The Sokoto State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening social protection as a tool to fight poverty, unemployment, and vulnerability. Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad Zayyana, stated this at a one-day Consultative Stakeholders Workshop on Social Protection Capacity Needs Assessment organized in collaboration with UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Dr. Zayyana described social protection as vital for security, dignity, and economic stability, but raised concern over ILO research showing rising levels of inadequate coverage in Nigeria. He urged stronger synergy among stakeholders to close capacity gaps and improve interventions. Chairperson of the State…
Author: TheStories
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, demanding urgent action on lingering issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities or risk another nationwide strike. The warning followed a protest on Tuesday in Sokoto, which brought together members of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Sokoto State University (SSU), and Shehu Shagari University of Education (SSUES) branches of the union. In a joint protest letter signed by Prof. Muhammad Nurudeen Almustapha (ASUU Chairperson, UDUS), Dr. Bello Usman (ASUU Chairperson, SSU), and Dr. Shamsudeen Kabir (ASUU Chairperson, SSUES), the union accused the government…
Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, has launched the second phase of his empowerment programme, aimed at improving the livelihoods of his constituents in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Wamakko, and Kware Local Government Areas. The flag-off, held in Kware, featured the distribution of 200 electric-powered tricycles, 1,000 bags of 50kg rice for each of the four LGAs, and 200 motorcycles allocated to ward chairmen, women leaders, social media coordinators, and traditional leaders. The programme also includes sewing and grinding machines to promote self-reliance among women and create job opportunities. Speaking on behalf of the senator, APC youth…
Leadership in Action: The Nigerian Air Force, under the leadership of Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Abubakar, rescues 76 hostages, including women and children, in Katsina State during a massive onslaught against the enemies of the state.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential elections, the coalition of old political figures—Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, and others—faces an uphill battle against the entrenched dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman To understand the challenges facing the opposition coalition, one must first acknowledge the unique ambitions of its key players. Each member brings a distinct political background and personal agenda, often driven by a desire for power rather than a unified vision for Nigeria’s future. Atiku Abubakar, a veteran politician and perennial presidential candidate,…
The story begins with a thunderbolt that shook the public space in August 2025: a report screamed that one in four Nigerian men is not the biological father of the child he is raising. It came with sensational headlines, the kind that force you to pause, adjust your chair, and re-read just to confirm you saw right. Intel Region carried the news, citing the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report from Smart DNA Nigeria, the country’s leading testing centre. Numbers were dropped like grenades—25% of paternity tests excluded presumed fathers; 64% of the discrepancies involved firstborn sons. Men accounted for nearly…
The Niger State Government has reiterated its readiness to collaborate with organizations, particularly tribal groups, including the Fulani community to advance peaceful coexistence across the state. Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba gave the assurance during the second anniversary celebration of Pastoralists Day (Yanlde Fulbe), organized by the state Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs on Saturday at the UK Bello Arts Theatre, Minna. Garba stressed that peace and unity remain critical for development, affirming the state’s willingness to work closely with the Fulani community to strengthen harmony. “I am impressed with the coming together of the Fulanis. I like this unity…
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), an environmental and human rights advocacy group, has raised deep concern over the growing abuse of security institutions by the executive arm of government, worsening insecurity across Nigeria, the persistent mismanagement of security votes, and the glaring absence of a social safety net for vulnerable citizens. According to the group, in a statement by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, noted that security agencies, who are originally established to safeguard citizens’ lives and rights, are increasingly being misused for political ends. This, it noted, manifests in the intimidation of civil society…
The Niger State Police Command has arrested eight suspects over illegal mining, armed robbery, transformer vandalization, and stolen drugs in Minna and Suleja. Police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the arrests resulted from swift responses to intelligence and public complaints. Four men were picked up at an illegal mining site in Minna. At the same time, another four were arrested after a gang of 16 armed robbers attacked residents of Sauka-Kahuta, stealing cash, food items, and valuables. Weapons and charms were recovered during the raids. In another operation, six suspects were intercepted along Kaduna Road, Minna, with a stolen…
In the realm of the North-West, where shadows of insecurity once loomed large, a beacon of hope has emerged, illuminating the path to peace and prosperity. Birnin-Gwari, a local government area in Kaduna State, has risen from the ashes of despair, its people reclaiming their right to live in peace and dignity. The past decade was marked by unprecedented insecurity, with armed banditry and abduction for ransom becoming a norm that threatened to engulf the entire region. By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris However, in a dramatic turn of events, the last eight months have witnessed a fresh air of peace blowing…