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Katsina, News, Plateau

Katsina and Plateau Govts Order Temporary School Closures Over Insecurity

Katsina and Plateau state governments have announced the temporary closure of schools due to rising insecurity concerns. The decision aims to safeguard students and teachers as security agencies implement new safety strategies. In Katsina, schools are closed immediately, affecting students currently sitting exams. Commissioner Yusuf Jibia emphasized that protecting lives and property is the top priority, and normal activities will resume once security assessments are completed. Read Also: FG Orders Immediate Closure of 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity Plateau State’s closure takes effect on different dates: junior model secondary schools close on Saturday, November 22, while primary and day schools shut on Monday, November 24. Richard Jonah, SUBEB’s Public Relations Officer, described the closure as a necessary step to prevent security threats.

Education, National, News

FG Orders Immediate Closure of 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity

The Federal Government has announced the immediate closure of 41 Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools) located across the northern region of the country due to rising insecurity. The directive was contained in a circular issued on Friday by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Binta Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman (or Maruf Alausa—depending on the accurate officeholder), citing the need to forestall security breaches and protect students. Read Also: Matawalle Arrives Kebbi on Tinubu’s Directive Over Abduction of Maga Schoolgirls According to the circular addressed to principals of the affected institutions: “Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs). Principals of affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance.” List of Affected Schools FGGC Minjibir FTC Ganduje FGGC Zaria FTC Kafanchan FGGC Bakori FTC Dayi FGC Daura FGGC Gwandu FGGC Tambuwal FSC Sokoto FTC Wurno FGC Gusau FGC Anka FGC Kiyawa FGC Birnin Yauri FTC Zuru FGGC Kazaure FTC Hadejia FGGC Bida FGC New-Bussa FTC Kuta-Shiroro FGA Suleja FGC Ilorin FGGC Omu-Aran FTC Gwanara FGC Ugwolawo FGGC Kabba FTC Ogugu FGGC Bwari FGC Rubochi FGGC Abaji FGGC Potiskum FGC Buni Yadi FTC Gashua FTC Michika FGC Ganye FGC Azare FTC Misau FGGC Bajoga FGC Billiri FTC Zambuk The closure comes amid recent attacks by armed bandits on educational institutions, leading to the abduction of students and staff in some northern states.

Kebbi, News

Matawalle Arrives Kebbi on Tinubu’s Directive Over Abduction of Maga Schoolgirls

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has arrived in Kebbi State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for immediate action over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga. Matawalle touched down at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, where he was received by a military guard of honour mounted by troops of the Nigerian Army. He arrived in company of senior military personnel and was later escorted by a government delegation to the Presidential Lodge, where he is expected to coordinate high-level security engagements. The Minister’s visit marks a significant Federal Government intervention aimed at strengthening search-and-rescue operations, improving intelligence coordination, and enhancing security deployment across vulnerable communities in Kebbi State. Read Also: Niger Govt Confirms Abduction of Pupils, Staff in Agwara, Blames School for Ignoring Security Directive His presence is expected to bolster ongoing efforts by security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls and to reassure residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Agriculture, Jigawa, News

Governor Namadi Assures Full Support for Federal College of Agriculture Kirikasamma Takeoff

