A collaboration between UNICEF and the Katsina State Government has transformed the lives of thousands of adolescent girls in the state as the adolescent girls REACH Programme has shown measurable impacts across six local government areas in the state.

Jointly implemented by UNICEF and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the REACH initiative provided educational opportunities, life skills, and vocational training for out-of-school girls and those at risk of dropping out.

The programme is being hailed as a model of effective government-development partner synergy.

At a town hall meeting with girls and parents at Katsina College Katsina (KCK) in Katsina, the Unicef Adolescent Development Specialist, Ngozi Izuora-Songu said “We are here today in Katsina as part of ongoing efforts to assess and consolidate the gains of the REACH programme which has been implemented for the past 2 years.”

The engagements which were conducted across 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the barriers to the transitioning of adolescent girls from Primary to Secondary School and to understand possible enabling factors that could support their journey, both in formal education and and alternative pathways such as vocational training and psychological support.

“These town halls served as inclusive platforms to dialogue among key stakeholders, including adolescent girls (both in and out of school), parents, principals, teachers, and education officials—allowing communities to reflect on the impact of REACH interventions such as mentorship, safe spaces, and life skills sessions.

“We are back to take stock and celebrate the wins in collaboration with the State Government,” specialist said.

She noted with appreciations the successes recorded through the collaboration and the number of girls that benefitted which demonstrated how far the Programme achieved its cause within the targeted Local government areas

“Today we are proud that more adolescent girls are said to be in school within these focus LGAs Girls who transitioned reported major improvements in reading, writing, hygiene, and confidence. As we have seen support from mothers and uncles been critical in overcoming cultural resistance and early marriage threats.

Since transitioning, the girls say they’ve seen real growth in themselves. They can now read and write much better and communicate more clearly — in both English and Hausa.

Inspire them

They also learned about personal hygiene and how to take care of themselves during their menstrual cycle, through the G4G sessions which also helped to inspire them to learn more.

A number of out-of-school adolescent girls, including GBV survivors, were equipped with financial literacy and vocational skills such as knitting, crochet, henna design, cap making, and throw pillow creation. These skills provided the girls with a foundation for income generation .

The vocational skills acquired by the girls align with local market demands, making their products (such as henna designs, caps, and throw pillows) highly marketable within their communities and in urban centers.

The Director planning and Statistics, State Universal Education Board, Katsina state, Tanimu Muazu was aimed following up the commitment so far made by the parents of the girl childs in ensuring the enrolment, retention up to the completion of their children’s education, especially from primary One to 6 and to transit to the secondary school up to the completion.

He said the collaboration is a testament to the commitment of the state governor, Dikko Umaru Radda in ensuring children in Katsina state get the best education they deserve.

“In an effort to give room for the out of school children to return back and transit to the required level, the state government encourages parent through various empowerments aimed at motivating them to enrol and retain their chidren’s education up to the meaningful level in order to achieve the desired result,” Mu’azu assured.

New skills

The programme has changed lives across the state. Halimatu Abdul’aziz, 17 who had dropped out of school, now supports her family through weaving and has returned to formal education. Aisha Musa 22, a young mother, regained her literacy and acquired new skills to support herself.

“I didn’t just go back to school, I found myself again,” Aisha said.

“We were skeptical at first,” said , a parent in Katsina. “But now we’ve seen our girls learn tailoring and baking, grow in confidence, and contribute to our household.”

For younger girls who stayed in school, REACH offered confidence-building and leadership development. One such beneficiary, 14-year-old Fatima Hamisu , now aspires to become a doctor.

“This programme gave me a voice,” she said. “Now, I know I can make a difference.”

Though REACH is concluding, the structures it has left behind—from trained teachers and mentors to active community support groups—promise sustained benefits.

Many communities have pledged to continue supporting girls’ education beyond the programme.

Officials say the partnership model between UNICEF and Katsina State could be replicated in other regions to tackle entrenched barriers to girl-child education.

As girls across Katsina move from the margins to the mainstream, the REACH programme stands as a powerful example of what is possible when international expertise meets local commitment.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has officially launched a 620KW small hydropower-solar PV hybrid system for communities around Balanga Dam in Balanga Local Government Area.

