Commitment to strengthen access to safe water through local capacity enhancement training on inline chlorination

Rhema Care Integrated Development Center, a non-profit organization committed to achieving an inclusive and equitable society where communities are resilient and empowered to thrive with dignity, has commenced implementation of Inline Chlorination Project across Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, and Taraba States.

With Head Office in Port Harcourt, a Regional Office in Cameroon, and Field Offices in Ogoja (Cross River State) and Takum (Taraba State), Rhema Care continues to record tremendous impact and sustainable progress in promoting the rights, protection, dignity, and well-being of vulnerable populations — including children, persons with disabilities, women, and young people — through its integrated Health, Education, Livelihoods, and Protection (HELP) interventions.

The Inline Chlorination Project funded by GiveWell, is a strategic intervention designed to enhance access to safe drinking water and significantly reduce waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera in rural and peri-urban communities.

As part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency, achieve measurable results, and create maximum impact, Rhema Care, in collaboration Mangrove Water, a technical assistance partner for inline chlorination pilots supported by ‘‘GiveWell” conducted a four-day Capacity Enhancement Training.

The training which went on successfully was attended and participated by Rhema Care staff and Volunteers, representatives of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSA) from Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, and Taraba States, and other partners including UNICEF, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Self Help Africa, and Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

The training, which held from 24th to 27th February at Landmark Hotel in Ogoja, Cross River State, combined classroom sessions and field-based participatory learning.

Participants were grouped into teams of three and four to encourage collaboration, practical problem-solving, and peer learning both during indoor sessions and field demonstrations.

On the first day, participants were introduced to chlorination technologies and water quality monitoring methods.

The second and third days focused on practical demonstrations, including installation and calibration of CTI-8 chlorination devices, as well as water quality testing and monitoring procedures.

A solar-powered borehole constructed by Rhema Care under Malteser International-supported funding, located in community 11 Adagom 3, Refugees’ settlement in Ogaja Cross River State was used as demonstration site for field practical sessions.

The impact of the training was evident, participants successfully constructed and installed a CTI-8 device using locally sourced materials, calibrated the system, and conducted water quality test using three different approaches.

The hands-on approach ensured that participants gained both technical knowledge and practical competence required for sustainable project implementation.

The training concluded successfully with participants expressing satisfaction and appreciation to Rhema Care and Mangrove Water for its proactive intervention and commitment to building local capacity.

Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment for supporting the inline chlorination project implementation across the four states to strengthen safe water access and protect communities from waterborne diseases.

Commitment to strengthen access to safe water through local capacity enhancement training on inline chlorination

Benue 2027: Rice, salt not democracy — Akoh blasts token politics

An Idoma elder statesman and political leader, Dickson Akoh, has strongly condemned the culture of inducement politics in Benue South, declaring that the distribution of rice, salt and other items does not amount to true democracy.

In a statement titled “The 2027 Mandates: Rejecting the Consultation Paradox in Benue South and the Failure of the Democratic Contract,” Akoh warned that voters must reject transactional politics as the 2027 general elections approach.

“The true measure of representation must transcend tokenistic empowerment schemes such as the distribution of rice, salt, fertilizers and other items.

“These are temporary distractions that mask deeper systemic failures and keep our people in a cycle of dependency,” he said.

Akoh described the trend as a dangerous pattern he termed the “Consultation Paradox,” where politicians only engage the people during election periods and disappear after securing power.

“Many political engagements are purely transactional rather than relational. They are pre-election formalities to secure support, with no framework for post-election accountability,” he added.

The elder statesman noted that such practices had continued to weaken the political influence of Benue South, particularly among the Idoma people, while worsening issues of underdevelopment and marginalisation.

He urged the electorate to redefine the meaning of democratic dividends by focusing on tangible development.

“We must shift our focus to verifiable public goods—motorable roads, quality healthcare, sound education, stable electricity and improved security.

“These are the real dividends of democracy,” Akoh stated.

He also cautioned against aspirants who only surface during election seasons without any record of service to the people.

“True leadership is not a seasonal endeavour. Those who have not maintained any relationship with the people over time cannot suddenly claim to represent them,” he said.

Calling for a new political culture ahead of 2027, Akoh urged voters in Benue South to unite across party lines and prioritise competence, integrity and track record.

“The 2027 elections must be a moment of self-emancipation for our people. We must reject superficial politics and demand accountability,” he said.

He further proposed clear benchmarks for evaluating political leaders, including legislative performance, transparency in constituency projects, and regular engagement with constituents.

