By Aliyu Musa

In a landmark effort to empower Nigeria’s next generation of female professionals, NNPC Limited/SNEPCo PSC, together with Ascent Club and the University of Lagos, hosted the inaugural Career Clinic: Career Readiness Skills for the Real World.

The event, held on the 11th of October 2025, welcomed 150 final-year female students for a day of mentorship, career guidance, and direct engagement with industry leaders.

Nkechi Anaedobe, Head, Business Services, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), in her Keynote Speech, noted that the event provided a golden opportunity to pay forward the mentorship which helped her grow in her career.

She reiterated that mentoring does a lot for the individual and the company, and society. “It is a tool that is never too late to learn to use, and I am glad I was able to contribute to this while soaking up even more,” she added.

“The event was a testament to the joys and impact of collaboration with a clear view of what good looks like,” she concluded.

Throughout the day, students participated in sessions led by professionals from NNPC Limited, SNEPCo, and a host of other experts from various fields covering topics such as employability skills, personal branding, leadership development, and long-term mentorship.

The Career Clinic followed the successful launch of the Top 100 Career Women in Africa Initiative earlier this year and marked a significant expansion of its mission.

Designed to address the critical gap between academic achievement and workplace readiness, the programme offered participants practical strategies for success in competitive industries, particularly in STEM and technical fields.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday revealed that his administration have already finished the rehabilitation of 73 out 103 schools in Abuja.

Wike stated this during the flag-off of the rehabilitation of the 15-kilometre Old Keffi Road from Kado Village to Dei-Dei.

He said they should expect very soon more flag offs of rehabilitation of more schools in the nation’s capital.

He said, “For instance, we have awarded the total rehabilitation of Government Secondary School, Dei-Dei. Out of 103 schools, 73 are currently under construction, and 33 more will soon be flagged off. Out of 105 projects, 73 are located within AMAC and the city”.

He said the construction of 15 kilometer, old Karshi road is a promised made and fulfilled.

He said the road when completed would bring a great transformation in the area.

According to the FCT Minister, “When Mr. President assumed office in 2023 and appointed his ministers, one of the emergency road projects he immediately approved was the Saburi 1 and Saburi 2 roads.

“You will recall that when we commissioned those roads, I said they could only be complete if this Old Karshi Road, from Kado Village to Dei-Dei, was also rehabilitated.

“Today, to the glory of God, we are here to fulfill that promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I made a commitment to the traders and residents here that it was not just a promise in words but one that would be fulfilled, given the importance of this road”.

He said that the contract of the road construction was awarded to the same company, which handled the Saburi Road, because of the quality of their previous work and their proven capacity.

He continued, “By the time this road is completed, you will see the transformation it brings. I urge you to continue to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is a government that makes promises and fulfills them”.

“So, I urge you — do not be deceived by people who come with empty stories. Seeing is believing. You can see the results for yourselves”.

He condemned the former administration for failing to contribute to the development of the nation’s capital.

“Do not pay attention to those who had opportunities to contribute to Abuja’s development in the past but failed to deliver. Today, Mr. President is changing the narrative. We must not make the mistake of returning those who failed us.

“We gave them a first chance — they failed. We gave them a second chance — they failed again. If we make the mistake of giving them a third chance, they will destroy everything”.

He noted that his administration is working hard to change things for the better, both for Nigerians and for the people of Abuja.

He revealed that there are 27 flag-offs lined up that has never happened before in Abuja. .

“This is the first time, and it’s happening under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration”, he said .

In her vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continous support to infrastructure renewal and for prioritizing projects that touch the lives of ordinary citizens.

She stressed that the project was yet another testimony of Mr. President’s vision of delivering roads that promote connectivity, accessibility, and economic growth in the FCT.

While extending appreciation to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his purposeful leadership, Mahmoud emphasized that the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road from Kado Village to Dei-Dei Junction is of immense significance.

According to her, “This road is a lifeline that serves thousands of commuters daily, linking communities, reducing travel time, improving road safety, and stimulating socio-economic activities across the axis.”

Mariam Sanni

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official closure of its 2024/2025 academic session application portal, effective Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

This was made known in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.

She said the the move marked the end of the second full cycle of the scheme and will enable it to finalise processing of pending applications and upkeep payments.

According to the statement, the portal will reopen in the second week of October 2025 for fresh applications into the 2025/2026 academic session and remain open until January 2026.

The Fund directed institutions to promptly update their students’ records on the Student Verification System (SVS) to allow eligible applicants to participate in the new cycle.

Institutions yet to commence a new academic session within the stated window were advised to notify NELFUND for additional concessions.

“All applications for the 2024/2025 academic session that remain unverified by institutions after October 8, 2025, will be automatically cancelled.

“Students in this category are strongly encouraged to prompt their school management to complete the verification process before the deadline. “Affected students will have to submit fresh applications for the 2025/2026 academic year,” the statement said.

NELFUND further noted that some students’ applications for the current session remained unapproved or unpaid due to institutions’ failure to complete the mandatory verification process.

“NELFUND is actively engaging with such institutions to resolve the delays. However, institutions that fail to comply by the stipulated deadline should note that the Fund will publish the names of all non-compliant institutions for transparency,” it said.

On upkeep allowances, NELFUND clarified that disbursements for the 2024/2025 session would continue until November 2025, but students must reapply for the 2025/2026 academic session to sustain their eligibility.