Category: Nigerian Tribune

The National Security and Development Group (NSDG), has backed the advocacy movements to end open grazing nationwide.

The Secretary of the group, Mr Chuks Oyema, made the declaration while briefing newsmen on the national security challenges, in Abuja.

Recall that Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff recently called for the ban of open grazing in the country.

Oyema said the defence chief had shown sincerity and courage by highlighting the dangers open grazing poses to lives, property, and national stability.

According to him, history will remember Gen. Musa for his sincerity on this issue.

‘He has spoken truth to power and offered a clear solution to one of Nigeria’s deadliest conflicts.

‘Open grazing has fuelled violent clashes between herders and farmers, leaving thousands dead and worsening food insecurity,’ he said.

Citing data from Nextier’s Violent Conflict Database, Oyema said that 2,349 people were killed in 359 incidents linked to open grazing between 2020 and 2024.

He added that the statistics showed that 61 incidents left 467 people dead in 2024 alone with no fewer than 2,800 lives lost in the last five years to related violence.

Oyema also pointed to the International Crisis Group’s findings, which described herder-farmer clashes as escalating into ‘premeditated scorched-earth campaigns’ against rural communities.

He added that the CDS’ call aligned with earlier positions by Sen. Mohammed Sani, Northern Governors, civil society groups like ASCAB, and security analysts who have all urged Nigeria to adopt ranching.

The group’s scribe noted that both the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, have called for legislation and sensitisation to drive ranching as a viable alternative.

He urged the National Assembly to urgently enact laws banning open grazing nationwide and to strengthen enforcement of existing state-level legislation.

‘Food security is being undermined when herders destroy farmlands. Farmers are abandoning their livelihood in Nigeria.

‘The result is hunger, job losses, and insecurity.

‘We must do the right thing now. Ranching is the way forward – for peace, for security, and for food sustainability,’ he said.

As part of activities marking their 40th reunion anniversary, members of the Loyola College Old Students Association, Ibadan, have inaugurated series of developmental projects in the school.

The projects which were part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and giving back to their alma mater included construction of a borehole; renovated some sections of the school; installed a solar panel system and reconstruction of the food shed of the school as well as donation of notebooks to over 500 students.

The members dressed in their respective school uniforms, chanting their school anthem in unison, with their palms clung to their hearts.

In a week-long event in commemorating their Ruby Jubilee, the ‘G85’ Set held a public lecture with the theme: ‘The menace of drug abuse among students’, delivered by Professor Jubril Abdulmalik, a consultant psychiatrist and founder, Aside Foundation.

Speaking to over 500 Students, Prof. Abdulmalik highlighted the danger in taking drugs students, stressing that engaging in such practice damages the brain.

He stated that the commonest challenges with adolescents are anxiety, depression, drug abuse and suicidal behaviours.

This, he said, may be caused by loneliness and peer pressure influence, which are major factors.

He appealed to the students not to be involved in drugs as it destroys life and shortens one’s lifespan.

The chairman, planning committee of the event, Chief Adewale Oyewo, appreciated the members particularly those who came from the USA, UK, Canada and other parts of the continent to attend the event.

Oyewo said the G85 Set illuminated the school when it started two years ago and completed the final phase of the project to commemorate the Ruby Jubilee celebration.

In continuation of the anniversary, a dinner and award ceremony was held at Koltol Hotel and Suites, Ibadan, where it honoured the teachers who impacted knowledge in them, and sharpened their lives into what they have become.

President of the ‘G85’ Set in his speech, Prof. Babatunde Adedibu, said their Ruby Jubilee celebration was a landmark occasion, as it has been 40 years of testament to endurance, friendship, shared memories, and the transformative power of education.

Following the assertion by a former Minister of Information and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan will run on the platform of the party in 2027, the former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh has affirmed that former president Jonathan is eligible to run and highly welcome to challenge President Tinubu in his second term bid.

According to Onoh, it is up to Nigerians to decide who leads them, just as he promised that the Tinubu administration will not infringe on any opponents’ right to contest.

Onoh, who spoke to newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday believed that Jonathan’s eligibility under constitutional term limits is already a settled legal precedent that was established through unchallenged judicial rulings.

