Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Presidential candidate for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has mourned the death of revered Afenifere leader and elder statesman Pa Reuben Fasoranti who died at 100.

Obi described Fasoranti’s death as a great loss to his family the Yoruba nation and Nigeria noting that the late elder statesman lived a life defined by courage integrity and an unwavering commitment to democracy and justice.

The former Anambra State governor expressed his condolences to Fasoranti’s family the Afenifere organisation and others mourning his death.

In a tribute titled ‘Exit of a Titan’ posted on his X handle Obi prayed to God to grant the bereaved family and associates the strength to bear the loss and to grant the deceased eternal rest.

He said Fasoranti’s legacy of principled leadership selfless service and steadfast commitment to democratic ideals would continue to inspire generations.

Obi’s tribute added to the expressions of grief following the death of the prominent Yoruba leader whose public life was marked by advocacy for democracy justice and national development.

Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’or for Best Footballer of the Year.

Putellas won her third Ballon d’Or adding to her previous victories in 2021 and 2022 at the 2026 awards ceremony in London.

The London City Lionesses player was recognised for her influence on the pitch creativity in building attacking moves and contributions in the final third throughout the season.

Before moving to London City the Spanish led Barcelona to a UEFA Champions League win in May 2026.

Putellas’ latest triumph further strengthens her status as one of the leading figures in women’s football having established herself among the game’s most decorated players.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has called on the Nigerian electorate to reject the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming general elections following allegations that the party has failed to pay its workers for over 12 months.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja the APC-PCC spokesperson Mr Dele Alake described the ADC leadership’s actions as ‘unconscionable wicked and reprehensible’ arguing that a political entity unable to meet its internal administrative obligations lacks the competence to manage national governance.

Alake criticised the ADC’s National Working Committee headed by Senator David Mark as National Chairman and the former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary accusing it of neglecting its workforce’s welfare.

‘It has come to our attention that the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress led by Senator David Mark as Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary has refused and neglected to pay party staff for over a year’ Alake stated.

He added ‘We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months. Owing staff who come to work every day and who rely on the salaries for their daily sustenance is wicked and reprehensible.’

The APC campaign spokesperson further claimed that the developments reveal the ’emptiness and insincerity’ of opposition leaders posing as alternative governance options. He argued that opposition leaders pursue power out of self-interest and hostility toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national development.

‘A party that cannot pay its cleaners and workforce cannot be entrusted with our country’s affairs’ Alake declared.

Drawing comparisons with the records of key ADC figures Alake pointed to Atiku Abubakar’s history with his private business ventures and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun State.

‘Atiku Abubakar the ADC’s leader and presidential candidate has a reputation for owing his employees. While he regularly junkets to the UAE staff at his Gotel Communication and other businesses also went months without pay and staged protests over unpaid salaries and other benefits’ Alake alleged.

Commenting on Aregbesola the APC PCC spokesperson said: ‘The record of the ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola on paying workers’ salaries and pensioners in Osun State where he was a governor for 8 years was abysmal. As governor he mismanaged the state’s finances to the point that he could not pay workers. His government thus introduced quarter-salary and at times half-salary payments. As for pensioners he abandoned them for more than four years’.

Characterising the ADC leadership as ‘birds of the same feather’ Alake urged working-class Nigerians and voters to distance themselves from all ADC candidates contesting in the general elections.

‘We are sounding a warning to Nigerians and working people now: reject ADC. Reject Atiku Abubakar and reject all ADC candidates in the next general elections. They do not have the interest of our country and our people at heart’ the statement concluded. ‘A party that aspires to govern Nigeria and which cannot be trusted with something as basic as the management of its own affairs and the welfare of its workforce should be rejected by Nigerians.’

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has stepped up efforts to revive Nigeria’s ginger industry projecting that production could reach three million tonnes within five years through expanded cultivation improved planting materials and affordable financing for farmers.

The bank’s Managing Director Ayodeji Sotinrin disclosed this during a visit to ginger farms in Kachia Local Government Area Kaduna State where farmers are recording promising harvests under the revival programme.

Sotinrin said about 3400 farmers had benefited from the intervention across 15 clusters adding that the bank planned to expand cultivation to more communities and establish ginger nurseries in 16 states.

He said sustained implementation of the programme could restore production in major ginger-growing areas affected by ginger blight and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the ginger market.

He said achieving the three-million-tonne production target could generate about $3 billion in economic value and significantly improve farmers’ earnings.

