Why Northern Women Ulama Backed Tinubu’s Second Term Bid — Governor Uba SaniGo

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Uba Sani Kaduna State Governor 

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has explained that the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid by the Northern Nigerian Women Ulama was driven strictly by his administration’s performance and inclusive governance model rather than political sentiment.

Governor Sani made this clarification while addressing a high-level stakeholders' meeting at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre. The event, which drew delegates from all 19 northern states, was coordinated by Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters. 

High-profile attendees included Governors Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Babagana Zulum (Borno), alongside Defense Minister Bello Matawalle and Housing Minister Muttaqa Rabe Darma.

According to Governor Sani, the female Islamic scholars threw their weight behind the president because of tangible progress recorded across critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education. 

He noted that the endorsement carried significant weight because the delegates represent millions of constituents across the northern region and based their decision on facts rather than self-interest.

The Kaduna governor highlighted that President Tinubu has championed a deeply detribalized administration characterized by equitable treatment and balanced development across every region of the country. 

He placed special emphasis on educational interventions, pointing out that bridging the educational deficit in the north remains a vital priority for the region.

Backing his claims with data, Sani noted that the region has reaped massive dividends from federal education initiatives, particularly through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.

According to him, statistics show that northern states have accounted for over sixty percent of beneficiaries on the respective deployment dashboards, a feat he attributed to the president's non-discriminatory leadership style.

Governor Sani dismissed critics who attempt to polarize the electorate along regional lines, labeling sectional political campaigns as lazy rhetoric. 

He maintained that many of those currently making geographic arguments previously held high offices as governors, ministers, or vice presidents yet failed to match President Tinubu's current level of tangible investment and development in the north.

Gov. Makinde, PSN President, Asuni & Industry Leaders Set to Grace Oyo PSN 2026 World Pharmacists Day

By: Manoah Kikekon 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State Branch, is gearing up for a high-profile, week-long celebration of World Pharmacists Day 2026. Scheduled to run from Saturday, September 19, to Sunday, September 27, 2026, the landmark event will convene top government officials, healthcare professionals, industry pioneers, and policymakers to spotlight the expanding and transformative role of pharmacists in modern healthcare delivery.

Anchored on the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future,” this year’s commemoration will examine the indispensable contributions of pharmacy practitioners to public health, primary healthcare, medication safety, and clinical innovation. 

Adebayo Olukayode Gbadamosi, Chairman of the World Pharmacists Day 2026 Planning Committee, noted that the event serves as both a celebration of professional milestones and an urgent advocacy platform for greater policy integration.

“World Pharmacists Day is our opportunity to celebrate and make visible the profession’s contributions to better health outcomes,” Gbadamosi stated, emphasizing the need for robust investments to build future-ready health systems.

Echoing this perspective, the Host and Chairman of PSN Oyo State Branch, Pharm. (Col.) Victor Segun Ajanaku (rtd), stressed that elevating competencies will directly optimize how medicines are prescribed, dispensed, and managed across communities and institutions. 

Meanwhile, the Chief Host and National President of the PSN, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, called on governments and regulators worldwide to fully integrate pharmacists into primary healthcare structures to maximize patient safety.

Delivering the keynote address, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, Managing Director and CEO of Lefas Pharmaceutical, pointed out that the contemporary healthcare ecosystem requires professionals to transcend traditional supply-chain boundaries. 

Given their deep clinical knowledge and accessibility, Asuni noted that patients increasingly rely on pharmacists for wellness management, antimicrobial stewardship, chronic disease support, and clinical guidance.

“Pharmacists would increasingly be relied upon by patients for health information, wellness management and guidance on clinical options, given their accessibility and extensive clinical knowledge,” Asuni remarked, while advocating for proper financing and remuneration mechanisms for expanded clinical services.

Adding to the discourse, Guest Speaker and Managing Director of CapitalSage Holdings and Johnvents Group, Mr. John Alamu, underscored the necessity of continuous professional development. 

Alamu urged practitioners to embrace digital health technologies and ongoing research to bolster patient safety and significantly reduce overall healthcare costs.

