Plan International Nigeria, has condemned attacks on schools, describing as a threat to Nigeria’s learning environments and increasing vulnerability of school children. The organisation, in a statement by its Brand and Communications Manager, Ms Munachi Okoro, in Abuja on Saturday, expressed concern over the Friday abduction of some school children at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger. It called for urgent action by relevant authorities to protect children’s right to education in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an unconfirmed number of students and staff members St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government…
Author: Honesty Victor
Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo bas received a “Climate Change Champion” award from the United Nations of Youth Network at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 30) in Belem, Brazil. Mr Tony Velasco, the Global Coordinator,of the network, said the award recognizes his efforts of Uzodinma in promoting climate action and sustainable development, which include the launch of the “Hope Green Revolution” initiative in Imo. Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Dr Emeke Mandella, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt in Imo, described the Uzodinma`s perspective to scientifically introduce carbon capturing plants as excellent.…
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has urged FCT residents to engage actively in its safety programmes to reduce disasters. The acting Director-General, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, made the call on Friday in Abuja while highlighting the department’s partnership with RCL Industrial Safety Centre for the FEMD-RCL Emergency Management Forum 2025. Mohammed appealed to residents to heed FEMD’s guidance and join community safety efforts, especially during the dry season. He reminded residents that emergencies should be reported through the 112 toll-free line or by calling the Fire Service directly. Speaking on the forthcoming Forum with the theme ‘Preparing for…
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has announced the postponement of the 2025 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that festival to be hosted by Enugu State was scheduled to commence on Nov 22. However, the postponement announcement was made in statement by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister on Saturday in Abuja. He said decision for the postponement was made after a careful assessment of the national mood and the recent insecurity across different parts of the country. “In…
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the condition of correctional facilities in the state. Otti spoke, on Friday, when the Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Owerri, Zone E, Dr Ngozi Amanze, visited him in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA. He said that the centres must reflect their mandate of rehabilitation, rather than punishment. He said that the renaming of Nigerian prisons to Nigerian Correctional Service was a significant step, as it underscores the hope and rehabilitation expected of such facilities. Otti recalled that shortly after assuming office, he met a former National…
Bodinga community in Sokoto State has ratified Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Practices prevention guidelines to support the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) and Child Protection laws. The document was signed by the District Head, Alhaji Bello Abdulrauf, and Chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehu Dingyadi, following a three-day Community Guideline Development meeting on GBV and Harmful Practices on Friday. At least 60 religious and community leaders, civil society representatives, law enforcement officials, youth, and women groups reviewed the document before agreeing on its contents, ensuring broad community ownership. The programme, organised by UN Women…
The Abia State Ministry of Environment says it will collaborate with the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a non-governmental organisation, to promote disability-inclusive climate change policy and programmes. The Commissioner, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, made the pledge, when a delegation from CCD visited him in his office in Umuahia on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the policy is expected to guide Abia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, promote sustainable land use, and attract development partnerships. Ogbonna, who said that CCD formed a major part of the ministry’s climate change programme, assured the group that it would be…
Agri Western Cape (AWC), the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation Western Cape (RPO WC), and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services have banded together to activate the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) that is coordinating disease-control activities in the province. “The [vaccinated] animals are now undergoing a mandatory 14-day observation period, after which they may be slaughtered but only at an approved abattoir, provided no new symptoms appear,” the organisation said in a statement. The vaccination of these animals forms part of the Western Cape’s urgent response to the first confirmed outbreak of FMD recorded in the province, detected after the…
Food security is one of the most pressing issues facing the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025’ report, between 638 million and 720 million people (7,8% to 8,8% of the global population), faced hunger in 2024. In Africa, hunger levels are more than double the global average. For South African farmers, these figures matter; they reflect the pressure on production systems, markets, and policy environments that ultimately influence profitability and producers’ long-term sustainability. The culprit behind these hunger levels is not insufficient production. Instead, global…
The US’s strong demand for South African table grapes is reflected in a sharp rise in South Africa’s exports to the US, which jumped by 65% between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 export seasons, from 1,3 million 4,5kg cartons (6 000t) to 2,2 million cartons (9 900t). The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) noted in a statement that table grapes were not exempted from severe import tariffs included in US President Donald Trump’s latest revision of reciprocal tariffs, announced on 14 November. “We welcome any movement towards tariff reduction. However, it is disappointing that table grapes were excluded from the list of exempted products,…