Following series of trainings by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria, female students in Adamawa state can now produce reusable sanitary pads and make money out of it. The training for the stakeholders was funded by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation Accelerated Sanitation and Water for All Programme ll (DGIS-ASWA II) in conjunction with UNICEF. Teachers, male and female school children were trained on the need to adhere to best practices, especially on personal hygiene of female school children relating to menstruation during school hours and even at home in the state. One of the trainees said that, “ But with the UNICEF intervention, stakeholders are now on the same page and discussing the issue freely without any strings attached”. The outcome according to the stakeholders has become a win-win situation for the growth of Education in the area.

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has said that he has no regret whatsoever on the demolition exercise and recovery of public properties that were illegally acquired and distributed to sacred cows by the immediate past administration. He disclosed this on Friday while receiving the Emir of Kano Alh Aminu Ado Bayero who in company of district heads and other members of the emirate council paid a Sallah homage to the Governor at the government house as part of Eid Kabir celebrations. Kabir appreciated the Emir and members of the emirate council for the visit which is first of its kind since his assumption of office and enumerated achievements of his administration in the last 31 days in the areas of; paying NECO Fees For 55,000 secondary schools students amounting to 1.5 billion naira, restoration of streets lighst and minimizing the cases of phone snatching in Kano metropolis. Governor Yusuf added that others include; resumption of screening for the award of foreign scholarship for Kano indigenes with first class degrees, prompt payment of salaries and pension and evacuation of thousands of tons of refuse in the metropolis. Earlier the Emir said the visit was to felicitate with the Governor on Eid Kabir and assured his readiness to offer advice that will be of importance to the development of the state and called on government and well to do individuals to assist the less privileged in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, has stated that Nigeria, with its population of over 220 million, needs to create over 500 universities to meet the admission needs of its citizens. The Permanent Secretary, Mr Andrew David Adejo, directed him to hand over to the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration until a substantive head is appointed. However, the former Executive Secretary of NUC emphasized that education is the right of all citizens and not just the privileged few. He believed that there was a need to create more universities to bridge the significant gap in admission for candidates, highlighting that only 1 per cent of the country’s population is currently studying in Nigerian universities. The acting Executive Secretary, Mr Chris Maiyaki, pledged to work with the Commission’s management to ensure that graduates of the university system can compete favourably with their counterparts worldwide.

President Bola Tinubu has said that he is taking ‘baby steps of pains’ to fix Nigeria’s problems, urging Nigerians not to be in a hurry over challenges facing the nation. The president also declared that it is in the hands of Nigerians to ensure that the country gets to its desired destination. Tinubu said this at the palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, during a visit to traditional rulers in the State. He begged Nigerians to go with him through what he called the baby steps of pain. He said “at least, we delivered, despite the hardship of no money, no fuel, I credit you, thank you.

Governor Dr Alex Otti has issued a directive for the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HoS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service, according to a late-night press release on Thursday. The decision comes following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of properties and funds belonging to the Abia State Government. In the press release, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that Lady Joy Maduka, Director of the Ministry of Education, has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service (HOS) by the governor. Earlier this week, Governor Alex Otti inaugurated a five-member judicial inquiry tasked with the recovery of looted government property and funds. The inquiry is chaired by Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.).

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has pledged its support for the new law establishing Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA). The association, led by its President, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, during a visit to NTDA’s headquarters in Abuja solicited for cooperation with the private sector in implementing the new law. Onung, in his remark said FTAN had on signing of the law, set up a committee, which reviewed the law, noting the conflicts, cooperation, collaboration and partnership therein. On conviction that the benefits of the new law in ensuring a uniformed tourism policy in the country far outweighs conflicts that may arise therein, sued for greater Public Private Partnership in implementation of the law. READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

ALSAFI Mansur’s “lifelong” wish to take part in the hajj pilgrimage came true this year, after Saudi Arabia lifted curbs that kept the elderly away from the compulsory Islamic ritual. “I feared that I would die before performing hajj,” said the 71-year-old Libyan national, carrying his medication along for the trip. But restrictions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic saw Saudi authorities limit the number of pilgrims in 2020 and introduce an age cap of 65. The measures were finally cancelled in January this year, making way for the largest hajj since the pandemic, with thousands of elderly among the worshippers. Endurance testThe hajj – a days-long ritual that mostly takes place outdoors – is an arduous experience even for younger pilgrims in the summer heat.

