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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned two landmark projects worth N4.089 billion at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, executed under its 2023 Special High Impact Intervention and 2020/2021 merged interventions.

The projects which are the Remodelled University Senate Building and the Faculty of Law Complex were constructed at N1,584,998,463.70 and N2,504,381,517.61 respectively.

Speaking at the Commissioning Ceremony in Lapai, the Chairman, TETFund Board of Trustees, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, noted that since 2011, the Fund has allocated N15.25 billion for infrastructure-related projects at IBB University, of which N13.04 billion has already been accessed.

Masari commended the university for the prudent utilisation of the funds noting that ‘We are convinced that the projects undertaken with these funds will continually impact the university’s mandate in facilitating teaching, learning, research and community service.’

The former Governor of Katsina State and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives praised the Niger State Government under Governor Umar Bago for its visible commitment to education, describing the administration’s support as ‘a key reason why the commissioning was possible.

He said the newly commissioned projects represent TETFund’s continued alignment with the Federal Government’s vision of modernizing tertiary institutions, including interventions in sustainable power supply, medical training facilities, and ICT innovation.

Masari also lamented the suspension of foreign training for lecturers due to high foreign exchange rates and incidents of abscondment, assuring that local capacity-building and infrastructural investments will now take precedence.

‘We urge the university to ensure proper maintenance of these facilities. For our part, TETFund will sustain impactful interventions to make Nigerian institutions globally competitive,’ he stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, described the commissioning as a milestone in advancing Nigeria’s higher education, stressing that world-class infrastructure remains vital for academic excellence and innovation.

Represented by the Fund’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Arc Babatunde Olajide, Echono said ‘These edifices are not just structures of brick and mortar; they are symbols of progress, opportunity and the future we envision for our youth and our nation.’

He commended the IBBU management and the Niger State Government for their collaboration and prudent utilization of resources, urging staff and students to safeguard and maximize the new facilities for research, creativity, and service to humanity.

On his part, the Governor Niger State, Umar Bago, represented by his Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, hailed the projects as ‘a factory for justice and leadership.’

Bago described the Faculty of Law Complex as one of the largest in West Africa, boasting over 100 offices, an e-library, standard moot court, and inclusive facilities for persons with disabilities.

He also reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to expand tertiary education access through initiatives such as the IBB University Teaching Hospital, Abdulkadir University, Minna, and the newly established University of Agriculture and Climate Change, all designed to align education with Niger State’s development priorities.

‘Education remains the foundation upon which we build a prosperous and self-reliant Niger State,’ he said.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of IBB University, Prof. Mohammed Suleiman, expressed profound appreciation to TETFund and the state government for their unwavering support, describing the commissioning as ‘a milestone in the university’s history and a national investment in the future of higher education.’

Suleiman disclosed that the remodelled Senate Building, now named the Abdulkadir Kure Senate Building, contains 70 offices, a 200-seat Senate Chamber, 50-seat Council Chamber, and 96,000-litre water reservoir, while the Faculty of Law Complex comprises 106 offices, lecture theatres, e-library, boardrooms, and a 450-seat moot court.

On the amount of constructing the Senate Building and the law faculty, he said ‘The amount is N1,584,998,463.70, and the name of the consultant is Bill Marx Associate Limited. The purpose of this Senate Building is to provide conducive office accommodation for university staff and befitting meeting halls for Management, Senate, and Council members.

‘The cost of the project for the Faculty of Law stands at N2,504,381,517.61. It also started in 2023 and has been completed in 2025 and will be commissioned immediately after the Senate Building. The contractor is USALT Teleview Nigeria Limited, while the consultant is Studio International.’

Suleiman appealed to TETFund for additional support to construct a major student hostel, pledging continued transparency and accountability in managing the Fund’s interventions.

Major General Waidi Shaibu was born on 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 41 Regular Course in 1989 and was commissioned on 17 September 1994 as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps.

He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993. He equally holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, as well as another Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Masters Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University in Washington DC.

He is equally an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Programme in Leadership for the 21st century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage. He also has obtained the Advanced Executive Certificate in Applied Leadership and Strategy from the National Productivity Senior Executive Programme. He has attended many seminars on Irregular and Hybrid Warfare as well as Gray Zone Operations.

