Author: user user

The Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State and former Governor of the state, Senator Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has flagged off the construction of the 35.7-kilometer Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project, valued at N11,836,593,885.14, describing it as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Sokoto State under the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.

The project, which is being executed through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), forms part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed delight over the commencement of the strategic road project and warmly welcomed Senator Wamakko, thanking him for honouring the invitation to perform the flag-off ceremony.

The Governor explained that the project is being financed under RAAMP, a joint initiative of the World Bank and the Sokoto State Government.

He disclosed that the 35.7-kilometer road traverses Gidanmadi, Tatali, Binji, Miyuki, Bunkidi, Gidan Magaji and Gande, cutting across Tangaza, Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.

According to him, the project includes the construction of hydraulic structures, a 30-millimetre asphaltic wearing course, surface dressing, road shoulders, and road furniture to ensure durability, safety and improved accessibility.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu noted that the road is one of several strategic infrastructure projects being implemented through partnerships with development partners to complement the numerous township and rural road projects currently under construction across the state.

He recalled that since assuming office, his administration has completed and commissioned several township and rural roads in Silame, Binji, Gada, Wurno, Kware, Tambuwal, Wamakko, Dange-Shuni and Rabah, among other local government areas, to improve transportation, facilitate commerce and enhance access to essential social services.

The Governor observed that the benefiting communities are predominantly agrarian and stressed that the road would enable farmers to transport their produce to markets more easily, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services.

He charged the contractor, supervising engineers, consultants, and the entire project team to adhere strictly to the approved specifications and complete the project within the stipulated timeframe, emphasizing that quality and timely delivery remain paramount.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing people-oriented projects across every part of the state and appealed to the people to continue supporting and praying for the government as it sustains its development agenda.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to Sokoto State through the execution of major federal government infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Gusau Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Super Highway.

In his remarks, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko thanked Almighty Allah for witnessing another important milestone in the development of Sokoto State and commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for inviting him to perform the flag-off ceremony.

He praised the governor’s commitment to executing people-centered projects across key sectors, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply and security, noting that the administration has consistently demonstrated that the welfare of the people remains at the centre of its policies and programmes.

The former governor stated that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had justified the confidence reposed in him, recalling that some critics had questioned his capacity because of his age before assuming office.

‘Today, Alhamdulillah, you have silenced those critics through your outstanding performance. Within just three years, you have demonstrated exceptional leadership, and I remain proud of your achievements.

‘I am confident that even greater accomplishments lie ahead, In Sha Allah.’

Senator Wamakko said the Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project would open up rural communities, facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce, stimulate commercial activities, and improve the socio-economic well-being of residents across the benefiting communities.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s social intervention programmes, particularly the distribution of over 200 truckloads of food items and more than 200 trailer loads of fertiliser, describing the initiatives as unprecedented and highly beneficial to the people.

The APC leader further applauded the governor’s commitment to promoting Islam through the construction and renovation of mosques, as well as his prudent management of the state’s finances, noting that despite executing numerous capital projects, the administration had avoided unnecessary borrowing.

He also conveyed the goodwill of members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, who commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Legislature, describing the harmony as essential for sustainable development.

While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for improving the financial capacity of states through his economic reforms, Senator Wamakko urged the contractor to execute the project according to specification and complete it within schedule, assuring Governor Ahmed Aliyu of his continued support and prayers.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Malami Galadanci, described the Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project as one of the landmark rural infrastructure initiatives of the Ahmed Aliyu administration.

He said the project underscores the governor’s unwavering commitment to opening up rural communities, improving agricultural productivity, and accelerating socio-economic development across Sokoto State.

Malami Galadanci commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for giving priority to rural road development and appreciated RAAMP, the World Bank, and other development partners for their continued support.

He assured the people that the project would be closely monitored to ensure strict compliance with approved specifications, timely completion, and the delivery of a durable road that would stand the test of time.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Binji, Alhaji Usman Dan Sarki, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for approving the construction of the 35.7-kilometer Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road.

He described the project as a life-changing intervention that would ease transportation, boost agricultural production, facilitate trade and improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services for thousands of residents across Tangaza, Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.

The traditional ruler also commended Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for his unwavering support, mentorship, and commitment to the development of Sokoto State.

He assured the state government that the people of the benefiting communities would cooperate fully with the contractor and safeguard the project to ensure its successful completion for the benefit of present and future generations.

