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BTR will be transformed into a region of peace and progress: Assam CM

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (Photo/ANI) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)

Kokrajhar (Assam) [India], March 16 (ANI): AssamChief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) will be transformed into a region of peace and progress.

“The BTR would be transformed into a region of prosperity, peace, and progress,” he said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) at Dotma in Kokrajhar in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the pivotal role of ABSU in the advancement of the Bodo community. He emphasised that since its establishment, ABSU has remained dedicated to the holistic development of the community.

Paying tribute to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, Dr Sarma noted that under his leadership, the Bodo community pursued the vision of self-governance.

“In alignment with this vision, a peace accord was signed in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, bringing together ABSU, NDFB, and representatives of the Bodo community,” he said.

Sarma further said that since the signing of the accord, the government has undertaken sustained efforts to promote the welfare and development of the Bodo community.

The Chief Minister announced that the government is taking necessary steps to transform Kokrajhar University into a full-fledged university, which would provide fresh intellectual impetus to the Bodo community. He also stated that a new campus of Bodoland University would be established in Udalguri. Additionally, he assured that work on a new medical college in Udalguri would commence within the next three years.

Referring to the proposed railway line between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, the Chief Minister stated that this connectivity project would bring significant socio-economic transformation to the Bodoland region.

He further mentioned that in consultation with ABSU, steps are being taken to introduce the Bodo language as a medium of instruction at the higher secondary level, with plans for future extension to the undergraduate level.

Reiterating an announcement made in the AssamLegislative Assembly, he stated that 35 high schools in the Bodoland region would be upgraded to model high schools.

Additionally, he announced that in October this year, a grand cultural showcase featuring Bagrumba and Bardoisikhla dance forms would be organised at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, with the participation of 8,000 to 10,000 young men and women to promote these traditional dance forms globally. He also highlighted the government’s continued efforts towards the socio-economic development of the Bodoland Territorial Region, including the establishment of a new 1,200 MW power generation plant.

The Chief Minister stated that as per the request of ABSU, the birth anniversary of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma has been observed across the state as Chatra Divas on March 31. Furthermore, he announced that the state government has taken a decision to recognise Bodofa’s burial site in Dotma as a state-level memorial, with plans for its beautification and development.

Additionally, he stated that the Assam government and the BTR administration would observe May 1 every year to commemorate the death anniversary of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma.

Dr Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to the full implementation of the Bodo Peace Accord. He said that following the accord, new villages have been incorporated into the Bodoland Territorial Region.

He also mentioned that a Directorate for Bodo Language has been established and for Bodos residing outside the BTR, the Bodo-Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council has been formed. Measures are also being taken to grant land rights to Bodos in districts such as Sonitpur and Biswanath, he added.

Highlighting a historic milestone, CM Sarma stated that on February 17, for the first time, a session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held in Kokrajhar. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring self-governance and upholding the rights of the Bodo people.

Minister of Agriculture Atul Bora, Minister of Handloom & Textiles U G Brahma, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ashok Singhal, AssamLegislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council Pramod Boro, BJP Assam Pradesh President and MP Dilip Saikia, MPs Joyanta Basumatary and R.G. Narzary, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, ABSU President Dipen Boro, Bodo Sahitya Sabha President Surat Narzary, and other distinguished dignitaries were present in the conference. (ANI)

EVENTS

Wike at 58: “You’re a Shinning Star in my Cabinet, Tinubu hails Wike.

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President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.

President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.

The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.

President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.

The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.

President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.

“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.

“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025

 

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Lady cries out after her brother was knocked down by keke on his way to early morning test at UniAbuja, faces possible leg amputation

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A visibly distressed lady has cried out over a tragic accident involving her younger brother, a student of the University of Abuja.

According to her account, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when students were struggling to get to school for a test allegedly scheduled around 5 a.m.

She explained that while her brother and a coursemate were trying to cross the road in front of the University of Abuja, a commercial tricycle (keke), reportedly driving against traffic, knocked them down.

As of the time she shared the video, her brother was said to be unconscious and already being prepared for surgery. Doctors, she stated, described his condition as critical, adding that there was a possibility his leg might have to be amputated.

The lady further claimed that although the tricycle rider was arrested, there were moves to release him, and that the school authorities had not reached out or offered any form of support since the incident.

She also revealed that the hospital initially rejected her brother due to the seriousness of his condition before eventually admitting him, while medical bills continued to pile up beyond what she could afford.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSLsOa4DNRv/?igsh=MWI5cjlsNnV0cW1hbA==

📹: TT/Teemhar1234

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DSS Officers Seek VIP Escort Roles Amid Police Withdrawal, Stir Debate Over Security Reforms in Nigeria

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In the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police officers from providing personal security and escort duties for very important persons across Nigeria, some officers of the Department of State Services are reportedly lobbying influential Nigerians for redeployment as personal security details.

The move comes after the Nigeria Police Force pulled back thousands of officers from VIP protection duties to strengthen frontline policing and respond to escalating insecurity across the country. The withdrawal, championed by the presidency as part of broader security reforms, aims to free up police manpower for community protection and crime prevention.

According to multiple reports, some DSS operatives have approached high-profile individuals, offering their services as security escorts in the emerging vacuum created by the police exit. These approaches have raised eyebrows among security analysts and VIPs alike, as the DSS traditionally focuses on intelligence and national security rather than routine personal protection.

A handful of elite Nigerians told journalists that officers had visited their offices to request intervention with state directors for deployment as personal protectors, describing the assignments as desirable postings.

While the statutory mandate of the DSS does include the protection of certain national assets and persons, any deployment of officers for individual VIP security is subject to established operational protocols, sources stressed.

The shift has also triggered a surge in demand for private security services nationwide. Security companies report that requests for travel escorts and protective details have spiked since the police withdrawal, with many VIPs and travelers seeking alternative arrangements.

Lawmakers and public figures have weighed in on the reforms. Some members of the House of Representatives argue that Nigerian citizens should not be denied access to extra security if they desire it, suggesting a broader debate over security privileges and equity.

President Tinubu has defended the policy, reiterating that the withdrawal of police from VIP protection is intended to reallocate scarce resources toward combating kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. He has insisted there will be no reversal of the order, urging full compliance by security agencies.

As the debate continues, experts say the success of the reform will depend on how effectively security gaps are filled, whether by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, private security firms, or other authorized entities, and how well public safety is balanced with the security needs of public figures.

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