He attended the following military courses; Young Officer Course Armour 1995, Young Officers Course Infantry 1996, Company Amphibious Operation Course 1997, Platoon Commanders Course Armour 1998, Communication Instructors Course Armour 1998, Junior Staff Course Ghana 2001, Company Commanders Course Armour 2003, Senior Staff Course Jaji-Nigeria 2005/2006 and Exclusive Economic Zone Course 2007. Other courses include the Battalion Commanders Course Armour 2011, Defense Resources Management Course in Kenya 2015, and Higher Defence Management College at the National Defense College, Abuja Course 24 2015/2016. In addition, Counter Terrorism Fellows Programme at the College of International Security Affairs at National Defence University Washington DC USA 2017.

He has also held various appointments during the course of his career. These include Ag Chief of Training for Exercise and Training AHQ Abuja, Brigade Commander 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama, Director Coordination National Defence Collage, Directing Staff National Defence College Abuja, Principal Staff Officer (Army) Defence Headquarters, Chief Instructor, Nigeria Army Armour School, Assistant Director Peace Keeping Operations Defence Headquarters, Commanding Officer 243 Battalion Monguno and Chief of Staff, 23 Brigade Headquarters, Yola as well as the Principal Staff Officer/Military Assistant to Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia.

The other appointments held are the GSO II Ops at Army Headquarters, Military Observer/Logistics Officer African Mission in Sudan, Training Officer Armed Forces Simulation Centre, ADC to General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Company Commander 242 Recce Battalion, Platoon Commander 245 Recce Battalion. He was the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Op HADIN KAI Maiduguri and until his appointment as COAS, he was serving at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, Abuja.

He has also participated in various military operations namely Operation HARMONY, Operation BOYONA, Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA, Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO, Operation HADIN KAI, Operation DESERT SANITY and LAKE SANITY, the African Mission in Sudan and the United Nation Mission in Liberia. He was also part of Nigeria’s Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.

The Senior Officer has the following decorations Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Order (Liberia), Distinguished Service Star, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Pass Staff College, Fellow of Defence College, Foreign Assistance Training Medal and the Purple Heart Medal for Counter Insurgency Operation in North East Nigeria.

His hobbies include reading, early morning walk and deep contemplation.

He is happily married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan and the union is blessed with 2 kids; a boy Haneef and a girl Hafeeza.

Adamu Mohammed Duguri, elder brother of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has been appointed and presented with a letter of appointment as the first Emir of Duguri in Alkaleri LGA with a First Class status.

The letter of appointment was presented to the new Emir by a government team led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, at the palace in Duguri on Friday.

After receiving the letter of appointment and subsequent turbaning, as well as the beating of the drum 24 times, he announced that he will be known, referred to, and addressed as Adamu Ahmed III throughout his reign.

While presenting the letter of appointment, the SSG, Aminu Hammayo, reminded the Emir of the need to operate within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, and the relevant laws of the state, especially the Chieftaincy Law 2025.

The SSG also told the Emir that he should be vigilant and cautious of the rules and regulations of administration as may be announced by the state government from time to time.

Aminu Hammayo, on behalf of the state government, prayed for a successful reign, saying, ‘The Governor directed us to advise you to rule the people in fairness, justice, and without ethno-religious differences. Your focus should be unity and peaceful coexistence of the people in the emirate.’

In his remarks, the Emir of Duguri, Adamu Mohammed Duguri (Adamu Ahmed III), expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Governor for the honour done to the family and for the realisation of the long-awaited dream.

According to him, ‘Today, history has been made, our dream has been realised, our forefathers dreamt of this day, and we are grateful to Allah that we are alive to witness this great and historic day.’

He solicited continued support for the administration in the state as it strives to make life easy and bearable for the teeming population.

The new Emir added that the government has done a great deal in ensuring that there is peace and peaceful coexistence in the state, just as it has embarked on developmental projects and programmes.

The Executive Chairperson of Alkaleri LGA, Comrade Hassan Garba Bajama, commended the Governor for creating the Duguri Emirate, assuring that his administration will continue to support the Emir in ensuring peace and peaceful coexistence in the emirate.

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in an effort to enhance accountability, transparency, and combat corruption in the public service.

The ACTU, originally established in 2001, collaborates with the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

It will serve as the internal regulatory mechanism to undertake periodic sensitisation of staff on and against corruption, examine systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and proffer solutions and ensure compliance.

The Medical Director of FMC Ikole, Professor Dare Ogunlusi, in his speech on the occasion, said the unit was put together to build a transparent and corruption-free community and described the transparency unit as a potent antidote to the menace of corruption.

Professor Ogunlusi, who was represented at the event by Dr. Babajide Rosiji, said although there had been mechanism on ground to tackle corruption with the establishment of a Compliance Unit in the heath facility, which he said was meant to ensure strict adherence to extant rules; the essence of the transparency unit was ‘to fix the broken systems that allows corruption to fester while also encouraging them to brace up for the task ahead.’

He said: ‘One of my visions and goals as the medical director of this centre is to build a centre where every penny that comes in is judiciously spent for the purpose it was meant for to ensure transparent and accountable use of government resources.

‘There is nowhere in this hospital today where any individual is permitted to receive payment from patients in cash or into personal accounts. The only authorised payment receiving authorities are the payment points in the OPD and the account section.

‘Your job is clear and uncompromising. You must look into every corner without fear or favour, regardless of the office or influence held by those involved, to forestall the tendency to divert public funds.’

Representative of the Chairman of ICPC, Tiku Andrew, while delivering Dr Musa Adamu Aliu’s goodwill message, thanked the FMC management for inaugurating the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), noting that creating the unit affirmed the outright commitment of the institution in domesticating the anti-corruption crusade.

He said: ‘The ACTU initiative is not intended to undermine the authority of management but rather to complement it, especially in bringing about a positive anti-corruption culture in the MDAs.’

He also charged the newly inaugurated members to justify the trust reposed in them and discharge their duties effectively.

The legal officer of the ICPC, Kehinde Adetoye, performed the swearing-in and administered the oath on the newly inaugurated ACTU members.

Members of the ACTU are: Dr Onjefu Stephen, Chairman; Mr Fatodun Adebayo, Vice Chairman; Mrs Kehinde Yinka, Secretary; Mrs Adeosun Florence Oluwafunmilayo; and Badmus Babatunde Ayodeji are members.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Onjefu promised not to disappoint and would not defeat the purpose for which they were inaugurated, while also thanking members of staff and management of the FMC for the trust reposed in them.

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), through its Bioresources Development Centre (BIODEC) in Odi, Bayelsa State, has developed three new food products to enhance food security and improve livelihoods through biotechnology.

The new products, namely Bio-Mix Cereal, Bio-Pap, and Bio-Custard mark a significant step in NBRDA’s drive to apply biotechnology to everyday needs, improve local food production, and support healthier dietary options for Nigerians.

Bio-Mix Cereal is a whole-grain meal made from yellow corn, millet, guinea corn, soya bean, date, and groundnut.

Rich in fibre and naturally sweetened with date, it promotes digestive health, aids weight management, supports cardiovascular health, and helps protect against chronic diseases.

Unlike conventional cereals, Bio-Cereal contains no artificial additives or refined sugar.

Bio-Pap, made from yellow corn, millet, guinea corn, and fortified with cloves, offers a nutritious and antioxidant-rich option.

The inclusion of cloves provides anti-inflammatory benefits and helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Unlike traditional pap, Bio-Pap has an extended shelf life of six months to one year.

Bio-Custard, derived from high-quality corn starch and flavoured with natural vanilla, provides a smooth, wholesome custard experience with a distinct aroma and taste.

The products are currently undergoing quality control and sensory evaluation, with samples distributed to consumers for feedback on taste, texture, aroma, and overall acceptability.

The Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, described the initiative as a demonstration of the agency’s commitment to developing bio-based products that improve livelihoods and contribute to Nigeria’s food sufficiency goals.

‘This aligns with the agency’s mandate to translate biotechnology research into tangible products and solutions that address hunger, malnutrition, and economic challenges,’ he said.

The Coordinator of BIODEC Odi, Dr. Timi Wood, commended the Director General’s result-oriented leadership and consistent support, which he said were instrumental in the successful processing of the three products.

He noted that with the success of these food innovations and other ongoing research activities, the centre is becoming a model for community-driven biotechnology, bridging the gap between scientific research and practical applications that benefit local communities.

BIODEC Odi, one of NBRDA’s 39 bioresources development centres across Nigeria, is dedicated to identifying and utilising underexplored biological resources for biotechnology research, product development, and expertise incubation.

The Sokoto State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have renewed their joint resolve to wipe out poliovirus from Nigeria’s northwest region, pledging to reach every unvaccinated child as the world marked World Polio Day 2025.

