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UNICEF and Kaduna State Hold Health Retreat for Local Government Chairmen

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By Kabiru Basiru Fultan

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, concluded a two-day health retreat aimed at orienting local government chairmen towards their responsibilities in improving health care delivery in their respective LGAs. The event, which took place in Kano, was facilitated by Dr. Idris Bawa, the health specialist overseeing UNICEF interventions in the Cardinal Field Office, and was attended by key state officials, including Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and Commissioner of Health Umeki Ahme.

“The essence of this meeting is for us to begin to orient our local government chairmen towards their responsibility as the number one citizens in their respective local governments,” Dr. Idris Baba stated.

“Health is one area that we can’t stop talking about. It’s one area that we must deliver on because it is the fulcrum around which human survival hinges.”

Dr. Baba emphasized the importance of involving local government chairmen in changing the current health indices in Kaduna State. “The whole objective of the meeting is to have them on board as quickly as possible so that they know where to invest their resources moving forward,” he explained. He added that UNICEF’s role was to convene the meeting and provide technical support, while the Deputy Governor of the state played a more significant facilitating role.

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Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe highlighted that the retreat focused on service delivery in health, particularly primary health care services, which she described as the foundation of the healthcare system. “We’ve had our challenges, but we’ve also recorded some gains. We realize that if we get it right at this level, we will get the other levels right as well,” she said.

The retreat organized attendees into three groups to discuss key issues: motivation for health workers, maternal health issues, and child health issues including nutrition. “One group was talking about how health workers can stay motivated to do their work better, another group discussed maternal health issues, and another focused on child health issues including nutrition,” Deputy Governor Balarabe noted.

Commissioner of Health Umeki Ahme reiterated the state’s commitment to health as a priority under Governor Uba Sani’s administration. “The local government chairmen are the gatekeepers of the local government. Our hospitals, from primary health care centers up to the secondary health facilities, need to work hand in hand with the local government chairmen to ensure quality and accessible health care,” Ahme said.

Ahme also mentioned the involvement of various health agencies including the Primary Health Care Board, Kaduna State Contributory Health Agency, Kaduna State Drug Supply Agency, and CADBUSA. “We are doing this to ensure that we provide quality and accessible health care to our people at the grassroots,” he added.

The retreat emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle health challenges, improve service delivery, and ensure sustainable development in the health sector across Kaduna State.

 

 

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Arewa Rents Charts a Digital Future for Northern Nigeria’s Property Market”

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Arewarents.com, a property marketplace startup focused on Northern Nigeria, is positioning itself to transform how people rent, buy, and access short-let properties across the region through technology and innovation.

The startup pitched its idea today at the first Kano Startup Weekend, an event organized by the Kano State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). The event brought together startups, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to showcase emerging solutions addressing real market challenges.

At the pitch, Arewa Rents presented its vision of building a centralized digital platform for property rentals, sales, and short-lets, designed specifically for the Northern Nigerian market. According to the Founder of Arewa Rents, Anas Y. Yusuf, the goal is to “create a single trusted platform where people can easily find verified properties without relying on scattered and unreliable sources.”

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Northern Nigeria’s real estate market remains largely informal, with property listings scattered across social media, local agents, and offline networks. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies, limits visibility for property owners and agents, and makes it difficult for renters and buyers to access verified properties in one trusted place.

Addressing this gap, Anas Y. Yusuf noted that Arewa Rents is “leveraging technology to bring structure, transparency, and trust into the property market, while making it easier for agents and landlords to reach serious clients.”

Arewa Rents is developing a technology-driven property marketplace that aggregates verified listings for homes, apartments, shops, and short-stay properties. The platform is designed to connect renters, buyers, agents, developers, and landlords more efficiently, while improving transparency in property transactions.

As the startup continues to build and scale its platform, Anas Y. Yusuf emphasized that the long-term mission is “to make property renting, buying, and short-let access in Northern Nigeria more efficient and accessible through a trusted digital marketplace.”

With its regional focus and marketplace-driven approach, Arewa Rents is emerging as a startup positioned to play a key role in the digital transformation of Northern Nigeria’s real estate sector.

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News Analysis: Wike in the Wilderness as Fubara Dines with the APC

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was issued the membership card of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

The party’s membership card issuance took place at the Rivers State government house, and it marks the official transitioning of governor Fubara to the fold of the ruling party, APC.

Speaking during the officiating, governor Fubara expressed joy, stating that President Tinubu’s vision will now be shared with the state.

“To everything under the sun, there is a time and season and I am happy today that I formally obtained the membership card of the APC.

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This primarily, is to align our dear state with the ruling party at the centre, with a firm belief in Mr President and the Renewed Hope Agenda to rapidly contribute to the growth, stability and development of Rivers State,” Fubara said.

The sudden and shocking defection of governor Fubara from the PDP to APC has been one of the top trending national discourse recently.

Netizens have proclaimed the “use and dump” tactics on Wike, saying that the presidency no longer see value in him.

Unverified reports have it that the FCT Minister might not make it to the next administration of President Tinubu if he gets re-elected since they’re now with governor Fubara, who commands the leadership of APC in the State now.

Also, rumors have it that Wike tried all he could to sabotage the defection of governor Fubara into the All Progressives Congress, but all to no avail.

Consequently, people have been inquisitive:

1. Will Wike now Join APC in order to wield state supremacy?
2. Will he work for or against the very APC he worked for during 2023 presidential election?
3. If he doesn’t join the APC, will 2027 be the end of his political relevance?

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FG Bans New SS3 Admissions Nationwide to Fight Exam Malpractice

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private secondary schools, effective from the 2026/27 academic session.

The directive was disclosed in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, as part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

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According to the ministry, the decision follows growing concerns over widespread examination malpractices, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations. Under the new policy, student admissions and transfers will be permitted only into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated.

Officials explained that the measure is intended to prevent last-minute movement of students for examination advantages, ensure proper academic monitoring, and promote continuity in teaching and learning.

School proprietors, principals, and administrators across the country have been directed to comply strictly with the policy, with the ministry warning that violations will attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations.

The statement reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring confidence in public examinations nationwide.

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