General News
BANDITS DON’T FEAR GOD, ONLY AIRCRAFT – GEN. TSIGA RECOUNTS ORDEAL FROM KIDNAPPED DEN
Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, has shared his horrific experiences after spending 56 days in a kidnappers’ den. Gen. Tsiga, who was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tsiga in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, revealed that his captors had no regard for God, but instead feared aircraft.
“They don’t fear God. They tell you not to call God for them, just to give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows start running,” Gen. Tsiga said. He described how he and other hostages were surrounded by hungry hyenas a day before their release. “A day before I left there, that is, the day before yesterday, on the mountain where I was staying, unexpectedly, we looked around and saw hyenas parading, searching for food. And what kind of food? Us, the human beings.”
Gen. Tsiga, who was formally handed over to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, alongside a former Ambassador Gideon Yohanna and 17 other rescued victims, stated that they were fed once a day and frequently encountered snakes and scorpions while in captivity. He also disclosed that the kidnappers used high-profile captives as human shields during aerial attacks by the Nigerian Air Force.
Gen. Tsiga emphasized the importance of collective security efforts, stating, “We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must contribute. Security is a collective responsibility.” He urged citizens to provide timely and accurate intelligence to security agencies, stressing that they rely on good information to act effectively.
Former Deputy Head of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, Ambassador Gideon Yohana, who was among those rescued, expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, and security agencies for their efforts in securing their release. “We know that security forces are working quietly behind the scenes, and it is not an easy task. We also heard while in captivity about the rescue of a General. We thank God that he is also free now,” Yohana stated.
The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the Junior Secondary School Common Entrance Examination and introduce a nationwide Learner Identification Number system to track pupils throughout their academic journey.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the proposal during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, stating that the reforms are aimed at improving access to education and strengthening monitoring mechanisms across the country.
Under the proposed framework, the current common entrance examination will be phased out and replaced with a Continuous Assessment (CA) system. The minister explained that pupils would be evaluated based on their academic performance from primary one, allowing for seamless transfer of records when moving between schools.
Alausa said the reform is designed to address long-standing challenges in the transition from primary to secondary education, particularly the high number of pupils who fail to progress.
According to him, Nigeria has over 50,000 public primary schools with more than 23 million pupils, yet only slightly above three million transition to junior secondary school within the public system.
He described the gap as a reflection of limited access, noting that private schools cannot fully absorb the shortfall.
“The issue is simply lack of access,” he said, adding that the Federal Government is working with state governments to expand infrastructure and build more schools to accommodate the growing number of pupils.
To support the reform, the government plans to introduce a unique Learner Identification Number for every child from the primary school level. The number will remain with each pupil throughout their education, regardless of school transfers.
The system, the minister said, will enable authorities to track students’ progress and identify dropouts for timely intervention.
“If a child is expected to be in JSS1 and is not there, we will be able to determine the reason,” he added.
Alausa also revealed plans to revive the school feeding programme as part of efforts to boost enrolment and retention in public schools.
He noted that the programme may be placed under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education to improve monitoring and effectiveness.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the education sector, improve retention rates, and ensure more children complete basic education.
General News
Alue-Do Festival Assault: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Condemns Attack on Women, Calls for Justice
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as “horrific” and unacceptable.
Reacting to viral footage from Ozoro, the First Lady expressed outrage over scenes showing young girls being physically and sexually assaulted, as well as subjected to degrading treatment during what was meant to be a cultural celebration.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, Mrs. Tinubu stressed that no tradition or custom should be used as justification for violating the dignity and rights of women and girls.
She commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force for making arrests in connection with the incident and urged authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
The First Lady also called on victims to seek immediate medical and psychological support, offering prayers for their healing, peace, and strength in the aftermath of the ordeal.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stricter measures to protect women and girls during cultural and public events across the country.
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.