Education
St. Theresa’s School Push To End Menstrual Stigma, Declared Benue’s First ‘Period-friendly
By Felix Umande, Makurdi
St. Theresa Primary School, Makurdi, has been officially declared a Period-Friendly School, marking a landmark step in Benue State’s campaign to promote menstrual dignity and guarantee uninterrupted learning for girls.
The declaration was made by the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, during the Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 organized by First Step Action for Children Initiative with support from FoS Feminista. The commissioner, represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Magdalene Andor, described the milestone as a decisive move to break the silence and stigma around menstruation and ensure no girl is denied her right to education because of her menstrual cycle.
The event drew representatives from the Benue State Ministry of Education, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, BERWASSA, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, school management, teachers, learners, and development partners. All reaffirmed commitment to menstrual health education and inclusive school environments.
Stakeholders stressed that menstruation is a normal biological process that should never attract discrimination. They called for sustained collaboration in providing accurate menstrual health information, upgrading water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and fostering positive attitudes toward menstrual hygiene management in schools.
Dr. Seember Saamo, Director of Education Support Services who represented the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, restated the ministry’s commitment to policies and programmes that advance girls’ education and inclusive learning.
BERWASSA General Manager, Tony Mkpen, represented by Hembadoon Amusan, said access to safe water and sanitation is central to effective menstrual hygiene management. He assured that BERWASSA will establish a menstrual health support facility in the school to enable girls manage their periods comfortably and privately.
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare also pledged continued support for initiatives protecting the dignity, health, and rights of women and girls, and vowed to dismantle harmful myths and cultural barriers linked to menstruation.
As part of the ceremony, school authorities and pupils signed a pledge to uphold the principles of a Period-Friendly School by promoting respect, inclusion, and support for every girl during menstruation.
Education officials said the declaration goes beyond ceremony. It represents a binding commitment to ensure girls attend school confidently, safely, and with dignity every day of the month.
The initiative is being hailed as a model of what government institutions, schools, communities, and development partners can achieve when awareness is translated into concrete action. Advocates say similar declarations will be pursued across Benue to expand access
–VC, FUHSO
By Our Reporter
The need to make mathematics tuition-free has been explained by the management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO).
Disclosing the need was the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Aba Uba, while interacting journalists at the institution’s temporary campus in Otukpo, Benue State.
Prof Uba said the decision followed concerns by the university management over the financial burden on many families, particularly in Benue State with most parents depending on agriculture as the primary source of livelihood.
He revealed how the university’s management approached the Governing Council with a proposal to exempt Mathematics students from paying tuition, noting that the council approved the request.
Professor Uba reiterated that Mathematics remains a foundation for every science-based programme stressing that making the course tuition-free would encourage more young people to pursue the discipline and strengthen the country’s science and health workforce.
Apart from making Mathematics tuition free for students, he said the university had also reviewed downward tuition fees for all other programmes, following the intervention of the management and the approval of the Governing Council.
The Vice-Chancellor further expressed hope that the university would soon relocate to its permanent saying:
“We are committed to moving to the permanent campus as soon as the ongoing projects are completed.”
The VC commended the Federal Government for establishing the institution and for its continued support through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), saying the interventions had contributed significantly to the university’s growth.
He assured that the university would continue to pursue its mandate by expanding its academic programmes and improving teaching and research facilities.
He added that FUHSO is considering the introduction of Agricultural Science programmes, explaining that food and nutrition are a critical part of healthcare.
According to him, offering agriculture-related courses would complement the university’s health-focused mandate rather than deviate from it.
He also revealed that the institution’s student population has witnessed remarkable growth, rising from an initial enrolment of 564 students to about 2,373.
He noted that while the university is known for medical education, its mandate extends beyond producing medical doctors.
He said the institution is equally committed to training other critical healthcare professionals, including nurses, medical laboratory scientists, physiologists, anatomists and other specialists needed to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare
By Michael Lim
To entrench sanity and fairness in the fees charged parents and guardians, the Kano State House of Assembly on Monday passed the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The legislation requires private primary and secondary schools to consult with Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) before implementing any fee increase.
