National News
N-Skill Programme: FG earmarks over N4.6 billion for training, others

N-Skill Programme: FG earmarks over N4.6 billion for training, others
The Federal Government has earmarked over N4.6 billion for the N-Skill training, buying of tools and or payment of monthly stipends to the Batch C beneficiaries of the programme.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq made this known at the closing ceremony of the N-Skill Training on Smartphone repairs and services in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N-Skill Programme was based on a certification system and accreditation of practical training provided through the informal training system.
NAN reports that each of the 100 beneficiaries would go home with a rework soldering station (Soldering Iron), a digital multimeter, a set of precision screwdrivers, a repair tool kit and magnifying lamp.
READ ALSO: Buhari Appoints Abdulganiyu New CG, FFS
Farouq explained that the fund was a tremendous direct injection of resources to the youth at the grassroots.
She noted that the graduate and non-graduate components of the N-Power programme had been expanded to provide job opportunities for 12,981 unemployed youths in Lagos state under the Batch C.
The minister added that this followed the successfully exiting of 16,694 youths under Batches A and B.
Farouq noted that the programme was a clear demonstration of the commitment to collectively address youth unemployment in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s deliberate efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
The minister said that while the training accommodated many skills-based enterprises, the Smartphone repairs were used to pilot the programme under the N-Power non-graduate component.
Farouq said the programme was consistent with the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
She said: “The programme was designed to train, tool and transit marginalised unemployed youths to be gainfully employed.
“The Ministry has worked with technical service providers to provide the N-Skills training services to 6,475 unemployed youths across the federation.
“For you the trainees, over the past six weeks, you have been given the opportunity to: learn and develop competencies in the smartphone repairs business.
“You have acquired life-long skills that would help you to develop an entrepreneurial understanding of the trade; be responsible citizens, take decisions and effectively manage interpersonal relationships.”
The minister said their participation would change their orientation and prepare them to optimise employment opportunities in the smartphone repairs and service market.
Farouq said that having completed this training, they would be attached directly to Master Craft Persons (MCPs) in the trade, for a six-month apprenticeship.
She noted that the MCPs were masters of smartphone repairs who were also trained and certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that the attachment would enable them to have a work-based learning experience.
According to her, in the six-month attachment period, your performance would be assessed and examined by the NBTE and the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).
The minister said this would lead to the issuance of NBTE certificates to those that met the minimum requirements, urging them to work hard to meet the requirements.
Speaking, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, the Lagos state Focal Person, NSIP and Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment in the state, urged the beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs, thereby creating jobs for the people.
Arobieke noted that the programme was one of the ways to train the trainers and before they know it, the country would be free from unemployment.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Rotimi Adeniyi, the Chairman, People Living with Disability, Lagos State Chapter, thanked the president for giving them the opportunity to participate in the programme.
NAN reports that the high point of the programme was the presentation of certificates and equipment to the beneficiaries.
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics2 months ago
2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift