As
Nigeria celebrates her 14th Democracy Day under the Third Republic, the
Borno Government on Wednesday promised to build and deliver 100,000
houses free to its rural residents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared May 29 of each year to be observed as the country’s Democracy Day.
Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, handed over power to civilian President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
Obasanjo later declared May 29 as a public holiday to enable citizens mark the day by taking stock of the performance of the democratic system of governance.
Commenting on the free houses, the Borno Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youths Empowerment, Dr Zainab Gimba, told NAN in Maiduguri that the houses would be given to villagers across the state to enhance their living condition.
Gimba explained that the houses would be constructed across the 27 local government areas of the state for even spread.
``Our target is to construct 100,000 block of houses for rural dwellers across the state to provide them with decent accommodation.
``The houses will replace thatched houses currently being used by the villagers,'' she said.
Gimba added that construction work had already commenced in some locations.
``We have started work in some areas like Damasak headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, where about 75 out of the expected 750 houses had been completed.
``We are also mobilising to site in some other locations,'' she said.
Gimba said that the objective was to provide democratic dividends to the people as well as prevent yearly fire disasters associated with thatched houses.
She said that government had also employed about 30,000 unemployed youths to produce red blocks for the construction work.
``We have employed about 30,000 youths as labourers to produce blocks for the houses.
``This is in addition to about 25,000 youths engaged in the massive production of interlocking blocks for the beautification of the state capital,'' Gimba said.
She said that the state government had been able to reduce poverty by about 30 per cent among youths and women in the state through its various empowerment programmes.
Meanwhile, Mr Iyiola Fadiya, an Abuja-based public commentator has advised Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process to strengthen democracy in the country.
Giving the advice in an interview with NAN in Abuja, Iyiola added that the collaboration of Nigerians with the government would strengthen democratic institutions.
He maintained that it was by deliberate decision and design that Nigeria chose democracy as the best form of government suited for our pluralistic society.
The public commentator also said that Nigerians owed it a sacred duty to nurture and sustain the democratic institutions.
He said that democracy should not be seen or perceived as those in government versus those outside government, pointing out that every citizen ought to keep the faith.
According to him, democracy is participatory and representative enough to carter for all interests, where no one or group will be marginalised or oppressed.
Meanwhile, to mark the day, the Jigawa Government announced that it recruited 4,414 teachers in the last six years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Haruna Wakili, told NAN that the recruitment was one of the major achievements of Gov. Sule Lamido’s administration.
Wakili explained that 2,927 teachers were employed to teach in primary schools, while 1,487 others were engaged in secondary schools.
He said that the percentage of unqualified teachers at basic level had dropped from 74 per cent in 2007 to 42 per cent in 2012.
He stated that the present administration was committed to ensuring that all teachers in primary and secondary schools were qualified.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Jigawa, Alhaji Usman Ya’u, lauded Lamido’s administration for the transformation in the education sector, especially primary schools.
Ya’u explained that the present government had built and renovated primary schools and also provided furniture.
He said that the 27.5 per cent increment was implemented in salaries and allowances to motivate teachers.
The chairman also commended the government for introducing various initiatives to improve skills and techniques. (NAN)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared May 29 of each year to be observed as the country’s Democracy Day.
Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, handed over power to civilian President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
Obasanjo later declared May 29 as a public holiday to enable citizens mark the day by taking stock of the performance of the democratic system of governance.
Commenting on the free houses, the Borno Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youths Empowerment, Dr Zainab Gimba, told NAN in Maiduguri that the houses would be given to villagers across the state to enhance their living condition.
Gimba explained that the houses would be constructed across the 27 local government areas of the state for even spread.
``Our target is to construct 100,000 block of houses for rural dwellers across the state to provide them with decent accommodation.
``The houses will replace thatched houses currently being used by the villagers,'' she said.
Gimba added that construction work had already commenced in some locations.
``We have started work in some areas like Damasak headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, where about 75 out of the expected 750 houses had been completed.
``We are also mobilising to site in some other locations,'' she said.
Gimba said that the objective was to provide democratic dividends to the people as well as prevent yearly fire disasters associated with thatched houses.
She said that government had also employed about 30,000 unemployed youths to produce red blocks for the construction work.
``We have employed about 30,000 youths as labourers to produce blocks for the houses.
``This is in addition to about 25,000 youths engaged in the massive production of interlocking blocks for the beautification of the state capital,'' Gimba said.
She said that the state government had been able to reduce poverty by about 30 per cent among youths and women in the state through its various empowerment programmes.
Meanwhile, Mr Iyiola Fadiya, an Abuja-based public commentator has advised Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process to strengthen democracy in the country.
Giving the advice in an interview with NAN in Abuja, Iyiola added that the collaboration of Nigerians with the government would strengthen democratic institutions.
He maintained that it was by deliberate decision and design that Nigeria chose democracy as the best form of government suited for our pluralistic society.
The public commentator also said that Nigerians owed it a sacred duty to nurture and sustain the democratic institutions.
He said that democracy should not be seen or perceived as those in government versus those outside government, pointing out that every citizen ought to keep the faith.
According to him, democracy is participatory and representative enough to carter for all interests, where no one or group will be marginalised or oppressed.
Meanwhile, to mark the day, the Jigawa Government announced that it recruited 4,414 teachers in the last six years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Haruna Wakili, told NAN that the recruitment was one of the major achievements of Gov. Sule Lamido’s administration.
Wakili explained that 2,927 teachers were employed to teach in primary schools, while 1,487 others were engaged in secondary schools.
He said that the percentage of unqualified teachers at basic level had dropped from 74 per cent in 2007 to 42 per cent in 2012.
He stated that the present administration was committed to ensuring that all teachers in primary and secondary schools were qualified.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Jigawa, Alhaji Usman Ya’u, lauded Lamido’s administration for the transformation in the education sector, especially primary schools.
Ya’u explained that the present government had built and renovated primary schools and also provided furniture.
He said that the 27.5 per cent increment was implemented in salaries and allowances to motivate teachers.
The chairman also commended the government for introducing various initiatives to improve skills and techniques. (NAN)
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