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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake has stressed that prioritising human capital development is essential to fully unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s extractive sector.

He made the assertion on Monday during the inauguration of the maiden edition of the NGSA Post-NYSC Graduate Youth Knowledge Empowerment and Capacity-Building Programme in Abuja organised by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in collaboration with the Ministry.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo the Minister emphasized that empowering young professionals with field-ready expertise remains the bedrock of sustainable growth in the mining industry.

‘Nigeria’s vast deposits of gold lithium iron ore barite and limestone offer immense opportunities for economic diversification industrialisation job creation and revenue generation. However maximizing this wealth requires a deliberate investment in our human resource capacity to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application’ Alake stated.

He called on the NGSA to scale up the capacity-building initiative urging the agency to partner with key stakeholders to broaden its reach.

‘To maximise the benefits of our mineral wealth we must expand human development initiatives across the sector. I urge the NGSA to deepen its collaboration with universities research institutions professional bodies and private sector operators. This will ensure that more young geoscientists are equipped with the practical skills required to drive the industry forward’ he said.

Alake advised participants to master core practical modules-including geological mapping mineral exploration remote sensing GIS and laboratory analysis-while urging them to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset.

‘Do not rely solely on conventional white-collar employment. I encourage you to leverage the practical skills gained here to explore entrepreneurship in mineral testing exploration support services mineral processing environmental consultancy and mining technology’ Alake added.

Earlier in his address the Director-General of the NGSA Professor Olusegun Ige explained that the programme was conceived to resolve the shortage of practical exposure commonly faced by geology graduates during their tertiary studies.

‘We received nearly 500 applications for this maiden edition but due to resource constraints we selected a competitive pool with balanced representation across all six geopolitical zones. Our senior experienced NGSA professionals will serve as facilitators to give these graduates the hands-on exposure required by the industry’ Ige noted.

Highlighting the agency’s ongoing commitment to manpower development Ige referenced past initiatives including the sponsorship and recognition of outstanding university research projects-one of whose award recipients was subsequently absorbed into the agency as an intern.

Supporting the Minister’s call former NGSA Director-General Alex Ndubuisi described the initiative as a timely intervention to correct academic equipment deficits in universities urging the agency to expand intake numbers for subsequent editions.

Representing the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) Engr. Simon Nkom the Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters Mr. Dauda Dinga commended the workshop and advocated for its expansion to cover mining engineering graduates noting that ‘competent geoscientists and mining engineers are the twin pillars of effective mineral title administration and sustainable extraction.’

Also speaking the representative of the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi Professor Nathaniel Goki reaffirmed academia’s support for the initiative calling for sustained institutional collaboration between universities and the NGSA in joint research and access to seismic monitoring data.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries trainee representative Nana Yakubu expressed gratitude to the Ministry and the NGSA for the platform pledging that the participants would maximize the training to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s solid minerals landscape.

Sokoto the seat of the Caliphate was agog yesterday.

Eminent Nigerians converged on the town for the commemoration of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar’s 20th anniversary on the exalted throne of the Sultanate.

As part of the celebration Sultan Abubakar turbaned 13 prominent sons of the soil and other personalities of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds from across the country for their services to humanity and national development.

The immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof. Is-haq Oloyede was turbaned the Kuliyan Sokoto; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Dr. Peter Igho was turbaned Kakakin Sokoto; and Gandi Umar was installed the Sarkin Galmar Sarkin Musulmi.

Also turbaned were two indigenes Prof. Mansur Ibrahim of the Uthman Dan Fodiyyo University (UDUS) and Chief Imam of Abu Huraira Mosque who waa turbaned Danmasanin Sokoto and Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir Dan Iya installed as Dallatun Sokoto.

Others with their titles include: Abdulkadir Jeli Bello as Sarkin Fulotin Sokoto; Abubakar Saddique Abubakar as Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida Sokoto; Shehu Usman Abubakar as Fagacin Sokoto.

Bello Idris was turbaned as Wakilin Tarihin Daular Usmaniyya and Ibrahim Al-Mustapha Rabah as Bauran Sokoto and Aminu Isa Buhari was installed as Danmalikin Sokoto while Dr. Balarabe Kakale Shehu Shuni was installed as the Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya and Abubakar Hussaini Bazza as the Sarkin Bai Sokoto.