Speaking at the commemoration in Sokoto on Friday, Mr. Michael Juma, UNICEF Chief of Field Office for Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, described the fight against polio as ‘one we must finish together.’

‘We’ve just completed an integrated campaign for polio, measles, rubella, and HPV reaching about 5.3 million children across three states, that’s an impressive 120 percent coverage,’ Juma said.

‘But around 3,000 households remain non-compliant. We must now intensify community mobilization, engage trusted local voices, and sustain political support to reach them.’

Juma commended the Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara governments for maintaining active surveillance systems and strong political will – with deputy governors personally chairing the state polio task forces.

He also urged the media to play a stronger role in countering vaccine misinformation.

‘Accurate reporting builds public trust and ensures every child under five receives life-saving vaccines,’ he said.

To mark the day, UNICEF hosted a youth advocacy football match featuring polio survivors, using sport to raise awareness about the power of vaccination. ‘Polio is preventable,’ Juma reminded the crowd, ‘but only if we act together.’

In his remarks, Dr. Abubakar Faruku Wurno, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, said the event was ‘a moment of reflection and renewed determination’ to sustain the state’s polio-free status.

He disclosed that Sokoto surpassed its immunisation target in the recent campaign, vaccinating 1.57 million children against a target of 1.4 million a 160 percent coverage rate.

‘This feat was achieved through the leadership of Governor Ahmad Aliyu, timely release of counterpart funds, and the unwavering support of partners like WHO, UNICEF, and APIN,’ he said.

Dr. Wurno revealed that 19 out of 23 local government areas achieved over 90 percent coverage, urging the remaining four Bodinga, Shagari, Sokoto South, and Wamakko to step up their efforts.

He warned, however, that Sokoto’s proximity to border communities still poses the risk of cross-border infection and stressed the need for ‘continuous vigilance and strong routine immunization.’

To strengthen manpower, the commissioner announced the deployment of 209 qualified midwives to 109 primary healthcare centers and the enforcement of a two-year rural posting policy for new health workers.

‘Our goal is simple: protect every child, strengthen our communities, and keep Sokoto polio-free,’ he declared. ‘Together with our partners and community leaders, we can end polio for good.’

World Polio Day, marked every October 24, celebrates progress toward global eradication and highlights the importance of vaccination.

This year’s theme , ‘A Healthy Future for Every Child: Let’s End Polio Together’, calls for renewed global solidarity to finish the fight once and for all.

The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to convert its coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this ahead of the forthcoming Lagos State International Climate Change Summit, disclosing that the state is massively investing in coastal defenses and urban greening.

Besides, he said that Lagos is prepared to take the lead as the climate capital of Africa.

As one of the ways it’s turning challenges to economic strength, the commissioner revealed that the state is also investing in flood mitigation, renewable energy, and circular economy models that would serve as templates for other cities across the continent.

He said: ‘Through the Lagos International Climate Change Summit, we are sending a clear message to the world: Africa is not waiting to be rescued. We are ready to lead’

He described Lagos as a living testament to human resilience and ingenuity reaffirming Lagos’ unwavering commitment to building a future where the environment, economy, and people thrive together.

Wahab emphasised that Lagos is one of the world’s most vibrant coastal megacities, a hub of creativity, commerce as well as culture.

According to him, the city is also one of the most climate-vulnerable, saying that rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding are not distant possibilities but daily realities.

He pointed out that the creation of Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK) stood as a testament and offspring of the summit held some years back just as the summit has also given the opportunity to market Lagos Climate Resilience Policy, claiming: ‘Lagos is only state that has the climate policy in the country’

He said:’ In Lagos, everyone believes that vulnerability can be transformed into vision and challenge turned into opportunity, and this explains why the year 2025 Summit is themed ‘Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,’ which speaks directly to the mission to convert Lagos’ coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength.

He stressed that the 2025 Summit won’t be merely an environmental conference but a strategic platform for action where sub national governments, global development institutions, investors, scientists, and innovators come together to design real, bankable climate solutions.

The commissioner said the summit would spotlight the blue economy, harnessing oceans and waterways for sustainable growth; Green Finance, mobilizing capital for renewable energy and waste recycling.

He added that it would also spotlight nature-based infrastructure; innovation and youth, empowering the next generation of African climate entrepreneurs as well as well as partnerships, strengthening cross-sector collaboration for long-term transformation.