Governor Malam Umar Namadi has pledged the Jigawa State Government’s full support to the newly appointed management of the Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma, as the institution prepares for its official takeoff. The governor made the commitment while receiving the pioneer management team, led by the Provost, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Dutse. Governor Namadi described the appointments as historic, noting that establishing a new federal institution requires dedication, vision, and technical capacity. He expressed confidence in the calibre of the new management team to lay a strong foundation for the college. “Establishing a new institution is not an effortless task. You are now part of history. If the college succeeds, your names will be remembered positively; if it fails, the same applies. But I am confident, given the calibre of the team, that the college is starting on the right footing,” he said. Read Also: Dr. Gwaram Appointed Provost, Set to Lead Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the bills establishing the Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma and the Federal College of Education, Birnin Kudu. He also revealed that Jigawa State is close to securing a third federal institution following his recent discussions with the president. “We are greatly indebted to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for assenting to the bills establishing both colleges. And let me inform you, Provost: we are working on securing a third federal institution for Jigawa. I have discussed it with the president, and Insha’Allah, it will come to fruition.” Governor Namadi assured the management of the state government’s unwavering support to ensure a smooth and successful takeoff of the college. “As a government, we will do everything possible to ensure the successful takeoff of the college. You have our full support. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Gwaram leading this institution—an experienced agriculturist, a seasoned administrator, and a committed son of Jigawa,” he stated. He further commended the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education, Hon. Fulata (member representing Birniwa/Guri/Kirikasamma Federal Constituency), the Provost, and the Jigawa State Commissioner for Higher Education for their roles in facilitating the establishment of the institutions. Earlier, the Provost, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, thanked the state government for its continuous support and assured that the college is ready for immediate takeoff. “This college is to be a specialized institution where modern agricultural techniques will be taught. We intend to educate our farmers and bring other relevant agencies into Jigawa,” he said. Dr. Gwaram added that the management is already engaging with regulatory bodies, including NBTE, to complete all requirements for takeoff. He acknowledged the extensive efforts undertaken with federal agencies, regulators, and stakeholders to secure the institution’s approval and pledged the management’s commitment to deliver results worthy of the state and the nation.

National, News

Tinubu Congratulates NSA Ribadu on 65th Birthday, Hails Integrity and Service

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), on his 65th birthday, which falls on November 21, 2025. In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), President Tinubu described Ribadu as a principled reformer, an accomplished security professional, and a steadfast defender of Nigeria. The President praised Ribadu’s exceptional integrity and lifelong commitment to public service, emphasizing the enduring impact of his work on Nigeria’s governance and security institutions. Read Also: President Tinubu Postpones Two-Nation Visit to South Africa and Angola President Tinubu highlighted Ribadu’s pioneering leadership at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he championed accountability and strengthened the nation’s anti-corruption framework. “Since we struck a close relationship over 15 years ago, I have come to acknowledge and appreciate Nuhu’s honesty, forthrightness, and camaraderie. As a prominent member of our Renewed Hope Agenda team, I have found Nuhu to be a patriotic, loyal, and candid individual,” the President said. He further prayed that Almighty Allah would grant Ribadu good health and greater wisdom to continue serving the nation. “As Nuhu turns 65 today, I fervently pray that Almighty Allah will grant him good health and greater wisdom to continue serving our beloved country,” President Tinubu added.

Education, Katsina, News

112 Qur’anic Schools join formal education system in Katsina – UNICEF

By Abbas Bamalli No fewer than 112 Qur’anic schools in Katsina State, have been integrated into the formal education system through the support of the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF). Mr Rahama Farah, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, disclosed this during the celebration of the 2025 World Children’s Day, held in Kano on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, organised in collaboration with the Kano State Radio Corporation, also witnessed the unveiling of the Nigerian Child 2025 report. According to Farah, the integration of the Qur’anic schools had contributed towards the reduction of out-of-school children in Katsina, supporting more than 50,000 children. Read Also: Ganduje Backs Nationwide Digital Skills Training for Nigerian Youth — A+Aromas Foundation Farah added, “We also worked with the state government to register the children and put the names of their families into the social register so that they can get some support. “This is also aimed to assist them while they are making that transition from Tsangaya to public schools. In spite of this, about 300,000 children are still out of school in Katsina.” He said that UNICEF has been working with the Kano, Katsina and Jigawa Governments to address the challenges affecting children as highlighted in the Nigerian Child 2025 report. He further said, “And I am proud to announce that progress in being recorded, let me share with you some of the progress made. “In Katsina State, UNICEF’s collaboration has resulted in increased investment by the government in addressing severe acute malnutrition. “This has resulted in the government contributing more than N1 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) under the Child Nutrition Match Fund (CNF).” According to Farah, Local Governments Chairmen in Katsina State were also investing one per cent of their total budgets to nutrition in all the 34 LGAs of the state. “With UNICEF’s support, Katsina had recently attained the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, and became the 2nd state in Nigeria after Jigawa to achieve this result,” he said. Farah added that under the Child Protection, the Katsina State Government and UNICEF were implementing a massive birth registration programme to ensure that every child has a birth certificate. According to him, the certificate will confer them a legal identity as prescribed by Article-7 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a signatory. “UNICEF in collaboration the Katsina government, is also addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), against children, including child marriage, through community-driven interventions,” Farah said. (NAN)

