Author: Our Correspondent

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

Not less than 2,187 athletes from 136 schools across Nigeria are set to compete in the third edition of the MTN Champs grande finale for primary schools in the country.

The athletes are omprised of 464 Cadets, 777 Youths, 426 Juniors and 520 Seniors.

At a press conference in Uyo to herald the competition yesterday Governor Umo Eno called on corporate organisations to increase their support in sponsorship to complement government’s efforts in developing the country’s sports.

Eno who was represented by state Sports Commissioner Mr Paul Bassey however commending MTN for sustaining the competition, reiterating that until the private sector start partnering with government the country would not be able to record better performances at international competitions.

The Governor said the initiative aligned with his administration’s commitment to sports development, adding that plans are underway to stage the next edition of Akwa Ibom Sports Festival to discover budding talents.

“We are very intentional about sports development in the state, aside the sports festival we hold which has produced lots of talents for this country, my administration is taking it a notch higher by establishing a world class sports academy to groom sport talents discovered during corporate initiatives like the MTN Champs.”

State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh thanked MTN for its education advancement policy through sports and urged the winning athletes who would benefit from the scholarship scheme to take full advantage of the opportunity to better their future.

General Manager, Brand and Communications at MTN Nigeria, Emmamoke Ogoro, said the goal remainsmed to have the top talents from the competition begin representing Nigeria internationally within a year.

…To Upgrade Skill Center at Maiduguri Correctional Facility
…Closedown all IDP camps over illicit activities, prostitutions

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum Umara, has announced the resettlement of 6,000 families displaced by Boko Haram insurgents. The families mostly hailed from Dikwa and Mafa local government areas.

Zulum announced the plan on Monday at Muna IDP camp, one of the largests with about 11,000 families taking refuge due to the over a decade old crisis in Borno.

Addressing journalists, Zulum reiterated that the resettlement became imperative due to the high-level of illicit activities in the camp, according to statement released by his media aide Abdurraman Bundi.

“Boko Haram can never be eradicated without resettlement taking place. People have to go back to their homes and earn their livelihood. We have observed that in the IDP camp, there is increasing prostitution, increasing gangsterism, cases of child abuse and other criminalities,” Zulum said.

He added that, “If you could remember, about four years ago, we announced that all formal IDP camps within Maiduguri metropolis would be closed”.

“So far, so good, we have closed all down, about 12 of them. We have two informal camps remaining. We have resettled about 75% of the IDPs here (Muna camp), and the remaining 25% will return to their ancestral localities in the next few days”, he noted

According to Governor Zulum, each of the 6,000 families will receive food aid, shelter materials, and access to healthcare services as part of the resettlement process.

The Governor also announced that while each head of both male and female households receives N100,000, an additional N50,000 will be distributed to the housewives.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum also announced a plan to upgrade the vocational and skill acquisition centre at Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility to enhance rehabilitation and reduce the tendency for inmates to relapse into criminal activities.

The Governor who visited the facility on Monday morning emphasized that the essence of prison sentences is to transform lives, not just to confine individuals.

He said, “I am here to examine the living conditions of the inmates here, especially in the areas of technical and vocational skills.

“The essence of keeping them at the correctional facility is largely to reform them, but this cannot be feasible without facilities on the ground. We can also examine cases of some inmates, and within the ambit of the law, we will look to the possibility of releasing those convicted of minor offences,” Zulum said.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Shiekh Modu Mustapha, and the permanent secretary of the Government House, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busuguma.

High Chief Idibia Gabriel, the head of bureau, daybreak Nigeria has been presented with Torch Breeder of Press Freedom Award, 2025 by Nnanna Ude CEO, Agon Continental Limited for his outstanding contribution to the development of journalism in Nigeria.

Photo caption:

Representative of  Anyim Ude Foundation.1st Son of Late Senator Anyim Ude, making the presentation to chief Idibia in Abuja on Saturday 3rd May 2025, on behalf of national president of NUJ.

North Central Women on Friday criticized Prof Mgbeke, dismissing her recent remarks about the representative of Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as mad imaginings, deception and fantasy.

They also described the remarks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Organizing Secretary, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, as banal and irrelevant.

‘’It is amazing that male politicians in Nigeria are resorting to dishonest tactics to fight women’’

The women in a statement in Abuja criticized the leadership of the Senate for placing Nigeria in a dilemma.

 ‘’The six-month suspension is raised in almost all the news media in the world’’

They urged the senate leadership to save Nigeria from ignominy.

Specifically, the women praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for not allowing anyone to make her an emotional client in the country.

