News
Int’ Day of Family: Academy Tasks Government on Improved Economy, Parenting Centres
The Discipleship Academy, a platform dedicated to raising disciples through the children, teens, and parenting academy, has expressed worry over the low income earning levels of citizens, calling on the government to provide enabling environment for families to thrive economically in order to sustain societal values.
The Director of the academy, Oluwatoyin Osagie-Oboh, made the call in Abuja during a workshop organized by the academy tagged “Digital Parenting: cyber security and online safety for families” as part of its activities to commemorate the 2023 International Families Day with theme: “Families and New Technology”.
Osagie-Oboh, who is also a certified John Maxwell Parenting and Family Coach, said that there was the need for the government to establish parenting education centers particularly in rural areas for reorientation of families, noting that due to economic hardship most kids are raising themselves in the most improper manner.
She also urged the government to create awareness and sensitization through its relevant agencies on the need to promote the positive use of technology, noting that this will create opportunities for the teeming youths to showcase their talents and grow.
She said, “The income earning level of people have really dropped, everything is going up and status is not improving, we need to pay attention to creating skills as this is affecting the family. When income drops the access to quality education drops so alot of children in the suburbs are raising themselves, the parents don’t know what to do they are not informed and we have immorality ravaging our children, don’t forget that these are the children that will be involved in policy making in the future.
“The thing about family is that we do our best with the resources that are available to us as there is no perfect parent what we have is parents who continue to improve upon the family unit and so we cannot put a figure or score-cap but what we can do is to encourage them to continue to seek out more, to improve upon your parenting knowledge.
“We encourage the government to put up family education centers in the rural areas just like we have maternity centers that can be in the language so that it can accessible, gather parents in the villages in the suburbs and give them one or two tips and reach out the children on value orientation.”
Osagie-Oboh also urged parents to make concerted effort to spend quality time with their children, place family values that will direct their children’s lives, and not only concentrate on providing material needs.
On the use of technology, she urged parents not to shut their kids out but rather empower them to making positive use because they are cyber natives, stressing that making the children understand the right from the wrong will help build them to be self-disciplined.
She said, “Your child should be able to shut down a content and say this is not for me, this is not my family value and be able to make their choices, because what we want is a technological knowledgeable child and not a novice, because then the repercussions will be that they will not be able to compete in their world.”
A parent of the Leading Light Academy, Yakachat Pada, noted that family as the smallest unit of the society is faced with numerous challenges leading to the increase in gender based violence.
She urged spouses to tolerate each other to the best of their abilities but not hesitate to leave if violence becomes too much as staying in abusive homes affects children more than being a single parent.
Another parent Mr. Charles Oboh stated the need for the inclusion of men in the parenting of children as men have a lot of role to play, saying, “Mmany people think parenting has to do with the mothers alone, men have a very big role to play in the family as the children tend to sometimes feel loose with their mothers.”
News
Rising Political Tension: Wife Of Rivers State Head Of Service, George Nwaeke Pleads For Her husband’s Safety
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The escalating political crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Friday as Florence Nwaeke, wife of former state Head of Service George Nwaeke, voiced deep concerns over her husband’s whereabouts.
Fighting back tears, she appealed to the public, revealing she had lost contact with him and feared for his life.
According to Mrs Nwaeke, her husband had travelled to Abuja and confirmed his arrival via a phone call. However, subsequent events took a baffling turn when reports surfaced of an unexpected interview attributed to him. The news left her in shock, as she insisted the statements made were uncharacteristic of her husband.
“I was confused when I heard he had given an interview. I asked myself, ‘An interview about what?’ That was not my husband speaking,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
Fearing for his safety, Mrs Nwaeke attempted to reach her husband multiple times but received no response.
“I sent him messages asking if he was under duress, if he had been kidnapped, but there was no reply,” she recounted. “His phone is off, and I do not know where he is. Nigerians, please help me!”
Her plea for help emerged just hours after Mr Nwaeke’s interview, in which he accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of secretly backing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed Fubara had encouraged militants to stage attacks, allegations that sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
In a subsequent video, Mrs Nwaeke made a direct appeal to Governor Fubara, imploring him to intervene and ensure her husband’s safety.
“Governor Fubara, please help me. My husband is in trouble,” she cried. “He has been forced to say things he knows nothing about. He resigned just to protect himself.”
Her statement suggested that Mr Nwaeke may have been pressured into making claims against the governor, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political crisis.
Governor Fubara quickly dismissed the allegations, insinuating that Mr Nwaeke had been either bribed or coerced into making false statements.
“The truth is that Dr Nwaeke has been compromised,” Fubara asserted in a statement. “He is only making these claims to fulfil promises to those who have either paid him or forced him into this.”
To support his counterclaim, the governor released purported screenshots of conversations between Mr Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
These messages suggested that Mr Nwaeke had previously sought financial assistance and political backing, allegedly citing a monthly income of N500,000 as inadequate.
Meanwhile, the public awaits further developments, hoping for Mr Nwaeke’s safe return and a resolution to the escalating crisis.
Petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria have become a pressing concern, with alarming statistics revealing that no fewer than 555 people lost their lives between January 2020 and January 2025. Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has highlighted the severity of these incidents, prompting urgent discussions on safety measures and regulations.
According to Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra State, these fatal accidents have caused extensive loss of life and destruction of property.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tanker and Trailer Safety Challenges in Nigeria” in Awka, she outlined the staggering figures:
2020: 18 tanker explosions, 161 deaths.
2021: 19 tanker explosions, 55 fatalities.
2022: 14 tanker explosions, 76 deaths.
2023: 13 tanker explosions, 118 fatalities.
2024: 13 tanker explosions, 85 casualties.
January 2025: 7 recorded tanker explosions.
Recognising the severity of the situation, the FRSC has proposed several strategies to curb tanker-related accidents:
Strict Enforcement of Speed Limits: Ensuring that haulage vehicles are equipped with speed-limiting devices.
Regular Training for Drivers: Educating tanker operators on road safety measures and responsible driving habits.
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: Mandating periodic checks to identify and fix mechanical faults before tankers hit the road.
Legislative Action: Introducing harsher penalties for tanker owners who fail to comply with safety standards.
Establishing Rest Areas: Providing designated stops to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
Uche Noah, a Chief Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division, Awka, urged drivers to avoid alcohol and illicit substances while on duty, which significantly contribute to road accidents.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for fostering an inclusive government and uniting the people of the state.
Speaking at the 2025 Kaduna North Annual Deanery Cathedraticum, Archbishop Ndagoso praised Governor Sani’s leadership, contrasting it with the divisive policies of the previous administration under Nasir el-Rufai.
“The past administration divided the people; many did not feel a sense of belonging across the senatorial districts,” Ndagoso said.
“The past government acknowledged only a selected few, but in the last two years, Governor Uba Sani has bridged the gap created by his predecessor.”
The Archbishop urged the Catholic community to focus on their faith rather than the shortcomings of individual priests.
“Nobody is perfect, and no one should judge another. We should learn to adjust our ways and look at Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for mankind,” he said.
Ndagoso also commended the lay faithful for their unwavering support of the archdiocese and called on Kaduna residents and Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Similarly, Lt. Col. G.O.I, Parish Priest of the Chaplaincy of St Peter’s Ribadu Cantonment, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for selecting his parish to host this year’s Cathedraticum.