News

Never Say You Know It All-Dembo

Published

1 year ago

September 28, 2023

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

It is a public knowledge that some people always assume that they can’t be advised or corrected at a point on an issue bordering on their endeavours. This is absolutely wrong, because it is an easier way to self destruction.

There is no smoke, they say, without fire. I was having a conversation recently on phone with my respected brother and President of Ilorin Emirate Bayero University, Kano Alumni Association, Mallam AbdulGaniy Ayoku where we discussed issues that border on development in our community, Kwara state and Nigeria in general. He unequivocally said it is good to remind ourselves to always do good to one another. He explained that there is nothing wrong advising those in the position of authority, provided it is done with respect and devoid of vulgar language.

The Almighty Allah knows us, because He is our Creator. Hence, He said we should remind ourselves as it will be beneficial to mankind. Let me be blunt, nobody knows it all. If you are in a position of authority, it is imperative that you listen to those who are admonishing you on the path of truth; don’t disparage them. In fact, most times, listening to your critics would help you to grow in no small measure. This is because in their criticisms lie elements of construction and destruction. The psychophants would not tell you the truth because of one reason or the other. To me when you see someone refusing to listen to those who are genuinely telling him or her the truth, he is probably arrogant and pompous. Such a person is deemed to have traits of Shaitan (Devil).

It is significant to say that not all advice is workable, so it is now left to you to digest and think inward to ensure that you don’t commit grave errors that are capable of disrupting your affairs and people’s expectations from you. Of course, some people who know you are intelligent would want to paint you black once they know you would reject their selfish advice. As a community leader, politician, head of a corporate organization or head of a family; you must have people of proven integrity around you. The reason is simple, they are your first advisers.

Some men and women have failed because they have always been treating an advice from their wives or husbands with disdain and stubbornness. As a reasonable partner you should be able to listen and digest the advice so that you won’t run into “had I know I would have listened to you”. It is natural when you are advised against your wish that you feel bad, but all you need is to calm down, consult and pray. A typical instance is in the event that a young man or woman fell in love with someone and his or her parents had Advised him/her to leave the woman/man based on the history and unsuitability of the relationship. Naturally it is not easy to advise someone who is in love with a woman or man, but taking the advice would do him or her a lot of good If he or she listens. Most times our parents see what we don’t see when it comes to choosing a lifetime partner.

Essentially, your success would be largely determined by the crop of people around you as a leader in any setting. So open your mind and don’t be selfish and hasty, because nothing lasts forever. Great men who felt they knew it all have fallen down in history because they have refused to listen.

In fact, as a leader you would hear funny advice and scenarios; but your pragmatism and sincere approach would help you to weather the storm of those inadequacies.

It is only the Almighty that knows it all. As a human being; however, you can’t be an Island. The implications of proving that you know it all is, friends, families and associates would leave you to continue fooling yourself.

At this stage of my life, I know I don’t know it all, because I have limitations so I will listen to genuine advice that would make me nagivate across the ocean of wisdom, knowledge and wellbeing. When you listen to an advice from a wise elder, it does not mean you are a fool or because you can’t think for yourself but to ensure that you don’t make a lifetime mistake.

News

AGILE Second Chance Education Enrolls 147 Young Girls and Women in Kwankwaso

Published

5 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Hajiya Jamila Ibrahim explaining a point to the women during the enrolment programme

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Second Chance Programme has successfully enrolled 147 young girls and married women into learning centers in Kwankwaso town, Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign to provide educational opportunities for adolescent girls and young women.

Dr. Auwalu Halilu, Technical Assistant for the AGILE Second Chance Programme, made this announcement during the enrollment drive in Kwankwaso. He emphasized the importance of continuing the campaign to bring education to those who had previously missed out. “The essence is the continuation of the enrollment drive campaign for adolescent girls and young women. Today in Kwankwaso, we started with 147 mostly young girls who are hawking and others who are married young women. This is just the beginning in Madobi; we shall still continue,” Dr. Halilu stated.

Cross section of the women beneficiaries

He highlighted the successful turnout, noting the enthusiasm and determination among the young participants. “The turnout was successful, especially among young models. It has shown zeal and will to go back and learn. We hope to merge our efforts with the Agency of Mass Education. There are young models above 25 years of age which the agency of Mass education can take care of even within the AGILE programme. We need to collaborate because, at some point, AGILE alone cannot cover all the centers,” he added.