“An elected official who cannot sit with his people regularly has no business representing them,” he added.

Akoh also charged Idoma leaders and stakeholders to set aside personal differences and work together for the collective good of the region.

“The greatest threat to our progress is not external, but internal. We must overcome division, bitterness and selfishness if we truly desire development,” he warned.

He urged the people of Benue South to take responsibility for their political future by asking the right questions and demanding credible leadership ahead of 2027.

Benue 2027: Rice, salt not democracy — Akoh blasts token politics

INTERVIEW: Disgruntled politicians importing bandits, hoodlums into Nigeria – Prelate Emeritus, Kanu Uche

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Kanu Uche, has warned younger presidential aspirants that the love for Nigeria as well as the capacity to govern would be the determinant factor and not age. In this interview, he spoke on a wide range of issues, ranging from insecurity, the role of the church in politics, preparation for the 2027 general elections and assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s three years in office. Excerpts!

Since independence, Nigeria has had mostly older people as leaders, except the military government. When do you think we can get the young people to pilot the affairs of this country?

I don’t want to mention names because that would make me partisan. But, whether the candidate is old or young, all we need is good governance; we need someone who loves the country and who has its best interests at heart. I don’t condemn the older people because they have experience and I don’t equally condemn the younger ones because they have the dynamism.

But, it is crucial that they have the love of the country and a desire to make it better, prosperous and peaceful. We need those who will govern us well, whether they are from the South, West, North or East. That is welcome as far as I am concerned. I have no preference except for candidates with a godly heart.

The church is often said to be isolated from politics, a position some people believe has contributed to bad governance. Do you agree with the assertion?

Politics is fundamentally about leadership, how to lead the people and organise society in an orderly way. In a historical sense, one could say the church is the mother of politics. Great empires like Rome and Alexander’s gave birth to modern political systems, but religion informed their moral fabric. The church is composed of human beings who are part of this country. So, because of that, they are inherently involved in the leadership of their nation. It should be their concern to see how the country is governed and how things are done. So, I believe the church is and has always been involved in politics.

If the church is truly involved, why does Nigeria still face a myriad of challenges?

Is there any country in the world without challenges? Challenges have existed since the world began. What we need is for those in authority to govern and lead the masses in righteousness. The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Our leaders must embrace justice, fairness and equity, and enthrone the rule of law; the law of the land and that of the international community. Without law and order, there is chaos.

The 2027 election is fast approaching and political activities are already underway. In what way can the church participate to ensure that we have servant-leaders in various positions?

Before Nigeria gained independence, we had figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Herbert Macaulay. Were they not Christians? And they were the champions of Nigeria’s democracy. The church has been involved in politics from inception and at this critical time, it will not relent but become even more involved. In fact, other people of faith, like our Islamic brothers, have also been in leadership because they are people who believe in the Almighty God. Those interested in the forthcoming elections should do things in the fear of God.

However, I believe Christians should be deeply involved, not as a corporate church, but as individuals. The people who make up the church should be greatly involved in politics, from the registration of political parties to congresses and primaries, ensuring that good candidates emerge. They should be concerned with rendering service, serving their country diligently and making a positive impact.

Insecurity has become a cartel that appears to have defied all solutions. What is the solution to this challenge in your view?

I believe that when people have the love of their country at heart, insecurity will reduce. Unfortunately, much of this insecurity is sponsored by disgruntled politicians, all because they want to outsmart, outdo and run each other down. The bandits and hoodlums are sponsored. Remember what happened during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration? Insecurity was rampant because some people wanted him to leave the office. Currently, some people are importing bandits from West Africa to ensure the current administration is also ruined.

But, let me tell you a simple truth: my father used to say that, ‘If a hen drops its excreta on its eggs, it will ultimately soil both the eggs and itself, because the hen has to sit on them to incubate.’ In the same way, those sponsoring insecurity in Nigeria are shooting themselves in the leg. Insecurity in Nigeria is sponsored mostly by political heavyweights and people of ill will and unfortunately, they are using it to destroy the peace and harmony of the nation.

What is the way out for the common man who is at the receiving end and feeling the brunt of this insecurity?

There is a need for genuine repentance, not just from the followers, but from the political class, religious leaders and traditional rulers. We need to love our country and stop throwing stones from a glass house. If you live in a glass house, you don’t throw stones at another person. There must be a serious resolution not to cause the downfall of our nation. We need a change of heart and attitude. Once we do that, Nigeria will overcome its insecurity challenges and there will be peace. But if we continue trying to outsmart each other for political reasons, the insecurity will persist.

