Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has praised MTN Foundation for upgrading science laboratories at Government Science Secondary School, Gombe. During the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Abdullahi Garkuwa, acknowledged MTN’s contribution to enhancing educational infrastructure in the state.

He noted that the upgraded labs would boost students’ understanding of science, technology, and innovation, complementing government efforts to improve school facilities. Yahaya added that MTN’s intervention, as part of its corporate social responsibility, would strengthen science education, laying a foundation for future manpower development, especially in the health sector.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Ashaitu Maigari, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating that over 3,000 students would benefit. She emphasized that MTN’s support addresses critical gaps in practical learning, aligning with the government’s billions of naira investment in upgrading schools.

MTN Senior Manager, Hamza Ibrahim, revealed that the foundation had invested hundreds of millions in Gombe State across various projects, including health facilities and boreholes. He further disclosed that MTN had renovated over 100 science labs in 32 schools nationwide in the last three years, aiming to improve science education standards.

The school principal, Abdulhakim Mudansir, also expressed gratitude for the partnership, noting the impact on the school’s infrastructure, including the renovation of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Agriculture labs.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has suspended his Special Adviser on Salaries and Pensions, Alhaji Bashir Ado, for allegedly issuing a premature statement about the approval of a N70,000 minimum wage for state workers.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Bala Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, expressing the government’s concern over reports circulating in the media that the governor had approved the new minimum wage.

“This claim is premature and embarrassing as the committee assigned to recommend the appropriate wage, led by the Head of the State Civil Service, is still in the process of completing its task and has not yet submitted its report,” Ibrahim stated.

As a result, Governor Namadi has approved Ado’s immediate suspension pending the outcome of an investigation by a committee chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Bello Abdulkadir. The committee, which includes members such as the Commissioners for Information, Health, and the Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters, has been given two weeks to submit its findings on the source, content, and intent of the statement.

The government remains committed to carefully reviewing the wage recommendations before making any formal announcements.

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to seek official permission before using the national anthem to prevent potential misinterpretation. This directive was issued by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement released on Wednesday, October 8.

While the specific contexts in which permission is required were not detailed, the NOA emphasized its role as the custodian of national symbols, tasked with preventing misuse. “Permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation,” the statement noted.

Issa-Onilu also clarified the proper design of the Nigerian flag, stating that the correct shade of green is Emerald 2.0. He highlighted that past administrations had focused predominantly on infrastructure, neglecting value orientation, which led to the decline of institutions like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the WAI Brigade.

The current administration, however, is committed to reversing this trend, with President Tinubu offering support to the NOA. Issa-Onilu further urged the production of local cartoon content to counter foreign influences affecting young Nigerians.