Health Experts have told women to desist from denying their babies regular breast milk, while having the misconception that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag, adding that sagging occurs as a result of ageing.
This warning was issued on Monday during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed concern that some mothers deliberately deny their children breast milk because they believe breastfeeding makes them look older by causing their breasts to sag.
He warned that denying children breast milk, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, exposes them to malnutrition and other childhood illnesses.
Breastfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your breasts naturally fall with age whether you give it to your children or not,” Mohammed said.
He noted that exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways of protecting children from malnutrition and preventable diseases.
Also speaking, the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, described breastfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice and urged mothers to adopt optimal breastfeeding practices for the healthy growth and survival of their children.
She said this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, ”Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” emphasises the need to build on proven interventions that improve child nutrition.
Rafique commended the Bauchi State Government for approving six months of paid maternity leave, describing it as a major milestone that would enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
She also praised the state government for allocating N500m as counterpart funding for the Child Nutrition Fund, expressing optimism that the funds would be released promptly to procure nutrition supplies.
According to her, although more than nine in every 10 mothers in Bauchi breastfeed their children, optimal breastfeeding practices remain low.“As I said, breastfeeding remains a valued practice with more than nine in 10 mothers breastfeeding their children, but unfortunately the optimal practices are not there,” she said.
Rafique disclosed that only 12 per cent of newborns in Bauchi are breastfed within the first hour of birth, while only 26 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
She explained that babies should be breastfed within the first hour after birth and given colostrum, the first breast milk, which she described as the child’s first vaccination because of the immunity it provides.
“The child should have breast milk immediately after birth without being given water, honey or any local drinks. Those practices introduce germs and expose children to diarrhoea and other infections,” she said.
The UNICEF official noted that poor breastfeeding practices contribute significantly to diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition, creating a vicious cycle that weakens children and increases the risk of death.
She urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for two years, and maintain adequate birth spacing.
According to her, breastfeeding should not be left to mothers alone, stressing that fathers, families, employers and government institutions all have roles to play in supporting nursing mothers.
She added that family-friendly workplace policies, including the implementation of the state’s six-month paid maternity leave and the establishment of crèches in workplaces, would improve breastfeeding practices and child survival.
Every September in Nigeria, the same ritual plays out in homes across the country. Parents line up in markets and bookshops with a list in one hand and dwindling cash in the other. The list is from the school. The cash never stretches far enough.
So when the Federal Government says it wants to improve what’s on that list — better textbooks, fewer errors, tighter alignment with the curriculum — most Nigerians nod. Who would argue against better books?
The problem is not the ambition. It is the mechanism now being used to achieve it.
A new policy has quietly entered the education space. Under it, the government will not only vet textbooks, it will grade them. It will rank publishers. And it will narrow the pool of books officially recommended for classrooms across the country to a select few.
On paper, this looks like quality control. In practice, it looks like gatekeeping. And in a country with 60 million children in basic and secondary school, gatekeeping has consequences.
1. A Solution in Search of a ProblemFor years, textbook approval in Nigeria has run through the National Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC. The mandate was straightforward: check the book against the curriculum. If it matches, it gets listed. No trophies, no league tables.It was not a perfect system. Teachers still complained about errors. Distribution was uneven. But it was open. Dozens of publishers, including small indigenous presses in Ibadan, Enugu and Kano, could compete as long as their books met the standard.Now the government wants to go further. Instead of pass/fail, we get scores. Instead of a directory, we get a podium. First place, second place, third.What prompted the change? That is the first question no one has answered with data. If the old system was letting bad books into classrooms, show us the evidence. Which titles? Which subjects? Which years?Policy without evidence is preference dressed as reform. Nigerians deserve the receipts before we upend an entire industry.
2. The Math Doesn’t Add Up
Consider scale. Sixty million learners. Hundreds of thousands of schools. Multiple subjects per class, updated every few years.
Now imagine telling that market that only a handful of publishers will carry the government’s seal of approval. Even the most efficient presses cannot print, warehouse and truck that volume to every LGA without delay.