Democracy is famously defined as “the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Another definition by the political scientist Harold Lasswell is that politics is about “who gets what, when, and how.” If both leaders and followers have the fear of God, Nigeria will experience peace. But, if your goal is to disturb others, you will end up disturbing yourself. That is exactly what we are facing.

The United States of America, USA, and Israel are currently in conflict with Iran, a situation some have termed a religious war, with clerics taking sides. What is your take?

When nations overproduce weapons, they must find a way to sell or use them. America is a world power, Iran is rich in uranium and Israel is known for its military prowess. But, we must understand that war does not pay any country. We can see its effects everywhere. The world is a global village, which is why the Middle East war has a spiral effect on goods and services globally; the cost of transportation has increased.

War is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. My plea is for them to come to the roundtable and stop the war. They should keep their weapons in storage and allow peace to reign. The international community should also create laws to stop nations from overproducing weapons of war, because if you produce them, they will inevitably be used, either as a means of generating income or as a means of aggression.

This war is not religious. If it were, countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE would be directly involved. This is about nations flexing their muscles, trying to determine who has greater power. They should sheath their swords and stop this unnecessary war.

What do you make of President Tinubu’s government, now three years in?

To the ordinary man on the street, good governance means food on the table, affordable education, affordable means of livelihood and access to social amenities. These are the things the masses are clamouring for. All the big figures and complex economic terms we hear on television, billions and trillions; how do they impact the common man?

I appeal to the President, his administration, the governors and legislators to please do more to solve the people’s problems. Love your country. Listen to the heartbeat of the people you are leading. When you see citizens crying out in pain, pacify them and do things that will bring them relief. There must be respite for Nigerians. When this administration achieves that, everyone will be happy. On the other hand, Nigerians should have faith in their country, keep hope alive and genuinely love their nation, and everything will be well.

The Bible, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, says: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

Nigerians are quick to criticise, but we don’t always balance our criticism with constructive engagement. Our approach is often total condemnation. But, let’s be honest, even if you bring Jesus to rule Nigeria, some people will still find fault.

INTERVIEW: Disgruntled politicians importing bandits, hoodlums into Nigeria – Prelate Emeritus, Kanu Uche

Kano Emir Sanusi backs Gov Yusuf’s education, youth, infrastructure drive

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s policy initiatives on education, youth empowerment and infrastructural development.

The Emir, who spoke while paying the Hawan Nassarawa traditional Sallah homage to the Governor at the Government House on Sunday, said that the administration of Governor Yusuf deserves accolades for its scholarship and youth empowerment programmes.

Muhammadu Sanusi II hinted that his Emirate Council would no doubt rally round the government of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to achieve the desired results, which is the betterment of the lives of the Kano people.

He explained that he was back in school studying law to serve as an inspiration to younger people and even the elderly who wish to return to school before it is too late.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Ismaila Jibril, who represented the Governor, told the Emir that, “Your steadfast support to the Government remains a pillar of strength for this administration.”

He called on all citizens to avoid any action or behaviour that could threaten the peace and stability of Kano State, adding, “Let us continue to uphold the values of tolerance, mutual respect, and harmonised co-existence regardless of our differences.

“I also urge parents and guardians to guide and counsel their children and youth to remain law-abiding and to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the Sala celebrations.

He assured that this administration remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property.

“We have put in place adequate security measures while continuing to undertake development and the provision of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Kano Emir Sanusi backs Gov Yusuf’s education, youth, infrastructure drive

Kano announces school resumption dates after Ramadan break

The Kano State Government has announced resumption dates for primary and post-primary schools across the state following the Ramadan break.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Kano State Ministry of Education, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, which stated that the dates are in line with the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar.

According to the statement, students in boarding schools are expected to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students will return to school on Monday, March 23, 2026.

“The second term continues on Sunday, 22 March, 2026 and ends on Saturday, 18 April, 2026,” the statement said.

“All public and private schools in the State are hereby directed to comply with this directive, as non-compliance will be treated as a breach of the State Government’s directive,” the statement added.

The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, called on parents and guardians to ensure that their children return to school on time.

He also appreciated residents of the state for their continued support to the ministry and wished students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and a peaceful Sallah celebration.

Kano announces school resumption dates after Ramadan break

Teachers recruitment: Osun govt increases number of successful candidates

The Osun State Government has increased the number of successful applicants in its ongoing teachers’ recruitment exercise with the release of a supplementary list to the first batch.

