NEWS
$700M Loan: 11 States Join World Bank Girls’ Education Initiative
An additional $700 million has been greenlit by the World Bank to further support the advancement and growth of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).
Project Coordinator Hajia Amina Haruna made this statement during the inauguration of the national steering committee on AGILE in Abuja.
Under the updated funding arrangement, 11 more states providing financial support have joined the initial seven pilot states.
The newly added states in the funding arrangement are Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
During the inauguration of the national steering committee on AGILE in Abuja, Project Coordinator Hajia Amina Haruna mentioned that the committee included executive secretaries from SUBEB, Commissioners of Education from 18 states, and pertinent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The AGILE project, supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and directed towards the Federal Government, is currently underway in seven states.
In Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau, the AGILE project, initially costing $500 million, was established with the aim of enhancing secondary education opportunities specifically for girls in those areas.
Haruna highlighted the project’s focus on improving educational access for girls across these seven participating states.
Haruna emphasized the necessity for state governments to ensure the recruitment of qualified teachers for the project to make a substantial impact.
She also stated, “We have reached over 2.4 million beneficiaries across the seven states, with more than 1,341,821 adolescent girls benefiting from the initiative thus far.
“Over 7,967 non functional classrooms have been renovated and in use in the seven states. 84,567 teaching and learning materials to schools and in use.”
During the committee’s inauguration, Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman urged both committee members and state chapters to prioritize the sustainability of the project.
Mamman highlighted the pressing challenge of removing millions of out-of-school children from the streets as one of the major hurdles.
He said: “If we can register success in the 18 states, we will be half way through in reducing the number of out-of-school children in the country.
“We need to scale up what we have to reach other states. The project has assisted us in a template we can adopt to work out deliverables in reducing the number of out-of-school children.”
During the inauguration, Minister of State for Education Dr. Yusuf Sununu emphasized the event’s objective: to implement system reforms that expand access and offer financial incentives for girls’ education.
Sununu urged the commissioners of education to use the available resources wisely.
He also highlighted the substantial efforts made by the federal ministry of education to enhance learning outcomes.
Shubham Chaudhuri, the Country Director of the World Bank, stressed the institution’s dedication to the project, emphasizing its capacity to empower girls to become valuable contributors to their families, communities, and the nation.
Chaudhuri also mentioned that achieving the project’s objectives efficiently would lead to increased World Bank investment in girls’ education.
NEWS
Fire Breaks Out In Kubwa As Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Station
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.
The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.
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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.
However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.
The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.
NEWS
‘Obi Did Not Loot A Kobo’ — Obiaraeri Compares Peter Obi, Akpabio’s Records
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
SEE ALSO: ‘Peter Obi’s Govt Left 101 Road Projects With ₦127bn Liabilities’, Says Anambra Govt
He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
NEWS
‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
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The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.





