From Attah Ede, Makurdi

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), on Tuesday launched its newest Wellness Center in Makurdi, Benue State capital, becoming the second in Nigeria.The center is located on George Akume Road, MakurdiAHF Regional Medical Manager and Co-ordinator Dr.

John Ogboji said the center is a one-stop shop for the treatment of infections. He said AHF has been in Benue State for the last 14 years, explaining that they decided to intervene in STI following the high rate of sexually transmitted infections. Said he, “in the course of implementing HIV services, we observed that some of our clients complained of Sexually Transmitted infections that they have acquired. That is what formed the need to establish this wellness center last year. We commenced operation in December, 2024. We provide services free during the weekdays.”We conduct services on education and give condoms free which serves duo purposes, prevents one from contracting STIs as well as prevent pregnancy. Also women who are eligible and suffering from cervical cancer can come for screening and get early treatment. We also provide family planning services and menstrual hygiene for young people by supporting them with reusable menstrual pads.”The wellness centers are two in Nigeria, one in Abuja and Benue. AHF started in Benue State in 2011 before establishing its corporate headquarters in Abuja. We take health issues that affect the people with utmost importance and the people also care about their health. We have tested over 2500 clients since we started.“We decided to site it on this road because it is a highbrow area close to the International Market, Benue Links Transport Company, the Wurukum Park and the Benue State University. We want it closer to the people, Logo 1 and 2 where most students and youths who are sexually active reside can easily walk in here and access our services”.Dr. Ogboji said the prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS in the State has drastically reduced from as high as 15 percent to 3.4 percent and we are still counting, working hard to eliminate completely by the year 2030. Alot has been done and still needs to be accomplished.AHF Medical Director Dr. Emmanuel Nwabueze said one must not have STI to access their service at the wellness center.He maintained that the AHF Wellness Centers will provide free HIV and STI testing/treatment, offer clients the opportunity to confidentially speak directly to experts on sexually transmitted infections, and promote sexual health screenings as routine healthcare for all sexually-active people”The Wellness Centers are designed to make testing and treatment for STIs accessible, convenient, and free, as well as to encourage regular cervical cancer screenings for all sexually active women”, Nwabueze stated.Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Action Committee on AIDS BENSACA Wanngo Titus said the State is proud to embrace this initiative, urging the people to make maximum use of the center.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke yesterday described the passage into law of the Osun Electricity bill as a major tool to deepen and boost the economy of Osun state.In his reaction to the passage of the executive bill by the State House of Assembly, the Governor said the bill will open windows of opportunities for investors in the power sector with a lot of off-grid power generation opportunities.

According to him, sources of power generation will be diversified, opened up and regulated to address what he called chronic power supply crisis rocking the state. “The new law will ensure the right energy mix. Renewable energy will complement the traditional energy sources. Osun state is open to new energy sector investors”, the Governor was quoted as saying.Aside from tapping into various power generation sources in the state, the Governor said the era of exploitation and oppression of Osun people by some officials of Ibadan electricity Distribution Company is over.The new law, according to the Governor, provides for the establishment of the State Electricity Regulatory Agency to regulate and monitor the electricity market as well as attend to service delivery issues by the distribution company.He stressed that the commission will be empowered to address complaints of electricity users and act on the activities of the distribution company, warning that the Disco should sit tight now ahead of the eventual take off of the commission.“The regulatory commission will be addressing critical issues relating to customer – service providers complaints. It will grant licenses to power generators among others. The commission will not allow current maltreatment of electricity users in the state.“I will invite all stakeholders to the signing into law ceremony. The business community in Osun state should heave a sigh of relief. The much needed policy framework for the state power sector has arrivedThe governor commended the House of Assembly, the state Ministry of Energy and all those who worked on the draft bill and participated in the consultation processes leading to the passage by the state assembly.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, came alive as 22 teenagers graduated from Rowdotu-t-Tanzeel Tahfeez Arabic School, having successfully memorised the entire Glorious Qur’an.The colourful ceremony, which marked the fourth edition of the school’s annual Qur’an memorisation and basic Islamic education graduation, was attended by Islamic scholars, academics, parents, and dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.

Some participants also joined virtually, further underscoring the event’s significance. All 22 graduands, aged below 18, were awarded certificates of completion for mastering the recitation, tajweed (rules of Qur’anic pronunciation), Arabic grammar, and Islamic ethics.Their melodious renditions of the Qur’an verses gripped the audience emotionally, as many in attendance were moved to tears by the soul-lifting recitations that illuminated the entire atmosphere.In his address, the Director of the institution, Mallam Mutiu Uthman, noted that the school was established to instil Islamic values and Qur’anic knowledge in children from an early age.He emphasised the importance of committing to the Qur’an not only for spiritual elevation but also as a moral compass in a world increasingly plagued by distractions and technological excesses.Mallam Uthman congratulated the memorisers and advised them not to relent in their spiritual pursuit.“Memorising the Qur’an is a great feat, but it is only the beginning. The true challenge lies in living by its teachings,” he said.He encouraged Muslim parents to prioritise Islamic education and expose their children to the memorisation of the Qur’an early in life, adding that the institution had produced students who now study at reputable universities such as Al-Azhar in Egypt, institutions in Malaysia, Turkiye, and top Nigerian universities.The Chairman of the day, Professor Shuaib Osunleke, applauded the dedication and resilience of the young scholars.He urged Muslims to internalise the values of the Qur’an and project them through acts of peace, justice, and kindness in society.Delivering his lecture, Sheikh Sirajudeen Bakrin, Chief Imam of Fountain University, Osogbo, advised families to celebrate moderately and hold their children in high esteem for such a noble accomplishment.He warned the graduates to remain steadfast and avoid influences that contradict the essence of the Qur’an they had memorised.He said, “They are now the bearers of Allah’s words. They must live by it, protect it, and use it to guide others on the straight path.”The names of the twenty-two outstanding Qur’an memorisers include: Ibrahim Oluwaferanmi Lawal, Alabi Habeebah Oluwadunmininu, Munirudeen Abdulrahman Abiodun, Fari’ah Temitope Ojuroye, Abdul-Qawiyy As-Siddiq Abdulhameed, Ibrahim Olamide Lawal, Aleem Halimah Olamide, Firdaus Oluwaferanmi Oyelami, Odenike Ibraheem Dolamu.Olowomojuore Muhammad Olakunle, Adeboye Summayyah Adedolapo, Ajibade Waliyah Adeola, Adewale Kafilah Adebimpe, Adedokun Fatimah Afolashade, Olurode Tolhah Kehinde.Saheed Sofiyyah Adedamola, Moyosore Muhammed Alade, Badru Muhammad Olusola, Tajudeen Toliah Akorede, Tajudeen Abdullah Olamide, Teslim Aisha Aduke Ayomide, and Abdullah Opeyemi Abdul Rasaq.