Abuja, National, News

Ganduje Backs Nationwide Digital Skills Training for Nigerian Youth — A+AROAMS Foundation

A+AROAMS NIGERIA Ltd, with the support of the Chairperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has launched an online entrepreneurship training programme designed for young people across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Abubakar Sidi Akibu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, noting that the initiative became necessary in view of the increasing unemployment rate in the country. He said the nationwide programme will equip Nigerian youths with practical skills, digital knowledge, and business strategies essential for creating sustainable livelihoods. Sidi Akibu explained that the training will help participants understand how to use digital platforms to generate income, particularly as technology continues to reshape global opportunities. Read Also: NNPP Claims Overhyped as Ganduje Strengthens APC’s 2027 Positioning – Analyst “Almost everyone today has a smartphone and social media handles. The question is, why not use it to our own benefit?” he said, urging youths to take advantage of digital tools. The programme will cover Digital Marketing, Handcraft Skills, and Product Packaging, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with a strong foundation to start and scale small businesses. He further stated that Dr. Ganduje initiated the initiative as part of his commitment to giving back to society beyond politics. “You know that small businesses and digital marketing will really help, especially our married women at home, allowing them to earn without needing to go outside”. “Ganduje’s commitment to empowerment is not limited to Kano alone; his guidance continues to inspire youth initiatives across the country. Stakeholders say his support for the nationwide digital training programme reflects a broader vision that reaches all 36 states and the FCT, demonstrating his belief in equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in today’s digital economy”, he added. Interested applicants from all states can register for the training through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSexA6KKuFNhCwK864nNYh8Tq2IfexujWuXwTPrht83trGMBOw/alreadyresponded?usp Sidi Akibu also revealed that exceptional participants will receive rewards at the end of the programme to further motivate them and support their growth. Abubakar Sidi Akibu, a realtor in the nation’s capital, expressed confidence that the project will make a meaningful impact on the lives of both youth and women.

Kano, News

Dungurawa Commends Establishment of Online Media Chapel in Kano

The Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, has described the establishment of the Kano Online Media Chapel as timely and highly commendable. Dungurawa made the remarks when he received the executive members of the newly formed chapel during a courtesy visit to the NNPP State Secretariat. He urged the members to work as a united team with dedication and commitment, noting that success in any new venture requires hard work and resilience. “To actualise anything new, you have to work hard because there are always challenges, catastrophic issues, hurdles, obstacles, and other difficulties,” he said. The chairman emphasised that online journalism has become increasingly essential in the evolving media landscape. He, however, advised practitioners to uphold professionalism, ethics, and decorum to safeguard the rights and reputations of individuals and groups. Read Also: Kano Online Media Chapel Hosts AI-Focused Capacity Workshop for Digital Journalists Dungurawa also encouraged the chapel to diversify its operations to ensure sustainability. He assured them of the readiness of both the NNPP-led government and the party to collaborate with online media platforms in disseminating information on government policies, programmes, and activities for the overall development of the state. Earlier, the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, said the visit was aimed at formally introducing the new executive members. He called on politicians to strengthen their working relationship with online media platforms for more effective public communication. Dangambo stressed that journalism and politics are interdependent components of nation-building but maintained that professional journalists remain guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and do not engage in bias or political partisanship. (Independent Post)