Dr Auwalu Halilu Technical assistant explaining a point

Dr. Halilu reiterated the programme’s commitment to supporting education in Kano State and aligning with the governor’s mandate to improve the educational system. “We are doing this to support the emergency of education in Kano State and the mandate of the governor to change the narrative about the system of education in Kano State,” he said.

Jamila Ibrahim, the lead person for Component 2.2c of the Second Chance AGILE Programme, mentioned that this was their second visit to Kwankwaso, and the participants had filled out forms with their guardians.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to resume their education. Maimuna Rabiu Musa, one of the beneficiaries, shared her excitement, stating, “I am very grateful as I now return to continue my education with the permission of my husband. I previously stopped school when I was in SS2.”

Another beneficiary, Hadiza Shehu from Kwankwaso town, expressed her appreciation to the federal and state governments and the AGILE programme. “I am grateful for making it possible for me to come back to school free of charge. I previously left school when I was in JSS 3,” she said.

News

FG budgets N100bn for school feeding programme

Published

1 day ago

December 27, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

The federal government has proposed to spend N100bn on the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Daily Trust reports.

Analysis of the 2025 budget showed the programme is under the Service Wide Vote (SVW) and domiciled in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

It would be recalled that the feeding programme was suspended on January 12, after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIPA Halima Shehu, was suspended over alleged financial malfeasance.

However, the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, had in August disclosed plans to relaunch the programme.

Christmas message by Governor Uba Sani
Delays, overcrowding mar free train ride
Edun, who assured that the government would provide sufficient resources to support and sustain educational programmes nationwide, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing education through a series of initiatives to grant access to quality education.

Edun said, “Feeding children at school would not only improve their health and wellbeing but also incentivise them to remain in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children.”

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…To settle MDAs electricity debt with N15bn

The total expenditure for the SWV was increased to N6.7tr from the 4.4tr it received in 2024 among which is the settlement of MDAs electricity bills with N15bn.

Daily Trust reports that the Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) had claimed that ministries, departments, and agencies including the military owe it N42bn.

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This amount is different from that of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) that earlier in the year threatened to disconnect electricity in the Presidential Villa and 86 federal government’s ministries departments and agencies over N47.1bn outstanding debts as of December 2023.

The SWV also had a N2.3bn provision for entitlements of former presidents/heads of state and vice presidents/chiefs of general staff.

While there is another allocation of N1bn for severance benefits to retired heads of government agencies and parastatals.

Similarly, there is an allocation of N5bn for International sporting competitions and N41.2bn for contribution to international organisations.

Daily Trust

News

RUMFOBA Class ’94 Celebrates 30th Anniversary Calls for Community Database Centers

Published

1 day ago

December 27, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

The Rumfa College Old Boys Association (RUMFOBA) Class ’94 marked its 30th anniversary in Kano on Thursday, with a call to the Kano state government to establish database centres in each community.

These centres, to be led by village heads, would provide vital data on households across the state, enabling informed decision-making, planning, and project implementation.¹

Chairman of RUMFOBA Class ’94, Engineer Professor Ibrahim Sani Madugu, emphasized the importance of these database centres in ensuring security, supporting community development, and promoting small-scale industries and trades.

The class chapter has undertaken two major projects to support their alma mater: ensuring water availability in major areas and installing a CCTV surveillance system.

Following consultations with the Principal, additional projects were identified, including:

– _Solar-Based Security Lights_: for vulnerable areas such as the NCC computer centre and laboratories
– _Carpets for School Mosques_
– _Replacement of Dead Solar Batteries_
– _Payment of Owed Allowances_ for security personnel

Engineer Madugu stressed the need for the Kano state government to leverage renewable energy sources, such as solar power, to address electricity challenges.

He commended the government’s efforts in establishing the Kano Hydro Electricity Development Company (KHEDCO) and power stations at Tiga and Karaye dams.

Madugu, who leads a research team on Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) at Kampala International University, highlighted the importance of addressing climate change threats and exploring innovative solutions.

During the anniversary celebration, three individuals were awarded for their commitment to supporting Rumfa College and the educational sector in Kano State: former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-mata, and another recipient.

Kano State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-mata, commended RUMFOBA’s dedication to education and advised the union to focus on successfully implementing single projects annually, while communicating other challenges to the state government for necessary attention.