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A two-year-old girl, Aryatara Shakya, was recently chosen as Nepal’s living goddess in another display of the country’s centuries-old custom. The little girl was carried by her family from their home in a Kathmandu alley to the temple palace during Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival.

The selection, rooted in religion and tradition, has once again drawn global attention to Nepal’s living goddess tradition, a practice that continues to interest and puzzle people around the world.

The living goddess, also known as the Kumari or living virgin, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and believed to represent divine feminine energy.

A Kumari is a young, prepubescent girl chosen from the Shakya clan within Nepal’s Newari Buddhist community. It is believed that the girl is possessed by the goddess Taleju or Durga.

However, behind the calm and ceremony lies a system of beliefs, selection rules, and emotional effects that make this one of the world’s most unusual traditions.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five facts about Nepal’s living goddess tradition.

1. Chosen before age four

One striking part of Nepal’s living goddess tradition is that candidates are often selected between the ages of two and four. The selection is carried out by priests who look for 32 qualities, including clear skin, calm behaviour, and physical balance.

This means that before they can fully understand the world around them, these young girls are made symbols of holiness and begin a new life inside the temple palace.

2. They live in isolation

After selection, the Kumari lives almost entirely inside the temple palace, meeting only a few caretakers, family members, and priests. She is rarely allowed outside except during major festivals when she is carried through the streets for people to worship.

While this isolation is meant to preserve purity, it also keeps the child from everyday experiences like going to school, playing outdoors, or meeting other children.

3. She loses her divinity at puberty

In Nepal’s living goddess tradition, the Kumari’s divine role ends as soon as she reaches puberty. Once her first menstrual cycle begins, she is believed to lose her purity and must step down immediately.

After this, she returns to ordinary life, learning to do chores, attend school, and live outside the temple. Many former Kumaris find this change difficult because they move from being worshipped to living like everyone else.

4. They face difficulties adjusting later in life

Many former Kumaris struggle to adjust to normal life after years of being kept indoors and treated as sacred. Doing everyday tasks, making friends, or walking freely in public can be hard at first.

Some also face emotional struggles as they try to adapt to a world that once saw them as goddesses but now treats them as ordinary people.

5. Curse of marriage

A well-known Nepalese belief warns that any man who marries a former Kumari will die young. This fear has led many former living goddesses to remain unmarried for most of their lives.

Although Nepal is becoming more modern, this old belief still affects how people see former Kumaris, making it hard for many of them to live freely after leaving the temple.

Oyo State Government has sealed off Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Apata, Ibadan, for operating without proper accreditation and for offering unauthorised health-related programmes.

The enforcement operation was carried out on Friday by a team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Kehinde Oyebode, who represented the Commissioner for Health during the inspection.

Officials revealed that the institution had been deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by running unapproved courses under the guise of legitimate health training. Among the fraudulent programmes identified were so-called ‘Nursing Technician’ and ‘Nursing Assistant’ courses, which are not recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or approved by the Ministry.

‘Let it be clear: there is no such thing as a ‘Nursing Technician’ or ‘Nursing Assistant’ course within the framework of Nigeria’s approved health training curricula,’ Oyebode stated.

‘This institution has been operating illegally and misleading students and parents who believe they are enrolling in accredited professional programmes.’

Oyebode expressed concern over the implications of such unauthorised operations on public health and safety. She noted that the school had not only commenced academic activities without approval, but had also been collecting tuition fees from students despite having no regulatory clearance from relevant authorities.

‘This is a serious violation. The health sector is not one where we can afford to cut corners,’ she emphasised.

‘Untrained and unlicensed individuals posing as health workers endanger lives. The government will not tolerate this kind of illegality.’

She explained that nursing education in Nigeria is strictly regulated, and only accredited Schools of Nursing or approved institutions affiliated with recognised teaching hospitals are permitted to train individuals in the nursing profession.

In line with its findings, the Ministry of Health issued an immediate shutdown order on the college’s operations, pending compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements, including programme accreditation and institutional licensing.

The Ministry further issued a public advisory warning residents of Oyo State and beyond to steer clear of Covenant College of Health Technology or any similar institutions offering unrecognised health programmes.

‘We urge parents, guardians, and prospective students to always verify the accreditation status of any health-related institution before making commitments. The list of approved schools is publicly available through the Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMCN,’ Oyebode said.

