Author: Tribune Online

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT), has approved a 50 per cent fare discount on all train services…

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The Benue State Government has defended the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, saying the state has made significant progress under his leadership and cannot return to what it described as the “days of locust” experienced during the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom.

In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the government said Benue is currently witnessing major transformation across different sectors under Alia’s leadership.

Kula stated that Governor Alia came into office prepared with a clear vision to rescue the state from years of hardship and poor governance allegedly experienced under the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration of Samuel Ortom.

According to the statement, workers and pensioners suffered neglect during the previous administration, while public infrastructure deteriorated despite several federal interventions and loans received by the state.

The governor’s aide alleged that the Ortom administration left behind debts running into over N300 billion at the state level and more than N100 billion in local government liabilities.

He also claimed that the current administration inherited several judgement debts and garnishee orders linked to actions taken during the previous government.

The statement further accused the former administration of relying heavily on propaganda instead of delivering practical solutions to the challenges facing the state.

Stating achievements recorded under Governor Alia, Kula said the administration has improved workers’ welfare through regular salary payments and renewed attention to pensioners.

He added that the government has embarked on infrastructure development projects, including the construction of over 40 intra-city roads, installation of solar streetlights, rehabilitation of the Otobi Water Works, and the establishment of institutions and industries aimed at boosting economic growth.

Kula also referenced a recent television appearance by a spokesperson to former Governor Ortom, describing the outing as an attempt to undermine the achievements of the Alia administration.

“The Benue people have come to understand the difference between leadership and propaganda; the difference between progress and deception,” the statement said.

The government maintained that residents of the state have embraced the current direction of governance and are determined not to return to the past.

Benue has moved beyond ‘days of locust’ under Ortom — Tersoo Kula

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would perform better in the FCT,..

The post 2027: Wike confident of Tinubu’s victory in FCT appeared first on Tribune Online.

A major new study has found that people who are genetically vulnerable to type 2 diabetes are developing the disease at much higher rates today than they did decades ago, with researchers saying modern lifestyles may be pushing them over the edge. Scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology said today’s environment of […]

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Persons Living With Disabilities, PWDs, under the Federal Government of Nigeria/International Fund for Agricultural Development – Value Chain Development Programme, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, in Niger State have pledged to discard attitudes and behaviours that fuel negative stereotypes against them, as part of efforts to promote inclusion and change societal perceptions.

They made this pledge during a specialised training programme organised by VCDP for PWDs beneficiaries from Bida and Kontagora Local Government Areas in Minna.

Some of the participants said they had observed that certain behaviours among a few persons with disabilities often create negative impressions and worsen stigma against the wider PWD community.

They explained that the training exposed them to better ways of relating with society and expressed readiness to step down the knowledge gained to others in their various communities.

The Rural Institution Gender Mainstreaming Officer of VCDP, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar Ahmed, said the training was organised to build the capacity of PWDs in relating with people in society, adding that the programme has transformed many lives since they were mainstreamed into the intervention about four years ago.

According to her, although the programme started in 2014, PWDs were not initially included until the need for intentional inclusion was recognised, leading to improved livelihoods among beneficiaries now engaged in rice and cassava farming and other productive activities.

She explained that beneficiaries have been profiled and supported in cassava and rice farming as well as home gardening, enabling many to cater for their families and sponsor their children’s education.

Facilitator, Mr. Retle Obed, said the training is aimed at helping persons with disabilities understand who they are and accept their condition, so they can confidently show the world that although they may have physical disabilities, they are still capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

He commended VCDP for including persons with disabilities in its programme, noting that the initiative has helped to build confidence, promote inclusion, and demonstrate their capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.

Furthermore, beneficiaries of the programme commended VCDP for improving their livelihoods and giving them a sense of inclusion in society.

According to them, the intervention had enabled them to leave the streets and engage in productive farming activities, particularly cassava and rice production.
“The support we are getting has restored their dignity and independence. We are no longer on the streets begging. Today, we can farm, feed our families and support our children’s education,” said Amina Mohammed.

Another beneficiary, Hamza Abdullah, added that the training and farm inputs provided by VCDP had changed their economic conditions and helped them become self-reliant 

PWDs under VCDP in Niger pledge to drop negative behaviours, fight stereotypes

The Joint Security Taskforce has moved into the forest in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State to flush out criminals from their hideouts, as the Chairman of the Council, Engr Akeem Olatunji, warned intruders against attempting to hide in the area to perpetrate crimes, insisting that such individuals or groups would have themselves to […]

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Muslim pilgrims from Kaduna State have offered special prayers in Saudi Arabia, asking God to bring an end to insecurity and strengthen peace and unity in Nigeria during the Day of Arafat.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, the government described the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafat, as one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.

According to the statement, pilgrims are encouraged to pray to Allah for their personal needs, their families, loved ones, and their countries.

Speaking during the prayers, Sheikh Haliru Maraya stressed the importance of prayer in overcoming challenges. He said praying for leaders is part of Islamic teachings.

