​Borno Is Always First On Paying Counterpart Funds,Says UBEC Chairman

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic  Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi has revealed that Borno State Government  under the leadership of Prof Babangana Zulum is always the first to release counterpart funds, which states are required as show of commitment before states can access funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission.

Bobboyi stated this on Friday when he received the Governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He was speaking at an open session where journalists were allowed before the meeting continued behind closed doors.

“I have always found solace in somebody in position of authority, particularly to the level of running a state to have particular interest in education. Borno has consistently shown that over the years.” Dr. Bobboyi said.

Dr. Bobboyi expressed his delight over what he described tremendous achievements in the education sector despite all the challenges and difficulties facing Borno.

He added that cooperation with Borno while implementing interventions has always been effective.

“I find that continuity quite pleasant, where throughout the years I have spent in UBEC, Borno has never delayed in paying counterparts, infact they use to be the first with all the difficulties” Dr. Bobboyi said.

Speaking earlier, Governor Zulum gave the highlight of various collaborative projects, the Governor expressed appreciation to the commission for their support.

Zulum was accompanied by the Senator representing Borno north, Abubakar Kyari, Chief Whip of the national assembly, Barr. MT Monguno, Hon. Ali Kotoko and former commissioner of education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kubo.

​Don’t host Tinubu’s birthday party in Govt House, Arewa youths tell Ganduje

For alleged moves to turn Government House, Kano into venue for the birthday party of National leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum(AYCF) has cautioned Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and advised him to move the event elsewhere .

“The plan is an insult on the symbol of authority that the Government House has been to the Kano people for decades,” they said.

A statement issued by the AYCF National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima yesterday, frowned at the choice of Kano Government House as the only place in the North for celebrating Tinubu’s birthday.

“He kept quiet while Northerners were under attack in Oyo and some parts of the Southwest,” they said.

“While people from Ganduje’s Northern Nigeria were being maimed, Tinubu kept mute even when Northerners’ assets were being destroyed in some parts of the Southwest,” they alleged.

“In the guise of hunting down imaginary herdsmen he could not even condemn the violence. Yet, this is shamelessly the special guest for Ganduje in Kano Government House,” they said.

“Kano is not only the financial nerve centre of the North, but also the symbol of the region’s cultural and historical pride, up to today and we won’t fold our arms and watch this pillar of the North turned into a birthday party venue for people who are not officials of any government in the country.”

The youths urged Ganduje “not to allow himself to be used as the only governor in the North to avail a whole symbol of authority—the Government House for a private citizen’s birthday party, something no Lagos State Governor has ever done to even the most respected politicians or private individuals from the North.

“Why can’t the governor of Lagos State, where Tinubu has a lot of influence do so inside the Government House, Alausa? Has Governor Ganduje ever hosted Aminu Kano’s remembrance in Government House? And if Governor Ganduje is so desperate about pleasing Tinubu, either as associate or political godfather what stops him from using any event

centre or stadium in Kano Municipal that could be more conveniently used for such purposes? Why must it be Government House?”

“We wish to advise Governor Ganduje to drop this primitive idea of hosting a private individual inside Kano Government House, or else we will apply all legitimate means of stopping this embarrassing wastage and denigration of the official abode of a Governor for fun,” they stated.

​Okiemute In Early Lead At Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament As Day One Ends

Okiemute Tega raced to the top of the table at the end of Day One proceedings of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament, (EEAST) racking up eight wins and just a defeat  in the first nine rounds of games at the two-day championship taking place in Lekki, Lagos.

Okeimute who is ranked No.10 at the tournament garnered a total of 804 cumulative points to end the day as  Day-One Champion.

Snapping at his heels is the chasing  Avwhenaga Oshevire (No.6) who has the same score but falls short with a lower 614 cumulative points.

The septet of Prince Omosefe (No. 9), youth prodigy Enoch Nwali(12),  Eta Karo (No.2),  Gbadebo Olufemi (No.42), Ibukun Faloye  (No. 23), Osikhena Ojior (No.15) and Dokun Esan (No. 13) all records 7 wins and two defeats each but are separated by cumulative points of 843, 613 ,579,569, 498,477 and 315 respectively to underline the competitiveness of the EEAST.

 
2015 WESPA Champion and tournament ranked No. 1 Wellington Jighere occupies the 10th position with 6 wins after nine rounds of  games with a 949 cumulative points.

73 players are competing across the Masters, Intermediate and Opens categories for the top prize as well as other spot winners’ positions in the maiden edition of the competition which has so far  lived up to pre-tournament ratings according to scrabble enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the chief sponsor Emmanuel Egbele is urging all to keep upholding the Covid19 Protocols.
Hostilities resume by 9am this Saturday, the final day where seven rounds of games will be played to determine the winners.