His position on the issue pertaining to the views expressed by Professor Gana on that Jonathan will contest came barely 24 hours after a PDP presidential aspirant, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said there would be no automatic ticket for the former president.

Expatiation on his position, Onoh asserted that Jonathan’s qualification to contest future elections had been settled legally, rendering further litigation unnecessary and untimely.

He advised him to guide against betrayal by anyone telling him otherwise.

He equally urged Tinubu to be wary of the antics of the few that may be playing double standard, whereas they are wolves in a ship clothing.

‘It was exactly how Jonathan’s inner cabal during the build up to 2015 elections deceived him to believe he was invisible, Nigerians love him, to the extent he was too carried away that he felt invisible and never saw you coming. ‘You Mr. President was the invisible magician that cast the spell that led to his loss at the poll. Don’t fall in the same trap by the voices that surround you now. The one major sincere voice you should listen to is your wife, the first lady if the federal republic of Nigeria. Many will betray you in the coming months,’ he warned.

Onoh further stated that had obtained a certified true copy of a binding and unappealed judgment in May 2022, of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/86/2022) affirming that the court delivered a definitive ruling in a case brought by All Progressives Congress members: Andy Solomon and Ibidiye Abraham against Jonathan, the APC, and INEC.

He stated that in the document, Justice Isa H. Dashen held that Jonathan is ‘constitutionally eligible to contest the presidency again.’.

The court, he argued, reasoned that: ‘Jonathan’s assumption of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was not an ‘election’ under Section 137(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It was a succession to complete Yar’Adua’s unexpired term, invoking the ‘doctrine of necessity’ and not counting toward the two-term limit for elected mandates.

‘Jonathan was ‘elected only once’-in the 2011 presidential election-serving a full four-year term until 2015. His 2015 bid was a legitimate reelection attempt, defeated at the polls, but it did not exhaust his constitutional allowance.

The 2018 constitutional amendment (via the Fourth Alteration Act), which added Section 137(3) to bar anyone ‘sworn in twice’ from further contests, does not apply retroactively to Jonathan. As the amendment postdated his tenures (2010-2015), it cannot retroactively disqualify rights accrued under the pre-amendment framework. Onoh stated that Ex post facto laws are impermissible in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, a principle reinforced by precedents like the Court of Appeal’s 2015 ruling in Cyriacus Njoku v. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2015) LPELR-24496(CA), which similarly excluded his 2010 oath from term-counting calculations.’

Onoh asserted that the 2022 judgment was ‘never appealed’ by the plaintiffs or any party, despite the 90-day window under the Constitution and relevant electoral laws. Over three years later (as of September 2025), the ruling stands as final and binding under the doctrine of res judicata-barring relitigation of the same issues between the same parties. Hence i urge Mr. President not to listen to anyone who comes to spin him with legal possibilities of Jonathan’s eligibility because Nigerian jurisprudence, including Supreme Court decisions like Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1296) 200, upholds such precedents to ensure legal certainty and prevent endless challenges to settled rights.

Onoh claimed that It’s too late for the aggrieved to challenge the judgment.

Onoh said that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled against ‘stale’ claims that could have been appealed timely (e.g., A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia State (2001) 11 NWLR (Pt. 725) 689).

– Precedent from 2013: An earlier Federal High Court ruling (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2013, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi) cleared Jonathan to run in 2015, also unappealed, forming the bedrock for the 2022 decision. This chain of unassailed judgments creates an impregnable legal shield.

Onoh said that in his opinion, ‘eligibility is a settled constitutional right, not open to political conjecture. I’m aware many critics in the past have framed opposition as a ‘risk’ for parties fielding him, will face a disqualification, acknowledging the unresolved tension with the 2018 amendment-but the 2022 ruling resolves it in Jonathan’s favor.

In essence, the matter is not pending a ‘jury’ (or judiciary) trial; it was conclusively decided. Suggesting otherwise risks undermining judicial authority by implying courts must revisit final verdicts at political whim, eroding the stability essential to Nigeria’s electoral process. I owe Mr. President the truth before he’s betrayed again by politicians waving successful statistics around him without any knowledge of how Nigerians truly perceive your administration which isn’t encouraging at the moment but it’s within your powers to change the narratives to your favour.

