Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has advised internally-displaced persons in some local government areas of Adamawa to return to their communities.
The Senior Information Officer of the agency Malam Sani Datti, told newsmen in Yola that peace had been restored in the areas concerned.
Datti said that following the military recapture of some of the local government areas from Boko Haram, NEMA had been able to assess the situation in three local government areas.
He listed the areas to include Gombi, Hong, Mubi North and Maiha.
“The agency is therefore advising those internally displaced persons, especially those from Gombi, Hong and Mubi Local Government Areas to go back to their respective areas.
FCT
The Foundation for the Advancement of Ethics and Val
ues (FAEV) has urged Nigerians to promote ethical and moral values for good governance to thrive in the country, as the general election approaches.
The President of the NGO, Mrs Shimite Katung, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
Katung said that the foundation had collaborated with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Moral Values, to ensure that corruption, crises, violence and other evil acts were curbed.
She said that democracy was incomplete without accountability, transparency and integrity, adding that the organisation would contribute its quota toward the ongoing transformation of the country.
Gombe
The Gombe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS
(GOMSACA) said it had increased the number of Prevention of Mother Child Transmission (PMCT) centres from 185 to 225 in the state.
The Project Managerof the agency, Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, told newsmen in Gombe that the centres were sited across the state.
He explained that the aim was to ensure that every pregnant woman that was tested positive accessed the services provided by the centre.
Abdulkarim said the agency had collaborated with non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations conducting advocacy in brothels to educate commercial sex workers on preventive measures against HIV and AIDS.
“They advise them on the need to use condoms as well as know their status,” he said.
The manager said that a bill on stigmatisation against people living with HIV was pending in the state House of Assembly.
“We are made to understand that most people do not want to come for voluntary counselling and testing.
“But it is very important to know your status, as well as the various preventive measures,” he said.
Kaduna
The President, Environmental Health Officers Associa
tion in Kaduna State, Mr Yandeh Mairiga, has suggested the use of tricycles for refuse evacuation in areas with difficult terrains and populous quarters.
Mairiga made this suggestion in Kaduna while speaking to newsmen recent.
He stressed the need to use tricycles to evacuate waste “in communities that are not easily accessible.”
He opined that this would ensure effective collection of waste from communities, especially in high-density areas, where heavy waste collection trucks might not be able to access.
The president said, “Using trucks would deal with the unhealthy situations in some localities that have become an eyesore in some parts of the state.’’
According to him, most dump-sites in the state are too far from residential areas, thereby making it difficult for residents to evacuate and dispose of their refuse.
Kano
The Dala local government area in Kano State said it
had budgeted more than N6.5 billion for this fiscal year.
The Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after defending his council’s budget at the state House of Assembly in Kano.
He said the council proposed to spend 54 per cent of the budget on capital projects and 36 per cent on recurrent expenditure.
“We also planned to construct six major drains to ensure a healthy environment,’’ he said.
The chairman said further that the council had trained more than 500 women in various vocational skills.
He said,“Since my assumption in office in May last year, the council had initiated a number of empowerment programmes for the people of the area.
Katsina
Avian Influenza, a.k.a. bird flu , has hit some poultry
farms in Katsina leading to the death of over 3,000 birds.
The Vice Chairman, Katsina State Poultry Farmers Association, Alhaji Musa Danhassan, confirmed the outbreak of the disease to newsmen in Katsina
Danhassan said that the farm of one of their members, Alhaji Garba Dalhatu was affected by the outbreak and the man lost over 3,000 birds.
He said that specimen from the affected birds had been taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, where it was confirmed.
The vice chairman disclosed that their association had reported the outbreak to both the state and federal ministries of agriculture about the outbreak of the disease.
Kwara
The PDP deputy governorship candidate in Kwara State,
Alhaji Yinka Aluko, has called on wealthy muslims to imbibe the virtue of righteousness as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed.
Aluko made the call on Friday at the inauguration of a mosque built by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) within the premises of the Ilorin International Airport.
Aluko enjoined clerics to concentrate on the propagation of Islam in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
This, he said, was to eradicate acts capable of undermining peaceful co-existence in the country.
Aluko also charged youths in the state to shun violence, stressing that it was an obstacle to growth and development of democracy.
He also advised parents and guardians to keep close watch on their children and wards.
Lagos
A UK theatre outfit, Hamlet Globe to Globe, will perform
Shakespeare’s historical play, Hamlet, in Lagos on March 4 and March 5 at the MUSON Centre, Victoria Island and St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi.
A statement by the organisers said the Hamlet Globe to Globe tour opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on 23 April 2014, the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.
The event is coming to Nigeria courtesy of the British Council.
Hamlet is scheduled to tour every single country on earth in two years.
It features Nigerian actor, Ladi Emeruwa in the role of Hamlet and is directed by the Globe’s Artistic Director, Dominic Dromgoole.
The Hamlet theatre arrived Africa in January after showing in the U.S.A, Moscow, Mexico, Chile, Poland, St Kitts and Nevis and South America.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has threatened to sanc
tion principals and head teachers found collecting illegal fees in public schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Keffi.
He described unauthorised fee collection in public primary and secondary schools as an act of sabotage by the erring head teachers and principals.
Abdullahi explained that the state government declared free education policy to enable the children of the poor have access to education to better their future and for the overall development of the country.
He said: “In the olden days education was free, government will provide all the necessary and needed facilities for pupils, students from the primary to the higher institutions and there is an enabling environment for teaching and learning”.
Osun
The Provincial Pastor of Living Faith Church in Osogbo,
in Osogbo Pastor Muyiwa Emmanuel, has urged Christians to be faithful in their business dealings with others.
Emmanuel, who said this during a business and career summit said any Christian who aspired to be great in his business and career must learn and practise the virtue of faithfulness.
“Faithfulness has its reward. Unfaithfulness may work for people sometimes, but it does not all the time,’’ the cleric, who read from Luke 19 verses 7 to 26, said.
He urged Christians not to cheat in their dealings but should rather be honest and faithful.
Emmanuel, who decried the manner some Christians cheat in their business dealings, said unfaithfulness does not glorify God and urged Christians to be accountable in their businesses.
He urged Christians to be faithful to God and their fellow men.
“Faithfulness, accountability, generosity, divine guidance and gratitude are the hallmarks of breakthrough in a Christian’s business and career,’’ the pastor said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi, Director, Women Affairs, Mrs Iran Ajufo and representative of UN Women, Kemi Ndiel, at the National Stakeholders’s Consultative meeting on the Status of Women in Abuja yesterday.
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