‘The people that you’ll call poor farmers or vulnerable farmers they’re the ones that will be making N70 to N80 million per hectare not me’ he said highlighting the potential returns from ginger cultivation.

The intervention which began last year involves collaboration among the Federal Government Kaduna State Government agricultural institutions local authorities traditional leaders and farmer groups.

Sotinrin said the programme would use some of the harvested ginger for tissue culture to multiply planting materials and make them available to more farmers.

He explained that the process involved taking ginger rhizomes to specialised laboratories for multiplication before transferring the resulting plantlets to nurseries where they would develop into seedlings for distribution.

He said the approach would increase the availability of planting materials and support the expansion of ginger farming beyond the current programme locations.

He added that BOA was providing agricultural financing at an interest rate of nine per cent in line with the Federal Government’s directive to improve access to affordable credit.

Sotinrin acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Tinubu the Kaduna State Government the Kachia local government chairman traditional rulers cluster leaders and BOA staff to the initiative. He also commended the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) for supporting efforts to restore production.

The Chairman of Kachia Local Government Area Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari said ginger blight destroyed about 90 per cent of production in the area leaving many farmers without their primary source of livelihood.

He said farmers received support including alternative agricultural inputs after the outbreak but production had not yet returned to its previous level.

Maigari estimated the sector had recovered to about 30 per cent of its former capacity and expressed optimism that sustained assistance could accelerate recovery within the next two years.

He also said the programme targeted at least 50 per cent female participation although he did not provide the number of women enrolled.

Agrolog supports the programme organising farmers into clusters and providing extension services to guide cultivation and monitor crop development.

Agrolog’s Operations Manager Cham Yakubu said the cluster system helped coordinate farmers and ensure they received support throughout the production process.

‘Our role is to provide extension services and coordinate these farmers which we did. We formed them into clusters’ Yakubu said.

He said more than 900 internally displaced farmers affected by insecurity were included in one cluster and were expected to begin harvesting within three weeks of the earlier assessment.

Yakubu said security concerns had limited physical visits to the cluster but extension monitoring reports indicated that the crops were developing well.

Cluster heads Malachy Gadani of Gidan Tagwai Ginger Farmers and Caleb Dallah of Ibika Farmers Group commended BOA for supporting farmers affected by ginger blight.

One beneficiary Blessing Ali also thanked the bank saying the intervention was helping ginger farmers in Kaduna State restore production.

The 15 participating clusters are Assako 1 Matankadi Farms Utro Akyi Muli Cooperative Mothercat Mission Farmers CM Cluster Maigidas Zisshya Gidan Tagwai Ginger Farmers Sakainu Farmers Cooperative Kachia Urban Maraba Farmer Bazachat Farmers Ibika Farmers Group and Jerry Farms.

The Northern Senators Forum on Monday called for increased security operations in Taraba State following an attack on the Binari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area that reportedly claimed the lives of worshippers vigilantes women and children.

The forum also urged security agencies to launch a comprehensive investigation into the October 23 attack and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

In a condolence message issued in Abuja the Chairman of the forum Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua expressed sympathy with the Taraba State Governor the people of the state and families of the victims.

The senator said the forum received news of the attack with shock lamenting the killing of innocent residents shortly after Juma’at prayers.

He called on the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to intensify security operations in Karim-Lamido and the River Benue corridor.

Yar’Adua specifically advocated the establishment of a Forward Operating Base and the deployment of intelligence-led patrols along the Kompany-Asusar route to strengthen surveillance and prevent further attacks.

The forum also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and well-meaning individuals to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to affected residents and families of the victims.

It stressed the need for a thorough investigation to identify arrest and prosecute those behind the killings.

Offering prayers for the victims the forum asked Allah to forgive the deceased grant them Al-Jannah Firdaus heal the injured and comfort the bereaved families.

It also prayed for lasting peace in Taraba State and Nigeria.

As the nation approaches another election season the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has urged judges particularly heads of courts to be vigilant against practices that undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings.

Justice Kekere-Ekun identified such practices to include forum shopping concealment of related proceedings and attempts to obtain conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

She spoke in Abuja on Monday during the opening session of ‘the 2026 roundtable for heads of courts’ organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

The CJN said the issues require particular attention as the country approaches another election season noting that election-related disputes often attract intense public interest and considerable pressure on the courts.

She added: ‘The Judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality courage and fidelity to the law.

