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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has inaugurated
the state chapter of Eminent Persons Forum to assist the command in promoting peace and security.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, at the inauguration in Yola, urged members of the forum to partner with the police in intelligence gathering, crime prevention and detection in their communities.
Kimo also urged members of the forum to facilitate interaction between the public and the police to boost confidence and develop local knowledge.
He said “you are also expected to harness logistic support to facilitate the operations of police in your domain.”
In his remarks, the Speaker, Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, and other members of the forum declared their commitment to work for the success of the forum.
Benue

The police have mobilised in full force to tackle the orgy
of violence and deadly cult clashes in Benue State, a top police officer announced in Makurdi.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone 4 Headquarters, Makurdi, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the police had risen to the challenge and would stamp out the persistent violence in Benue State in no time.
Speaking against the backdrop of recurring cult killings in the state, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, assured that the police had capacity to tackle the rising crime wave in the state.
Benue, where herdsmen have repeatedly killed hundreds of people in recent times, has also seen recurring deadly cult clashes among university students.

Borno

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called
on the Federal Government to provide intensive support for the 21 released Chibok girls to safeguard their future.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its Country Representative, Mr Gianfranco Rotigliano and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.
He also said that the more than 200 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 were among thousands of women and girls that UNICEF estimated had been held and subjected to violence by the group.
“UNICEF has supported hundreds of women and girls who have already been released or escaped from Boko Haram.
“The girls’ report that they have been subjected to rape – frequently in the form of forced marriages – beatings, intimidation and starvation during their captivity. Many returned pregnant or with babies as a result of rape”, he added.
Gombe

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe
State chapter, has commended the intervention of the Federal Government in tackling the menace of migratory Quelea birds on farms in the state.
The AFAN Secretary, Alhaji Gambo Sarkin-Noma, told newsmen in Gombe that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had initiated aerial survey and control of the birds.
Sarkin-Noma said that the intervention had saved farmers affected by ravaging birds from colossal financial losses.
According to him, farmers in the state are now happy and anticipate recording bumper harvest this year despite the high cost of fertilizer.

Kaduna

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bantex,
has said that the solution to the unending crisis at Godogodo in Jemaa Local Government is in the hands of the warring parties and stakeholders of the area.
Bantex said this when he took delivery of relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for persons displaced by the crisis.
He attributed the security challenge to poverty and idleness, and said the state government was doing everything possible to create job opportunities to absorb idling youths to stem the menace.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government in collaboration with
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), has developed an android weather prediction software to guide farmers in the State.
The Managing Director, Katsina State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr Ibrahim Musawa, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Katsina.
He said the software was capable of accurately predicting when rain would begin, the volume of rain being expected and when the rain would stop in the 34 local government areas of the state.

Kogi

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in collabo
ration with relevant stakeholders is to translate the Federal Government’s agricultural policies into reality towards driving the agriculture as business initiative.
Senior Programme Officer and Regional Advisor, Seattle, United States (U.S) office of the Foundation, Dr Jacob Mignouna, disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders and Kogi State Agriculture Vision Group (AVG) organised by Synergos Nigeria in Lokoja, the state capital.
Mignouna stressed the need to translate government policies on agriculture into reality and make them effective at state and local government levels for farmers, especially for rural communities to derive maximum benefits.

Kwara
Seventeen students loitering and wandering during
School hours have been arrested by the Kwara State Anti-Loitering Team.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi, who paraded the students in Ilorin, warned that government would not tolerate indiscipline.
He called on principals and head teachers of various schools to take proper charge of their students and pupils.
Yeketi said that the state government, in fulfilling its campaign promises, would ensure education for all.
Some of the arrested students include students from Government Day Secondary School, Adeta and United Secondary School, Bani Secondary School, Government Girls Day Secondary School, Pakata, Mandate Secondary School, Okelele Secondary School and Sheikh Abdul Salam College.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government says the massive con
struction of bridges across the state would help in fighting poverty, boosting socio-economic activities and improving revenue generation.
State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Mr Godwin Danladi-Makeri, stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction of Bokoko Bridge in Kokona local government area of the state.
This is to help fight poverty, youths restiveness, unemployment as well as crimes and discourage rural-urban migration,” he said.

Niger

Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martins Uzoukwu,
has called on Nigerians to sacrifice one hour of their time for special prayers to God, to end Nigeria’s economic recession.
“We need God intervention to holistically confront militancy, cattle rustling, insurgency and kidnapping and in enhancing peace, progress and political stability,” he said in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
He said that prayers for divine intervention would pave way for massive economic growth in the country.
Uzoukwu explained that Nigerians irrespective of their religious, ethnic and political differences should support their leaders with prayers to ensure good governance.

Ogun

Ogun State Government has, says it has rehabilitated
no fewer than 126 destitute and reunited them with their families since the beginning of the year.
It also said that it rescued four vagrants on the streets and returned them to their states.
The Director, Social Welfare Service, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Olumide Sotubo, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta.
Sotubo said that the measures were part of the government’s efforts at ridding the state of destitute and other mentally unstable persons across the state.

Osun

A former Chairman of Ife East Local Government Area
of Osun State, Chief Gbenga Owolabi, has commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for modernising the 2016 edition of the Olojo festival through technology.
Owolabi gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the grand finale of the Olojo festival in Ile-Ife.
He said this year’s festival was “unique and extraordinary’’ by the way the Ooni had modernised it.
“ This brings a new dawn and new beginning to the cradle of the Yoruba,’’ he said.
Owolabi also commended the monarch for prioritising Yoruba culture as well as  promoting peace and unity among traditional rulers and the entire Yoruba race.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has assented to
the bill creating 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, said this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan.
He said that the bill, which was enacted by the state House of Assembly, gave legal backing to the creation of LCDAs in the state.
Ajimobi, he said, assented to the bill on October 6. after extensive deliberations on the legislation by the state house of assembly.
He said that a committee would be set up to formulate the modalities for the smooth take off of the LCDAs.

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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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