Author: Adeloje Ojo

By Aideloje Ojo Minna Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has retained his deputy governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba as his running mate for 2027 governorship election. The Governor disclosed this during an extra ordinary meeting of the State government held at the Council Chamber, Government House Minna on Tuesday. He said, “this administration will try as much as possible to make sure that every aspect of the society is represented in our government in order to have a reflection of State character in governance”. He advised people to preach peace and desist from overheating the polity as the State is faced…

* As war over sharing lawmaker’s largesse spread, Deputy Governor visits ravaged villages, imposes curfew No arrest yet- police By Aideloje Ojo Minna No fewer than 100 people have reportedly been killed in fresh communal war between communities in Rafi local government area of Niger state. The communal crisis broke out last week during which police confirmed 18 deaths and reconciliations measures to avert further crises. However, it was learnt that the crisis escalated to full blown war at the weekend and quickly spread to other six communities resulting in the death of over 100 villagers. Residents of the waring…

Niger christians demand for 2027 Deputy Governor’s position By Aideloje Ojo Minna Christians in Niger state under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Christian Stakeholders has demanded for Muslim/ Christian ticket insisting that the state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago should pick Christian candidate as his running mate for the 2027 general elections. The Coalition stated this in a press briefing in Minna on Tuesday insisting that Christians in the state have been marginalised for almost two decades in the affairs of governance in Niger state. ” We are calling on the Governor and all major stakeholders of the ruling…

By Aideloje Ojo Minna Over 3000 cooperative societies in Niger state have successfully empowered members with affordable loans, agricultural incentives and business expansions for self reliance and poverty alleviation. The President of the Niger State Cooperative Federation (NISCOFED) Comrade Labaran Garba stated this at the weekend during the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives celebration in Minna. He said, ” In Niger state, Cooperative societies continue to play a critical role in supporting farmers, traders, artisans, civil servants  and other groups. Through collective action and mutual support, our members have demonstrated that cooperation remains one of the most effective instruments for…

By Aideloje Ojo Minna No fewer than 18 people have reportedly been killed following the eruption of crisis between communities in Rafi local government area of Niger state. The crisis was said to have been triggered off when armed men shot one Ibrahim Musa dead on 29 June 2026 at Godoro village in Katako district of the local government. It was learnt that from this incident, a group of people from Yankasai blocked the road and killed one Bashir Mazi apparently in retaliation. However, this reportedly resulted in reprisals during which fifteen persons were reportedly burnt to death in…

By Aideloje Ojo Minna The Niger State Liquor Licensing Board has disowned forged receipts being circulated in parts of the state, describing them as the work of saboteurs bent on tarnishing its reputation. Executive Director, Operations and Enforcement of the board, Mohammed Hamisu Kogunan, told journalists in Minna that faceless individuals were issuing fake receipts to liquor vendors while spreading false claims of non-remittance of funds to government coffers. “It has come to our notice that a few disgruntled elements are involved in nefarious activities directed at damaging the good image of the board. These claims are…

OPINION NECO @ 25: Wushishi’s Reforms and the Rise of Credible Assessment By Yakubu Mustapha Bina The National Examinations Council, NECO, turned 25 this year. For an institution born out of necessity in April 1999, its Silver Jubilee is more than a birthday. It is a moment to assess how far Nigeria has come in democratizing credible assessment, and where leadership has made the difference. NECO was established during the administration of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (retired), to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination and other national exams. The goal was straightforward: reduce the overwhelming…

By Aideloje Ojo Minna Lack of timely reforms of outdated Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards ( BMAS) by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has continued to pose danger to pre- service science teachers education in the country. A lecturer with the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Professor Mohammed Tajordeen Mustapha stated this in his inaugural lecture delivered at the University main campus at the weekend. He called on the NUC and other teachers educators to redefine the objectives and contents of teacher education generally and science teacher education in particular to include emerging…

* Safe substance decontamination, evacuation underway- Govt By Aideloje Ojo Minna The Niger State government has allayed fears on chemical substance that has spilled in Bida area of the state explaining that it does not pose hazard to human health. In a statement issued in Minna, the state Ministry of Health clarified the substance may not pose any serious health hazards to human or animals alike. “The Niger State Government has noticed with concern the circulation of misleading information and false claims on social media regarding the chemical spill incident in Low-Cost area of Bida Local Government Area. The government…

By Aideloje Ojo Minna The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the result of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The Council has also announced that BECE  re-sit examination has been scheduled to hold on 22nd and 23rd July, 2026 for Mathematics and English Studies The Ag. Director, Information and Public Relations of the Council, Azeez Sani stated this in a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday. He said, “186,291 candidates registered for the examinations in 12 subjects. The candidates were drawn from the 36 states and FCT as well as five Foreign Countries”, adding that the examination which…