Lawan Hussaini, House Majority Leader, while giving highlights of the new law said any approved increase must not exceed 10 per cent of existing tuition fees. He added that Private schools are also barred from charging students more than 10 per cent above official registration fees set by external exam bodies like WAEC, NECO, and NBTE.
Furthermore, to cushion the financial pains of school owners, the bill has reduced statutory charges payable by private schools to the state government from 15 per cent to five per cent.
According to the yet-to -be – signed into law bill, the Executive Secretary of the Private and Voluntary Institutions Board must be a retired or seasoned educationist who has attained at least Grade Level 14 in public service.
According to Hussaini, the provisions aim to strengthen regulatory oversight, protect parents from arbitrary fee hikes, and elevate educational standards in Kano State.
The Executive Bill is awaiting Governor Abba Yusuf’s assent
Education
NYSC Directs Prospective Corps Members to Sort Out Discrepancies Before Reporting at Orientation Camp
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
New guidelines have been released by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, directing prospective corps members ahead of the upcoming orientation camp, to avoid night travel among key requirements for registration.
NYSC on Monday posted on its X handle that would-be corps members should prioritise safety:
“Prospective Corps Members are advised not to travel at night to the orientation camp.”
It further warned that candidates with discrepancies in their graduation dates would not be registered at the orientation camp.
“Prospective Corps Members with discrepancies in the date of graduation on their call-up letters and the date on their statement of results will not be registered in the orientation camp.”
All affected candidates are to resolve such issues with the relevant authorities before reporting to camp.
“They should sort out such issues with the Student Affairs Officers (SAOs) before reporting to the camp,” the statement added.
The prospective corps members are also reminded to complete all required documentation before arriving at camp, including the signing and submission of the registration form.
“Prospective Corps Members are advised to print and sign the form, which is to be submitted during registration at the orientation camp,” it stated.
The NYSC also provided guidelines for candidates seeking correction of their dates of birth.
It advised applicants to obtain a 19- or 20-digit WAEC Verification PIN and follow the correction process through their NYSC dashboard.
The process requires applicants to access the “Correction of Date of Birth” link, enter their WAEC Verification PIN, select their WAEC type, year of examination, and examination number, then verify and submit the request.
The scheme urged all prospective corps members to comply with the guidelines to ensure a smooth registration process and avoid challenges during the orientation exercise
Why We Have Made Maths Tuition Free
Spread the love–VC, FUHSO By Our Reporter The need to make mathematics tuition-free has been explained by the management of...
How Sokoto Communities Have Disappeared Ovet Night,
Spread the loveAnimashaun Salman traveled into the heart of Danchadi District in Sokoto State to document the stories behind the...
Residents Laud Tinubu as Presidential Team Inspect Bridges, Roads and Water Projects in Benue
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande Residents of Benue State have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for expanding connectivity through...
“It’s Becoming Too Much”: 2Baba Condemns Benue Killings, Calls For Collective Action to End Violence
Spread the loveLegendary Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has broken his silence on the wave of killings...
Police Arrest Cemetery Manager, Gravedigger For Allegedly Exhuming Corpse to Sell Casket
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery,...
Shior Vows to Sustain Free Snakebite Treatment Amid Rising Deaths in Benue IDP Camps
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande The 2027 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, has...
Another Earth Tremor Hits Abuja: Minister Counsels Residents not to Panic
Spread the loveBy Isa Abdul An earth tremor hit the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja Tuesday morning, shaking several buildings...
18-year-old Nathan Thomas, Florida Teen: World’s Youngest Male Professor
Spread the love–Breaks 306-year-old record At an age when many students are just beginning university, Nathan Thomas had already stepped...
EFCC Freezes Osun State Account OVER Alleged N11BN Fraud, Cites “Suspicious” Transfers
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has explained that it froze the bank accounts...
Jechira Traditional Council Bans Child Trafficking, Imposes Stiff Penalties In Vandeikya
Spread the loveBy Son Tertsegha The Jechira Intermediate Area Traditional Council has made firm resolutions against the trafficking of girls...