The approval for the additional intake was granted by Governor Ademola Adeleke, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education.

The decision DAILY POST gathered effectively raised the total number of recruited candidates beyond the initial target, widening opportunities for qualified applicants seeking employment in the education sector.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, M. A. K. Jimoh, in a statement on Sunday confirmed that the newly approved list brings the total number of successful candidates to 1,241, compared to the earlier figure of 1,000.

He explained that the adjustment was made to accommodate more qualified unemployed youths and strengthen teaching capacity in public schools across the state.

“The release of the supplementary list is part of efforts to ensure that more competent hands are engaged to improve learning outcomes in both primary and secondary schools,” Jimoh said.

A break down of the updated figures shows that 660 candidates were recruited under the State Universal Basic Education Board, 526 under the Teaching Service Commission, and 55 as Education Officers.

The state government has directed all successful applicants to verify their names on the published lists and proceed with documentation and profiling at the appropriate agencies.

“They are to report to SUBEB, TESCOM or the Civil Service Commission, as applicable, for the necessary processes,” the statement added.

The government urged the newly recruited teachers to demonstrate professionalism and commitment in their duties, noting that their performance would play a key role in advancing the state’s education standards.

Teachers recruitment: Osun govt increases number of successful candidates

No more bandits in Bauchi forests – Bala Mohammed

Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has said that forests across the state have been cleared of bandits following sustained security operations, especially in the Alkaleri axis which had witnessed repeated attacks in recent weeks.

The governor spoke on Saturday at the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar held at Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu Square in Bauchi, where he said joint efforts by the Nigerian military and other security agencies forced criminal groups out of their hideouts and pushed them beyond the state’s borders.

The statement comes after recent attacks on communities including Mansur and Gwana in Alkaleri Local Government Area that had raised fresh security concerns among residents.

“Today, I can confidently say that there are no bandits harbouring in any forest in Bauchi State. Our forests have been cleared through decisive military action and improved intelligence gathering,” the governor said.

Mohammed praised the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their role in stabilising the affected areas, noting that their operations had helped restore calm in Alkaleri and neighbouring communities.

He urged residents to remain alert and support security agencies with useful information, stressing that public cooperation is necessary to sustain the progress already made.

The governor also used the occasion to seek forgiveness from the people of the state as his administration moves toward the end of its second term next year.

“As my tenure gradually comes to an end, I find it necessary to seek your forgiveness for any wrongs, knowing fully that no human is perfect,” he said.

He assured citizens that his government would continue to execute ongoing projects in key sectors such as healthcare, education and road construction until the end of the administration.

The governor added that his administration would sustain close collaboration with traditional institutions, saying the partnership remains essential for peace, security and social harmony in the state.

No more bandits in Bauchi forests – Bala Mohammed

FRSC: Delta sector court convicts 31 traffic offenders

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Delta State Sector Command, has secured the conviction of 31 traffic offenders.

They were convicted by the mobile court attached to the corps during its Eid-el-Fitri Sallah Special Patrol patrol on Friday, along the Onitsha–Asaba axis of the Benin expressway.

The Mobile Court prosecuted a total of 32 offenders for 89 traffic violations, out of which 31 were convicted.

Notably, two offenders were sentenced to seven days imprisonment, while one driver was sentenced for Dangerous Driving (DGD), Road Obstruction (ROB), and Obstruction of Marshal on Duty (OMD).

An offender passenger was sentenced for contempt of court after instigating passengers and disrupting court proceedings.

The offences recorded during the operation included failure to install speed limiting devices, tyre violations, overloading, driver’s licence violations, number plate violations, attempt to corrupt marshals and seat belt violations.

In a statement by the Sector Public Education Officer, (SPE), Deputy Route Commander Uchenna Nnadika said the FRSC Delta State Sector Command reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement and urged all motorists to comply with traffic rules and regulations to ensure safer roads for all.

FRSC: Delta sector court convicts 31 traffic offenders

Police confirm arrest of all students involved viral Edo school bullying

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of all students involved in a viral bullying and assault incident at Igbinedion Education Centre, following widespread public outrage over the disturbing footage.

Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrests came after a “thorough and painstaking investigation.”

She noted that the suspects, all identified as minors, will be arraigned before a Family Court in accordance with laws governing juvenile justice and child protection.

In a related development, the families of the affected students identified as the Asoro and Uyi families have issued formal apologies over the incident.

According to the police, the violence originated from an earlier dispute involving two female students and a male student.

