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Emir Warns Peasants Against Polygamy

Emir of Anka in Zamfara, Alh Attahiru Ahmed has cautioned low income earners against marrying more than one wife.
Ahmed, who gave the warning yesterday in Anka, said that multiple marriages was worsening the economic situation of the poor and making them even poorer.
He spoke during the distribution of some women empowerment items donated by Hajia Aisha Bello-Matawalle, wife of the state governor.
The items were distributed to women from Anka, Bakura, Bukuyyum, Gummi, Maradun and Talata-Mafara local governments areas in Zamfara West Senatorial District.
“Civil servants on a salary of N15,000 a month marry more than one wife and end up raising families they cannot catter for.
“It is this attitude that is responsible for increasing out-of-school children because the parents cannot shoulder the responsibility.
“People should marry in accordance with their earnings to ensure that their children have sound education and good moral background,” he counseled.
The emir advised beneficiaries of the gesture to make good use of their packages in order to be economically-self reliant and support their families.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that various speakers, in their remarks at the occasion, commended the governor’s wife for the gesture and expressed optimism that it would aid the war against poverty and improve living standards in the rural settlements.
They also urged people to plan their lives in accordance with their means.
French Ambassador Commends NASFAT for promoting Teaching of Islam
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquire, has commended the NasruLlah-il Fatih Society (NASFAT), for its role in promoting correct teachings of Islam and clearing misconceptions about the religion.
Pasquire made the remarks over the weekend at a “Diplomatic Dinner” held in his honour by the Ibadan branch of NASFAT.
According to him, when we read about your commiseration with the French people and Christians during the unfortunate fire incident that gutted Notre Dame Cathedral, sometimes in April in Paris, we felt weneed to know more about NASFAT.
“I am thrilled on the positive roles that NASFAT has been playing in encouraging peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths,” he said in a statement by the society Chief Missioner, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike.
Pasquire, acknowledging NASFAT’s efforts in promoting education, promised to discuss collaboration opportunities with the society’s institution, Fountain University, Osogbo, in Osun.
While commenting on Nigerian situation, he condemned those spreading hate speeches, and ignoring the consequences of their actions.
In his remarks, Onike said NASFAT was ready to collaborate with the International Community to promote peaceful coexsistence and good inter-faith relation in Nigeria and the world at large.
“Islam is about peace, justice as opposed to injustice, mercy in contrast to cruelty, and goodness in opposition to evil.
“Injustice, violence, cruelty and evil acts can never be part of Islam, even if the proponent is supposedly quoting from the scriptures,” he said.
Onike said the the society was in collaborative efforts and relationship with local and foreign organisations, Embassies and High Commissions such as the Carter Centre in U.S.
“The areas of collaboration included community wellbeing, girl-child education and rights, women’s right, widows’ empowerment, among others,” he said.
Onike also said that the society were collaborating with UNICEF on its project on ending violence against children campaign.
According to him, we are also collaborating with the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace in areas of Interfaith relations, and British High Commission on topical issues bordering on socioeconomic development.
He said that plans were on for the Norwegian Embassy courtesy visit to NASFAT in October.
Onike said that the society would use the opportunity to meet some international community representatives and explore areas of collaboration for a better Nigeria.
He thereafter thanked the ambassador for his kind assessment of the society. (NAN)
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UBA Raises N157bn Via Rights Issue to Boost Capital Base

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced plans to raise N157 billion through a rights issue.The disclosure was made via a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX).It said in a statement on Thursday that its stock brokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., had submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
to that effect. It added its stock brokers had requested for approval and listing of a Rights Issue of 3,156,869,665 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N50. 00 per share“Trading License Holders are hereby notified that United Bank for Africa Plc, through its Stockbrokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., has submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.” in that regard.“The rights issue will be on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 13 ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.“The qualification date for the Rights Issue is July 16, 2025,” the bank noted.The move is part of UBA’s strategy to strengthen its capital base and support its expansion and growth objectives across Africa.(NAN)COVER
Benue Uncovers Over 4000 Substandard Schools

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Over 4000 substandard and illegal schools have been uncovered and ready to be shut down across the state.The chief press secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula disclosed this at a press conference in Makurdi.Kula was reacting to a statement credited to former commissioner for education and knowledge management, Prof.
Dennis Ityavyar, said that Governor Alia has stabilised the educational sector since coming on board two years ago. ”No more strikes. Schools are moving on smoothly and in a bid to bring teaching and learning closer to the people and address the problem of younger school leavers in securing admission into tertiary institutions, the governor has established a new university.”The establishment of University of Agriculture Science and Technology Ihugh, Vandeikyaa LGA is real..The governor has secured the licence, acquired land and made appointments of principal officers.”This is to address the issue of providing admission for the teeming Benue indigenes seeking admission into Nigerian universities.”The Governor has employed over 9700 teachers to energize public primary schools in the state. Apart from the fact that our primary schools would be energized, 9700 youths have been taken off the streets.”The government of governor Alia has also paid the 38 months earned allowance owed to lecturers at the Moses Adasu University, formerly Benue State University Makurdi”, he said.He maintained that renovation of government secondary schools and colleges across the state are ongoing where ongoing construction of new structures is in some public primary and secondary schools to ensure conducive learning environment.”Public primary schools teachers are trained on ITCs to enhance the teaching and learning of information and technology innovations at elementary level.”This government has been able to identify over 4000 substandard schools in the state and have secured insurance cover for Benue State students and paid bursary allowances in law school students in the state”, Kula stated.Benue Moves to Domesticate National Policy on IDPsThe Benue State Government has commenced a validation process to domesticate the newly federal government policy on Internally Displaced Persons (PDP) in the State.Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in the State, Aondowase Kunde, stated that upon stakeholders’ inputs into the Internally Displaced Persons policy document, it would be fully launched.He added that the aim is to improve the welfare of the displaced population in the state.Kunde stated this during a two policy validation meeting held at Benue Hotels Makurdi yesterday.He maintained that the document which was passed into law by the national assembly needed to be domesticated in the state in line with the peculiarities of the state.In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Benue State House of assembly, James Abu Umoro, noted that the state has suffered so many natural and man-made disasters that it requires the policy to be domesticated in the state.Umoru insisted that the house will not hesitate to pass the document into law when presented by the executive arm of government.He said the issue of IDP in the state is a concern for everyone and must be given accelerated consideration at any point in time.On his part, House committee chairman on SDG and Donor Agencies, Peter Uche, noted that in most cases, communities have suffered attacks for more than ten years.”Let me therefore, call on all to support the implementation of the policy document for the displaced to return to their ancestral homes to start their normal farming and business activities”, he stated.The Director General, Sustainable Development Goals, John Akuse, who spoke at the occasion, said the validation of the IDP policy document is vital in paving the way for the displaced population to be adequately taken care of regarding their peculiar needs.COVER
Tinubu Honours Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.