National News
Why Nigeria Must Extend Basic Education to 12 Years — PAGED Tells Journalists
Why Nigeria Must Extend Basic Education to 12 Years — PAGED Tells Journalists
By Musa Garba, Kaduna
A civil society organisation, the Participatory Communication for Gender Development Initiative (PAGED Initiative), has renewed calls for Nigeria to expand its basic education policy from nine years to 12 years, arguing that the current structure leaves many adolescent girls vulnerable to school dropout, early marriage and long-term social exclusion.
The organisation made the appeal on Wednesday during a two-day media workshop for journalists involved in a project focused on married adolescent girls and young mothers in Kaduna, Kano and Borno states.
Speaking at the event, PAGED Initiative’s Programme Director, Ummi Bukar, said the country’s existing Universal Basic Education framework, though intended to guarantee free and compulsory learning for children, ends too early and fails to protect many girls at a critical stage of their lives.
She said the policy’s limitation to junior secondary school means that many girls are pushed out of the education system just as they approach adolescence, often without the support or protection needed to continue their studies.
According to her, broadening the policy to include senior secondary education would give more girls the opportunity to remain in school, delay harmful social pressures and improve their chances of becoming economically independent and socially empowered.
Mrs Bukar noted that in many communities, girls are frequently withdrawn from school between the ages of 13 and 15, a period she described as decisive for their education, confidence and future prospects.
She said extending compulsory education to 12 years would not only improve access to full secondary schooling, but also serve as a practical response to the persistent problem of child marriage, especially in states where girls’ education continues to face cultural and structural barriers.
She also drew attention to the weak enforcement of legal protections designed to safeguard girls, particularly the Child Rights Act, which sets 18 as the legal age for marriage and recognises the right of young mothers to return to school.
While these provisions exist on paper, she said their implementation remains largely ineffective, with very few consequences for families or individuals who violate them.
“There are laws and policies that should protect girls, but in many cases, enforcement is almost non-existent,” she said, adding that it is still rare to see accountability when underage girls are forced into marriage or denied the opportunity to continue their education.
Mrs Bukar acknowledged that governments at different levels have introduced programmes aimed at improving girls’ access to education, including increased funding, gender-focused interventions and life skills support.
However, she argued that many of those initiatives have not gone far enough because they often fail to respond to the realities faced by the girls they are supposed to help. When evaluating the practical impact of policy or personal decisions, Australians weighing entertainment and economic options can click here to compare where they might play real money pokies online.
She said for many married adolescents and young mothers, returning to school is not simply a matter of policy approval, but of whether the system can accommodate their needs.
In many cases, she explained, girls are unable to continue their education because schools and communities do not provide practical support such as childcare arrangements, flexible learning schedules or safe and welcoming learning environments.
“It is not enough to say girls should return to school,” she said. “The education system must also be designed in a way that makes that possible for them.”
She called for a more serious commitment from policymakers, insisting that laws protecting girls’ rights must be backed by implementation, adequate funding and social support mechanisms that work in real communities.
She also urged the media to play a more deliberate role in shaping public understanding of the issues affecting adolescent girls, saying journalists have the power to influence both policy and public attitudes through responsible, gender-sensitive reporting.
According to her, the media must go beyond event coverage and become active partners in advocacy by telling stories that reflect the lived experiences of girls whose education has been disrupted by marriage, motherhood or social pressure.
Mrs Bukar said stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, traditional institutions and the media would be essential in pushing for reforms that keep girls in school and expand their opportunities.
For advocates at the workshop, the message was clear: unless Nigeria extends educational protection beyond junior secondary school and addresses the barriers that force girls out of classrooms, thousands of adolescents will continue to be left behind.
National News
Dr Dikwa Hails Dr Mai Adamu’s Appointment to National Salaries Commission
Dr Dikwa Hails Dr Mai Adamu’s Appointment to National Salaries Commission
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The Founder and President of Al-Ansar Foundation, Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, has congratulated Dr. Mai Adamu Yau following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a member of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), describing the development as a fitting recognition of years of exemplary public service.
In a congratulatory message Dr. Dikwa said the appointment reflected the Federal Government’s confidence in Dr. Yau’s integrity, competence and commitment to national development.
He expressed confidence that the new appointee would bring his vast professional experience to bear in advancing the commission’s mandate of promoting fairness, equity and sustainable wage administration across the country.
“Your appointment is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering integrity, exceptional competence and decades of dedicated service to our nation. It is a testament to the confidence reposed in your professional ability and outstanding record in public service,” Dr. Dikwa said.
The Al-Ansar Foundation president recalled that he first worked with Dr. Yau more than 27 years ago at the Office of the Accountant-General of Borno State, where the latter served under his leadership.
