By Ibrahim Kado

An NGO, Nkafamiya Rescue Mission on Tuesday donated learning materials to Adamawa Government for distribution to pupils affected by flood disaster in the state.

Mr Ayuba Vandi, Chief of Operations of the organisation, who made the presentation in Yola, said the aim of the donation was to complement government’s effort to alleviate suffering of pupils in the affected schools in the state.

Vandi said the gesture was to sustain education development and ensure better learning environment for pupils in the affected Local Government Areas of the state.

“We understand most of the parents affected by the flood had lost the means of their livelihood and so we see the need to support them via provision of learning materials for their children and wards.

“When these pupils get access to these materials, it will help them learn safely in schools, other than being discouraged for the damages recorded in their schools”, he said.

Vandi listed some of the learning materials provided to include 300 dozens of 40 leaves exercise books, 10 packets of biros and 20 packets of pencils.

Dr Garba Pella, Commissioner for Education in the state, who received the materials on behalf of state government, appreciated the NGO for the gesture and for identifying with the victims of the flood disaster.

He assured the people that the materials would be judiciously distributed to the targeted beneficiaries to achieve the objectives of the gesture.

Pella said Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of the state was doing everything possible to positively impact on educational development, which was one of the priority sectors of state.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has praised MTN Foundation for upgrading science laboratories at Government Science Secondary School, Gombe. During the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Abdullahi Garkuwa, acknowledged MTN’s contribution to enhancing educational infrastructure in the state.

He noted that the upgraded labs would boost students’ understanding of science, technology, and innovation, complementing government efforts to improve school facilities. Yahaya added that MTN’s intervention, as part of its corporate social responsibility, would strengthen science education, laying a foundation for future manpower development, especially in the health sector.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Ashaitu Maigari, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating that over 3,000 students would benefit. She emphasized that MTN’s support addresses critical gaps in practical learning, aligning with the government’s billions of naira investment in upgrading schools.

MTN Senior Manager, Hamza Ibrahim, revealed that the foundation had invested hundreds of millions in Gombe State across various projects, including health facilities and boreholes. He further disclosed that MTN had renovated over 100 science labs in 32 schools nationwide in the last three years, aiming to improve science education standards.

The school principal, Abdulhakim Mudansir, also expressed gratitude for the partnership, noting the impact on the school’s infrastructure, including the renovation of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Agriculture labs.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has suspended his Special Adviser on Salaries and Pensions, Alhaji Bashir Ado, for allegedly issuing a premature statement about the approval of a N70,000 minimum wage for state workers.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Bala Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, expressing the government’s concern over reports circulating in the media that the governor had approved the new minimum wage.

“This claim is premature and embarrassing as the committee assigned to recommend the appropriate wage, led by the Head of the State Civil Service, is still in the process of completing its task and has not yet submitted its report,” Ibrahim stated.

As a result, Governor Namadi has approved Ado’s immediate suspension pending the outcome of an investigation by a committee chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Bello Abdulkadir. The committee, which includes members such as the Commissioners for Information, Health, and the Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters, has been given two weeks to submit its findings on the source, content, and intent of the statement.

The government remains committed to carefully reviewing the wage recommendations before making any formal announcements.