To honor the rule of law If Jonathan enters the 2027 race, I advise President Tinubu to engage on visions for economic revival, security, and unity, this elevates the conversation, respecting Jonathan’s cleared path while focusing on voters’ priorities. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when legal finality frees space for ideas, not recycled litigation.

The Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, suspended the principals of Ilugun High School, both Junior and Senior schools, Mrs. Olukoga Adeyemi and Mrs. Ladipo Temitope, over illegal fees, which led to students’ protests.

Students of the school were seen in a video destroying school property.

Addressing newsmen, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, said the Ministry is conducting a preliminary investigation over the death of a yet-to-be-identified person whose death might have sparked the protest.

He explained that the deceased might have been illegally enrolled into the school, saying he was identified by three different names Babalola Ayornide, Salako Jimoh, and Afolabi Babalola.

The Commissioner stated that the Principal of the Junior School, Olukoga, had been involved in collecting illegal fees.

‘We have all become aware of the incident that took place at Ilugun High School (Junior), Elega. I stand before you this afternoon to confirm that the incident did happen in the school.

‘First, let me, on behalf of the State Government, express condolences to the parents and family of the deceased.

‘Our preliminary investigations have revealed a twist. The young man who lost his life could not be confirmed as a student of the school.

‘He was identified by three different names Babalola Ayornide, Salako Jimoh, and Afolabi Babalola. Yet, none of these names appear in our official state education database, the OGSERA platform, which authenticates all school enrolments. This points to the likelihood of an illegal enrolment.

‘In addition, we also discovered that the Principal of Ilugun High School (Junior) had been involved in the collection of illegal fees. In light of these findings, government has decided to place both the Junior and Senior Principals of Ilugun High School on suspension while we conduct an investigation into the causes of this incident.

‘Also, in order to keep abreast of happenings in schools, a scheme called Whistle Blowers has been established by the government through the Teaching Service Commission to control illegalities and wrongdoings.

‘Let me assure the people of Ogun State that the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, remains committed to provide free education for every school-age child in this State, irrespective of where they live, their gender, economic status, religious belief, or political affiliation,’ he said.

Accommodation seekers and tenants are lamenting shocking rent hikes in Nigerian cities.

Some of the complaints are coming from accommodation seekers in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities, where rental values have gone up by 100 per cent in less than one year.

As home seekers are struggling to raised the required rents, most landlords are blaming the situation on harsh economy couple with high building materials’ costs.

It was gathered that many tenants that couldn’t meet up their rental’s obligation have been relocating to the outskirts, while defaults in rental payments have assumed a new dimension.

As people are complaining about shortage of affordable accommodation in Nigerian urban centres, governments in some states are demolishing lot of houses on the basis that owners failed to obtain the necessary approvals or failed to observe the appropriate building setbacks.

Nigerian Tribune’s survey showed that rent for studio apartments in Lekki has jumped to an average N2.5 million per annum, depending on the location and features, from N1.2 million and N1.5 million in 2024.

In Surulere, an average rental value for one bedroom mini-flat costs between N2.5million and 3.5million per annum, from between N1.5 million and N2million last year.

In location such as Yaba, Maryland, Ikeja, Ilupeju, Palm Grove in Lagos, average rental prices for one – bedroom mini-flat range between N1.5 million to N4 million per annum, depending on location and house’s features.

In suburbs’ locations like Ogba, Egbeda, Abule Egba, Ipaja and Ojodu- Berger, rental prices for one bedroom mini-flat cost between N1million and N1.8 million.

As it is in Lagos, so it is in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan and Jos, among others as most residents have not stopped lamenting the rental burden

One of the accommodation seekers in Lagos, Mr. Abraham Aina, who relocated to Ipaja from Ketu, Lagos, said that rent in Ipaja was also outrageous.

Aina, who was paying N800,000 for a mini two-bedroom flat in Ketu as a sitting tenant, said that the rent for a new accommodation in Ipaja cost him the same amount, instead of the initial N400,000 budget for the new accommodation in January.

He alleged that the landlord in Ketu increased his rent to N1.5milliom from N800,000, hence his decision for new accommodation in Ipaja.

He said he noticed that there are more accommodation seekers scampering for the limited houses, hence the astronomical rent’s increase by the landlords.

