100,000 VULNERABLE CHILDREN TO ENJOY LIFE SKILLS IN NIGER STATE THROUGH AT-RISK PROGRAM BY YUNUSA ABUGI IN MINNA.

100,000 VULNERABLE CHILDREN TO ENJOY LIFE SKILLS IN NIGER STATE THROUGH AT-RISK PROGRAM 

BY YUNUSA ABUGI- In Minna.

The wife of the Niger State governor and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the At-Risk Programme, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago, has appealed to the federal government to expand the programme in the state to carter for the high number of out-of-school children in the state.

The governor's wife made the appeal during the official flag-off of the training of facilitators for the at risk children. 

The event which held at the Women Multipurpose Center, Minna, on Tuesday, 17th September 2024, had the wife of the governor Hajiya Fatima disclosing that the Niger State government has commenced the implementation of a programme targeting 100,000 children and young people in the state.

She also called on the facilitators to pay adequate attention to the training so as to increase the impact of the programme on the lives of the benefiting children. 

According to her, the decision to use youths as facilitators is to give these vulnerable children a sense of belonging.

She assured of the state government's commitment to the success of the project.

The Team Lead and Coordinator of ARC-P in the state, Hajiya Aisha Tafida, explained that the target beneficiaries in the first phase were 70,000 but the number was later increased to 100,000 by the state government.

She further explained that," the beneficiaries are vulnerable children and young people between the ages of five and 26 years, who are carefully identified to learn skills that will make them self-reliant.

She added "Children who are not opportuned in the society to have a sense of belonging in order to reduce their vulnerability," she said.

She then noted that 1,250 selected youth facilitators were to be trained and would be engaged to teach basic skills to the children to become self- reliant.

Tafida hinted that Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Bosso would be used as pilot local councils, adding that the remaining councils would thereafter follow.

Earlier in her keynote address, Mrs. Grace Obi, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, revealed that Niger State was very important to the Federal Government and appreciated the state for keying into the project.

She stated that Niger State has 71 percent girls between the ages of 25 and 29 in their productive age, adding that only ARCH-P can reduce unplanned children in the state.

Obi maintained that the President Bola Tinubu administration had set a target to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, adding that ARCH-P aimed to engage young people in meaningful ventures.

Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, represented by Alhaji Danladi Buhari, urged the facilitators to be committed to the implementation of the programme in the state.

HOW BORNO'S DAM DISASTER WAS FOREWARNED.By Maryam Sulaiman

HOW BORNO'S DAM DISASTER WAS FOREWARNED.

By Maryam Sulaiman

Mansa, the unsung Katagum engineer, who warned of Borno’s dam disaster.

In the annals of Nigeria’s engineering history, few names carry the weight of legend like Late Engr.  Abdulkadir Yelwaji Saleh, popularly known as Mansa, a man whose vision, integrity, and expertise stand as a beacon in a rapidly evolving world. As one of the first civil engineers to emerge from Nigeria, Mansa not only excelled in his field but embodied the ethical values that are sometimes rare in today’s fast-paced, profit-driven industry.

His foresight saved lives and reshaped the perception of civil engineering in the country.

The 1970s saw rapid infrastructural growth in northern Nigeria, especially in Borno State. As part of this boom, plans were drawn up for the construction of a major dam, envisioned as a vital source of water for irrigation and a safeguard against seasonal flooding. This dam, later to be known as the Alau Dam, was meant to bring stability to the region, particularly to Maiduguri, which had long dealt with sporadic flooding.

However, when Mansa and his company, MANSA Construction, reviewed the project’s design, they quickly spotted severe structural flaws and miscalculations that would likely lead to long-term failure. His expertise in civil engineering revealed that the dam’s foundations and flood management design would not withstand the harsh environmental conditions of the region. Mansa predicted that the dam, if built as designed, would collapse within 30 years, leading to devastating consequences.

Mansa’s company, adhering to the principles of safety and integrity, refused to participate in the project under such risky conditions. Unfortunately, another construction firm was awarded the contract, and the dam was built according to the original, flawed design.