Sultan Abubakar urged Nigerians to see themselves as a united family with different parents.

‘We are all on the same page. Let’s keep building on that for prosperity.

‘Having a united Nigeria is what we should always portray’ he said.

The revered leader described the unique and historic occasion as a step towards building a more loving and united course for Nigerians.

‘The new title holders are brought to help us not to do us favour in offloading the responsibilities shouldered on us.’

Accordingly Sultan Abubakar said it was a mark of trust honour and love shown to people across the world.

The religious leader took a turn to further explain the title of ‘Kuliyan Sokoto’ as one that promotes justice equity and fairness among equals.

He said Prof. Oloyede deserved the right title in the caliphate also stressing the significance of Peter Igho’s title of ‘Kakin Sokoto’.

Sultan Abubakar described Igho as a personality known all over the world for his strategic contributions to humanity.

‘You will bring good things closer to us from the outside world and make us amend what is bad for our unity and progress as a nation’ the Sultan stated.

He said the event marked a significant milestone in strengthening the beauty of unity love religious tolerance and brotherhood the caliphate has been known for.

The main investiture was also attended by House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajuddeen Sokoto State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and business mogul Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo A. A.

The traditional durbar and traditional shaving ‘Bukin Aski’ were heralded as the new title holders queued in their numbers for the process.

Responding Prof. Oloyede thanked Allah for the honour and new responsibility which he described as a two-in-one: as a Muslim by faith and a Yoruba by birth from Egba.

According to him the title combines both sacred and mundane.

‘It’s a religious title by virtue of being given by the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto.

‘I will use the title genuinely for multiple rewards from Allah. It encompasses both traditional and corporate and is enough dignity for my person’ Oloyede said.

He expressed appreciation to the Sultan and thanked the Sokoto State government and people.

The former JAMB registrar acknowledged the show of love and brotherhood by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his special message.

‘I will describe this new title as one given by Allah above all titles.

‘I aspire not to be given any title than what Allah has done to me. I am grateful to Him and pray that He will continue to guide me’ he said.

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State Bimbo Adekanmbi has unveiled a dedicated manifesto website to showcase his governance blueprint tagged Omititun 3.0: Continuity Competence and Community as part of efforts to deepen public engagement ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He said the initiative was designed to provide residents with direct access to his vision policy proposals and development agenda while creating an opportunity for voters to examine scrutinise and assess his plans for the state.

Director of Communication/ Spokesperson Oyo State APM Governorship Campaign Council Yinka Oladoyinbo in a statement issued on Monday said the launch of the website is another important step in his efforts to communicate his political vision and engage citizens on the future of Oyo State.

The statement reads in part ‘The manifesto website can be accessed at bimbo-adekanmbi.com

‘Omititun 3.0 represents a governance philosophy built around continuity competence and community participation with an emphasis on sustaining existing achievements identifying development gaps and ensuring that the benefits of governance reach communities across the state.

‘The initiative is anchored on the belief that effective governance must go beyond promises to include clear policy direction practical solutions and a commitment to inclusive development.

‘The continuity component of the blueprint would focus on building on existing development efforts while competence would bring the experience and capacity required to identify challenges address gaps and deliver measurable results.

‘The community component underscores the importance of ensuring that no part of Oyo State is left behind in the distribution of development projects opportunities and government services.

‘The newly launched website features dedicated sections including About Bimbo Omititun 3.0 Why Bimbo and Manifesto providing visitors with information about the candidate his political vision and proposed governance priorities.

‘The platform is also expected to serve as an information hub through which residents stakeholders and other interested members of the public can familiarise themselves with the APM candidate’s policy direction and proposed approach to governance.’

He said further ‘The launch adds a digital dimension to Adekanmbi’s political engagement strategy providing an accessible platform for citizens to interact with his ideas and hold discussions around his proposed development agenda for Oyo State.

‘An abridged version of the manifesto is ready and posted on our official website while the full version will be released very soon.

‘The presentation of the document would enable the people of the state in particular and Nigeria in general to be properly informed about the developmental programmes being planned for implementation during Omituntun 3.0.

‘It will also provide opportunity to scrutinise the manifesto and prepare them for constructive engagement with the APM candidate.’

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has promised not to suppress opposition voices as Nigeria heads into peak of campaigns for the 2027 general election.