During the altercation, the boy allegedly made a provocative remark about the girls’ late father, saying, “Ogun kill your papa.”

The comment reportedly triggered an after-school attack by the girls.

Police said the situation escalated when a parent who arrived to pick up her child attempted to intervene.

“Angered by the remark, the girls attacked the student after school hours. When a parent stepped in, they turned on her, physically confronting her and tearing her clothes,” the statement said. The school management later expelled the girls over the incident.

The crisis further intensified the next day when the son of the assaulted woman carried out a revenge attack.

“On the following day, the male student, whose mother had been assaulted, attacked the victim seen in the viral video in what has been identified as a retaliatory act. The victim is the brother of the girls involved in the earlier assault,” police added.

Reacting to the incident, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika ordered a statewide reinforcement of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative to address security and supervision gaps in secondary schools.

The command also announced the mobilisation of its advocacy unit, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, to intensify sensitisation and reorientation programmes for students and school authorities to prevent a recurrence.

Police confirm arrest of all students involved viral Edo school bullying

NELFUND disburses N69.2m to FCE Yola for 936 students

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed a total of N69,210,600 to the Federal College of Education Yola to cover institutional fees for 936 students.

The fund disclosed this in an update shared on its official handle, noting that the payment was made in batches to ensure timely support for beneficiaries.

According to details provided, the disbursement was carried out in October 2025 in three tranches, with the final total amounting to N69,210,600.

The management of the college confirmed receipt of the funds in a letter addressed to NELFUND.

“I write to acknowledge receipt of the sum of N69,210,600 (Sixty-Nine Million, Two Hundred and Ten Thousand, Six Hundred Naira, only), disbursed by the Nigerian

Education Loan Fund NELFUND as institutional fees for the benefit of nine hundred and thirty-six 936 students of the College,” the provost, Mohammed Usman Degereji stated.

He added that the funds were received in batches and have been applied toward students fees.

The institution also commended the initiative, describing it as support for students pursuing their academic goals.

“We appreciate the commitment of NELFUND towards expanding access to higher education and supporting students in achieving their academic aspirations,” the letter added.

NELFUND said the disbursement forms part of ongoing efforts to improve access to education and reduce financial pressure on students across participating institutions.

NELFUND disburses N69.2m to FCE Yola for 936 students

Suicide prevention requires care, not punishment – Mental health expert, Ezera Emetu

A mental health expert, Ezera Emetu, has warned that Nigeria’s continued criminalization of attempted suicide is undermining suicide prevention efforts and worsening the country’s mental health crisis.

Emetu spoke within the week during the World Suicide Prevention Day, with the theme: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

He said Nigeria must urgently shift from punishment to treatment in its response to people experiencing severe psychological distress.

Under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence, exposing individuals in crisis to arrest and prosecution rather than medical care. According to Emetu, the law fuels stigma, discourages help-seeking, and pushes suicidal behaviour underground.

“Suicide is not a crime problem, it is a health problem,” Emetu said, adding: “when people fear arrest, they hide their pain instead of seeking help. That silence costs lives.”

Available public health estimates suggest that more than 15,000 Nigerians die by suicide each year, a figure experts believe is underreported due to stigma, cultural silence, and fear of legal consequences. Research also shows that nearly 90 per cent of suicide cases are linked to mental health and substance use disorders, with depression being a leading factor.

Despite the scale of the problem, access to care remains limited.

Nigeria has fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving over 200 million people, leaving most communities without professional mental health services. Experts say this shortage, combined with criminalization, creates a dangerous gap between need and care.

Emetu, whose mental health advocacy began in Nigeria through community education and outreach programmes, said many individuals delay or avoid treatment because mental illness is still widely misunderstood as a moral or spiritual failing.

“No one recovers from depression because they were arrested,” he said.

“Criminalization reinforces the false belief that mental illness is weakness, rather than a medical condition that responds to treatment,” he further stated.

He noted that countries which have decriminalized attempted suicide and adopted public health–based approaches have recorded improved help-seeking behaviour and reductions in suicide deaths.

While acknowledging the role of family, culture, and spirituality in supporting emotional wellbeing, Emetu stressed that these cannot replace access to professional care. He called on policymakers to repeal laws criminalizing attempted suicide and invest in community mental health services, crisis support systems, school-based counselling, and public education to reduce stigma.

“If Nigeria is serious about suicide prevention, it must change the narrative.

“Every suicide attempt is a cry for help, and the response should be care, not punishment,” Emetu said.

