A political tidal wave is surging through Lere West in Kaduna State, as residents passionately rally behind Mr. Tom Garba, a renowned journalist and philanthropist, to contest the 2027 Kaduna State House of Assembly election. From rural villages to bustling markets, communities are uniting in an unprecedented grassroots movement, declaring their support for Garba regardless of the political platform he chooses.

Eight residents, representing diverse voices, have shared powerful testimonies about the momentum fueling this campaign, emphasizing that Garba’s character, not his party, is their focus. In Lere, Gure, Garu, Lazuru, Ramin Kura and beyond, town halls and community gatherings buzz with enthusiasm for Garba, a native son of Lere West known for his tireless community service. “Tom Garba is our choice, our voice,” said Rabiu Sigau, a local Youth mobiliser. “He’s been empowering our youth through his Tom Garba Foundation and giving out scholarships without holding any office. We don’t care about the party; he’s the man we need.” Rabiu’s words echo a growing sentiment that Garba’s leadership transcends partisan divides.Ezekiel Zuban, a politician and farmer in Gure/Kahugu ward, praised Garba’s tangible contributions. “His character is top-notch, he is a talk-and-do when others only make promises,” Zuban said. “Any party that fields him has my vote and my groups. He’s already acting like our representative.” This cross-party appeal is a hallmark of Garba’s campaign, with residents like Ibrahim Ali, a trader in Doka, declaring, “Tom Garba is not just APC or PDP—he’s for all of us. I’m PDP, but I’ll support him on any platform.”Naomi Luka, a women’s group leader, highlighted Garba’s commitment to inclusivity. “He listens to women and supports our businesses,” she said. “We’re tired of empty promises. Tom Garba is our hope for 2027, and we’ll back any party that gives him the ticket.” Similarly, Moses Simon, a youth from Kahugu, emphasized Garba’s focus on education. “He’s provided books and scholarships for our children,” Simon said. “God willing, he’s our next member, no matter the party.”Elder statesman Mato Garu, a community elder, underscored Garba’s ability to unite. “Tom Garba bridges divides—Muslim, Christian, young, old,” he said. “His heart is with Lere West. Any party that fields him is assured our maximum support.” Maryamu Adams, a market woman, echoed this: “He helped us with resources to grow our trade. I don’t care about party lines—Tom Garba is the leader we trust.”Mallam Mohammed, a respected community figure, called Garba’s rise a “revolution for progress.” “He’s not like the politicians who forget us after elections,” he said. “We’re mobilizing for him because he’s already delivering. Any party with Tom Garba will win Lere West.” Abubakar Ali, a local teacher, added, “His work speaks louder than any campaign. He’s the embodiment of our hopes, and we’ll ensure he represents us in 2027, God willing.”The fervor for Garba comes at a critical time for Kaduna’s competitive political scene, where the APC recently dominated local elections, but the PDP and the coalition party ADC remains a strong contender. Garba’s ability to attract support from both camps could reshape Lere West’s electoral dynamics. Political observers note that his philanthropy; Providing scholarships, advocating for infrastructure, and empowering youth even when he wasn’t sure of vying for any office has made him a unifying figure. “This is a people’s movement,” said Comr. Nehemiah Musa, a local activist. “Tom Garba is the awaited member for Lere West.”As 2027 approaches, Lere West’s residents are clear: they want Tom Garba, not just a party. With communities mobilizing and voices like Joseph, Bitrus, and Adams leading the charge, Garba’s potential candidacy is poised to redefine leadership in Kaduna State.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), an interest-free loan scheme designed to improve the welfare, professional growth, and financial stability of Nigeria’s tertiary institution workforce.

The Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa, who unveiled the initiative in Abuja on Thursday, described it as a strategic empowerment platform that would give both academic and non-academic staff the financial support they needed to serve students with renewed dedication and live with dignity.

The minister further explained that TISSF is an integral part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Reform Agenda for the education sector, which prioritises people as the nation’s greatest asset in transforming the education sector and driving economic growth.

According to him, the programme is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

Under the scheme, beneficiaries can access interest-free loans for medical expenses, family and accommodation needs, transportation (including electric vehicles and CNG conversions), small-scale enterprises and agriculture, as well as academic advancement through certifications and capacity-building programmes.

The Minister said; “TISSF is more than a financial product; it is a workforce transformation tool. By easing financial burdens, we expect to improve staff retention, boost morale, and enhance institutional performance for better student outcomes.”

Eligibility, he said, covers confirmed full-time staff of all federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, along with one state-owned institution in each category per state, while applicants must have at least five years to retirement and be members of recognised staff unions such as ASUU, NASU, COEASU, and SSANIP. This translates to 248 eligible institutions nationwide.

“Each eligible staff member can access up to N10 million, subject to a cap of 33.3% of their gross annual salary. The loans are interest-free, repayable over five (5) years, with 12 months moratorium before repayment begins,” the Minister added.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja 

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, educational excellence, and zero tolerance for examination malpractice.

In a statement by Mrs Folashade Boriowo Director of Press and public relations, Alausa spoke against the backdrop of the 2025 WAEC results  released recently.

According to official statistics from WAEC, the percentage of candidates who obtained five credits with or without English Language and Mathematics rose to 91.

14% in 2025, compared to 73.79% in 2024 and 84.38% in 2023. 

However, candidates securing five credits including English Language and Mathematics stood at 62.

96% in 2025, down from 72.12% in 2024 and 79.81% in 2023.

Reiterating the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, Dr. Alausa highlighted the consistent decline in malpractice rates over the past three years—from 16.29% in 2023 to 11.92% in 2024, and 9.70% in 2025.

He attributed this progress to robust anti-malpractice measures introduced by WAEC, including the serialization of question papers in key subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics.

The Minister emphasized the government’s resolve to build human capacity through continuous teacher training and support.

 “We are committed to producing smart, competent teachers to better prepare our students for academic success. This is crucial to ensuring that our examinations remain credible and flawless,” he said.

According to him, going forward, the Ministry will roll out Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and NECO objective papers in 2025, and for both essay and objective papers in 2026. This step is aimed at enhancing efficiency, curbing malpractice, and aligning Nigeria’s examination system with global best practices.

Dr. Alausa called on all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders, to support students, encourage discipline, and create enabling environments for learning.

 “Let us work together to ensure that every hardworking child has the opportunity to succeed,” he urged.