Category: Auto Guid

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has said that the closure of all schools in the state was based on security advice.

He spoke yesterday before chairing the State’s Executive Council (SEC) meeting, explaining that intelligence reports indicated a potential threat of school invasions and student abductions in the state.

Mohammed said the closure of both public and private schools from primary to tertiary levels was to avert such attacks.

‘Yes, we closed our schools because the security agencies advised us to do so. They have more information than us, and even though I am the Chief Security Officer, I don’t have the personnel to act alone. They warned of possible abductions of our students, similar to incidents that have occurred in other states,’ the governor said.

According to Mohammed, the decision was proactive, not to instill fear, adding that measures were being taken to secure schools, particularly those more vulnerable to terrorists’ incursions.

‘We have closed the schools, and we will ensure that such schools are fenced, possibly before the end of this year,’ he said.

Aside from fencing, Mohammed said all schools in the state would be equipped with lights, adding that recruitment of vigilantes would run alongside the Safe School Programme outlined by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

On the killing of five policemen in Darazo Local Government Area, Mohammed clarified that it was not a banditry attack, as reported by some media outlets, but a community-related issue.

‘We had an incident in Darazo. While some reported it as banditry, it is actually a community issue. We are on ground and will handle it with the police and DSS,’ he assured.

NovaCHILL, joint-venture cold storage company owned by Mystrose Agro Commodities and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, is rolling out modern cold-chain warehouses to tackle post-harvest losses for an all-year food availability.

The revolution, which begins next week, with launch of an advanced onion storage hub in Sokoto, will be followed by another cold storage warehouse in Southsouth in the first quarter of 2026.

NovaChill said these are opening phases, as more NovaChill facilities will follow, creating a seamless cold-chain backbone for Nigeria’s perishable value chains.

The impact will be immediate and far-reaching, and will reduce post-harvest losses, stabilise supply and lower prices for consumers, surplus production ready for export, higher farmer incomes and massive forex earnings, among others.

With NovaChill, Nigeria is turning the tide on food waste and taking a leap toward food security.

On a cold morning in October, Ibrahim Muhammad, a 300-Level Sociology student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), made his way to Ajia Alimo road in Sokoto market to begin his journey home. With a worried but determined expression, he climbed onto the back of a moving trailer heading towards Kwara State.

Since his first year in the university, Ibrahim has always struggled to afford transport fare between Sokoto and his hometown. Before discovering that he could travel with just N5,000 by hitching a ride on a trailer, he used to spend N20,000 and above on transportation alone.

‘We don’t do this because we want to,’ Ibrahim said, gripping his bag tightly. ‘But with transport fare now having tripled, this is the only way to reach Ilorin. The buses are just too expensive. We either risk it or stay stranded.’

Ibrahim’s experience is not unique. Samsudeen Wadud, a 200-Level Engineering student, shared a similar story. When he heard that the bus fare to Ibadan had risen to between N22,000 and N25,000, he knew he couldn’t afford it. His parents had sent him N15,000, which was not even enough for the trip to his state.

‘When a friend told me about using trailers for just N5,000. I didn’t think twice; I gladly said yes,’ he recalled.

Before the fuel subsidy removal, travelling from Sokoto to Kwara, Oyo, or Lagos State through Niger and Kontagora was relatively affordable. Then, students could board commercial buses for between N8,000 and N10,000 depending on the season.

But since the subsidy removal, petrol prices have tripled, and fares have sharply increased, which now cost between N22,000 and N25,000. For many students, especially those from low-income families, travelling home by trailer has become the only option left.

Same path, different mindset

For some students, the trailer journey is not just about cost, it’s about safety. Muhammad Ridwan, a Master’s student at UDUS, said he now finds peace in travelling by trailer, not just because it is cheaper, but because he believes it is safer.

‘I’ve been using trailers for a long time. I’ve never had an accident, never been robbed or kidnapped,’ he said. ‘Look at the recent attacks on students passing through Niger State, they target buses. Trailers are actually safer for me if I must say.’