Another accommodation seekers, Mrs Ella Mathew, said that rental values in suburbs locations like Abule Egba, Ayobo, Agbado, Ikotun, Ikorodu in Lagos State and areas such as Opic, Warewa, Arepo, Magboro and Sango-Ota have also doubled.

She claimed she paid N1.2 million for a two bedroom apartment in Arepo, Ogun State.

Narrating his brother experience in Port Harcourt, Mrs Mathew said the rent for one-bedroom apartment in Okporo area of the city has been jacked up to N600,000 per annum from N250,000.

According to her, the two-bedroom accommodation the brother secured recently in another location cost N800,000, stressing that he had to pay two years advanced rent to allow the landlord carry out the required renovation.

‘It wasn’t easy for my brother, who’s working with one of the shopping malls in Port Harcourt. He had to raised loans from friends and micro finance bank to be able to secure the accommodation,’ she said.

Responding, a landlord in Ketu, Lagos, who identified himself simply as Saidi Sonaike, defended his colleagues, attributing high rental values to harsh government’s policies, which have affected the costs of building materials sector negatively.

One of the affordable housing advocates, who identified herself simply as ‘Mimi’, wanted to know what is behind the ‘shocking rent hikes’ in many cities in Nigeria, particularly Lagos and Abuja.

Mimi noted that as food and fuel prices soared, landlords in Lagos and Abuja have been increasingly passing the heat onto tenants, demanding rent increase as high as 150 per cent.

She said that a two-bedroom apartment in Lekki that once cost N1.5 million now cost N2.2 million.

Lamenting the situation, she said:’The housing vulnerability in Nigeria has reached alarming proportions, and situation is not only a challenge for the economy but also a source of immense stress for ordinary Nigerians, many of whom struggle to keep up with rising rent prices and the declining quality of available housing.

‘What was once considered a modest expense back then is now a significant portion of one’s salary, and the dream of owning a home seems increasingly out of reach for the majority in recent time.’

Another advocate, Adu Olubunmi said the housing situation in Lagos is better than Abuja, pointing out that: ‘Lekki is for the high and mighty in the society compared to ordinary Jabi and Durimi in Abuja where two bedroom now goes as high as N4 million to N5million.’

She blamed the situation on overpopulation and huge demand for accommodation which has outweighed supply, resulting in skyrocketed rents.

According to her, many young professionals are finding themselves in a difficult position.

‘The reality for a graduate in a mid-level job in Lekki or Ikeja means finding a one-bedroom apartment for anywhere between N950,000 to N1.5 million annually.

‘The situation in Abuja, the nation’s capital, is equally dire. While the city is still relatively newer in terms of development, rapid urbanization has led to significant price hikes in the rental market. The upper-middle class and young families are particularly affected.

‘Those who were once able to afford relatively comfortable housing in areas like Wuse, Garki, and Maitama are now struggling to find suitable living spaces within their budgets.

‘The absence of affordable housing options forces many to seek accommodations in the more remote and developing districts, which lack necessary infrastructure, further exacerbating the gap between affordable and livable housing.

‘Even smaller cities across Nigeria are not exempt from the housing vulnerability. For instance, in cities like Benin, Enugu, and Ibadan, the rent situation is equally worrying. In these places, working-class families find themselves squeezed between the high cost of living and the insufficient housing infrastructure that doesn’t cater to the masses.

‘Those who cannot afford the skyrocketing rents often resort to living in overcrowded conditions, with extended families or in single-room apartments that barely meet basic living standards,’ she said.

Why the Lagos State government, through the House of Assembly, is expediting action on the passage of a new Tenancy Bill, a bill to regulate rent in the state, real estate developers have blamed high accommodation costs on high cost of building materials and general inflation.

Worried at the increasing cost of house rent, especially in Jos metropolis, the Plateau State House of Assembly has also declared war in real estate sector, by banning illegal house agents.

The lawmakers also moved to regulate unauthorized house agents while repealing the state’s outdated rent edict.

Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said that high rental payments have become a burden to renters and tenants

He pointed out that the N70,000 minimum wage being received by the government’s workers is not enough to cater for rents.

Another affordable housing advocates , Arc. Adewunmi Okupe, said that the solution to the high rent’s menace should go beyond the cosmetic actions like banning estate agents.