The hybrid system combines small hydropower and solar photovoltaic technologies to deliver clean and reliable electricity to deliver clean and renewable energy aimed at stimulating local enterprise, raising living standards and contributing to national goals for green industrialisation.

It is funded by the European Union, EU, the Global Environment Facility, GEF and the Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency, REA and being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO.

According to project officials, REA is scheduled to commence the solar PV component within two weeks, while UNIDO will complete the small hydropower component by January 2026.

Governor Yahaya, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, described the project as a major milestone in the journey toward energy security, rural electrification and industrial development in the state.

He emphasised that the launch was in line with his administration’s broader agenda of infrastructural development, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.

“This project is timely and strategic. It speaks directly to our vision of self-reliance, sustainability and inclusive growth. Power is the backbone of modern development, and this system will transform lives, stimulate agriculture, create jobs and enhance the standard of living in Balanga and beyond,” the governor noted.

Various speakers at the launch describe the move as the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Ensure sustainability

The governor expressed deep appreciation to all partners for their commitment and praised the people of Balanga for their support, but urged the host community to take full ownership to ensure sustainability.

“You are the direct and immediate beneficiaries of this project. Protect it, use it wisely, and let it improve your lives economically, educationally and environmentally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the REA, Mr. Abba Aliyu, described the initiative as a model for clean energy deployment in rural Nigeria, adding that his agency will complete its component within one month.

He commended Governor Yahaya for positioning Gombe to benefit from the Federal Government’s $750 million rural electrification package.

Also speaking, the UNIDO Regional Director, Ambassador Philbert Johnson, highlighted the project’s potential to boost agricultural productivity and drive economic development, while noting that Gombe State is the first state in the country to benefit from this landmark initiative.

He also praised Governor Yahaya’s commitment and timely counterpart funding.

The Operational Focal Point of GEF, Nkechi Aneke-Agnes, who was represented by Mr. Kabiru Jidda, from the Federal Ministry of Environment, commended Gombe State for aligning with national renewable energy priorities and lauded the governor for consistently honouring counterpart funding obligations, a commitment he described as exceptional in today’s governance landscape.

Drive sustainable development

The Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Mr. Saidu Muhammed Fawu, called the project a shining example of what strategic partnerships can achieve, saying the project is expected to drive sustainable development, boost local economies and solidify the standing of Gombe State as a model of innovation and resilience in Nigeria’s energy transition.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Mr. Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, thanked the governor for his steadfast commitment and political will to see the project through.

Chairman of Balanga LGA, Hon. Ibrahim Salisu and Member of the Gombe State House of Assembly representing Balanga North, Hon. Musa Buba in their separate remarks credited the project’s realisation to the governor’s strategic engagement with development partners.

The Royal Father Waja Chiefdom, the Bala Waja, His Royal Highness, Mohammed Danjuma Mohammed, hailed the launch as historic for a community long deprived of power.

He also pledged that the chiefdom would fully support the project in safeguarding it.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike has officially closed the week-long Maproom Training Workshop held in NiMet Headquarters, Abuja, marking a key milestone in the lead-up to the launch of the Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) initiative.

The training, which took place from July 28 to August 1, 2025, brought together participants from the agriculture, academia, and health sectors to build technical capacity on the use of NiMet’s Maproom platform, an interactive tool designed to enhance access to climate information in support of early warning systems, public health planning, disaster risk management, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience.

The Maproom tool enables seamless access to meteorological data and supports improved coordination and understanding of weather information across sectors.

Its application is vital for promoting climate-smart practices and strengthening the interface between science and policy.

Professor Anosike commended the participants for their dedication, describing the workshop as a “vital step” toward mainstreaming climate data into national and sectoral decision-making processes.

“This workshop has created a network of empowered individuals equipped with the skills and tools to utilise climate information for smart, timely decisions,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that early warning is matched with early action,” he said.

He reaffirmed NiMet’s mission to provide accurate, timely, and actionable climate services to support national development goals.

Professor Anosike also acknowledged the project’s implementing partners, Sahel Consulting, the International Research Institute (IRI), and the Gates Foundation for their collaborative role in advancing the ENACTS initiative in Nigeria.

