Author: Fatima Idera

The Benue State House of Assembly has rejected the nomination of a university lecturer, Timothy Ornguga as commissioner, following petition signed against him by his ex-students at the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. Mr. Ornguga is an Associate Professor of Law at the university. A group of former students of the university had petitioned the assembly, demanding the withdrawal of his nomination as a commissioner by the state’s Governor, Hyacinth Alia. The petitioners accused him of “cruelty, psychological abuse, and draconian conduct as a university lecturer.” While Mr Ornguga and his fellow nominee, James Dwen failed the screening as the assembly found their responses to the petitions…

The founder of Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and publisher of PREMIUM TIMES newspaper, Dapo Olorunyomi, has called on the Nigerian media to strengthen its watchdog, gatekeeping, and agenda-setting roles to safeguard democracy from the corrosive effects of disinformation, populism, and political polarisation. Delivering a lecture titled: “The Democracy–Journalism Interface,” at a virtual event to officially onboard DevReporting’s editorial and technical advisors, Mr Olorunyomi warned that democracy can only thrive when the press is free, independent, and committed to truth, accuracy, and public accountability. “A free and independent press is a vital part of the institutional mix. Its…

Behind every autistic child in Nigeria is a family fighting battles most people never see, with love, pain, hope, and little support. Love meets challenges every day in these homes. Sodiq Mojibola and Fatimah Idera tell their stories. Every morning, Taiwo Adeshola braces herself for another day with her young client, an 11-year-old boy who lives in a world many struggle to understand. As his therapist for over a year, she has learned to read his silence and decode his meltdowns. When Ms Adeshola is around her patient, he behaves well and follows instructions. But as soon as she leaves,…

The social media has been agog with a series of health claims, and one of these is that mixing pawpaw (papaya) leaf with honey can cure insomnia. But do these natural ingredients really lure you into dreamland?  DevCheck experts weigh in as our findings show that there is no scientific proof that pawpaw leaves paired with honey banish insomnia for good. In fact, using this combo without medical guidance could spell health risks.  With insomnia plaguing millions due to stress, anxiety, and lifestyle chaos, getting the facts on safe, effective treatments is a big deal. So let’s dig into what…

The President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, in this report, said the union is warming up for a comprehensive shutdown of Nigeria’s university campuses, accusing the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of taking the union for granted after its members have endured continued hardship for two years, hoping the promises would be kept. The respite currently being enjoyed across Nigeria’s public university campuses may soon be truncated as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the umbrella body for university lecturers in the country, threatened a showdown. ASUU said the benefit of the doubt it granted to the administration of President Bola…

Media professionals have raised alarm over the rising use of surveillance technologies to monitor, intimidate, and silence journalists across Africa, calling for bravery, stronger laws, and collective action to defend press freedom. At the 17th annual media lecture organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), themed “Surveillance, Safety and the Silencing of Truth,” media experts drew attention to the rising threats facing press freedom and the shrinking space for civic engagement. The lecture held in commemoration of the 91st birthday of Wole Soyinka, a professor, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in literature and grand patron of WSCIJ, brought…

What started as a nagging eye pain for Babalola Regina, a 100-level student of English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has turned into a life-threatening kidney problem, leaving her battling for survival at just 18 years old. For months, Regina endured persistent pain, thinking it was a minor eye issue. But as her condition worsened, she eventually visited her school clinic for a check-up. Doctors soon delivered the devastating diagnosis: her kidneys were failing. To save her life, the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), OAU chapter, posted a flyer online, appealing for public support…

Nigeria has signed a milestone Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil to strengthen health collaboration, improve vaccine access and production, and boost local manufacturing of essential medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the BRICS Health Ministers’ meeting in Brazil by Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, and his Brazilian counterpart, Alexandre Padilha. Mr Pate, a doctor, in a post on his X account, explained that the agreement fully aligns with the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and supports the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC),…

The Body of Bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) has donated relief materials to victims of recent floods in Niger State, pledging continued support for affected communities. The Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Bago, received the items at the state house in Abuja on Saturday from the body, led by its chairman, Oliver Alawuba, who is also the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA). Mr Alawuba noted that the relief materials, including bags of rice, beverages, vegetable oil, and mattresses worth millions of naira, are aimed at supporting families affected by the floods in Mokwa Local Government Area.…

The Nigerian government launched a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative on 30 May, aimed at addressing the country’s rising youth unemployment and underemployment rates. Speaking at the monthly dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Idris Bugaje, a professor, provided an in-depth explanation of the initiative and responded to questions from participants. Excerpt. What is new about Nigeria’s new TVET initiative? Bugaje: It’s good to interrogate government policies to ensure sustainability. Anytime you hear renewed hope, my understanding is that hopes were…