Category: Daily Trust

The death of Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Faskari in Istanbul, Turkey, has ended the remarkable journey of a Katsina-born professional who successfully crossed the boundaries of architecture, business and agriculture to become one of Nigeria’s influential advocates for farmers and agricultural development.

The late Faskari, a former National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), died at the age of 67 following reported complications from prostate surgery.

At the time of his death, he was serving as Chairman of the Nigeria Agriculture Business Group (NABG), where he remained actively involved in promoting agricultural development, food security and greater private-sector participation in Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

Sources close to Faskari said that beyond the positions he held and the titles attached to his name, he represented a generation of Nigerian agricultural leaders who understood farming not merely as a rural occupation, but as a business capable of transforming the country’s economy.

He was widely regarded as a symbol of modern agriculture during his lifetime.

Born in 1959 in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Faskari began his professional journey in a field entirely different from the one that would eventually bring him national prominence.

He attended Government Secondary School Katsina, before proceeding to the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria for his Advanced Level education. He subsequently studied Architecture at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees between 1978 and 1983.

After completing his National Youth Service Corps programme in Owerri in 1983/84, he pursued a career in architecture and later established Kebram Associates, a consulting firm, in 1987. The firm eventually became closely associated with his identity, earning him the nickname ‘Kebram’ among his peers.

His accomplishments in architecture eventually earned him recognition as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Ironically, agriculture later became the field through which his voice was heard most prominently across Nigeria. He ventured into agriculture not as a temporary business interest, but as a means of survival and livelihood. Within a short period, he built businesses around the sector’s value chain, establishing Kebram Farms Limited in 2001 and later Kebram Agritrade Limited in 2008.

His agricultural interests covered poultry production, crop farming and agricultural trade. Through these ventures, he gained first-hand knowledge of the realities confronting Nigerian farmers, including the rising cost of inputs, difficulty accessing finance, insecurity, market challenges and the persistent struggle to make agriculture profitable.

The welfare of rural farmers became one of his major concerns.

Unlike many commentators in the sector who spoke about agriculture from government offices and conference halls, Faskari’s advocacy was rooted in practical involvement in farming and agribusiness.

He understood the frustrations of farmers and regularly spoke about policies needed to increase food production, make farming more sustainable and profitable, and attract more investors into the sector.

According to a Kano-based poultry farmer, Alhaji Aminu Gayos, a single meeting with Faskari sparked his interest in poultry farming.

Gayos explained that Faskari introduced him to poultry farming, adding that his growing influence in the agricultural sector eventually propelled him into national leadership.

‘I never thought in my life I would be a poultry farmer, but I was fortunate to meet him in Kano during a workshop, and we got talking. He brought to my knowledge what it takes to be a successful poultry farmer.

‘When, between 2008 and 2012, Faskari served as President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), I wasn’t surprised. He was so helpful during a period when the industry faced major challenges, ranging from the high cost of feed and disease outbreaks to competition from imported products,’ Gayos said.

Gayos said that while Faskari was PAN president, he emerged as one of the prominent voices defending the interests of poultry farmers, particularly during the bird flu outbreaks in Nigeria.

He added that Faskari’s leadership style also established him as a familiar figure in national discussions on food production and agricultural policy.

Similarly, the Kano State chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna Aliyu, said that during Faskari’s tenure as National President of AFAN, the umbrella body for Nigerian farmers, the association experienced greater unity among its various arms.

He said Faskari occupied a position that placed him at the centre of agricultural policy discussions for more than a decade.

‘No doubt, his tenure as AFAN president was a period when agriculture increasingly became central to Nigeria’s economic and food security policies.

‘He was the catalyst that made the sector vibrant and attractive at a moment when the country was confronted with rapid population growth, rising food prices, insecurity in farming communities and repeated calls for Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported food.

