NEWS
Senate President, Stakeholders Promise Support for Families of Fallen Heroes

By David Torough, Abuja
The National Assembly has assured more support for families of Nigeria’s fallen heroes as the country marks the 2024 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio gave the assurance in an interview with State House Correspondents after the laying of wreaths in commemoration of the day on Monday in Abuja.
According to Akpabio, today’s ceremony is just to signify to all of them that they are not alone, that we also mourn with them and we continue to pray for God Almighty to console them and provide for the children and their siblings that they have left behind.
He said, “the presence of all of us is also a major significance that yes, indeed, the government of the day would never let them mourn alone and I will do everything possible to ensure that their welfare is taken care of, and that this event reduces the calamities that we’re seeing in our country.
”Also, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, pledged that the entire National Assembly will not leave the families of the falling heroes alone.
“They should know that what they are doing is a noble cause and we will be with them all the way. We will support them all the way; I will ensure that their siblings are not left alone.
“That is a commitment from the National Assembly, as you have learned from our Senate President. We will do everything humanly possible to improve the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes and the active men and women in the field,” he added.
Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, who also pledged support for the families of war veterans, also used the opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting the families of those who died in service of their father land.
The Minister urged Nigerians to thank the President for all the support and the love he showed for the fallen heroes and their families, adding, “he has been very supportive and we try as much as possible to take care of them by every means and way.”
Badaru also gave a word of encouragement to serving military personnel saying: “They should keep working very hard and rid us of the menace of the security challenges in the country and I think they are doing wonderfully well now.
The National President, Military Widows Association (MiWA), Mrs Veronica Aluko, who also spoke to Journalists, noted with dismay that the day reminds widows of fallen heroes of their predicaments.
She said, “today refreshes the mourning in us. We are remembering today that these people left us for real. And the significance of today is remembering their sacrifice, which is not in vain. That gives us more strength, that since they are not forgotten, they didn’t die in vain.
Chairman, Nigerian Legion, retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin noted that It was befitting to set aside a special day in remembrance of the supreme price paid by deceased members of the Armed Forces.
“This day is specially set aside for members of the Armed Forces to serve two purposes one, to celebrate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and also to celebrate those who are living, who have served and have left the military and including those who are serving.
“The second part is to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars through other international engagements coming down to operations that we had in Liberia, in Sierra Leone, and under United Nations and the African Union,” he explained.
The Chairman also used the opportunity to solicit for more support for war veterans who are still alive.
“But the Nigerian Legion is not well grounded in terms of finances, to be able to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of looking after all the families of the fallen heroes,” he appealed.
NEWS
Group Backs Students With Disabilities, Distributes Learning Materials in Nasarawa

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia
The Maikaya Development Foundation (MDF) has distributed thousands of exercise books to indigent students in Nasarawa State and renewed its advocacy for inclusive education, urging stakeholders to prioritize access for students living with disabilities in higher institutions.
The official distribution ceremony, which took place at the Faculty of Education, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, brought together student union leaders, academic representatives, and other stakeholders from the education sector. Speaking at the event yesterday, the CEO of of the foundation Dr. Muhammed Maikaya represented by the Operation Manager, Hon. Shuaibu Sani said the gesture was aimed at easing the financial burden on students and encouraging them to remain focused on their academic goals.“This distribution is not just about writing materials, it is a reaffirmation of our belief that every student, regardless of status, deserves the tools and support needed to succeed,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to ensuring no student is left behind.”Student leaders who spoke during the event expressed deep appreciation to the foundation for its consistent support and investment in the academic wellbeing of students.Comrade Ovey Abimiku, President of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), “Maikaya Development Foundation continues to show us what it means to be a true partner in education. This is a welcome intervention that will help many students who can’t afford basic learning materials.”Also speaking, Comrade Tabitha Jatau, State Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Female Students (ANFS), praised the foundation’s longstanding dedication to youth empowerment.“MDF has not only provided these writing materials but has also supported students with scholarship and tuition funds for many years. We are grateful for this rare consistency,” she noted.Recall that weeks earlier, the foundation had supported over 500 students across the state with Education Support Funds to assist with the payment of tuition fees and levies—an annual intervention that has benefitted thousands over the past decade.In addition to its material support, the foundation has continued to advocate for inclusive education policies in the state. During a recent stakeholders’ engagement themed “Breaking Barriers and Promoting People with Special Needs’ Inclusion in Higher Institutions”,Maikaya had called on government and educational institutions to prioritize the rights and needs of students living with disabilities.“The truth is, barriers—both seen and unseen—still prevent many of our brothers and sisters with special needs from accessing quality education,” Maikaya said at the event. “These are not just inconveniences. They are injustices. And they must be corrected.”He recommended several critical steps to advance inclusive education, including accessible infrastructure, adapted learning materials, disability awareness training for academic staff, and policy implementation at all levels.“Inclusive education is not optional, it is essential for real development,” He added. “We have seen the power of what can happen when potential meets opportunity. Now we must ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to those opportunities.”He urged stakeholders, government agencies, private sector actors, NGOs, and civil society groups, to collaborate in making inclusive education a reality in Nasarawa and beyond.“This is not a matter of charity. It is about equity, dignity, and human rights,” the speaker emphasized. Items that were distributed including learning materials, 20, 50kg bags of rice, 20 cartons of Noddles and cash support of 200,000 thousand Naira to students living with disabilities while advocating for inclusion gain tract, educational reform and youth empowerment in Nasarawa State.EndNEWS
Minister Describes Death of Leon Usigbe as Monumental Loss

