Category: Nigerian Tribune

Katsina State Government has intensified efforts to contain a fresh outbreak of diphtheria, with 67,670 eligible persons vaccinated within the first three days of a reactive immunisation campaign.

The government has also secured an additional 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines to strengthen the emergency response and protect residents in communities considered to be at high risk.

The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Shemau Abba Kabir, disclosed this on Sunday at a press briefing on the diphtheria situation in the state.

Kabir said the state had recorded more than 1,000 suspected cases of diphtheria between January and August 2026, with preliminary figures indicating that about five per cent of the suspected cases may have resulted in deaths.

‘The state has recorded over 1,000 suspected cases of diphtheria between January and August this year, and preliminary indications suggest that about five per cent of the affected persons may have died,’ Kabir said.

She explained that the figure was based on suspected cases and would require further verification.

According to her, diphtheria has spread to 29 of the state’s 34 local government areas, with Funtua, Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura recording the highest number of suspected cases.

‘The disease has so far been identified in 29 out of the 34 local government areas of Katsina State, with some local governments recording significantly higher numbers of suspected cases,’ she said.

Kabir said the concentration of cases in the affected areas had prompted the government to intensify disease surveillance and deploy targeted interventions to prevent further transmission.

She said reactive vaccination had commenced in 15 high-risk wards across Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia local government areas.

She explained that the exercise was targeted at communities considered particularly vulnerable to the spread of the disease, especially children.

‘Our immediate priority is to interrupt transmission in the high-risk communities through reactive vaccination, intensified surveillance and prompt case management,’ Kabir said.

The agency has also established three isolation centres in Daura, Katsina and Funtua to improve the state’s capacity to manage suspected and confirmed cases and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Kabir said the government had provided essential medicines, medical consumables and infection prevention and control materials to support health workers responding to the outbreak.

‘Government has provided essential drugs and medical consumables, as well as infection prevention and control materials, to strengthen the response in affected areas,’ she said.

She added that case-management drugs were being pre-positioned in affected communities to ensure that health facilities could respond promptly whenever suspected cases were identified.

The Executive Secretary further disclosed that health workers were being trained on diphtheria surveillance and case management to improve early detection, reporting and treatment.

She said strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers was critical because early identification and appropriate management could significantly reduce complications and deaths associated with the disease.

‘Case-management drugs are being pre-positioned in affected areas, while health workers are receiving training on diphtheria surveillance and the management of suspected cases,’ Kabir said.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that can cause severe breathing difficulties and other serious complications, particularly among children who are not adequately vaccinated.

Kabir therefore appealed to parents, caregivers and community leaders to ensure that children receive all recommended routine vaccines, describing immunisation as one of the most effective ways of preventing the disease.

‘Vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways of preventing diphtheria, and parents and caregivers must ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines,’ she said.

She urged parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms associated with diphtheria, including sore throat, fever and difficulty in breathing.

‘Parents and caregivers should immediately report to the nearest health facility if their children develop symptoms such as sore throat, fever or difficulty in breathing,’ she said.

She also called on community leaders to support health authorities by encouraging families to participate in the vaccination exercise and promptly report suspected cases.

The Executive Secretary stressed that community cooperation would be essential to containing the spread of the disease, particularly in areas where the highest number of cases had been recorded.

A Tribune Correspondent in Katsina reports that the development comes as the state continues to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response measures amid concerns over the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases across parts of Northern Nigeria.

However, the competition on global freelance marketplaces is intense. Thousands of skilled professionals across the world bid for the exact same high-paying jobs every single day.

Many freelancers send dozens of proposals daily without receiving a single interview invitation. The main reason for this struggle is often not a lack of talent, but a weak and unconvincing portfolio display.

High-paying clients do not have the time to read lengthy cover letters or guess what you can do. When they open your profile, they make a hiring judgment within seconds based on visual proof and past performance.

If your portfolio looks disorganised or treats your past jobs like basic homework submissions, premium clients will scroll past your proposal and hire someone else.

Building a high-converting portfolio requires a strategic approach where every sample clearly communicates value, problem-solving ability, and measurable return on investment.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the essential step-by-step strategies needed to structure a winning portfolio that commands high rates and wins global USD contracts.