The ceremony climaxed with the official reception of hundreds of defectors from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gudu Local Government Area into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors pledged their loyalty to the APC and expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, citing the administration’s developmental achievements and people-oriented programmes as the reasons for their decision.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by members of the National and State Assemblies, commissioners, special advisers, heads of government agencies, traditional rulers, political leaders, development partners, community representatives, and residents from Tangaza, Binji, and Silame Local Government Areas, all of whom applauded the Ahmed Aliyu administration’s sustained investment in road infrastructure aimed at improving rural connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing the living standards of the people of Sokoto State.

Nigerian music executive and artist manager Ubi Franklin has revealed that the collapse of his marriage to actress Lilian Esoro plunged him into depression and led him to attempt suicide despite his successful career.

Franklin shared the emotional account in a video posted on his Instagram page, saying he decided to tell his story to encourage others facing difficult moments in life.

Recounting the period after his marriage ended, Franklin said he struggled with embarrassment and emotional pain because his wife left him even though, according to him, he had done nothing wrong.

He explained that while his career was thriving, his personal life was falling apart, leaving him overwhelmed and hopeless.

According to him, ‘I went through some crazy depressing positions. I remember one time I bought a red CL, and I drove that car to the Third Mainland Bridge to go and commit suicide.’

He disclosed that his cousin, Omini Stitches, intervened and rescued him.

‘The only luck I had was my cousin brother Omini Stitches that came to save me. Several times I had tried to commit suicide, Omini saved me. Because I was so embarrassed, I didn’t know what to do. I felt like, what have I done to deserve all of this? I had a good career going for myself. I had like the biggest artist in the country at the time. Everything was fine, so I just felt like it was time for me to settle down,’ he said.

Reflecting on the failed marriage, Franklin said he has come to accept that not every relationship is meant to last.

‘So, sometimes I always feel like this relationship did not work, it was just meant to be that way. Till today I can’t really explain exactly what transpired, but we’re now very good friends. We co-parent very well, we celebrate events of our son.’

He described his son as the greatest blessing to come from the relationship and said he still wishes his ex-wife well.

‘Sometimes, I have always believed that regardless of all the pain, the best result that I got from that was my son. And she’s still doing very well. Any opportunity I ever have to support her, I always do it to the fullest, and I pray that she continues doing well.’

Urging people not to hold on to bitterness after painful experiences, Franklin said difficult situations should be seen as opportunities for growth.

‘The lesson I want you to learn from this is, I don’t want you to think that when something happens sometimes with a human being, you have to hate the human being. No, that’s not the case. Sometimes it is just an opportunity for you to learn from the process and keep it moving,’ he added.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, reaching out to a trusted family member, friend, mental health professional, or local crisis service can make an important difference. You do not have to face it alone.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has appealed to members of the public to assist in locating Emmanuel Terfa, a 25-year-old man who has been missing since January 8, 2026.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, urging anyone with useful information about Terfa’s whereabouts to report to the police.

According to the statement, Terfa, popularly known as ‘Stoner,’ is an indigene of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State and a graduate of Benue State University.

He was said to be residing in Guzape Village, Abuja, before his disappearance.

Adeh described the missing man as being over six feet tall, with a chocolate complexion, a slightly heavy build and dreadlocks. She added that he speaks both English and Hausa fluently.

The police spokesperson said Terfa was last seen at his residence in Guzape Village on January 8, 2026, and has not been seen since.

The command appealed to anyone with information that could assist in locating him to report to the nearest police station or contact the FCT Police Command through 08180382808 or the Police Public Relations Officer on 07038979348.

The police said any information provided would aid efforts to reunite the man missing since January with his family.

A renowned political economist and jurist, Professor Anthony Kila, has faulted the Federal Government’s proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the move as ‘a wrong step in the right direction’ and calling for a complete redesign of the scheme rather than what he considers superficial adjustments.

Kila made this assertion in an essay, titled: ‘NYSC Reforms are a Wrong Step in the Right Direction.’

The director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies acknowledged that reforming the NYSC is both necessary and overdue, arguing that Nigeria in 2026 bears little resemblance to the country that established the scheme in 1973.

‘There is no doubt that reforming the NYSC is the right course of action.

‘The tragedy is that what has been presented as reform is, regrettably, a misstep in the right direction,’ he stated.

Kila said the government’s proposals amount to administrative adjustments rather than genuine institutional transformation.

He argued that the reforms focus on procedures while failing to address the fundamental purpose of national service in contemporary Nigeria.

Using a striking metaphor, Kila described the reforms as ‘the elephant giving birth to a rat’, saying Nigerians had expected a bold reimagining of national service, but were instead presented with modest changes that leave the core challenges unresolved.