Suicide prevention requires care, not punishment – Mental health expert, Ezera Emetu

Super Eagles assistant coach bags UEFA B License

Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede has obtained his UEFA B coaching licence, DAILY POST reports.

The feat has further boosted Ogunmodede’s managerial credentials.

The UEFA B Licence is regarded as a significant step in coaching education in Europe.

Ogunmodede is regarded as one of the best young coaches in Nigeria.

The 45-year-old guided Remo Stars to win the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title last season.

He was part of the Super Eagles coaching team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles assistant coach bags UEFA B License

With Terra, home is who you share Iftar with

During the holy month of Ramadan, moments of reflection, benevolence, and togetherness take center stage in homes and communities around the world. It is a time when families and friends gather to share meals, strengthen bonds, and celebrate the spirit of unity that defines the season.

This year, Terra Seasoning Cube captures that spirit through a Ramadan story that reflects the universal longing for home, community, and belonging.

The campaign highlights quiet but meaningful moments, a young woman observing Maghrib prayer in a new city, a thoughtful message from home reminding her how far away she is, and a neighbour in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. In that kitchen, the familiar routine of unwrapping and crushing a Terra Seasoning Cube into a pot becomes more than a cooking step, it becomes a gesture of hospitality and care.

In many ways, it mirrors Terra’s brand promise of unwrapping joy and unleashing taste, transforming everyday meals into moments worth sharing. Soon, a simple invitation is extended. What follows is a shared Iftar table filled with laughter, conversation, and warmth, two households connecting over a meal in a way that reflects the true spirit of Ramadan.

A key message captures the heart of the story, “Wherever life takes you, home is who you share Iftar with.”

It is a message that resonates strongly in today’s world. Families are increasingly spread across cities, states, and continents as people relocate for work, education, and new opportunities. Yet moments like Sahoor, the pre-dawn meal before the day’s fast begins, and Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at sunset, continue to anchor people to the communal spirit of Ramadan.

Even when loved ones are far away, the essence of the holy month remains rooted in togetherness.

According to Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer at TGI Group, “Ramadan is a time that celebrates compassion, benevolence, and togetherness. At Terra, we believe the meals shared during Iftar create meaningful moments of connection. Terra Cube celebrates how food can bring people together at Sahoor and Iftar, and thereby make anyone feel at home, wherever they may be. It reflects our brand belief that when you unwrap Terra, you also unwrap joy and unleash taste that brings people closer.”

In a country as diverse as Nigeria, where cultures and traditions intersect daily, food continues to serve as a powerful bridge between people and communities.

In the end, Terra’s message goes beyond seasoning food. It speaks to seasoning life’s moments with warmth, generosity, and community. Because during Ramadan, home is not always defined by a place sometimes, it is simply the table where someone welcomes you to break your fast.

Terra Seasoning Cube is made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering great taste, flavour, and aroma for that unique cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience. Available in Beef, Chicken, Crayfish, and Jollof flavours, in various consumer-friendly pack sizes nationwide.

With Terra, home is who you share Iftar with

Akwa Ibom: Take advantage of FG’s autonomy on admissions – Varsity Chair to Institutions

Chairman of Topfaith University in Akwa Ibom, Dr Emmanuel Abraham has urged higher institutions in the State to embrace the autonomy on admissions granted by the Federal Ministry of Education.

His call follows the order by the Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa to universities to determine their admission processes without using the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB examination as the main criterion for admissions of candidates.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Thursday, Chairman of the University, Dr Emmanuel Abraham explained that if the federal government has considered the need to allow universities take initiative of deciding who should be admitted for programmes, such step should be accepted by stakeholders.

According to him, ” When you talk of university autonomy, it is something that is universal. It implies the capacity of the institution to take crucial decisions and one of such decisions is who to admit and what forms the basis of such admission.

“The basis for admission could be from many dimensions such as available facilities, human resources, the needs of the moment, the needs of society, the vision and mission of the university as well as the focal points of the instructions concerned among others.”

Speaking on alleged admission racket in Universities in the state, Abraham described it as baseless and unfounded as no case has been established against any university on admission irregularities.

He added, “sometimes, I refuse to join in the speculation. The issue of corruption in admission processes depends on the integrity of universities.”

Akwa Ibom: Take advantage of FG’s autonomy on admissions – Varsity Chair to Institutions

Electoral Act 2026: Yoruba Ronu Forum slams NASS over omission of certificate forgery

The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum has criticised the National Assembly over provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), particularly the exclusion of certificate forgery and qualification-related issues as valid grounds for election petitions.

