Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa State Government has spent over N223 million to pay 2009 NECO and WAEC examination fees for students from the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Mr Gabriel Adama, disclosed this in Yola recently at a news conference.
He said: “I want to say that it was, however, a big loss for us because over 90 per cent of the students failed the examination.’’
Describing the situation as unacceptable, the commissioner
said that out of the 28,000 students who sat for the examination, only seven per cent of them got the required credits including English and Mathematics.
Bauchi
A lecturer , Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU) Bauchi, has said that auditing of public and private agencies was crucial for accountability and promotion of good governance.
Bogoro made the statement in a paper he presented on Tuesday at the Conference of the body of Federal and State Auditors-General in Bauchi.
He said accountability and transparency in leadership are necessary as without them, some leaders or heads of organisations engage in secrecy and corrupt manipulation of the system.
Ekiti
Hundreds of giant-sized posters of President Goodluck Jonathan for President in 2011 have flooded major streets in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The Tide’s source reports that the posters carried the message “Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for 2011 Presidential election. Let us encourage him for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, courtesy of Ekiti New Era Forum”.
The posters are posted on electricity poles, stationery vehicles and some buildings in the metropolis.
The posters, which had PDP logo and the picture of Jonathan are on major streets such as Fajuyi round about, Okesa, Governor’s office road, Iyin road, Okeyinmi, secretariat road among others.
FCT
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has instituted more than 50 cases and got more than 100 convictions in the last two years.
Mrs Farida Waziri, the Chairman of EFCC, made the statement in Abuja on Monday during an interaction with newsmen.
“ We can conveniently boast that we inherited about 10 profile cases when we took over about two years ago.
“We have not only instituted 50 high profile cases, we have secured over 100 convictions with a record of recovery that towers above 3.5 billion dollars and over 1,200 cases pending in court.”
Jigawa
The Jigawa government has inaugurated a six-man committee to implement its sanitation policies and promote good hygiene, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jinjiri, the Commissioner for Community Development and Rural Infrastructure, said on Friday.
He told newsmen in Dutse that the committee was formed to utilise the 2009 Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grant Scheme for the implementation of sanitation and good hygiene policies.
He explained that the committee would carry out advocacy and sanitation visits to policy makers, political, religious and traditional rulers in order to gain support for sanitation and hygiene promotion at local governments and community levels.
Kaduna
The Christian Community, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has organised a memorial service in remembrance of the first indigenous Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the university.
A statement issued by the institution’s Information and Protocol Officer Bitrus Galmaka, stated that the duo were late Prof. Ishaya Audu and late Michael Angulu, the first indigenous vice chancellor and registrar respectively
It noted that the memorial service was “to honour these pioneers of the Christian community whose services and sacrifices contributed immensely to the foundation laying of ABU’’.
It indicated that 27 others, whose ages ranged from 70 and above, were also honoured for their meritorious sacrifices in the service of the institution.
Kano
Thousands of Qur’anic pupils, known as “Almajiris,” have moved out of Kano metropolis due to the commencement of the rainy season, Tide’s source reports.
The pupils, majority of whom came from Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi and Kaduna states and parts of Kano states, left the commercial town to engage in farming in their respective communities.
Investigation by the source in Kano shows that the almajiris have deserted most of the areas they were usually seen begging for alms, since the exodus began about two weeks ago.
Such places included restaurants, motor parks, mosques and markets, where only pockets of them could now be sighted loading goods, washing plates and begging.
Kwara
Dr. Hammed Ali, Kwara Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has called for the construction of more prisons as a panacea for decongesting prisons in the country.
Ali made the call on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller of Prisons in the state, Mr. Olatunde Olayiwola, in llorin.
Ali suggested that private organisations should be involved in the construction and management of prisons.
“If about 227 prison houses in Nigeria accommodate 50,000 inmates and out of these about 42 per cent are awaiting trial suspects, then we need more prison houses”, he said.
Lagos
The Dangote Group says local production of iron rods and steel would reduce the incidence of building collapse and other construction failures in the country.
Mr. Sankasu Balasubramania, Technical Director of the group, disclosed this to journalists who were on a facility tour of Dangote Steel Rolling Mills in Osogbo on Sunday.
He said that the increasing of building collapse and construction failures would be tackled through production of quality iron rods locally.
Balasubramania said that Dangote Steel Rolling Mill, which would commence production in October, this year, would produce over 350,000 tonnes of quality steel products annually.
Osun
Mrs. Omolola Oyinlola, wife of Osun Governor, has expressed concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls.
She expressed the concern during a sensitisation visit to St. Mary’s Grammar School, Iwo, Osun.
Oyinlola, who is the initiator of Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), called on stakeholders to join hands with her to stem the tide.
The Tide’s source reports that the visit is part of her awareness campaign on teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, cancer and maternal/child mortality.
Oyo
The Association of Fish Farmers and Aqua-culturists of Nigeria (AFFAN) in Oyo State, has called on the Federal Governments to create special silos for maize and soya beans.
The Chairman, Mr Peter Farinto, told newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan that the two crops formed the major raw materials for the production of local fish feeds.
“If government could store the raw materials, an enabling environment would be created for the sustenance of the fish farming business which depended largely on fish feeds, to boost local production,” Farinto said.
Plateau
The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has cautioned against illegal mining, saying the lead poisoning in Zamfara that reportedly killed 163 persons, was regrettable.
The MAN National President, Sani Shehu, told newsmen in Jos, that the incident, which occurred in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of Zamfara was “purely a result of illegal mining”.
He said, “most minerals contain one level of impurity or the other. Some of these impurities are radio-active in nature. Some of them release poisonous gases that are not visible.
“That is why when you are operating a formalised form of mining, issues like safety, radioactivity and other poisonous gases will be discussed and addressed”, he cautioned.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Musa Maitafsir, has said that the government plans to ban begging in the area.
Maitafsir said the plan will come into effect only after all the destitute persons have been brought under a scheme where they would be paid monthly stipend.
The commissioner disclosed that the government was currently spending over N45 milliioon on 7,000 destitute persons every month.
He told newsmen in Sokoto that each of the beneficiaries was being given N6,500 monthly.
“This gesture has been on for about two years and it will be sustained to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged persons.
“More of them will soon be brought under the scheme introduced by Governor Aliyu Wamakko to reduce the menace of begging in the state”, Maitafsir said.
As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday, October 11, 2026, a non-governmental organisation, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS) has intensified its campaign against child marriage, urging schoolgirls to prioritise education, protect their rights and develop skills for a better future.
The organisation joined the global observance of the day under the theme, “International Day of the Girl Child: End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with a sensitisation programme at Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Led by its Vice Chairperson, Daba Benebo, the group engaged the students in discussions on the dangers of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and other challenges that threaten the education, safety and development of the girl child.
Speaking during the programme, Benebo urged the students to reject early marriage and remain focused on their studies, stressing that education would empower them to make informed decisions about their lives and future.
She cautioned the girls against allowing anyone to deprive them of their right to education and dignity, advising them to report cases of harassment, abuse and other violations of their rights to the appropriate authorities.
Benebo assured the students that SWS remained available to support them whenever they encountered violations of their rights.
She also encouraged them to maintain discipline and responsible conduct while avoiding behaviours that could expose them to negative influences and jeopardise their future.
Beyond formal education, the SWS vice chairperson urged the students to acquire vocational skills that could provide additional opportunities for economic independence and help them navigate future challenges.
The sensitisation programme, enlivened by singing, dancing and to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child interactive sessions, provided an opportunity for the students to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child.
One of the major issues raised during the discussion was the appropriate age for marriage. While some participants maintained that 18 years was the constitutionally approved age, the discussion highlighted the need to consider not only age but also the maturity, preparedness and responsibilities associated with marriage.
The speaker stressed that marriage required adequate mental and emotional preparation, as well as the capacity to shoulder its responsibilities.
She therefore advised the students to concentrate on acquiring a sound education before considering marriage, noting that education would equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible decisions and manage family life.
The issue of teenage pregnancy also featured prominently during the question-and-answer session.
In addressing the subject, the speaker explained that pregnancy could occur even at the age of 12, using the example to underscore the vulnerability of young girls to the consequences of early sexual activity.
She advised the students to avoid sexual intercourse and prioritise their education, personal safety and future aspirations.
