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L-R: An Editor with the FRCN, Alhaji Abdulhamib Mariya, the station Manager, Freedom Radio, Dutse, Adamu Ladan and Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Lawal Ado, during a courtesy visit by Nigerian Guild of Editors to Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Sokoto on Friday.

L-R: An Editor with the FRCN, Alhaji Abdulhamib Mariya, the station Manager, Freedom Radio, Dutse, Adamu Ladan and Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaji Lawal Ado, during a courtesy visit by Nigerian Guild of Editors to Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Sokoto on Friday.

FCT
A Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, yesterday sentenced
two men, Ali Idris and Shamsu Ibrahim, to one month imprisonment each for stealing a generator tank.
The convicts, who both reside at Jabi Motor Park, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.
Sadiq, however, gave them an option of N5, 000 fine each.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that a police patrol team from Utako Police Station, Abuja, arrested and brought the accused to the station on July 20 for stealing the generator tank.
Jigawa
Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa on
Tuesday said his administration had taken measures to address the shortage of 4, 500 teachers in primary and secondary schools in the state.
Badaru told members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals (ANCOPs) who paid him a courtesy visit in Dutse, that he had engaged a consultant to recruit qualified teachers to bridge existing gap.
He also said that the administration would introduce a new technology to enhance teachings and learning in the state.
Badru said that his government would also give enough incentives to teachers to motivate them to deliver quality teaching to students.
He said the government had approved payment of its 2013 counterpart fund to the National Basic Education Commission, to enable it access vital funds for schools expansion and provision of furniture.
Kaduna
Stakeholders in child protection are to embark on massive
awareness campaign as part of efforts to push for the domestication of the Child Rights Acts in Kaduna State, an official has said.
Acting Director, Social Welfare and Child Development, Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Musa,  discused this to newsmen  in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Musa said that several residents of the state were still not aware of the contents of the Acts and the need for its domestication at the state level after the National Assembly did it in 2003.
According to him, the awareness campaign has become necessary to enlighten the public about the contents and gains of the acts following increasing rate of child abuse in the state.
Musa said the enlightenment campaign would be done using media outfits, churches, mosques, community-based organisations and town-hall meetings.
The director said that the stakeholders would also carry out advocacy visits to relevant faith–based institutions, traditional rulers and government bodies, to seek their support.
Kebbi
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kebbi State
yesterday dismissed the petition filed by the PDP governorship candidate, retired Gen. Bello Sarkin-Yaki, challenging the election of Governor Atiku Bagudu.
Bagudu of the APC was returned elected as governor of the state by INEC at the April 2015 general election.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kazem Alogba, who delivered the verdict in Birnin Kebbi, said the petitioner failed to adhere to the process of filing a petition.
He averred that the petitioner abandoned the petition by filing for a free hearing notice behind time.
Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, however, objected to the decision of the tribunal, stressing that an appeal would be filed at the Court of Appeal in Sokoto.
Kogi
The Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative
Pharmacists, yesterday in Lokoja expressed concern over the poor rating of Nigeria’s health system by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to the association, WHO in its recent report placed Nigeria in the 187 position out of 190 countries in its rating of global health systems.
The association, in a communiqué signed by its National Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Ndah-Ameh, suggested a multifaceted approach involving all health professionals to change the trend.
It said that improvement of health indices in Nigeria remains a collective agenda requiring holistic approach anchored on the triple framework of people, process and structure.
The association reiterated that pharmacists remained an integral and indispensable professional group in the delivery of quality healthcare to patients in Nigeria.
It frowned at the“ irrational use of drugs” in the country which had resulted in avoidable morbidity and mortality.
Kwara
The Zonal Transport Officer (ZTSO), Federal Road Safety Com
mission (FRSC), Ilorin Zonal Headquarters, Mr Godwin Zawua,  has urged religious leaders to allow staff of his commission deliver lectures on road safety in mosques and churches.
Zawua made the request in Ilorin yesterday in his speech at the meeting of the Senate of Catholic Priests of Ilorin Diocese.
He said such enlightenment lectures could help in the effort at reducing carnage on the highways.
He said FRSC was also ready to assist in the training and retraining of students, priests and clergies at seminaries and theology schools.
He thanked the Catholic Priests Dioceses in Ilorin for giving him the opportunity to talk to them on road safety precautions.
Lagos
An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Tues
day ordered the remand in Ikoyi Prisons of an alleged cult-member charged with the murder of Femi Egbekunle and Saliu Maja- during a street-fight.
The accused, Gbenga Shodiya, whose address was not disclosed, is facing a three-count charge bordering on murder and unlawful killing before Magistrate O.O.A. Fowowe-Erusiafe.