The week-long celebration boasts an impressive lineup of special guests, led by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, alongside the First Lady, Her Excellency Tamunominini Makinde, attending as Special Guest of Honour. Governor Makinde has continually lauded pharmacists as critical custodians of medicine safety and primary healthcare delivery.

The event will also feature Engr. (Chief) O. O. Oyetade as Chairman of the Occasion, alongside industry icon Pharm. (Chief) Rahamon Jimoh Bioku, Founder and CEO of BIORAJ Pharmaceutical. 

With CEOAFRICA serving as the Official Media Partner to provide extensive coverage, the festivities will feature various community outreach programs across Oyo State, culminating in a glamorous red-carpet Awards Night on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to honor outstanding practitioners.

Nigerian Army Investigates Jos-Based Captain Over Alleged Sexual Abuse

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Nigeria Army Logo 

The Nigerian Army has launched a formal inquiry into an accusation of sexual misconduct leveled against Captain Etim Essien, an officer stationed at the Headquarters of the 3 Division in Jos, Plateau State.

In an official statement released on Saturday by the division's deputy spokesperson, Olumide Olukoya, the military authority emphasized that it treats all claims of sexual abuse with extreme gravity, particularly those involving minors or vulnerable individuals.

“Accordingly, appropriate steps have been initiated to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the reported incident. As the allegation is currently under process of investigation, it would be inappropriate to make definitive comments on the culpability or otherwise of any individual at this stage,” the statement read.

Underscoring its dedication to fairness, due process, and human rights, the army confirmed that relevant civil authorities are collaborating on the case to guarantee a transparent and exhaustive review.

“The Nigerian Army places a high premium on discipline, professionalism and respect for human dignity. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, any personnel found to have acted contrary to the law or established service regulations will be dealt with appropriately,” the release added.

In the meantime, the military has appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified rumors or engaging in speculation that could compromise the integrity of the ongoing probe or infringe upon the privacy and well-being of the individuals linked to the case.

FG Unveils Free 100MB Daily Data Plan for Nigerian Students Beginning October 1

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Tunji Alausa 

Nigerian students enrolled in public secondary and tertiary institutions will soon receive a daily allocation of 100 megabytes of complimentary internet data, starting October 1, 2026. This initiative is designed to grant learners cost-free access to government-approved educational websites, digital libraries, and e-learning platforms.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed the launch date in Abuja during the official introduction of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria. 

He noted that exorbitant internet costs have historically locked students from lower-income backgrounds out of digital academic spaces, turning mobile phones and personal computers into essential tools that bridge the digital divide.

The rollout is a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Federal Ministry of Education, and telecommunications network providers, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, and Globacom. 

Participating telecom operators will supply the zero-rated data allowances as part of an initial phase targeting senior secondary and higher education students before future expansions to other academic tiers.

Alongside bridging the affordability gap, the federal government is laying groundwork to regulate online safety for minors. Minister Alausa announced that forthcoming policies will restrict and monitor internet access for children under the age of 16 to ensure that digital academic materials remain secure, credible, and compliant with national curricula.

Furthermore, the government is scaling up its broader digital transformation strategy via the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure and the Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System. 

Over 240,000 schools have already undergone geo-mapping to optimize national education planning, tracking metrics like facility conditions, infrastructure, and student enrollment.

According to Ayuba Shuaibu, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, regulatory bodies will carefully curate and whitelist educational repositories, teacher training portals, and technical skills networks to ensure data is used strictly for academics. The framework also incorporates strict adherence to cybersecurity laws, fair competition guidelines, and child protection mandates.

Rimini Makama, the NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, emphasized that the scheme seeks to eradicate geographic and financial inequalities in education. 

Representing the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Adetunji Adeyemo reaffirmed the government’s dedication to driving digital inclusion and expanding affordable connectivity to underserved regions across the country.

Sanwo-Olu Appoints Professor Badejo Ayodeji Olawumi as New LASU Vice-Chancellor

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Prof. Badejo Ayodeji 

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Professor Badejo Ayodeji Olawumi (née Faji) as the new Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

The high-profile appointment was made public through an official statement released on Wednesday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. Professor Badejo takes over the leadership mantle from the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibijoke Olatunji-Bello, who successfully completed her illustrious five-year tenure.

