News
Soludo’s education investment in Anambra and Sahara Reporters’s false claims
By Christian ABURIME
In an era where information flows freely and swiftly, the onus on media outlets to uphold the sanctity of truth and fact-checking is greater than ever. Sadly, in its recent report, Sahara Reporters appears to have fallen short of this crucial responsibility.
The said news story by Sahara Reporters meant to disparages Anambra State government’s 2024 budget allocation to education, painting a distorted picture that undermines the state’s genuine impact on education under Governor Chukwuma Soludo appears disturbing
As a previously respected media channel that has now become a notorious cesspit of junk journalism, Sahara Reporters claimed that the Anambra State government allocated N68.306 million for the maintenance of its liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja, while ostensibly relegating a paltry N46.2 million for the maintenance of 264 secondary schools across the state. This narrative suggests a glaring neglect of education in favour of bureaucratic indulgence, but it is a false narrative that falls apart under scrutiny.
The truth, as it stands, is different. The Anambra State government’s budget for 2024, tagged “Changing Gears: The Transformation Agenda Begins,” includes a robust allocation of N31.7 billion specifically for the education sector. This allocation reflects Governor Soludo’s serious commitment to improving the educational infrastructure and human capital development in Anambra State.
In fact, a detailed look into the budget reveals a strategic and transformative agenda for education. For instance, a significant N364 million has been earmarked for the rehabilitation, development, and equipping of technical colleges, ensuring that vocational training is not left behind in the digital age for Anambra students.
Also, a whopping N10 billion is dedicated to the renovation, construction, and equipping of smart schools in the state. This initiative aims to integrate technology into the learning process, preparing Anambra’s children for a future where digital literacy is paramount.
On infrastructure maintenance, N500 million is allocated for the fencing of 40 secondary schools in the state, a critical measure for ensuring the safety and security of students. An additional N1 billion is set aside for supplementary funding to public secondary schools, addressing their unique challenges and needs.
As one is baffled at the disingenuous cherrypicking of figures in the Anambra budget by Sahara Reporters, the foregoing substantial allocations to education highlight a Soludo government deeply invested in the future of its youth, contrary to the misleading portrayal by Sahara Reporters.
The mischievous narratives by Sahara Reporters not only undermine the credibility of their reporting but also do a disservice to the public that deserves to be well informed. In an age where misinformation can easily gain traction, the role of journalists as gatekeepers of truth becomes even more vital. It is expedient for media entities to always engage in thorough fact-checking and present information in a balanced and accurate manner. Only socially irresponsible news outlets would disregard truthful reporting for sensational journalism as Sahara Reporters does these days.
Yet, despite relentless unwarranted criticisms, Governor Soludo’s administration is a concrete proof of what visionary leadership can achieve in the sphere of education. Beyond budgetary allocations, the government has made education practically free by abolishing tuition fees across public schools, hired 8,000 qualified teachers so far, and distributed 2,000 laptops to teachers, a clear indication of a holistic approach to educational reform.
Today, all this multi-pronged investment in education is already yielding tangible results. Anambra State boasts the lowest rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria at just 2.9%. Besides, Anambra’s students are participating and excelling at national and international academic competitions, bringing home prestigious awards and recognition.
These achievements are not coincidences but rather the fruits of a well-thought-out strategy to elevate education in the state. Step by step, Governor Soludo’s focus on creating a generation of globally competitive and technologically adept students is setting Anambra apart as a model of educational excellence.
In sum, while it is crucial to hold governments and public officials accountable, it is equally important for journalism to be rooted in facts and fairness. The Anambra State government’s 2024 budget is a comprehensive and forward-looking plan that places education at its core, reflecting a profound commitment to the development and empowerment of its youth. It is imperative that media outlets like Sahara Reporters adhere to the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that their narratives serve to inform and uplift, rather than mislead and misrepresent.
As citizens and consumers of news, Nigerians must also always demand truth and responsibility from our media, recognising that in the quest for sustainable democracy and wholesome development, transparency and accurate reporting are our most valuable allies.
_*Aburime, is the Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo*_
News
NiMet DG Anosike urges service providers to move beyond institutional compliance to measurable impacts on citizens
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called on public institutions to move beyond regulatory compliance and certifications to delivering measurable results that create lasting value for citizens.