Ridwan’s fear is not exaggerated. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 51.8 million cases of crime were recorded in Nigeria alone between May 2023 and April 2024, which reflects a sorry state of security. The NB report also revealed that an estimated 2.2 million kidnapping incidents occurred within the same period, with victims’ families paying an average ransom of N2.7 million per case, totaling more than N2.2 trillion in ransom payments.

The North-West region recorded the highest number of kidnapping cases at 1.4 million. This is followed by the North-Central region which recorded 317,837, while the South-East region had the least at 110,432.

Students being kidnapped on Nigerian roads is not a new trend. In 2024, at least students from the University of Maiduguri were abducted by gunmen in Benue State while they were going for a medical conference.

Similarly, in October 2025, Basheerah Ojedeyi, a newly inducted Radiography graduate of UDUS, was abducted in Niger State and spent weeks in captivity before her release after a huge ransom payment.

Beyond the price: A torturous journey

What begins as a cost-saving decision often turns into a nightmare for many student commuters. Samsudeen Wadud recalled how his trailer, loaded with cows, rams, and other goods, became unbearable during the journey.

‘It was not the best way to go home, but it was better than staying at school,’ he said. ‘Just a few hours into the trip, the smell of animal urine and faeces filled the air. I vomited several times. I don’t think I’ll ever board a trailer again.’

Another student, Abdulraheem Habib, shared a similar experience. Despite swearing never to travel that way again, he later did so due to financial hardship.

‘When it rains, I’m soaked,’ he said. ‘When it’s sunny, the metal burns my skin. You can’t even stop to ease yourself, you only find a way to ease yourself when the trailer is on the move. It’s a terrible experience.’

Abdulraheem also recalled one frightening incident: ‘We were on a trailer going to Kontagora when one of the tyres burst. The driver didn’t stop. Everyone screamed. I thought it was the end. But during the next holiday, I still found myself climbing another one. What can I do?’

Crossing the Auna River: A journey of fear

For Ibrahim Muhammad, the most terrifying part of his journey is crossing the Auna-Salka-Ibeto route in Niger State, where a collapsed bridge forces travellers to use an old ferry.

‘It was terrifying,’ he said. ‘The ferry was rusty and shaking. There were no life jackets, and the engine sounded weak. I just held onto the metal and prayed to survive.’

‘Every wave felt like danger. At one point, my hand slipped, and someone had to pull me back. That day, I saw death. I questioned why I agreed to travel this way.’

A Sign of Economic Desperation

A transportation expert, Mr. Yusuf Adewale, described the situation as ‘a tragic reflection of national decay.’

‘When students, the country’s future, are forced to ride trailers meant for goods, it’s not just a safety issue; it’s an indictment of governance and infrastructure failure,’ he said.

He added that the situation mirrors a broader pattern of neglect in rural transport systems across northern Nigeria. ‘Communities in Niger, Kebbi, and Sokoto still depend on unsafe trucks and ferries for mobility,’ Adewale explained. ‘It shows the deep gap between urban transport development and rural accessibility.’

He warned that if the situation is not addressed urgently, lives will continue to be lost.

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday sought for a comprehensive action by governments at all levels to address the rising cases of insecurity in the country.

They emphasised their earlier position against negotiating with bandits.

Zonal caucus leaders and members took turn on the second day of the House debate on the security situation in the country to vent their anger and frustrations as Nigerians across the country are subjected to attack daily.

Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara set the tone for the day when she said that the reality confronting the nation was not a distant episode in our national conversation.

She said: ‘It is a deep and bleeding wound in the lives of our children, our families and our communities. And I termed the Papiri and Kamba abductions as a national tragedy.

‘We are facing severe insecurity crises with widespread kidnapping and banditry. When people come to communities to kill them, to traumatise them, this is nothing but terror. Let me be clear, these are not mere security failures. They are breaches of the most fundamental duties of the state, which is the security of lives and properties.

