The Sokoto State Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their monthly expenditure reports to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, stated that the directive aligns with state, national, and international standards and best practices in Public Financial Management (PFM). According to him, the Ministry is mandated to review, analyze, and consolidate expenditure reports from all MDAs to ensure proper financial oversight. He noted that the objective of the exercise is to ensure compliance with budgetary provisions, promote transparency and accountability, and enhance…
Author: TheStories
In the shadow of the ongoing conflict and devastating floods, hope quietly found its way into homes and hearts across Borno State in 2024. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working closely with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), extended a lifeline to hundreds of thousands, many of whom have known nothing but hardship for years. From performing life-saving surgeries to building shelters, from feeding malnourished children to reconnecting separated families, the ICRC’s work this past year was not just about numbers—it was about restoring dignity, offering comfort, and helping people reclaim their lives. Healing the wounds of…
Stakeholders from Sokoto South Senatorial District have reviewed and unanimously endorsed the memorandum on the Reserved Seat for Women Bill, which is to be presented to the Constitutional Reforms Committee during the forthcoming public hearing. By Ankeli Emmanuel After a thorough review of the bill’s memorandum during a senatorial advocacy/town hall meeting held in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area, stakeholders agreed that the nation can only progress through the genuine inclusion of women in leadership positions at all levels. The town hall meeting was organized by the Sokoto State chapter of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), with funding…
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) has announced plans to establish study centres in all 774 local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria. This initiative aims to improve access to teacher training and professional development, according to the institute’s Director and Chief Executive, Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura. Sani-Daura disclosed this in an exclusive interview in Kaduna, as part of activities marking the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. “These study centres will be fully equipped and adequately staffed to ensure they function effectively,” she said. “This move is part of our deliberate efforts to make NTI more accessible to Nigerians, regardless…
In human relationships, the threads of shared experiences and mutual respect often weave the most enduring bonds. This notion is poignantly illustrated through the actions of Tajudeen Abbas, the esteemed Speaker of the House of Representatives, who recently reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining connections with his former colleagues at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria. Abbas, who served as a dedicated member of the academic staff when the institution was still known as Kaduna State Polytechnic, has demonstrated that the passage of time and changes in professional roles need not sever the ties forged in shared endeavours. By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman The journey…
A one-day consultative meeting on advancing inclusive reporting of gender issues in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic processes has called on online media platforms to play a more proactive role in amplifying women’s voices in politics and promoting gender equity in governance. Held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Exclusive Serene Hotel in Abuja, the event was convened by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), with support from the European Union under the EU-SDGNII programme. The meeting brought together GOCOP leadership, online publishers, and other media stakeholders to examine ways to enhance the…
Female journalists and media executives from across the country convened at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt for a one-day consultative session aimed at advancing professionalism in democratic reporting. This was a landmark move to empower women in the Nigerian media space. Organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union under Component 4 of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EUSDGN II), the session brought together leaders of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), editors, producers, senior reporters, and media executives across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.…
Burkina Faso has been ranked the most impacted country by terrorism in the 2025 edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), reflecting the deepening security crisis in the Sahel region of West Africa. By Abdallah el-Kurebe The report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), identifies the top 10 countries most affected by terrorism, with Pakistan, Syria, Mali, and Nigeria rounding out the top five. Key findings in the Global Terrorism Index: Burkina Faso – Ranked #1 Once considered a relatively stable West African nation, Burkina Faso has seen a dramatic surge in terrorist activity over the past…
Regional leaders attending the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region have issued a unified call for an immediate and unconditional end to hostilities by all armed groups operating in eastern DRC. In a joint communiqué released at the close of the summit in Kampala, Uganda, the leaders condemned the escalating violence and insecurity plaguing eastern DRC and urged foreign fighters to disarm and return to their countries of origin. They also called on member states to respect each other’s sovereignty and to…
Throughout West Africa it has become difficult to avoid the blitz of viral videos, memes and social media posts glorifying the military junta of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Experts say that there has been a calculated campaign to elevate the stature of one man in particular: Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, the youngest leader on the continent, who seized power by overthrowing Burkina Faso’s previous military junta in 2022. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” host Martine Dennis said in the May 13 episode of her Africa Here & Now podcast. “Ibrahim Traoré seems to be online, everywhere, all the time.…