Nation
Red Cross Boss Advocates Ministry Of Reconciliation
The Chairman of Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Anambra State, Prof. Peter Kathy, has called for the establishment of Ministry of Reconciliation at the State and Federal levels of governance in Nigeria.
The Ministry, according to Prof. Kathy, will be mandated to ensure peace and national cohesion in the country.
Prof. Kathy, a humanitarian, made the call recently while speaking with news men in Enugu on the importance of International Day of Charity.
According to him, when established, the Ministry “is expected to cause peace and national cohesion to be enshrined in the Nigerian psychy.
This, he said, is better than tough talks and military deployments in situations, which, he explained, exacerbate the militating situations.
“Sequel to internal conflicts/restiveness that have bedeviled Nigeria recently, including political bitterness, Boko Haram insurgency, agitations for different republics, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, wanton exhibition of hatred, hateful songs, speeches, acerbic insinuations and glaring marginalisation, it has become very pertinent to call on Federal and State Governments to embark on the Reconciliation of the entire Nigeria.
“This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation,” he said.
Prof. Kachy stated that deeper approaches that give special attention and protection to the most vulnerable via reconciliation moves that would sustain peace and progress in all parts of the country need to be taken.
He said this required the participation of governments by creating enabling environment, embarking on advocacy, motivation, and partnership with donors, international agencies, civil societies, volunteers and the mass media to bring succor to all.
“Especially in this militating period of Boko Haram terrorism, herdsmen-farmers conflicts, self-determination agitations which results in extreme difficult situations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are in great need of food, water, shelter, healthcare and security to survive”, he said.
He, however, lauded international and local humanitarian charity organisations as well as philanthropists for their contributions to sustain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty reduction, which is central to world economic and social order.
“I must commend International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Rotary International, Medicine San Frontier, Bill Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rocky Fella Foundation, MTN, Globalcom, Dangote Foundation, Nestle, Guinness and lots of individual foundations/charities working in Nigeria.
“They are the lifelines of mankind with enormous power of charity which is the unflagging symbol of hope, vigour and amelioration in vulnerabilities.
“Most of the groups mentioned earlier have provided immediate interventions to create enabling situations towards massive push which is needed to boost access to essential services for most vulnerable children and families.
”All these charity works and activities have provided a vital kick-start to human development and poverty reduction, long term initiative that are rooted in human rights based approach to development”, he said.
It would be recalled that the International Day of Charity, celebrated globally on September 5, is meant to herald activities of charities all over the world that helped to save and improve people’s lives, fighting diseases, protecting children, and giving hope to millions of people.
The day is also celebrated to honour the important work that these charities do, that in 2012 the United Nations decided to nominate an annual International Day of Charity, as an official day of recognition and celebration.
It was further gathered that the reason the date was chosen is because it is the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
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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