The management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has expressed deep sympathy with 13 journalists injured in a road accident in Bauchi State.
The accident occurred on Friday along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area when the vehicle conveying the journalists was involved in a crash.
Those injured journalists include reporters from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), correspondents of The Guardian and The Nation newspapers; a cameraman with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); cameramen from Channels Television and Arise TV; a correspondent of Africa Independent Television (AIT); two reporters from the Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC); a cameraman from Bauchi State Television (BATV); an online media reporter; and the driver of the vehicle.
In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Services of the Commission, Abba Musa, the NEDC Governing Board, Management and Staff conveyed their heartfelt sympathy to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), particularly the Bauchi State Council, and the Bauchi State Government.
The statement disclosed that the Commission’s Governing Board has approved full medical support for the injured journalists, as well as assistance to their families, adding that efforts were already underway to reach out to the affected media organisations and families.
“The NEDC joins the journalism community in praying for the quick and total recovery of the victims,” the statement said.
Meanwhile NEDC donated fire station and other facilities to ATBU, Bauchi
North East Development Commission (NEDC) has constructed a magnificent modern fire station, and donated brand new fire fighting truck, a functional borehole and offices to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi and it's entire community in Gubi Campus,
The fire station also has a modern fire fighting vehicle, offices for staff and a borehole for water refill which is to operate 24 hours.
While Commissioning and handing over the facilities to the ATBU Management, the Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, Hon, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, thanked President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, who, through his magnanimity, has continued to support all of the Development Commissions under the Ministry of Regional Development, which has in turn enabled us to get this magnificent edifice that we are in.”
The Minister said that,”Before handing over, I want to most sincerely thank members of the University community and also use the opportunity to implore them to own this project and all other projects undertaken and delivered by the North-East Development Commission as their projects.”
,”Because in doing that, government gets the reassurance that monies are not wasted and the beneficiary community truly appreciates the effort of government and the valuable efforts of the Development Commissions.”
“Having said that, it is my honor and singular privilege to on behalf of all of us, the Ministry, the Commission, and the house of Representatives Committee on the North-East Development Commission, to in the name of God Almighty and to the service and benefit of humanity commission this edifice in the name of God Almighty and the service of humanity and all of us”
The Managing Director /CEO of NEDC, Muhammad Goni Alkali said the project was necessitated by the need to save life and property in the case of any fire disaster within the University Community.
He advised the Management of the University to own the facilities and maintain them in other to achieve the set objectives of the project.
In his address while receiving the project, the Vice Chancellor, ATBU, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, Represented by the University Librarian, Dr Dauda Adamu Bakum, said that,
,”this station is more than an infrastructure; it is a beacon of security equipped with modern firefighting tools and a rapid-response vehicle, it will safeguard our laboratories, hostels, lecture halls, and the over 23,000 souls who call ATBU home.”
”This momentous occasion marks not just the unveiling of a building but the forging of a vital shield for our beloved university, the neighboring communities, and the Bauchi State as a whole.”
He said , “This fire station, with other equipment indeed, stands as a testament to your commitment to safety, resilience, and the sustainable development of our North East region. We are eternally grateful, and may Allah bless you and the entire NEDC family abundantly.’
”In an era of growing risks from industrial accidents in our engineering workshops to natural hazards in our expansive campus, the fire service station ensures that ATBU remains a fortress of knowledge, not vulnerability.”
He said that,” ATBU is committed to integrating this facility into our emergency protocols, training programs, and outreach initiatives, extending its benefits beyond our gates to our neighboring communities.”
.
