By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the full digitisation of the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials, marking a major shift toward automated public service delivery.

In a press release dated April 15, 2026, the Ministry said the new system is part of ongoing efforts to improve transparency, strengthen data management, and enhance efficiency in the education sector.

Under the new arrangement, all applications for credential authentication and evaluation will be processed exclusively online through the Ministry’s official verification portal. Applicants are required to register, upload necessary documents, and follow the outlined procedures digitally.

The Ministry also directed applicants to request their awarding institutions to send academic transcripts directly from official email addresses to the designated verification channel for processing.

It emphasized that physical visits to its offices for credential verification are no longer necessary, as the entire process has been automated.

According to the statement, the transition is expected to reduce processing time, simplify procedures, and improve the credibility of academic credential verification in Nigeria.

The statement was signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.

By Uzair Adam

A non-governmental organisation, Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability and Empowerment Initiative, has trained adolescent girls in Kano on how to produce reusable sanitary pads in a move aimed at improving school attendance.

The Daily Reality reports that the training, conducted under its EmpowerHer Cycle Project, seeks to address period poverty while equipping girls with practical skills, safety and dignity.

Speaking at the programme on Thursday, the organisation’s Executive Director, Barr. Amina Sulaiman, explained that the intervention targets absenteeism among adolescent girls caused by lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.

She said many girls are forced to miss school during their menstrual cycle because they cannot afford sanitary pads, describing the situation as a significant barrier to girls’ education.

“We identified that most girls stay away from school during their period due to inability to afford hygiene products,” she said, adding that the organisation introduced a sustainable solution by training them to produce reusable sanitary pads using accessible materials.

Sulaiman noted that the initiative would ease the financial burden on families, improve school retention and empower the girls with income-generating skills.

She added that beneficiaries could also turn the knowledge into a source of livelihood by producing and selling the pads or teaching others.

According to her, the programme also includes menstrual health education and sensitisation on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), covering identification, prevention and response mechanisms.

She called on parents to prioritise the education of the girl child, stressing that educating girls has far-reaching benefits for both individuals and society.

Sulaiman also commended government support through relevant gender-focused agencies and expressed optimism that continued collaboration would expand the reach of such interventions across Kano State.

In her remarks, the Principal of Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Rijiyar Zaki, Maryam Haruna-Suleiman, described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that many girls in public schools lack access to sanitary pads, which affects their attendance and participation in class.

“This programme will help our girls learn how to make and use reusable pads, and also pass the knowledge to others,” she said, adding that it would boost their confidence and encourage consistent school attendance even during menstruation.

She urged the organisers to sustain and expand the initiative to reach more schools.

The also gathered that the programme featured hands-on training on reusable pad production, menstrual hygiene management, and the distribution of dignity kits to participants.

The kits contained items such as underwear, soap and detergents to support proper hygiene during menstruation.

By Uzair Adam

Stakeholders of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) on Thursday conducted field visits to key project sites in Kano State, inspecting a range of interventions aimed at boosting livestock productivity, improving processing, and strengthening the entire value chain.

The Daily Reality reports that the tour featured facilities and community-level projects including a livestock service centre under construction, a milk collection hub linking pastoral clusters to markets, and grassroots interventions such as feed processing machines, solar-powered yoghurt processing units, boreholes, and pasture development support.

The inspection, part of the project’s ongoing mid-term review, took participants to the Livestock Service Centre in Bagauda, Bebeji Local Government Area, as well as Dan Tuben Fulani and Gamu Community in Dawakin Kudu, where beneficiaries are already experiencing the impact of the interventions.

Speaking during the visit, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, said the exercise was aimed at assessing progress on the ground and identifying ways to strengthen implementation in the remaining phase of the project.

He explained that the mid-term review goes beyond meetings and documentation, noting that physical inspection of project sites provides a clearer picture of ongoing activities and their impact.

“We are in Kano for our mid-term review, and part of the agenda is to visit project sites and see what is happening firsthand,” he said, adding that the team was also at a milk collection centre serving clusters in the area to evaluate operations and offer guidance.