‘It will interest you to note that late Faskari consistently argued that farmers needed more than promises, as he pushed for interventions that frequently focused on access to affordable financing, quality agricultural inputs, improved infrastructure, security for farming communities and policies capable of making agriculture attractive as a business.

‘Indeed, the agricultural sector has lost a rare gem. May Allah forgive all his shortcomings,’ Alhaji Abubakar said.

Many farmers who worked with Faskari over the years regarded him as a bridge between farmers, government and the private sector.

Even after his tenure as AFAN president, he remained deeply involved in the agricultural sector and continued to serve as a voice for farmers.

He later became Chairman of the Nigeria Agriculture Business Group, where he continued to advocate greater private-sector participation and policy reforms.

During his lifetime, he held several other important positions, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria. He was also associated with several agricultural trade and business organisations, reflecting his belief that Nigeria’s agricultural future depended on stronger collaboration among farmers, businesses and government.

According to a tomato farmer in Jigawa State, Alhaji Adhama Abdul Ringim, Faskari’s approach to agriculture was broader than farming alone, as he viewed the sector as a complete value chain, from production and processing to transportation, marketing and trade.

Ringim said that perspective made Faskari an important voice in conversations about how Nigeria could achieve food security while creating jobs and building a competitive agricultural economy.

For many farmers in Katsina State, Faskari’s death represents the loss of one of the state’s prominent sons whose influence extended far beyond its borders, as he carried the identity of his home state into national and international agricultural discussions.

For Abba Katsina, a former international media practitioner, Faskari’s success reflected the contributions of many Katsina professionals who have made their mark in public service, business, education and other sectors of Nigeria’s national life.

‘Late Faskari was always concerned as farmers in many communities continued to face difficulties accessing their farmlands, while rising production costs and insecurity combined to threaten food production. Advocacy for a way out for grassroots farmers had always been his priority,’ Abba said.

Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Faskari will not be found only in the organisations he led, but also in the conversations he helped sustain about the future of Nigerian agriculture and the welfare of farmers.

His journey-from an architect trained at Ahmadu Bello University to the leader of some of Nigeria’s foremost farmers’ organisations-demonstrated how professional expertise could be successfully combined with entrepreneurship and public advocacy.

For decades, he spoke for farmers who often had limited access to the corridors of power. He gave Nigerian farmers a voice.

He was an architect by training, an agribusinessman by practice and, ultimately, one of Nigeria’s enduring voices for the Nigerian farmer.

May his soul rest in peace!

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Tuesday, alleged that many civil society organisations now masquerade as helpers of vulnerable Nigerians to traffick unsuspecting youth from rural areas.

It also said many faith-based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were culpable in the menace, insisting that they usually target communities ravaged by farmers -herders crisis.

The Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, stated this at National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, venue for joint press briefing of security spokesmen.

Adekoye explained that human traffickers have shifted focus from female gender have started trafficking male young persons, adding that their modus operandi have changed to using technology to recruit trafficked persons.

‘We want to alert Nigerians on this gender shift in human trafficking, and the technology-driven cyber-enabled nature of human trafficking.

‘And again, we, through our operations, also discovered that traffickers also now masquerading under the umbrella of Civil Society Organizations and moving to communities that are already distressed; moving to communities where you have farmer-herder crises, and promising parents that, ‘Oh, we will take your children back to school,’ under a fake back-to-school project.

‘And from there, they harvest children, move them, and just about two weeks ago, in an operation we carried out in Onitsha, Anambra State, we recovered four children who were who were removed and trafficked from Kajuru in Kaduna in 2023,’ he said.

He said agency recovered some of them inside a high-rise building, and one of those children also was recovered from a nurse at a Federal Medical Centre in Onitsha.

‘And lastly, we have continued also to ensure that we want to profile the Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria. My DG has asked me to convey to them, leadership of the CSOs in Nigeria to do an in-house cleansing.

‘Because these are people that are known to the community. Some of them are community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

‘So, the people are familiar to them, so they take advantage of the vulnerability of the community-those who have been ravaged already-and they walk to them and take the children away.

