From Abel Abogonye, Lafia

Phoenix University, the first indigenous private university in Nasarawa State, will officially matriculate its first 260 students on Monday, November 25, 2024. This milestone comes after the university began academic activities on October 7, 2024.

The Vice Chancellor of Phoenix University, Professor Abdullahi Bala, made the announcement at a press conference held at the university’s Senate Building in Agwada, Kokona Local Government Area.

He shared that the students, who have been admitted into various courses across the faculties of Computing Science, Applied Science, Agriculture, Social Sciences, and Management, represent the beginning of a new educational journey in the state.

Professor Bala highlighted the achievements of the university since its inception, including the relocation from its liaison office in Keffi to the permanent Agwada campus, the inauguration of principal officers, and the commencement of lectures. He also emphasized that the university is committed to offering a solid foundation for academic excellence.
He emphasized that the university has established a solid foundation with the inauguration of key university officers, the commencement of lectures, and the formation of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Governing Council.
As part of its strategic development, the university has appointed prominent figures.
Notable figures appointed to the university’s BOT include Dr. Abdullahi Adamu CON, Turakin Keffi, as Chairman, alongside members such as Professor Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami, Dr. Faisal Shu’aib, and Professor Sa’adu Hassan Liman.
The Governing Council is chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Professor Bala also announced that the investiture of Dr. Muhammadu Ndimi, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, as the pioneer Chancellor of the university will take place alongside the matriculation.
Dr. Ndimi will also receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa during the event.

The Vice Chancellor commended the Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, for his support, including awarding scholarships to 92 indigenes and contributing to infrastructural development such as the completion of a sports complex and the reconstruction of the 24km Kokona Junction to Agwada road.

Phoenix University aims to offer high-quality education in a secure and conducive environment, with state-of-the-art teaching facilities, green initiatives, and a focus on affordability.
Professor Bala urged the people of Nasarawa State to consider securing admission at the university, emphasizing its strategic location and commitment to quality education.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abdulkarim Zakari, from Wamba Local Government Area, and recovered part of the ransom money allegedly obtained during a recent kidnapping incident.

According to a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, Zakari, a middle-aged man, was apprehended on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation. Police operatives from 38 PMF Akwanga, working in collaboration with the Nasarawa Eggon Division, arrested Zakari in connection with the kidnapping of Ciroman Fulani, which occurred in Arugbadu village, Nasarawa Eggon LGA.

The police reported that during interrogation, Zakari confessed to his involvement in the kidnapping. He disclosed that his syndicate collected a ransom of five million Naira (N5,000,000), of which he received a share of one million and two hundred thousand Naira (N1,200,000). A sum of five hundred and forty-seven thousand Naira (N547,000) was recovered from him during the arrest.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, has ordered a manhunt for other members of the kidnapping syndicate still at large. He also commended the police officers for their ongoing efforts to combat crime in Nasarawa State.

**State to get Over N1 Billion in FG Allocation from Solid Minerals

By Abel Abel, Lafia

The longstanding dispute between the Nasarawa mining community and two mining companies has been resolved by a federal government agency under the Ministry of Solid Minerals.
The resolution was announced yesterday in Lafia by the Ministry of Solid Minerals during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, represented by Mr. Obadiah Nkom, Director General of the Cadastre Office in Abuja, disclosed that the ministry had submitted a report on the conflict between the mining companies and the Nasarawa State government.
The report detailed the resolution, which included the allocation of 70 hectares of disputed land for mining activities, with 30.4 hectares allocated to the state government.

Mr. Nkom explained that the decision to share the site was made by a committee established to resolve the issue, and he expressed hope that all parties would adhere to the agreement to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore, Mr. Nkom announced that Nasarawa State has been chosen to host the 6th Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting in September this year.
The meeting, approved by the Federal Executive Council, is part of the roadmap for the growth of the mining industry.
It aims to engage stakeholders, significantly increase the mining sector’s contribution to the global GDP, and create a globally competitive sector capable of generating jobs and offering competitive shares to all stakeholders across the mining value chain.

The minister also acknowledged the achievements of Nasarawa State in the mineral sector, highlighted by the groundbreaking event of a Lithium Processing Industry in Nasarawa Local Government Area, the largest of its kind in the world.
He noted that the state is becoming an investment hub for mineral and other businesses, thanks to the business-friendly climate created by the current administration’s policies and programs.

As a result of these achievements, Nasarawa State has joined the ranks of four states earning over a billion naira from federal government allocations related to solid mineral royalties.

In response, Governor Abdullahi Sule commended the Ministry of Mining for resolving the conflict and assured that the 1.5 cadastre unit area allocated to the state would be used transparently to develop the host community.
He also expressed gratitude to the federal government for choosing Nasarawa State to host the 6th National Council of Mining and Mineral Resources Development meeting, noting that the event will attract more investors to the state, which is rich in mineral resources.