Abubakar disclosed that the livestock service centre visited in Bagauda is designed as a hub for multiple livestock-related activities, bringing together services and facilities in one location.

According to him, construction work at the centre is about 30 per cent completed and is expected to be delivered before the end of the year.

He further revealed that the project is working in collaboration with the Kano State Investment Promotion Agency to attract investors who will drive activities at the centre and ensure that livestock farmers benefit from improved infrastructure and services.

The national coordinator noted that beyond infrastructure, L-PRES is supporting clusters with equipment and basic amenities.

He said communities visited are benefiting from interventions such as feed crushing machines, water supply, pasture development and boreholes to enhance livestock productivity.

On sustainability, Abubakar dismissed concerns about possible abandonment of projects, stressing that community ownership remains central to the initiative.

“This facility will not be abandoned. Our goal is to ensure that the cooperatives managing these centres take full responsibility for their maintenance because it is in their own interest,” he said.

He added that government’s role is to provide enabling infrastructure such as roads, administrative buildings, security posts and veterinary clinics, while private investors are expected to drive commercial activities.

Abubakar also highlighted the strategic location of the livestock service centre, noting its proximity to a special agro-processing zone, which he said creates an opportunity for synergy and economic growth.

While responding to questions on export prospects, he said the project is currently focused on strengthening local production and meeting domestic demand, noting that decisions on export would be left to investors once the system is fully operational.

Also speaking, the Kano State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, described the mid-term review as an important milestone for evaluating performance after three years of implementation.

He explained that the six-year project has reached its halfway point, making it necessary to assess achievements and determine whether adjustments are needed.

Inuwa expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded in the state, noting that although Kano joined the project later than some states, it has made significant strides.

According to him, Kano has spent about one and a half years on the project and has achieved between 35 and 40 per cent progress within that period.

“We are on the right course based on what we have seen on the field,” he said.

Beneficiaries who spoke during the visit also attested to the impact of the interventions on their livelihoods.

At Dan Tuben Fulani in Dawakin Kudu, a beneficiary, Gambo Abubakar, said the provision of a feed crushing machine—used for grinding animal feed—has transformed livestock management practices in the community.

He explained that the intervention has improved how they feed their animals and addressed several challenges previously faced by herders.

“We are truly excited about the intervention and the enlightenment we received. Some of the support we got was beyond our expectations, and we are very grateful,” he said.

Similarly, Aisha Abubakar Muhammad from Gamu Community in Dawakin Kudu said the support received through the Kano Dairy Cooperative Union has significantly improved their standard of living.

She disclosed that the intervention included the installation of solar power at their yoghurt processing centre, as well as the provision of a borehole and a vehicle to support their operations.

According to her, the improvements have boosted their income and enhanced their productivity, enabling members to meet basic needs and invest in their families.

“Our lives have changed. We can now afford things we could not before, and even our children have returned to school,” she said.

The field visit formed part of broader efforts under the mid-term review to evaluate progress, strengthen implementation strategies and ensure that the project delivers lasting impact across participating communities.

Businessman, Linus “Blord” Ifejirika, has been granted bail after spending weeks in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over allegations of criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and the unauthorised use of activist Martins “VeryDarkMan (VDM)” Otse’s identity.

Human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, had earlier criticised the remand. He described it as an abuse of the legal system. He also pledged to secure the entrepreneur’s release.

Recall that Blord was remanded in custody on 1 April until 27 April over the offences.

Mr Sowore later announced the development on Friday through his Facebook page. He said Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to Blord on self-recognition.

He wrote: “Bail has been granted to Linus Williams, popularly known as BLORD, on self-recognition.

“The court, however, ordered that he deposit his international passport as part of the bail conditions.”

The court directed the 28-year-old to submit his international passport. It also required him to provide two sureties who are persons of good public standing. In addition, the judge instructed him to refrain from making public comments about the case.

Blord’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, admitted that his client had offended VDM. He added that both parties were making efforts to resolve the dispute amicably.