‘As at last count, we have recovered 118 of such children from those that were trafficked from Nasarawa and from Benue, and three other states within the North Central.

‘So, we are appealing to Nigerians to be watchful. When you see them, please contact NAPTIP,’ the senior government official told journalists.

He further warned that human traffickers have now moved to the cyber space (social media) recruiting victims to Asia countries for hard labour.

According to him, the agency recently rescued 16 young boys from Thailand who were lured with lucrative job offers.

‘Now we have other countries around the Asian corridor And what is the promise? The promise is that they will earn good living. And for those of them who have been without job for a while, it’s a stolen opportunity for them.

‘Some of them even testify that they got the job, and they offer everything for them, right from the issuance of the travel documents, right from the transportation, to get them tickets, they give them VIP treatment on arrival at the destination country.

‘So, from beginning, it looks so real to them that they have no reason at all to doubt. So, the agency has been inundated of recent with calls from some of them who are stranded.

‘Just in July, we rescued about 16 of them from Thailand. When you hear their story, your emotion will corrupt you of what they pass through. Some of them couldn’t survive. Those who survived have a narrow escape from death,’ he said.

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) has welcomed the decision by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to appeal to the Federal High Court to consider halting the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.

The group described the decision as a demonstration of commitment to democracy, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.

In a statement signed Tuesday by its Secretary, Comrade Daniel Elachi Omaga, and Co-convener, Comrade Isah Abubakar, the FDA said no presidential candidate should be placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage because of pending criminal proceedings during an election period.

The group said the decision was consistent with regional and international democratic principles, including the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The FDA also commended Ajayi for what it described as his commitment to due process since assuming office in August 2024, citing the release of persons allegedly detained in error, payment of compensation to affected individuals and reliance on judicial processes in politically sensitive cases.

It also praised the DSS under Ajayi for progress in combating terrorism and insurgency, including the arrest and prosecution of high-profile terrorist suspects.

The group stressed that suspending Sowore’s prosecution should not be interpreted as placing him above the law or terminating the case.

‘Rather, it represents a responsible exercise of institutional discretion to ensure the electoral process is not unnecessarily complicated by legal actions against a presidential candidate,’ the statement said.

According to the FDA, the prosecution could resume after the election in accordance with due process.

The group said deferring the case would help promote a level playing field and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

It urged institutions to remain impartial and ensure that Nigerians are allowed to choose their leaders freely and without fear or institutional influence.

Operatives of the Zone 12 Intelligence Unit of Nigerian Police Force have arrested five suspects with human eyes and ritual materials in Bauchi State.

A statement signed by the Zone 12 Public Relations Officer, SP Jalige Mohammad, listed the suspects to include Abdullahi Idris, Sani Haruna, Auwal Umar, Abubakar Yusuf and Sharu Sale.

The statement added that they were arrested with several exhibits including two human eyes, white and red cloth, and other materials suspected to be used for money ritual purposes.

Mohammad said, ‘The suspects were arrested with two human eyes, White and red clothes and Other materials suspected to be used for money ritual purposes.’

Mohammad stated that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.

The statement added, ‘Investigation is ongoing to unravel further facts about the case, and the possible arrest of other accomplices and the source of the recovered exhibits. Upon completion of investigation suspects will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.’

Mohammad noted that the Assistant Inspector General of Police has condemned the act in strong terms and urged parents, guardians, and members of the public to remain vigilant.

He further advised citizens to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police formation immediately.

The AIG reassured the public of its commitment to rid the zone of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.

With the 2027 elections getting closer, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified efforts to consolidate the political influence of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in Katsina State.

Our correspondent observed that leaders of the NDC in Katsina are working to build a strong grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections by establishing contacts among the rural populace.