‘When we have security issues, we need our governors to do more because the president cannot be everywhere. He cannot be in Sokoto, he cannot be in Zamfara, he cannot be in Ogun State. He cannot even be in Lagos State at the same time, his own state. We need our governors to do more and this is the right time for us as a house to legislate on the right legal framework of our state’s policy.

‘For me, I may not be a security expert, but I know that every security is local. We need a security situation where our security operators will be communicado, where Nigerians can call any security operative at any hour of the day and they are sure to get the right response.

She praised the President for the empathy he has shown and for the release of the Kebbi girls, saying: ‘The brief relief felt by the families of those that escaped is overshadowed by the agony of those still waiting, waiting for a knock on the door, for a phone call, for any sign of hope.’

She asked: ‘We have seen the children where are the kidnappers? Nigerians are asking. We have seen the children, where are the kidnappers? We need to know.

‘This crisis demands our urgent attention because children are used as deliberate targets. Schools that are once safe havens have become tragic targets.

‘Mothers and female educators bear emotional and economic burdens. Community disruption. And I must say that this trauma lasts a lifetime sometimes. We have to avoid this. Children who escape captivity or witness violence often experience long-time trauma, insomnia, anxiety, nightmare and withdrawal.

She recommended the establishment of a national safe schools protection framework, mandatory deployment of security teams to high-risk boarding schools and also to reinforce dormitories, night surveillance, panic alert systems, invest in early warning infrastructure, cameras, sensors and secure communication links with law enforcement agencies.

Leader of the Northwest, Sada Soli said the current challenges are not just criminal, but structural, rooted in environmental stress, with governance and economic marginalisation, adding that tackling these threats demands a holistic strategy that combines security operations with social, economic and environmental interventions.

Soli said a purely military or kinetic response won’t be sufficient to address the issues in the Northwest, adding that long-term stability will require building trust in state institutions. We must build trust in our institutions, while making efforts to reform land and livestock governance, addressing climate response and pressure, and ensuring that affected communities are meaningfully taken care of in providing solution to our security threats.

Leader of the Northeast Caucus, Mukthar Betara said Borno State and the Northeast has remained the epicentre of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence.

Betara advocated adequate funding for the security agencies and the provision of adequate welfare package as a way of encouraging them.

He said:”Nigerian security challenges may be vast, but can be addressed with strategic planning, coordinated action, awareness and political commitment. We c’ stop the spread of violence and restore public confidence.

‘This special session provides us with not just opportunity, but a responsibility to charge a bold new direction. The Nigerian people are waiting. Communities across the Northeast and the nations are watching.

‘History will remember us today. What we have chosen to do today in this chamber, let us rise for a moment together and help and secure the nation. That is our solution.’

Afrobeats singer Tems has opened up about her alternative career paths if music hadn’t worked out.

During an interactive session with fans on X, she revealed she’d have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher.

‘If music didn’t work, what else do you think you would be doing today?,’ a fan asked.

Tems responded, ‘I might have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher.’

Before rising to fame, Tems worked as a digital marketer, a job she left in January 2018 to focus on her music career.

Just a few months later, she released her debut single ‘Mr Rebel’ in July 2018, which gained traction in Nigeria.

Tems’ breakthrough came with her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 single ‘Essence’, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after the remix with Justin Bieber.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in partnership with dmg Nigeria Events, has announced plans for a high-level summit that will convene policymakers, industry leaders and investors to define West Africa’s next phase of industrial growth.

The West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition is scheduled for March 3-5, 2026, in Lagos.

With ‘Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity,’ as theme, the event will serve as a strategic platform for examining how regional policy shifts, cross-border supply chain integration and private-sector partnerships are reshaping the industrial landscape.

Organisers noted that West African governments and businesses are gradually moving from extractive-driven economies toward industrialisation anchored on technology, regional integration and sustainable value creation.

According to the statement announcing the summit, the subregion is witnessing rapid transformation powered by established manufacturing clusters, expanding processing capacity and advancements in digital innovation and next-generation industries.

Nigeria’s incoming National Industrial Policy (NIP) was highlighted as one of the region’s most ambitious upgrade programmes. The NIP prioritises technology adoption, equipment financing and digitised manufacturing as core drivers of long-term economic competitiveness.

