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The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) sustained its bullish momentum for the fourth straight session on Tuesday, with the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) rising 0.23 per cent to close at 142,710.48 basis points.

This lifted the year-to-date return to 38.65 per cent from 38.33 per cent in the previous session, while market capitalisation advanced by N465.88 billion to settle at N90.58 trillion.

The positive outing was largely driven by strong demand in heavyweights such as Transcorp, up 8.48 per cent, Fidelity Bank, up 5.26 per cent, and Aradel Holdings, up 9.82 per cent.

Their gains outweighed profit-taking in top-tier banking stocks, including United Bank for Africa, down 2.70 per cent, Access Holdings, down 0.19 per cent, Zenith Bank, down 0.86 per cent, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company, down 0.11 per cent.

Sectoral performance closed on a mixed note. Oil and Gas gained 3.14 per cent, Industrial Goods rose 1.48 per cent, and Banking advanced 0.34 per cent. On the other hand, Insurance lost 3.77 per cent, while Consumer Goods fell 0.77 per cent, reflecting selective investor positioning across sectors.

Trading activity strengthened significantly, with transaction volume and value soaring by 223.09 per cent and 156.72 per cent, respectively. Fidelity Bank dominated the session, accounting for 793.04 million units valued at N15.88 billion, underscoring strong investor appetite in the mid-tier lender.

Despite the gains, market breadth closed negative, with 28 advancers against 31 decliners. UPDC, which gained 9.98 per cent, led the gainers’ chart, while Union Dicon, which fell 10 per cent, topped the laggards. Several other stocks closed flat.

Analysts note that the sustained bullish run in the market reflects resilient investor sentiment, particularly in energy and select banking names, despite profit-taking pressures in blue-chip lenders.

Market watchers expect momentum to remain largely driven by bargain-hunting and portfolio rebalancing as the quarter closes.

The Kogi State Government has expressed deep shock over the tragic death of Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News, who was killed during an alleged armed robbery in Abuja.

In a condolence message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government described the late journalist as a consummate professional who carried out her duties with passion, brilliance, and a deep sense of responsibility.

‘Her tragic passing is not only a loss to her family and colleagues at ARISE News but also to Nigeria, where her voice echoed professionalism in national discourse,’ the statement read in part. The government extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, her colleagues in the media industry, and the management of ARISE News, praying that God grants her eternal rest and gives her loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

The statement also urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are swiftly brought to justice, noting that no society can thrive when its brightest lights are cut down by acts of criminality.

Fanwo added that her memory would continue to inspire courage, patriotism, and excellence in the noble profession of journalism.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Tuesday converged in Sokoto with a common message: Nigeria must urgently invest in education, skills, and unity to avert future instability.

The key to this, they suggest, lies in significant investment in education.

They spoke at the commissioning of the Bakhita ICT Centre, a facility equipped with 250 laptops and 50 digital tablets to provide training in ICT and vocational skills for young people, including children. Such facilities represent a tangible investment in education and vocational training.

Obasanjo warned that Nigeria’s 24 million out-of-school children constitute ‘a ticking time bomb’ that could worsen insecurity if not urgently addressed. Prioritising investment in education is essential to mitigate these risks.

‘You don’t need an oracle to know they will become the recruiting ground for Boko Haram of tomorrow,’ he said, cautioning that with the population projected to hit 400 million by 2050, failure to plan would make current security challenges appear mild.

He also highlighted the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and lamented Nigeria’s dependence on food imports despite vast agricultural potential. ‘If farmers cannot make profit, they will stop planting,’ he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives, describing the country’s diversity as its greatest asset. He dismissed foreign reports alleging religious genocide in Nigeria as ‘false and exaggerated,’ citing the interfaith harmony reflected at the event itself.

‘If we can sit here in Sokoto, just five minutes from the Sultan’s palace, with Christians and Muslims praying side by side, why does nobody talk about that?’ he queried.

He stressed that insecurity has lingered for over 15 years because it has become ‘a business,’ urging leaders to confront the root causes with sincerity.

Bishop Kukah, who initiated the project with the support of legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, said the centre was his contribution to tackling poverty and unemployment in Northern Nigeria. This further exemplifies how targeted investment in education can change lives.

‘Among the almajiri on our streets, there could be an Albert Einstein. Geography must not define destiny,’ he said, adding that the facility would provide free Wi-Fi and affordable digital resources to ensure access for all.