NDC governorship candidate in the state, Aliyu Ilu Barde, said the NDC is poised to spring surprises in the election, arguing that its growing grassroots presence and the support bases associated with Obi and Kwankwaso had significantly improved its prospects in the state.

Barde said the two leaders represent the party’s biggest political assets, particularly in the North, where Kwankwaso has an established political movement and large support base, while Obi commands significant support among young and urban voters.

‘It is apparent that Kwankwaso is particularly important in the North because he brings an established political movement and a huge support base to the party, just as Mr Peter Obi does.

‘Moreover, both individuals have an established global political reputation that Nigerians can rely on for a better nation. In Katsina, the party is growing day by day, and we are optimistic that we will deliver Katsina to the NDC in 2027,’ he said.

Recall that Kwankwaso visited Katsina in June and inaugurated the party’s new state secretariat, where he urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation. During the visit Kwankwaso identified insecurity, youth empowerment and good governance as key issues the party would campaign on.

Sources within the NDC said the party was also working to tap into the existing Obidient movement, particularly among younger and urban voters, as part of efforts to expand its support base.

‘We are working on giving the party a nationally recognisable presidential ticket capable of generating enthusiasm beyond its existing structure and augmenting the huge support the party is gaining in the state for our gubernatorial and other elective candidates,’ a source said.

Analysts however say the party faces a tough battle against the ruling APC’s established political machinery.

Malam Mukhtar Adamu said the NDC had emerged as a serious challenger but it is not yet the favourite to win Katsina in 2027.

‘It is obvious that, for now, the NDC is a serious emerging challenger, but not yet the favourite in Katsina. However, with the approach the NDC is adopting, the party may put up a strong challenge in 2027.

‘The NDC has momentum, a powerful national ticket and a growing local structure, but the party needs to do more to defeat the APC at the state and national levels because the APC has incumbency, political machinery and a much deeper organisational base,’ he said.

A Katsina-based politician, Ahmed Lawal Muhammad Gwarjo, said the NDC could spring surprises in 2027 because of its grassroots campaign strategy. He said Barde’s experience in grassroots mobilisation could give the party an advantage, noting that the candidate had previously travelled across the 34 local government areas while campaigning for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dikko Radda.

kThe Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has warned that Nigeria must urgently move away from an economic growth model that increases Gross Domestic Product (GDP) without creating enough decent, sustainable jobs for its rapidly growing population.

The group said the country faces the challenge of providing jobs for an estimated three million young Nigerians who enter the labour market every year, warning that failure to do so could turn the country’s large youth population from a potential economic advantage into a major source of pressure.

NESG made the position in its agenda for the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #32), where employment will be a major focus under the sub-theme, ‘Work Nigeria.’

According to the group, Nigeria’s population has surpassed 220 million, with almost 70 per cent of the population below the age of 35.

It said the size of the country’s young population presents both an opportunity and a serious challenge, depending largely on whether the economy can provide enough quality jobs for young people entering the labour market.

‘The difference between these two outcomes lies almost entirely in whether the economy can generate enough quality jobs to absorb the estimated three million young people who enter the labour market every year,’ the NESG said.

The group said Nigeria’s employment problem is not simply the result of temporary economic difficulties but a structural problem that has persisted despite periods of economic growth.

It noted that the economy has recorded positive GDP growth for much of the past two decades, but this has not translated into enough productive employment or improved economic security for millions of Nigerians.

According to NESG, many economically active Nigerians are either unable to find jobs or engaged in low-productivity informal activities that provide little income security and limited access to social protection. This has created a situation in which national economic growth could appear positive while many households continue to struggle to find stable, productive work.

The group said the problem is also linked to the nature of the sectors driving Nigeria’s headline economic growth. It noted that sectors such as oil and gas, finance and telecommunications, which have historically contributed significantly to GDP growth, are not labour-intensive enough to absorb workers on the scale required to address the country’s employment challenge.

