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NITDA donates N30M ICT centre to Foundation
NITDA donates N30M ICT centre to Foundation
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Saturday donated a N30 million ICT centre to the Richard George Foundation (RGF).
The Director- General, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi made the donation at the formal inauguration of Gala/ Fund raising of RGF in Abuja.
Abdullahi explained that part of the agency intervention programme, which was also part of President Bola Tinubu ‘s “Renewed Hope” agenda was to provide infrastructure that could be used to promote innovation and entrepreneurship for people.
“We call it digital economy centre. We provide such centres to schools and communities.
“The centre comes with computers, furnitures, internet connectivity, printers, photo copiers, air conditioners, solar power, generators, and all necessary equipment needed for a centre to function,” he said.
The NITDA boss also said that the three strategic pillars of the foundation, which included education, skills and entrepreneurship,connected with his life story.
”I was born and raised in Jigawa, in a community full of artisans. But most of the people don’t go to school.
”But I was opportuned to go to school because my parents, especially my father insisted that we must finish university before we start anything.
”So I was brought up with two core values, which were my home core values, and my community ‘s core values, ” he said.
Abdullahi said that his father instilled that in him the core values, and that in all sincerity, the RGF strategic pillars connected and aligned with that value.
He narrated how he was inspired to become a computer scientist.
“The education I got in school is what gave me the knowledge, and I turned that knowledge into skill.
“But on that skill I needed to stand out and get noticed to become an entrepreneur, and so I did my first job, which was to design a web.
“I gave out the web for free, which eventually led to the people inviting me to design a similar web for them, and I was paid N1.5 million,” he said.
The NITDA boss said that money should not always be the main focus but skills acquisition.
”Try and develop skills, and with skills, money will come naturally.
“My story is to inspire the young people, that its not about the morning all the time, but about the skills, and its not about just education, but also the skill.
“When you have education, you need to have the skills to validate the education, without the skill, you cannot validate.
“And also to be an entrepreneur, you need to have that spirit to start and do something,” the NITDA boss said.
Earlier, Mr Richard George, Founder, RGF, said that the event of the day marked a milestone in his life because it birthed a dream.
According to him, the dream is to give back to his community through mentoring young and talented African graduates with a vision “To Raise Africa’s Change Makers”.
He said that the RGF summarized his humble beginnings.
Meanwhile one of the mentee, Mrs Ibigotemieari Adebiyi, described her journey with RGF as one of self-discovery and transformation.
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A philanthropist, and Commissioner for Environment in Katsina, Hamza Sule-Faskari, has distributed Ramadan assistance worth N122 million to thousands of vulnerable persons across the 11 Local Government Areas of Funtua Zone.
The intervention, aimed at easing hardship during the holy month of Ramadan, comprised food items valued at N60 million and cash donations totaling N62 million,
The commissioner, during the event on Sunday in Faskari, said the gesture benefited orphans, widows, internally displaced persons (IDPs), youths, politicians, community development associations, and other less-privileged members of society.
According to him, the food items included 400 bags of rice, 500 bags of millet, and 300 bags of maize, carefully allocated to ensure widespread reach and impact across communities in the zone.
Sule-Faskari, also the Wamban Faskari and Sadaukin Kasar Hausa, said the initiative was part of his sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly during Ramadan, a period that emphasises compassion, charity, and community support.
The commissioner said that the initiative was designed to provide relief and enable about 5,000 beneficiaries to observe the Ramadan fast with dignity.
He urged the residents to use the holy period to strengthen their devotion to Allah through prayers, acts of charity, and peaceful coexistence, while also praying for leaders at all levels to succeed in delivering sustainable development and prosperity.
In his remarks, the state Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Abu-Musawa, described Sule-Faskari as a committed party stalwart who consistently prioritizes the welfare of party members and vulnerable citizens.
According to him, the commissioner’s annual Ramadan interventions and other humanitarian efforts had strengthened unity, loyalty, and grassroots support for the party across the state.
Traditional leaders, Islamic clerics, and community representatives, who spoke at the event commended the commissioner’s generosity, describing it as timely and impactful.
They also urged other political leaders and wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture in supporting vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Surajo Daudawa, announced that the council would pay electricity bills for the residents for one year as part of efforts to cushion the economic burden on households.
NAN
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By Aminu Garko
Kano, Former Military Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to put aside their differences and unite in the defence of the nation’s sovereignty, emphasising the need for national solidarity in the face of external threats.
Abubakar expressed deep concern over reported comments by US President Donald Trump, describing the situation as a “grave threat to the country’s hard-won unity.”
Abubakar,, who is currently in London told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in a telephone interview on Tuesday that Trump’s comments could jeopardise Nigeria’s peace.
Abubakar emphasised that unity, wisdom, and diplomacy were essential in navigating this critical moment, adding that division and pride would only exacerbate the situation.
He also called on the United States to support Nigeria in combating insecurity rather than issuing threats.
Abubakar, however, said strategic dialogue was needed to engage Washington and Trump through quiet diplomacy so as to de-escalate the situation and address the underlying issues.
He stressed, “Unity, wisdom, and diplomacy must take precedence over division and pride at this critical moment.”
He urged the US to support Nigeria in combating insecurity rather than issuing threats of an attack on the West African nation.
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NAN Bureau Chief appointed Chairman of NUJ Kano ethics, disciplinary committee
Appointment
Kano. The Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appointed the Bureau Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Aminu Garko, as the Chairman of its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the appointment, which took effect immediately, will span a two-month tenure and is seen as a strategic move to uphold ethical standards and accountability within the union.
In an official letter signed by the council Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Dederi, the NUJ praised Garko’s “commendable track record, discipline, resilience, and unwavering commitment to professional responsibilities.”
His appointment, according to the union, was grounded in the provisions of Article 7(1)(a) of the NUJ Constitution.
The letter read, “The Clcouncil is confident that your integrity and dedication will contribute meaningfully to the work of this Committee.
“You are expected to discharge your duties in accordance with the NUJ constitution and the terms of reference attached to this letter.”
The ethics and disciplinary committee plays a critical role in promoting accountability and professionalism among journalists in Kano State.
Garko’s leadership is expected to bring fresh momentum to the council’s efforts to maintain journalistic integrity and enforce ethical compliance among members.
Garko, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience in the media industry, is widely respected in the Nigerian press for his principled reporting and leadership.
His colleagues describe him as a “bridge between generations of journalists” and a “model of integrity in the profession.”
While addressing Reporters following the announcement, Dederi reaffirmed the council’s commitment to transparency and discipline.
“The union must continually reinvent itself by setting high ethical standards and holding members accountable.
“With Mr Garko leading this important committee, we are confident that the right tone will be set,” he said.
The terms of reference guiding the committee’s activities were enclosed with the appointment letter and are expected to serve as the foundation for the committee’s operations during Garko’s tenure.
The appointment is seen by many as a reaffirmation of the NUJ’s dedication to professional excellence, especially at a time when ethical journalism is increasingly being called into question amid the rise of misinformation.
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Radda unveils ₦10.3m Ramadan support for APC members in Katsina
Katsina Commissioner distributes N122m as Ramadan relief
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