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Shock Report: UNICEF Warns Poor Early Education Could Undermine North West’s Future.

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2 months ago

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns that limited access to Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Northwest Nigeria is severely affecting learning outcomes across the region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dr. Karanveer Singh, Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, made this known at a media dialogue on strengthening early childhood education in Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina, held in Dutse.

He disclosed that only about 24 per cent of children in Jigawa State have access to ECE, compared to 29 per cent in Kano and 32 per cent in Katsina.

Dr. Singh described the figures as worrying, noting that most children in the region are missing out on the crucial early learning stage that supports cognitive, emotional, and social development.

He explained that children without access to quality early education often begin primary school at a disadvantage and struggle to catch up, contributing to the rising number of out-of-school children in the region.

He also revealed that foundational literacy levels remain below 15 per cent in some areas, meaning many children cannot read at a basic level.

According to him, the situation is driven by low parental awareness, shortage of trained teachers, poor infrastructure, and lack of learning materials, all of which hinder the expansion of early childhood education.

Despite the challenges, he stressed that the situation can be improved with stronger political will and increased investment from state governments.

He urged authorities in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa to prioritise early childhood education by increasing funding, recruiting qualified caregivers, and expanding access to child-friendly learning centres.

UNICEF Education Specialist, Mustapha Shehu, also noted that data from MICS 2022 shows that only 37.8 per cent of Nigerian children aged three to four are enrolled in early childhood education.

He highlighted wide inequality, stating that 75 per cent of children from the richest households attend early learning programmes, compared to just 11 per cent from the poorest households.

Education consultant Dr. Sunday Jacob added that Nigeria currently has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, with Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina accounting for 30 per cent of that number.

He emphasised that investing in early childhood education is key to reducing the crisis, noting that it supports up to 90 per cent of brain development in early life.

He further recommended that states establish dedicated budget allocations for early childhood education.

In response, Commissioners for Basic Education from Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa pledged to prioritise funding for early childhood education and ensure timely release of resources to strengthen the education sector.

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“Showdown in Court! Ex-Minister Nnaji Finally Appears To Face Explosive Certificate Forgery Allegations!”.

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16 minutes ago

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July 13, 2026

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Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja to face a six-count charge regarding allegations of certificate forgery and false declarations. Nnaji, who arrived at the court dressed in a white outfit and red cap, was arrested on July 1, 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Financial Charges: The commission claims Nnaji received over ₦29.5 million in salaries and allowances through a Fidelity Bank account while in office, despite allegedly knowing these funds were linked to unlawful conduct due to his use of false credentials. This action is alleged to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

  • Abuse of Office: The second count alleges that the former minister utilized his public position to obtain financial benefits through illegal means, which is cited as a violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.

  • Forgery and False Information: The charges further allege that Nnaji knowingly submitted a fake NYSC certificate (produced around 1986) and a forged degree certificate in Microbiology/Biochemistry purportedly from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (issued in 1985) during his ministerial screening and appointment. These actions are described as providing false information to mislead authorities and violating the Penal Code regarding the use of forged documents.

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“Mission Accomplished! Nigeria’s Flamingos Send Benin Packing To Seal Their Path To The World Cup!”.

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20 minutes ago

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July 13, 2026

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Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following an 8-5 aggregate victory over Benin Republic. The team clinched this spot after a 5-3 win in the second leg held in Lomé, Togo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • First Leg: Nigeria held a narrow 3-2 lead entering the second leg, following a comeback win in Ikenne where goals from Queen Joseph, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, and Kindness Ifeanyi secured the victory.

  • Second Leg Performance: Mary Akpan Dunstan and Esther Enne Stephen gave Nigeria an early lead in Togo, while Queen Joseph dominated the match by scoring a hat-trick.

  • Tournament Details: The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.

  • African Representation: The Flamingos join Morocco as part of the five African nations participating in the expanded 24-team tournament.

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“Loyalty Rewarded! Governor Radda Exposes The Real Reason Tinubu Kept Shettima For 2027!”.

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25 minutes ago

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July 13, 2026

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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has credited Vice President Kashim Shettima’s loyalty, performance, and commitment for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain him as a running mate for the 2027 presidential election. Governor Radda emphasized that this choice underscores the President’s confidence in Shettima’s governance contributions and the trust he has cultivated within the administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Key highlights from Governor Radda’s statement, as relayed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, include:

  • Recognition of Diligence: The Governor described the Vice President as a dedicated public servant whose performance since taking office in 2023 has justified his continued place on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

  • Strategic Leadership: Radda noted that Shettima has been central to key strategic initiatives, such as chairing the Presidential Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and working to improve energy security and economic policy.

  • Administrative Experience: According to the Governor, the Vice President’s roles have required significant administrative experience, sound political judgment, and the capacity to coordinate across various sectors.

  • Strengthening the Agenda: Governor Radda expressed optimism that keeping Shettima on the ticket will bolster the administration’s ability to fulfill its development goals and consolidate the progress made during its first term.

  • Well Wishes: On behalf of the Katsina State government and its people, Radda congratulated the Vice President and expressed confidence that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket will maintain the support of party members and Nigerians ahead of the 2027 polls.

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