Mr Abubakar, at an interactive session with stakeholders at Garin Barka Primary School in Gumel, distributed free uniforms, school bags, and stipends to about 1,800 children he identified and enrolled in schools. Some members of Jigawa State House of Assembly, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have enrolled children in schools in their respective constituencies. These efforts are part of the commitments by the 30 members of the State Assembly to reduce the high number of out-of-school children in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state by 90 per cent by 2030 with a view to meeting the target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The measures tally with the vision of the state government. Through the purposeful inspiration of Governor Umar Namadi, the Jigawa State House of Assembly had in September passed a bill for the creation of a Tsangaya Education Board to address the...

The National Broadcasting Commission has apologised to the broadcast industry, the people of Enugu State and the listening public over the incursion of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into Urban Radio station. The apology was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs of NBC, Mrs Susan Obi on Monday in Abuja. Obi said the Commission received with dismay the invasion of Urban Radio 94.5FM Enugu on October 14 by operatives of EFCC during a live radio show titled ‘PrimeTime’. The statement read, “The incursion, which was purportedly to arrest the programme’s presenter, Favour Ekoh, is viewed as a violation of the professional ethics of Broadcasting especially on a live Broadcast. “The approach for which the arrest was carried out is improper. This action is regrettable, considering the impact of the broadcast media on the Society. “NBC differs with the manner of approach deployed...

  The Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement of a 30-day national youth conference aimed at addressing the critical challenges facing young Nigerians. The forum stated that the initiative provides a unique platform for dialogue and collective action to find solutions to issues affecting the youth across the nation. In a statement signed by FNYLPPN Chairman and NNPP National Youth Leader, Amb. Muhammed Auwal Musa, he stressed the conference’s timely relevance as Nigeria faces economic difficulties, insecurity, and limited youth participation in governance. Musa stressed the need for inclusivity to ensure productive dialogue, urging youth representatives from all political parties to be actively involved in this transformative initiative. “The Forum acknowledges the bold economic reforms that this administration has undertaken. These long-overdue reforms align with global economic standards and represent the most significant economic transformation since Nigeria’s independence. “However,...

Nairobi — Joan Okorodudu’s passion for modelling was evident when she was a little girl; however, given her beginnings in a politically charged Nigeria and a background in political science, her dream to enter the modelling world seemed unlikely. “My motivation for modelling started way when I was a little girl; you can see in some of my baby pictures that I was posing,” she said. Okorodudu, 66, was born in Auchi, Nigeria. Her early life took a turn after the onset of the Nigerian Biafra war, which consequently tore her family apart. “My father went back to Biafra, and we never saw him again until after the war.” Okorodudu attended various schools, which included a local government primary school, Ebu, and Itohan Girls Grammar School, in Benin City, thanks to her exceptional sports capabilities. After her high school studies, Okorodudu later got an athletic scholarship to Boston University, where...

China’s National Health Commission has released its first set of guidelines to standardise the diagnosis and treatment of obesity. Over the past years, China has witnessed an upward trend in the morbidity rate of its overweight and obese population, according to the guidelines issued by the commission. As an independent disease and a major causative factor for multiple chronic diseases, obesity has become a major public health issue in China, it said. It is ranked as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in the country, the guidelines added. They provide detailed guidance and regulations in clinical nutrition, medication therapy, surgical treatment, and behavioural and psychological intervention. Other regulations include exercise intervention for obesity, ensuring the safety and quality of medical care while protecting the health rights of patients, said Zhang Zhongtao, director of the guideline drafting committee. Experts emphasise that most overweight and obese cases are caused...

In 2019, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Niger State Government received the prestigious African Public Relations Awards for Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation, and Engagement (SABRE) at the annual African Public Relations Association (APRA) conference in Kigali, Rwanda. The award-winning campaigns were executed in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential. Notably, Niger was the first state in Nigeria to receive a SABRE award, a testament to the outstanding efforts of Jibrin Baba Ndace, who was then the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sani Bello. Upon his appointment, Ndace navigated a landscape fraught with security information management issues, plagued by a lack of synergy and inter-agency conflict. In response, he founded the Forum of Spokespersons of Critical Institutions in Niger State (FOSCIN) in December 2017, facilitating monthly management of crises such as jailbreaks, pipeline explosions,...

Mr Yahaya said the 19 northern states collectively donated N50 million each to Jigawa state to help the families of the deceased victims and alleviate the suffering of the injured ones following the explosion. Governors of the 19 northern states in Nigeria under the aegis of Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, on Saturday, donated over one billion naira to the victims of the petroleum tanker explosion that occurred in Majia, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State recently. The donation was announced at the presidential lodge of the Government House in Dutse by Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, who is also the chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Mr Yahaya said the 19 northern states collectively donated N50 million each to Jigawa state to help the families of the deceased victims and alleviate the suffering of the injured ones following the explosion. Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf earlier donated N100...

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has appointed Ben Iloanusi as its acting Managing Director, following the completion of Fidet Okhiria’s second four-year tenure. The handover took place on October 18, with Iloanusi assuming leadership of the organization. In a statement released on Sunday, the NRC’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, confirmed the transition and provided background on Iloanusi’s qualifications and experience. Iloanusi, who joined the NRC in 2011, has risen through the ranks to become the most senior Executive Director. Since 2019, he has served as the Deputy Director of Procurement. He holds a degree in political science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MBA in international management from South Bank University, London. Fidet Okhiria, in his farewell speech, expressed gratitude to the NRC staff for their support during his tenure and encouraged them to extend the same cooperation to his successor. “I enjoin the management and...

Red-hot Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre struck twice each as Barcelona hammered Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday to stay three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga ahead of next weekend’s Clasico. Los Blancos beat Celta Vigo on Saturday to pull level with Hansi Flick’s side but Barca swiftly restored their advantage with a dominant display of attacking football. Veteran striker Lewandowski reached 12 goals in 10 La Liga matches, his strikes sandwiching Pedri Gonzalez’s effort from the edge of the box, before substitute Torre added the fourth. Stanis Idumbo grabbed a consolation for Sevilla in the final stages but Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s side were roundly beaten on his return to the club he spent nearly three decades with in various roles. Torre finished the rout with a crossed free-kick which flew beyond Nyland and in at the far post. Despite upcoming clashes against Bayern Munich in...

According to the commissioner, 145 patients have been treated and discharged. The Niger State Government has confirmed 16 deaths from 165 cases of cholera recorded in the state. The state’s Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dangana Ibrahim, confirmed the outbreak of the disease at a meeting of the State Task Force Committee on Primary Healthcare and Immunisation, chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, in Minna. According to the commissioner, 145 patients have been treated and discharged. “To prevent further spread, contingency measures have been implemented, including the distribution of essential medical supplies to affected areas and health facilities,” Mr Ibrahim said. He named the affected local government areas as Paiko, Gurara, Suleja, Bosso, and Katcha, adding that the state’s disease surveillance system has been activated. The commissioner also said active contact tracing and case management are ongoing in all the affected communities. He said the state had intensified sensitisation and awareness...