The DG/CEO of NiMet, who was represented by the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Hamid Olayinka Abdulkareem, made the call during his keynote address at the 3rd National Quality Improvement Summit and Awards, organised by the Quality Improvement Institute of Nigeria (QIIN) in Abuja on Thursday 12 November 2026. Speaking on the theme, “Quality: Powering Performance – Moving Beyond Compliance to Measurable Results,” Professor Anosike emphasised that institutional credibility must be earned through consistent service delivery, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Highlighting NiMet’s commitment to international quality standards, the DG/CEO disclosed that the Agency secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for aeronautical meteorological services at Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports in July 2026, alongside the successful recertification of five other airports, bringing its total number of QMS-certified airport stations to eight. He stressed that quality assurance in meteorological services is critical to aviation safety, agricultural productivity, disaster preparedness and national economic development.
Professor Anosike further highlighted the integration of the Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System into NiMet’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan as a significant step towards strengthening institutional accountability. He explained that the framework connects strategic objectives with measurable performance indicators, ensuring that organisational success is assessed not merely by activities undertaken but by results achieved and value delivered.
He urged institutions to invest in people, technology and stakeholder partnerships while embedding quality management into their organisational culture. According to him, sustainable institutional excellence requires leadership commitment, continuous evaluation and a deliberate shift from procedural compliance to measurable public impact.
News
Joint Aviation Unions Appoint Keyamo Grand Patron of Renewed Hope Support Group, Present ITF Position Paper Ahead of ICAO Conference
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, today received a high-powered delegation of aviation labour unions under the Joint Aviation Trade Union Forum (JATUF), led by its Chairman, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in Abuja.
The delegation comprised top executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and other aviation unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP). The unions are affiliates of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Other members of the delegation included Comrade John Ogbe, Vice Chairman; Comrade Alale Adedayo, Vice Chairman; Group Captain Bunmi Gandeh, Vice Chairman; and Comrade Hector Nnadi, Secretary of the Forum.
The visit was primarily to formally present the position paper of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to the Minister, seeking Nigeria’s support for a motion advocating the integration of social sustainability, decent work and meaningful workers’ engagement into the global civil aviation framework at the forthcoming Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf7) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), scheduled to hold in Montreal, Canada, from November 16 to 20, 2026.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister on Media and Communications, the proposed motion, which has received Nigeria’s nod, underscores the need for the international aviation community to recognise that the sustainability and long-term success of civil aviation go beyond infrastructure development, technological advancement and economic growth to include the welfare, rights and professional development of the workforce that sustains the industry.
The unions stressed that the future of international civil aviation must be built on a framework that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility, recognising aviation workers as indispensable stakeholders in the growth, safety and efficiency of the industry.
The Minister’s reception of the position paper further demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to constructive engagement with organised labour and the promotion of policies that strengthen the aviation sector while protecting the interests of its workforce.
In a related development, the delegation also formally presented the Minister with an invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Aviation Support Group (RHASG), under the umbrella of the Strategic Collaboration for the Re-Election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The nomination, made on behalf of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and entire membership of the organisation, recognises the Minister’s leadership, professional competence and capacity for strategic coordination.
The group congratulated Keyamo on his recent appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election campaign, describing the appointment as a testament to the confidence reposed in his leadership abilities, organisational experience and commitment to effective mobilisation.
According to the group, the Minister’s wealth of experience in managing complex responsibilities, coupled with his strategic understanding of the aviation industry, makes him well-positioned to provide political leadership, guidance and direction to the organisation.
The appointment as Grand Patron is intended to strengthen the group’s strategic direction and consolidate support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his anticipated re-election bid.
The development marks another demonstration of the growing intersection between organised aviation labour, industry stakeholders and broader national development objectives, with the Minister continuing to engage stakeholders on issues that affect the growth, sustainability and future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
News
Gwarzo appoints Shehu Wada Sagagi as campaign DG
The Kano State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has appointed a former Kano State Chief of Staff, Gwani Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, as Director-General of his 2027 governorship campaign.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson to the NDC governorship candidate.
According to the statement, Gwarzo also named Alhaji Adamu Ali Ibrahim Kibiya as Secretary of the Campaign Directorate and Engr. Sunusi Usman Dambatta as Deputy Director-General.
Sagagi, a former Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry and ex-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State, is expected to lead the campaign’s activities ahead of the 2027 election.
The appointments take immediate effect, while the full membership of the campaign council will be announced later.
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