Fowowe-Erusiafe ordered that the accused be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons for 30 days pending the receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).
She also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file to be forwarded to the DPPs for legal advice saying the court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute murder cases.
Nasarawa
The Chairman, Wamba Local Government Council of Nasarawa
State, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu-Wayo, has called for 24 hours security surveillance in the area to check incessant robbery attacks on communities.
Shuaibu-Wayo made the appeal yesterday while briefing newsmen after the joint security and peace meeting of the area in Wamba.
He said that the strategy would curtail the activities of men of the underworld so as to enable the people of the area sleep with their two eyes closed as well as to go about their normal business without fear of attack.
“The aim of this joint security and peace meeting is to brainstorm on ways or how to ensure peace in this local government and the state at large because no nation or society can develop in an atmosphere of rancour, confusion and security challenges.
“The security challenges facing our area, the state and some parts of the country had not only affected our lives negatively but had also affected the socio-economic development of the country negatively.
Niger
A Minna Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered the remand in
prison custody of a man, Samaila Umar, for allegedly committing rape.
The accused was arraigned in court on a 6-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, rape, mischief, resisting arrest and causing grievous hurt.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Daniel Ikwoche, told the court that one Isiaku Abubakar reported the matter at the Lapai Divisional Police station on July 21.
Ikwoche said that the complainant alleged that he was on his way to Lapai from Minna, with a girl, when the accused and four others, now at large, attacked him at a point between Takuti and Cheche villages with gun, cutlass and sticks.
He said the complainant further alleged that the suspect had carnal knowledge of the girl, and robbed them of N256, 000 as well as other valuables.
Ogun
A 30-year-old female sales representative, Adeola Salami, was
yesterday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged theft of N2.6 million, property of King’s Court Ideal Anchor Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale, the accused committed the offence on June 20 at King’s Court Anchor Ltd, Ibara in Abeokuta.
He said that the accused, who was an employee of King’s Court Ideal Anchor Ltd., sold an assortment of recharge cards worth N2.6million.
The prosecutor submitted that the offences contravened Sections 383 (2) and 390 (6) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of fraudulent conversion and theft, was represented by Olokede Obadina.
Oyo
An Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku yes
terday sentenced a scavenger, Saudiq Olatunji,18, to 23 days imprisonment for stealing 56 pieces of casted iron rods from an uncompleted building.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Patricia Adetuyibi, who handed down the judgment, said Olatunji should serve the term with hard labour.
Adetuyibi said that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to other scavengers who steal in the guise of scavenging.
Olatunji was arraigned before the magistrate on a one-count charge of stealing.
Our correspondent reports that the convict was arraigned on July 22 and had pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Plateau
The police on yesterday arraigned two mechanics, Shuaibu Saleh,
23, and Abubakar Mohammed, 25, in a Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a car.
The accused persons, both of Bauchi Road, Jos, were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Thomas Ahmadu, told the court that one Francis Nimyel of Abbattior Jos, reported the matter at the A Division Police Station on July 29.
Ahmadu said that on the same date, the complainant alighted from his car to see a friend at the Old Bukuru Park, when the accused persons attacked him and made away with his Toyota Camry car valued at N950, 000.
He said that the accused also stole Nimyel’s wallet which contained N20, 000, three ATM cards, driver’s licence and two cell phones valued at N23, 000.
Taraba
Some residents of Jalingo yesterday urged the police to intensify
surveillance against fraudsters operating in Taraba State.
They told newsmen in Jalingo that increase in the activities of the fraudsters was a matter of great concern to the populace.
Alhaji Saidu Abdullahi, who lost N15,000 to two fraudsters on Friday, said they posed as estate agents, collected his money and vanished after promising him a two-bedroom flat.
Another victim, Miss Rifkatu Adda, claimed that she surrendered N9, 000 to a fraudster in Dorawa area of the town after she was hypnotised on Sunday.
The state correspondent of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Mr Sylvanus Viashami, was however lucky to escape the antics of a fraudsters who called his cell phone.
Our correspondent gathered from victims that the fraudsters mostly operate around Mile Six, Sintali and Duwala market areas of Jalingo.

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Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner

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The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.

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Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV

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Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.

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Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

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The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.

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