Popular comedian and satirist, Dan Bello Galadanci, has criticised the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of prioritising personal projects over urgently needed reforms in education and healthcare.

In a series of viral videos seen, Galadanci alleged that while the governor boasts of infrastructural achievements, the state’s schools and hospitals remain in bad condition, with funds allegedly diverted to fund the governor’s own residence and other non-essential projects.

Galadanci also vowed to continue his campaign, challenging corruption and neglect in Bauchi and across Northern Nigeria.

In one of the three different videos he posted on TikTok, Dan Bello satirically revealed how Governor Mohammed aspires to become Nigeria’s president despite his poor performance in healthcare delivery and education.

In another video, the satirist vowed to take the challenge to “Next Level” if the state government did not tender an apology for calling him a “liar who was trying to make a name.”

According to him, the scourge is not peculiar to Bauchi alone.

“It is all of Northern Nigeria and we cannot continue this way,” he said in Hausa, declaring a “war on corruption in terms of education and healthcare in all Northern Nigeria.”

The satirist said he had combed through the state budget performance documents between 2021 and 2024, adding “The embezzlement is astonishing.”

The satirist said the governor thought, “We are not aware of how the government house construction doubled” from N6 billion to N13 billion.

According to him, the price was inflated to simultaneously build the governor’s mansion.

“I don’t think Bauchi people understand the staggering quantity of this money,” he continued.

“One billion naira is N1 million in 1,000 ways and this money can be used to renovate 1,000 classes for N6 million per classroom.”

Further, Dan Bello presented pictorial evidence of various dilapidated general hospitals and schools in Bauchi, asking the governor if he was not aware of how many people have died in the state as a result of the negligence of healthcare by his administration.

However, the Ministry of Education government dismissed Galadanci’s accusations, claiming he is only trying to boost his public profile by making false statements.

The Commissioner of Education, Jamila Dahiru, described him as “a liar trying to make a name for himself.”

Also a statement issued by the Ministry’s public relations officer, Mr. Jalaludeen Usman attributed the unprecedented feat recorded in the sector to the dynamic leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed.

Reeling out some of the achievements of the Ministry, Usman stated that Governor Bala Mohammed has in demonstration to the state’s commitment to global best practices, initiated the adoption of National Girl Child Education Policy, Inclusive Education Policy and Safe School Policy.

He mentioned that in addition, the administration has sponsored the WAEC, NECO, and JAMB registrations for over 14,000 students.

The Ministry recalled that Dan Bello in a recent inaccurate viral video of one minute and 30 seconds tendered in Hausa, detailed images of dilapidated school infrastructure from some selected insular locations within the state.

“With over 500, 000 children brought back into the educational system, Bauchi state is a leading light in data-driven effective education planning and management, with a consistent Annual Schools Census (ASC) from 2020 till date to guide the delivery of the strategic roadmap”.

Other practicable initiatives, the PRO further outlined, included National Gender Policy in Education And Child Rights Act, among other policy and legal/institutional frameworks, ”this putting Bauchi today as one of six selected states receiving support through the System Transformation Grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), in furtherance of enhancing educational opportunities in the region.”

“The recognition is an acknowledgement of the new dawn in the sector as a focal priority of His Excellency, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed. It requires equal acknowledgement, support and encouragement of those in search of exemplary conversations to elevate and (or) emulate”, the statement said.

Jalaludeen explained that after the Education Summit convened to chart a roadmap for the sector, Governor Bala Mohammed increased the budget allocation to the sector from 12% to 16%, the highest in recent years.

“Mindful of the inadequacy of budgetary allocation in addressing the state of decay and dilapidation, the governor has never looked back or Relented since 2019, with massive renovation and remodeling of about 5,000 various

interventions targeting schools’ infrastructure”.

‘Some of the most recent among these are 784 Junior secondary schools and 219 senior secondary schools across the state, through the World Bank-assisted AGILE project set for takeoff soon. The project equally covers construction of 21 new junior secondary schools and 22 in the senior secondary category”.

“Through secured matching grants, additional 387 one-block classrooms have been renovated. An endless list of new projects has complemented these facelifts across the state.

“Some of them are, the construction of three ECCDE Model Schools in Bauchi, Toro, and Shira, construction of 12 Blocks of 4 high rise classrooms and a number of temporary shades through the BESDA project- Construction of 880 blocks of temporary Shades for IQE and additional 18,000 IQE temporary Shade seats, also through the BESDA Project.” the statement reads further.

Staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the agency’s management.

This is coming after a meeting convened on Friday, October 4, 2024 over unresolved issues.

The staff’s demands include a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently show a pass rate of only 35 percent.

The union is also advocating for a minimum benchmark of 80 percent for this year’s and future promotion exams.

Another significant demand is the settlement of salary arrears for employees hired in 2022.

In a statement signed by the association’s Secretary, Ejor Michael, the union accused NAFDAC management of neglecting their grievances, labelling the inaction as insufferable.

The striking workers, following the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate their offices.

They were also told to remove personal belongings as the strike commences.

The workers have vowed to continue the strike until all demands listed in their communiqué are fulfilled.

Governor of Taraba State Dr. Agbu Kefas has inaugurated the remodeled and newly reconstructed Government House Christained TY DANJUMA HOUSE in Jalingo the State Capital which has the State of the art taste and equipped with modern facilities.

Enaurating the remodeled Government House, the Guest of honor General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma rtd prayed that the reconstructed Government House be a blessing to the Government and people of Taraba State.

