Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa government has approved N35 million for the purchase of meat vans to transport meat from abattoirs to markets within the state.
The Commissioner for Livestock Production, Dr Lawan Hamidu, said this in Yola, during an interactive session with the peer review team of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The team was in the state to inspect government’s developmental projects and their impact on the people, an exercise which it began last year.
Hamidu said that the decision to purchase the vans was to meet the challenges of transporting meat from abattoirs and to ensure the consumption of healthy and wholesome meat as well as disease free animals.”
Bauchi
The Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Bauchi State has said that it will resist any attempt to use the church to cause disorder in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.
The Church stated this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source in Bauchi.
The statement, which was signed by Rev. Yusuf Waziri and Rev. Yakubu Saidu, said that the clarification became necessary following allegations that some people were planning to use the Church to cause mayhem in the state.
It said that the principal aim of the Church worldwide was the salvation of souls, adding that the objective could only be achieved through peaceful means.
“The spirit of God, through Christ, vests upon all Christians and enjoins all believers an existence of peace and not violence, good neighbourliness and not acrimony, peaceful co-existence and love, not war or hatred.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government at the weekend disbursed N50 million loans to 250 farmers under the first phase of its newly introduced Peasant Farmers Programme.
The Tide’s source reports that each of the farmers drawn from the 177 political wards in the state received N200,000.
Speaking at the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Segun Oni, who said the loan would be interest-free, noted that the scheme was designed to assist each of benefiting farmers to cultivate a minimum of two hectares of both annual and perennial crops this farming season.
Oni, who identified lack of funds as a major problem militating against the agricultural sector in the country, said that the state government decided to pioneer direct funding of agriculture with the aim of enhancing food security.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loans and ensure repayment within four years to enable others to have access to the funds.
The governor announced that 250 peasant farmers would benefit from the programme annually.
FCT
Dr Nafisatu Muhammad, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education, said 60 per cent improvement on girl-child education had been achieved through Gender Education Project (GEP).
GEP is an empowerment programme of the Federal Ministry of Education to give educational access to boys and girls in the southern and northern parts of the country respectively.
Muhammad made this known in Abuja recently in an interview with newsmen.
“In the current data, you still find girls still hawking although it has improved with a lot of sensitisation and mobilisation that is going on under the GEP”, he said.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Tamberi, has linked the high prevalence of rape cases to multiple tenancy.
Tamberi said this in Kaduna while parading three rape suspects.
The police chief noted that while incidence of rapes were uncommon in high brow areas, their frequency was on the increase in places with shared tenancy.
According to him, the highest incidence of rapes were recorded in Rigassa and Tudun Wada areas of the town.Tamberi regretted the incidences, but assured the public that the police was not relenting in the efforts to rid the state of criminals.
He said the three suspected rapists entered the houseof one Mohammed Salihu and defiled the housemaid.
Kano
Sheikh Salisu Muhammad, an Islamic scholar, has called for special prayers over the persisting crisis in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Muhammad made the call recently at a monthly lecture delivered at the Sanabiyyatul Nisa’iyyatul Islamic Institute in Kano.
He said that there was need for both Muslims and Christians in the country to offer special prayers for peace to be restored in Jos.
“It is very strange and uncomfortable to witness that a place like Jos, which is blessed with so many natural and human resources is in crisis,” Muhammad said.
He described the crisis as political, saying that some group of people were benefiting from the blood shed that was taking place in the area.
Mohammed, therefore, urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to “the endless bloodshed’’, and pleaded with the elders to come to the rescue of the “weeping land of Jos’’
Kogi
The Kogi State Government is to construct two new modern markets in Lokoja to complement the existing International Market located in the state capital.
Mr Mohammed Sule, the State Commissioner for Environment and Physical Development, disclosed this in Lokoja in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the two markets, one of which would be sited in Ganaja and the other in Dogondaji areas of Lokoja, were expected to accommodate traders who could not secure stalls at the International Market.
Ogun
The Ogun State Government has appointed Prof. Segun Awonusi as the new Vice Chancellor of the state-owned Tai Solarin University of Education.
The appointment is contained in a statement signed by Mr Shina Kawonise, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, a copy of which was made available to The Tide’s source in Abeokuta .
The source reports that Awonusi is to take over from Prof Kayode Oyesiku, whose five-year tenure expires on March 31.
The new vice chancellor is currently the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.
According to the statement, “Gov Gbenga Daniel of Ogun has approved the appointment of Prof Olusegun Awonusi as the new Vice Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode.
“Otunba Daniel who is also the Visitor to the University, authorised the appointment following the recommendation of the Governing Council of the University which sanctioned his appointment as a replacement for the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Oyesiku, whose five-year tenure ends on March 31, 2010.”
Yobe
The Yobe College of Agriculture in Gujba has introduced veterinary services to reduce the mortality rate in animals in the host community.
The Provost of the college, Alhaji Mulima Mato, told The Tide’s source in Gujba that animals, including goats, sheep and cattle, which were slaughtered or died of common ailments, had been treated and saved by the college.
He explained that “the clinic had provided medical services to animals with complications arising from polythene materials eaten by the animals which were very common.
“We have also carried out surgery on animals with birth complications,” he said.
The provost added that the community had in the past lost many animals to curable ailments due to the lack of medical attention.
He said that “quacks visiting the farmers had exploited the situation, providing sub-standard drugs and services and causing economic loss to the farmers”.
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