What happens in the meantime? Scarcity. When supply tightens, price rises. And price is already the single biggest barrier between a Nigerian child and a textbook.
Publishers are also warning about cost. According to industry sources, assessment fees have jumped sharply under the new framework — from roughly N300 to N2,000 per page, plus large subject fees. For a house trying to get a full basic education catalog approved, estimates run into the hundreds of millions of naira.
That money does not vanish. It shows up later, on the price tag parents pay. Or it shows up as closed businesses.
Nigeria’s publishing ecosystem is not just a few big names. It is editors working from spare rooms. Illustrators in Yaba. Printers in Aba. Distributors who know which road to take when the rains come. A ranking system that crowns winners and erases the rest will hollow that ecosystem out at the moment we need more capacity, not less.
3. The Incentive Problem
There is another risk, and it is not theoretical.
Anytime government decides which private companies get to dominate a market worth billions, you create a magnet for influence. Even if no one pays a bribe, the mere possibility that a ranking can be lobbied for or against corrodes trust.
Parents will ask: was this book approved because it is good, or because its publisher is connected? Teachers will ask the same. Students will pay the price either way.
Other countries have faced this and chosen a different path. In many education systems, the state sets a clear floor: curriculum alignment, accuracy, production quality, price. Meet the floor, you’re in. No ranking, no public shaming, no artificial scarcity. The goal is not to pick champions. The goal is to keep bad books out.
Nigeria could learn from that.
4. What Was Missing From The Room
Major policy rarely survives contact with the people it affects unless those people were in the room when it was written.
Publishers were not meaningfully consulted. Neither were teachers who actually use the books, nor school owners managing tight budgets, nor parents already stretched by inflation.
When stakeholders raise red flags early, it is not obstruction. It is early warning. The government should treat it as such and go back to the table.
At LightRay! Media, we believe in two things at once: that Nigerian children deserve textbooks free of errors and politics, and that they deserve textbooks they can actually afford and find.
You cannot have the first without the second.
The Way Forward:
Suspend the ranking.
Keep rigorous assessment. Keep curriculum checks. Keep periodic reviews. But replace the podium with a doorway. Set transparent, measurable minimum standards. Any publisher whose book meets them gets approved. No hierarchy. No artificial winners.
That preserves competition. It protects jobs. It keeps more books in more places at prices more families can manage.
Education reform is not supposed to make the market smaller. It is supposed to make learning bigger.
Nigerian children do not need a ranking of publishers. They need a shelf full of good books, in every classroom, in every state, at a price their parents can pay.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday called for increased vigilance to identify and report online scams targeting young Nigerians.
She described human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery that had evolved beyond its traditional forms to exploit victims through online scams, forced criminality and transnational organised crime.
In a message to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which falls on July 30, the First Lady said the year’s global theme, ‘Trapped Behind the Scam,’ drew urgent attention to a fast-growing dimension of human trafficking that was ensnaring increasing numbers of young Nigerians, including educated graduates, through fraudulent overseas employment and investment offers that led them into exploitation and forced criminality.
She called on individuals, communities and institutions to remain vigilant against the evolving tactics of traffickers.
She said, “Let us remain vigilant, protect the vulnerable, and ensure that no one falls victim of exploitation.
“Through collective action, we can build a safer society where every person can live in freedom, dignity, and hope. We say ‘no’ to human trafficking today.”
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30 since it was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, is designed to raise awareness of the plight of trafficking victims and promote and protect their rights.
Nigeria remains one of the highest-burden countries for human trafficking in the world, serving simultaneously as a country of origin, transit and destination.
According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, approximately 156 victims had been rescued since January 2026 alone, with over 300 others repatriated from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in 2025.
The agency’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed last week that over 300,000 people were being trafficked annually into scam compounds across Southeast Asia, with victims forced under threat of violence to run romance scams, crypto fraud and investment schemes targeting victims in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
The scam compound model, in which traffickers lure educated young Nigerians with promises of jobs in information technology, digital marketing and cryptocurrency trading before confiscating their passports on arrival and forcing them to commit online fraud, has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing trafficking trends in recent years.