NESG therefore called for a deliberate shift towards sectors capable of employing large numbers of Nigerians, including manufacturing, agro-processing, construction, creative industries and micro, small and medium enterprises.

A major part of the employment strategy proposed by the group centres on MSMEs, which it described as a critical part of Nigeria’s job-creation system. The group, citing data from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), said MSMEs account for about 96 per cent of all businesses in Nigeria and nearly 84 per cent of total employment.

Despite this contribution, it said many small businesses are unable to reach their full potential because of difficulties in obtaining finance, high regulatory costs and inadequate infrastructure.

Power shortages, poor logistics, and weak connectivity were also identified as factors that reduce small businesses’ ability to compete and expand. NESG also said many businesses struggle to move from the informal economy into the formal sector because of the cost and complexity involved.

The group wants the country to develop practical ways of making it easier for small businesses to formalise and become more competitive. It said formalisation should not be viewed simply as a government registration exercise, because it can directly affect employment and workers’ welfare.

The NESG therefore described MSME formalisation as ‘a jobs policy’, rather than merely a bureaucratic requirement.

The group called for closer cooperation between industries and educational institutions, expansion of vocational and technical education and greater investment in digital literacy.

Ahead of the campaigns for the 2027 general elections, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has charged the governorship candidates of the party to avoid hate speech and empty promises.

Mark gave the admonition in Abuja on Monday at a consultation meeting with the governorship candidates of the party from the states at the party headquarters in Abuja.

The former Senate President urged the candidates to avoid making promises they do not intend to keep when they come to office because it could erode the integrity of the party.

‘We are ADC. Our campaign must reflect the kind of country that we would like to build. Avoid hate speech, ethnic or religious profiling. We cannot be associated with violence in whatever form. Unlike the ruling party and the President, ADC does not believe that all is fair in politics,’ he stated.

The party chairman asked the candidates to familiarise themselves with the Governance and Ethical Principles of the party as articulated in its ‘Orange Book’, as well as the party’s manifesto.

The candidates also took turn to express their gratitude to the party for granting them the platform to contest the coming election.

Some of them expressed delight in the decision of the party and its presidential candidate, to anchor the party’s campaign on bringing down the cost of living for Nigerians, especially by bringing back fuel the subsidy to reduce the price of fuel.

The candidates, therefore, pledged their loyalty to the party and promised to make the party proud by winning their elections.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is set to leverage its participation at Big 5 Construct Nigeria 2026 to explore new business opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships and showcase its industry-leading engineering and construction capabilities at one of West Africa’s largest construction exhibitions holding from September 22 to 24, 2026, at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.

The annual exhibition which brings together key players across the construction and infrastructure value chain is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors, over 170 exhibitors and participants from more than 20 countries, providing a major platform for networking, business development, product showcases and industry engagement

The organisers describe the event as a gateway to Nigeria’s estimated $108 billion construction market, connecting exhibitors with decision-makers, buyers and industry leaders shaping the future of construction in the region.

For Julius Berger, the event presents an opportunity to highlight the company’s extensive portfolio of landmark infrastructure projects and demonstrate its growing expertise in innovative construction solutions, industrial development, building technologies and sustainable engineering practices.

The company is also expected to engage with government agencies, developers, consultants, manufacturers, investors and other stakeholders with a view to identifying new opportunities for collaboration and project delivery.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition, a senior in Julius Berger’s Strategic Business Development Unit, Filipe Lopes, said the company sees the event as an important platform for advancing industry partnerships and driving innovation.

‘Big 5 Construct Nigeria provides an important platform for Julius Berger to engage with industry stakeholders, showcase our capabilities and explore innovative solutions that can deliver greater value to clients. We see the exhibition as an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships and contribute to discussions on the future of construction in Nigeria, he said.

Organisers of Big 5 Construct Nigeria say the exhibition has established itself as a leading business platform for the construction industry. According to the organisers, the event connects exhibitors with ‘a highly targeted audience of decision-makers, buyers and industry leaders shaping the future of construction in the region,’ while creating opportunities to generate quality leads, build partnerships and expand market reach.

