Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Ma
ternal, Child and New Born Health (BaSAM-MCNH) has urged stakeholders in the health sector to establish one-on-one dialogue with family members of pregnant women to reduce maternal mortality.
The Chairperson, Advocacy Committee on the Mechanism, Hajiya Yagana Gidado made the call at a meeting with stakeholders in Bauchi.
She said those who had a stake in the health sector must scale-up maternal health campaigns by discussing with heads of families of pregnant women so as to educate them on the assistance pregnant women require to reduce their burden.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has dissolved
the boards of 20 parastatals agencies and equally disengaged 33 directors-general, a statement said.
According to the statement, the affected establishments are the state’s Muslim and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Sharia Consultative Council, Bauchi Radio Corporation, Bauchi State Television and Bauchi State Water Board.
Also on the list are Bauchi Development Board, Bauchi State Library Board, Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company, Bauchi State Tourism Board, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency and Bauchi State Hotels Board.
Others are Yankari Transport Corporation, Bauchi State Sports Council, Poverty Alleviation Agency, Bauchi Fertiliser Company, Bauchi Meat Factory and Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.
Benue
A 29-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Kator Zapke,
yesterday appeared in a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of a Bajaj motorcycle valued at N136,000.
Zapke, who lives opposite Baptist Secondary School, Achusa, Makurdi, is facing a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, negligence and theft.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Omaye Ujata told the court that one Mr Jarius Ochong, the complainant, reported the incident at the “C’’ Division Police Headquarters in Makurdi.
Ujata said that Ochong entrusted his red, Bajaj motorcycle with registration number MKD 733 US to the accused who later claimed that it was stolen.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant sold the motorcycle on hire purchase to Zapke at a cost of N200,000 to be paid in 10 months.
She said that the agreement was for the accused to remit N5,000 to the complainant at the end of every week for 10 months to off set the cost.
FCT
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon
Arase, has directed IGP Teams on Monitoring of Police performance to immediately begin monitoring activities/conducts of personnel on highways, police stations and formations nationwide.
The directive, according to a statement by the force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, is aimed at enforcing of the police Anti-Corruption initiative recently launched by the I-G.
It will be recalled that at a recent meeting with senior officers, Arase expressed resolve to rid the force of corruption, and warned officers and men to desist from corrupt practices.
The statement urged the team to be mindful of the constitutional rights of the citizenry, while performing their statutory duties.
It also warned them against excessive use of force and unjustifiable application of lethal weapons contrary to standing rules of engagement.
According to the statement, the police will not hesitate to punish indicted officers.
It, however, commended the public for their understanding, cooperation and support for the force in the face of the current security challenges.
Gombe
A coalition of civil society has called on the Gombe
State Government to increase its budgetary allocation to the health sector.
The coalition, Maternal, New-Born and Child Health Coalition (MNCHC) and Media Platform, made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday after a budget analysis of the state’s health allocation between 2010 and 2014.
It urged for increased funding especially as it concerns polio immunization and nutrition activities in the state.
The coalition observed that the state government allocation to the health sector was inadequate compared to the growing population in the state, which is put at 3.2 per cent rate.
According to the statement, though there is budget on nutrition, such allocations are grossly inadequate.
Kebbi
The National Commission for Refugees has donated
26 houses to 136 Internally Displaced Persons in Kebbi.
According to sources, the refugees were displaced by the crisis in Borno and Yobe State.
The North West Zonal Coordinator of the commission Miss Alao Moridiyat presented the houses to the beneficiaries recenyly at Sabon Birnin Turaki village in Augie local government area of the state.
She called on them to settle down peacefully in their new environment and engage in communal activities.
The zonal coordinator said that the local government provided the land for the refugees while the commission spent N13 million to construct the houses.
Moridiyat said that the commission also donated N450, 000 to some households, as well as clothing materials, foodstuff and utensils to the victims.
The Kwara State House of Assembly in IIorin has passed
a bill seeking an amendment to a law guiding the opertions of cooperative societies in the state.
The bill seeks to among other things ensure greater accountability in the operations of cooperative societies and provide stiffer penalties for violations of the law.
The bill was passed after the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Commerce, Cooperatives, Industries and Women Affairs.
The Speaker, Mr. Razak Atunwa, directed the Clerk, Mr. Oyetunde Oyeniyi, to read the bill for third time and it was consequently passed.
Atunwa said the bill was passed because it had satisfied the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria and the Rules of the House.
He also mandated the Clerk to produce a clean copy of the bill for governor’s assent.
Oyo
The police have dragged 70-years-old Tijani Osuolale
before an Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly failing to produce an accused he stood surety for at the police station.
Osuolale was arraigned on a one-count charge of failing to produce an accused.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Ojeleye told the court that Osuolale allegedly stood as surety for one Saidi Lafiku.
Lafiku was accused of obtaining N300,000 under false pretence, by a complainant who reported the matter at Iyaganku Police Station, Ibadan.
Plateau
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church
(RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advised ministers of God to practise the sermons they preach at home because their children are watching.
Adeboye gave the advice in Jos at RCCG’s Ministers and Workers conference, which had the theme: “In Christ Alone.’’
“We must tidy up our acts as ministers of God. Be careful what you do in the presence of the children,’’ he admonished.
Adeboye said that the church would organise a meeting with children of ministers in the north, just as it had done in the south and some other parts of the World such as Europe and the U. S.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, has
pledged to complete and inaugurate the N5.6 billion ongoing water expansion project in Sokoto before handing over on May 29.
Wamakko made the pledge when he inspected the water expansion projects at Gagi, Mana, More, Tamaje, old Airport and Rinjin Sambo areas, Sokoto.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work at the water expansion projects in Sokoto township, costing the state government over N5.6 billion.
He disclosed that the projects would produce 40 million gallons of water daily and would be inaugurated before May 29.
Yobe
The Yobe State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS com
menced HIV/AIDS screening for over 4,000 Nigerian returnees from Niger Republic, who fled at the wake of insurgency.
Executive Director of the agency, Hajiya Farida Mamudo, said in Giedam that the agency found it necessary to establish returnees HIV status to check the spread of the virus.
Sources said that over 6,000 Nigerians, mostly inhabitants of Lake Chad, have returned to the country to pave way for military operations against insurgency.
L-R: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and the first son of the Governor, Alhaji Idris Yuguda, during the 7th Day Prayers for repose of the soul of the governor’s mother Goggo Hauwa Yuguda, at Ramat House in Bauchi last Wednesday.
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