism, and rights of the child as fundamental Human Rights.

“It is a common knowledge that the Adolescence stage is a second window of opportunity in a child’s cognitive and growth development. Besides the physiological importance, adolescent development is also a human right as stated in the Convention on Rights of the Child and the general commitment to the implementation of the Convention on Rights of the Child during Adolescence”.

He stressed that strong evidence suggests that promoting adolescent development and their protection will lead to better short and long term public health, economic and demographic benefits.

Mr. Rane said that the school environment provides the most effective and efficient way to reach adolescents because it offers the opportunity to get students at an influential stage in their lives, during childhood and adolescence.

The Chief of Field office, who sounded optimistic, maintained that school-going adolescents can also be used to reach out-of-school adolescents and even become the role models for them.

“UNICEF is stepping up its engagement with rural young people, including adolescent girls. And thanks to the generosity of Bauchi State Government and other partners for the difference being made.

“We are committed to work with all the arms of the Federal Government of Nigeria, CSOs, development partners, private sectors, families and communities to increase support for the young children through the existing community systems, building on the positive practices that already exists.

“All our children across the country and in Bauchi State have a better start to life using evidence-based implementation strategy as a support for national priority achieving the SDGs for child survival, growth and development. It is morally right and economical to invest in adolescent programmes”, said the chief field officer.

While congratulating the schools selected for the training, Mr. Rane said that, “I hope you will be able to explore how to scale up what works and to learn from sharing experiences – the less successful as well as the good. And I hope that, at the end of this workshop, you will convey the case for rural adolescent children back to the schools and communities.

Mr. Rane concluded his address saying, “Life is not about us, but about children, so if we start wrong, we get it wrong, but if we start right, we get it right in every facet of the society”.

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Kwankwaso’s entry into NNPP propelled the party to prominence -Habib

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Hisham Habib

A member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Kano Malam Hisham Habib has asserted that the entry of the national leader and also presidential candidate in 2023 Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso has uplifted the party more in its entire years of existence.

The former Kano State chairman of the party said as a member and a witness of the party s activities before and after Kwankwaso entered the party with his supporters, the statements credited to the party s founder were without decorum and contentment.

He said the party was at it s lowest ebb and the leadership has not been able to resuscitate the weak structures especially in the states stressimg that the founder Dr Boniface Aniebonam and his loyalists should be grateful to God for routing Kwankwaso into a party which cannot sponsor delegates to a convention talkless of winning at the polls.

“Kwankwaso entrance brought NNPP the first major victory that was spectacular and unimaginable, we won the governorship with the highest number in the country that no other governor scored a million votes is a milestone and a feat, moreover the party s presence at the national assembly was unprecedented ” he said

He urged the Board of Trustee Chairman to display the better part of maturity expected of a statesman and ignore the evil machinations of the saboteurs who are scared of the successes recoded by the party and the prospect it has in the near future, while also emphasizing that Engineer Kwankwaso has been consistent in his dealings with people who supported him which earned him respect globally and nationally.

The ex chairman said Nigerians from all walks of life trooped into the party because of the former Defence minister and the majority of members nationwide see Kwankwaso as the leader which naturally puts him in front considering his antecedents in the political landscape.

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Zamfara Residents Petition NERC Over Inadequate Electricity Supply

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Governor Dauda Lawal Dare

 

Electricity consumers in zamfara state have petitioned the Nigeria electricity Regulatory commission NERC to investigate the activities of the kaduna electric distribution company over inadequate supply of electricity to customers.

A cross section of residents who spoke to radio Nigeria in Gusau express concern that the company has failed to live up to it’s responsibility by not supplying them with adequate power especially at this period.

One of the resident Mal Awwal Umar Damba alledge that the company is now supplying power to customers of Band A at the detriment of the other bands.
According to him, since the commencement of the banding policy electricity consumers have not been getting supply from the company.
Another customer, Musa Mohammed Mareri expressed concern that non supply of electricity has hampered Small and medium enterprise activities as light was only given to them for only thirty minutes within twenty four hours.