‘Political sensitivity public sentiment or the urgency with which a matter is presented must never displace the careful application of the Constitution the Electoral Act and the applicable rules of court.

‘I urge your lordships to ensure that appropriate administrative

arrangements are in place to facilitate the timely and orderly handling of election-related matters.

‘Judicial officers must be reminded of the need to scrutinise applications carefully insist on full and frank disclosure of relevant facts pay due regard to related proceedings and resist any attempt to use urgent applications or ex-parte orders to secure an improper advantage.

‘The integrity of judicial proceedings must not be compromised by competing political interests or pressure from any quarter.

‘Forum shopping is particularly damaging because it undermines consistency encourages abuse of process and exposes the Judiciary to avoidable public

controversy.

‘Your lordships must therefore ensure that existing procedural

safeguards are observed and that appropriate steps are taken whenever attempts to circumvent established judicial processes come to light.

‘No litigant should be permitted to manipulate the judicial system in search of a favourable decision. Public confidence in the Judiciary will be tested during this period’ she said.

The CJN reminded the heads of courts that they are expected to provide the leadership necessary to ensure that election-related cases are handled competently expeditiously and strictly in

accordance with the law.

She said the objective is to ensure that the courts remain impartial arbiters of disputes free from political influence and guided solely

by the facts the applicable law and the demands of justice.

Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke about the need for judges to always ensure prompt determination of cases noting that the timely determination of cases remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the Judiciary.

She said delay imposes financial and emotional burdens on litigants diminishes the practical value of judicial remedies and weakens public confidence in the justice system.

The CJN added: ‘While some causes of delay arise from inadequate funding infrastructure and judicial manpower others can be addressed through effective administration.

‘Inefficient docket management repeated adjournments poor scheduling and failure to monitor inactive cases can prolong proceedings unnecessarily.

‘Every Head of Court should have a clear understanding of the condition of the court’s docket including the number of pending cases their age the categories experiencing the greatest delays and the reasons for their continued pendency.

‘This information should inform realistic strategies for reducing backlog improving the allocation of hearing dates and ensuring that concluded matters are promptly removed from the active docket.

‘Efficiency however must not be measured solely by the number of cases disposed of. It requires cases to be determined fairly competently and within a reasonable time with the right to fair hearing fully protected’ she said.

The CJN stressed the need to preserve the integrity of judicial appointments through a fair transparent and merit-based selection process.

She asked the heads of courts to ‘strongly and courageously resist pressure from external interests and ensure that appointments are guided by objective criteria competence character and suitability for judicial office.

‘Public confidence in the Judiciary depends in part on the assurance that those entrusted with judicial office have emerged through rigorous and credible processes.

‘Your lordships also have an

important role in promoting professional standards supporting the development of judicial officers and fostering an institutional culture that upholds impartiality and accountability.’

The CJN directed heads of courts to put in place mechanisms to ensure judges sit on time notify litigants and lawyers promptly when sittings are cancelled and treat court users with dignity.

She said punctuality ‘must be treated as a professional obligation not a matter of personal preference.’

Heads of Courts she said must communicate clear sitting times monitor compliance and deal with persistent or unjustified lateness through established supervisory and disciplinary channels.

Justice Kekere-Ekun described as unacceptable the situation where counsel and parties travel long distances at great expense only to learn on arrival that the court will not sit.

She asked heads of courts to ensure registries have dependable procedures naming the officers responsible for notifications the channels to be used and how to confirm that affected parties have been informed.

On courtroom conduct she said judicial authority is best exercised with ‘fairness composure and respect.

‘Every litigant regardless of social status financial means or education deserves dignity while lawyers are entitled to courteous treatment. Firmness and courtesy are entirely compatible. A judge can control proceedings without humiliating counsel or a litigant’ she said.

She also directed heads of courts to ensure that courts remain professional workplaces free from bullying and harassment.

The CJN called for sustained investment in court staff including registrars research staff administrative officers and IT personnel.

She urged all jurisdictions to adopt structured mentorship under which newly appointed judges are attached to experienced judicial officers for a defined period before sitting independently.

Speaking earlier the Administrator of the (NJI) Justice Babatunde Adejumo retired) said the Judiciary as custodian of justice and guardian of the rule of law is under constant public scrutiny placing a heavy responsibility on those steering its affairs to safeguard its image and shape positive public perceptions.

Justice Adejumo who is the immediate past President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) said the annual roundtable provides a platform for candid exchange identifying cross-cutting challenges and collectively developing solutions.