Kukah, who described Obasanjo as ‘a man whose energy and service remain unmatched,’ also thanked the Sultan for his consistent support in promoting harmony.

The event, attended by traditional rulers, clerics, political leaders, and youths, featured cultural displays and underscored the call for interfaith collaboration as a pathway to peace and development.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has released the sum of N1. 5 billion as bursary awards for students of tertiary institutions for the 2025/26 academic session.

With the bursary, successful students will be paid the sum of #30,000 each while law students across the seven Law schools across the country will be paid N300,000.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones while unveiling the portal for the commencement of registration process for the 2025 bursary allowance at press conference in Lokoja, declared the exercise open said the bursary was meant for indigenes of the state in tertiary institutions across the country.

He disclosed that the registration portal will be opened to students as from September 29 and will close on October 31, 2025 and urged eligible students to register via the official website https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng

While urging students to take advantage of what he described as an improved and transparent registration process,the commissioner reaffirmed governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to making Kogi State a positive reference point for educational development in Nigeria.

He noted that this year’s exercise, described as ‘Season Two’ of the bursary scheme, was designed to consolidate on the successes recorded during the previous phase.

‘His Excellency, Governor Ododo, is determined to build on the foundation already laid to ensure more students benefit from this bursary award.

‘We expect the number of beneficiaries to surpass that of last year, and I assure you that the funds are already set aside for disbursement,’ Jones said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Afolabi Joseph-Raji, praised governor Ododo for setting aside the sum of N1.5 billion for the scholarship scheme saying no fewer than 8,750 students benefited from the bursary in first phase where students of higher institutions who are of Kogi State origin received ?30,000 and those in law school got ?300,000 respectively.

He commended Governor Ododo for revitalizing the bursary process and ensuring it is now more accessible to students.

‘Unlike last year where students had to undergo pre-qualification, this year’s registration is straightforward. Students simply need to visit the portal, create an account, and upload the required documents and information.

‘Over 44,000 students registered last year but only 11,000 uploaded their documents for verification, out of the 11,000, only 8,750 qualified for the bursary. So, it is not enough to just register, you have to upload some required documents too.

‘As an improvement, the board has made the process more direct whereby submission of required documents like admission letter, school identity card and other information are done before registration is completed,’ Afolabi explained.

Two of the students who benefited from the bursary award last year testified to how the money helped them to solve some of their academic challenges.

Responding the President of NAKOSS, Comrade Sunday Adeola, commended Governor Ododo for sustaining and expanding the bursary initiative and promised that the students’ body will carry out a wide sensitization exercise across all tertiary institutions in the state to inform the students to register for the bursary award.

A coalition of civil society organisations, faith leaders, market associations and petroleum consumers on Tuesday stormed Abuja in protest against what they described as a dangerous alliance of cartels and unions seeking to sabotage the Dangote Refinery.

The protesters, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), the Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), the National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA) and the Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA), gathered at the Unity Fountain Abuja while they dispatched their grievance letter to

the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Jointly reading a prepared speech during the rally, the coalition said Nigeria was ‘at a critical crossroads,’ accusing the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) of waging an anti-people war to protect its profiteering from fuel imports. The group also condemned the strike threats by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), describing them as a conspiracy to destabilise the economy and deepen the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

‘This is a direct call by PENGASSAN, NUPENG and TUC for anarchy,’ declared Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman, President of COCSON. ‘President Tinubu should hold these people responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in this country. They should be immediately arrested for disobedience to court order.’

The coalition insisted that the opposition to Dangote Refinery was not about patriotism or sound policy but a desperate move to retain control of a corrupt fuel import system. ‘For decades, Nigerians have been held hostage by a cartel that thrives on import dependency, round-tripping, subsidy scams and artificial scarcity,’ Suleiman said. ‘DAPPMAN’s agenda is to keep fuel importation alive so they can continue profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens already battered by poverty, unemployment and inflation.’

Echoing his concern, Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele, National Chairman of the Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), condemned the planned industrial strike as ‘a dagger to Nigerians’ hearts.’ He said it was immoral for unions to threaten a shutdown of oil and gas operations at a time when families were already struggling to survive. ‘Let us be clear: this is not a strike for workers. It is a strike for cartels. History will not forgive any union that aligns with saboteurs against the very people they claim to represent,’ he warned.

