Authorities in Nigeria’s Kogi State have outlawed graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and secondary schools, citing concerns about costs for parents and negative social influences. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Education Commissioner Wemi Jones, who described the events as “incessant” and financially draining. The state also banned “signing-out” parties among tertiary students. Instead,…
Nigeria’s drive to end open defecation by 2025 hinges on behavioural change and community-led action, not merely building toilets, according to the Federal Government. Speaking at a workshop for Open Defecation-Free (ODF) validators in Nasarawa on Wednesday, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, said sustainable sanitation requires citizens to adopt toilets…
Academics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have praised the Federal Government’s recent seven-year embargo on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Speaking in Nsukka, Prof. Okechukwu Nwaubani said the measure could enable proper funding and upgrading of existing schools. “Well-funded public institutions will produce globally competitive graduates. The focus should be…
Britain has sanctioned a group of Russian officials and organisations linked to the abduction and re-education of Ukrainian children, in what London called a systematic attempt to erase Ukraine’s cultural identity. Eight individuals and three groups were named in the sanctions list, including Aymani Kadyrova, mother of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and her Akhmat Kadyrov…
Nine men accused of complicity in the June attacks that killed and displaced residents in Yelwata, Benue State, and parts of Plateau, were on Wednesday arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects were charged separately with terrorism-related offences, unlawful possession of firearms, and assisting violent…
The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (AnSIEC) has announced 29 August 2026 as the date for local government chairmanship and councillorship polls. In a statement on Wednesday, the commission’s chairperson, Mrs Genevieve Osakwe, said political parties could begin collecting the election timetable and nomination forms from 28 November 2025. She explained that the exercise was…
The Kano State Government has urged the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to avoid duplicating its Kano Elders Advisory Council (KEAC), established earlier this year. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, the government stressed that Governor Abba Yusuf had launched the KEAC in January 2024 to serve as…
The Cross River South Senatorial District caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected moves by the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to influence the party’s state leadership. Rising from a meeting in Calabar on Wednesday, the caucus dismissed the Abuja resolution seeking to extend the tenure of state chairman Venatius Ikem,…
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) has confirmed that Nigeria’s capital market will move to a T+2 settlement cycle on 28 November, in line with global best practice and a directive from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). CSCS CEO Haruna Jalo-Waziri described the reform as a “major milestone” that would improve liquidity, cut settlement…
Yobe State has launched a specialised procurement cadre within its civil service as part of reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and reducing financial mismanagement. Head of Service, Alhaji Tonga Betara, said 150 officers had been inducted into the new structure and were undergoing training in Damaturu to enhance accountability in Ministries, Departments and Agencies. “The…