This incident adds to growing concerns over the proliferation of mushroom institutions across Nigeria that exploit the demand for professional training in healthcare by offering fraudulent courses with no legal standing.

Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have repeatedly called on government agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to these illegal setups.

The enforcement action reinforces Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s strong stance on education reform, public accountability, and ethical standards in both public and private institutions across Oyo State.

Government officials reiterated their commitment to sanitising the education landscape and ensuring that only credible, accredited, and professionally guided institutions operate within the state.

The Oyo State Ministry of Health reiterates that Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences remains shut until it secures proper licensing and programme accreditation from relevant authorities.

For inquiries or to verify the accreditation status of any health training institution, members of the public are advised to contact the Ministry directly or visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) website.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has expressed optimism that the party is prepared to offer Nigerians a credible alternative capable of steering the nation out of its current challenges.

Speaking on the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general election, Adebayo said the SDP remains distinct from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as an independent party built on clear principles and integrity.

‘It is very rare to find a true SDP person who will have interest in the APC or the PDP because the idea of what they are doing is totally opposite to what the SDP is preaching,’ he said.

Adebayo noted that efforts were ongoing to strengthen the party and reposition it for the next election cycle, adding that leadership changes were being made to ensure greater accountability and discipline among members.

‘When I ran for president, there were elements that worked against us in the party. There were party agents who would not show up and state chairmen who collected our agent card and then went and gave it to another political party.

‘I went to Kwara and discovered that from our research sheets, we scored 122,000 votes, but they recorded only 22,000 for us. Those who were supposed to defend our votes thought they could have a relationship with the ruling party, and that messed things up. So, we’re changing those leaderships and bringing in new people,’ he revealed.

The SDP leader said the party was focused on building a structure rooted in patriotism and selflessness.

‘It takes a while to get a political party whose majority of members will be people that are selfless, patriotic and in politics because they want nothing other than a better country. That’s what we are building in the SDP,’ he stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, Adebayo lamented the country’s continued disunity, saying the nation’s formation lacked the philosophical and visionary foundation that united other countries.

‘If you study the history of some kingdoms and societies, you’ll find that even when they were divided, a great leader emerged to unite them,’ he said. ‘That’s not the history of Nigeria. Nigeria started accidentally. There were no great philosophers or great thinkers within our population who said, ‘Let us all come together. Let me unite the people.”

Adebayo traced the roots of Nigeria’s disunity to its colonial origins, explaining that the country began as a trade zone under the Royal Niger Company before being merged by the British for administrative convenience.

‘So, Nigeria started merely as a trade zone, just like you have a free trade or export processing zone,’ he explained. ‘It was a business arrangement handed over to the British government to manage as a protectorate and colony. In 1914, they decided to amalgamate the territories, and 46 years later, they handed them over to local leaders who were united only by their indigenous identity.’

He said early nationalist leaders such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello took charge of an inherited structure that lacked unity of purpose, a challenge the SDP now seeks to address through value-based politics and people-focused leadership.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has suspended its State Secretary, Hon. Sa’idu Adamu, over allegations of gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

The decision was reached on Monday, October 6, 2025, during a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held at the party’s secretariat in Kaduna.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Maria Dogo, the party said the suspension was in line with the provisions of Articles 58(1)(h) and 57(3) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

‘The suspension, which takes immediate effect, will last for one month pending the outcome of investigations and subsequent decisions of the party. During this period, Hon. Sa’idu Adamu is hereby barred from participating in any party activity at all levels,’ the statement read.

The party assured members and the public of its commitment to internal discipline, fairness, and justice under the leadership of the State Chairman, Sir Edward Percy Masha.

‘The ongoing efforts of the State Working Committee are aimed at strengthening the party’s structures and ensuring accountability across all ranks,’ Dogo added.

Nigeria must create at least 27 million new formal jobs within the next five years or face a potential doubling of unemployment and underemployment to 30 per cent, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has warned.

In its Jobs and Productivity Report, released on Monday during the ongoing NES#31 in Abuja, the NESG outlined an urgent roadmap for employment creation and productivity growth, describing the next half-decade as critical for stabilising the country’s labour market and achieving inclusive economic growth.

‘Jobs and productivity are central to Nigeria’s economic development,’ the report stated. With the working-age population projected to reach 168 million by 2030, the country faces a defining challenge: to create 27 million new formal jobs or risk unemployment and underemployment rates doubling to 30 per cent,’ the NESG report states.

