Digital Shift in Classrooms: FG, NEDC Train 100 Teachers to Revive Northeast Education

In a renewed push to transform learning outcomes in Nigeria’s conflict-affected Northeast, the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), has equipped over 100 teachers with digital literacy skills to enhance classroom delivery.

The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during an Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme held in Yola, where key stakeholders highlighted the urgency of modernising teaching methods in the region.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr Mariam Masha, said the training focused on teachers handling Science, Technology, Mathematics and Agriculture in senior secondary schools across the six Northeast states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Taraba.

She explained that the programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader reform drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at closing learning gaps and preparing educators with relevant digital competencies.

According to her, the training is designed to help teachers incorporate technology into their teaching processes, making lessons more engaging and aligning education delivery with global standards.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali—represented by the commission’s Adamawa State Coordinator, Khalifa Lawan—said the prolonged insurgency in the region had severely disrupted the education sector, making targeted interventions inevitable.

He noted that limited access to quality education had contributed to deeper socio-economic challenges in the Northeast, stressing that rebuilding the sector was critical to long-term stability and development.

Mr Alkali revealed that the commission had already rehabilitated schools across 112 local government areas, while lamenting that more than half of the region’s teaching workforce was lost during years of conflict.

He added that ongoing efforts were focused on strengthening teacher recruitment, training and retention, especially at the foundational level, to ensure sustainable recovery of the education system.

In his remarks, Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Dr Umar Pella, represented by Permanent Secretary Aisha Umar, praised the intervention, describing continuous teacher development as essential to improving the quality of instruction in schools.

He said enhancing teachers’ skills in key subject areas would ultimately translate into better academic performance among students across the state and the wider region.

On his part, Prof. Augustine Okoronka of Modibbo Adama University described the programme as a strategic investment in the future, noting that education remains central to national growth and development.

He encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, adopt innovative teaching strategies and abandon outdated practices in order to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving digital world.

One of the participants, Kieran Godiya, said the training came at the right time, noting that it introduced modern tools such as artificial intelligence and inclusive teaching methods to better address the needs of learners, especially in challenging environments.

The programme is expected to strengthen education delivery across the Northeast by equipping teachers with practical skills needed to navigate today’s technology-driven classrooms.

Inuwa Yahaya launches Gombe South LCDA, says move will deepen grassroots governance

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Tuesday flagged off the construction of the Gombe South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) secretariat in Bolari, describing the initiative as a major step toward strengthening governance and improving service delivery at the grassroots.

The governor, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony attended by community leaders and party supporters, said the establishment of LCDAs was designed to bring government closer to the people and make public services more accessible.

Mr Yahaya explained that the new administrative structure was backed by legislation to enhance efficiency in local governance, noting that it would help address development gaps in communities across the state.

He expressed optimism that ongoing national efforts to create additional states and local government areas would eventually receive presidential approval, adding that the LCDAs are structured to operate effectively in the interim.

The governor drew parallels with similar reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, describing the initiative as a strategic response to the growing need for inclusive governance and sustainable development.

He also called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united, urging stakeholders to work together in sustaining electoral gains and supporting government policies at all levels.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Gombe State Joint Project Development Agency, Mahmood Yusuf, said the LCDA secretariat project in Bolari would be executed according to approved specifications and completed within the stipulated timeframe.

The Chairman of Gombe Local Government Council, Sani Ahmad Haruna, commended the governor for prioritising grassroots development, saying his administration had continued to translate policies into tangible projects that directly impact citizens.

Mr Haruna pledged the continued support of the people, adding that the governor’s leadership would be remembered for its focus on empowering communities and nurturing responsible leadership.

Also speaking, the Senior District Head of Gombe, Bappah Mohammed, said the creation of the LCDA would strengthen administrative reach and improve service delivery, describing it as a step in the right direction for effective governance at the community level.

Yobe Youths Push for Peace, Grassroots Engagement to Drive Development

By Auwal Ahmad

Youth leaders in Yobe State have called for stronger unity, peaceful coexistence and active civic engagement as pathways to sustainable development across communities.

The call was made  during the 2026 Jakusko Youth Unity and Strategic Engagement Summit held in Jakusko Local Government Area of the state.

The gathering, which attracted a wide range of youth representatives, community leaders and political stakeholders, focused on building stronger bonds at the grassroots level under the theme: “Promoting Unity, Civic Participation, Peace and Sustainable Development.”

Speaking at the event, Saidu Jakusko urged young people to embrace harmony and remain committed to lawful authority, noting that unity is essential for meaningful progress in local communities.

He encouraged youths to maintain close collaboration with leaders at ward and local government levels, stressing that sustained cooperation would help build a more cohesive and resilient society.

According to him, collective effort and loyalty remain vital ingredients for strengthening community structures and ensuring long-term development.

Jakusko also reiterated the group’s support for the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, pledging continued alignment with its directives.

“Whatever Mai Mala Buni says is what we will follow, and we will equally abide by the guidance of the APC state leadership,” he said.

Participants at the summit highlighted the role of peaceful coexistence and inclusive governance, describing them as critical tools for achieving lasting development and stability in the area.

They further urged youths to take active roles in decision-making processes and community-building efforts, noting that their participation is key to shaping a more prosperous future at the grassroots level.