He commended Governor Kefas for his efforts in developing the State and prayed for peace and development of the Country.

Earlier, the State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdullahi Alkali said the remodeled and reconstructed Government House stands as a testament to the value of democracy, a revitalization of the aspirations and commitments of the Governor for good Governance, development and delivery of services to the people of Taraba State.

The deputy Governor also described the project as a testament to the values of efficiency, innovation and the forward thinking that the Kefas administration upholds.

The deputy governor also appreciated General TY Danjuma for his dedication to the development of the State and the country and
commended the project team for making the project a reality.

Structures remodeled and reconstructed include the Governor’s residence, ten offices for Special Advisers, three modern Security gates, banquet hall, Security and Communication office, an armoury, a Guest house, Fire Service Station, Data and Technology Complex, a Chapel, Warehouse and a modern Canteen.

Also Commissioned are armoured vehicle for the army as well as operational vehicles for the fire Service department.

Former Governors, deputy governors and former Minister of Information Professor Jerry Gana were among top dignitaries that graced the occassion.

A Yobe-based photographer, Saidu Abdulrahman, has captured 897 pictures in 60 minutes, in his quest to surpass the existing Guinness World Record of 500.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the record-breaking attempt took place in the presence of Yobe government officials, students and well wishers on wednesday in Potiskum Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Abdulrahman, 28, said the feat was achieved after 12 months of preparation, and expressed optimism of receiving formal recognition by the Guinness World Record.

“I snapped 897 pictures in one hour, surpassing our target of 600 in spite of numerous challenges,” he said.

Mr Abdulrahman is poised to etch his name in the Guinness World Record, to further cement Yobe’s presence on the global stage.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has handed the Federal Government a fresh 14-day ultimatum, to resolve pending issues.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, made this clear in a statement on Wednesday.

Osodeke said they were frustrated with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics.

Hence, it has given the President Bola Tinubu government a 14-day ultimatum which starts on Monday, September 23.

The statement read: “In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.

“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”

Key players in the Nigerian business and economic sector have kicked against the recent interest rate hike by the Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Committee.

President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Dele Oye and the President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Femi Egbesola in separate statements on Tuesday said the CBN interest rate to 27.25 percent would impact heavily on the growth of businesses and investments in Nigeria.

Their concerns come as the CBN MPC in a unanimous decision by members announced a 50 basis points interest rate increase, for the fifth time since February 2024.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso said further monetary policy tightening would help moderate inflation which stood at 32.15 percent in August and stabilize the country’s foreign exchange.

However, Dele Oye faulted the decision to hike the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR.

According to him, the rate hike would worsen the burden on businesses already grappling with the negative impact of foreign fluctuations and inflation.

He said, “This decision burdens businesses with higher loan costs, exacerbating their struggles and failing to curb inflation or stabilize the naira”, he said.

On his part, Egbesola said the interest rate hike will increase the cost of doing business by extension the prices of goods and services will go up.

“This definitely will push up further the cost of doing business and ultimately the cost of goods and services.

“The manufacturing sector may contract more as fund liquidity and profitability will surely reduce”, he said.

The Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday challenged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to swear an oath with the Quran that he has no hands in banditry affecting the state.

Matawalle gave the charge while rejecting the governor’s claim which linked him to banditry in the state.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, the minister recalled how he swore using the Quran that he had no connection with banditry in the state.

Lawal had charged the minister to address the allegations of him sponsoring banditry and money laundering during his tenure as governor.

Reacting, Matawalle said: “Let me remind you when I was a governor, I was the only governor that swore by the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connections with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening. I swore that if I was happy or part of it, God should not give me one second.

“I challenged all the politicians that time including Dauda, but none of them could take the oath. But I took it because I know my mind, I know I have a clean heart. And not only that, including all my councillors, chairmen, and commissioners, I will not give you an appointment, you have to take the oath.

“And up till tomorrow, I am challenging these people to take the oath that I have taken.

“They are part of the banditry, if not, let them take the oath with the holy Quran openly with all the Imams in Zamfara State. And since that time none of them have taken this oath.”

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated a committee to disburse relief packages to victims of Maiduguri flood disaster.

The September 10 flooding has significantly destroyed homes, infrastructure and agricultural lands and displaced thousands of families.

The 35-member committee was inaugurated by Governor Zulum on Monday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri.

The governor, while speaking, emphasised that the committee should ensure transparency in its activities. He said, “To the members of the committee, I urge you to approach this task with diligence and integrity. We must be accountable for every resource entrusted to us.

Zulum added that transparency in our operations will be paramount; we must ensure that every naira allocated for relief is used effectively and reaches those who are suffering.”

Zulum also directed that all allowances for the committee members shall be paid by the Borno State Government and not from the relief fund.

The governor ordered that 100% of the donations be disbursed to the flood victims. He noted that the state government would ensure the rehabilitation of public facilities such as hospitals, roads, and bridges while providing the needed financial support to those affected.

… Says N4.4b donations credited to relief account

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced that N4.4 billion in donations have been credited to the state’s relief account.

The state government established a dedicated account aimed at supporting the ongoing efforts to alleviate the hardships facing those affected by Maiduguri flood disaster.

Speaking after the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, Zulum said “So far, we acknowledged a pledge of N13,195,500,000; however, as of yesterday (Sunday), we received a total amount of N4,441,494,902.81. All allocations to this account shall be made public in due course.”