The group also called on the Federal Government to release the full details of the amended legislation, instead of making the content available in fragments following its assent.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, its President, Akin Malaolu, expressed concern over Section 138(1) of the amended law, which limits election disputes to only two grounds: claims of invalidity due to corrupt practices or non-compliance with electoral provisions, and allegations that a candidate was not duly elected by majority lawful votes.

He further referenced Section 138(3), which introduces penalties of not less than N5 million for legal practitioners and N10 million for petitioners who initiate cases outside the permitted grounds.

According to the forum, the removal of “qualification” issues, such as allegations of certificate forgery, from the list of admissible petition grounds represents a major shift from previous electoral laws that allowed such challenges.

Malaolu said members of the group had urged its leadership to take a position on the development, prompting a detailed review of the new provisions and their implications for governance.

“We have reflected deeply on these provisions and undertaken a critical introspection of the quality of leadership in the present National Assembly, particularly its apparent failure to consider the implications of clauses that appear sympathetic to forgery,” he said.

He warned that any legal framework perceived to tolerate or shield forgery could encourage dishonesty, falsification, and misrepresentation within society, especially in the education sector.

“Fraud and forgery are not taught in schools, but they thrive when society fails to uphold standards that discourage them,” he added.

Malaolu stressed the need to preserve legal and moral standards, insisting that weakening such safeguards could have far-reaching consequences for national integrity.

The forum cautioned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions could be undermined if identified gaps in the legislation are not urgently addressed.

Electoral Act 2026: Yoruba Ronu Forum slams NASS over omission of certificate forgery

Full text: King Charles’ address at State Banquet for Tinubu

A SPEECH BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING

Your Excellency, Mr President, and Distinguished First Lady,

Ekabo. Se Daaa Daa Ni. (Greetings! I hope you are well.)

My wife and I are delighted to welcome you to Windsor Castle here on this occasion. We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month which, I acknowledge, is no small sacrifice, and so it is my particular pleasure to wish you, Mr President, peace, blessings, and an abundance of joy.

Ramadan Mubarak!

During my most recent visit to Nigeria in 2018, when I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with your highly respected traditional leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Onitsha, Warri, and The Emir of Kano, it was self-evident that while the warmth of the Nigerian welcome remains constant, the country itself is transforming at a remarkable pace. Nigeria hasn’t merely changed. It has arrived. Yours is now a nation of over two hundred and thirty million people, half of whom are under eighteen, with the energy, ingenuity, ambition and resolve to address the great challenges of our age.

We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature and the arts, and public service.

I have met so many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service and universities, including countless young people who have flourished through the work of my King’s Trust over the last fifty years. Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ Party, at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically I cannot remember!

But who could have imagined that, when I first visited Nigeria thirty-six years ago today, so many of those I might have met would have gone on to have such an impact in the United Kingdom. From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria. Whether they are Nigerians who have chosen Britain as their adopted place to invest, trade or study, or Britons who cherish their personal connection to Nigeria, they all represent a living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations, Mr President, and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more prosperous.

We are proud that so many great examples of this living bridge join us this evening.

As the connections between our nations deepen every day, so too do the economic ties. Your visit has provided the opportunity to celebrate the fact that Nigeria is investing in Britain’s future as much as Britain is investing in Nigeria’s – leading Nigerian banks have chosen the City of London as a global base, examples of the best Nigerian companies have listed on London’s Stock Exchange, and U.K. Export Finance is supporting investment in Nigeria’s ports. In education, British schools and universities are opening their doors in Nigeria, and British and Nigerian technology companies are forming ever closer partnerships. I was pleased to see that visitors from Nigeria spent £178 million in Britain in 2024, and 251,000 people from Britain travelled to Nigeria and spent just as much, in return. In January of this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdom’s biggest export market in Africa and whilst I hear that in Nigeria the phrase ‘Made in U.K.’ has always symbolised the highest quality, it evidently now has a distinctively Nigerian flavour…

The friendship between our two countries, Mr President, is a partnership of equals that has brought us both enormous benefits. It has been described to me as a deeply spiritual connection – beyond churches and mosques – a deep bond through which we have strengthened our shared security, ensured our economies are more prosperous, and empowered each other to believe in a more hopeful future.

The many dynamic connections between our two nations have deep roots and yet I do not pretend that those roots are without a shadow. There are chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks. I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past, for no words can. But I do believe, as I know you believe, Mr President, that history is not merely a record of what was done to us – it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in hope and growth for all, and worthy of those who bore the pains of the past.

