Category Nigeria News

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, signed two significant legislations that have had a significant impact on the state’s traditional governance structure on Tuesday.

The newly signed laws, which include the 2025-era Zaar Chiefdom Law and the 2025-era Bauchi State Chieftaincy Law, will create 13 more Emirates and one Chieftain.

Governor Mohammed warned against any attempts to politicize or sabotage the new laws while assenting the bills: “

The implementation of these laws will not be tolerated by this administration.
The law’s full effects will be felt by anyone who is found to be inciting conflict, spreading false information, or trying to stifle public order.

He emphasized that the establishment of the Emirates and Chiefdom was motivated by policy objectives that addressed the state’s current problems with governance, particularly as Bauchi approaches its 50th anniversary.

This action is intended to improve governance at the local level and is a response to the people’s persistent demands for these institutions.
The Governor called the process “one of the most consultative and transparent ever conducted in our state”.

A committee was set up to review the proposals, according to him, followed by legislative deliberations and the State House of Assembly’s approval.

The Bauchi State Assembly, Rt. Hon. The development was characterized as a significant milestone by Abubakar Suleiman. He noted that the legislation provided a framework for the effective maintenance of the state’s traditional institutions and was written with caution and forethought.

The newly established Emirates and Chiefdom are:

1. Headquarters: Burra

2. Headquarters of Dambam:

3. Headquarters of Darazo:

4. Yuli, the country’s administrative center

5. Headquarters of Gamawa: Gamawa

6. Headquarters of Giade

7. Headquarters of Toro

8. Headquarters: Katangan Warji

9. Gadar Maiwa, Ari-Host

10. Nabardo, the headquarter of Jama’a

11. Gumau, Lame, is the company’s head office.

12. Headquarters: Bununu

13. Headquarters of Lere:

14. Headquarters of the Zaar Chiefdom: Mhrim

Governor Mohammed has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to immediately publish and distribute copies of the new laws to all relevant authorities and institutions for immediate implementation in collaboration with the State Government Secretary.

The Zamfara State Government has successfully conducted ten phases of its free modified medical outreach program, providing treatment to 3,447 individuals.

The Special Modified Medical Outreach Program started in July last year, offering free medical services for cataract surgeries, groin swellings like hernias and hydroceles, vesicovaginal fistula repairs, and health education.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the free treatments were conducted at Yariman Bakura Special Hospital, General Hospital Gusau, Eye Centre Gusau, and Farida Hospital.

The statement added that the tenth phase of the modified free outreach was conducted in October 2025.

The statement said: “In his resolve to address some identified medical issues, Governor Lawal’s administration launched a free modified medical outreach program to provide medical assistance to vulnerable individuals in need.

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“The modified outreach offers free medical treatment for people suffering from common surgical conditions such as cataracts, hernias, hydroceles, and vesicovaginal fistula repairs.

“Besides medical assistance, the program educates citizens about the importance of maintaining good health and wellness. This initiative is a positive step towards improving the community’s overall health and well-being.

“The Outreach, which started in August 2023, has so far treated 3,447 cases in 10 phases using tele-screening to provide specialist care to patients from rural and semi-urban areas, covering the 14 local government areas of the State.

“This remarkable intervention by the Zamfara State Government has enabled patients in remote locations to receive the medical attention they need from qualified professionals.

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Yusuf, as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), along with two other nominees as Federal Commissioners.

The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report by the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population during plenary.

Presenting the report on Tuesday, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central senatorial district, who chairs the committee, listed the nominees as Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as chairman, Joseph Haruna Kigbu from Nasarawa state, and Tonga Betara Bularafa from Yobe State as commissioners.

Umeh said the nominees were screened by the committee.

READ ALSO: Benue Reps Member Ojotu Dumps PDP For APC

“The nominees appeared before the committee for screening on Tuesday, the 14th of October, 2025”, he said.

“The committee did not receive any criminal complaints on any of the nominees. They are prepared for the job for which they have been nominated for”.

Umeh explained that the committee requested relevant documents, including curriculum vitae, code of conduct clearance certificates, police reports, and DSS clearance, before the screening commenced.

He added that the exercise involved a presentation by each nominee followed by a question-and-answer session.

“The nominees presented their vision, qualifications and experience, highlighting their suitability for the positions”, he said.

According to Umeh, the committee was satisfied with the eligibility of the nominees.