Portfolio Director, Africa, and Country Director, Nigeria, at dmg events, Wemimo Oyelana, said the summit comes at a defining moment for the region’s industrial evolution.

‘The next chapter of West Africa’s industrial growth will be shaped by innovation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, gas-based production, technology adoption, and stronger policy alignment,’ he said.

According to him, the West Africa IMT Summit is designed to set strategic priorities and shape the regional industry agenda.

‘We are convening industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and investors to turn ideas, reforms, and emerging technologies into real industrial outcomes across the region,’ Oyelana added.

He noted that participants at the 2026 summit will gain firsthand insights into the region’s fast-evolving manufacturing environment and the opportunities driving sustainable growth. Delegates will also engage in high-level discussions, technical sessions and strategic networking focused on emerging investment frontiers, policy frameworks and cross-border collaboration models that can accelerate competitiveness across West Africa’s industrial ecosystem.

Oyo State Government has expressed its commitment and readiness to restore the glory of cocoa production as one of the state’s major economic pillars.

It has approved N3,030,292,472 for the establishment of Cocoa Rejuvenation Project, to be driven through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

The project is to be coordinated by Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Information Commissioner Prince Dotun Oyelade said the approval was given at the State Executive Council meeting.

He said the state government was taking the initiative because Oyo State ranked fourth in cocoa production among the 18 cocoa-producing states in the country.

Oyelade said: ‘The state is also being proactive by taking the opportunity created by disruptions in cocoa production in major producing countries like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

‘It is the intention of Oyo State to fill the supply void as a result of the production problems facing West African countries.

‘The Cocoa Rejuvenation Project, which costs two million, seventy-five thousand, five hundred and forty-seven dollars ($2,075,547), will be funded in three tranches over the next three years.

‘Additionally, the Council approved pound 50 million for Oyo State Health Care Initiative. This loan from the French Government, which Oyo State initiated about three years ago, was finally approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance in a letter dated November 10, 2025.’

He said the loan, intended for infrastructural upgrades and equipping state hospitals, among other purposes, had also been approved by the House of Assembly to enable the state government access the funds.

He added that Oyo State Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy was also approved by the Council.

Lagos-based firm, Easy Porta Nigeria, has introduced prefabricated containers into the market.

Managing Director, Allen, said the move to high-specification prefabricated container structures is a necessity.

In a statement, Allen, an engineer, also said: ‘The greatest advantage of prefab is not just the speed, but the quality consistency you achieve in a controlled factory environment.”

The engineer, with over three decades’ experience in the metal and steel fabrication and construction business, said Nigeria’s construction sector is undergoing a quiet, yet fundamental, revolution driven by need for speed, cost certainty, and quality control.

At the heart of this shift, he said, is the rise of modular construction-manufacturing of structures off-site for rapid assembly, a methodology industry veterans believe is suited to bridging the country’s infrastructure and housing gaps.

He noted that for decades, traditional brick-and-mortar processes dominated the industry. But as logistics become more complex and material costs fluctuate, the predictability offered by factory-built systems, particularly those relying on robust steel structures, is proving highly attractive.

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to work out the modalities for the upgrade of Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH) to University of Technology and Vocational Studies.

Speaking at the institution’s 37th convocation, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad,noted that the upgrade of the institution was aimed at integrating hands-on technical training with advanced research, fostering innovation, economic growth and national development.

A total of 8,654 students received National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates for the 2023/2024 academic session.

They include 291 Distinctions, 2,434 Upper Credits, 4,403 Lower Credits and 1,526 Pass grades.

The President had approved the conversion of YABATECH to a university in February.

He said: ‘As you are aware, the Federal Government has approved the upgrading of YABATECH to Yaba Technical and Vocational University.

The committee constituted to work on the modalities to bring about seamless transition has already submitted its report. The recommendations are being considered.’

Tinubu noted that the government had prioritised Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences alongside technical and vocational education, stressing their importance to youth development and the nation’s growth.

