Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), Mr Mohammed Garba, has called for improved funding of government owned media organisations.
Garba made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Ima Niboro.
He said adequate funding was necessary for the media to discharge their functions effectively, especially as the country prepared for the 2015 general elections.
According to him, proper funding of the organisations is also needed for balanced reportage.
Jigawa
The Village Head of Chai-chai community in Dutse
Local Government Area, of Jigawa State has commended the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), an NGO, for constructing borehole and classrooms in the area.
Muhammad made the commendation at the inauguration of the projects in the Community Primary school in Chai-Chai, Dutse.
He said that the provision of the borehole would enhance access to safe drinking water among people of the area.
He said that both the pupils and members of the community would benefit from the facility.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, said it has awarded
contract valued at N100.9 million for the upgrade of electricity infrastructure at the Kaduna Dry Port.
The Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad, stated this in Kaduna at a ceremony marking the commencement of the project.
The project involves the construction of a 300KVA-Transformer sub-station, procurement of a 250KVA generator and construction of a generator house.
Ahmad also said that the money would be used to upgrade street lights in the port located at the Inland Containers Terminal, Kaduna.
Kano
The Kano State policing outfit, Hisba Board, said it had arrested 52 young women and men for allegedly engaging in prostitution and other immoral acts in Kano metropolis.
The board’s Director-General, Dr Abba Sufi, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said those arrested were made up of 27 females and 25 males, adding that they were apprehended at the railway station and behind Magwan Water Restaurant in Kano metropolis.
The arrest was made following a raid by members of the board, he noted.
Kebbi
UNICEF has commended Kebbi State government for
paying its N158 million counterpart funding to curb malnutrition in the state in two years.
The UNICEF officer in-charge of malnutrition, Mr Stanley Okechukwu, made the commendation when he visited Gov. Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi recently.
He also commended the state government for ensuring the treatment of 100,000 malnourished children and enabling the treatment of 600,000 more children against child killer diseases within the period.
Okechukwu described the efforts to fight such diseases as highly commendable and assured that UNICEF would sustain its support to the state.
Kwara
A housewife, Yetunde Afolabi of Osere area of
Ilorin, has prayed an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her five-year-old marriage with Kunle Afolabi, because he publicly humiliated her.
Yetunde, 30, told the court that her husband was fond of tearing her clothes, making her naked before beating her in public, just to humiliate her.
She told the court that her husband was also fond of calling her names like “prostitute, dirty pig, and shameless person” in public.
“My husband has ridiculed me and soiled my personality to the extent that I am ashamed of moving freely in my neighbourhood,” she said.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State
has said that in spite of his Deputy, Mr Damishi Luka, defecting to PDP, he will accord him his right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Al-Makura made the statement in Lafia when commissioners in his cabinet paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House.
“Damishi Luka remains my Deputy and I am duty bound by the constitution to accord his office all its dues and entitlements,” Al-Makura said.
He, however, described “the defection as a tip of the iceberg of an onslaught orchestrated against the present administration in the state.’’
Niger
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has en
joined Christian faithful to use the Lenten season to pray to God for solutions to the socioeconomic and security challenges confronting the nation.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, made the call on behalf of the group in Minna, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.
Aliyu urged Christian faithful to conduct themselves well during the season in order to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the season.
He said that good intentions, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds were pre-requisites for reaping the benefits of the holy season.
Ondo
To achieve the 35 percent affirmative action on fe-
male representation in governance, the Ondo State Government has urged women to participate actively in politics.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Yemi Mahmud-Fasanmi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Akure.
“I urge the woman folk to come out; they should not fold their arms and be expecting good turnout in terms of their participation in politics.
Osun
The Osun State government said that it would spend
N2.6 billion on the ongoing rehabilitation of its water works at Ede town.
The General Manager of the Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga Owojuyigbe, disclosed the amount when the House of Assembly Committee on Water, Environment and Sanitation visited the corporation in Ede.
Owojuyigbe said the government had earlier spent N424 million during the first phase of the emergency rehabilitation of the water works.
Plateau
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been charged
to create a curriculum that would help the youth think ‘outside the box’ instead of looking for paid jobs.
The charge was made in Jos by Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman of ITF Governing Council, and Minster of State for Defence, at the 2013 Merit Award ceremony of the Governing Council.
“What we need is creativity; we, in the ITF must create a Nigerian dream that everybody will latch onto,” he said.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan had already provided the right platform for creativity, adding that the Fund needed to be known internationally.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee has
facilitated the treatment of 526 mentally-ill persons at the Federal Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Kware, in February.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who disclosed this while disbursing N56.5 million as donations to physically challenged persons in Sokoto, said N914,000 was spent on their treatment.
He said only 16 of the patients were admitted at the psychiatric hospital while the rest were out-patients coming for drug administration and counselling.
L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, representative of the governor of Rivers State, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Lalaye and Chairman, Board of Peoples Media Limited, Malam Wada Maida, at the Peoples Media Limited conference in Abuja, last Thursday. Photo: NAN.
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.
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.
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.”