After that, the senator representing Anambra north, Tony Nwoye, seconded the motion for the consideration of the report.

The Senate, thereafter, resolved into the committee of the whole to consider the report.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its online student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, allowing eligible students to apply for financial assistance to support their education.

This was made known in a statement posted on NELFUND’s official X handle on Tuesday, titled ” NELFUND Announces Opening of Student Loan Application Portal for 2025/2026 Academic Session”.

According to the statement, the application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The Fund appreciated the cooperation of tertiary institutions across the country and urged them to continue collaborating to ensure a smooth and inclusive loan process for all qualified students.

NELFUND directed all accredited tertiary institutions to update and upload verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal.

It emphasised that this verification step is crucial for students to successfully apply and benefit from the scheme.

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The agency further stated that fresh students may apply using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a Matriculation Number, while institutions are encouraged to show flexibility with registration and fee deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement.

Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session were advised to formally notify NELFUND with their approved academic calendars to enable scheduling flexibility.

“NELFUND appeals to all institutions to consider temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are being processed to ensure that no student loses access to education due to financial constraints”, the statement read.

For technical support and inquiries, institutions and students were advised to reach NELFUND through its official communication channels or via its verified social media handles on X and Instagram, and Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND on Facebook and LinkedIn.

NELFUND Announces Opening of Student Loan Application Portal for 2025/2026 Academic Session
#NELFUNDStudentloan pic.twitter.com/rLHxFPEBTw

Ojema Ojotu, a member of the House of Representatives for the Benue State’s Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, has resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (APC) and joined the All Progressives Congress.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, made this known on Tuesday while presidating the plenary session.

On the Green Chamber’s floor, he read the lawmaker’s letter of defection.

The Benue lawmaker’s resignation from the PDP was connected to the ongoing crisis involving the PDP, according to the letter read on the floor by Kalu.

Also read: Makinde’s Most Significant Defection To Ever Take Place

Before dumping the PDP, Ojotu claimed to have had in-depth discussions with his constituents, family members, and political allies.

The lower chamber was met with opposition after the announcement that Ojotu’s seat had been vacated by the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Aliyu Madaki, the House Deputy Minority Leader.

However, Ibrahim Halims, the House Majority Leader, opposed his Point of Order.

According to him, “when there is an unresolved crisis in a party and that party cannot resolve its crisis, the person concerned can leave to protect his future” according to Order 7.

The Deputy Speaker addressed Ojotu to the APC in his remarks and assured him of the party’s continued support.

The House Committee on Inland Waterways is led by Ojotu.

10 of the 11 members who made up the APC’s Green Chamber before Ojotu’s departure were from the various North Central State constituencies.

The House of Representatives has approved a resolution to protect strategic private investments in Nigeria from upcoming industrial actions following the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria’s (PENGASSAN) recent strike action.

Following a motion that Hon. and Hon. jointly sponsored, the resolution was adopted. Hon. and Ado Doguwa. On the House floor, Abdussamad Dasuki was presented.

The lawmakers claimed that the strike action allegedly violated the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act because the refinery is located within a Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Investments that are active within FTZs are subject to a 10-year no-strike rule under the Act.

NANS Threatens To Block Federal Highways Due to “The Sabotage Of Dangote Refinery”

The House expressed concern that the most recent industrial action may have violated the NEPZA Act, and it expressed concern about the possible effects such disruptions might have on investor confidence and the nation’s economic outlook.

The lawmakers also made note of the financial losses made during the three-day strike and demanded that the Federal Government step in and ensure that such disputes are resolved without compromising important economic assets.

Additionally, the House pledged to work on policy frameworks that will stop future tragedies like those that have occurred, and asked its leadership to speak with stakeholders to address the growing concerns about labor actions affecting significant private sector investments.

PENGASSAN members started a strike last month in protest of the Dangote refinery’s management’s alleged illegal sacking of over 800 Nigerian workers.

PENGASSAN claimed that the refinery had violated international labor organization conventions and labor laws.

It claimed that “over 2, 000 Indians” were hired in place of the sacked employees, and that this action amounted to a retaliation against Nigerian workers.

Meanwhile, allegations of widespread sackings were refuted by the Dangote Refinery, which was put in place in May 2023.

Only a small number of the company’s 3, 000 Nigerian employees were affected, despite the company’s insistence that the restructuring was necessary for safety and efficiency.