He said Federal Ministry of Education has continued to align learning with employability through the expansion of vocational training and digital skills programmes.

Tinubu urged the graduates to be at the forefront of nation-building.

‘Through the Vocational Enterprise Institutes, over 960,000 trainees have been enrolled nationwide across more than 25 specialised trades, ensuring that young Nigerians acquire practical, market-ready skills.

‘In addition, the Ministry of Education is driving large-scale digital capacity-building programmes to equip graduates for success in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy. These initiatives include intensive digital literacy bootcamps in coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital marketing; e-learning platforms that provide access to certified online courses; structured internships and industrial attachments with leading technology companies; and the establishment of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs to nurture start-ups and small businesses,’ he said.

Tinubu added: ‘Nation building is not the responsibility of government alone; it is a sacred duty we all share.’

The Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, disclosed that the institution is on the path to becoming Nigeria’s first specialised University of Technology and Vocational Studies.

He praised President Tinubu for granting the approval, adding that the elevation positions the institution to power the nation’s next phase of innovation-driven development.

Abdul hoped that the transition to a specialised university would unlock new opportunities for research, skills development and national economic growth.

He noted that beginning this year, the convocation ceremony would be held yearly, saying that graduates would now receive their certificates on convocation day as part of new measures to improve administrative efficiency.

Abdul urged the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, adding that YABATECH had equipped them with both academic and compulsory vocational skills.

The race to secure places in the prestigious 2025 Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor’s Belt intensifies this weekend as fighters step into the ring for the November Monthly Championships.

On Saturday, November 29, the Agege Stadium will host a fierce contest where boxers battle for coveted slots in the end-of-year Governor’s Belt bouts.

With competition heating up, every punch will carry the weight of ambition, as athletes aim to prove themselves worthy of a place in one of Nigeria’s most respected grassroots boxing events.

LBHF’s monthly championship will deliver fireworks this weekend as three female bouts and seven male contests headline the card.

In the women’s category, Mistura Otenaike of Surulere will slug it out against Aina Adekiwonsa of Lagos Island in the 48kg division. Eniola Idowu faces Oyindamola Agboola in the 45kg class, while an exhibition bout will see Zainab Ibrahim of Queen Elizabeth Junior Secondary School take on Peculiar Ifemaye of Glory International School, Agbado, in the 27kg class.

The men’s contests promise fierce action. The opening bout pits Kareem Yusuf of Amuwo against Olamide Bello of Yaba in the 53kg category. In the 60kg division, Kola Ogunsemore of Lagos Mainland battles Qudus Akinwande of Badagry, while Ganiu Ayomide of Agboyi Ketu faces Daniel Nkem of Oshodi in another clash at the same weight.

Other bouts include Seun Habu vs Fasosi Paisol in the 70kg, Christian Obi vs Paul Melvin in the 85kg, and Victor Okagbue vs Daniel Nwose in the 90kg.

In the men’s exhibition contest, Modeed Omotayo of Layeni Junior Secondary School will square off against Michael Adedapo of Julius International School in the 30kg division.

The tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for boxers seeking slots in the prestigious Governor’s Belt Championship later this year.

According to LBHF Director David Mohamed, this weekend’s event is crucial as the last qualifying bouts before the Governor’s Belt finale.

‘Since we resumed LBHF in October, there has been serious interest from boxers across Lagos. We cannot accommodate everyone, so we aim to select the very best for the Governor’s Belt. This weekend’s bouts will surely produce another set of boxers for the end-of-year tournament,’ he said.

The monthly LBHF show series returned in October 2025 after a hiatus. Founded in 2010 by Minister of Finance Wale Edun, LBHF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing amateur and grassroots boxing in Nigeria. It is best known for hosting the Governor’s Belt Championship and monthly boxing shows.

Recently, LBHF partnered with Mainstay Bulletproof Limited to support its events, strengthening its platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. Looking ahead, plans are in place for a new format starting in 2026, involving divisional championships across weight categories, followed by regional and national finals.