National, News

Nigeria’s University Regulator Cracks Down on Abuse of Honorary Degrees

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has introduced new restrictions aimed at tackling the growing abuse of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria, including a firm prohibition on conferring such honours on serving government officials. Announcing the decision in Abuja on Friday, the NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, said the measures were prompted by troubling discoveries made by a committee set up to investigate the award and misuse of honorary degrees across the country. Ribadu noted that the Commission decided to intervene after a nationwide review revealed disturbing patterns in how honorary degrees are conferred and subsequently used. “These degrees are meant to recognise outstanding service or achievements, but unfortunately, they have increasingly been misused,” he said. Read Also: University of Abuja Governing Council Appoints New Vice-Chancellor Gombe Targets Stronger Basic Education as Governor Yahaya Inaugurates Taskforce FG Announces 50 Tax Exemptions, Reliefs for Low-Income Earners, SMEs, Effective January 2026 He pointed out that the situation has been worsened by the proliferation of illegal and unaccredited institutions—both within and outside the country—posing as honorary degree-issuing bodies. According to him, the investigation highlighted rampant disregard for the Keffi Declaration of 2012, a resolution adopted by Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to guide the award of honorary doctorates. The declaration clearly bars universities from giving honorary degrees to serving public officials and warns honourees against styling themselves as “Dr” without proper clarification. “This is not just a matter of ethics; it is a matter of law. Using the title ‘Dr’ based on an honorary degree without clarification amounts to false representation, which is punishable under various fraud-related laws in Nigeria.” Ribadu stressed that the misuse of honorary titles erodes the credibility of the university system and weakens public confidence in legitimate academic achievements. He disclosed that the committee identified 32 entities operating as honorary degree mills in the country. These include 10 unaccredited foreign universities, 4 unlicensed Nigerian universities, 15 professional bodies without authority to award degrees, and 3 other organisations likewise lacking degree-awarding powers. Some of these institutions, the NUC found, even issue bogus professorships. “Let us be clear. Awarding honorary degrees is a legal responsibility of Nigerian universities. The law empowers the NUC to regulate both the award and the use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigeria.” Ribadu reaffirmed that only authorised public or private universities are permitted to award honorary doctorates. Even then, he stressed that recipients should use appropriate designations such as Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa), rather than adopting the title “Dr”, which is reserved for holders of earned doctorates and medical practitioners.

News, Niger

Niger Govt Confirms Abduction of Pupils, Staff in Agwara, Blames School for Ignoring Security Directive

The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s School in the Papiri area of Agwara Local Government Area, describing the incident as “deeply distressing and avoidable.” In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government said it was still awaiting an exact headcount as security agencies continue their assessment. Usman revealed that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence warnings indicating an elevated threat level across parts of the Niger North Senatorial District. Following the alert, the government had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and directed the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the zone. “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk,” the statement said. Read Also: Kwara Church Attack: Abductors Contact Families, Demand N100m Ransom Per Victim The SSG added that security agencies have launched full-scale investigations and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils. He assured residents that the government remains in close contact with security formations and will provide updates as the situation unfolds. Authorities urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to security advisories, stressing that the protection of children remains the administration’s top priority. Residents were also encouraged to remain calm and support security personnel with relevant information. Local sources said the attack occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Friday, noting that several pupils were taken during a raid on the Catholic-run school. The exact number remains unclear as records were still being compiled. The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident by telephone but said verification was ongoing. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun also noted that details would be provided later. The incident comes barely days after 25 students were abducted in Maga, Kebbi State, amid rising concerns over attacks on educational institutions in the northern region. In neighbouring Kwara State, bandits recently attacked a CAC church in Eruku, killing three worshippers and abducting more than 20 others — an incident that prompted the state government to shut down over 50 schools. The recurring assaults on schools have heightened anxiety among parents and renewed calls for stronger community-based security measures across vulnerable areas.

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