Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Government said last Tuesday it had
employed more than 13,000 teachers to boost secondary school education in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Mr Gabriel Hamman-Adama, said in Yola that the measure was to address the problem of inadequate teachers and to enhance the quality of education at the schools.
On the issue of non payment of some of the teachers salaries for months, the commissioner blamed the delay on non compliance with due process.
“The affected teachers were employed and posted to schools without following the necessary due process of their data being captured in computer due to some unforeseen circumstances, he said.
Benue
The Benue State Commissioner for Education, Dr Elizabeth
Ugo, announced last Monday that the State Government had closed down three colleges of education for poor staffing and infrastructure.
Ugo, who made the announcement in Makurdi at a news conference on the activities of the ministry, named the colleges as Emmanuel Ebije Ikwe College of Education, Otukpa, Ityiav-Gar College of Education, Mkar and Malamin College of Education, Gboko.
The commissioner regretted that the schools were being managed solely for commercial gain noting that the standard of the colleges had fallen below the expectations of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
She said the closure of the schools was to ensure that tertiary institutions in the state complied with the minimum requirements of the NCCE.
Borno
The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) last Tuesday
said restriction of movement in some areas in Borno had hindered effective resolution of cases filed by the public.
PCC Director of Investigation in Borno, Malam Muhammad Kyauta, said in an interview in Maiduguri, that only 24 out of the 128 cases recorded in the state had been resolved so far this year, due to the situation, while 104 cases were still pending.
The director said some of the cases were on delay in payment of gratuities and wrongful termination of appointments.
Others include seizure of lands by traditional rulers and non refund of contributions to retiring civil servants by national funds such as the National Housing Funds (NHF).
FCT
The Federal Government said last Monday that it reduced
debts owed marketers on oil subsidy from N2.2 trillion in 2011 to N971 billion in 2012.
A statement issued from the office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Abuja signed by the minister’s spokesman, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, said the amount represented a reduction of over N1.2 trillion or 56 per cent of the total sum.
It said the Federal Ministry of Finance had released N46. 76 billion as latest payment to oil marketers whose claims had been verified.
The statement said that the latest payment brought the total verified claims paid to marketers so far in 2013 to N287. 35 billion.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in
Jigawa State said last Monday it arrested two men for allegedly stealing building materials.
Commandant of the corps in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, said that the suspects were arrested in Dutse Local Government Area.
He said the suspects were arrested after the owner of the house lodged a complaint with the command that they stole the building materials in his house at Fagoji quarters.
Gidado said the materials included 20 pieces of roofing zinc, 17 bags of cement, shovel, digger and hammer.
He said the suspects confessed to committing the offence and would soon be charged to court.
Kano
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kano State last
Tuesday called for the termination of the contract for the rehabilitation of Kano-Gwarzo road.
The rehabilitation work is being carried out by an indigenous construction firm, Muslac Techno Company limited.
FERMA Engineer in the state, Mr Michael Akuyo, who made the call in an interview in Kano said the agency found it necessary to seek for the immediate revocation of the contract because the contractor had failed to execute the work as expected.
According to him, the agency has written to the contractor early this year, threatening to terminate the contract before he moved back to site after abandoning the work.
He said the contract, which should have been completed in December 2012, had to be extended.
Kogi
Chairman, Ofu Local Government Council in Kogi State, Mr Isah
Ameh, has called on traditional rulers and faith-based organisations (FBOs) in the area, to be involved in the campaign against the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He made call lastMonday in Ugwolawo at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the control of HIV/AIDs, organised by the Local Government Action Committee for the Control of AIDS (LACA), for traditional rulers, faith based organisations and officials of the council.
Ameh, represented by the Vice Chairman of the Council , Dr Friday Alih, described HIV and AIDS as a “national problem which must be tackled with all seriousness in view of its devastating effect.’’
He assured that the council would support Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with human and material resources and urged traditional and religious leaders, to sensitise their followers on how to curtail the spread of the disease.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State last Monday in Ilorin
flagged off disbursement of N3 billion car loans to civil servants and teachers in the state.
Speaking at the presentation of cheques to some civil servants, the governor said that about 5, 000 government workers were expected to benefit from the loan scheme.
He said the number included staff members of the Teaching Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board and local government areas.
The governor said artisans and transport workers in the state would receive N100 million each for their members, adding that the loans would be managed by First Bank Plc.
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State last Monday backed
the concept of plea bargain in the nation’s justice system, saying it has helped in the speedy conclusion of cases.
At a special service marking the commencement of the 2013/2014 Legal Year of the state’s judiciary, the governor, who was represented by Mr Ade Ipaye, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said plea bargain which should be sustained had helped to decongest the prisons.
Delivering a lecture Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi National Education Secretary, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, advised them not to allow selfish interests to interfere in the dispensation of justice.
Earlier at a church service, the Most Revd Adedayo Akinde, the Archbishop of Lagos Province, Anglican Communion, urged judges to shun corruption.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government said it had earmarked
about N600 million, in conjunction with its local councils, for two immunisation programmes in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Fom Dakwak, announced this while addressing newsmen in Jos after the State Executive Council meeting, last Monday.
Dakwak said: “ The immunisations, which are national exercises, are very important to the people of the state. The state and local governments have put together more than N600 million for the two exercises.’’
According to him, the immunisation against measles will take place between Oct. 5 and Oct. 9 and will be for children of between the ages of one month and five years.
“We also have a very important immunisation against meningitis now that the dry season is setting in and the weather is getting hot. “It will come up from November 2 to November 11 and would be for the children of ages of one to 29 years,’’ he said.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government said it would spend N120
million on the renovation of structures at Army Day Secondary School, Sokoto.
The Commissioner for Education, Malam Danladi Bako, said in an interview last Monday in Sokoto that the government was embarking on the project as part of its efforts to provide environment conducive to teaching and learning in all schools across the state.
He listed the structures to be renovated in the school to include: classrooms, offices and perimeter fencing, among others.
“The renovation is in line with our efforts to provide environment conducive to working for both the teachers and students in the school,” he said.
Bako pledged that government would accord priority to education.
“The only legacy any responsible government can leave behind for the future generation is sound education,’’ he said.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulazez Yari of Zamfara State last Mon
day said gunmen had killed 160 people and abducted 10 married women in different villages of the state in the last three months.
Yari who made the disclosure when he addressed members of the House Assembly on security situation in the state in Gusau, said the situation had caused disaffection between residents of the affected villages and the state government.
The governor said the hoodlums, who continued to terrorise villages in parts of the state, stole no fewer than 6,000 cows and 4,000 sheep within the period.
The Speaker of the house, Alhaji Sanusi Rikijin, assured the governor of the assembly’s support.
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.