He Said that this has negatively affected their businesses and called for action to address the sufferings of customers.
Musa Mareri explain that so far many businesses such as tailoring, grinding, welding and have close their operation due to non availability of power.

Radio Nigeria correspondent’s in Gusau report that the problem of inadequate power supply in the state has worsen in the last few days as some residents spent days without electricity thereby causing untold hardship to residents.

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Preside Tinubu Calls For Stronger Partnerships In Manufacturing Sector

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President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s investment climate has been bolstered by critical new reforms, with an array of opportunities across sectors for investors.

Speaking during the presentation of a letter of credence by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Vice-Admiral Kim Pan Kyu, at the State House, on Friday, the President said Nigeria is a huge market for Korean products, particularly for Korean goods manufactured and produced in Nigeria, while emphasizing that Nigerian goods will be of great benefit to the Korean market.

Highlighting the favourable economic outlook of the country, President Tinubu invited more South Korean companies to leverage these opportunities by establishing production bases in Nigeria.

”I am glad that you have a very good knowledge of Nigeria and appreciate the role of our country in Africa. Our doors are open for economic opportunities and trade, and I acknowledge that several South Korean companies and products are firmly entrenched in the Nigerian market.

”Nigerians appreciate South Korean technology, and Nigerian products can also be beneficial to South Korean markets. You need to bring more of your companies and manufacturing plants here. We have everything your industries require to excel as we progress over the near-term. We can partner on skill development and the systematic transfer of knowledge to further empower our country’s innovative youth population.

”We have investment opportunities in the solid mineral sector and other areas, and cooperation in these areas will strengthen our bilateral relations,” the President said.

Recounting his fruitful discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol during the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, in 2023, and their mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation, President Tinubu pledged to build on the outcome of that meeting to further expand bilateral ties.

He welcomed an invitation from President Yoon to attend the first-ever South Korea-Africa Summit from June 4 to June 5, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, and directed Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to keep him abreast of the matter.

Ambassador Kim underscored President Tinubu’s pivotal role as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and leader of Africa’s largest economy, population, and democracy.

He noted the importance of Nigeria’s participation at the highest level at the Summit to enhance bilateral relations while also creating a future of prosperity for Africa and Korea as genuine partners in progress.

”Your Excellency’s visit to South Korea for the Summit will provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relations between the two nations,” the Ambassador said after reading a formal invitation from President Yoon.

Earlier, President Tinubu also received letters of credence from Ambassador Antit Mohsen of Tunisia and High Commissioner Muhali Imbuwa of Zambia.

At the separate events, the President emphasized the need to strengthen African unity and brotherhood that not only creates economic opportunities but also works toward eliminating conflicts across the continent.

Speaking with the High Commissioner of Zambia, the President said African unity and cooperation are important if the continent must overcome perennial conflict.

”We are ready to explore more areas of cooperation that promote African brotherhood and ensure sustainable growth across different sectors and provide economic opportunities for our citizens.

”Our doors are open, and do not hesitate to bring any challenges you may have in the course of your duty to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the President told the Zambian High Commissioner.

In his audience with the Tunisian Ambassador, the President affirmed Nigeria’s willingness to deepen partnership with North African countries toward achieving continental prosperity for all African people.

He declared that Nigeria is open for business like never before and that the international community is taking notice, while investor confidence in the country is returning.

He thanked the Ambassador for acknowledging the progress in the country in the last eleven months of his administration, promising that his government will continue to ensure a memorable and rewarding stay for representatives of foreign governments.

The Tunisian Ambassador said his government welcomes the new vibrancy and determination the President has brought into national leadership since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

”We welcome the economic reforms and the enhancement of national security in Nigeria under your leadership.

”Because of what we have seen, we are emboldened to collaborate on a new level, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, and defence,” the Tunisian Ambassador said.

 

 

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