Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
A neurologist, Prof. Sunday Bwala, says migraine sufferers are twice likely to have heart attacks as people without the disorder. Bwala told newsmen that migraines were as a result of chemical imbalance in the neurons of the brain.
Our correspondent reports that migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.
Bwala explained that women with occasional migraines have a higher risk of heart disease, while those with more frequent headaches are primarily at increased risk of a stroke.
“Heart disease is caused by an inflammation in the heart, an immune process that causes blood vessels and other tissues to set off emergency alarms throughout the body and migraine attacks trigger the inflammatory process,” he said.
He said that the disorder is most common between the ages of 25 and 55 and women are affected three times more than men. “It occurs more in women, it is genetic and has a gender predisposition.”
He said that although there were trigger factors such as intake of chocolates, sweet tasting food and pepper, it could also be caused by abnormalities in sleep patterns such as too much sleep or inadequate sleep.
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries, winning all the 854 votes cast.
His only opponent, Dr Umar Ardo, did not show up at the venue of the primaries in Yola and had no vote.
Declaring Nyako winner, the Returning Officer, who is also the Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Wike, said that 863 votes were cast, out of which nine were invalidated. He added the 854 valid votes were cast for Nyako.
In his acceptance speech, Nyako thanked the delegates and officials of the party for conducting peaceful, free and fair primaries. ‘We thank almighty God and the officials of the PDP for their maturity over the years.’’
Nyako also commended his opponent, Ardo, for ensuring that the election was conducted peacefully.
Over 2,000 security men were stationed at the venue of the election to avert breach of the peace.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State government on Monday signed a N7.99 billion contract for the construction of 3.4 kilometre Runway of the Bauchi International Airport.
The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Bappa Azare, said that the company, Triacta Construction Company Nigeria Ltd, was selected from various firms during a bid exercise.
Azare said the firm had been paid 70 per cent down payment out of the N7.99 billion approved by the state executive council to fast track the completion of the project within 18 months.
He said that the state government had paid compensation to all farmers, whose farmlands were affected by the project and assured that the project would be completed in April, 2013.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Triacta Construction Company Nigeria Ltd, Elie Abu-Jarhat, explained that the Bauchi airport was longer and bigger than that of Gombe International Airport in terms of area and volume of traffic.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has declared that it would not pay the N18,000 minimum wage because it was not captured in the state’s 2011 budget.
Governor Sule Lamido, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Government House in Dutse, said that the N18,000 minimum wage was not provided for in the 2011 Appropriation Bill.
“The minimum wage was not captured in our 2011 budget and no provision for minimum wage there-in. “We can not source funds outside the budget to pay new salaries and if we do that, it will amount to illegality,” he said.
Lamido said that the state workers were not wage earners, but stakeholders and partners that were ready to render services for the development of the state.
Kano
A total of 76 international companies are participating in the 32nd Kano International Trade Fair holding between November 19 and December 4 in Kano.
The Deputy President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Alhaji Nasidi Yahaya said this at a news conference in Kano.
He said that of the companies expected, 40 would come from the Republic of China while the remaining 36 would come from India.
According to him, companies from Niger Republic, Ghana and other African countries have also indicated their interest to attend the fair.
“We expect participants from all over the world, especially from the new economic giants like China, India and the rest of them.
All necessary contacts have been made and the 2011 trade fair will be better than that of 2010,” he said.
Yahaya said that the chamber had made adequate arrangement to ensure security of lives and properties before, during and after the fair.
Kogi
Secondary school teachers in Kogi have expressed support for the state government’s decision to hand over the conduct of JSSC examinations to the National Examination Council (NECO) as from 2012.
The Chairman of the state chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Mr Ranti Ojo said that the decision would ultimately augur well for the future of education in the state.
Ojo spoke with newsmen in Lokoja
He stated that the state which was recently removed from the list of educationally disadvantaged states required drastic steps to arrest the yearly dismal performance of pupils in public examinations.
Kwara
An Ilorin Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded in prison a 34-year-old woman, Chizoba Godfry, for allegedly abducting some children for forced labour.
The accused, who resides at Asa Dam Area of Ilorin, was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and abduction.