Choose single profitable niche

A major mistake many freelancers make is trying to showcase every skill they have all at once. Presenting yourself as a graphic designer, content writer, and virtual assistant on one profile confuses serious clients.

Premium international clients rarely hire generalists for high-budget projects because they want dedicated specialists. When a business owner has a critical problem, they search for an expert who understands their specific industry inside out.

Specialised profiles with niche-relevant work samples consistently achieve higher proposal view-to-hire conversion rates than generic accounts.

Focusing your portfolio on a clear niche positions you as an authority. It assures prospective clients that you have handled similar projects successfully in the past and can deliver top-tier results without hand-holding.

Frame past work as problem-solving case studies

Uploading raw images, uncontextualised screenshots, or plain text links without explanation does not convince high-paying clients. Premium buyers want to understand your thought process and how you navigate business challenges.

Structure every portfolio entry as a mini case study by clearly defining the client’s initial problem, the specific strategy you executed, and the final impact achieved.

When you explain the background of a project, the client sees that you are a strategic partner who cares about their business goals, rather than just a task-doer waiting for instructions.

Highlight measurable data and real results

International clients invest in freelancers to save time, increase revenue, streamline operations, or build brand reputation. Demonstrating real numbers is the fastest way to prove your worth.

Whenever you showcase a completed project, include specific metrics that reflect the project’s success. Numbers cut through skepticism and provide undeniable evidence of your competence.

Instead of writing that you wrote blog posts for a brand, specify that your articles increased organic website search traffic by 45 percent over three months.

If you are a web developer or designer, state how your redesign reduced page load time by two seconds or boosted checkout conversions. Measurable outcomes instantly justify higher hourly rates and project fees.

Use clean high-resolution visual previews

First impressions happen visually in a fraction of a second. When a client scrolls through your Upwork profile, your portfolio thumbnail images determine whether they will click to see more details.

Poorly cropped screenshots, blurry graphics, or cluttered mockups make even outstanding work look amateurish. High-budget clients associate visual polish with overall work quality and professionalism.

Utilise free graphic design platforms like Canva or Figma to place your work into clean device mockups, modern slide templates, or well-aligned grid presentations.

A visually appealing gallery shows clients that you take pride in your craft and maintain high presentation standards across all client deliverables.

Add client testimonials and social proof

Nothing builds trust faster with a prospective client than the positive words of other business owners who have hired you. Social proof removes the perceived risk of hiring a new contractor online.

Whenever you upload a project sample, embed a short, impactful quote from that client within the project description or directly onto the preview image.

Even if you are new to Upwork, you can legitimately include screenshots of positive feedback, recommendation letters, or LinkedIn endorsements received from previous off-platform jobs to establish instant credibility.

Keep your best work at the top

Quality always outperforms quantity when presenting your portfolio to high-value prospects. Having four thoroughly explained, high-impact project samples is far more effective than cluttering your profile with fifteen mediocre tasks.

Review your portfolio regularly and eliminate outdated work that no longer reflects your current skill level or target pricing. Keep your most impressive and relevant projects positioned right at the top where they are seen first.

By consistently updating your profile with relevant case studies, clean visuals, and verifiable results, you transform your Upwork portfolio into an automated sales tool that attracts premium USD clients on demand.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Gombe State, over the weekend, received a political boost following the resignation of Honourable Usman Sule Dauda (popularly known as Kalala) as the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and his subsequent return to the PDP.

He joined the party alongside Hon. Shehu Abubakar Durbi and their numerous supporters.

Shehu Abubakar Durbi is a respected political leader, who served twice as Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Gombe State, just as he also previously represented Gombe North Constituency in the Gombe State House of Assembly.

Usman is also an experienced grassroots politician who served two terms as a member, representing Kaltungo West Constituency in the Gombe State House of Assembly.

He also previously served as PDP Chairman of Kaltungo Local Government Area. Until his recent resignation and return to the PDP, he was the Gombe State Chairman of the Labour Party.

