The Sokoto State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, approved a motion advocating for the establishment of an Educational and Skills Acquisition Centre to support widows displaced by banditry and other security challenges in the state.

 The motion, which was moved by Alhaji Abubakar Shehu (APC- Yabo) and seconded by Alhaji Atiku Liman (PDP-Silame), also urged the state government to repurpose the Sultan Maccido Waqf Centre for the initiative.

Shehu highlighted that the Sultan Maccido Waqf Centre, originally established by the State Zakkat and Endowment Commission in collaboration with Qatar Charity Organisations, could serve the purpose effectively.

He stated the importance of empowering widows and their children, emphasising the need to transition them from dependency to self-sufficiency.

“The conversion of the Centre into an Education and Skill Acquisition Centre for widows and children displaced by banditry is crucial to empower them economically and prevent them from becoming a liability to the society,” he stated.

The lawmaker expressed concern about the sight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the metropolis, often seen begging without access to economic activities or education.

He said the proposed center would offer training in various skills such as catering, knitting, tailoring, cream making, welding, mechanics, carpentry and building, among others.

Shehu emphasised that funding for the centre should be a joint responsibility of the state government, Zakkat Commission, international donors and individual contributions.

Contributing to the discussion, Alhaji Bello Idris (APC-Gwadabawa North) stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive census of IDPs in the state to ensure proper support and utilisation of the centre once established.

Following deliberations, Speaker Alhaji Tukur Bala conducted a voice vote, and the motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

By Sodiq Adelakun

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received a courtesy visit from Tunde Onakoya, the renowned chess champion, at the State Government House in Ikeja on Wednesday.

The meeting came after Onakoya’s remarkable achievement of setting a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

Recall that on April 17, Onakoya embarked on a mission to break the world record, aiming to empower illiterate children across Africa through his feat.

He successfully achieved the record on April 20 at Times Square in New York City, playing for an impressive 58 hours and winning every match.

Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated Onakoya on his outstanding achievement, acknowledging the inspiration he has brought to the youth and the state.

Sanwo-Olu, while sharing pictures of the visit on his X (formerly Twitter) page, described Onakoya as an embodiment of “the spirit of Lagos.”

“Powerful visions birth movements that change lives. Today, we welcomed back @Tunde_OD, our chess champion, to Lagos,” he wrote.

“His journey embodies the spirit of Lagos—resilient, ambitious, and driven to succeed. As we celebrate his achievements, we’re inspired by his vision for empowering our children and youth.

“Together with Tunde and the transformative power of chess, we’ll work towards a future where every child in Lagos has the opportunity to realise their full potential.

“The state proudly supports his mission, purposefully providing resources to fuel this noble cause now and in the future.”

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that the National Assembly will embark on legislative reforms to reform the Judiciary.

The Senate President made this known at the opening ceremony of a two-day Summit on “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria” organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association and other international development partners in Abuja.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio to have said that the collaborative efforts of stakeholders will shape the strategic direction of Nigeria’s justice system, making it more robust, accessible, and equitable.

Akpabio urged the Nigerian Judiciary to evolve a blueprint for the transformative changes needed to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure the fair administration of justice across the nation.

According to Senator Akpabio, “In the coming months, I will invite my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to deliberate on these proposals with the gravity and diligence they deserve.

“Together, with the insights and support of the judiciary, legal experts, and the Nigerian populace, we will embark on this legislative journey to enshrine these reforms into law.

“This is more than legislative duty; it is our moral imperative to fortify the foundation of our nation’s justice system for present and future generations. I look forward to productive discussions and to the eventual realization of these reforms, ensuring a just, equitable, and prosperous society for all.

“I will not be telling the truth if I say that we at the National Assembly are not aware of the delays and backlogs plaguing our courts, which not only deny timely justice but undermine faith in our judicial system.

“These delays harm our society’s most vulnerable and create an environment where justice is seen as inaccessible and inefficient. In an era where technology has transformed so many sectors, it is critical that we harness its potential within our judicial processes to enhance speed and transparency.

“We are committed to budgeting for the implementation of judicial reforms that will include the adoption of digital tools to manage cases more effectively and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.

“This journey requires collective effort. I call upon all stakeholders, including my colleagues in both legislative and executive branches, as well as the judiciary itself, to support these vital reforms. Together, we can build a justice system that is fit for the 21st century,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shetima said the administration has embarked upon far reaching reforms to enhance justice delivery including the appointment of the full complement of the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Other stakeholders who presented papers at the Summit included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN among others.

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola at the opening ceremony of a two-day Summit on “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria” organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association and other international development partners in Abuja