They also applauded her for playing a major role in the national history of Nigeria.

The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu emphasized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unflagging commitment to improvement of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The women scolded the spokesperson of Executive Watch Dog, Mr. Fidelis Ella for advertising his ignorance.

The women of repute and experience branded Dr Sandra Duru  (Mgbeke), Ella and Agbomhere parrots and bootlickers of anti-democratic forces.

 ‘’Unstable people can destroy anybody for a political appointment, contract and petty cash”

The women further dismissed allegations of malicious agenda, dirty game of propaganda and destruction.

They described the plot to dismantle Yoruba Government, destabilize the national structure and halt the country from moving forward as a foolish talk.

‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is guided by patriotic commitment’’

The women urged sympathizers of the Senate President and a former ministerial nominee not to lead Nigeria to confusion.

The statement denounced intolerance, lies, perversion of truth and crazy ideas.

Ebireri Henry Ovie Mobile: 2348036977194.

By Israel Adamu, Jos 

Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, continued his three-day working visit to Plateau State with a visit to Milk way Diary Farm located at Bokkos local government council of the state. 

The Minster added that Plateau state is blessed streeint that it’s  the home to livestock. 

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s efforts at revamping the agricultural sector in the state and promised to collaborate with the state government to revamp the  Milk way Diary Farm.

In his words “Looking at this facility, it is supposed to be a center of excellence: excellent construction, good infrastructure and water”

” We  have dams, expansive fields for pasture, about 500 hectares of pastureland. We also have a dam here for dry season irrigation.”

” We have staff quarters and milk processing facilities here. It has everything that a functional dairy should have. “

However, over the years, this place has been neglected. We are here today with the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development of the state, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture of the state, and together, we must come up with a sustainable model to make this place functional.”

” This country is spending $1.5 billion to import dairy. Why should that be, when we have facilities of this nature?”

Each state in this country should have one or two such sites. The capacity here is about 200 hybrid dairy cows. Each should be able to give you 30 to 40 litres of fresh milk a day. That will make a dent in our import bill. Our intention today is to partner with the state government and see that this place is brought back to life. We must inject, reload, and reinvigorate this area.

The Milky Way dairy farm workers must work to provide jobs for our teeming youth—to provide much-needed dairy for our families and for our young ones. The Milky Way workers must work. This is why we are here. 

We have gathered all these statistics, and I believe that under the able leadership of His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang,  will bring this place back to life, he added .

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto 

The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the distribution of uniforms and 8kg hand luggage to intending pilgrims from the state. The flag-off ceremony was held at the agency’s headquarters.

Representing Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Musa, Acting Executive Secretary Alhaji Ladan Ibrahim charged the pilgrims to make proper use of the uniforms. He informed the pilgrims that each will receive an 8kg hand luggage in Nigeria and an additional 32kg luggage in Saudi Arabia.

This initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring the comfort and convenience of Sokoto State pilgrims during their sacred journey. The distribution of uniforms and luggage is part of the agency’s efforts to provide a hassle-free experience for pilgrims.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

An influential concerned member of Banganje community Gombe state and a medical doctor, Dr. Jordan Bako, has publicly condemned what he called “unlawful and insensitive” interference of Mai Tangle in the scheduled turbaning of Mai Banganje.

Dr. Bako’s concerned is that the ceremony was reportedly set for Saturday despite ongoing mourning in the ruler’s household, according to statement issued yesterday and signed by Dr. Jordan Bako himself.

“This is not only inhumane, it is disgraceful,” Dr. Bako said. “At a time when the Mai Banganje is mourning the loss of his uncle and guardian, forcing a coronation ceremony on them reflects total disregard for both personal grief and our cultural traditions.”

In his open letter to the government and the public, Dr. Bako accused Mai Tangle of being the driving force behind this hasty arrangement, despite not having been coronated himself.

“A man whose own status is unsettled should not be meddling in the affairs of other thrones. This is a dangerous overreach and a betrayal of traditional order,” Dr. Bako added.

The letter called on the State Government, among others to clarify whether the directive for the turbaning came from its office or from an individual acting outside official channel.

It also urged for postponement of the turbaning until proper mourning and consultations are observed, Rein in Mai Tangle, whose actions, according to the letter, threatened the peace, dignity, and stability of the Banganje community.

Dr. Bako emphasized that the community does not opposed the turbaning itself, but rather “the timing and method, especially when driven by individuals with questionable motives.”

The letter closes with a sharp warning: “If we remain silent now, we validate a dangerous trend, where ambition tramples tradition, and power is imposed, not earned.”

.