Born on August 4, 1962, Professor Badejo brings decades of wealth in academic excellence and administrative leadership to her new role. She is an accomplished Professor of Guidance and Counselling. 

Her academic pursuits saw her earn a Bachelor of Education degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, before proceeding to the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she obtained both her Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Guidance and Counselling.

Over the years, she has built a formidable reputation within the tertiary education sector, contributing extensively to research, student development, and psychological counseling structures within Nigeria and beyond.

Professor Badejo’s ascension to the highest office in LASU follows the expiration of Professor Olatunji-Bello’s widely praised tenure, which recorded remarkable milestones, including massive infrastructural expansion, digital transformation, and high accreditation success rates.

As the university community prepares for this smooth transition, stakeholders and academic circles have expressed optimism that Professor Badejo’s visionary leadership and background in counseling and human development will steer Lagos State University toward even greater heights of global competitiveness and institutional stability.

Lagos Cracks Down on Child Theft and Border Trafficking in Badagry

By: Manoah Kikekon

Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin 

The Lagos State Government has announced a major overhaul of security infrastructure in the Badagry division to halt a rising wave of child theft and human trafficking.

Addressing journalists following the state’s bimonthly security council briefing, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the trend as deeply distressing. 

She confirmed that law enforcement has already apprehended and arraigned a female suspect operating an illegal clinic alongside her husband, though further details were withheld due to ongoing court proceedings.

Security evaluations revealed that child abduction rings disproportionately target the Badagry axis, a vulnerability officials attribute to its porous border geography, which offers easy escape routes for perpetrators. 

In response, the state plans to dramatically improve visibility by installing additional street lighting across vulnerable flashpoints.

To craft a data-driven counter-strategy, the government has partnered with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to compile precise metrics on active cases, trial outcomes, and geographic hotspots. 

This information will guide targeted interventions executed jointly by the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development.

“When we are talking of children, we are talking about the future of the country, the future of the state. It is very saddening that people will do that to innocent children, and so we are not taking it easy,” Mrs. Salu-Hundeyin stated.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has shifted its high-level security consultations with paramilitary and military heads from a quarterly to a bimonthly schedule to maintain constant situational awareness. 

Concurrently, grassroots safety frameworks are being expanded through direct engagements with local government secretaries, Community Development Associations (CDAs), and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

Shifting focus to transport infrastructure, Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, outlined new protocols to mitigate severe gridlock around the Kara Bridge construction zone and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road corridor. 

The FRSC plans to deploy strategic palliatives, extra recovery tow trucks, and standby ambulances.

Furthermore, the agency is launching a stringent public awareness campaign targeting major traffic violations, including driving under the influence, speeding, and vehicle overloading, to safeguard motorists across the metropolis.

NAN

Badagry Chairman Hunpe Appoints Gboweh Gabriel as Special Adviser

 By: Manoah Kikekon

Babatunde Hunpe and Gboweh Gabriel 

In a move to strengthen youth inclusion and grassroots development, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, has approved the appointment of Comrade Gboweh Sedowhe Gabriel, the outgoing coordinator National Youth Council Badagry Branch, as his Special Adviser on Youth Organizations.

The official announcement was made on Monday at the council secretariat, marking a significant milestone for youth leadership within the local government area. 

The appointment comes in direct recognition of Gboweh’s dedication, service, and relentless advocacy during his tenure as the outgoing coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Badagry Local Branch. 

Council authorities noted that the decision underscores a deliberate commitment to harnessing the energy, leadership capacity, and mobilization skills of young people to drive community growth.

Reacting to the development, Comrade Gboweh expressed profound gratitude to the executive chairman for the confidence reposed in him. He emphasized that the appointment serves as a vital morale booster for young leaders engaged in grassroots development and volunteerism.

“I appreciate the Executive Chairman for deeming it fit to appoint me as his Special Adviser on Youth Organisations. This appointment is an encouragement to young people, who will find themselves in leadership positions to be more proactive in the course of voluntary service to humanity,” Gboweh stated.