The Youth and Students Wings of the Yayi Progressives Movement (YPM) on Wednesday staged a solidarity trek across major parts of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to reaffirm their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The participants also declared their backing for Governor Abiodun’s senatorial ambition and Senator Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State.
The solidarity walk, which attracted scores of youth and student supporters, was aimed at demonstrating the group’s commitment to the APC and its key political figures as preparations gradually gathered momentum for the 2027 polls.
The exercise attracted scores of youths, students, party supporters and APC leaders, who converged at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, before embarking on a peaceful walk through major streets. Participants carried banners and placards while chanting slogans expressing confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and commending Senator Adeola for his contributions to grassroots development.
Speaking during the event, the Convener of the Movement, Armstrong ‘Tope Akintunde, said the solidarity trek was aimed at mobilising young people to remain actively involved in the democratic process while reaffirming their commitment to the ideals of the APC.
According to him, “This solidarity trek is for our three leaders President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi). He said Senator Adeola has made remarkable impacts in the lives of young people across Ogun State through empowerment programmes and developmental initiatives.
“We have every reason to support him because we are confident that, come 2027, he will record a landslide victory. Over the past three years, President Tinubu’s reforms and Senator Yayi’s track record in empowerment, infrastructure development and constituency projects have continued to inspire many young people to support their leadership.”
Also speaking, the Co-Convener of YPM, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, said the movement was committed to promoting the ideals of the APC, describing Senator Olamilekan Adeola as the group’s leader and governorship candidate.
He urged residents of Ogun State to continue supporting policies and programmes aimed at promoting economic growth, creating jobs and improving the standard of living across the state.
The Youths and Students Wing described the solidarity trek as peaceful and orderly, noting that it was organised to promote unity, encourage political participation and sustain youth engagement in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The United Truck and Trailer Drivers Welfare Association (UTTDWA) has announced its readiness to embark on a peaceful protest against the alleged imposition of multiple roadside levies, harassment, intimidation and extortion of truck and trailer drivers operating around the Ogbere axis of Ogun East, Ogun State to the general public.
The peaceful protest is scheduled to take place on 27 July 2026, in accordance with a formal notice of intention to protes, submitted to the relevant authoritie, and made available to the press.
Speaking through the Ogun State Chairman of the Association, the National President of UTTDWA, Godfrey Omonfomhan said the alleged extortion and harassment of truck and trailer drivers had become a nightmare and a serious threat to transportation businesses, placing an additional burden on individuals engaged in legitimate economic activities in the state, particularly at Ogbere Federal Road.
According to the Association, the decision to embark on the peaceful protest became necessary after several efforts to draw the attention of relevant authorities to the situation allegedly failed to produce the development results.
UTTDWA alleged that several incidents involving its members had been recorded, including demands for charges allegedly higher than the amounts printed on receipts presented to drivers, undue delays in the movement of vehicles, threats and harassment, alleged forceful removal of vehicle batteries, and the alleged illegal detention or seizure of drivers’ property.
Speaki g with Journalists, the President of the Association described such practices as unacceptable and an increasing burden on its members, stressing that truck and trailer drivers are essential to the movement of food, agricultural produc, and other vital commodities across Nigeria.
UTTDWA said the planned peaceful protest is intended to draw the urgent attention of the Federal Government and concerns authorities to the challenges facing its members, whose livelihoods depend largely on the uninterrupted and lawful movement of goods across the country.
The Association said the peaceful action has become necessary following growing concerns among its members over the multiplicity of charges and collections allegedly imposed on drivers at different locations, with questions surrounding the legal authority and government approval behind some of these roadside collections.
According to UTTDWA, truck and trailer drivers are increasingly subjected to repeated demands for payment by different agencies, task forces, and officials. The Association said this creates unnecessary financial pressure on drivers and transport operators while also contributing to delays in the movement of goods.
The Association is therefore calling on the relevant authorities to provide clear and unambiguous clarification on the legal status of Produce Taskforce tickets, vehicle emblems, stickers and other roadside revenue collections being demanded from truck and trailer operators.