According to him, the cost of building affordable homes must be addressed.

‘From my observation the cost of renting homes by workers is already more than the salary. Except this is addressed the nation will be in turmoil very soon,’ he said.

Olubunmi said: ‘As urban populations continue to swell, he urged the government and society to work together to create a housing system that ensures everyone, regardless of income, has access to decent living conditions.

‘The housing crisis in Nigeria is not an insurmountable problem. With the right policies, community involvement, and investment in sustainable development, Nigeria can create a future where affordable, decent housing is within reach for all its citizens.’

‘While the journey will be long and challenging, the collective effort of the government, the private sector, and citizens can pave the way for a more inclusive and affordable housing market in Nigeria’s cities,’ she said.

Leading smartphone brand, Infinix, has once again proven its dominance in the Nigerian mobile market by clinching two prestigious honors at the 2025 Edge Awards, organized by Marketing Edge and held on Friday, September 26, at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos. The brand won the awards for Outstanding Smartphone Launch of the Year for its Hot 60 Series, and Innovative Smartphone Brand of the Year for its Note 50 Series.

These recognitions highlight Infinix’s continued commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, stylish design, and user-focused innovation in the Nigerian market.

Speaking on the awards, Oluwayemisi Ode, Integrated Marketing Communications and PR Manager at Infinix Nigeria, expressed gratitude to customers and stakeholders for their continued trust and support for the brand. ‘This double win is a testament to the work we put into understanding our consumers and delivering devices that not only meet but exceed their expectations. At Infinix, we believe technology should be empowering, stylish, and accessible, and these awards reinforce our commitment to that mission”.

Speaking on the Marketing Edge Awards, John Ajayi, CEO and Founder, Marketing Edge Group and Edge Awards, highlighted that the award ceremony serves as a way to celebrate achievement of others and a reminder that hard work, service and innovation are rewarded. ‘As brands, agencies and personalities navigate the complexities of the Nigerian market, balancing traditional values with cutting-edge technology, this year’s EDGE AWARDS offers a prestigious platform to celebrate those who have pushed the limits of creativity and innovation with insight-driven initiatives’ he stated.

These recent awards strengthen Infinix’s position as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s highly competitive smartphone industry and a testament to its reputation as a brand that is committed to consistently delivering cutting-edge smart devices, and continues to push the boundaries of what mid-range smartphones can deliver.

For more inquiries, you can follow Infinix on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X. For more details about Infinix, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

The Federal Government has said that arrangements have been concluded by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for the hosting of no fewer than 1,000 young leaders and delegates from across Africa and the diaspora in Abuja, Nigeria.

According to the organisers, the young leaders are to be hosted at the Youth Creative Conference (YCC) 2025, scheduled for October 22-23, 2025 at the ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja.

Organised in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the YCC committee, the landmark conference would bring together over 1,000 young leaders and delegates from across Africa and the diaspora.

The event would serve as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and advance sustainable development across the continent.

The conference with the theme: ‘Silencing the Guns: Pathway for Peacebuilding in Africa’, underscores the central role of youth in driving peace, innovation, good governance, and regional integration.

Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasised the strategic significance of the conference, highlighting its alignment with the African Union Agenda 2063, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Nigeria’s foreign policy pillars of the Four DAs – Democracy, Diaspora, Development, and Diplomacy.

‘With 70% of Nigeria’s population made up of young people, we recognise their potential as peacebuilders, innovators, and architects of Africa’s future. This conference provides a vital platform for youth-led dialogue, creative exchange, and inclusive development,’ the Minister stated.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Omolara Esan, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the conference aims to empower African youth to champion peacebuilding and sustainable development, promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and good governance among young people, as well as strengthen regional and international partnerships for youth-led development and peace.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace and regional solidarity, the Minister noted the nation’s active contributions to peacekeeping and mediation efforts in Libya, Syria, and The Gambia, as well as its leadership in driving initiatives on security, governance reforms, climate action, digital transformation, and inclusive education within Africa.

Speaking on the growing impact of the Youth Creativity for Change (YCC) Initiative, Convener Blaize-Kizito Ndukwe lauded its rapid continental recognition since its launch just four months ago.

He explained that the initiative leverages youth creativity as a powerful tool for peace, employing innovative, non-violent approaches that reflect Africa’s diversity.

