By Tambaya Julius, Abuja 

The Federal Government has urged vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities to introduce degree programmes that address critical manpower shortages and meet the growing demand for specialised healthcare and social services.

The proposed programmes include Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Medical Social Work.

The government said expanding training in these fields would help bridge gaps in specialist care and create more employment opportunities for Nigerian graduates.

The Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa, also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing autism centres across the six geopolitical zones to improve access to specialised care and support for persons on the autism spectrum and their families.

Alausa said universities must align their academic programmes with national workforce needs and emerging societal challenges, stressing the importance of equipping graduates with practical skills for professional practice and employment.

He explained that developing the proposed programmes would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to provide essential services locally, reduce dependence on limited specialist services and produce professionals capable of meeting the needs of the population.

The planned autism centres are expected to provide access to diagnosis, therapeutic services and research, while serving as regional support hubs for families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.

The minister said the initiatives reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening local capacity and improving support for persons with autism and other developmental conditions.

He assured stakeholders that the government would continue to pursue reforms aimed at expanding access to relevant education, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting skills development.

Alausa also commended the Chairman of the Federal Government Committee for the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, Dr. Victoria Amu, for her dedication and commitment to advancing the specialised fields.

He urged vice-chancellors and other university administrators to work closely with Amu, relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies to facilitate the introduction of the proposed programmes.

According to him, such collaboration would help ensure that the programmes meet the required academic and professional standards.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building a responsive and inclusive higher education system that equips Nigerians with relevant skills, addresses critical manpower gaps and expands access to essential specialised services.

He added that the initiatives form part of broader efforts to develop human capital, improve service delivery and ensure that Nigeria’s education system responds effectively to national priorities and the needs of its citizens.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

‎The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday charged newly inaugurated members of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere to deploy their experience and political networks for effective grassroots mobilization, wider public engagement, and strong support for Aare Asejere.

Governor Adeleke gave this charge while speaking at the official Inauguration of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere, at Adebimpe event hall, adjacent Osogbo City Stadium, along Ikirun Road,Osogbo.

The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi said, the campaign council committees should intensify grassroots mobilization from now till Election Day.

Governor Adeleke admonished entire people of Osun Central Senatorial district to see themselves as one and remain under the umbrella of the Accord while they should continue to demonstrate their unalloyed love and support for Aare Asejere for him to emerge as the next Senator for the area in January 2027.

“I am appealing to you all my dear people to extend the same love you gave me in the just concluded Governorship election in Osun State to Alhaji Asejere in the forthcoming election as he must be in the Red Chamber by January 2027 by the power of the Almighty God” Governor Adeleke stressed.=

Yeye Dupe Adeleke Sanni, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun and a current Commissioner in Osun, Hon Bunmi Jenyo, while inaugurating the committee, charged them to be up and doing and work towards the victory of Aare Asejere in the coming election.

“The committee should make sure our Accord candidate for Osun Central Senatorial district wins the Senatorial election to the Senate as Aare Asejere’s Senatorial ambition is a round peg in a round hole towards the development and betterment of the people”.

The Chairman of the Campaign Committee and Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as well as the Director-General of the Asejere Campaign Committee and the incumbent Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, while speaking congratulated Aare Asejere in advance saying, nothing will stop his emergence as Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial district in the coming election by God’s Grace and people’s support.

Also the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande enjoyed the newly inaugurated committee for the emergence of Aare Asejere to see the assignment as a task which they should not take with levity.

“Our man, Aare Asejere has been tested, he has never been found wanting, he’s a man of his word and he is a complete grassroots politician who loves to develop people, let us join hands together and support his ambition”, Pastor Akande said.

Responding, Aare Asejere who was highly elated for seeing large numbers of people from far and near promised not to let the people of Osun Central Senatorial district down, adding that he will ensure he involves the whole people in his performance while his representation will be meaningful.

Aare Asejere once again called on the people of Osun Central to vote him in as the Senator representing the district assured that he will not fail them.

He appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke in absentia, his deputy, the SSG, Bobagunwa Igbalaiye, Oluomo Alimi, Yeye Dupe-Sanni, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Egbedun, Hon Abesin, Hon

Funso Ishola, party leaders, members of the Accord, community leaders, Iyaloja-General and her team, Oluomo Rasaki, Hon Adigun Olaide, among others.

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously called for urgent and coordinated actions to protect Nigerian girls from child marriage and other harmful practices.

The call followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Rep.

Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked every October 11th.

Ogbara, while moving the motion, decried the prevalence of child marriage and other harmful practices against the girl child.

She called on government at all levels to strengthen national programmes aimed at preventing child marriage and protecting girls at risk.

The Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, in adopting the motion, also urged governments at all levels to ensure that every girl child has access to education, and quality healthcare.

The theme for the 2026 commemoration siught to reaffirm commitment to ending child marriage and upholding the fundamental rights of every girl child.