According to UTTDWA, where any charge is legally authorised, the government should clearly identify the law establishing the charge, the agency legally empowered to collect it, the approved amount and the official channel through which payment should be made and not attacks method without proper stakeholders constitutions.
The Association stressed that it is no longer acceptable for drivers to be subjected to multiple and sometimes conflicting demands for payment while transporting goods that are essential to the Nigerian economy.
“We are not against legitimate taxation or lawful government revenue. We are against multiple taxation, unauthorised collections, harassment and the exploitation of hardworking drivers who contribute daily to the movement of food, agricultural products, and essential commodities across Nigeria,” UTTDWA stated.
The Association called on the Federal Government, the Joint Tax Board, state governments, local government authorities, relevant ministries and agencies, and security formations to urgently intervene and bring clarity, coordination and order to revenue collection affecting the road transport sector.
The Association warned that the continued financial burden placed on truck and trailer operators unchecked
UTTDWA reaffirmed that its planned protest is intended to be peaceful, lawfu, and orderl and is aimed at drawing the attention of the appropriate authorities to the grievances of its members and seeking urgent government intervention.
The Association appealed to all relevant authorities to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves and work with stakeholders in the road transport sector to establish a transparent, lawful, and coordinated system of revenue collection. that protects both government interests and the rights and livelihoods of legitimate transport operators.
Signed:
Comrade Godfrey Omonfonhan National President United Truck and Trailer Drivers Welfare Association
Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and ensure justice to all political parties regardless of political pressure.
Abubakar gave the advice on Friday when the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), alongside his national commissioners, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Minna, Niger.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the INEC management team also paid a visit to another former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), at his Minna residence.
Pledging his support for INEC ahead of the upcoming Osun governorship poll and the 2027 general elections, Abubakar urged the commission to ensure that all elections were free, fair, credible and conducted on a level playing field.
The elder statesman acknowledged the demanding nature of leading the electoral body, describing the office of the INEC Chairman as one of the most critical and challenging roles in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
“Your appointment is very, very critical to our democratic setting.
“With the politicians, you need to do a lot to gain their confidence because whatever you and your commissioners do, you will stand accused of bias one way or another.
“If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong.
“However, with the confidence we have in you, I am absolutely sure and I pray that you will do the best you can for this country,” Abubakar said.
He advised the electoral chief and his team to remain steadfast, ignore unwarranted distractions and strictly abide by their oath of offices.
“The INEC Chairman cannot do this job alone, but the buck stops with you. I am absolutely sure that you will abide by the oath you took.
“You must do justice to all and sundry. All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own.
So, I wish you well and advise that you close your ears and shut your eyes, because no matter what you do, political parties will have to claim you have done something wrong. That is the nature of Nigerians.“I hope and pray you take it in good faith because our democracy depends on all of you,” he added.
Abubakar expressed confidence in the leadership and collective capacity of the commission.
He disclosed that the National Peace Committee would hold a strategic meeting in Abuja on July 29, ahead of the official signing of the Peace Accord on July 30 for the Osun governorship election.
He highlighted the Osun election as a crucial test run for the 2027 general elections and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting peaceful, transparent and credible elections across Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, Amupitan reassured Nigerians that their votes would count in both the Osun election and the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the visit was to honour the elder statesmen on their contributions to national stability, democracy and peacebuilding and seek their supports and pray toward successful conduct of Osun and 2027 general elections.
Amupitan praised the former leader’s leadership of the NPC, noting that the Peace Accord initiative had provided a vital platform for political actors to commit to non-violence.“Your initiative and intervention, especially the Peace Accord, have not only provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, but have also strengthened the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.
This prevails against disharmony and discord, for which INEC is forever grateful to you, sir.
“We also congratulate you on your recent 84th birthday anniversary and recognise your contributions to national unity.
“Since the transition period in 1999, you have been involved in peacebuilding not just in Nigeria, but across Africa. History will be kind to you,” Amupitan said.