The African Union, through the Silencing the Guns flagship initiative, also reaffirmed its support. Mr. Ernest Nya Dolo, Coordinator of the AU’s Silencing the Guns Unit, remarked:

‘Youth are not just the future, they are the present. By partnering with young people across the continent, we are laying the foundation for sustainable peace and inclusive development.’

The Silencing the Guns initiative operates through a Master Roadmap of Practical Steps, placing youth engagement at the core of efforts to build a conflict-free Africa, in collaboration with regional economic communities (RECs), governments, civil society organisations, youth networks, and traditional leaders.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, alongside its partners, have called for sustained collaboration to empower African youth as agents of peace, unity, and prosperity.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, describing the incident as tragic and painful.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike commiserated with the management and staff of Arise News, as well as the family and friends of the deceased.

He assured that security agencies will conduct a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Somtochukwu’s death and ensure justice is served.

‘I feel pained that such a wonderful soul could be cut down in its prime. It is sad,’ the minister said.

According to the Mandate Secretary on Health, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Somtochukwu was brought dead to Maitama General Hospital at about 4:30 a.m. on Monday. A preliminary medical report, she added, would be submitted to the police to aid investigations.

Wike noted that the late journalist’s passing was not just a loss to Arise News but also to the Nigerian media and the nation at large.

‘At this period, we will continue to pray for God’s comfort for the management and staff of Arise News, especially the Chairman, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, and the family and friends left behind. May God, in His infinite mercies, accept her soul and grant her loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,’ he added.

Arise TV correspondent, Ojy Okpe, has spoken out about the circumstances surrounding the death of her colleague, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

Okpe shared this during The Morning Show on Tuesday, where she recalled what happened to the late anchor.

She said, ‘Like she stated, Nigeria happened to her. I reached out to her correspondent in Abuja, who detailed the circumstances surrounding her death. She jumped from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers had come to her home. She didn’t die on the spot. She went to the hospital, and she was rejected.’

Tribune Online had earlier reported that the 29-year-old journalist lost her life during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja in the early hours of Monday, September 29.

In a statement on its website on Monday, ARISE described Sommie, who was born on December 26, 1995, as a broadcaster who had become a trusted face to viewers nationwide.

The statement read, ‘It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the ARISE News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter, and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery incident in her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.’

For her, staying back at home is more honourable than going to school in torn sandals. Halimat’s daily problems stem from mockery, intimidation from peers and distance she had to bear to school in her worn-out sandal, and this disparages her enthusiasm for learning.

‘I am always sad and shy because of the condition of my shoe, and I decide to be at home most of the time rather than going to school,’ Halimat explained.

The likes of Halimat and other students with similar tales continue to quench the flame of education in Nigeria, making education a hard nut, difficult for vulnerable children to crack.

However, Halimat is blameless for her fate, her parents are not the villains in her story either. Abject poverty and economic hardship hinder many parents’ desires to keep their children in school. This situation outlines one of the numerous factors triggering Nigeria’s unenviable status as the country with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.

It is estimated that the number of out-of-school children keeps increasing due to poverty and economic hardship. Globally, this puts Nigeria as the country with the highest number of children deprived of education, only behind India and Pakistan.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2020 Model on out-of-school children published in 2020, states that almost 20 million Nigerian children are out-of-school.

Unarguably, the cost of school sandals in low-income nations is one of the dominant obstacles to educational opportunities for poor and vulnerable students. Yet very few people or government policy often scrutinise this cost through a critical lens.

However, Halimat’s joy knew no bounds, her frail hope was renewed after an initiative visited her school to distribute school sandals which increased her enthusiasm for learning.

‘I am very happy to go to school, now that I have school sandals and feel confident to play around with my colleagues,’ she told this reporter, beaming with joy.

An Initiative’s Response

In Nigeria, a significant number of students including those in government schools attend school without proper footwears. While this is often linked to poverty, displacement, and a lack of resources, particularly in underserved communities, an initiative has emerged and changing the narrative.

In a bid to promote dignity, boost school attendance and empower children of the vulnerable population, Sandal Initiative Project (SIP), a youth-led initiative in Kwara State focuses on distributing pairs of school sandals to students with torn sandals, or none at all.