For Julius Berger, participation in the exhibition underscores its commitment to remaining at the forefront of industry innovation while supporting Nigeria’s infrastructure transformation agenda. Beyond showcasing completed projects and technical expertise, the company is expected to use the platform to identify technologies and partnerships that can enhance project delivery, improve efficiency and create long-term value for clients and communities.

The Zamfara State Government has declared that appointments of school principals and other education administrators will henceforth be based on merit and professional qualifications rather than political connections.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Abdulmalik Gajam, disclosed this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the Global Standard Teacher Transformation Programme held at the conference hall of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science (ZACAS), Gusau.

Gajam said the government was determined to change the narrative of education in the state by promoting professionalism, merit, accountability and continuous capacity development among teachers and education administrators.

He said candidates would no longer need to approach politicians, government officials or local government chairmen to secure appointments or positions of responsibility in the education sector.

‘Nobody becomes principal only because he knows somebody big in the government. When you have the qualification, when you meet the criteria, you don’t need to beg,’ he said.

The commissioner urged teachers and education administrators to improve their qualifications, build their professional profiles and remain committed to their responsibilities, assuring them that the ministry had adequate data to identify deserving personnel.

He said the policy was aimed at ensuring that qualified personnel were assigned to positions that matched their experience and professional competence.

According to him, it would be unacceptable for a highly qualified officer, particularly one with expertise in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, to be denied leadership opportunities in specialised schools in favour of less qualified personnel.

‘That is never going to happen under my watch. We are going to make sure it is based on merit,’ Gajam said.

He also warned directors, heads of agencies, principals and teachers against demanding or accepting money from applicants, students or members of the public in exchange for services.

‘No director or head of agency would collect money from you ever again. Though if you bribe us, we will punish you. We do not ask you for anything. Just teach these children, because they have nobody but us,’ he said.

The commissioner further warned against examination malpractice, extortion of students, abuse of office, corruption and misuse of public property.

He said officials who engaged in such practices would face sanctions, stressing that honesty, discipline and commitment would be rewarded under his leadership.

Gajam also called on teachers, principals and other education stakeholders to hold the government accountable whenever policies and entitlements were not implemented.

‘We can’t have a society if there is no accountability. We have to be accountable to ourselves so that we can build a better society,’ he said.

He said the government was determined to change the perception of Zamfara outside the state, stressing that the state should not continue to be defined by insecurity, illiteracy and the number of out-of-school children.

‘It is time we set a future across Nigeria, because we have the capacity. We have the zeal. We can compete with any other state in Nigeria,’ he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Malam Mummuni Masamar Mudi, represented by the state Head of Service, Malam Yakubu Sani Haidara, congratulated participants of the training programme on its successful completion.

The Deputy Governor said the programme, organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for teachers, quality assurance evaluators and education administrators, was part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the state’s education system.

He said education remained a cornerstone of the administration’s Rescue Mission Agenda, noting that the government had declared a state of emergency in the sector and continued to invest in infrastructure, teacher development, policies and institutional reforms.

He urged participants to see the training as the beginning of a renewed commitment to excellence rather than an end in itself.

The Deputy Governor said teachers were the foundation of every successful education system, while quality assurance evaluators had the responsibility of upholding standards and education administrators were critical to the implementation of reforms.

He charged the participants to return to their respective schools, offices and communities and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to improve classroom practices, supervision, school leadership and learning outcomes.

He commended the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, facilitators and partners involved in organising the programme, saying their efforts reflected the government’s vision of building a modern, inclusive and globally competitive education system.

The Deputy Governor thereafter declared the training programme officially closed on behalf of the state government.

Gajam, while highlighting some of the achievements of the administration in the education sector, said the government had fulfilled its promise to improve the welfare of teachers.