The Collapse of Alau Dam
Mansa’s grim prediction came true just over two decades later. The Alau Dam collapsed in 1994, causing unprecedented flooding in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. Half of the city was submerged under water for weeks. The floodwaters overtook residential areas, businesses, and essential infrastructure, crippling Maiduguri and leaving thousands of people displaced. Canoes became the main mode of transportation in some parts of the city as the floodwaters surged into electric grids and other vital systems. The Alau Dam, originally built to bring prosperity and control, instead became a symbol of the dangers posed by ignoring expert advice and prioritising profit over safety. A Legacy of Ethical Engineering Mansa’s role in Nigeria’s engineering sector did not stop at his contributions to Borno. His talents were recognised internationally, particularly at London’s Heathrow Airport, where he served as a consultant during its construction. His ability to guide complex projects with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to safety earned him the respect of peers both at home and abroad. Despite these achievements, Mansa’s story is not widely known today. His refusal to compromise on safety in the Alau Dam project stands as a testament to his character and professionalism. Mansa is a prime example of the kind of leadership Nigeria desperately needs in its infrastructure projects. His story raises the question: in an era when infrastructure development is booming, do we still have engineers with such moral integrity?

A Mentor of Mentors

Mansa was not just an engineer but a mentor to the next generation of professionals. He imparted invaluable knowledge to those who followed in his footsteps, teaching them not just the technical aspects of engineering but also the ethical considerations that are critical to public safety. His mentees remember him as a man of unwavering principles, a mentor of mentors, and an engineer of engineers. He hails from Katagum,  an LGA in Bauchi State. The Alau Dam’s Continued Struggles The Alau Dam continues to face challenges even in recent times. In 2024, the dam once again experienced a failure, leading to another round of flooding in Maiduguri. Thousands of people fled their homes, and the city once again struggled with the aftermath of this infrastructural failure. The continuing issues with the dam serve as a reminder of the importance of foresight and ethical leadership in large-scale engineering projects.

Conclusion

In a time when Nigeria was still finding its footing in global engineering circles, Mansa stood tall as a pioneer and visionary. His refusal to participate in a flawed project that ultimately caused a widespread disaster demonstrates the crucial role of ethical decision-making in civil engineering. Mansa’s legacy is not just one of technical brilliance but of a rare moral fortitude that we would do well to remember in today’s rapidly evolving world. May his memory inspire future engineers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. 

Maryam Sulaiman Maryam Suleiman, a Biologist, is a passionate journalist who is dedicated to making a difference in the society through Insightful, balanced reporting. 

Differing reports as Obasanjo meets Babangida, Aliyu Gusau in Minna.

Obasanjo meets Babangida, Aliyu Gusau in Minna

 Former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his visit to Ibrahim Babangida, ex-head of state, in Minna, Niger state.

   

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in Minna, Niger’s capital, on a visit to Ibrahim Babangida, the ex-head of state.

Obasanjo arrived in Minna yesterday Sunday evening after felicitating Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, in Edo State, over his 90th birthday.

The meeting with Babangida also had Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, and Aliyu Gusau, an ex-national security adviser (NSA), in attendance.

While our correspondent in Minna gathered that Obasanjo arrived Minna International Airport in Golf Steam 5 Aircraft at about 4:30pm and drove straight to General Babangida’s residence where he joined Abdulsalami and Gusau.

A source familiar with the visit said the four elder statesmen held a closed door meeting that lasted for about an hour after which Obasanjo left Minna around 6:20pm.

Kehinde Akinyemi, media aide to Obasanjo, confirmed the meeting in a statement that the meeting was to felicitate with Babangida on his birthday recently celebrated. 

It was not immediately clear what issues were discussed by the former Nigerian leaders, but multiple reports said the meeting was connected with pressing national issues that border on the current economic challenges.

However, Akinyemi said Obasanjo visited the former head of state to also celebrate his birthday who turned 83 in August.

Akinyemi said Obasanjo was unable to be present during Babangida’s birthday due to his busy schedule.

“The opportunity came yesterday, hence the visits to both Benin and Minna,” he said.

Akinyemi said Obasanjo noted Babangida’s contributions to Nigeria and celebrated his good health.