From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

Northwest University Kano on Friday held its 13th Matriculation Ceremony for newly admitted students of the 2025/2026 academic session, with a total of 7,929 students formally admitted into various academic programmes across the institution’s 10 faculties.

The colourful ceremony, which took place at the Muhammadu Sanusi II Lecture Hall, was described as historic and memorable as it marked the first matriculation exercise presided over by the university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero.

The event also recorded another milestone with the formal inclusion of students of the Institute of Continuing Education admitted into part-time degree programmes alongside regular students of the university for the first time.

Speaking during the ceremony, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero urged the newly matriculated students to uphold discipline, moral conduct, and academic excellence throughout their stay in the institution.

She reminded the students that the university awards degrees based not only on academic performance but also on character, stressing the need for them to protect the image and reputation of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that although it was her first matriculation ceremony as the head of the university, she had participated in previous ceremonies in different capacities, including as Head of Department, Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor.

Professor Amina also expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support toward the growth and development of the university.

She commended the governor for efforts aimed at repositioning the institution and improving the learning environment for both students and staff.

“Students must remain law-abiding, focused and dedicated to their studies while contributing positively to the development of the university through hard work and responsible conduct.

In his remarks the Registrar of the university, Dr. Adm.Isyaku Adamu administered the matriculation oath to the newly admitted students and charged them to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations governing the institution.

Some of the matriculated students who spoke shortly after the ceremony expressed happiness over securing admission into the university and pledged to remain committed to their studies and conduct themselves responsibly.

The ceremony ended amid excitement, goodwill and renewed hope for a successful academic journey for the newly admitted students.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has credited the result to the working partnership between Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and the host communities along the corridor.

The commendation came at a stakeholder meeting convened by PINL in Bayelsa to review operational performance and community engagement.

For the full month of April, no incidents were recorded on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) or the Eastern Gas Network across Bayelsa State — no bunkering, no spillage, no infractions

“For the past month, there has been no incident in the whole of Bayelsa as far as we are concerned,” said Omojevwhe Akponime, Head of NNPCL’s Project Monitoring Office for the Eastern Corridor.

“That shows that the community and PINL are one in common.”

Akponime linked the result to rising production on the TNP, and called on the royal fathers, CDC chairmen, women’s leaders and youth groups present to sustain the collaboration. “Each time you give them your support, they will always do more for you,” he said.

PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, placed the achievement against the national target.

“Production has continued to increase,” Mezeh said. “By the grace of God, we’ll meet our target of 2.5 million barrels per day. It shows that the stakeholders are performing their obligations strictly in the partnership.”

Mezeh used the meeting to present cheques to beneficiaries of PINL’s women empowerment programme, encouraging recipients to invest the funds into their businesses. He also called on youth across the corridor to reject vandalism.

“If you go and spend money to install any illegal connection, you cannot reap it,” he said. “In the next 24 hours, we will get intelligence, and you will lose out. Vandalism is no longer profitable.”

Speaking for the beneficiaries, Madam Love Theophilus reinforced the message. “This empowerment is for business,” she told the women. “It’s not for big wrapper. It’s not for good shoes. Use the money to promote your business.”

The Trans Niger Pipeline is one of Nigeria’s most critical crude evacuation arteries. A month without infraction in Bayelsa is a direct contribution to national production and to the 2.5 million barrels per day target.

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has commended the quality of projects being executed under the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme in Kano State.

It was contained in a statement issued by Director Public Enlightenment Musbahu Amin Yakasai.

The statement said Professor Suwaiba made the commendation during an inspection visit to some selected AGILE project sites in Kano, including WTC Kano and GGSS Dukawuya.

While expressing satisfaction with the standard of work at the sites visited, the Minister directed contractors handling some of the projects to make necessary corrections where appropriate to ensure the delivery of quality infrastructure.

She applauded President Bola Tinubu for supporting the AGILE initiative, describing the programme as a major step toward improving girl-child education and increasing access to quality learning opportunities for girls across the country.

The Minister also expressed happiness over the warm reception accorded to her during the visit.

The Kano State Commissioner for Education, Gwani Dr. Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, disclosed that the state government, under the AGILE project, would renovate about 300 schools across Kano State.

He further revealed that 49 new schools for girls would be constructed across the 484 wards of the state to strengthen access to education for girls.

The Commissioner commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritizing the education sector and investing heavily in initiatives aimed at improving learning environments and educational outcomes in the state.

He also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for visiting Kano State to inspect the AGILE projects and for her continued support toward the advancement of education.

The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative focused on improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls through enhanced infrastructure, access and empowerment programmes.