He said teachers’ salaries, which he put at between N18,000 and N30,000 under the previous administration, had been raised to at least the N70,000 minimum wage.

He also said some teachers who previously received as little as N7,000 now earn N70,000 monthly.

The commissioner said the government had also addressed complaints over students being unable to obtain their WAEC and NECO certificates because of outstanding issues, adding that students were no longer being prevented from collecting their results.

He said the administration had equally embarked on the renovation and provision of conducive learning environments in schools across the state.

According to him, the 14-day Global Standard Teacher Transformation Programme was unprecedented in the history of the state, as participants were not only trained but also assessed on their professional capacity.

‘This is just the beginning. We have started this, and insha Allah, we will continue to build on it,’ Gajam said.

He urged school principals and other stakeholders to ensure that contractors executing projects in schools delivered according to specifications, saying the government would not tolerate substandard work.

He also called on education managers to ensure that public resources meant for schools were properly utilised and protected.

The commissioner said the ultimate objective of the reforms was to create an education system capable of producing students who could compete favourably with their counterparts across Nigeria and beyond.

A Policy expert and governance strategist, Murtala Adogi Mohammed, has urged governors to develop strategic plans and make adequate budgetary provisions for emergencies, rather than relying on the Federal Government allocation

Speaking during a fireside chat to mark his 50th birthday and the launch of his book in Abuja over the weekend titled: ‘Disruptive Governance’, Mohammed said the Covid-19 experience prompted him to document ideas on strategic planning and emergency response.

‘I began to think that if we’re going to have another COVID-19, it means governors may likely run back to the president again,’ he said.

According to him, he began writing the book in 2019, paused the project andresumed it in 2022 before completing it in February 2026

‘I saw that anything can happen anytime and it’s going to be a big shock to the global world, and we need to develop a strategic plan that captures crisis and emergency response,’ he said.

Mohammed advised newly elected governors to prioritise three areas at the beginning of their tenure: developing a strategic plan, reviewing the budget and assembling a competent technical team.

He said governors should assess available resources against their plans and determine whether supplementary funding, loans or public-private partnerships would be required.

On political appointments, Mohammed advocated a balance between competence and loyalty, while taking into account the political and demographic peculiarities of each state.

He recommended that governors prioritise competence during their first two years before bringing in more political actors as elections approach.

‘In your first two years, you assemble brains to help you deliver; then the second two years, you bring in politicians to help you win election,’ he said.

He also urged young people and political appointees to build strong relationships, create value and prepare for life after public office, stressing that political positions are temporary.

Aldo speaking, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Edwin Edeh, said Nigeria and Africa must move beyond development plans and policies to achieving measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.

Edeh noted that the country and the continent were not short of development plans and strategies, citing Nigeria’s Vision 2020, the Nigeria Development Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

He said the book provides a practical framework for addressing the gap between ideas and implementation, stressing the importance of strong institutions, evidence-based decisions and measurable performance.

‘Good ideas alone cannot produce results. For results to be produced, institutions and systems must work. Decisions must be evidence-based, and every performance must be measured,’ Edeh said.

In the same vein, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also highlighted significant gaps in the policy framework for protecting women, children and families, saying many existing policies were outdated and inadequately funded.

Vice-Chancellor of Baze University and lead reviewer of the book, ProfessorAbiodun Adeniyi, said measurable performance, institutional coordination, leadership and resource mobilisation were critical to closing the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

‘The author’s conception of disruption is fundamentally reformist rather than anarchist,’ he said. He said the framework was particularly relevant to Nigeria, where institutional reforms often face political, administrative, financial and organisational constraints.

According to him, strategic leaders can identify points of leverage within constrained institutions and use them to initiate meaningful improvements.

Also, Nasarawa State governorship aspirant, Senator AhmedWadada, also present at the event commended Murtala Adogi Mohammed for his contributions to governance and economic development, urging public officialsand aspiring leaders to study his ideas.