The coalition welcomed the recent ruling of the Federal High Court barring PENGASSAN from stopping gas supply to Dangote Refinery. Barr. Yusuf Danladi, Chairman of PCPA, said the judgment ‘validates our position that the strike threats were never in the interest of workers or Nigerians, but a calculated move to sabotage Nigeria’s refining revolution. The judiciary has spoken clearly: no union or cartel has the right to hold 200 million Nigerians hostage in pursuit of selfish interests.’

Comrade Boma Agbede, National President of NACOMWA, accused the unions of hypocrisy in their attempts to drag Dangote Refinery into their fold. ‘ASUU does not go after Covenant, Baze, Babcock or JABU to force lecturers into membership. NURTW does not compel drivers in GUO, Chisco or Ekeson to join its ranks. NUT does not march into Chrisland or British International School to conscript teachers. So why should Dangote Refinery, a private enterprise built with private sweat and risk, be forced into the grip of PENGASSAN or any union that can shut it down at will?’ he asked.

The coalition painted a grim picture of what Nigerians stand to suffer if DAPPMAN and the unions succeed, warning that fuel scarcity would return, black markets would thrive, transportation would collapse, electricity supply would worsen and inflation would spiral further. ‘It is not just wickedness, it is economic terrorism against the Nigerian people,’ Suleiman declared.

The groups urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and regulators to stand firm with Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refineries. They commended the President’s commitment to industrialisation but cautioned against yielding to what they described as DAPPMAN’s blackmail. ‘Any attempt to bend will be resisted by Nigerians,’ the coalition warned.

They vowed to pursue a lawsuit against DAPPMAN for economic sabotage and anti-competition practices, organise more rallies in Abuja, and mobilise international advocacy through ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations to expose the weaponisation of petroleum products against Nigerians.

‘You have bled this nation long enough,’ the coalition declared in a warning to DAPPMAN and strike organisers. ‘Nigerians will no longer sit idle while you mortgage our future. If you proceed, we will meet you in court, in the streets and in the global arena. This nation belongs to its people not to cartels, not to saboteurs, not to profiteers.’

Furthermore, the coalition reaffirmed its ‘unwavering support’ for Dangote Refinery as a symbol of energy security, job creation and economic sovereignty. ‘Nigerians deserve relief, not renewed suffering. Nigerians deserve progress, not sabotage. Nigerians deserve energy security, not endless scarcity,’ the speech concluded.

The Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Mr Tsenyil Yiltsen, appeared before the Senate on Tuesday to seek approval of the National Assembly for his agency 2025 Budget.

A sum of N140billion was presented before the Senate Committee on NCDC for its endorsement.

Addressing journalists after a closed door meeting with the Managing Director of the Federal Government intervention agency for the North Central region, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Titus Zam, disclosed that ‘After a careful look at the issues contained in the budget and the eloquent presentation by the MD and his team, the committee has approved the budget of N140 billion as presented by the Commission’.

In his presentation before the committee dissolved into closed door session, the Managing Director of the NCDC said the N140billion was the envelope given them for the fiscal year by the federal government out of which N100billion is earmarked for capital expenditure across the six states in the zone and the Federal Capital Territory and the balance of N40billion for recurrent expenditure covering overhead and personnel cost.

He further clarified that the N100billion for capital was not tied to one specific project but several projects across the six states in the region.

He said, ‘ We have eight thematic areas in terms of infrastructure deployment which are security, Agriculture , mining, environmental degradation , education, health , road construction etc. ‘

He assured the committee that no state in the region would be neglected as he maintained that his leadership would spread projects across each of the six states.

He said, ‘ We will go out for proper needs assessment in all the states and will be fair in the distribution of these projects in all the six states and FCT.’

He added that the bulk of the N40billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure , will be used to pay salaries of proposed 200 staff to be recruited after approval by the office of Head of Service .

The Committee however appealed to the leadership of the Commission to ensure judicious utilization of the N140billion when finally approved by the Senate , particularly the N100billion , earmarked for capital expenditure .

It also urged governments of the benefiting six states in the zone and the FCT to provide office accommodations for branches of the commission in their respective states.

As Nigeria marks its 65th independence anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on citizens to foster unity and embrace the country’s diversity as a strength for national progress.

The State Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, made the call in Uyo while addressing journalists and stakeholders on the significance of the milestone.

‘Our strength lies in our diversity. With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, Nigeria embodies a unique heritage that should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels us towards progress,’ Mr. Mkpoutom said.

He stressed that as the nation embarks on another year, it was important for citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose by embracing dialogue, understanding, and collaboration in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, addressing pressing issues like poverty, security, education, and healthcare requires collective effort and commitment from all Nigerians.

‘This anniversary should serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen. Let us contribute positively to society and commit to building a prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation,’ he urged.

The NOA Director further appealed to Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians at large to honour the labours of past heroes while working diligently toward a brighter future for generations to come.

He prayed that Nigeria’s journey ahead would be ‘filled with unity, peace, and progress.’

Gunmen have abducted a commissioner serving in the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NISIEC), Ahmed Mohammed, his driver and former Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa Niworu.

The incident occurred on Monday in the early hours of the day, around the Ibbi National Park along Zugurma-Ibbi to New Bussa road in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The victims were said to be returning from Borgu when the incident occurred, just as an unidentified passersby later spotted their vehicle parked by the roadside, while the victims’ mobile phones were left behind in the vehicle.

It was further gathered that the armed men blocked the road ahead of a police checkpoint, and after the attack along the Ibbi-Bussa road, the Police tactical team were said to have engaged and repelled the hoodlums.

A Police operative allegedly sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, in a brief chat with journalists, saying, ‘a Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots in the process, adding that they abducted some passengers along the road from about three commercial vehicles.’

According to SP Abiodun, the state police command has mobilised more tactical teams with other security agencies, and vigilante members trailing the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims and possible arrest of the fleeing hoodlums.

Also, a family member of the former NSUBEB Chairman, Niwero, also confirmed the incident, adding that the victim was kidnapped on Monday.

The source, who pleaded for anonymity during an interview with Tribune Online in a telephone conversation, said the former chairman is still in captivity.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said Nigeria and Russia are poised to strengthen bilateral ties using the platform of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA).

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated this on Tuesday at the stakeholders’ interactive session during the visit of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

She described the meeting as timely, noting that it afforded a platform for both countries to explore investment opportunities between them.

Though Nigeria and Russia share decades of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity cutting across education, defence, energy, technology, and multilateral diplomacy, she declared that the moment demanded that they go beyond history and look boldly into the future.

The minister acknowledged that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration was charting a new course through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-Ds foreign policy approach, encompassing Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

She stated that the priorities of the administration involved inclusive growth, youth empowerment, and active engagement with global partners, which, according to her, were principles that resonate strongly with the mission of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu lauded the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the event, calling her an excellent example of the transformative power of women in shaping societies and building bridges across nations.

Welcoming the Russian delegation, on behalf of the First Lady, the minister said the decision of its Chairperson, Ms. Anna Nesterova, to bring the dynamism of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance to Nigeria was a strong affirmation of her commitment to building inclusive economic partnerships.

It also underlined the central role women were playing in reshaping global business, diplomacy, and investment for the 21st century.

Parts of the minister’s speech read: ‘In this regard, allow me to commend our gracious host, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her tireless commitment to advancing the cause of women and girls.

Through initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, she has championed women’s empowerment programmes, education for the girl-child, and support systems that enable women to thrive in business, politics, and community development.

Her leadership continues to inspire Nigerian women to break barriers, embrace innovation, and contribute more actively to national progress. It is most fitting that this session, in honour of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, is hosted under her distinguished guidance.

‘The technical session before us offers an invaluable opportunity to explore areas of strategic cooperation. In trade and investment, Nigeria’s vast market, natural resources, and youthful population, combined with Russia’s technological expertise and industrial capacity, present opportunities for win-win partnerships.

In agriculture, collaboration can modernise production and boost food security. In energy, both traditional and renewable, there is enormous scope for cooperation. In digital innovation and education, we can empower our youth with the tools of the future. And across all these sectors, the active participation of women entrepreneurs and leaders will ensure that the gains of our partnership are sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred.

‘I wish to stress that this gathering is more than a symbolic event. It must serve as a platform for actionable outcomes, identifying frameworks for cooperation, establishing joint ventures, and building enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs.

Particular opportunities exist in agro-processing, education, creative industries, small and medium enterprises, and technology-driven businesses, sectors where women are already leading and innovating. By facilitating access to finance, knowledge, and markets, we can strengthen the economic pillars of both our nations.

‘Let me conclude by affirming Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with our Russian counterparts, and by extension the BRICS platform, to promote inclusive prosperity.

‘We are confident that the discussions here today will provide a road map for stronger bilateral relations, deeper people-to-people connections, and new opportunities that will uplift the lives of our citizens.’

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.