Born out of the needs to abridge the blunt reality of vulnerable students in public schools across the three senatorial districts in the state, Sandal Initiative Project partners with the Association of shoe manufacturers in the state to address part of the challenges facing the educational system in the country through provision of free sandal, thereby drawing students back to classroom.

Driven by enthusiasm and pertinent role of sandal, Mr Kale Ibrahim Jimoh, the founder of Sandal Initiative Project, who doubles as producer of the school sandal, revealed that footwear plays a crucial role in uplifting children’s potentiality to learn.

He said, ‘As someone who attended public schools, you will understand that proper footwear is more than just a basic necessity, it’s a game-changer for underprivileged kids. It levels the playing field, boosts confidence and unlock their full potential.’

He said the initiative is rendering service for free, emphasising that his skill as shoe producer motivated him more into the task. ‘It is a free collaboration, I am into leather work, so I started inviting some well-meaning youths and we have been doing it wonderfully together till date.’

During one of the outreach, Mrs Ekundayo Ayobami Comfort, a teacher at Isare Opin school in Kwara State, praised the visionary drive behind the initiative and the positive impact it had on their students.

‘The Sandal Initiative Project has made a significant impact on our students’ education, we have seen improved punctuality. It has restored self-esteem, and reduced truancy. We are grateful for the support and pray God will continue to enlarge them,’ she prayed.

How the Response Works

In order to reach a wide range of students, SIP networks with a group of organisations and dignitaries in the state in providing children’s footwear at school. Since its inception in 2020, ‘Sandal Initiative Project’ (SIP) has provided pairs of school sandals to more than 2,000 students in public schools.

The objective of SIP is to reduce the mala-adaptive behaviors among the pupils and put a smile on students’ faces. The initiative serves as an eye opener to the grim reality and challenges students face as a result of non-conforming school sandals.

Mr Kale said, ‘It is saddening and alarming to see high numbers of students in public school going to school without acceptable sandals or with no sandals at all.’

He further assured of their initiative’s resolve to give their best. ‘While we may not be able to reach every child at a go, but, we believe in reaching out to as many children as possible,’ he declared.

More Pairs to School Sandals

Kwara State First Lady, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, in one of the SIP outreach distributions which she sponsored, asserted the right of every child to access quality and affordable education.

‘Children’s footprints have a significant impact on society as those prints convey them towards a shining future,’ she said, while commending the positive impact and pledging her support for the initiative.

According to her, the initiative is aimed at ensuring comfort for school children where they can joyfully walk to their classrooms, ready to learn and excel irrespective of their backgrounds.

Speaking with this reporter, Mrs Ibrahim Saadat Maimasa, who is a teacher at Halimat’s Dada LGEA primary school, expressed her admiration for the initiative.

Saadat described the demeaning condition of children without school sandals as a threat to their health and self confidence.

‘We were always worried about the way some of our students used to walk barefoot to school though we do send them back home. Some of these children used to get diseases due to walking barefooted to school and this also deterred them from mixing with their other colleagues in school,’ she added.

She expressed her belief that the vision of Sandal Initiative Project to return out-of-school is achievable, adding that, ‘Now they are complete as students because their uniforms are good already with proper school sandals.’

The Initiative’s Challenges

Despite the successes recorded in less than five years, the SIP is without a challenge as an initiative.

Mr Shafihi Abdulrasheed Oladimeji, director of media and publicity for project SIP, explained that the initiative faces challenges in the course of providing sandals for vulnerable children, especially funding and distribution of sandals.

As a humanitarian initiative, most of its services come from donations from members of communities and dignitaries. However, the initiative believes funding is still a major challenge preventing the initiative from its full exhibition.

‘Our main challenge is funding. Though, members who identified with this initiative contribute their quota in every edition. We also receive support from philanthropists within the state. Those who believe in giving back to society,’ he explained.

As the initiative reaches its peak capacity with rendering its service, SIP demands surveillance from people and members to extend their services. ‘We approached potential sponsors for our production numbers to be increased, thereby benefiting more vulnerable students.

‘Sadly, few people turned up. Hence, financial constraints are one of the challenges we faced. But we are never deterred, we always keep the ball rolling because we could see the joy on the faces of beneficiaries,’ he added.