By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia The new Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Muh’d Kassim, has issued a strong directive to parents across the state: enroll your children in school or risk facing legal penalties. Dr. Kassim delivered the warning on Wednesday at the NSUBEB headquarters in Lafia, shortly after his inauguration by Governor Abdullahi Sule at Government House. Addressing senior staff, APC stakeholders, traditional leaders, and well-wishers, he emphasized that basic education is a legal right and a moral responsibility. “Sending children to school is no longer optional. It is compulsory. Any…
Author: National Update
In a major legislative endorsement, the Senate has approved the second reading of the 2025 Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), clearing a historic N1.78 trillion budget—marking the highest ever allocation to Nigeria’s capital. The budget proposal, presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscores a national focus on job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare, infrastructure development, and agricultural productivity. “Our objective is to lift as many of our citizens out of poverty as we can,” Tinubu stated in his letter to the lawmakers. According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the appropriation allocates N150 billion to personnel costs and…
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is positioning Abuja as a new hub for investment and tourism through the formal regulation of the gaming industry — a move expected to drive revenue, ensure transparency, and support responsible gaming practices. With the newly launched regulatory framework, the FCTA aims to harness the economic potential of gaming while providing operators with a structured and investor-friendly environment. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling affirming the FCTA’s authority over gaming and lottery activities within the capital territory. Speaking at a joint briefing with the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Director General of the…
As Nigeria braces for its National Security Summit, the Senate has stepped into the spotlight, confronting the country’s escalating digital insecurity crisis with a unified legislative charge. From hacked phones to hijacked narratives, the digital landscape is becoming a battleground—fueled by cybercrime, artificial intelligence, and public distrust. In response, the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, chaired by Senator Afolabi Shuaib, convened a high-level interactive session in Abuja on Wednesday to tackle these urgent threats head-on. Formally opened by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the session brought together lawmakers, telecom operators, cybersecurity professionals, and regulators to assess Nigeria’s vulnerabilities and craft…
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Kolawole Olowookere, has written a petition to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, protesting an alleged plan to arraign Chief Nwigwe Emeka Williams, a community leader in Imo State, on terrorism and kidnapping charges. Olowookere, in the petition received and acknowledged by the AGF’s office on April 10, 2025, described the move as a miscarriage of justice and a possible abuse of prosecutorial power. He urged the AGF to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the renewed effort to implicate the community leader in a…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) has commended JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for his prompt, transparent, and responsible handling of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) technical disruptions. In a statement issued in Abuja, Chairman of JEOG, Emeritus Professor Peter A. Okebukola, described Oloyede’s response as a textbook example of accountability in public service. He praised the Registrar’s courage in addressing public concerns, admitting to lapses, and outlining clear corrective steps. “We are proud of the Registrar’s integrity and decisive action,” Okebukola said. “His openness in taking responsibility, offering a public apology, and rescheduling…
In a powerful show of regional collaboration and resolve, West Africa has launched one of its most ambitious youth employment and agricultural transformation efforts to date. At the heart of this vision is the Inception Workshop of Centres Coordinated by the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA), which opened in Lagos with a rousing address from Dr. Gle Koffi Emmanuel of the ECOWAS Commission. Held at the Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, the high-level gathering brought together agricultural leaders, organic practitioners, policymakers, development partners, and centre coordinators from across the region—marking the official start of an ECOWAS-backed initiative to train…
***Ministers, Regulators, Industry Giants to Chart New Local-Driven Energy Future A new era of indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is set to take center stage as top government officials, regulators, and private sector leaders converge in Lagos for the maiden Indigenous Oil and Gas Investors Summit scheduled for July 23–24, 2025. The high-level event, which will be held at Bickley Park Hotels Waterfront in Lekki, is themed “Local Vision, Global Impact: The Future of Oil and Gas Investment in Nigeria” and is designed to spotlight the growing importance of local players in shaping the country’s energy future.…
Elder statesman and former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, received high commendation and national recognition at the launch of his long-awaited autobiography, “Being True to Myself,” held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja. The event, attended by political figures, scholars, and media professionals, celebrated not only the unveiling of a book but the legacy of a man widely respected for his unwavering principles and bold stance on national issues. The decade-long project chronicles Lamido’s journey from grassroots activism to national prominence, offering insights into Nigeria’s democratic trajectory. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister…
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia Media practitioners and representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nasarawa State have been charged to take a stand against fake news and actively amplify stories involving digital rights and data privacy violations. This is aimed at protecting citizens across the state’s 13 Local Government Areas. The call was made in Lafia, the state capital, during a one-day Digital Rights Roundtable Engagement for Media Practitioners and CSOs organized by Accountability Lab Nigeria. During the engagement, Blessing Anolaba, Storytelling Development Officer of Accountability Lab Nigeria, urged participants to boldly speak out against social injustices, harassment, intimidation,…