Speaking during their formal reception into the PDP, the two political leaders attributed their decision to the outstanding credentials, proven competence, and extensive leadership experience of the party’s governorship candidate, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

They expressed confidence in Professor Pantami’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership, promote inclusive governance, and deliver sustainable development across Gombe State.

Hon. Durbi and Hon. Kalala also declared their full support for the former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and pledged to mobilise extensively for the victory of all PDP candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Their return to the PDP, together with their numerous supporters, further demonstrates the party’s growing appeal, expanding grassroots strength, and renewed unity across Gombe State.

The PDP family warmly welcomed Hon. Shehu Durbi, Hon. Usman Kalala, and their supporters and assured them of fairness, as contained in a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed, made available to journalists on in Gombe.

Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has explained why he stopped attending church 13 years ago, saying he no longer agreed with the idea of limiting worship to a particular day.

The 66-year-old actor disclosed this during a recent interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, where he spoke about his faith, relationships and how he views public perception.

Solade said his decision to stop attending church does not mean he has abandoned his faith, maintaining that his relationship with God remains important to him.

‘God created me in His image. I stopped going to church 13 years ago because I was not finding it funny any longer. Though I am a child of God,’ he said.

‘My life is not orchestrated towards a particular day. There is no Sunday in the Bible. Without God, I will not be alive.’

The actor said he believes worship should not be restricted to a specific day, adding that his faith goes beyond attending a formal place of worship.

‘I know God too well. If you get close to me, you will know that God lives in me,’ he said.

Solade also discussed his relationship with other people, revealing that he prefers to avoid close friendships and intimacy.

‘I do not have a friend. I do not roll with anybody, but I move with the world because God has instructed me to do that for myself,’ he said.

‘I am loved by a lot of people, and I love a lot of people. But I do not have intimacy with people. It is good for me.’

Speaking about how people perceive him, Solade said public discussions about him show that he remains relevant.

‘You will only speculate. You have heard things about me; most of them are not true. If I am not important, people will not talk about me,’ he added.

The Lagos State Government has stressed the importance of stronger parental cooperation and support in raising well-rounded children who will grow into responsible adults.

The Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, made this observation on a sideline at the maiden seminar organised recently by the Lagos Parents’ Forum.

The event, themed ‘Strengthening Synergy for Quality Education in Lagos State Public Schools,’ brought together parents across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 34 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

Also in attendance were the Tutors-General/Permanent Secretaries of the six educational districts, school administrators, teachers, and community leaders.

The seminar, held in Oshodi, was organised in conjunction with Ashoka Africa, a non-profit organisation that promotes systemic social change.

Addressing the gathering, the Permanent Secretary underscored the importance of the forum and commended the six district Tutors-General for their full support and cooperation.

She expressed hope that the knowledge shared at the forum would be effectively utilised at home and cascaded to other parents across various communities.

She added that strengthening the existing synergy across all levels-from the ministry and districts to parents and students-is crucial to transforming the education sector of the state.

Delivering separate keynote speeches, the Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Dr Sulaiman Ogunmuyiwa, and the co-President of Ashoka Africa, Angelou Ezeilo, also urged parents to take their roles in their children’s education seriously.

According to them, active parental involvement is vital to raising well-rounded individuals.

They also noted that a student’s background should not determine their future success.

Dr Ogunmuyiwa, who was represented by Mr Fajobi Abiodun, the Director of the School Standards Evaluation Department, urged parents not to neglect their duties or leave them solely to teachers.

He stated that every parent must partner with the government, visit their children’s schools, know the teachers, attend open days, and closely monitor their children’s studies at home to achieve great learning outcomes.

Ogunmuyiwa thanked the Parents’ Forum for organising the seminar, stating that the initiative demonstrates their commitment to the well-being of their children, and urged them to sustain the effort.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Lagos State Parents’ Forum, Mr Olatunbosun Akanbi, described the seminar as a wake-up call for parents and guardians to be alive to their responsibilities.

He noted that while parents expect the government to provide basic needs and an enabling environment for learning, they must also complement these efforts.

He reminded the audience that children spend most of their time at home, including weekends, and therefore develop a significant part of their behavioural traits from the home.

