By Our Correspondent

Professor of Veterinary Public Health at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, UDUS, Abdulkadir Usman UDUS Professor, Junaidu emerges new CVSN Provost, pledges positive turnarounds

s been elected Provost of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, CVSN with a pledge to reposition the institution for excellence, and global competitiveness.

The result was announced in Abuja by the Electoral Committee chaired by Professor Caleb Kudi, following an election involving Fellows of the College from across Nigeria.

Professor Junaidu’s campaign was anchored on repositioning the College for professional excellence, stronger specialist training, institutional development, national relevance and global competitiveness. His candidacy received endorsements from Fellows in Nigeria and the diaspora.

In accepting the mandate, he expressed gratitude to the Fellows, describing his election as a collective responsibility to strengthen the College and advance specialist veterinary practice.

Professor Junaidu said his administration would focus on strengthening postgraduate specialist and residency training, reviewing and modernising programmes to meet emerging challenges, and promoting research, innovation, digital transformation and evidence-based practice.

He also pledged to deepen collaboration with universities, government agencies and international partners, improve visibility and welfare of Fellows, and strengthen the College’s contribution to One Health, food safety, food security, and zoonotic disease control.

Professor Junaidu brings extensive experience spanning academia, veterinary public health, and public service. He has served as Head of Department, Dean, Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and Provost of Postgraduate Studies at UDUS.

As former Sokoto State Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, he led initiatives including the establishment of veterinary presence across 26 LGAs and 87 districts, an Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Centre, and improved vaccination and disease surveillance programmes.

The new Provost called for unity and pledged to work with Deputy Provost, Professor Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies, and all stakeholders to implement an inclusive agenda.

“The election is over, and the responsibility of building our College belongs to all of us. Together, we must reposition the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria as a stronger, more visible, innovative and globally competitive institution,” he said.

By George Mgbeleke

The Reconciliation Committee of the Rainbow Coalition, has disclosed that none of its members, no matter their past political disagreements would be victimised or discriminated against in the current moves to achieve peace and full restoration of the political family.

The disclosure came on Sunday as members of the committee met with the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt, the second time in about two weeks. According to the group, under the new atmosphere of peace and reconciliation, everybody will be treated equally, respectfully and as a member of the original political family.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Magnus Abe said the meeting was meant for the hitherto estranged political leaders to deliberate further on the modalities for the ongoing peace and reconciliation moves. The committee was set up by the leader of the group, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a former Governor of Rivers State.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Abe said the committee has been holding several meetings to work out modalities on how all its members will work together. He said the explanation had become necessary because the committee wants the people of Rivers State to be aware of the new direction in which the state is moving.

“I’m sure that Rivers people will be very curious to understand exactly what we have been talking about. So, I know that this will be very good news for all Rivers people who are interested in the unity, progress and prosperity of Rivers State. We are all in agreement and we have made very good progress.
“Our coming together signals a significant shift in the political atmosphere of the state and we believe that all well meaning Rivers people will be very happy to see that finally, the peace that all Rivers people crave for is here,” he said.

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South -South Zone, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, who was part of the delegation expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for throwing his doors open and allowing the committee to meet and talk with him as brothers.
“I’m so excited. The last meeting went well. Today’s meeting went extraordinarily well and it shows clearly to the people of Rivers State that the family is back; sincerely back and soon, they will see the working of the Rainbow Coalition. We will give the people of Rivers State the dividends of democracy they’ve been expecting from all angles,” Nwanosike said.

Another stakeholder at the meeting, Chief Ambrose Nwuzi said members of the group who believe in Governor Siminalayi Fubara have agreed to make peace, as there was nothing better than peace. He described the disagreements of the past as a normal occurrence in any human society.

“Our leader has spoken and our overall leader has equally spoken and accepted that there is need for all of us to reconcile. I can tell you that we have reconciled. All that we are waiting for is for the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to put the seal on the reconciliation process which has been going on for the past few weeks,” he said.

Other members of the delegation included the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State, Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda and Mr Tamosisi Gogo Jaja amongst others.

By David Owei

The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Bobagunwa Teslim Igbalaye, has congratulated His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and the good people of Osun State on the successful re-election of the Governor for a second term in office.

In his congratulatory message, Igbalaye expressed delight that the people of Osun State have once again demonstrated their confidence in Governor Adeleke by giving him their mandate to continue the good works and developmental strides of the Imole administration.

He described the election as a strong reaffirmation of the people’s confidence in the Governor’s leadership, noting that the victory belongs not only to Governor Adeleke but to every Osun citizen who came out to exercise their civic responsibility and defend their democratic choice.

Igbalaye particularly commended the people of Osun State for their impressive turnout at the polling units across the state. He said the courage displayed by voters, especially in the face of intimidation, excessive vote-buying and reported attempts to disrupt the electoral process, demonstrated that Osun people are neither cowards nor people who can be easily intimidated or bought over.

According to him, the determination of the people to cast their votes and protect their mandate was remarkable. He noted that even late into the night, many voters remained on queues, refusing to leave until they had exercised their franchise, despite the prolonged voting process in some areas.

He said the resilience of the people was a clear indication that the people of Osun have become increasingly conscious of the power of their votes and are determined to choose the leaders they believe will best represent their interests.

“This is a victory for democracy and a victory for the people. It is a clear message that the people cannot be intimidated or bought into surrendering their democratic rights,” Igbalaye said.