The disagreement between the two figures dates back to October 2025. At the time, Blord advertised what he described as an “iPhone XR converted to an iPhone 17 Pro Max” and sold it at a high price.

VDM reacted by accusing him of misleading Nigerians. He alleged that the businessman sold refurbished phones at inflated rates. He described the act as fraudulent and warned the public against engaging with him.

The controversy appeared to fade until January, when Blord introduced the “Ratel” application. He said the platform allows users to buy gift cards, PlayStation products, and digital funds using naira or cryptocurrency.

The launch generated widespread reactions online, especially among members of VDM’s Ratel group, which is known for community service activities across the country.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has distanced itself from an incident involving the alleged discrimination against a hijab-wearing candidate at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan.

In a statement shared on his verified social media account, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, said the Board became aware of the incident during its routine monitoring of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) screening process on Thursday.

According to him, the situation occurred during the first session of the examination day and was traced to an “overzealous” ad hoc staff member who acted in violation of established guidelines. He stressed that the action was neither authorised by JAMB nor part of the official procedures at the centre.

Benjamin noted that the Board immediately intervened, directing that no candidate wearing a hijab should be asked to remove or alter it under any circumstances. He added that the staff member involved had been cautioned accordingly.

“JAMB respects the religious beliefs and customs of all Nigerians,” he said, assuring candidates that their rights to religious expression, including mode of dressing, remain protected.

The Board further disclosed that all ad hoc personnel across examination centres have been re-briefed on proper screening procedures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A legal practitioner and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani, Esq., has filed a formal petition against the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), accusing the facility of gross medical negligence, unprofessional conduct, and systemic failure that allegedly led to the avoidable death of his father, Alhaji Nuhu Dantani, on March 31, 2026.

The deceased, identified by hospital number 760494, was initially admitted at the Kidney Center, New VIP Extension of UMTH, where he underwent a prostate-related surgery and was discharged with a catheter. He was scheduled for a review on March 16, 2026.

However, following a rapid deterioration in his condition, Alhaji Dantani was rushed back to the hospital on March 13, 2026, and admitted to the Emergency Unit. According to the petition, he spent two days without any definitive diagnosis or meaningful clinical intervention despite being in severe distress.

The petitioner, who is also the biological son of the deceased, detailed a harrowing sequence of alleged failures:

1· After transfer to the Male VIP Medical Ward (Room 6), nursing staff reportedly administered only intravenous fluids without a coherent treatment plan, and attending physicians were conspicuously absent.

2· Following external intervention, the patient was moved to Amenity Ward “B”, Room 8, under Dr. Hassan Dogo. The Gastroenterology (GIT) Unit was invited but allegedly failed to respond for over 48 hours, with one member reportedly admitting they “forgot” to attend.

3· When the Head of the GIT Unit eventually intervened, several alarming issues emerged, including:

4· Mismanagement of a nasogastric tube: Nursing staff allegedly administered about one liter of pap through a tube intended strictly for gastric decompression, worsening the patient’s condition.

5· Failure to conduct timely diagnostic tests, including abdominal X-ray or ultrasound.

6· Absence of oxygen supply in the Amenity Ward while the patient was in respiratory distress.

7· Delayed detection of fluid accumulation in the chest, identified only through late-stage ultrasound.

8· Lack of a functional mobile X-ray facility, causing critical diagnostic delays until oxygen saturation dropped below 60% just hours before death.

Beyond the immediate case, Dantani’s petition highlights systemic deficiencies at UMTH, including:

a· Pervasive lack of professionalism and poor patient care ethics

b· Breakdown in communication between medical teams

c· Absenteeism and irregular presence of doctors

d· Inadequate supervision of junior medical staff

e· Poor hygiene standards exposing patients to infections

f· Lack of empathy and compassion in patient management

The petitioner argues that these failures violate Section 33 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (right to life) and breach established medical ethics standards for a tertiary healthcare institution.