The INEC Chairman confirmed that the Osun governorship election will hold on Aug. 15, with the Peace Accord signing set for July 30 in Osogbo.
He also reaffirmed that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Jan. 16, 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Feb. 6, 2027.
Amupitan was accompanied by the national commissioner and Residents Electoral Commissioner for Niger and other management staff members of the commission. (NAN).
The 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to provide several opportunities for records to be broken as the tournament returns to Morocco with a historic expansion to 16 teams.
According to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, the 14th edition could see new milestones established in areas ranging from tournament appearances and titles to goalscoring records.
It was detailed in a release titled, “TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations records that could be broken.” Onguéné eyes record eighth WAFCON appearance
Cameroon captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné could become the most experienced player in the history of the competition when the Indomitable Lionesses face Mali at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Wednesday, July 29.
CAF stated that if Onguéné takes to the pitch, she will make her eighth appearance at a WAFCON finals, surpassing Nigeria’s Onome Ebi, who has featured in seven editions.
The milestone would make the Cameroonian international the first player to reach eight appearances at the tournament.
Ordega, Ohale target sixth title
Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale will be chasing another piece of history with the Super Falcons.
The Nigerian duo already hold the record for the most WAFCON titles, with five each, and could extend that record to six if Nigeria successfully defend their crown.
CAF described the pair as “perennial winners and overall leaders”, adding that their longevity had made them an inspiration to footballers across the continent.
Houij’s fastest-goal record under threat
Tunisia’s Mariem Houij currently holds the record for the fastest goal in WAFCON history after scoring against Togo just 17 seconds into their match at the 2022 edition.
CAF described the goal as a “lightning-fast sprint followed by a clean strike”, saying the moment remains the fastest goal scored in the competition.
With 413 players expected to feature at the 2026 tournament, CAF said players would be looking to score even earlier and claim the record.
Nkwocha’s 11-goal record faces another challenge
Nigeria legend Perpetua Nkwocha holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single edition of the WAFCON.
Nkwocha scored 11 goals at the 2010 tournament, including hat-tricks against Mali in the group stage and Cameroon in the semi-final.
CAF described the feat as “an all-time high mark that remains the ultimate standard for goal-scoring efficiency on the continent – 16 years later!”
66-goal tournament record could be broken
The record for the most goals scored in a single WAFCON edition currently stands at 66, set at the 2024 tournament in Morocco.
CAF said the tournament “reached unprecedented heights of attacking efficiency” as 66 goals were scored throughout the competition.
The record could, however, be short-lived following the expansion of the 2026 edition to 16 teams.
According to CAF, the increase in the number of participating nations and matches “provides the perfect opportunity to see this glass ceiling shattered and a new goalscoring record established.”
The expanded tournament is therefore expected to provide more than just a new competitive format, with several longstanding records potentially set to fall when the 2026 WAFCON gets underway.
History was made as the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, held a strategic engagement with key political and traditional leaders to discuss the development of Aiyepe Community, with particular emphasis on Aiyepe–Ikenne Road.
The high-level meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi; the Member representing Odogbolu State Constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Olalekan Adeleye; His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Kolawole Adekoya, the Alaye of Aiyepe; His Royal Highness, Oba Bisi Okubanjo, the Obirin of Aiyepe; as well as prominent APC leaders and political stakeholders, including Hon. Shuiab Ladejobi, Hon Moshood Adetayo Abubakar Daytayo, Hon. Ola Langbodo, Hon. Adebanjo Owoyale, Hon. Akeem Awolesi, and Hon. Dr. Idris Mabifa of Ward 6, Aiyepe Eyinwa.
Discussions focused on the critical developmental needs of Aiyepe Community, particularly on Aiyepe–Ikenne Road, a project widely regarded as vital for boosting economic activities, improving transportation, and enhancing the quality of life of residents.
In his response, Governor Dapo Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to equitable development across Ogun State. He assured the traditional rulers, political leaders, and the people of Aiyepe that their request had received the government’s utmost attention and disclosed that the process leading to the rehabilitation of the road would commence soon.