The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Sanni Abdullahi, alleged that the accused kidnapped some children and took them to Mokwa, Niger State, for forced labour. He said the accused was arrested by the police following a complaint by Mrs Rosemary Uche of Saw-mill Area, Ilorin, that the accused took her children away without her consent. Uche, according to the prosecutor, told the police that her daughters, Mercy Chukwu, 17, and Chioma Chukwu, 12, were missing.
The complainant also alleged that in the process of searching for them, it was discovered that the accused kidnapped them and took them to an unknown destination.
She said the accused and her daughters were later sighted in a shop at Mokwa, Niger, working for one Isaac now at large.
Lagos
Stakeholders in Lagos have warned that the proposed removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government might worsen the country’s security challenge.
The stakeholders gave the warning at the Fourth Annual Law and Social Develoment Lecture organised by a Lagos-based law firm, Bamidele Aturu and Company.
Our correspondent reports that the lecture was entitled “Security and Welfare of the People: The Historical Disconnect in Nigeria’’.
The speakers, who gave the warning included constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay and Prof Yomi Akinyeye, a Professor of History and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos.
Also featured at the lecture were Mr Fred Agbaje, a lawyer and human rights activist, Dr Dele Seteolu of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU) and Mr Bamidele Aturu, amongst others.
Sagay said Nigeria was currently ranked as the 142nd country globally in terms of welfare provisions for its citizenry, despite occupying the 42nd position in respect of national wealth.
Seteolu argued that the government should stop introducing neo-liberal policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy, adding that Nigerians had not benefitted from such policies in the past.
On his part, Agbaje urged the government to focus on the provision of basic infrastructure for Nigerians before attempting any removal of the subsidy.
Speaking in a similar view, Akinyeye said there was an intertwined relationship between the provision of welfare and security, stressing that insecurity thrives when there is absence of social welfare.
Niger
Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said that his administration remained committed to reducing poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in the state.
Aliyu made the remark while inaugurating the 20-member Niger Investment Promotion Council in Minna.
He said efforts would be geared towards making the state evolve among the most three developed economies in the country by the year 2020.
“You will recall that during my second inaugural address on May 29, I said that the repositioning and resuscitation of the state’s economy for the attainment of our collective vision of 3: 2020 will be one of the key priorities of this administration.
Ogun
The Ogun Government is to distribute textbooks worth N1.8 billion to pupils and students in all public primary and secondary schools in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, made this known in Abeokuta on Monday at a news conference.
Odubela, who said the exercise would cut across the 20 councils in the state, added that the textbooks would be on English Language, Mathematics and other core subjects curricular.
“ Every library must have books. I can assure you that there is no pupil in any of our primary and secondary schools that would not have textbooks,’’ he said.
The commissioner also assured the schools that the books would be supplied within the next 14 days by selected publishers.
Odubela said no fewer than 368, 087 primary school pupils and 143,043 Junior Secondary School students would benefit from the scheme.
Nation
Northern Community Gets New Dan Buran In Rivers state
The Arewa /Northern Community in Rivers state has appointed Alhaji Shuaibu Wada Madawakin Tilda as the Acting Dan Buran Rivers State.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Cabinet Council.
The appointment follows the dethronement of the former occupant,
Alhaji Musa Saeedu.
A statement from the Palace of the Sarkin Arewa/Northern Community (Sarkin Hausawan) in Rivers State and signed by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Hussaini Isah said the dethronement is with immediate effect.
The statement further disclosed that the decision follows an allegation of acts of insubordination and conduct considered contrary to the values, discipline, and traditions of the Northern community perpetuated by the Fmr Dan Buran.
The statement advised the public to discontinue to recognising and addressing Alhaji Musa Saeedu as the Dan Buran of the State, adding that he no longer holds the title and remained suspended.
Responding via telephone interview, Alhaji Musa Saeedu said he will not make any comment regarding the matter.
Nation
French Teachers Day 2025: PH Celebrates International French Teachers Day
The Alliance Française of Port Harcourt opened its doors to more than sixty French language teachers from Port Harcourt and across Rivers State at the weekend for an afternoon dedicated to celebration, creativity, and community spirit.
The event which was Supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, forms part of the global celebrations marking the Journée Internationale du Professeur de Français (French Teachers Day) a day officially set aside to observe worldwide every 20 November.
