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How Anambra First Lady Nonye Soludo Beat Top Health Advocates to Win 2026 BudgIT Award

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Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has emerged as the winner of the Health Activism category at the 2026 BudgIT Active Citizens Awards, beating other leading health advocates to clinch the prestigious national recognition.

The award, now in its third edition, celebrates individuals and organisations making exceptional contributions to civic engagement, social development, accountability and sustainable development across Nigeria.

ALSO READ: Two Officers Killed as Hoodlums Ambush Soludo Aide’s Convoy in Anambra

Dr. Soludo earned the honour for her outstanding work in promoting preventive healthcare, community wellness and public health advocacy through her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the health of communities across Anambra State.

She was selected ahead of renowned Nigerian health and gender rights advocate Ramatu Ada Ochekliye and public health and social impact professional Sidney Sampson following a rigorous evaluation process.

Nominees were assessed on innovation, impact, sustainability, inclusion, leadership and measurable community outcomes.

Receiving the award, the First Lady described the recognition as both humbling and a renewed call to deepen her commitment to public service.

“Like a family driven by one common goal, we have shown that when communities take ownership of their health, lasting transformation becomes very possible,” she said.

She dedicated the award to members of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, healthcare workers, volunteers, community leaders, development partners and residents of Anambra State for embracing the vision of healthier living.

Dr. Soludo also expressed gratitude to BudgIT, Civic Hive and the Ford Foundation for the recognition, noting that it would inspire the initiative to expand its programmes and continue promoting healthier communities across the state.

In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor’s Wife, Daniel Ezeigwe, said the award reflects growing national recognition of the impact of Dr. Soludo’s healthy living campaign, describing it as a model for advancing preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles.

According to Ezeigwe, the First Lady has championed several people-centred initiatives since assuming office.

These include statewide fitness campaigns, maternal and child health advocacy, nutrition education, environmental sanitation, the Healthy Living Pad Bank for schoolgirls, free seed distribution to households and the Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap Initiative, which is aimed at tackling childhood malnutrition.

“These programmes have touched thousands of lives while reinforcing the importance of prevention as the foundation of a healthier society,” Ezeigwe said.

He added that the latest recognition underscores Dr. Soludo’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Anambra residents while contributing to Nigeria’s broader public health development.

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TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration

According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.

The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.

The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.

TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.

 

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NEWS

2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

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The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.

“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.

ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.

He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.

“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.

Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.

“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.

NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.

The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.

NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.

The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.

The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.

The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.

FG Defends Economic Reforms

During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.

He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.

 

 

 

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Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

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The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.

The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.

The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn

According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.

The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.

The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.

The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.

 

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