He added that the programme was deliberately designed with minimal external intervention so that the Heads of Courts would direct discussions and determine outcomes.

Justice Adejumo praised the CJN for the many reforms she has introduced which he said has entrenched judicial independence and enhanced integrity across all levels of the Judiciary.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity for retired police officers as part of efforts to resolve longstanding pension challenges in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The proposal is before a Presidential committee mandated to examine the concerns of serving and retired personnel and recommend a sustainable framework for improved retirement benefits.

The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) and the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Under the proposed arrangement eligible officers could receive enhanced gratuity and pension benefits linked to their last salaries.

The initiative also seeks to address the demands of serving police personnel to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The agitation over police pensions has persisted for years with retirees complaining of inadequate payments delays in accessing their entitlements and administrative bottlenecks.

Rising living costs have further heightened concerns over the ability of pensioners to meet household expenses and medical bills.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis has raised hopes of a lasting resolution.

The Federal Government has reportedly cleared outstanding pension payment backlogs that left some retirees waiting for up to two years while some beneficiaries have received increased payments said to be nearly double their previous amounts.

A key issue before the committee is whether or not any approved changes should also benefit officers who retired before the new framework takes effect.

Its recommendations are expected to address outstanding liabilities funding arrangements eligibility and the administration of benefits.

Disu’s engagement with the Presidency and relevant institutions is aimed at advancing discussions on the proposed reforms and improving coordination among agencies responsible for police retirement benefits.

But the 200 per cent gratuity and proposed pension structure are yet to receive final approval. Their adoption will depend on the committee’s recommendations government decisions and the availability of funds.

Until formal approval and implementation guidelines are issued the proposed benefits remain under consideration and are not existing entitlements.

Knorr a seasoning brand has celebrated Nigerian food culture and culinary expertise as the headline sponsor of the Culinary Arts Practitioners Association Nigeria (CAPA) Day at Oniru Victoria Island Lagos.

The brand recognised the chefs caterers and food professionals whose skills and creativity shape the meals that bring people together and make special occasions memorable.

Held under the theme ‘Root to Relevance’ the event explored the relationship between culinary heritage and innovation with discussions around knowledge sharing sustainability and the future of food.

Culinary experts including the President Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba popularly known as Chef Amaka; the Vice-President Ladipo Ayodeji known as Chef Dee; and Tolani Tayo-Osikoya known as Chef T joined fellow practitioners to celebrate the traditions skills and ideas shaping Nigeria’s culinary industry.

Knorr hosted a cooking showcase featuring its Smokey Party Jollof Seasoning demonstrating how the seasoning could be incorporated into various dishes.

The event also recognised culinary talent through a contest with Chef Adesuwa Edogun (Chef Eva) emerging in first position followed by Chef Mujidah Adegbayi (Chef MOA) in second place Chef Ummulkhuthum (Chef K) in third place and Chef Adeola Kukoyi in fourth place.

Speaking on Knorr’s sponsorship for this year’s event Dexter Adeola Foods Marketing Innovation and EWA Strategy Lead at Unilever said ‘We are proud to be part of CAPA Day 2026 and to support the culinary professionals who play an important role in Nigeria’s food culture. Their skill and creativity help preserve our food traditions while bringing new ideas to the kitchen. Our participation reflects our commitment to celebrating these professionals and the role they play in bringing people together through food.’

The event also marked the induction of new members into CAPA welcoming more practitioners into the association and reinforcing its commitment to developing Nigeria’s culinary community. Through its headline sponsorship Knorr supported a platform for culinary professionals to exchange knowledge celebrate their achievements and contribute to the continued growth of the country’s food industry.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council to intensify grassroots mobilisation and take the message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party candidates to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oborevwori gave the charge on Thursday in Asaba during the inauguration of the Delta State APC Campaign Council where he unveiled ‘MORE Plus’ as the theme of his re-election campaign.

Describing membership of the council as a call to service Oborevwori said: ‘I urge you to demonstrate unity discipline and commitment as we work together to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu myself and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.’

He added: ‘We must move beyond rallies and meetings to engage voters directly through door-to-door campaigns and interactions with market women youths workers farmers and traders. Our campaign coordinators at the local government and ward levels must strengthen their structures and ensure our message reaches every polling unit.’

He urged members to highlight the achievements of the President Tinubu administration and his government’s M.O.R.E Agenda particularly in infrastructure education healthcare workers’ welfare youth empowerment and security.