The report emphasised that sustainable job creation must be anchored on economic transformation and productivity growth, calling for bold policy measures that stimulate enterprise, attract private investments, and address long-standing structural weaknesses.

It identified several key obstacles to employment expansion, including a shallow private sector base, skills mismatch, a weak education system, and jobless growth patterns that have limited the capacity of industries to absorb Nigeria’s growing youth population.

The NESG also highlighted regulatory bottlenecks and infrastructure deficits as major constraints to business competitiveness, urging the government to implement comprehensive reforms to unlock private sector-led growth.

According to the group, tackling the jobs challenge will require coordinated efforts across sectors, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, digital technology, and services, to build a resilient economy capable of providing decent work for millions of Nigerians.

The NESG noted that Nigeria’s weak productive foundation, hampered by infrastructure deficits, inconsistent policies, and widespread informality, necessitates a focus on industrialisation and enterprise development, particularly for job-creating MSMEs.

It highlighted that transforming this landscape is crucial for economic advancement.

89 members of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives under the umbrella of Active Minority have thrown their weight behind the embattled minority leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) warning that they would resist any attempt to remove him.

This is coming on the heels of a meeting of the Minority Caucus slated for Monday evening in Abuja.

Notice for the meeting was jointly signed on Sunday, October 5, by Hon. Agbedi Frederick, leader of PDP Caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, leader, LP Caucus, Hon. Muktar Umar-Zakar, NNPP Caucus and Hon. Peter Uzokwe, leader, YPP.

It was titled, ‘Notice of emergency meeting of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives’, and addressed to ‘All Minority Members of the House of Representatives’

The notice read, ‘You are hereby invited to an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the minority leadership, particularly to review the lawsuit instituted by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all members of minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives’.

The meeting is scheduled for The Envoy Hotel in Abuja. But as at last night, the venue of the meeting was said to have been changed to Conference Room 028 in the House of Representatives New Building at 8pm.

Recall that Chinda had last week filed a suit seeking an injunction to prevent the speaker of the House, the clerk and leadership of National Assembly and the minority parties’ caucus from removing him as minority leader.

Some minority lawmakers are planning to replace Hon. Chinda over allegations of not providing leadership and working for the ruling APC, being a close confidant of the FCT minister, Chief Nyesom Wike.

But the Active Minority group, led by a PDP member from one of the Northern states has also been meeting in Abuja ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, October 7th.

A member of the Active Minority, who is privy to the meetings spoke on condition of anonymity boasting that they are prepared to counter the moves by certain interests in the PDP and the ADC bent on replacing Chinda because of his affiliation to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.

According to him, ‘We have stumbled on a plot by certain leaders in the PDP and ADC to replace the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda. His only sin is the allegations that he is close to the FCT minister, Chief Wike.

‘But I can assure you, we are ready for those sponsored to come to the floor and execute this insidious plan. Our group, the Active Minority is prepared to resist this because Hon. Chinda has discharged his responsibilities as an opposition leader very well.

‘As I speak with you, the Active Minority has a membership strength of 89 honourable members and more honourable members are identifying with us. Mind you, the entire opposition lawmakers are about 140 and we have an overwhelming majority to counter any undemocratic move’.

When asked about the list of the Active Minority, the lawmaker said; ‘We are keeping our identities under wraps until the House resumes. We don’t want to let the cat out of the bag now. Our strategy is also within us until we meet on the battle field’.

While giving reasons why they are supporting minority leader, the lawmaker said ‘Hon. Chinda’s unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and advocating for the rights of the Nigerian people has set him apart as a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

‘Chinda has since 2023 vehemently stood against the detection of opposition lawmakers to APC. One of Chinda’s notable contributions lies in his staunch opposition to members of the opposition defecting to the ruling party, citing violations of constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

‘He has always been a strong voice drawing the attention of the leadership to at least obey the law and do what is right’.

According to him, ‘In the face of adversity and resistance, Chinda has stood firm in his convictions, fearlessly challenging the status quo and holding the government accountable for its actions.

‘His vocal stance on critical issues has resonated with many, inspiring a sense of unity and solidarity among those who seek a more just and equitable society.

‘By setting a precedent of integrity and adherence to legal frameworks, he encourages others to follow suit in promoting a fair and transparent governance system. So, why would you suddenly decide to remove such an effective leader from his position because of a flimsy excuse that he’s close to Wike. Why don’t you go and face Wike and leave Chinda alone?

