Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
A group of unknown gunmen has kidnapped the mem
ber representing Toungo Counstituency in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Usman.
Usman was said to be kidnapped by the gunmen who stormed his residence at Kofare Ward of Yola around midnight.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adamawa Police Command, Mr Othman Abubakar, said the lawmaker was taken away at gunpoint.
He however said that the police were investigating the incident.
Bauchi
Arewa Youths and Women Coalition for Good Gover
nance (AYWCGG), a Bauchi-based non-governmental organization, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to be fair to all in their zoning formula.
The North East Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Aminu Sidi, made the call at a press conference in Bauchi.
Sidi said that Nigerians had entrusted the future of the country in the hands of APC because of their belief that the party would help restore the country’s lost glory.
He called on the leadership of the party, to be fair, just and carry every geo-political zone along in its power sharing formula, to reflect the aspiration of Nigerians, who voted APC as the nation’s ruling party.
FCT
The Federal Government has agreed to go into partner
ship with the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in its Youth Education Development project.
The Country Representative of the institute, Mr Dickson Omoregie, made the disclosure in a statement issued recently in Abuja.
The Education and Youth Development Department of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is expected to host ICD in its Youth Education Development project.
The project will be domiciled in the youth ministry because of government partnership, to gain accessibility and easy dissemination of information, Omoregie stated.
Gombe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has presented relief materials to over 1,000 individuals and organisations affected by bomb blasts, insurgency attacks and fire disasters in Gombe State, recently.
Our correspondent learnt that the affected groups comprised those affected by the bomb blast at Dukku motor park and fire disaster in some areas of Gombe metropolis and Billiri town.
Others are victims of insurgency attacks in Gombe metropolis, Dadin Kowa, Hinna and Kwadon towns of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Gombe the Head of Operations, NEMA, Gombe, Alhaji Ahmed Minin, said the materials were to serve as succour and not compensation to the victims.
Jigawa
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in
Jigawa State, Alhaji Ubali Hashim, has called on the Federal Government to complete the Hadejia Valley project to encourage agricultural activities in the area.
Hashim told newsmen in Hadejia, Jigawa State, that the call was imperative in order to mobilise participation in agriculture, accelerate paddy rice production and reduce poverty in the country.
He said that the project would open up lands for irrigation farming in Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states.
He added that more than one million farmers in Jigawa could be engaged when the project was completed as it would immensely contribute to sustainable socio-economic development of the state.
The APC leader also advised the new administration in the state to utilise the agriculture and water resources to address the problem of unemployment among youths.
Kaduna
Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, has solicited the assis
tance of the Federal Government and other stakeholders for funds to support the less privileged in need of legal services.
The Director-General of the Council, Mrs Joy Bobmanuel, made the appeal on Friday in Kaduna in an interview with newsmen.
The Legal Aid Council was set up to assist the less privileged who could not afford legal services in courts.
Bobmanuel said the council was constraint by inadequate funding from both the federal government and international donors.
She said that additional funding would help the council assist more persons in need of its services.
Kwara
Women in three rural communities in Kwara State would
be sponsored under a girl education programme by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, an NGO.
The Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Alhaji Sulaiman Kareem, disclosed this recently in Tunga Maje, Kaiama local government area of the state at a community dialogue.
The forum was convened to chart a new course on ways to improve girls’ education in rural communities, he said.
Kareem noted that the NGO, a partner of Actionaid Nigeria, was working in three communities of Tenebo, Tunga Maje and Gatte because of the decline in girls’ enrollment in schools in the area.
According to him, the centre will set up business for the women and proceeds from it would be spent on sponsorship of girls’ education alone.
Lagos
The Librarian, National Open University of Nigeria
(NOUN), Dr Ukoha Igwe, has called on librarians in schools across the country to step up efforts in sustaining school libraries.
Ukoha made the call at the close of the week long Nigeria International Book Fair, held in Lagos.
According to him, the libraries remain the power house of knowledge, adding that without them, there will be no innovation.
He said that librarians must be able to develop their capacities to improve on library services.
The NOUN librarian said that for librarians to remain relevant, they must ensure that they train and retrain, to be at par with new technologies and other developing trends.
Ukoha said that libraries should be torchbearers that must constantly provide light for people to come out of darkness.
He said that the failure of libraries to provide light for people would promote conflicts among the young people in the society.
Nasarawa
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa
State, has commenced the digitisation of keeping information relating to patients.
The Medical Director of the centre, Dr Joshua Giyan, stated this during the inauguration of the new technology at the information management unit of the centre in Keffi.
He said that the move was part of the centre’s commitment to ensure that patients’ information were kept safe as well as to ensure quality service delivery for the benefit of all.
“The aims and objectives of this new technology are to ensure that patients’ information is kept for a longer period without entertaining any fear.
“The new device will help to curb cases of misinformation about patients’ details,” he said.
He said that all modalities had been put in place for proper maintenance of the new device, to ensure its durability.
Oyo
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan(UI), Prof. Isaac
Adewole, says in Ibadan, that the institution would partner Galilee Institute of Management, Israel, in the areas of research development.
He said that the two institutions would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)that would include modalities to deepen? research in technology and health.
Adewole, who spoke at the ?64th Interdisciplinary Discourse of the Postgraduate School, decried under-funding of research in Nigeria.
The vice-chancellor said that Nigeria cannot compete globally without strengthening research.
“The successes recorded in Israel are a pointer to the fact that only Nigerians can turn around positively the fortunes of Nigeria with determination and commitment” he said.
He urged the incoming administration to invest in research, and properly fund tertiary institutions in order to place Nigeria tops among the comity of nations.
Yobe
The Nigeria Red Cross Society has distributed relief ma
terials to 3,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe State under the Presidential Initiative for the North-East zone.
Red Cross Distribution Officer for Yobe, Malam Kabir Umar, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
“Under this Programme, we have carefully screened 3,000 genuine victims of insurgency to benefit from the package.
“The beneficiaries who are taking refuge in Damaturu, Potiskum, Fika and Geidam were screened and authenticated by leaders of the affected communities.
“The society is working in partnership with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for easy location and identification of the victims to benefit from the programme,” Umar said.
R-L: Apc Taraba Gubernatorial Cadidate, Senator Aisha Alhassan, President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of APC in Taraba State, Alhaji Jika Hassan and Chief Whip Rep Ishala Baurau during their visit to President, elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja
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