By Naomi Sharang The Head Teacher of Pesach International Academy, Kubwa, Abuja, Pastor Olajumoke Raji, has called for urgent and concerted efforts to tackle the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Raji made the appeal during the school’s 2025 Nursery Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony held on Saturday. Reflecting on the school’s journey since its establishment in 2018, she noted that Pesach Academy has successfully graduated two sets of Nursery pupils and is steadily expanding its Primary education programme. “Although we’re yet to graduate a Grade Six class, this marks our second graduation from Nursery Two into the primary section,”…
Author: National Update
In a surprising turn, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has retired as Chairman of the Board of Dangote Cement Plc, effective Friday, July 25, 2025. The announcement was made via a statement from company spokesperson Anthony Chiejina, who explained that Dangote will now focus his full attention on other core ventures, including the Dangote Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer operations, and Government Relations, in line with the group’s five-year strategic trajectory. The board has appointed independent non-executive director Emmanuel Ikazoboh as the new Chairman. In his acceptance, Ikazoboh pledged to uphold the company’s legacy of resilience and innovation, promising a focus on…
By Umar Muhammed, Lafia The dust is yet to settle after a whirlwind week of humanitarian action, as Zumunta Association USA Incorporated, a United States-based charity group, lit up Nasarawa State with a string of philanthropic activities that have sparked admiration, praise, and lingering questions. From empowering over 1,000 youths with cutting-edge ICT training, to conducting free medical outreach for nearly 5,000 people, to organizing an international golf tournament that catapulted the Lafia Golf Club onto the global map—the association’s presence has been hard to ignore. Yet, amid applause for the far-reaching impact, a subtle question lingers: was this pure…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse A heated debate is brewing in Jigawa State over the government’s decision to invest over ₦3.5 billion in constructing 1,000 commercial shops in neighboring Kano State, with civil society organizations (CSOs) sharply divided on the matter. While some civil society groups describe the investment as a strategic move to boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), others argue it is a misplaced priority that undermines pressing development needs within Jigawa. At a press briefing held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Dutse, the President of the Civil Society Coalition on Security, Peace…
The State House Press Corps lost one of its finest voices on Friday night—and the silence left behind is deafening. Dr. Leon Usigbe, the veteran Tribune journalist known for his calm presence and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, passed away in Abuja after a brief illness. His death sent ripples of grief through the corridors of power, the newsroom, and every corner where truth still matters. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, moved by the news, described Dr. Usigbe as “a cherished member of the State House Press Corps,” whose pen always struck a delicate balance—firm with facts, yet fair in tone.…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Barrister Ola Olukoyede, is set to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at a high-level policy dialogue focused on addressing key challenges within Nigeria’s real estate ecosystem. The event, hosted by The Law Corridor, a prominent Nigerian law firm, is part of its quarterly policy engagement series aimed at driving reform through stakeholder conversations. The policy dialogue will bring together key players from the public and private sectors, alongside other stakeholders across the real estate value chain, for a solutions-driven discussion on fraudulent practices undermining the…
****Three Feared Dead, Dozens Missing as Calls Grow for Government Action By Ben Adaji, Jalingo Grief and outrage have gripped communities in Taraba State and surrounding regions following a tragic boat mishap near the abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area. The accident, which occurred on Friday evening after a torrential downpour lasting over three hours, has claimed several lives, with three persons still missing at the time of reporting. Eyewitnesses said the overcrowded boat, carrying passengers and goods, was attempting to cross the Namnai River when it capsized, throwing all occupants into the surging waters. Local authorities and…
****Calls for Revamp of Industrial Infrastructure, Private Sector Partnerships The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Hon. Ahmed Munir, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s export potential and industrial base following a two-day working visit to the Kano Free Trade Zone and major industrial facilities in the state. The unannounced visit was aimed at observing day-to-day operations, evaluating service delivery, and assessing the Free Trade Zone’s role in advancing the country’s industrialisation and export promotion agenda. Hon. Munir, who represents Lere Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, said the inspection offered firsthand insights into the…
By Umar Muhammed, Lafia With anticipation mounting across the nation’s education sector, Nasarawa State is gearing up to host the 5th edition of the Federal Education Sector Games (FEDUGAM), set to take place in Lafia from August 4 to 10, 2025. The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, assured of the state’s readiness to deliver a world-class sporting experience as he received a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja. The team was in Lafia to inspect facilities and evaluate ongoing preparations for the highly anticipated national event. “Hosting this event again is a…
***Over 30 Inducted as Trainers Commit to Raising Standards in Governance A bold vision for Nigeria’s public sector reform took center stage in Abuja as the Association of Accredited Management Trainers in Nigeria (AAMTN) inducted a new cohort of professional trainers committed to driving ethical, high-impact capacity building across the country. Held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the induction ceremony and general meeting brought together government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, and training experts. At its core was a shared mission: to redefine how civil service professionals are trained—anchored in ethics, professionalism, and national transformation. Chairman of AAMTN’s Board…