While urging the government not to relent in its efforts to bring out the best in the students, he promised that parents would scale up their responsibilities.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of excellence awards to eight school administrators and teachers across the state’s education districts. They were honoured for their strong support of the Parents’ Forum and their contributions to student development.

The event also featured the inauguration of the forum’s new executive committee members.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, has arrested one, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, over an alleged attempt to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Ibara, Abeokuta.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS,

Odukoya Owolola Olayinka, and obtained by Tribune Online, on Monday.

The PRO explained that the incident happened on Friday afternoon, during routine screening procedures at the facility’s main entry point.

Odukoya said the illicit substance believed to be a psychoactive synthetic drug commonly known as ‘Colos,’ was concealed within a sachet of a popular beverage powder.

The suspect, according to the statement, was attempting to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row.

The statement said, ‘Following the interception, officers immediately detained Mrs. Sowunmi, and in accordance with inter-agency operational protocols, she has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for comprehensive investigation and prosecution.’

The Controller of the Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, while reacting to the development, commended the security personnel for their vigilance and adherence to security protocols.

‘Our custodial facilities exist to ensure public safety, reformation, and rehabilitation. We maintain an absolute zero-tolerance policy for drug trafficking or any illegal acts designed to compromise security,’ Controller Adesina stated. ‘Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action,’ the NSC boss said.

The Nigerian Correctional Service urged the general public to respect the integrity of custodial institutions, warning that any individual seeking to undermine security would face the full weight of the law.

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc has reported a 349 percent surge in profit after tax (PAT) to N45.2 billion for the financial year ended May 31, 2026, driven by stronger operating performance, foreign exchange gains and asset disposals.

The company, in its audited results released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), also proposed a N2.50 dividend per share, subject to shareholders’ approval at its Annual General Meeting scheduled for October 28, 2026.

Revenue increased by 22 percent to N260.46 billion, compared with N212.63 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting improved sales and operating performance across the business.

The sharp improvement in profitability was also reflected in the company’s operating results, with recurring operating profit more than doubling by 117 percent to N37.1 billion during the period.

Total operating profit rose to N77.1 billion, supported by improved underlying business performance and non-recurring income, principally from scrap sales and gains realised from the disposal of non-core assets.

Profit before tax also climbed substantially to N77.3 billion, while the company’s balance sheet strengthened considerably during the year.

According to the company, total equity turned positive at N66.6 billion as of May 31, 2026, compared with negative equity of N17.3 billion a year earlier, marking a significant improvement in its financial position.

The company attributed the performance to stronger profitability, disciplined capital allocation, effective management of foreign exchange exposure and the settlement of outstanding debt obligations.

The Company Secretary, Oghenekevwe Ogefere, said the results reflected the commitment of the company’s employees, continued investment in priority brands, product innovation, improved route-to-market execution and disciplined cost management.

She said the N77.1 billion operating profit was driven by a combination of organic business performance, currency gains and proceeds from the disposal of non-core assets.

The strong earnings performance comes as PZ Cussons Nigeria continues to strengthen its balance sheet while focusing on profitable growth and operational efficiency in an environment characterised by high input costs, currency volatility and changing consumer purchasing patterns.

Ogefere expressed appreciation to shareholders for their support during the past year, noting that the company had maintained strong brands, an adaptive operating framework and a culture of disciplined execution.

She added that the Board and management would remain focused on sustaining profitable growth, strengthening the balance sheet and creating long-term value for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The actor made the revelation during an appearance on the Lahor Podcast, where he opened up about his experience with cooking and relationships during his university days.

Jim Iyke said cooking was one of the things he struggled with and admitted that he once used romantic relationships as a way to get women to prepare meals for him.

According to him, he would regularly approach different women and pursue relationships with them, knowing that they could cook for him.

He said that after they had prepared meals for him, he would end the relationship.

The actor recalled that the arrangement continued for some time until he was eventually caught, after which his reputation among women in his department suffered.

Jim Iyke joked that the incident became so well known that other women in the department stopped giving him a chance.

He said: ‘The only thing I don’t know how to do in this life is cooking. In university, I used to toast girls every week so they could cook for me. Once she finished cooking, I’d break up with her. The day I was caught, the whole department stopped giving me a chance.’