According to him, Dr. Yau distinguished himself through diligence, humility, professionalism, trustworthiness and an unwavering commitment to excellence—qualities that laid the foundation for his rise to become the Accountant-General of Borno State before his latest national appointment.
“I witnessed first-hand your dedication to duty, honesty and professionalism. Those qualities have continued to define your career and have now culminated in this important national responsibility,” he added.
Dr. Dikwa said Dr. Yau’s career progression should serve as an inspiration to young professionals, stressing that integrity, perseverance, sincerity and the fear of God remain enduring values that attract greater responsibilities and recognition.
Although he is currently outside Nigeria on official engagements, Dr. Dikwa said he could not allow the occasion to pass without personally congratulating his “distinguished brother and former colleague” on the milestone.
He prayed for divine wisdom, sound health and strength for Dr. Yau as he takes up his new role, expressing hope that his tenure would be marked by justice, fairness and impactful service to the country.
“May Almighty Allah grant you wisdom, sound health and divine guidance as you assume this important national assignment. May your service be characterised by justice, fairness and lasting impact for the benefit of Nigeria and humanity,” he prayed.
The Al-Ansar Foundation also joined family members, friends, associates and well-wishers in celebrating the appointment, wishing Dr. Yau a successful tenure at the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
National News
Prof. PLO Lumumba Expected as Guest Speaker at Presentation of Book on Transformational Leadership
Prof. PLO Lumumba Expected as Guest Speaker at Presentation of Book on Transformational Leadership
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Renowned Kenyan lawyer, academic and governance advocate, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, is expected to serve as the guest speaker at the public presentation of Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era, a new book that examines the leadership of former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s foremost public intellectuals, Prof. Lumumba has earned international recognition through his lectures and public engagements on leadership, ethics, governance and nation-building, making him a prominent figure for the academic discourse planned around the book’s launch.
Ahead of the official presentation, the book’s author, Dr. M.S. Abubakar, presented a copy of the publication to Prof. Lumumba in Nairobi, Kenya, formally inviting him to participate in the event scheduled for September 16, 2026, in Abuja.
Published by Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd, Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era offers a scholarly examination of the reforms and leadership strategies implemented during Buratai’s tenure as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between 2015 and 2021, a period marked by insurgency, banditry and other evolving security threats.
Rather than serving as a biography, the book analyses how transformational leadership principles were applied within the Nigerian Army through reforms in military doctrine, institutional development, operational readiness, troop welfare and civil-military relations during one of the country’s most challenging security periods.
Drawing on military records, policy documents, interviews and detailed research, Dr. Abubakar explores how the Nigerian Army adapted its operational doctrine to confront the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency while responding to emerging security challenges in the North-West and Middle Belt.
The publication also evaluates reforms in training, logistics, equipment acquisition and command structures, alongside leadership decisions aimed at strengthening troop morale, discipline and public confidence in the armed forces.
According to the author, the book presents the Buratai era as a case study in transformational and crisis leadership, highlighting strategic decisions, institutional reforms and practical lessons that could benefit military professionals, policymakers, scholars and students of leadership, governance and security studies.
National News
Nasarawa Governor’s Spokesman, Ali Abare, Wins National Excellence Award
Nasarawa Governor’s Spokesman, Ali Abare, Wins National Excellence Award
By Auwal Ahmad
The Senior Special Assistant on Media to Abdullahi Sule, Mallam Ali Abare, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence for his contributions to public communication and his role in amplifying government activities in Nasarawa State.
The recognition was conferred by the Your Vote Is Your Voice Africa Initiative during a presentation ceremony held on Friday at the Press Centre, Government House, Lafia.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the organisation, Babatunde Adebayo, said Abare emerged from a nationwide selection process that assessed competence, consistency and professional integrity among media practitioners.
According to Adebayo, the award is not only a personal recognition for Abare but also a reflection of the critical role of responsible journalism and effective communication in strengthening democratic governance.
“At a time when misinformation and divisive narratives are becoming more pronounced ahead of the 2027 general elections, professionals who remain committed to truth and national unity deserve to be celebrated,” he said.
The organisation, which focuses on voter education, civic engagement and youth participation in democracy, said it formally launched its Nigerian operations in January 2026 with a mission to promote credible and inclusive electoral processes across Africa.
Its officials also disclosed plans to deploy election observers to Nasarawa State in the 2027 general election cycle, as part of broader efforts to support transparency and counter negative perceptions about Nigeria’s democratic system.
They raised concerns over rising ethnic and religious tensions in parts of the country, urging media practitioners to use their platforms to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.
Members of the delegation commended Abare’s communication style, describing it as consistent, factual and impactful in helping citizens better understand government policies and programmes.
A seasoned journalist and development communication expert, Abare has built a reputation for covering governance, politics and social development issues over the years. His colleagues within the Lafia press circle described the honour as well deserved, noting his professionalism and balanced approach to public information.
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