Dantani has demanded the following:

1. An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into his father’s death

2. Identification, sanction, and prosecution of all culpable individuals

3. A comprehensive audit of hospital protocols

4. Measures to address staff negligence and absenteeism

5. Provision and maintenance of essential medical equipment, including oxygen systems and mobile diagnostic tools

6. A formal written report with concrete corrective steps

The petitioner warned that failure to act promptly would result in escalation to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), as well as all available legal remedies.

As of press time, UMTH authorities have not issued an official response to the petition.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has officially set the stage for his 2027 re-election bid, meeting with all 36 state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) at the Presidential Villa.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other top party leaders were also in attendance at the high-level strategy session.

The RHA, a grassroots mobilization group, was inaugurated by President Tinubu on November 25, 2025, specifically to champion his re-election campaign. Tuesday’s meeting marks the first major coordinated effort ahead of the 2027 polls, signaling a formal kickoff of campaign activities.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Days after the NIPR Week, Kaduna State has again stepped into the spotlight as the host of the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Strategic Forum, a high-level gathering focused on peace, leadership, and national cohesion.

Held under the theme, “Kaduna State Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,” the forum underscored the vital role of traditional institutions in fostering sustainable peace across communities.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the Kaduna State Peace Model. He noted that deeper collaboration between the government and traditional rulers has strengthened conflict resolution mechanisms, restored public trust, and reinforced social harmony across the state.

“Kaduna is not just hosting conversations—it is offering a model,” Maiyaki said. “A model where tradition meets governance to build lasting peace and national stability.”

The forum reaffirmed the state’s commitment to leveraging indigenous leadership structures as a cornerstone of security and national unity.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to arrest former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk.

The anti-graft agency is investigating the former minister over an alleged N746.6 million and $1.3 million fraud case linked to her ministry.

In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the EFCC said Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie also issued a warrant for the arrest of the ministry’s permanent secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali.

According to the commission, the court order followed the refusal of the accused persons to appear before the court on Thursday. Although the defendants’ lawyer requested an adjournment citing illness and other reasons preventing Sadiya from attending, the court rejected the plea.

The EFCC noted that it had filed the case on December 15, 2025, but had been unable to serve the court summons on the accused persons personally.

Sadiya Farouk served as minister under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. She is married to former Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, AVM Sadiq Abubakar (retired).

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Pope Leo has warned that global affairs are being dominated by a small group of powerful leaders, as tensions continue between him and former United States President Donald Trump.

The pontiff made the remarks during a visit to Cameroon, where he criticised world leaders for using religion to advance their own interests. He said such actions often serve “military, economic and political gain.”

He said: “The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.

“They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”

Pope Leo, who is 70 and the first American to hold the position, has spoken frequently about the ongoing conflict in Iran. His comments have drawn criticism from Trump and some figures within the former administration.

Earlier in the week, Trump criticised the Pope over his position on the Middle East. He said the pontiff was “WEAK on crime and terrible for foreign policy”.

“Will someone please ⁠tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least ‌42,000 innocent, completely unarmed protesters ‌in the last two ⁠months, and that ⁠for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely ‌unacceptable,” he said on Wednesday.

Trump also shared an AI-generated image that portrayed him in a religious light. The post sparked backlash, including from some Catholic supporters in the United States.

In what appeared to be a response, Pope Leo delivered further remarks on Thursday, condemning the misuse of religion by political leaders.

“Woe to those who manipulate religion ⁠and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

“It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of God’s creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.”

The Pope spoke in Bamenda, a major city in Cameroon’s English-speaking region. The area has experienced prolonged violence between government forces and separatist groups. Reports indicate that thousands of people have lost their lives in the conflict.

Trump had first criticised the Pope before his African visit and repeated his comments days later. Some senior figures aligned with the former president also backed his stance.

US Vice-President JD Vance questioned the Pope’s position during an event in Georgia, where he faced interruptions from the audience.

“How can you say that God was never on the side of those who wield the sword?” Mr Vance asked. “Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps?”

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, also reacted to the situation. He said the Pope should “expect some political response” over his comments on the Middle East crisis.

Despite the criticism, Pope Leo has indicated that he will continue to speak on the conflict in Iran, though he has avoided direct replies to Trump in recent days.