
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved a weekly day off and a monthly N10,000 transport allowance for civil servants for three months, starting in April 2026. Head of Service Kehinde Onasanya announced that these measures aim to alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices and increased transportation and living costs. The intervention is expected to provide relief to workers and enhance productivity. However, workers in essential services such as medical personnel, judicial staff, teachers, security personnel, and heads of departments will be exempt from the weekly day-off but will receive the transport allowance. Accounting officers will determine the specific day off for eligible workers to maintain service delivery. Onasanya lauded the governor's timely intervention and urged workers to respond with increased dedication and efficiency.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government will conduct a comprehensive nationwide household survey to determine a more accurate figure for Nigeria’s out-of-school children. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics to generate reliable data for policy decisions. He acknowledged that current estimates, ranging from 15 million to 20 million, need updating, emphasizing the government's commitment to evidence-based statistics. The minister noted that while over one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in the past two years, accurate data is crucial for measuring progress. He also highlighted reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, and digital transformation. Dr. Alausa mentioned that Nigeria has achieved three consecutive years without academic disruptions in tertiary institutions and now has 24 universities ranked among the world’s top 1,000. The summit, themed “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Progress and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” brought together policymakers, education stakeholders, and journalists. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Executive S
Must ReadThe World Health Organization WHO has stated that almost 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution. The WHO released updated guidelines to help countries reduce the growing burden of dementia through early prevention and improved healthcare interventions. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and a major contributor to disability among older adults, affecting memory, thinking, and daily activities. While there is no cure, up to 45 percent of risks are attributed to modifiable factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. More than 57 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cases. Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, emphasized that dementia impacts individuals, families, and communities, affecting health, dignity, independence, and well-being. The revised guidance, building on 2019 guidelines, provides practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health, including encouraging cognitive stimulation, managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and integrating services for

Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to promptly prosecute and publicly parade suspects involved in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. Speaking during a Senate plenary, Ningi emphasized that those responsible should face the full force of the law to deter future crimes. He warned that any delay in prosecution could erode public confidence in the justice system. The call follows the rescue of pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School, and Community Grammar School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who were abducted by gunmen and rescued after 56 days in captivity by a joint team of security operatives.