From Yagana Ali Yola.

Adamawa State Governor, the Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has reassured of his commitment to safeguarding the rights of children as future leaders. Governor Fintiri in a Children’s Day message noted that his government will continue to develop relevant policies; programmes and projects towards ensuring children are protected from harm and neglect.

This year’s celebration which has as its theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation, Fintiri stated that children must be given priority because they are our most sacred trust. ”As we celebrate Children’s Day, I am reminded of the sacred responsibility we hold toward our children, our most valuable treasure and the architects of our tomorrow. Their voices, creativity, and resilience will shape the character of our great nation. Our administration remains committed to providing every child in Adamawa with a safe, supportive, and enabling environment, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Through policies such as the Child Rights Act and education-focused initiatives, we aim to ensure every child is given a future”The Governor also reassured his administration’s commitment to providing children with the necessary support and resources to develop their full potential and grow into responsible adults.“On this special day, I urge all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, and communities, to join hands in creating a nurturing environment that allows our children to thrive. Let us work together to protect their rights, promote their welfare, and empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow”.He pointed out that the adoption of the Child Rights Act, while also giving education and children’s welfare priority, are all tailored towards ensuring that children are given a sense of belonging.“Happy Children’s Day to all the children of Adamawa State. May your dreams be nurtured, your voices heard, and your futures safeguarded.”Highlight of celebration include parade by school children at Muhammad Ribadu square

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Professor Salisu Usman, a Political Economist and Development Specialist, has called for the conversion of the recovered housing estate of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele to Liaison Offices for the 774 Local Government Areas. Usman, in a statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja, said that this would ensure each council has a physical presence in the nation’s capital and collaborate with federal government ministries and agencies.

The Federal Government has decided to sell the 753 housing units confiscated from Emefiele to Nigerians after a final forfeiture declaration by the judiciary. The properties were recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and structural integrity test would be done before the sale. This was disclosed in a joint statement from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the EFCC recently. The estate covers more than 150,000 square metres and consists of duplexes and other types of apartments. According to Usman, converting these properties into National Liaison Offices for councils will promote national representation, administrative convenience and unity. “Each LGA would have a physical presence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), symbolising national inclusiveness and strengthening their identity as fundamental components of governance. “The proposal will ensure administrative utility, as the estate could serve as official liaison offices for local governments to interface with federal ministries, agencies, and development partners. “It would also reduce expenses on accommodation for Local Government chairpersons, officials, or delegations visiting the FCT. Additionally, it will promote national unity and generate revenue for each LGA through commercial ventures,” he said. The academician advised that the cost of building the extra 21 units and completing the existing ones should be equitably deducted from the monthly federal allocations to councils over a period of time. This approach, he said, would ensure the project’s success and strengthen Nigeria’s federal system. He added that the initiative would be a legacy project, giving every part of Nigeria a physical footprint in the capital and strengthening grassroots governance at the national level.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has called for joint actions to ending period poverty in Nigeria with consistent investment in initiatives that bridged the knowledge gap of menstrual health management.The AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr.

Echey Ijezie, made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, as part of activities to commemorate the World Menstrual Health Day 2025. Our Correspondent reports that the Menstrual Health Day is observed annually on May 28.Ijezie reaffirmed AHF’s commitment to ending period poverty in Nigeria with consistent investment in initiatives that bridges the knowledge gap of menstrual health management.”We are calling on government to invest in providing free sanitary pads to young girls, across Nigeria, especially indigent girls who lack access to sanitary pads,” he said.He emphasized the need for collectively actions to address the stigma, cultural taboos, and lack of menstrual hygiene access that undermine dignity and increase HIV risk among women and girls.He said that the AHF Nigeria would be marking the day with a commemorative event at WAPI Secondary School Calabar, Cross River State and in Karinmajigi community in Abuja.He noted that women and girls globally, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, faced a disproportionate HIV burden, stressing that lack of access to sanitary pads forces many to miss school, thereby increasing the likelihood of dropping out.This, he said often resulted to increased transactional or transgenerational sex, limiting their ability to negotiate safer sex and raised the risk of acquiring HIV.Ijezie said that the AHF’s menstrual health day worldwide commemorations were part of broader strategic prevention efforts that highlight the link between menstrual health and HIV.He added that it would promote the availability and accessibility of menstrual products, and integrate sexual and reproductive health information and services—ensuring women and girls/ people who menstruate have access to sanitary pads, HIV testing, condoms, and essential care. He disclosed that the AHF Nigeria would, this year, empower young women and girls, both in-school and out-of-school with the information and knowledge they require for a safe menstrual experience. “Importantly, we shall provide free sanitary pads, both disposable and reusable to young girls in Calabar, Abuja and Makurdi. “AHF is committed to ending period poverty in Nigeria with consistent investment in initiatives that bridges the knowledge gap of menstrual health management. “We will bridge the knowledge gap in young women and girls and in combating the myths, stigma and cultural taboos undermining the wellbeing of young women and girls. “To this end, we will continue to expand access to accurate information and the provision of free sanitary pads to compliment the efforts of other concerned stakeholders,” Ijezie said.According to him, research showed that nearly 2 billion people menstruate globally, yet 500 million will experience period poverty—including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities.He added: “these barriers, along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health. This Menstrual Health Day – let’s fight period poverty and end the stigma”.Our Correspondent also reports that AHF, the largest global AIDS organisation, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.2 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe.