THE Christian Conscience group has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent measures to strengthen and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, while also prioritising the security of lives and property.
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Under the bright morning sun, a group of excited pupils gathered on the dusty playground of Yahaya Abdulkareem Primary School in Sokoto.
Some hopped enthusiastically in a sack race, struggling to keep their balance as classmates cheered them on. Nearby, another group formed a circle, clapping and singing while others competed in reading games that tested their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Laughter echoed across the school compound as children ran, jumped, and celebrated small victories with infectious excitement.
For the children, it was a day of fun and friendship. For teachers and education experts watching closely, it was something much deeper.
It is a practical demonstration of how play helps shape young minds, build confidence, and prepare children for lifelong learning.
To many onlookers, it appeared to be a day of simple fun. But Blessing Okechukwu, an education expert, said what happened during the International Day of Play celebration organized with support from the European Union (EU) was far more significant.
She said that behind every game, every dance step, and every reading exercise was a powerful lesson about how children learn, develop, and prepare for the future.
As governments and development partners such as the EU intensify efforts to improve educational outcomes in Northern Nigeria, play is increasingly being recognized as one of the most effective tools for nurturing children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development.
According to Aliyu Isa, a Physical and Health Education teacher at the school, for years, play was often viewed as a distraction from learning. Today, however, educators and child development specialists regard it as one of the most important ingredients of quality education, particularly during a child’s formative years.
According to him, play stimulates brain development, strengthens memory, improves concentration, enhances creativity, and helps children develop critical problem-solving skills.
“It also encourages teamwork, communication, and emotional intelligence, a skill that is increasingly important in the modern world”
“Children learn best when they are actively engaged. Play creates an environment where children become curious, confident, and eager to learn” he added
The significance of play-based learning is gaining renewed attention at a time when Sokoto State is grappling with one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), convened a high-level advocacy and media dialogue on strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and improving access to quality education in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The initiative, supported by the European Union, emphasized the need for greater investment in early childhood education as a foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Speaking during the dialogue, the Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Michael Juma, stressed the importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality early childhood education.
He noted that strengthening ECCE is essential to improving learning outcomes and creating equal opportunities for children across the region.
Beatrice Sababa, Education officer with UNICEF explained that play-based learning sits at the heart of Early Childhood Care and Education because it helps children acquire literacy, numeracy, communication, and social skills in a natural and enjoyable way.
According to her, research has shown that the period from birth to eight years is critical for brain development.
“During these years, children form the cognitive and emotional foundations that influence their educational performance, health outcomes and productivity throughout life,” she said.
Education stakeholders in Sokoto have described ECCE as the “great equaliser” capable of transforming the future of vulnerable children.
THE CHALLENGE IS PARTICULARLY URGENT IN SOKOTO STATE.
According to the Chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Umar Nagwari Tambuwal, about 66.4 per cent of school-aged children in the state are currently out of school.
He revealed that the state government, with support from UNICEF, has identified and documented a significant proportion of these children for targeted interventions aimed at bringing them back into learning.
“To address the crisis, the state government plans to significantly expand Early Childhood Care and Education centres across the state, while UNICEF has committed support for additional centres,” he said.
He added that the government has also launched initiatives aimed at equipping Almajiri children and out-of-school girls with digital skills and learning opportunities.
For child psychologist Aisha Abdullahi, however, expanding access to education alone is not enough. The quality of learning experiences matters just as much.
She said schools that integrate play into teaching methods often record better participation, improved attendance, stronger literacy outcomes and greater emotional well-being among pupils.
Through games, storytelling, music and interactive activities, children are encouraged to think independently, collaborate with others and develop confidence in their abilities, she added.
“Play also serves another critical function of protecting children’s mental health. In communities facing poverty, displacement, insecurity and other social challenges, opportunities to play can help children manage stress, build resilience and maintain a sense of normalcy,” she explained.
Child-friendly learning spaces that combine education with recreation have become an important component of educational interventions supported by UNICEF and its partners, particularly for vulnerable children affected by conflict and displacement.
Abdullahi also stressed that parents and caregivers have an important role to play in promoting children’s development through play.
“It does not necessarily require expensive toys or sophisticated equipment. Simple games, storytelling, songs and everyday interactions can provide valuable learning opportunities for children”
As Sokoto State continues efforts to tackle the out-of-school crisis and improve educational outcomes, stakeholders believe that investing in play-based learning could be one of the most effective strategies for ensuring children remain engaged in school and develop the skills needed to succeed in life.
“What may appear to be simple childhood fun on a playground today could, in reality, be laying the foundation for a brighter and more prosperous future tomorrow” said Abdullahi.
Beyond Fun: How Play Helps Children Learn is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared that his administration is on high alert against rising security threats across the country, unveiling plans to deploy technology-driven solutions to strengthen the state’s security architecture and protect lives and property.
Governor Abiodun made the declaration during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Strategic Meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta.
Describing the growing menace of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country as deeply concerning, the governor assured residents that his administration would take proactive steps to prevent criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the state.
“We are rising to the occasion of insecurity by deploying technology to safeguard the lives of our people. We will not wait for anyone to come and attack us,” Abiodun said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents through strategic investments in security infrastructure, enhanced collaboration with security agencies and sustained community engagement.
