Saturday, 25 July 2020

Nigerian army commissions 373 cadets at Jaji



By Sani Idris

The Nigerian Army, on Saturday commissioned 373 cadets of its Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 25/2020, into officers cadre at the Nigerian Army (NA), School of Infantry (NASI) in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the officers, who comprised of serving and non-serving personnel, graduated in different fields after six months of intensive training at the school.

The new officers were conferred with the rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army by the Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.

Addressing the new officers, Magashi said that the DSSC was designed for the employment of professionals from various fields into specialist corps and directorates of the Nigerian army.

He said the commissioning ceremony was significant considering the myriad of security challenges confronting the country, especially insurgency and banditry in the North East and North West zones respectively.

The minister urged the new officers to brace up for the task ahead of them, adding that many of them would be subsequently deployed to support the various ongoing internal security operations.

“Your commissioning today is coming at a time when the Nigerian Army is engaged in different operations in response to the myriad of security challenges.

“These include counter-insurgency operation in the North East and anti-banditry operation in the North West, among others.

“Most of you will find yourself in various theatres in support of these operations.

“I am certain that your training has inculcated in you a high standard of discipline and professionalism, which you would be expected to inculcate in addressing these security challenges.

“We expect nothing, but total commitment, loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice from you.

“I implore you to put all that you have learnt into practice in the discharge of your assigned roles,” he said.

Magashi, however, enjoined the cadets to leave up to oath of allegiance to be loyal to the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to the Nigerian army.

He assured them that they would subsequently be posted to different corps of the NA where they would be exposed to further training in different areas of specialisation.

He said: “You must endeavour to continue to seek personal development, which will add value to your service to the Nigerian army.”

He urged them to apply the tradition and customs of the Nigerian Army, and be conversant with the harmonised terms and condition of service of the army to guide them.

Magashi commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for providing resources and direction to NASI, as well as the commandant and instructors, for the good job being done.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for approving the training, and for his unwavering support to the armed forces.

Magashi also commended the school for being able to conduct the training in spite of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic, without threat to health, adding that the success had been due to strict adherence to the guidelines.

“I must confess that from my observation today, NASI has undergone tremendous improvement in terms of infrastructure and I must commend the officers and the leadership of Infantry Corps for the positive transformation so far,” he said.

The 373 newly commissioned officers were later administered the oath of allegiance and decorated with the rank of Lieutenant by their parents/guardians. (NAN)

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

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Saturday, 18 July 2020

Foundation donates food items to 200 teachers in Kaduna



By Sani Idris

Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), on Saturday donated food items to 200 private school teachers in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the food items were donated through the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).

The Country Director of GPFN, Rev. John Hayab, while donating the food item said it was to cushion the effect of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Hayab said that private schools teachers were among those badly affected by the lockdown of schools and are barely surviving as a result of non payments of salary.

“Every sector in Nigeria as well as the private schools is important, the teachers in private school have been going through difficult times for about four months of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The private schools teachers are being paid salaries when parents pay their children’s school fees, as a result of the situation, they have been facing serious difficulties in trying to fend for their families, he said.

Hayab noted that other countries during the pandemic have been supporting private school teachers and that prompted the foundation to also show such concern in Nigeria.

“One of the reason some people are unable to be called to order during any violence in our society is that no one showed them love when they were in need, we should learn to help one another during trying times.

“We have reached out and assisted so many people during the lockdown with our personal incomes, we are encouraging others to do same as it’s humanitarian and will be repaid by God,”  Hayab said.

He called on the Government and other spirited individuals and organisations to assist private school teachers especially during this period of hardship occasioned by the pandemic.

Also, Malam Halliru Maraya, the Northern coordinator of GPFN, said the gesture was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of private school teachers.

“Private school teachers play a critical role in provision of education in the country pursuant to the apparent neglect and collapse of the public school system, he said.

Maraya added that the government had not done much to ameliorate the plight of Private school teachers regarding palliative.

“Although our donation is small, it is not really small metaphorically because it would bring happiness to the teachers,” he said.

He called on the Government to reopen schools so as to pave way for continuation of teachers livelihood and learning activities.