The Centre for Marine Surveyors of Nigeria has attributed the frequent boat accidents in the country to the failure of safety and regulatory agencies in the maritime sector. The President of CMSN, Akin Olaniyan, stated this while reacting to the recent boat accident in Ilorin, Kwara State. He claimed that the agencies were more focused on revenue generation than safety standards. “The solution to the marine accident has always been at our fingertips. Safety and regulatory agencies have always paid lip service to the issues of safety because we always have square pegs in round holes.

APO Group (http://www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communication and media relations consultancy, is proud to announce that it has been named the winner in two award categories by World Business Outlook 2023. The two award titles, Leading Public Relations Firm Africa 2023 and Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa 2023 have been bestowed upon APO Group following a rigorous nomination and evaluation process led by the competition’s esteemed panel of judges. The World Business Outlook Awards (https://apo-opa.info/44f5Diq) are renowned for honouring organisations that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership in their respective industries. In 2022, the Awards were held in Dubai with guests arriving from around the globe to receive awards and interact with leading business personalities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Controversy trailing the poorly packaged national carrier project, Nigeria Air, may be far from being over as the latest information making the rounds has shown how a United States company, Fairfax Africa Fund, had requested for 1.45 percent of total initial capital from Nigeria Air. The American company also requested that it should be responsible for nominating qualified Nigerian companies for catering and onboard duty-free, among others. According to the firm as at May 2022, it had already invested almost three years conducting very detailed evaluations of the aviation sector in Nigeria and in particular the options for investing in Nigeria Air. The Fairfax Chairman declared in the document:: “The second and third annual payments will be made within 30 days after the end of Nigeria Air’s financial aid. IPO and/or additional round of private capital raising of Nigeria Air: Fairfax will have a lead role in these future tasks.

The Ondo State Police Command, on Wednesday, confirmed the arrest of three persons in connection with the alleged killing of a naval officer identified simply as Akingbohunmi, in the Idoani community in the Ose Local Government Area of the state. PUNC Metro gathered that some hoodlums attacked Akingbohunmi on Monday during an argument with a commercial motorcyclist in the state. The community leaders who visited the Naval School where the deceased was attached in the Imeri community were said to have promised the school authorities that all the suspects would be produced within 24 hours. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the arrest of the three suspects, said, “Three of the suspects have been arrested and we are still on the trail of three others involved in the incident. The suspects will be transferred to the state headquarters soon.”Meanwhile, a source said many male adults that fled the town when the incident happened were yet to return to the community for fear of being arrested.

Let him “cook,” and if his cooking is turning into a “cook-a-thon” with no immediate impact, Nigerians, the Netizens, the good and the bad, can let hell lose. Let me introduce you to hematophagy, a high-sounding word but simple to understand: some members of the bat family eat only the blood of other animals. It has become a tool for enriching the rich and making the poor poorer to make them live comfortably. There are too many on the citizens’ plates; let Nigerians breathe, please don’t suffocate them. Don’t let us believe the lie!

I am also of the view that the problems faced by the 1993 Education Bank should guide the new Education Loan Law approved by Tinubu government. This new law on Students’ Loan is headed Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023. The Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 is said to be “ABill for anAct to repeal the Nigerian Education Bank Act Cap. In the United Kingdom, students’ loans are primarily provided by the state-owned Students’ Loan Company. Through the management of Korea’s national scholarship programmes, students’ loan and talent development programmes, KOSAF offers customized students’ aid services and students’ loan programme.

The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd), has firmly stated that he will not succumb to fraudulent activities in the Amnesty Programme, regardless of any attempts to blackmail him. Ndiomu made this statement in Abuja yesterday after briefing the nation’s new National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ridabu, on the activities of the PAP under his watch. He emphasized that his administration is aware that recent media attacks from individuals claiming to be ex-agitators are sponsored by faceless groups and individuals. “No matter how much you try to blackmail me, I will not engage in fraudulent activities. He recalled instances in the past where ex-agitators were used as conduits for the illegal diversion of funds from the PAP.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Tuesday, inaugurated a five-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government property and funds, with Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) Speaking while inaugurating the panel at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, Gov. Otti said the essence of setting up the panel was to ensure the recovery of government funds and property that have been taken away. Responding on behalf of other members of the panel, the Chairman, Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) Other members of the panel are: Prof. Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev.