Category Nigeria News

The Academic Staff Union of Yobe State University, Damaturu, branch has declared an indefinite strike.

It is demanded that the Yobe State Government implement a ₦70,000 minimum wage of 2024 consequential adjustment, appropriate promotion placement, yearly increment, and payment of arrears of the minimum wage of 2019 consequential adjustment.

Other demands include payment of a thirty-five percent and twenty-five percent salary award consequential adjustment from January 2023 to date, postgraduate facilitation allowances for staff, among others.

The Chairman of the ASUU Branch, Ahmed Karage, revealed that the members of the Union will not resume work until their demands are met.

READ ALSO: Gov Lawal Launches School Feeding Programme, Shares Meal With Zamfara Pupils 

“After several months of engagements, formal communications, and appeals to relevant government authorities, we regret to inform you that the academic staff under the umbrella of ASUU has been compelled to embark on indefinite industrial action due to the government’s failure to meet our demands presented,” Karage said.

“These include implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage of 2024 consequential adjustment, appropriate promotion placement and yearly increment, and payment of arrears of minimum wage of 2019 consequential adjustment”.

“Other demands include payment of thirty-five percent and twenty-five percent salary award consequential adjustment from January 2023 to date, postgraduate facilitation allowances for staff, among others,” he said

In a move to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has launched the state’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme, aimed at boosting school enrollment, retention, and completion.

The official flag-off took place at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where the governor also joined pupils in sharing a symbolic meal.

His gesture reinforced the state’s commitment to nurturing a generation of well-fed, well-educated children.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal noted that the flag-off signifies his administration’s strong commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to implement various strategies to increase school enrollment in Zamfara State.

He said, “Our commitment to reform includes initiatives to combat sector decay and foster partnerships, such as with the World Bank through the AGILE programme and with UNICEF. Recently, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with UNICEF, formed a Technical Committee of agency heads and stakeholders to visit 14 Local Governments, identify out-of-school children, and facilitate their reintegration into schools.

“The school feeding program, which we are flagging off today, is part of the emergency response initiatives to promote enrollment and retention of pupils in schools while fighting hunger and malnutrition. This is in addition to our engagement efforts with two other NGOs, the International Center for Economic Development and FINPACT Development Foundation, which have agreed to support the state in implementing a pilot program to serve as a learning ground for program implementers and the State government.

“In more specific terms, FINPACT Development Foundation will sponsor the feeding of 1000 pupils in Gusau, Maru, Anka, and Talatar Mafara, while the International Center for Economic Development is sponsoring the feeding of 3300 across Gusau, Talatar Mafara, and Shinkafi.

“I charge all relevant stakeholders and other donor agencies to explore more ways of providing more activities and programmes. This will not only enhance our commitment to the provision of quality and inclusive education, but it will reduce to the barest minimum the menace of out-of-school children, so that together we can make our State a shining example.”

READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Govt Has Inflicted Severe Pain On Nigerians In Two Years — Ex-Minister

Speaking at the flag-off, the Commissioners for Education and Humanitarian Affairs, Wadatau Madawaki and Salisu Musa, described the initiative as a game-changer in the fight against child hunger, illiteracy, and early school dropouts.

They also acknowledged the contributions of implementing partners, the International Centre for Economic Development (ICED) and Finpact Development (FINDEF), for extending support to selected schools under the pilot phase.

Zamfara State has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria, a challenge that continues to hamper the state’s educational development and social stability. 

Many children, especially in rural areas, are unable to access or complete basic education due to poverty, insecurity, and lack of learning incentives.

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that two top aides of the embattled Sole Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Goodluck Iheanachor, who were earlier declared wanted in connection with his alleged assault, have turned themselves in.

In a press statement signed by the Rivers Police Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command disclosed that Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer of the LGA, and Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff, voluntarily presented themselves at the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.

The men were declared wanted on July 6 over allegations of criminal conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, and theft, following a violent incident at the Ahoada East Council Secretariat on June 20, where the LG Administrator was reportedly attacked by a group of about 30 individuals.

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According to the statement, the suspects were received and interviewed by the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and his management team. Following the initial questioning, they were handed over to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The Police Command is calling on members of the public with useful information to support the ongoing investigation to come forward. The Commissioner of Police reassured that the investigation will be thorough, transparent, and in line with due process.

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari have dismantled a gunrunning syndicate operating within the Southern region of Taraba State.

Acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of gunrunners at a settlement in Byepyi Village along Tsukundi Road, in Wukari Local Government Area, the troops swiftly conducted a tactical operation that resulted in the arrest of two suspects, 55-year-old Buba Idi and 29-year-old Isiyaka Yusufa.

Subsequent interrogation and follow-up actions on the arrested suspects led to the recovery of one AK-47 Rifle, one AK-47 Magazine, sixteen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, on Tecno mobile phone, and one Bajaj motorcycle.

READ ALSO: Suspected Herdsmen Ambush Security Team In Benue, Officers Missing

A press statement by the 6 Brigade Public Relations Officer, Captain Olubodunde Oni, said the suspects are in custody and currently undergoing preliminary investigation, which is assisting the troops to unearth more about their activities.

While commending the troops for their swift action and professionalism, the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Brigade to combat the proliferation of illegal arms and enhance security across the state.

He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to ensuring that criminal networks have no haven within its Area of Responsibility.