The meeting underscores the importance of collaboration between government, traditional institutions, and political leadership in driving grassroots development. It also reflects the APC-led administration’s continued commitment to delivering meaningful democratic dividends and improving infrastructure across Ogun State.
Together, we move Aiyepe forward. Together, we build a greater Ogun State.
There are moments in the life of a community when statistics lose their meaning and humanity speaks louder than numbers. The 25th Humanitarian Disbursement Programme of the Ar-Rahamah Zakaat Foundation was one of such moments.
Long before the arrival of dignitaries and invited guests, the venue had already begun to tell its own story. It was a story not written on banners or campaign posters, but on the faces of ordinary men and women whose daily realities reflect the economic challenges confronting many Nigerian families.
An elderly widow sat quietly in one corner, clutching a small handbag that contained little more than hope. Beside her, a young student repeatedly glanced through examination notes, determined that financial hardship would not silence the dream of higher education. Nearby, a petty trader discussed with another beneficiary how a modest grant could revive a business that had struggled for months under the weight of inflation and declining purchasing power.
There were artisans hoping to purchase working tools. There were young entrepreneurs praying for another opportunity to restart abandoned ventures. There were elderly citizens whose greatest desire was simply to return home with renewed confidence that society had not forgotten them.
Each face carried a different story. Each heart carried a different burden.
Yet they were united by one common expectation—that compassion still exists and that someone still believes in the dignity of the ordinary citizen.
As the programme commenced, there was an atmosphere of calm anticipation. Unlike the charged atmosphere often associated with political gatherings, the occasion was defined by gratitude, humility and quiet expectation. The applause that echoed across the venue was not prompted by campaign speeches or political slogans; it was inspired by acts of kindness that had become a tradition over twenty-five consecutive editions.
For many present, the programme represented far more than financial assistance. It represented dignity restored. Confidence renewed. Dreams revived. Families strengthened. Hope reborn.
One after another, beneficiaries stepped forward to receive support that, though modest in appearance, carried life-changing significance.
For a widow, it represented another opportunity to provide food and education for her children. For a student, it meant remaining in school instead of abandoning academic aspirations because of financial hardship.
For an artisan, it meant replacing worn-out tools and returning to productive work. For a struggling entrepreneur, it became fresh capital capable of transforming despair into opportunity.
Every presentation told a different story, yet together they formed one powerful narrative—that genuine leadership is measured by the number of lives it touches.
The emotional testimonies that followed reflected the true essence of the Foundation’s mission. Mrs. Adebimpe, visibly moved after receiving her empowerment package, expressed gratitude with tears of joy.
“I had almost given up hope of restarting my small business after losing my husband. This support has restored my confidence. Today, I am going home believing that my children can have a better future. May Almighty Allah continue to bless Alhaji AbdulHameed Oluwafemi Omotayo and everyone behind this Foundation.”
Miss Kafayat, one of the student beneficiaries, described the intervention as an investment in the future of young people.
“Many young people want to succeed in school but lack financial assistance. This intervention has removed a huge burden from my parents. It is encouraging to know that there are leaders who genuinely care about the future of young people.”
For Mr. Ismail, a petty trader, the programme was more than charity. “This is not just free money. It is an opportunity to rebuild our businesses and become financially independent. That is the kind of leadership every community deserves.”
Mrs. Bose, another beneficiary, spoke passionately about the consistency of the Foundation. “Year after year, we continue to witness people receiving help. Many of us know individuals whose lives have changed because of this Foundation. It gives hope to those who feel forgotten.”
Community leaders who witnessed the exercise viewed the programme from an even broader perspective. One respected elder summed up the feelings of many in attendance. “Twenty-five consecutive years of humanitarian intervention cannot be described as politics. It is a legacy of service. Whether elections are near or not, the Foundation has continued its work. That consistency deserves recognition.”
A youth leader added that sustainable leadership is measured by continuity rather than seasonal visibility. “Leadership should always be about improving people’s lives. What we witnessed today demonstrates exactly that. This initiative has become part of the community’s social support system.”