This afternoon, in another part of the Castle, Mr President, you and I witnessed one such example of how we are learning from one another when we met leaders of the British Christian and Muslim communities. The gathering was a deeply meaningful symbol of what Nigeria has long shown: that people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another, in peace, in harmony and in shared purpose. It was also a timely reminder of the importance of standing with you – and in us strengthening your Quick Reaction Forces, or in providing food, nutrition and protection services in Northern Nigeria when challenges disturb the age-old balance between these communities.

Your nation, Mr President, is an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice from a continent that is playing an increasingly important role in the world. In a vastly interconnected global environment, one that is changing at unimaginable speed, that leadership brings responsibility – and opportunity. I heed the Yoruba wisdom – and forgive me if I say it in English… that “rain does not fall on one roof alone”. As you observed so astutely before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024, “if we didn’t have this global alliance… of fifty-six member states, 2.7 billion people and a combined G.D.P. forecast soon to surpass twenty trillion U.S. dollars… there would be a need to create one”. I believe firmly that, when rain clouds gather, we can tighten the grip of friendship between us and, in so doing, reinforce the central role of the Commonwealth in our shared future.

As the world changes, these are lessons we must heed now more than ever. As the Hausa saying goes, “when the music changes, so does the dance”. We can learn from Nigeria, and the best of the U.K. and Nigeria’s partnership, and harness the advantage that comes from our common languages, our similar legal systems, and the web of cultural ties and spiritual connections that provide such deep trust between us, and look to the future and learn new dance steps, together.

Mr President, you have spoken, in particular, of the importance of expanding intra- Commonwealth trade by creating shared standards, regulatory and digital alignment, and removing barriers that deter investment – as the U.K. and Nigeria’s Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership is just such an example – so that our economies can grow, in harmony with Nature, and create the millions of jobs our citizens need. So as we look towards C.H.O.G.M this year, I hope far from being past its time we can demonstrate that the Commonwealth’s time has come, as you so rightly said. In achieving that, my wife and I will gain strength from seeing Nigeria take her rightful place at the heart of the Commonwealth and to standing alongside you as a friend, who believes the future is best when built together. As the Igbo say, “Knowledge is never complete two heads are better than one”.

So as I close, Mr President, in anticipation of Eid El-Fitr in Nigeria and across the world, I can only wish you and the millions of Muslims in our countries, Eid Mubarak.

And, in doing so, let me propose a toast,

To the President and people of Nigeria –

“Naija No Dey Carry Last!” (Nigerians Never Come Last)

Full text: King Charles’ address at State Banquet for Tinubu

We’re ready to implement full zero tariff on Nigeria, others – China

China has said it is willing to work with Nigeria to ensure the full implementation of zero tariff with the 53 African countries sharing diplomatic relations with the Asian giants as announced by President Xi Jinping last month.

The Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, made this known at the“China-Nigeria Good Partners-Celebration of International Taijiquan Day” in Abuja on Wednesday.

DAILY POST reports that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, and is also the “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”

Jianzing noted that during this period, the political mutual trust between the two countries has deepened as economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results, while people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly close.

According to him, the two nations have supported each other in international affairs, making the friendship ever stronger.

“Last month, in his congratulatory message to the 39th African Union Summit, President Xi Jinping announced that China would fully implement zero-tariff measures on 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations,” he said.

“China is willing to work with Nigeria to ensure that this major initiative is implemented and takes effect as soon as possible, using tariff reductions to boost trade, multiply people’s livelihoods, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic and social development, working together on the path to modernization.

“In 2026, we are willing to work with Our Nigerian friends to continue to earnestly implement the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, solidly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during the summit, build more exchange platforms, promote cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria,” he stated.

Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the event underscored the intersection of sport, culture and diplomacy.

“It’s a convergence of culture, history, education, health and lifestyle, all in one particular event, and it is also a sport,” Dikko said, adding that the commission fully supports the initiative.

“We will continue to collaborate to advance the mutual relationship between Nigeria and China,” he said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Olubunmi Olowokere said, “in our fast-paced world, where stress and lifestyle-related illnesses are on the rise, the principles of Tai Chi offer a powerful antidote.

“Our core responsibility is the welfare, empowerment, and well-being of the Residents of the Federal Capital Territory. We are constantly seeking innovative and accessible ways to improve the quality of life for our people, from youth development to the care of the elderly, and from gender inclusion to public health awareness.”

We’re ready to implement full zero tariff on Nigeria, others – China