To prove his seriousness Otti directed that public facilities in the state should not be closed to the candidates and members of opposition parties.

Addressing his supporters at Umuahia Township Stadium during the flag-off of the Labour Party’s campaign he also promised that his administration would not demolish any property of individuals for being in the opposition.

The governor expressed confidence that his achievements would guarantee him a second tenure saying: ‘I have since given an order and I am repeating it here that opposition parties should not be restricted from using public facilities including this stadium.

‘Never again will anybody’s fence be demolished for being in the opposition.’

Otti who recalled how a fence belonging to his supporter was demolished by the previous administration in the state said such a vindictive measure would not be applied by his administration against his challengers and their supporters.

The governor charged LP stakeholders to deliver the party in their localities.

He said ‘The request for another term was aimed at consolidating the multi-sectoral gains recorded by his administration in the last 41 months.

‘Our service to Abia State is the greatest honour of our lifetime; we are grateful to our people for their support and commitment to our administration’s development agenda.’

Otti said the enthusiasm demonstrated by supporters at the campaign takeoff reflected their determination to see the sustainment of the state’s ongoing transformation.

According to him his quest for re-election is not based on entitlement but on the need to continue providing responsive and accountable governance to the people.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa said the next House of Assembly in the state should be dominated by the Labour Party to avoid impeachment plots against the governor.

The Federal Government has introduced stricter conditions for admitting newly recruited workers into its payroll.

Under the new rule there will be multiple levels of verification and approval by the Accountant-General of the Federation is now compulsory before their salaries can be processed.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation Bawa Mokwa.

Going forward no newly recruited federal employee will be enrolled in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) without first being captured in the nominal roll of the relevant ministry department or agency (MDA) and satisfying all prescribed documentation and eligibility requirements.

The new policy announced by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) also places greater responsibility on MDAs to account for their personnel records and salary budgets as part of efforts to strengthen transparency accountability and efficiency in the management of the Federal Government’s payroll.

The directive which takes immediate effect applies to all ongoing and subsequent processes for admitting newly recruited federal employees into the payroll.

The OAGF said the changes were part of efforts to re-engineer payroll administration under IPPIS and improve the management of government personnel records.

A major feature of the new arrangement is the requirement for every employing MDA to formally request the admission of newly recruited workers into the federal payroll supported by relevant recruitment approvals appointment letters applicable waivers and other necessary documents.

The Accountant-General’s Office said these documents would be subjected to thorough examination before any employee could be considered for enrolment.

It explained that the verification would cover employees’ personal records salary structures grade levels steps allowances and other financial entitlements to ensure that the information submitted for payroll processing was accurate.

The exercise will also extend to statutory employee records including Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) details pension identification numbers National Housing Fund (NHF) registration and tax records.

According to the OAGF the checks are intended to ensure that deductions relating to pensions housing contributions and taxes are properly calculated and remitted to the appropriate institutions.

The new procedure also establishes multiple layers of responsibility between the OAGF and the MDAs before a newly recruited worker can be admitted into the government payroll.

After completing its initial verification the OAGF will forward the employee’s records to the relevant MDA for confirmation and endorsement by designated senior officials.

The officials required to endorse the records are the Accounting Officer Director of Human Resources Director of Finance and Accounts and the designated Payroll Validating Officer.

The records will then be returned to the Accountant-General’s Office for final processing.

The OAGF stated that completing these stages would still not guarantee automatic admission as final enrolment would depend on satisfactory completion of all the prescribed validation procedures and approval by the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The government has also warned that applications containing incomplete documentation or unresolved discrepancies will not be admitted into the payroll until the outstanding requirements have been met.

This means that newly recruited federal workers whose employment and personal records do not satisfy the prescribed conditions may have to wait before their salaries can be processed through IPPIS.

The directive further makes officials responsible for processing and approving payroll admissions accountable for any violation of the applicable rules and regulations.

The OAGF has consequently directed all Permanent Secretaries Heads of Agencies and other relevant officers to ensure strict compliance with the new requirements.

The increased responsibility assigned to MDAs is also intended to strengthen their control over personnel expenditure as the ministries and agencies are expected to maintain accurate nominal rolls and properly account for their personnel budgets.

By making MDAs responsible for confirming employee records at different stages of the process the government is seeking to establish clearer lines of accountability between the institutions that recruit workers and the office responsible for processing their salaries.