Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Investment and Property Devel
opment Company (BIPC) says it is poised to break its jinx of a non-profit making organisation by declaring huge profits in the next six months.
The company’s new Managing Director, Mr Jack Mulya, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Mulya who expressed regrets that the company failed to make any profit in the last 15 years, stated that the company was restructuring and repositioning for profit making.
“We need to run this place as a business venture and to do this, we need to build capacity for our workers and restructure our assets for profitability.”
Borno
The Nigerian Army has called on commercial banks
to deploy Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to the military barracks in Maiduguri for the use of front line soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Borno State.
Brig.Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, made the call while speaking at a Civil-Military Forum organised by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu was reacting to criticisms by residents that soldiers often refused to join queues at the ATM points in the town.
He said that the army had written several letters to the banks for the deployment of ATM machines to the barracks without much success.
FCT
A human rights activist, Mrs Esther Uzoma, says
the Nigerian legal system must create an enabling environment to encourage whistleblowers in the fight against corruption.
Uzoma made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
She said that the importance of whistleblowing would not be effective without providing enabling environment backed by legislation.
The activist said that Nigeria’s social environment as currently constituted was not yet ripe for whistleblowers due to weak institutions.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has commenced
aerial spraying of pesticides to control quela birds that ravaged rice and millet farmlands in seven local government areas of the state.
The Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Community Development and Inclusion, Alhaji Hamza Muhammad, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Muhammad said the affected local governments were Auyo, Kirikasamma, Miga, Guri, Birniwa, Kaugama and Malammadori.
He said the exercise which commenced on September 15, would end on September 24.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has urged the people
of the state to imbibe the culture of tree planting and desist from indiscriminate felling of trees.
The Commissioner of Environment, Hajiya Sa’adatu Sa’ad, made the call at a news conference in Gombe recently.
Sa’ad said that it was high time the people contributed their own quota towards environmental protection against desertification and other climatic challenges in the state.
“Desertification has been our main problem that is really disturbing us in Gombe State, so, such effort will help a lot in protecting our environment.
Kaduna
A member of the House of Representatives, Abbas
Tajudden, says the Federal Government would spend N1.6 billion on the rehabilitation of Zaria-Pambegua Road in Kaduna State.
Tajuddeen, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Zaria shortly after a meeting with his constituents.
He said the rehabilitation work would begin this year and would cover over 100 kilometres.
The lawmaker explained that the project was initiated to save lives due to frequent accidents because of the deplorable nature of the road.
Kano
Authorities of Garun Malam Local Government
Area of Kano State say no fewer than 40, 000 children below the age of five years would be immunized in the ongoing exercise in the state.
The Primary Healthcare Coordinator of the area, Alhaji Tijjani Jafaru, made this known to newsmen as immunisation commenced in the area.
The coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the state and the local government to polio eradication.
According to him, parents must complete their responsibility of providing their children with quality health care.
Kwara
A pharmacist, Mr Lanre Alege, says registered phar
macists in Nigeria are grossly inadequate, considering the population of the country.
Alege of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), said this in Ilorin in a lecture delivered during the monthly “Keep Fit exercise” for members of staff of the institution at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
Quoting the records of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), he said Nigeria has 17,000 registered pharmacists,
“Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world with estimated 170 million people (2012 population) can only have a pharmacist to 10,000 Nigerians by that number,’’ he said.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has
urged commercial drivers to help reduce the incessant gridlock in the state by respecting traffic rules and regulations.
Ambode made the call at the inauguration of Ketu-Alapere Lay-By and Bus Stop Expansion at Kosofe, Lagos.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor said transport unions must educate their members to abide by the state traffic laws, adding that commercial drivers should not to use the expanded Alapere-Ketu Bus stop for union activities, as anyone caught would be sanctioned.
Osun
The Osun State Government has deployed an
Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to Ibokun community in the state to enable Wema Bank to reopen for commercial activities.
Our correspondent reports that WEMA bank, the only commercial bank in the town was shut for business activities in December 2015 due to a robbery attack.
A gang of armed robbers had on December 15, 2015 attacked the bank, during which two people were killed, many injured and a large sum of money carted away by the robbers.
One of the conditions listed by the bank’s management to resume operation was the provision of an armoured vehicle by the government to guarantee the security of its business.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has redeemed the
N1.98 million it pledged to the three cleanest local governments during Hajj.
The Director-General of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto recently.
Umar said that the competition was introduced by the state government during the 2015 hajj.
“It was conceived to encourage personal and environmental hygiene amongst the pilgrims in Mecca,Muna and Arafat.”
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government, says it has re
corded increase in malaria-related deaths among children under five years and pregnant women.
The Project Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), Alhaji Hamisu Dauran, made this known while speaking at the commencement of a one-day training of religious and traditional leaders on malaria eradication.
Our correspondent reports that the training was organised by the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA) in collaboration with Health Community Capacity Collaboration (HC3), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Dauran said that within the first and second quarters of 2016, the state recorded 276 deaths and over 76,000 reported malaria cases of under-five children across in health centres across the state.
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