Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations.

The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood.

“Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said.

The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said the institute has remained committed to promoting Turkish language, arts, and culture in Nigeria since its establishment in 2021. He added that collaborations with Nigerian artists are central to strengthening cultural ties and encouraging creative exchange.

Diplomatic presence at the event underscored its international significance. Mrs Florence Nzako, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Solveig Andresen of the Norwegian Embassy, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for using art to advance peace and intercultural understanding.

Poets at the gathering presented works exploring themes of peace, love, displacement, and resilience, drawing poetic connections between the Bosphorus and the Niger River as symbols of unity and shared humanity.

Also speaking, Director-General and Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Kattumu Bulama Gana, said artistic collaborations provide unique opportunities to understand common histories and aspirations. He described the poetry exchange as a valuable contribution to cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Turkey.

Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art

MICS boosting support for children, women in Gombe – Statisticians

Some statisticians in Gombe have said that the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), has contributed immensely to boosting support for children and women in the state, resulting in improvement in their social and economic wellbeing.

They said the survey helped in boosting support for children and women toward enhancing their wellbeing and protection across the state.

The experts said this on Thursday, while reviewing the ongoing MICS 7, which started on Dec. 3, 2025 and expected to end in March.

The MICS 7 survey is being carried out by the Federal Government and the Gombe State with the support of UNICEF and other partners.

Mrs Elizabeth Augustine, Gombe State coordinator, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said the surveys, over the years, enhanced support for families and children.

According to Augustine, the survey provides vital data for shaping inclusive social policies and child protection.

‘’Conducting MICS 1- 7 helped in ensuring inclusion as well as prioritising the wellbeing of children and women in the state.

‘’The MICS 7 will provide critical, up-to-date data on the well-being of children and women across the state toward getting the right information for targeted interventions,” she said.

Augustine said that with the over 200 modules, the current survey was covering, data realised from it would result in better outcomes for health, education and other sectors.

“Using data from this new survey will help to drive change and improve lives, especially for children, women and even teenagers in our society.

‘’Measures have been put in place to ensure the integrity of the data from the survey, hence, the survey will meet the best global standard,” she said.

Ibrahim Abubakar, Acting Statistician General, Gombe State, highlighted that data from MICS 7 would initiate evidence-based policy that would result in sustainable development.

Abubakar said MICS had empowered stakeholders and development partners to make informed decisions resulting in positive health and education outcomes in the state.

“Today, you can see that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya is allocating more resources to health, education and other sectors, this is as a result of some of the data from our last survey.

“When the current survey is concluded and result released, more interventions and supports will come, that will help improve the lives and wellbeing of women and children in the state,” he said.

Abdullahi Ningi, North-East Zonal Controller, NBS, urged field officials to remain committed toward ensuring the success of the survey.

Ningi said the use of technology as against manual documentation helped to improve the process of data collection in recent surveys.

He commended the Federal Government, state government and UNICEF for conducting the survey, adding that it would guide policymaking in the interest of the wellbeing and protection of women and children.

MICS is a global household survey programme led by UNICEF to collect statistically sound, comparable data on the situation of women and children.

It covers topics like health, education, nutrition, and child protection to help countries monitor progress toward development programmes like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MICS boosting support for children, women in Gombe – Statisticians

One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that one passenger was killed when suspected armed bandits attacked a commercial bus in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.

A police source said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Ojali community in Ohimini LGA.

The bus, an 18-seater Hummer Bus with registration number GME 911 XE (Gombe), was reportedly conveying passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Gombe State when it came under attack.

“The vehicle was driven by one Musa Jibrin. On reaching Ojali, unknown gunmen opened fire from the bush on the moving bus. One passenger, identified as Sanusi Danmaji, 30, was shot and killed,” the source said.

He added that no passenger was abducted during the attack.

Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini mobilised a patrol team alongside other tactical units to the scene.

Photographs were taken and the surrounding bushes were combed in a bid to track down the attackers for possible arrest.

The driver and the remaining passengers were later allowed to continue with their journey.

The command said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.

One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue