General News
Benue Rolls Out Big Sister Mentorship Programme to Strengthen Adolescent Reproductive Health
Terkura Vande From Makurdi
Following the launching of the Big Sister Mentorship Training under the Access to Comprehensive Care & Essential Support Services (ACCESS) Programme, the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal mortality and improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the state.
The programme targets adolescent girls and young women, and to address the persistent challenge of preventable maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions, teenage pregnancies, and limited access to reproductive health information.
The initiative, which is implemented through a consortium of development partners including WCAHealth, Solina, and Ipas, is designed to empower communities through education, mentorship, and improved linkage to health services.
However, WCAHealth leads community engagement and demand-generation activities as a technical implementation partner, working alongside the Benue State Government to ensure successful implementation.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche
described the initiative as a strategic and community-driven intervention aimed at strengthening grassroots health systems.
Ogwuche, made this known in his welcome address at the Big Sisters Training on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and referral linkage services in Gwer-West and Okpokwu Local Government Areas, (LGAs) of the state.
The ACCESS programme is a Federal Government, FG, initiative aimed at increasing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and reducing maternal mortality, with special emphasis on adolescents and young people.
In collaboration with the FG, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, and State Ministries of Health, the training was simultaneously launched across Benue, Enugu, and Taraba States as a core component of the ik I ACCESS programme.
A total of 60 Big Sisters – 20 from each participating state are being trained and deployed to their wards to mentor and guide adolescent girls known as “Little Sisters.”
Through this model, community women will provide accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, facilitate referrals to adolescent-friendly primary health care facilities, and help reduce stigma surrounding adolescent health-seeking behaviour.
Therefore, the commissioner explained that the training is expected to equip selected “Big Sisters” with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity required to serve as peer educators, mentors, and community health mobilizers.
He further explained that participants would be trained on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, family planning, maternal and newborn care, nutrition, hygiene, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, and early identification and referral of reproductive health complications.
Dr Ogwuche also noted that the programme seeks to bridge the gap between communities and health facilities by establishing strong referral pathways and encouraging early health-seeking behaviour among young people.
The initiative aligns with the Benue State Government’s broader agenda of revitalizing primary healthcare, improving access to RMNCAH services, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
Dr Ogwuche emphasized that Benue is proud to be part of the national initiative, noting that cultural, social, and geographic barriers often prevent adolescents from accessing healthcare services, observing that the Big Sister model directly addresses these challenges by investing in trusted community women who can influence health decisions at the household and community levels.
He reiterated the commitment of the ministry of health, to providing an enabling environment for partners, strengthening health facilities, and supporting community-based innovations that would improve health data, outcomes, and service uptake across the state.
Participants at the training were encouraged to actively engage in the sessions and cascade the knowledge gained to their communities, with the expectation that the programme would lead to increased awareness, improved health-seeking behaviour, and stronger community-facility linkages in the two LGAs, and beyond. ###
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
FG Gives Workers N70,000 Monthly Transport Support for Six Months
Spread the loveBy Nick Ibe, Abuja To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved...
Trump and the 95-year Mother: Government That Cares for All Citizens
Spread the love“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did...
Probe Panel Says Heat, Dehydration Killed 33 Detained Niger Miners
Spread the love–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims By Son Tertsea, Abuja Dehydration was cause of the death of...
Tinubu Seeks Law To Bring Back Nigerians Jailed Abroad
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking to empower the...
Senate Says: Travel Agencies, Short-let Apartments Need Closer Scrutiny in Human Trafficking Probe
Spread the loveBy Isa Abdul, Abuja As part of efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect Nigerians from exploitation abroad,...
El Niño: Its Meaning, Effects and How Nigerians Should Prepare for It
Spread the loveBy Son Tertsea, Abuja Nigerians have been alerted that El Niño event would raise concerns that potentially affect...
Accusations of Data Theft: MTN Explains How Nigerians Consume Data Fast
Spread the loveBy Nick Ibe, Abuja: Engaging in high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications, cloud backups and increased internet...
Kogi Authorities Probe Why Police Corporal Killed female Colleague, Self
Spread the loveBy Michael Lim The Kogi State Police Command has begun to probe why a police corporal, Amos Yusuf,...
WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free After Evacuation of Patient to Switzerland
Spread the loveBy Nick Ibe, Abuja Dr Mohamed Janabi, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, says Nigeria...
Fake Letter Lands Atiku Supporter in Court
Spread the loveBy Isa Abdul, Abuja For circulating a fake document purportedly written by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the...