‘Again, Chinda’s relentless pursuit of transparency and accountability underscores the importance of strengthening democratic institutions to foster a resilient system of governance in Nigeria.

‘His dedication to uplifting the voices of the often overlooked in decision-making processes showcases a deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity and representation.

‘Most importantly, Chinda has demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading the sponsorship of various bills and motions that address pressing issues facing the nation. So, we cannot allow such an excellent material to be thrown under the bus. All we are saying is Chinda must stay,’ he stated.

Recall that Chinda has named the National Assembly, speaker of the House, clerk of the National Assembly and members of the minority caucus as defendants in the suit challenging moves to remove him as minority leader.

He alleged that the plot to remove him stems from his close association with Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, who is also the only PDP member in President Tinubu’s APC-led cabinet.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Abuja today following conclusion of a ten-day working visit to Lagos.

Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Onanuga noted that the President arrived in Lagos on Friday, September 26, after attending the coronation of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, in Ibadan.

While in the nation’s commercial capital, President Tinubu engaged with key investors, including Bayo Ogunlesi, Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners, and Keem Belo-Osagie, former Chairman of United Bank for Africa and Etisalat, and now Chairman of Metis Capital Partners.

President Tinubu also received the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Arsenio Dominguez, in the company of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and other heads of agencies in the sector.

During their meeting, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime industry as a viable alternative to fossil energy.

On the eve of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary of independence, President Tinubu visited Imo State to commission projects undertaken by Governor Hope Uzodimma. The President also unveiled a book authored by the governor, chronicling 10 years of the APC governance in Nigeria.

He delivered the national broadcast from the State House, Dodan Barracks, on Independence Day. He later commissioned the renovated National Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, where he called on Nigerians to speak positively about their country.

On Saturday, October 4, President Tinubu visited Jos, Plateau State, to attend the burial of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, the chairman of the APC.

At the funeral, the President paid tribute to Mama Yilwatda and assured Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s unwavering commitment to fairness and equity among all religious groups in the country.

A deputy director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Dr Oluwagbeminga Aina, has revealed that many herbal-related medicinal products and plants in Nigerian markets are only safe for use but not actually effective to treat the medical conditions their producers claimed they are for.

He stated that from the evidence-based research work he carried out spanning over six years on no fewer than 46 herbal medicinal products, plants and supplements in the country, the results showed that most of them failed efficacy tests.

Aina, a biochemist-nutritionist and an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Eko University of Medicine and Health Science, Lagos, gave this revelation at a recent monthly dialogue organised by the institute with the media.

‘We carried out research on 46 herbal -related medicines and drugs as well as supplements in the markets, and found out that none of them passed the eficacy test.

‘Those are some of the herbal drugs and supplements in the market that their producers claimed to be effective to cure all manner of medical conditions including the chronic types whereas they are only safe but not efficacious’ he stated, noting that the tests were conducted on animals.

While identifying numerous challenges faced by researchers which include lack of funds, inadequate laboratory equipment and high cost of test, shortage of qualified manpower and standard animal housing facilities among others, the researcher underscored the importance of herbal medicine producers doing more work on preparation of their products before taking them to market.

He said they could do this by subjecting their products for safety and potent tests at any of the standard laboratories in the country to protect consumers.

According to him, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that traditional and herbal related medicines should be tested before being made available to the public.

But many of them in the market currently did not undergo toxicity assessments to ensure their safety, which is the primary concern for patients, health authorities, and the public.

‘So, it now becomes important for those whose products are already in the market to do more work by finding out the active ingredient in their products preparation and how it can be harnessed to effectively treat the condition they are targeting,’ Aina emphasised.

Aina, whose current research areas include malaria chemotherapy in humans and the screening of medicinal plants suspected to possess antimalarial properties, also advised people on their part to always be cautious of the herbal drugs and supplements they take, especially when their efficacy is not guaranteed.

Thousands of protesters under the group Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP) marched through major streets in Kaduna on Monday, accusing oil industry cartels of sabotaging local refining efforts and Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The protest began around 8 a.m. at Murtala Mohammed Square and moved through key roads in the city, with participants carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs.

The crowd displayed signs with messages like ‘Protect Local Refining,’ ‘End Fuel Import Cartel,’ and ‘Support Dangote Refinery,’ calling for the government to take steps against what they described as a coordinated effort to keep Nigeria dependent on imported fuel.

Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta and Comrade Dahiru Umar Maishanu, who addressed the protesters separately, said the march was part of a larger campaign happening across the country to expose what they called ‘economic saboteurs.’

According to Maishanu, ‘This struggle is against the cartel that destroyed our public refineries, killed the textile industry, and now wants to strangle the Dangote Refinery,’ Ude-Umanta declared to thunderous applause. ‘We will not let them succeed. The days of holding Nigeria hostage are over.’

The organisers said the movement started in Abuja on October 2 as part of what they described as a national push to stop groups that profit from Nigeria’s economic problems. They pointed to Kaduna as a symbolic location, noting the collapse of the textile industry in the city.

‘Kaduna used to be a textile hub before the same pattern of sabotage destroyed it,’ he lamented. ‘Today, they want to replicate that on our petroleum sector by frustrating local refining. We will resist them.’

The protest, titled ‘National Unity Against Sabotage: Reclaiming Our Petroleum Sector for the People,’ urged the federal government to take quick action to protect the Dangote Refinery from what the group called ‘systematic attacks’ by oil importers.

Ude-Umanta criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), claiming they were working against the refinery’s success.

‘What PENGASSAN did was not unionism, it was sabotage,’ he said. ‘The Federal Government should have arrested their leadership to serve as deterrent. We cannot allow people to hide under labour unions to commit crimes against our economy.’

PANEP called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the Minister of Petroleum Resources, to make sure local refineries such as Dangote’s are sold crude oil at the same rate given to foreign buyers. The group said this would help maintain the refinery’s operations and attract investment.

The protesters said the government must end or heavily tax fuel imports to protect local industries. ‘Countries that place tariffs are not stupid; they are protecting their economies,’ Ude-Umanta added.

They also alleged that the oil cartel was blocking the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (Jet A1) produced within Nigeria, keeping prices high for consumers.

‘They are punishing Nigerians to protect their greed,’ he said.

Protesters commended the Dangote Refinery for what they said were early efforts to bring down the prices of petrol and diesel, claiming it has already made life easier for many.

‘This movement is about economic salvation,’ Maishanu said. ‘If we allow them to kill Dangote Refinery, no investor will ever risk bringing money into this country again. We must protect this refinery as our own.’

The protest ended with a call on President Tinubu to, in their words, ‘crush every enemy of Nigeria’s economic progress.’

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Convention Organising Committee, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared that his devotion to the party is second only to his religion, a reason his commitment to holding a successful convention is unshaken.

Fintiri, who is a Muslim, said a new National Working Committee (NWC) of the party that would emerge from the convention would prove to naysayers that the PDP had fully bounced back.

The elective convention, tagged ‘Ibadan 2025’, will take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from November 15 to 16.

Fintiri, who is the Governor of Adamawa State, was speaking on Monday during the inaugural meeting of the Protocol Sub-Committee of the main committee at the Legacy House in Abuja.

‘Apart from Islam, PDP is the next association that I have committed myself to.

‘I assure you, after the convention, the new NWC will prove that PDP is alive and Nigerians will be happy,’ he told the gathering.

The former Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly described the protocol sub-committee as the ‘backbone’ of the conversation, noting that members were carefully selected because of the importance the PDP attached to the work of the committee.

‘We selected key men and women, including senators, former governors and former members of the National Assembly, and this underscores the importance attached to the committee.

‘We will support this committee to succeed. We reassure you of our commitment and do our best for a successful convention,’he added.

Fintiri enjoined party members to ignore those he called ‘noisemakers’, allegedly bent on causing distractions, saying that at the end of the day, the party would be ‘victorious’ with the emergence of the next NWC.

Also speaking, Plateau state governor and chairman of the sub-committee, Mr Caleb Muftwang, commended the commitment of members so far.

He explained that the essence of Monday’s meeting was to afford the members the opportunity to meet physically and interact ahead of the commencement of their assignment in Ibadan.

‘Our real job will be in Ibadan’, he added.

Deputy Senate Minority Leader and deputy chairman of the sub-committee, Senator Olalere Oyewumi, and the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, also spoke with journalists, giving assurances that Oyo, which they called the ‘hotbed of politics in Nigeria’, would be ready to receive party members from the 36 states and the FCT for the convention.

Preparations for the convention have witnessed a few internal issues lately, including some stakeholders led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, giving conditions they say the PDP must meet, and the seeming disagreement between the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, over party decisions on state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi as well as the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom state executive committee.