He argued that the reform focuses on extending orientation camps and introducing new training components, rather than addressing the more fundamental question of what national service should mean in an era shaped by technology, insecurity, entrepreneurship and changing patterns of work.

The don also faulted some aspects of the reforms that, in his view, treat university graduates as though they require another stage of basic formation after completing higher education.

‘Graduates are not clueless street urchins waiting for the government to civilise them,’ he argued, insisting that higher education should already have equipped them with intellectual discipline and professional competence.

Kila, a Professor of Strategy and Development, further identified what he described as one of the most significant unintended consequences of the NYSC scheme: encouraging young Nigerians to manipulate the posting process.

He noted that many graduates begin adult life by searching for influential contacts, seeking preferred postings, or attempting to circumvent established procedures, thereby learning the wrong lessons about citizenship and public institutions.

‘Their first lesson in adult civic life is not service,’ he wrote. ‘It is gaming the system.’

As an alternative, Kila proposed replacing compulsory national service with a prestigious voluntary national service programme designed to attract motivated rather than reluctant participants.

Under the Kila proposal, participants would choose postings at least 100 kilometres from their usual place of residence to encourage national integration, while taking account of contemporary security realities. The programme would emphasise civic education, leadership development, physical fitness, basic military preparedness, emergency response, project management, community development and problem-solving.

He also proposed that participants complete a measurable community development project to ensure the programme has a lasting impact on host communities.

Kila dismissed suggestions that changing the NYSC uniform should form part of the reform agenda, maintaining that national service should be judged by its purpose rather than its appearance.

‘There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the khaki,’ he wrote. ‘Uniforms do not create patriotism. Purpose does.’

The don further urged the Federal Government to hold wide-ranging consultations with universities, employers, security experts, former corps members, community leaders and young Nigerians before implementing far-reaching reforms.

According to him, meaningful institutional reform should arise from thoughtful engagement with stakeholders rather than from administrative pronouncements.

Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has explained why the board partnered with Rite Foods Limited on its new N35 million annual National Academic Excellence Award, stating that the initiative finally corrects the ’embarrassing’ practice of celebrating high UTME scores for students who ultimately fail to secure university admission.

Speaking in Lagos at the official launch of the maiden award, Professor Oloyede revealed that JAMB accepted the strategic partnership because the selection process looks beyond Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results to evaluate actual, finalised admissions into Nigerian universities.

‘Somebody can score a very high mark in UTME and still not be admitted if he or she does not have the O’Level results requirement, proper subject combination, or do well in the post-UTME assessment.

‘So, what is the essence of celebrating somebody with a high UTME score who is not admitted? It will be very embarrassing. That is why JAMB accepted to partner with Rite Foods on this project, because it shows they are doing things differently and rightly,’ Oloyede explained.

The N35 million annual fund targets the highest-performing, newly admitted students in public universities across the six geopolitical zones of the country, alongside a beneficiary from the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group, which supports candidates with disabilities. Each recipient gets N5 million to support their education.

To ensure absolute credibility and transparency, JAMB led a rigorous aggregate assessment evaluating three critical touchpoints: O’Level results, UTME scores, and post-UTME performance.

Professor Oloyede commended Rite Foods Limited for the initiative, describing it as distinctive and unprecedented in the history of the UTME.

The launch event featured the presentation of dummy cheques, mentorship packages, and internship slots to the winners, who include Nigeria’s highest overall aggregate scorer, Okeke Chinedu Christian (Mechanical Engineering, UNILAG), and visually impaired scholar, Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni Mitchelle (Mass Communication, UNILAG), among five others from various regional public universities including the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, speaking through his Special Adviser, Dr Ismaila Adeatu, also praised the initiative as a vital private-sector support mechanism for government educational investments.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Rite Foods Limited, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, emphasised that the multi-million naira commitment is a national imperative aimed at converting Nigeria’s massive youth demographic into a strong economic lever.

Adegunwa urged recipients to remain committed to their studies and also be disciplined, and learn to solve societal problems and lift Nigeria to a first-world country.

In a move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions.

President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel and the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, the approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and further strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.

President Tinubu approved the creation of four additional divisions, increasing the Army’s operational structure from eight to 12 divisions.

The new divisions will be located in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

According to Onanuga:

‘The establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.’

The statement further read in part:

‘Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:

1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states)

2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states)

3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states)

5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states)

6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states)

7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe states)

8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states)

9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger states)

10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa states)

81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun states)

82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states)

83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states).’

The statement noted that ‘implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.’

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.