Nation
THE STATES
Founder of Daar Communications Plc and AIT, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi (left) and former, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, at the inauguration of PDP Special Committee for the coming National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has completed the
payment of N365 million compensation to 290 farmers whose farmlands it acquired for the construction of an Air Force Base in Bauchi.
Our correspondent recalls that the government had earlier promised to pay the affected farmers in four installments and directed them to vacate the places before the end of April.
Chairman of the compensation committee, Alhaji Abubakar Gabi, while addressing the beneficiaries before the disbursement of the cheques, urged them to be prudent in the management of their entitlements.
Gabi, who is also the state’s Accountant-General, commended the government for fulfilling its promise to pay the farmers.
Benue
The Chairman, Benue State House of Assembly Com
mittee on Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Ngunan Addingi (APC-Buruku), has advised the state’s Ministry of Education to improve on monitoring and supervision of schools and other agencies under its purview.
Addingi gave the advice during the ministry’s budget defence at the assembly complex in Makurdi.
She said that the lack of supervision was responsible for the drop in the standard of education in the state and urged the ministry to buckle up in order to lift the standard of education and bring back its lost glory.
Mr Ianna Jato (PDP-Katsina/Ala) also urged the ministry to ensure that it blocked all revenue leakages for the overall benefit of the state.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Government said it had improved security
in all its hospitals across the state, following the theft of a new born baby at the General Hospital in Dutse, last month.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakari, disclosed this in Dutse while reacting to the incident, in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Our correspondent reports that a day-old baby was stolen from the mother by an unknown woman, last month, after she went through a Caesarean operation at the General Hospital in Dutse.
Zakari said that the state government had taken necessary measures to boost security in government health institutions, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in hospitals in the state.
Kaduna
The Federal Universities Pensioners’ Association
(FUPA) has kicked against the stance of Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) directing it to remit its members’ check-off dues to the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
The pensioners’ position is contained in a statement signed by its national president, Dr Ayuba Audu-Kura, and made available to newsmen in Zaria.
It described the move as “illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of the Trade Union Act”.
The statement said that FUPA, as a registered association of pensioners under federal universities, has the right to freedom of association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Kano
Kano State Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Murtala Sule-Garo, has called on self-help development associations in the state to embark on drainage clearance before the arrival of rainy season.
This is contained in a statement signed by Uba Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of the ministry which was made available to newsmen in Kano.
The statement said the commissioner made the call at a meeting with the Director, Community Development and Central Working Committee on development associations in the ministry.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has commenced the training of no fewer than 1,500 female teachers to be posted to their individual villages.
The Permanent Secretary, (PS), in the state Ministry of Education, Alhaji Sagir Ibrahim, disclosed this at the inauguration of a one-day meeting for female teachers training scholarship scheme.
He said that the state government was committed to the scheme which would produce female teachers to be posted to their individual villages.
Earlier, the UNICEF’s coordinator of training in the state, Alhaji Ahimed Garba, said that the organisation would provide scholarships for female students to obtain the National Certificate of Education (NCE) certificate.
Garba said each female student from rural area studying under the scheme at Isah Kaita College of Education would be awarded a scholarship worth N50, 000.00 annually to boost their morale.
Kebbi
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has extolled
the District Head of Illo, Alhaji Muhammad Wankwai, for maintaining peaceful coexistence in his 40 years reign.
Bagudu, represented by Alhaji Muhammad Samaila, a member of the state Assembly, representing Bagudo East, commended the traditional ruler during the celebration of Wankwai’s 40th anniversary recently.
He praised the traditional leader for exemplary conduct, stressing that the institution was relevant in the promotion of democracy, good governance and equity.
He used the occasion to call on traditional, religious and community leaders to be custodians of peace, unity and mutual understanding among the people in the state.
He also enjoined youths in the state to embrace dry season farming with a view of promoting food in the state.
Kwara
The Kwara Commissioner for Information and Com
munications, Mr Mahmud Ajeigbe, says the state government has begun the repositioning of its three media organisations for efficient performance.
Ajeigbe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He listed the media outfits to include the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara), the Kwara State Television Authority (KWTV) and the Kwara State Publishing and Printing Corporation (The Herald).
Ajeigbe explained that infrastructural renovations had begun at the Radio Kwara and the State’s Television Authority and is expected to be completed in six weeks.
He said other activities, which would follow soon, were staff recruitment and training.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said his
administration would continue to add value to the quality of education in tertiary institutions owned by the state to make graduates wealth creators.
Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the pledge at the 24th Convocation Ceremony of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.
He said the government was aware of the challenges hindering the growth of young entrepreneurs, which prompted the establishment of the Employment Trust Fund.
“The fund is to assist graduates and help them generate wealth for themselves, as well as create job opportunities for others.”
Nasarawa
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Ser
vice (NIS), Mr Martin Abeshe, has called for improved funding and modern equipment for the service to enable it secure the nation’s borders.
Abeshe made the call at the opening of the 2016 Comptroller-General of Immigration’s Annual Conference and Stakeholders Interactive Forum.
He said that the service was contending with myriad of challenges which was affecting its operations.
Abeshe noted that more prominent among those challenges were inadequate funding, understaffing and lack of modern gadgets, especially at the borders.
“Like most government agencies, the NIS is grossly underfunded.
Ogun
Following the increasing spate of criminal activities in Ogun, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abdul Majid Ali, has deployed 30 patrol teams to flashpoints to boost security.
Speaking during an official visit to the Igbeba Police Area Command in Ijebu-Ode, Ali called for more awareness and discipline among the officers.
He urged the deployed teams to be vigilante while discharging their duties as he would not tolerate any act of corruption or incivility to members of the public.
The police boss urged them to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that they should be seen to be protecting the image of the force always.
Plateau
Mr Stephen Jings, Chairman of Pankshin Local Govern
ment Management Committee in Plateau, said the council had identified 138 boreholes for rehabilitation as part of its efforts to provide potable water to the people.
Jings made the disclosure in Pankshin when the management staff of Plateau Water Board paid him a visit.
“This administration is so concerned about the well being of the people and has decided to provide clean and safe drinking water to them.
“We have, therefore, penciled down 138 boreholes for rehabilitation across the council within this year alone, ’’ he said.
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.
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.
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.