The Tide Entertainment reports that every year, French teachers around the globe are honoured for the passion and dedication they bring into their classrooms.In 2025, the theme chosen “Chanter, jouer, enseigner: la francophonie en musique” (Sing, Play, Teach: Francophonie in Music) invited the entire community to explore the joy of teaching through song, performance, and artistic expression.
A Day that brings teachers together for the French teaching community in Port Harcourt, this celebration is much more than a ceremony, it is a rare moment to step away from the classroom and reconnect with the simple joy of sharing, learning, and creating together.
The Alliance Française transformed the occasion into a space buzzing with music and entertainment. Teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and adult learning centers gathered to exchange ideas, reconnected with colleagues, and discover each other’s talents in an atmosphere filled with warmth and friendship.
Honouring Creativity with the theme “Our Teachers Have Talent!”This year, the Embassy of France launched a national contest titled “Nos profs ont du talent!” (“Our Teachers Have Talent !”), participants were invited to either interpret or create a Francophone song.For a month, from 13 October to 13 November 2025, teachers from across the country submitted their performances online, filling the digital space with francophone music.While winners of this nationwide competition were announced.
According to the the Director, Mrs Marina Lacal, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, excitement and anticipation were added to the celebrations, saying that in Port Harcourt, the festivities went even further. Port Harcourt experienced a Unique Celebration that went beyond the online competition, Alliance Française Port Harcourt created something special, an event where teachers met physically, shared moment of joy, and present their musical talents live.On stage, teachers sang the songs they love and those they have created, showcasing the creativity that animates their classrooms every day.
She explained that that off stage, they( participants )shared stories, network with colleagues, laughed together, and celebrated their unique contribution to the promotion of the French language in Rivers State.This gathering is also a moment of recognition. Every day, French teachers open doors for thousands of learners, children discovering their first French words, teenagers preparing for exams, university students shaping their future careers, and adults embracing new opportunities.
“Today, the spotlight shines on them. More Than an Event, A Tribute to Their Dedication The 2025 celebration in Port Harcourt was a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who make French come alive, those who inspire, guide, and encourage learners with unwavering commitment,” Mrs. Lacal said
The Director explained that It recognises their resilience, their creativity, and their essential role in building bridges between cultures.By offering them a moment of relaxation, fun, artistic expression, and professional networking, Alliance Française Port Harcourt reaffirms its mission to support educators, strengthen the teaching community, and celebrate the vibrant energy of the Francophonie in Nigeria.
Climax of the exciting event was the presentation of prizes to winners of the competition.
Nation
OGONI ARISE CONCERT 2025: A Triumph Of Unity, Peace, And Cultural Pride
The Chairman Advisory Committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts, Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Lexy M. Mueka has expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area Dr. Thomas Bariere for his support and vision in promoting entertainment as a tool for peacebuilding and youth engagement.
Hon Mueka made this known to the Tide Entertainment during a recently concluded concert tagged “OGONI ARISE CONCERT” held at the No. 6 Field, Old Port Harcourt Township.
According to him, the concert was not just an event but a movement aimed at reawakening the cultural consciousness of the Ogoni people and inspiring the younger generation to use their talents positively.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event, organized by Triple 3 Entertainment under the auspices of the office of the Chairman Advisory committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, was a vibrant celebration of peace, unity, and cultural renaissance among the Ogoni people.
“Conceptualized as a platform to promote social harmony, empower young creatives, and showcase the rich artistic heritage of Ogoniland, the Ogoni Arise Concert succeeded in bringing together community leaders, entertainers, and the general public in a rare show of solidarity. The event featured electrifying performances by indigenous and regional artistes, dance troupes, comedians, and cultural ambassadors, all united under one message — Ogoni is rising again,” Hon. Mueka said.
“The Ogoni Arise Concert was designed to remind us of who we are — a people of strength, creativity, and unity. We wanted to show that entertainment can be a bridge for peace, a voice for our youth, and a celebration of our identity,” he added.
The event also featured a special Award Presentation Ceremony recognizing distinguished Ogoni sons and daughters who have made remarkable contributions in areas such as leadership, humanitarian service, creative excellence, and cultural promotion. The awards added a touch of prestige and purpose, reinforcing the concert’s theme of celebrating excellence while inspiring future generations.
Security at the event venue was top-notch, turnout of attendance impressive, and the atmosphere electric throughout the night.
Meanwhile, guests and participants had described the event as “historic, well-organized, and truly uplifting.”