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has described the death of Dr Leon Usigbe, the Abuja Bureau Chief of the Tribune Newspaper, as a monumental loss to the Newspaper, journalism profession and to the entire nation.The Minister said with the death of Usigbe, Nigeria has lost one of its finest media minds — a man whose intellect, courage, and clarity of purpose earned him the respect of colleagues, government officials, and the public alike.
In condolence message on Saturday, Idris said he received news of the death of Tribune Newspaper Bureau Chief with profound shock and deep sadness.”Dr. Usigbe was an outstanding journalist, a highly cerebral professional, and a shining light within the Nigerian media landscape. His work was defined by integrity, depth, and an unflinching determination to the public good. As a pen-wielding advocate for democracy and national development, he brought intellectual rigour, insight, and balance to his reporting. In him, the Fourth Estate had a true patriot who used his craft to foster accountability and nation-building.”I recall with particular sorrow his eloquent and thought-provoking contributions during the regular Ministerial Press Briefing Sessions convened by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja, as well as at the Press Briefings in the Presidential Villa. His interventions consistently elevated the quality of discourse and helped bridge the gap between government and the media — all in service of a more informed and engaged society,” Idris said.On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and himself , the Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the management and staff of Tribune Newspaper, the government and people of Edo State, where he hailed from, as well as to his family, friends, and professional associates. He prayed the God Almighty to comfort those the late Bureau Chief left behind and to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, saying “May his soul rest in perfect peace.”NEWS
Unique Secondary School Expands Outreach, Honors Ogbodo, Launches Scholarships

By David Torough, Abuja
Unique Secondary School Makurdi (USSM), a leading private educational institution in Benue State, continues to make significant strides in academic excellence and community impact.
In a bold move to increase accessibility and reward excellence, the school has unveiled a new examination centre in Oju Local Government Area, launched a scholarship scheme for families with multiple children in the school, and honoured a distinguished alumnus, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo, by naming a recreational facility after him.The newly inaugurated Dr. Mark Ogbodo Park was officially commissioned on July 24, during a colourful ceremony held at the school’s New GRA campus in Makurdi.
The event drew an impressive turnout of students, staff, parents, alumni, and dignitaries.
Chairman of Unique Schools and co-founder of USSM, Engr. Felix Atume led the commissioning, describing it as a tribute to dedication and impact.
Dr. Ogbodo, an author and founder of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, was visibly moved by the honour.
In a social media post after the event, he wrote: “Who am I to deserve this great honour? What impact have I made on USSM? These thoughts flooded my mind as I stood speechless in awe.”
He praised the school leadership, particularly Principal Mr. Samuel Ortsega, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for the recognition.
Also unveiled at the event was a scholarship programme aimed at easing the financial burden on families with more than one child enrolled at USSM.
The initiative was met with excitement and gratitude from parents in attendance. Furthermore, the newly established Oju exam centre was widely applauded for eliminating the long travel often required for external examinations, especially for students living in remote areas.
Founded on September 1, 1998, by Engr. Atume and Mrs. Juliana Atume, a noted philanthropist, USSM has built a strong reputation for nurturing students through academic rigor and character development.
Originally a day school, it added a boarding facility in 2007 to cater to growing demand. Situated in a serene environment, the school provides a secure and conducive atmosphere for learning.
USSM is part of the larger Unique Schools family, which began with Unique Nursery and Primary School in 1995.
The secondary arm offers a comprehensive curriculum infused with entrepreneurial and vocational training in areas such as catering, fashion, cosmetology, and design—preparing students with practical skills for life beyond the classroom.
The school boasts modern infrastructure, including science laboratories, an ICT centre, a digital library, spacious classrooms, quality boarding facilities, a healthcare unit, and the expansive Engr. Felix Atume Hall. Recreational amenities include courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, a football pitch, and indoor games like chess and scrabble.
In keeping with global trends, USSM has embraced digital innovations such as an online result-checking system and is planning an enhanced presence on social media.
The school runs a three-term calendar and prepares students for key national examinations including BECE, WAEC, and NECO.
Ambitious plans are underway to launch Unique Technical College, which will focus on technical and vocational education.
As the evening of July 24 transitioned into a celebratory dinner in honour of the 2025 graduating class, guests—including PTA members, parents, alumni, and staff—shared heartfelt goodwill messages. The PTA Chairman described the event as “unparalleled in the school’s history.”
Through initiatives like the Oju centre, new scholarships, and the celebration of alumni impact, Unique Secondary School Makurdi continues to set the benchmark for holistic and community-rooted education in Benue State.