The cleric also said it is wrong for people to curse their leaders, describing such actions as un-Islamic. He added that no problem is too difficult to be solved through sincere and consistent prayers backed by faith.

Sheikh Maraya advised the pilgrims to continue praying in their tents after the special session until dusk, when they would move to Muzdalifah to continue other Hajj activities.

Some of the Islamic scholars who led the prayers included Sheikh Aliyu Telex, Imam Buhari Mararaban Jos, Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria, Malam Rabiu Abdullahi, Imam Tukur Adam Almanar, and Malam Aliyu Kassim.

Others were Sheikh Aliyu Rasheed Makarfi, Malam Lawan Na’ibi Ikara, and Malam Kassim Aminu.

After the prayers, the leader of the Kaduna State Hajj Delegation Committee, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, praised Governor Uba Sani for putting in place structures that helped ensure smooth Hajj operations.

The former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service also commended the Special Hajj Committee and staff of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for their efforts toward a successful pilgrimage exercise.

Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Interfaith and Hajj, Hon. Naziru Abubakar, also praised the agency, saying it has become a standard used by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to assess other state pilgrims boards.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, said Governor Uba Sani set up a Special Hajj Committee in December 2023 to improve all aspects of the pilgrimage process.

He said the committee has carried out its responsibilities faithfully since it was inaugurated and added that the governor has consistently supported requests aimed at improving Hajj operations and pilgrims’ welfare.

Dhul Hajja: Kaduna pilgrims hold special prayers for peace in Nigeria

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday held a meeting with the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, in Freetown.

The meeting is seen as part of engagements focused on peace, democratic governance and regional cooperation in West Africa.

Jonathan disclosed this in a statement shared on Tuesday via his social media account.

According to the former President, the visit was in his capacity as Special Envoy of President Bola Tinubu, alongside his role with regional democracy platforms.

“Today, I paid a special visit to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. Our discussions focused on issues of mutual interest and matters relating to peace, stability, democratic governance, and regional cooperation within the West African sub-region.

“I deeply appreciate President Bio for the warm reception, gracious hospitality, and conviviality extended to me during our fruitful engagements,” Jonathan said.

DAILY POST reports that the visit come just after Jonathan was cleared by an Abuja Federal High Court to contest in the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan meets Sierra Leone President Julius Bio in Freetown 

Ahead of Children’s Day, experts have called for the
accelerated passage of the Child Online Protection Bill (HB244).

To this end, they warned that Nigeria’s child
Online safety systems are struggling to keep pace with the growing harms children face online.

The Child Online Protection Bill, which passed the House of Representatives in December 2025, is currently before the Senate.

The concerned experts spoke on Tuesday during a Children’s Day webinar convened by
Gatefield and Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre.

At the webinar, they highlighted emerging concerns around online grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, and platform accountability in Nigeria.

Drawing on data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), insights shared during
The webinar showed that 9 in 10 Nigerian children have experienced at least one form of online risk, while more than half of child internet users have reported direct exposure to online harm,
including cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, and abuse.

Speakers also noted that nearly nine in ten Nigerian children online have been exposed to unsolicited sexual content.

The experts also warned that repeated exposure to harmful online environments is contributing to a growing pattern of digital trauma among children, with long-term implications for mental health, learning, and well-being.

According to insights presented during the session, harmful content frequently
remains online long enough to spread widely before intervention occurs, while a significant volume, up to 31% of reported child exploitation material, is never removed.

Speaking, an Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, Shirley Ewang, called for accelerated Senate consideration of HB244, mandatory 24-hour
takedown standards for child sexual abuse and grooming content, stronger age verification
systems, locally based moderation teams, and coordinated national action on digital literacy and
Child online safety.

She noted that the bill would provide Nigeria with stronger statutory and regulatory tools to improve platform accountability and response to child online harm.

“With millions more children entering digital spaces every year, every second counts. Delays in addressing online harm can have lasting consequences for children, and Nigeria cannot afford to
ignore that”, she said.

On her part, the Chief Operating Officer of the Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, Esther Udoh, lamented that children are being actively exposed and insufficiently protected
online.

She urged the Senate to prioritise the legislation and accelerate its passage before more children are exposed
to irreversible harm.

“We cannot celebrate Children’s Day while ignoring the reality that children are being actively exposed and insufficiently protected
online, as global platforms continue to operate with little to no consequence in our market.

“As the digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, it’s crucial that Nigeria takes decisive action to
protect our children online. The Child Online Protection Bill is a vital step toward establishing clear
responsibilities for platforms and ensuring swift response to harmful content.

” Every child deserves a
safe and secure digital environment where they can learn, explore, and grow without fear. We urge
the Senate to prioritise this legislation and accelerate its passage before more children are exposed to irreversible harm”, she said.

Children’s Day: Experts Seek Urgent Passage Of Child Online Safety Bill is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Australia has recorded its first death linked to diphtheria in almost 10 years..

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