Ja’faru Yusuf, state Chairman of NAPPS, whike appreciating GPFN, said the gesture would go a long way in easing the ravaging effect of the COVID-19 among the teachers.

He thanked the foundation for the kind gesture and also appealed to government to reopen schools and monitor the compliance of the COVID-19 safety guidelines. (NAN)

SA/EOB/IU
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Edited by Edith Bolokor and Isaac Ukpoju

Sani Idris

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Thursday, 16 July 2020

Ministry, NGOs distribute food items to over 100 households in Kaduna


By Sani Idris

 No fewer than 100 households in Kaduna State have benefitted from food items distributed by the state Government in collaboration with two NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development collaborated with two NGOs, Muzaif Foundation and Gracious Givers Foundation, in the humanitarian gesture.
The Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Hafsa Baba, said the gesture was part of the ministry’s efforts in assisting less privileged households to cushion the ravaging period of Coronavirus pandemic.

The Commissioner, who was represented by Mrs Zahida Jibril, the Chief Executive Officer of Muzaif Foundation, added that the ministry would continue to support the less privileged in the state in various ways to ameliorate their sufferings.
“We would also initiate as many programmes and activities as we can towards helping the vulnerable so they can also have a sense of belonging.
“We would make sure the vulnerables realize that they have not been forgotten in the state, arrangements are being put in place to ensure they are out of hunger especially in this trying time”, Baba said.
Also speaking during the distribution exercise, the Founder of Gracious Givers Foundation, Aminu Bashir said the vulnerable people were those who needed to be assisted at such a critical time.
He called on government at various levels to assist NGOs of their kinds with grants to enable them easily do their duties and reach out to vulnerable communities.
While appreciating the NGOs, a private  arabic school teacher, Malam Usaini Ahmad, said there had never been such kind gesture showed to their community in the past.
“We are very happy to be remembered, there has never been such kind gesture brought to our community and we hope it will keep coming.
“We pray that God Almighty continue to bless you and replenish your purse for giving out to the needy”, Ahmad said.
He called on government to make special plans in assisting private school teachers especially in this period, to ameliorate the sufferings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAN reports that the food items, which included rice, garri and semovita, were shared to households in Nassarawa area, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis.(NAN)
SA/KOO/MZA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Maharazu Ahmed

Sani Idris

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Monday, 27 April 2020

Ramadan: Foundation distributes food items to Kaduna residents



A Non-Governmental Organisation, Bintalya First Foundation (BFF), on Monday distributed food items to vulnerable people in the suburb of Kaduna.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation, Hajiya Binta Hamidu-Haruna, said the gesture was aimed at reducing the hardship being faced by the residents during the Holy month of Ramadan, following the curfew imposed by the state government to prevent the spread of the ravaging coronavirus.

Hamidu-Haruna said that the beneficiaries were in Unguwan Rimi, Tudun Wada, Unguwan Sanusi, Badikko, Hayin Danmani, Kabala, Rigasa, Nasarawa and Mando area in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the items distributed included rice, millet, flour, noodles and sugar.

NAN also reports that the food items were taken to the beneficiaries door step due to the restriction of movement in the state.

According to Hamidu-Haruna, the door-to-door distribution was done to ease the hardships  faced by the families who depended on daily incomes.

“We want you to obey the directives given by the Government in the efforts at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, use this Ramadan period to also pray for the end of the virus.

“Ensure that you comply with the rule of social distancing, washing of hands frequently under running water with soap and embracing self isolation.”

She said that though some residents might find the curfew unpleasant especially during the holy month of Ramadan, but would be glad at the end of the day that it was in their own interest and that of their families.

Hamidu-Haruna called on corporate organisations and public spirited individuals to support their iniitiative so that more people could benefit from it at this critical time for Nigeria especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

She lauded her staff and those who had assisted in the distribution exercise.

One of the beneficiaries, Idris Sani, thanked the foundation for the gesture and said,“We are happy that you remembered us at such a critical time of need.

“We pray that God Almighty continues to bless you and replenish your purse for giving out to the needy during this holy month of Ramadan and coronavirus lockdown".




SA /BOLA/MZA
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Maharazu Ahmed

Sani Idris

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