“As a government, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection of lives and property across Ogun State. Through strategic investments in security infrastructure, collaboration with security agencies and community engagement, we remain committed to maintaining Ogun State as a secure, peaceful and investment-friendly destination,” he stated.
The governor said special attention was being paid to the security of schools and educational institutions, noting that children represent the future of the state and must be adequately protected.
According to him, the government has intensified security measures around schools through increased surveillance, deployment of security personnel to strategic locations, stronger inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of modern technology to monitor vulnerable areas.
He said the interventions are aimed at deterring criminal activities and ensuring that educational institutions remain safe and conducive environments for learning.
Governor Abiodun also disclosed that while his administration has made significant investments in infrastructure development, greater emphasis would now be placed on human capital development and social intervention programmes designed to cushion the effects of prevailing economic challenges on residents.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare of the people and ensuring that the dividends of democracy are felt across all segments of society.
He also commended members of the APC in Ogun State for conducting peaceful and crisis-free primary elections, describing the exercise as a demonstration of political maturity, unity and discipline.
“Our primary was inclusive, transparent and fair. We sat down, discussed and chose our candidates without rancour. Though many contested, only one person could emerge. Those who stepped down for others are the unsung heroes of this process,” he said.
Earlier, Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, commended party members for their exemplary conduct during and after the primaries, noting that the strategic meeting was convened to strengthen preparations and mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun declares high alert over rising insecurity nationwide
THE Authority of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Nigeria and Overseas, has announced Friday, June 19, 2026, for the final burial rites of its immediate past President, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, who passed on March 22, 2026, at the age of 81.
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There was panic in the Bwari community of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on Saturday, after the body of an unidentified middle-aged woman was discovered beheaded inside an uncompleted building.
Residents discovered the corpse after they perceived a foul odour emanating from the abandoned structure, prompting them to investigate.
Upon investigation, the residents subsequently found the decomposing body and alerted other members of the community.
According to Daily Trust, a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victim was believed to have been killed about two days earlier, judging by the state of the body.
“The offensive smell coming from the building attracted the attention of people living nearby. When we entered the building, we found the woman’s body without her head,” the resident said.
Another resident alleged that evidence at the scene suggested the woman may have been overpowered before she was killed.
According to him, a blanket believed to have been used to transport the body and ropes found around it indicated that her hands and legs might have been tied.
Meanwhile, police officers from the Bwari Divisional Police Headquarters later evacuated the body from the scene.
Former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, has opposed a recent court ruling granting indigeneship to Hausa residents in Jos North Local Government Area based on their birth and long-term stay in the state.
An Appeal Court in the state had in a judgment last week, delivered by Justice C. Donglong, declared that an Hausa person born and raised in Jos North LGA is an indigene of the area, effectively putting an end to the lingering debate which has often pitted the Hausa people against natives who see them as settlers.
The ruling was a result of a suit filed by two applicants, Fatima Baba Akawu and Baba Alhaji Akawu, against the council over the denial of an indigene certificate to the first claimant.
The applicants had approached the court to decide on four issues, including whether Akawu, by virtue of her birth in Jos North LGA to a father who is a bonafide indigene of that area, is entitled to be recognized as an indigene and to be issued a Certificate of Indigene, notwithstanding her Hausa ethnic origin.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the elder statesman described the ruling as one with serious implications for the state’s identity, cultural heritage, and indigenous rights, and one that could potentially allow non-indigenes in the state to obtain indigene certificates and claim indigeneship.
While roundly condemning the judgement, the former governor said debates surrounding citizenship, residency, and indigenship in Plateau State
have remained at the center of political and social discussions for decades, and wondered why the court should hastily decide on a matter that could further heighten tension.
He stressed that altering the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have traditionally been recognized as indigenous to the state.
According to Jang, indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely based on long-term residence.
“Indigene certificates are historically linked to communities and ethnic groups recognized as the original inhabitants of Plateau State and should not be granted solely based on long-term residence,” he said.
Jang further argued that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status, which he said carries unique cultural and historical significance.
“Yes, every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful activities anywhere in the country, but such rights should not automatically translate into indigene status.
“Preserving the distinction between residents and indigenes is necessary to protect the interests, heritage, and political representation of indigenous communities,” Jang noted.
The former Senator, however, advised policymakers and stakeholders to carefully consider any proposed changes relating to indigene certificates to avoid unintended consequences.
Plateau ex-gov, Jang kicks against indigeneship certificates for Hausa residents
Workers in the U.S. capital removed President Donald Trump’s name from the façade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, following a federal judge’s ruling that the renaming was unlawful. In a legal filing, the center’s Executive Director, Matt Floca, stated that they had “removed all physical signage on the […]
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Dr Ibrahim Odumboni was once Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). He shares his life story, especially reasons for his career decision, in this interview with SEGUN KASALI.
The post Why I studied banking, against my father’s wish — Ibrahim Odumboni appeared first on Tribune Online.
The marriage between Nollywood actress, Peggy Ovire and actor, Freddie Leonard, appears to be facing a difficult phase, as new public comments from Ovire suggest ongoing challenges in finalising their separation.
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FOLLOWING the arrest of suspected kidnappers of Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons, some victims who had the same horrendous experiences, were at the headquarters of Oyo State Police Command …
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