‘Our achievements must speak for us but we must also be prepared to explain them convincingly’ the governor said.

He assured Deltans that political activities would not distract his administration from governance adding that ongoing projects and development programmes would continue throughout the campaign period.

The governor also urged politicians and their supporters to maintain peace shun hate speech and ensure that political differences do not divide the state.

Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme commended Oborevwori for aligning Delta with the Federal Government and urged APC members to consolidate the gains ahead of the elections.

Onyeme urged party faithful to highlight the Tinubu administration’s achievements in local government autonomy education funding grassroots development security electricity and road infrastructure.

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who spoke on behalf of Delta North Senatorial District said expectations were high following the defection of political leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April 2025.

He challenged the campaign council to demonstrate the party’s strength through impressive electoral performance.

He stressed the need for direct engagement with voters rather than relying solely on rallies.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo defended Tinubu’s economic reforms describing them as necessary measures to address longstanding economic challenges.

While acknowledging the hardship associated with the reforms Keyamo maintained that the policies were designed to tackle structural problems in the economy including the cost of fuel subsidies.

Delta APC Chairman Solomon Arenyeka said the inauguration demonstrated the party’s readiness to contest and win elections at all levels in 2027.

He urged council members to work together mobilise voters peacefully and translate the achievements of APC-led governments into electoral support.

Speaking for Delta Central Senatorial District a founding chieftain of the APC in Delta State Chief Emerhor O’tega welcomed the APC’s emergence as the ruling party in Delta and pledged support for the re-election of Tinubu and Oborevwori.

Former Secretary to the State Government Ovuozourie Macaulay who represented Delta South Senatorial District said the Oborevwori administration’s achievements would strengthen the party’s campaign.

He assured the council that the district would work towards delivering substantial votes for APC candidates.

Former APC National Woman Leader and Nigerian Export-Import Bank Executive Director Stella Okotete urged women to intensify grassroots mobilisation setting a target of at least 75 per cent of the votes for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

Responding on behalf of the campaign council its Director-General Senator James Manager pledged to work with party leaders and members to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

Manager described the assignment as a major responsibility requiring unity collective commitment and sustained grassroots mobilisation.

The campaign council is chaired by Oborevwori with Manager as Director-General and Chiedu Ebie as Deputy Director-General.

Other party leaders and stakeholders are also members of the council.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded a cash gift of N1 million each to the five students who represented the state and Nigeria at this year’s International Schools Debate Championship in Doha Qatar.

The governor also announced a full education sponsorship up to university level by the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the state’s contingent 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian who lost her father at the age of four.

Governor Otti announced the incentives at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia while hosting the victorious students.

He also awarded N1 million to Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls’ Secondary School winner of the recent National Essay Competition; N750000 each to the officials who accompanied the debate team; and N1.75 million to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa which produced the champions.

Receiving the champions’ trophies medals and certificates the governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to transform the state’s education sector through sustained investment improved infrastructure and increased access to quality education.

The state chief executive congratulated the students saying celebrating outstanding achievements is part of Abia’s identity.

‘This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well we celebrate you’ Otti stated.

The governor approved the students’ request to participate in next year’s edition of the competition noting that although considerable progress has been made in the education sector more work remains to be done.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Elder Goodluck Ubochi said the achievements recorded so far are only the beginning and that the positive impact of the government’s efforts in education is gradually becoming evident.

He expressed confidence that investments in education would yield fruitful outcomes.

The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) Mrs. Lydia Ezinne Onuoha who led the team to the international competition said the students did not just participate but dominated and became the centre of attraction at the global event.

She announced that during the final rounds the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments; the team won four trophies and 12 medals defeating six countries.

According to her the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team Overall Best Team in the Junior Category Best Debater and Best Leadership awards.

The Abia State team also ranked among the top 10 speakers in the global competition which featured over 84 teams.

The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship Elder Oritu Dare hailed Governor Otti for the infrastructural development in the state stressing that there was a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and this year’s event.

He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.

The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Mrs. Unyime Umoette praised Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state particularly in education noting that public schools were becoming more functional.

She urged public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.

Speaking on behalf of parents of the champions Mr. Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and for his investment in education.

Christopher said he and other parents were proud of the students’ success at an international competition.

Responding the Team Captain Miss Esther Christian who narrated their success story thanked the governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them.

She promised that they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.

She requested the governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition which got the governor’s immediate approval.

The event was attended by parents of the champions and senior appointees of the state government.