The discussion also examined the difficulties some girls encounter when living with hostile spouses, relatives or guardians.
Benebo encouraged the students to cultivate patience, humility and diligence, noting that these qualities could help them navigate difficult situations and build a brighter future.
However, she warned that patience and humility should never be interpreted as an obligation to endure violence, abuse or degrading treatment.
She urged girls experiencing hostile or abusive living conditions to seek help from their parents, trusted adults or appropriate support services rather than remain in environments that could expose them to physical or emotional trauma.
“When such happens, please return to your parents and engage in petty trade or learn a skill to support your education rather than stay in a hostile environment,” Benebo stressed.
The programme also underscored the importance of protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices that can disrupt their education, compromise their well-being and limit their opportunities in life.
It also reinforced the need for families, schools, communities and relevant organisations to work together to ensure that girls have access to education, vocational training, protection and the support they need to realise their potential.
For SWS, the message was clear: empowering the girl child begins with protecting her rights, investing in her education and equipping her with the confidence and skills to make informed choices about her future.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
The Egberipapa Foundation has unveiled a mass transit scheme aimed at easing transportation difficulties and improving connectivity among communities in the three Kalabari local government areas of Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru in Rivers State.
The initiative, established by former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable for residents across the Kalabari area.
The scheme was launched on Monday, October 12, 2026, and is expected to address longstanding transportation challenges confronting residents, particularly those in riverine and hard-to-reach communities.
Communities expected to benefit from the initiative include Krakrama, Minama, Angulama, Sangama, Omekwe-Tariama and Omekwe-Ama.
The project is expected to ease movement within and beyond the Central Group area, while providing residents with a more convenient means of transportation for their daily activities.
For decades, transportation difficulties have posed significant challenges to several Kalabari communities, making movement between settlements both cumbersome and expensive. These challenges have also affected commercial activities, social interactions and access to essential services.
The introduction of the mass transit scheme is therefore expected to provide relief to residents, strengthen inter-community connections and stimulate economic activities across the benefiting communities.
Beyond improving mobility, the initiative could contribute to community development by facilitating the movement of people and goods, supporting local businesses and enhancing social and economic interactions within the Kalabari area.
As the scheme gets underway, attention will be focused on its implementation, accessibility and sustainability, as well as its capacity to deliver lasting transportation benefits to the target communities.
The initiative represents a potentially significant step towards addressing transportation challenges and promoting grassroots development across the Kalabari Kingdom.
The Amaewhule family of mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has cautioned members of the public against entering into any land transaction involving a disputed property known as “Ada Oro Fam Land,” located behind the OPM Church along Airport Road.
The family, through its legal counsel, Barrister Ndubuisi Agumagu, issued the warning amid an ongoing legal dispute over the ownership and control of the property, which is said to comprise more than 900 plots of land.
The matter is currently before the Isiokpo High Court of Rivers State in a suit numbered IHC/246/CS/2026, presided over by Justice Sobere Biambo.
The claimants in the suit include Chief Green Amaewhule and others, while Fabulous Amaewhule and Odibola Properties are listed among the respondents.
Counsel to the Amaewhule family, Barr Ndubuisi Agumagu, advised prospective land buyers and members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from purchasing any portion of the disputed property pending the determination of the case by the court.
According to the legal counsel, the property is a family estate belonging collectively to the Amaewhule family, and no individual member of the family has the authority to unilaterally dispose of portions of the land.
The counsel specifically maintained that Fabulous Amaewhule, one of the respondents in the suit, does not have the legitimate authority, according to the family’s position before the court, to sell portions of the disputed property.
The family further warned that anyone who proceeds to purchase land from the respondents while the matter remains before the court would be doing so at their own risk.
It stressed that such buyers could potentially lose their investments should the court eventually deliver judgment against the validity of the transactions.
The legal team said the warning became necessary to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from committing their resources to a property whose ownership and right of disposition are currently the subject of judicial determination.
The family also urged prospective investors, developers and land buyers to conduct proper legal inquiries and obtain independent verification of the status of the property before committing funds to any transaction relating to it.
The Amaewhule family said its position was intended to protect members of the public from possible financial losses and further legal complications while the case remains sub judice, stressing that interested parties should await the final determination of the court.
Akujobi Amadi