He explained that the 2025 edition will host more than 1,200 delegates including international agency heads, global CEOs, financiers, youth innovators, and researchers, all united by one mission: to finance the future of resilience in Africa

He added that it is particularly significant that the summit will take place just ahead of COP30, giving Lagos an opportunity to shape the global conversation, translating local action into international impact.

‘This Summit belongs not only to government, but to every organization, every citizen, and every innovator who believes in the promise of a greener and more resilient Africa’ he said.

He said the measuring matrix would be based on different yardsticks which will include communication dissemination, how to input the bankable projects before the world, how to put Lagos and Lagos resilience narrative before the world saying that the state would check after I2 months to see if set goals have been achieved.

He expressed appreciation to all the summit’s partners which include Eko Atlantic for embodying the spirit of sustainable urban development and NIMASA for their continued leadership in maritime safety and the blue economy.

He said the government also recognizes the invaluable support of international collaborators, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and others, whose technical expertise and financial commitment continue to enhance Lagos’ global standing.

He charged everyone to build a Lagos that leads with purpose, from the deep blue of our oceans to the bright green of the innovation as the briefing would mark the beginning of another defining chapter in Lagos’ journey toward sustainability.

The Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dayo Mobereola noted that the agency has already developed a National Policy on Blue Economy, saying the document will address all aspects of issues dealing with claims in blue economy and all legal framework would be included in the policy.

The DG, who spoke through the agency’s Deputy Director, Mr. Tuti Hebron, added that time has come for other states to take after Lagos in coastal tourism, using the recently just concluded E1 Electric Boat Race as an example stressing that Lagos the first state to have such competition in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Development Director of Eko Atlantic City, Mr. Pierre Edde said the Great Wall of Lagos Engineering Coastal Resilience is to protect Victoria Island and Lekki from persistent ocean surge.

He spoke through the Communication Director of Eko Atlantic City, Ms. Joanna Fabikun who added that the aforementioned is also a proof of the ability to withstand the most severe tidal surges forecast over the next 1,000 years as well as saving several trees from Ikoyi which is the transformation of the Peltophorum tree.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will continue to suffer electoral defeats if it fails to address the internal crises tearing the party apart.

Speaking during his monthly media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike described the ongoing wave of defections within the PDP as embarrassing, saying the current situation was a direct consequence of unresolved issues he had long predicted.

‘Right from day one, I said that with what is going on, if it continues, PDP will keep losing,’ the minister stated. ‘Things are not being done properly, and we will regret it – and that’s exactly what is happening today.’

The former Rivers State governor noted that the current leadership crisis did not come as a surprise to him, insisting that all his warnings about the party’s internal contradictions have materialised.

‘It’s very embarrassing. One of the governors was even the chairman of the convention committee. They were all playing games,’ Wike said. ‘There’s nothing I said that hasn’t come to pass – tell me one.’

Wike, a key figure in the PDP’s G5 bloc that rebelled against the party leadership during the 2023 general elections, did not disclose whether he intends to remain in the party ahead of the 2027 polls but maintained that genuine reconciliation and reforms were the only path to recovery.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State chapter, has called on the state government and security agencies to investigate the alleged killing of Fulani people in the Edu Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement in Ilorin on Friday, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Shehu Garba, urged the state government to consider compensating the Fulani for the killing of their loved ones and the destruction of their means of livelihood and property, as was reportedly done for other ethnic groups in the state.

He said findings indicated that about 20 Fulani people were killed, with 42 cows, sheep, and goats missing, while 1,200 bags of grains and several shelters were destroyed at different times in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area; Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area; and Gbugbu in Edu Local Government Area.

Alhaji Garba said that local vigilante members conducting stop-and-search operations on the Omu-Aran road had arrested more than five Fulani people who were in transit, adding that they were said to have been handed over to security agencies, ‘but up till now they are still missing without trace.’

He also described as worrisome the recent attacks on Fulani people wearing state government-approved vigilante uniforms in some parts of the state.

The MACBAN chairman called on the state government to look into the matter and accord due recognition to the Fulani by compensating all their losses, as was done for others, in the interest of justice and fairness.

He further urged security agencies to investigate the whereabouts of the Fulani allegedly handed over to them by the local vigilante members in Omu-Aran, to ascertain their location.