A religious leader reminded participants that compassion is at the heart of every great society. “Our faith teaches us that the best among us are those who benefit humanity. The Ar-Rahamah Zakaat Foundation has continued to translate those teachings into practical service.”
Adding an independent media perspective, Mr. Olu James, Publisher of StreetFact, Ijebu-Igbo, observed that the Foundation’s greatest strength lies in its consistency.
According to him, the programme has become a benchmark for evaluating authentic leadership. “I have covered several humanitarian and political events across Ogun State, and what stands out here is consistency. Twenty-five consecutive editions dedicated to empowering widows, students, entrepreneurs and vulnerable members of society cannot be dismissed as political theatre. They reflect a long-standing commitment to humanity.”
He further observed that the Foundation’s humanitarian record predates today’s political conversations.
“Leadership should not begin with campaign posters or end after elections. It should be a continuous investment in people. What we witnessed today is practical evidence that service can be institutionalised and sustained over many years.”
For many observers, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Foundation’s journey is that its humanitarian activities did not begin with the pursuit of elective office.
Supporters, beneficiaries and long-time associates point out that Alhaji AbdulHameed Oluwafemi Omotayo’s charitable interventions were already well established before his name became associated with contemporary electoral politics. According to them, the Foundation’s programmes have been sustained over the years through his personal resources and privately mobilised charitable support, rather than through government allocations attached to political office.
Whether viewed from the perspective of the beneficiaries, community leaders or independent observers, one message resonated throughout the event: service should precede power.
As Ogun East gradually moves towards another electoral cycle, the programme leaves behind a question that every voter may ultimately have to answer. When the campaign posters fade… When the political rallies end… When the microphones fall silent… When the promises have all been made…
What remains? For many who attended the programme, the answer was visible in the grateful smiles of widows, the renewed confidence of students, the optimism of traders, the dignity restored to vulnerable families and the countless lives touched through twenty-five consecutive years of humanitarian intervention.
Campaigns may create excitement. Political slogans may dominate public discourse. Media advertisements may shape perceptions. But compassion leaves footprints that time cannot erase.
Leadership is ultimately remembered not by the volume of its promises but by the depth of its sacrifice; not by the offices it occupies but by the lives it transforms.
For many residents of Ogun East, the story of Alhaji AbdulHameed Oluwafemi Omotayo (Omoowo) and the Ar-Rahamah Zakaat Foundation is therefore more than the story of an annual humanitarian programme. It is a continuing narrative of empathy, consistency, responsibility and service—qualities that many believe should remain the enduring foundation of public leadership.
In the final analysis, history rarely celebrates those who merely sought power. It remembers, above all else, those who first chose to serve humanity. And for many who witnessed the Foundation’s twenty-fifth consecutive humanitarian disbursement, that enduring lesson was written not in political speeches but in transformed lives.
This comprehensive human-interest section is designed to flow naturally with your main feature, reinforcing its central theme while maintaining a professional newspaper style. It complements the report without replacing the factual news content.
French football legend, Zinedine Zidane, has reportedly signed a deal to become the new head coach of the French national team until June 2030.
Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, made the claim in a post shared on Facebook on Tuesday, saying the former Real Madrid manager would be officially unveiled in the coming days.
“Zinedine Zidane has signed as the new France coach until June 2030. The story has been confirmed as Zizou will be unveiled as the new head coach in the next days — back to work with France,” Romano wrote.
According to the Italian journalist, Zidane is expected to lead France in the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Romano ended the post with his trademark phrase, “Here we go, confirmed.”
Zidane, 54, has been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 after a second spell in charge of the Spanish giants.
During his time at Madrid, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, as well as two La Liga crowns and several other domestic and international trophies.
The 1998 World Cup winner has long been linked with the France job and was widely considered a potential successor to Didier Deschamps, who has managed Les Bleus since 2012.
Deschamps is expected to leave the role after the 2026 World Cup cycle, and Zidane has long been linked with the France job and has publicly expressed interest in coaching the national team.
