Nation
THE STATES

Governor Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State (left), presenting relief materials to Chairman, Bauchi Local Government Area, Alhaji Ado Aska, during the commencement of distribution of Federal Government’s relief materials to Idps in Bauchi State on Monday
Bauchi
Some women in the Internally Displaced Persons
(IPDs) camp in Gudun Fulani community in Bauchi State, have pleaded with the state government to provide them with farmlands as the rainy reason sets in.
They made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Hajiya Fatima Alhaji alleged that the state government had not been assisting them with food and shelter hence they need land to cultivate to feed themselves.
According to her, food and shelter are major challenges confronting the IDPs.
“We are pleading with the Bauchi State Government to please provide us with farmlands to enable us reduce the economic burden we are facing us in trades”.
Borno
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said
it would auction 44 jerrycans containing1320 litres of petrol seized from black market operators in Bornu State.
The Zonal Controller of DPR, Malam Ali Zoaka, who disclosed this, said that the seized items were handed over by officials of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Maiduguri.
Zoaka said that the items were seized at various filling stations in the state capital by men of the NSCDC.
“We have decided to auction the commodities to members of the public, while the money would be remitted to the Federal Government account.
FCT
The Advocacy for Economic Integrity, an NGO, has
called on the Federal Government to create markets for farmers by giving them contract for the supply of farm produce to schools and other public institutions.
The Director-General of the NGO, Mr Abdullahi Aremu, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Aremu said the creation of such markets for farm produce would help farmers, particularly the young entrepreneurs, to invest more and grow their agric businesses.
According to him, it will also help in increasing demand and supply chain for the nation’s farm products.
The director-general said government should ensure that farmers transported their goods from the hinterlands to city markets without much hussles.
Kaduna
The United States Agency for International Develop
ment (USAID), has reiterated its commitment to the reduction of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
Dr Blair King, Director, Peace and Democratic Governance Office, made this known in Kaduna at the opening of a two-day Consensus Workshop on the Sokoto State Strategic Health Development Plan, 2016-2020.
He said, “USAID is highly concerned with the high rates of maternal and child mortality and it would offer the necessary interventions to reduce the disturbing figures.
“The agency is also fully committed to improving other health indices, as well as taming HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.”
Kano
The Federal Government said it would partner with
Kano State Government to empower women in agribusiness in the state.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, disclosed this during a visit to the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly.
The minister, represented by her Special Assistant, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, said the federal government would also provide the institutional framework to promote the well-being of women, children, and persons living with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
.Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State says
his administration’s strategies in reducing the cost of governance and renewed revenue generation mechanism will ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions.
Ahmed, represented by the state’s Head of Service, Hajia Zara Umar, said this at this year’s Workers’ Day celebration held at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin.
The governor noted that the state’s Internal Revenue Service, KWIRS, had been empowered to shore up the state’s internally generated revenue.
He added that this would enable the state government to meet up with its statutory commitments and promote infrastructural development.
Lagos
The Lagos State University (LASU) has suspended four
students for cult-related activities and improper conducts.
This is contained in the university’s official bulletin obtained by our correspondent in Lagos.
The bulletin quoted the institution as saying that conducts of the suspended students could cause breach peace on the campus.
The bulletin said the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, took the decision on behalf of the university authority.
It said the decision to suspend the students was taken by Vice-chancellor, who invoked section 28 of the law establishing LASU.
Nasarawa
The Rural Finance Institution Building Programme
(RUFIN) has urged women in Nasarawa State to form cooperative societies, in order to access loans to boost their businesses.
The state Desk Officer, Hajiya Rifkatu Jatau, gave the advice in a message to a one-day workshop for rural women held at Igbado in Doma local government area of the state.
Jatau said the workshop was to sensitise the rural poor on the need to pool their resources through cooperative societies in order to benefit from government and other institutional support.
Niger
A 50-year-old man, Adebayo Attahiru, has been ar
rested by the Police in Niger for allegedly raping a three-year-old baby.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Bala Elkana, Police made this known to newsmen in Minna, recently.
Elkana said that the incident occurred on Friday.
The spokesman said the accused resides around Mobil area of Minna, the state capital.
Ogun
A 35-year-old driver, Yinka Durojaye, has been ar
raigned for alleged manslaughter and reckless driving.
Durojaye, who lives at No. 17 Odeyemi St., Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of manslaughter and reckless driving before an Ota Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Fowobi Area, Ota.
Mustapha alleged that the accused, dangerously drove a Volvo Tipper Lorry with registration number AAB 641 X, which resulted in the death of one 22-year old Izuchukwu Chinedu.
He said that the offence contravened Sections 6 (1) and 18 of the Federal Highway Act. Cap 135 of the Revised Laws of the Federation, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State says the
bilateral agreement signed between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chinese Government is beginning to yield positive results in the state.
Lalong made the observation in Jos when he received some Chinese investors who were in the state to explore the investment opportunities that abound.
“When the President opened the door, North Central Nigeria and China held a business summit in Guangzhou from April 18 to April 22.
“It is as a result of the agreement that a business delegation from Yuzhou Group and the Hunan Xianghui Development Group are in Jos today,” he said.
Sokoto
The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria
(CCNN), has donated assorted drugs worth over N5 million to five clinics in Wamakko local government in Sokoto State.
Our correspondent reports that the drugs include: antibiotics and antigenes for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.
The Managing Director of the firm, Mr Aminu Ibrahim, represented by the Director, Human Resources, Alhaji Yawalle Isa said, “the gesture is part of the company’s social responsibility to enable our neighboring communities benefit from its industrial development.
Nation
Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner
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.
Nation
Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV
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.
Nation
Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

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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