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Massive Relief Hits Campuses: FG Disburses Eight-Month Allowance Arrears To University And Polytechnic Lecturers.
The Federal Government has disbursed funds covering the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for academic personnel across federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education spanning January through August 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa shared this update on Wednesday right after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation. According to Alausa, this eight-month payment stems from the 2025 pact established between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
CATA aims to assist educators in acquiring essential supplies and gear required for teaching, research, and related duties. The minister noted that the impacted institutions should have already been notified and are set to begin disbursing the funds to qualified academic personnel.
“The Office of the Minister of Education is happy to announce that the full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa stated. He further noted, “All these institutions should have received notification to start paying CATA to all academic staff”.
Although specific figures regarding the total disbursement or individual payouts were not disclosed by the minister, he mentioned that funds designated for non-academic personnel are currently undergoing processing. The administration anticipates these resources will become accessible within the coming weeks.
“And also, the payment to non-academic staff, we’re hoping that these funds will be made available, hopefully, in the next few weeks,” Alausa remarked.
Framing the move as part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader push to enhance public tertiary work environments, Alausa stated, “This is another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to our academic and non-academic staff”, adding that staff welfare remains central to the administration’s educational strategy.
Beyond compensation, the minister highlighted that governmental interventions encompass expanded infrastructure funding across tertiary facilities, alongside targeted programs for basic and postgraduate learning.
“Beyond prioritising the welfare of our staff, he has also significantly invested in infrastructure at all our tertiary institutions and also basic and postgraduate education,” he explained.
Stressing that the ultimate goal is elevating educational standards for Nigerian youth, Alausa concluded, “This is a President that believes so much in education. He has delivered beyond his promises to ensure that every single child in this country gets the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world”. He also praised Tinubu’s reforms and reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to honoring agreements made with school employees.
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Kogi Police Probe Horrific Incident As Officer Allegedly K!lls Girlfriend Before Taking Own Life.
The Kogi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the deaths of two individuals in Ajaokuta amid reports of a suspected murder-suicide involving two police officers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu, confirmed the development during an interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday.
According to an earlier report by SaharaReporters, a corporal attached to the Ajaokuta Division, identified as Amos, allegedly shot his girlfriend, Grace, who was also a corporal, before shooting himself with his AK-47 rifle.
A source disclosed that Amos reported for night duty as a station guard at about 6 p.m. on Friday but allegedly left his duty post a few hours later.
He was said to have gone to Grace’s quarters at around 9 p.m., where he allegedly fired three shots at her, striking her shoulder, lower abdomen and leg, before turning the weapon on himself.
The source attributed the incident to an ongoing crisis in the couple’s relationship.
Reports indicated that the two officers had been dating for several years, but their relationship reportedly became strained in recent months following allegations of infidelity and a breakdown of trust.
Their disagreements allegedly escalated into physical altercations and threats, leading the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) to detain them at one point and advise them to end the relationship.
“The two junior police officers had been dating for some years now, but a few months ago, they started having trust issues and cheating allegations. There had been physical fights and threats to the extent that they were detained at some point by the DCO, who later advised them to end the love relationship for the sake of peace,” the source said.
The source added that the couple’s disagreements continued despite the DCO’s intervention.
Speaking to Punch, Saliu confirmed that the command was aware of the incident and said the findings would be made public after the investigation had been completed.
“We are aware of the incident, and the case is currently under investigation; we will update members of the public after the investigation is concluded,” she said.
However, the police spokesperson declined to immediately confirm whether the deceased were members of the command.
“I cannot confirm that to you right now, but we are investigating the circumstances that led to their death,” she stated.
Saliu also refused to confirm whether the incident was a case of suicide, stressing that the police were yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“I cannot also tell you if the couple committed suicide or not until the investigation is concluded. We will release an official statement once I get a conclusive report on the matter,” she added.
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Ronaldinho Stuns Football Fans With Shock Return Plans At 46.
Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is set to make a surprise return to the pitch at 46, more than a decade after stepping away from professional football.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is expected to feature for Italian third-division club Ravenna in their derby encounter against Forli on Sunday, November 15.
Ravenna announced the date on Saturday, several months after revealing in June that the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner would be joining the club.
In a statement, the Italian side said, “The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15.
“The Brazilian legend will wear the Ravenna FC shirt in the derby against Forli.
“An event that will turn the eyes of the world toward the Bruno Benelli Stadium.”
Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005, officially retired from professional football in 2015 following an illustrious career with several top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan.
Beyond his planned appearance, the Brazilian legend is also a shareholder in Ravenna. His return to action could provide another opportunity to pursue his ambition of reaching 300 career goals.
Ravenna currently occupy second place in Group B of Italy’s third division, six points behind league leaders Spezia.
The club are targeting promotion to Serie B for the first time since 2008, and Ronaldinho’s anticipated appearance is expected to generate further excitement around their campaign, Naija News reports.
entertainment
‘Don’t Rush Into Marriage!’ – Ruth Kadiri Warns Young Couples Against Societal Pressure
Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples to avoid spending excessively on wedding ceremonies, warning that elaborate celebrations can place unnecessary pressure on marriages.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that the mother of two shared her advice in a video posted on her Instagram page, where she discussed the mental and emotional challenges couples may face when preparing for marriage.
Kadiri explained that while some people enjoy dating and spending time with their partners, they begin to develop fears about marriage when confronted with the responsibilities, expectations and pressures associated with it.
According to the actress, expensive wedding ceremonies can add to these anxieties and make the transition into married life more difficult for couples.
She said, “I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples; it puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings, it puts pressure on people, and they don’t seem to have realised that. They don’t seem to have realised that because I’m not just talking about spiritually or what; I’m talking about mentally.
“Do you know that people have a phobia, a fear? People naturally have a fear of what marriage is. But they could date, they will date this girl, love her, be with her every day, every day, every day and then after this whole damn ceremony, have you asked yourself what changed? Married, that wedding is part of what changed.”
The actress encouraged young couples to embrace simpler wedding arrangements, suggesting that they could fulfil traditional marriage requirements, pay the bride price, conduct a court wedding and hold a modest celebration with close family and friends.
She argued that couples should prioritise their relationship and future together rather than feel compelled to organise expensive ceremonies to satisfy societal expectations.
Kadiri also observed that some couples only begin to fully appreciate the reality of marriage months after their wedding celebrations have ended.
Reflecting on her own experience, she said she believed avoiding excessive wedding pressure had contributed to her successful marriage, which she said had lasted about seven years.
She added that she had seen couples separate only two months after getting married, warning young people against allowing societal expectations to dictate their decisions.
The actress further criticised the pressure Nigerian society places on couples to organise engagement ceremonies, traditional weddings, white weddings and court weddings, noting that some people wrongly believe their marriages will fail if they do not complete every stage.
Kadiri also raised concerns about the potential risks of inviting people into private family affairs, cautioning couples against exposing themselves to unnecessary scrutiny.
Beyond marriage, she urged the younger generation to challenge other societal expectations, particularly the pressure parents place on their children to succeed financially and bring money home.
She maintained that young Nigerians need to rethink these expectations and make choices that prioritise their emotional well-being and long-term happiness.
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