As of the time of filing this report, the French Football Federation had not issued an official statement confirming Zidane’s appointment.
Senator Solomon Adeola, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has accused the major opposition elements in Ogun state of being motivated by personal interest targeted at the treasury of Ogun State and not service to the people of the state and its development.
Addressing the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) in Remoland over the weekend in his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South LGA, against the recent disclosure by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello that she left APC because Senator Adeola reneged on his alleged promise to refund her campaign expenses following his emergence as APC Consensus candidate among other pecuniary reasons, the APC flagbearer in Ogun state told the market leaders that not only was the demand for refund insulting to him personally but clearly shows that her sudden entrance into the Ogun State 2027 governorship race early this year after a decade and half, is an investment to be re-coup and not in service of the people.
“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. Their intention is clear. They don’t mean well for our dear state. They are bitter. They are looking for the state purse. One of them said I offended her. She said I reneged on promises. She said she joined the governorship race and failed and want me to refund her expenses. That I should refund her dollars and naira. Did I ask her to join the governorship race?” Senator Adeola queried.
The APC governorship candidate said he visited her as part of his consultation and reconciliation of party members like a respected Ogun state indigene that showed interest to govern the state and thought she meant well for the state but rather discovered that her interest was just for personal gain and interest.
Asking me to refund you or payback what you have expended on this electioneering campaign is insulting to me. Now you left the party. You left the party not because the party have wronged you. You left the party because you were offered money. You are not a party person. You just want to cash in. And you are being paid. You don’t mean well for Ogun State. They are there in their numbers looking for the purse of Ogun State ” Senator Adeola said.
The Senator told the women that after failing to secure what she wanted from him and APC, Senator Obasanjo turned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal benefits adding that the time would come to disclose more details as his few remarks and her personal disclosures were sufficient to expose what he described as her political dishonesty.
The senator also addressed the legal challenge instituted against his emergence as the APC governorship candidate noting that the same political opponents were behind the court action.
He said that those challenging his candidacy will fail and are themselves confronted with more fundamental legal hurdles.
“Based on existing legal provisions and court judgments, politicians who defected to another political party after May 10, 2026, are not qualified to contest the forthcoming election. We all know when these people left the APC for the PDP. By law, anyone who crossed over after May 10, 2026, is only wasting his or her time. We are waiting for them,” he said.
Senator Adeola said there is no party in PDP as things stand as they don’t exist as a party in law, adding that ”I made bold to say they don’t exist for now. They still have two factions that are still in court and no one is recognized. It can go either way in the days ahead”.
Earlier in the meeting, members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babajes in Remoland led by their President, Chief( Mrs) Olufunke Oyelaja pledged their total support for the Senator’s governorship aspiration, expressing confidence in his ability to promote the welfare of traders and stimulate economic growth across the state from his construction of ultra-modern markets and empowerment of thousands of market women in the state.
Supporters of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and Peoples Democratic Party governorship hopeful Ladi Adebutu on Friday exchanged slogans during the funeral service of the mother-in-law of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, in Abeokuta.
The incident occurred during the burial service of Mrs Sabainah Opawole, mother of Yeye Olufunke Daniel, at Ibara Baptist Church.
Mrs Opawole died about two weeks ago at the age of 93.
The service was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, who represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Adeola, Adebutu, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Shuaib Salisu, among other dignitaries.
The atmosphere turned political when Adebutu was invited to pay tribute to the deceased.His supporters began chanting, “Say Lado for 2027” and “Ogun for Ogun,” in apparent support of his governorship ambition.
The chants were immediately countered by supporters of Adeola, who responded with solidarity songs in support of the senator’s 2027 governorship aspiration.
The development briefly disrupted the church service, prompting Daniel to appeal for calm.“We are here to pay our last respects to my mother-in-law. This is not the appropriate place for political campaigns or slogans,” the former governor told the congregation.He urged supporters of both politicians to respect the solemnity of the occasion, adding that there would be enough time after the service for political activities.Following his intervention, calm was restored, and the funeral service continued without further interruption.