The training sets the stage for the official ENACTS launch, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 20, 2025, in Abuja.

The two-day event will feature a high-level launch ceremony and technical session to highlight key project achievements and outline future activities.

The ENACTS initiative represents a transformative leap in delivering locally relevant, user-driven climate services, with the overarching aim of enhancing resilience and supporting sustainable development across Nigeria’s socio-economic sectors.

Lateefah Ibrahim

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd.) as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano.

AVM Kaita replaces Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who also serves as the Federal Housing Authority’s (FHA) chairman.

A statement by Presidency said that the President made the change to enable Dr. Gawuna to concentrate on his position at the FHA.

Before retiring from the Nigerian Air Force, AVM Saddiq Ismaila Kaita was Director of Strategy at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation.

He is known for his contributions to training and standardisation within the Air Force.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Governor of Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria, Mr Francis Nwifuru has Inaugurated Ebonyi Local Government Pension and Verification Committee to ensure that no retiree since 1999 till date is owed any amount.

The Governor said it is not as if payment of pension and gratuity for local Government Area in the State has not been ongoing but the essence of the Committee is to ensure that no retiree is cheated in any way and to also prevent any retiree from cheating the government.

He said their aim is to ensure that every retiree enjoys her retirement benefits  and further ensure that anyone who has served the State and has retired should enjoy their retirement benefits.

“It was based on the information I got that some retirees have gotten frustrated and died and so , anybody you screened as a committee should be paid immediately without delay,” he said.

The Governor further thanked the Executive Secretary of Local Government Pension Board, Anayor Nwonu for the work done in the board so far.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Catherine thanked the governor for appointing them, she promised to deliver on the mandate given to them.

One of the Members of the Committee, Mr Cajetan Oketa also promised to show the dedication in the Job as stipulated.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu has cautioned Corps Members against exposing themselves to danger during their service year.

He gave the warning while addressing members of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.

Brigadier General Nafiu said the NYSC has put in place various strategies to ensure the safety and security of all Corps Members throughout their service year.

He also urged the Corps Members to adhere strictly to camp rules and regulations, warning that those who violate the Scheme’s bye-laws would face appropriate sanctions.

“Play your own part very well and you will have a smooth service year,” he said.

In her address during the Swearing-in Ceremony, the NYSC Niger State Coordinator, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, said the Scheme would instill in the Corps Members, the core principles and objectives of the NYSC during the Orientation period.

She said that the Corps Members would be exposed to a wide range of skills aimed at developing an entrepreneurial mindset and building strong business networks.

“The Orientation Course marks the beginning of your journey as Members of the NYSC. The NYSC has made provisions for your intellectual and physical development through various lectures and physical drills,” she stated.

While declaring the Orientation Exercise opened, Niger State Governor, Umar Bago said the Scheme remained one of the strongest tools for national unity and development in the country, which had not failed in any of its set objectives over the past five decades.

He stated further that NYSC had been able to sustain its mandate of mobilising Nigerian graduate youths and instilling in them, noble qualities of commitment, patriotism, teamwork, integrity and tolerance.

The Governor also lauded Corps Members’ immense contributions to the development strides in all sectors of the economy in the country.

“As you fully resume camp activities, I urge you to be disciplined, bearing in mind that your service year is coming at a time when the country is faced with a myriad of challenges. It is therefore expected that you use your energy and enthusiasm to fully engage in matters of national interest and development.

Always see yourselves as agents of change, armed with potentials to move this nation to enviable heights,” he said.

“As government, we will continue to provide enabling environment for the Scheme to thrive in the State,” he said.

Governor Bago, whose address was read at the ceremony by the Secretary to Niger State Government who is also the Chairman, NYSC Niger State Governing Board, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gawu gave  assurance of his administration’s strong resolve to provide a befitting Orientation Camp for the comfort of Corps Members deployed to the State.

He called on the security agencies to partner with the government towards ensuring that the safety of Corps Members in Niger State is accorded top priority at all times.

Hon. Justice Mohammed Mohammed administered the Oath of Allegiance on the 1,025 Corps Members comprising 456 males and 569 females.

Lateefah Ibrahim