PLAYERS in Nigeria’s media and communications industry have been reminded of the global transition in the business space as a result of technological revolution, which is rapidly changing advertising planning, buying and delivery.

Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MIPAN, the Chief Executive Officer of X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, dwelled extensively on Artificial Intelligence (AI), programmatic systems and self-service platforms, and the advantages they have over traditional approaches.

He also challenged media professionals to wake up to the new trend as they are losing a major chunk of their jobs to automated processes.

Babaeko urged agencies to build their own audience intelligence, deepen their understanding of local consumers, and work together in areas where individual firms may lack the required scale.

According to him, Nigerian agencies should not shy away from the fact that the pressure is already evident.

The AGM, themed ‘Monetising Tomorrow: Outpacing Disruption, Capturing Growth in the Next Era of Media’, provided the setting for Babaeko’s keynote, ‘Whose Tomorrow Are We Monetising?’

He argued that technology companies are extending their influence across the advertising value chain, from audience data and campaign planning to placement, optimisation, and measurement.

THERE is something fundamentally wrong when retired members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria must protest at the Ministry of Defence to demand what they consider their rightful pension adjustment, while the State responds by deploying armed security personnel. These are not strangers to the Nigerian State. They are former soldiers. They served the country, faced danger, and surrendered the most productive years of their lives to national service. If they now gather to ask why their pensions remain stagnant while serving personnel receive salary increases, the appropriate response should be engagement, not intimidation.

The issue is straightforward. When government increases the remuneration of serving military personnel, it must address the pension consequences for those who have already retired. Colonel Innocent Azubike (retd), one of the veterans’ leaders, says President Bola Tinubu approved a military pay increase in November 2025 and that the consequential adjustment for pensioners was acknowledged by the military authorities. Yet, according to him, the adjustment was never implemented. Then came another salary increase announced in August 2026, with implementation scheduled for September. Again, pensioners were allegedly left out. If that account is correct, government owes the veterans a clear explanation.

There is also a constitutional dimension. Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution provides for the review of pensions every five years or alongside federal civil service salary reviews, whichever occurs earlier. The provision recognises an obvious truth: a pension cannot remain frozen indefinitely while salaries, prices and the cost of living move upwards. This is not merely an issue of money. It is an issue of fairness. Consider two military officers of the same rank who served for comparable periods. One retired years ago; the other retires under a new salary structure. If the newer retiree receives a substantially higher pension while the earlier retiree remains stuck on an old rate, the system creates an inequality based largely on the date of retirement. That cannot be a satisfactory pension policy.

The military establishment must also understand that the military does not end at the barracks gate. Today’s serving officer is tomorrow’s retiree. To separate the welfare of serving personnel from that of veterans is to pretend that retirement is somebody else’s problem. It is not. The authorities should therefore stop treating pensioners’ agitation as an inconvenience. They should sit with the veterans, publish the facts and resolve the issue.

If the November 2025 approval covered pensioners, implement it. If it did not, explain why. If the law requires a further process, tell the pensioners what that process is and give a definite timeline. If funding is the problem, say so openly. What government must not do is leave pensioners guessing while successive salary increases are announced for serving personnel. There is another lesson here. Nigeria should stop relying on protest before institutions perform their duties. Colonel I.A Nass (retd) has recounted how sustained pressure from veterans previously helped to force action on pension disparities among retired officers. His experience should not be celebrated as proof that protest works. It should embarrass the nation that protest was necessary in the first place.

The long-term solution is to establish a clear and enforceable mechanism for consequential pension adjustment whenever the remuneration structure of serving military personnel is reviewed. Pensioners should not have to organise demonstrations every time government adjusts military salaries. The military authorities must also resist the temptation to hide behind committees. Committees are useful when they produce solutions. They become another layer of bureaucracy when they merely buy time.

This is why the current situation demands leadership, not paperwork. The government owes veterans dignity. The military owes its retired personnel loyalty. And the pension system owes them predictability. Those who served Nigeria should not have to spend their retirement fighting Nigeria. A soldier may retire from service, but the nation’s obligation to him or her should never retire.