NIGER STATE GOVT MOVES TO HALT ACTS DEPRIVING GIRL-CHILD OF RIGHT TO EDUCATION, MARRIAGE, OTHERS

* State's Child Rights Agency Vows To Bring Perpetrators, Parents Violators To Book

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Niger state government has taken a hard stance against acts depriving girl-child their rights to education, marriage and others as the State's Child Rights Agency (NSCRA) has vowed to bring to book both suitors and parents that violates such rights.

NIGER STATE SQUASH ASSOCIATION CHAIRPERSON URGES PLAYER'S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN SQUASH GAMES

* Pleads With Former Players To Support The Association And Sponsor Monthly League

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Chairperson Niger State Squash Association (NSSA), Mrs. Taiwo Akinkoye has admonished both old and new Squash players to be more committed to excel even as she pleaded with former state players to support the association to sponsor the monthly league.

NIGERIAN-AMERICAN FILMMAKER, OSE OYEMENDAN, TAKES ON SDEROT AND GAZA

This week’s Times Will Tell brings us Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose (pronounced OH-SE) Oyamendan, who spent the better part of a decade filming his feature documentary, “Other Voices,” in Israel’s Sderot and in Gaza, to capture a story that is not often told.

NOUN'S NEW VC, UDUMA, VISITS OBASANJO, PROMISES TO PRIORITIZE RESTORATION OF LAW PROGRAMME

* Ex-President Urges Reform, Canvasses For Integration of AI Into Academic Programme In The National Open Varsity

By Our Reporter

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for key reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), including the restoration of its Law programmes, increased student enrolment, and the integration of artificial intelligence into its academic system.

NOW THAT HUSBANDS ARE SCARCE COMMODITIES

By Michael West

A woman approached her pastor for prayers concerning marriage because she's agitated as delay in getting a man was no longer taken lightly. While on her knees, the pastor asked why she wanted to marry.

Nuhu Ribadu Vs El-Rufai: BATTLE OF THE LAST HEGEMONS

By Steve Osuji

Tinubu in do-or-die 2nd term bid: First, it is perverse for an incumbent to seek to shutdown an entire system; the very same that ensconced him onto power. It's like sequestering yourself in a house with doors and windows tightly shut! The very open system which brought a man to power, he now seeks to shut it down in order to eliminate any form of contest or opposition.

Oil Industry Contracting: NCDMB ISSUES NCEC GUIDANCE NOTES, RULES OUT TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATE

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)

Determined to speed up the oil and gas industry contracting processes, weed out firms lacking technical capacity to perform and reduce Nigeria’s cost of production, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has issued the "NCEC Application Guidance Notes", with effect from December 2025.

ONDO STATE, ICPC COLLABORATES TO FORTIFY LOCAL GOVERNANCE WITH ACCOUNTABILITY DRIVE

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)

In a significant move to strengthen grassroots administration, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in partnership with the Ondo State Government recently conducted a three-day capacity-building workshop designed to enhance fiscal discipline and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Organ Harvesting: KNOWING WHAT THE NIGERIAN LAW SAYS

By Royal Ibe

Last week, the arrest of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, for allegedly conspiring to bring a child to the United Kingdom (UK) for kidney organ harvesting generated a lot of controversies in Nigeria, the UK and beyond.

PROCRASTINATION: 10 LESSONS FROM THIS BOOK

By Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen

"Procrastination" offers valuable insights and practical strategies for overcoming procrastination.

READ THIS BOOK 'THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER'

By Matt Abraham

Shaky voice. Sweaty palms. Red face. Memory loss. Stuttering.

If you have experienced at least one of these symptoms when having to give a spur-of-the-moment answer or speech, this book is for you. In this book, Matt Abrahams provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers “Think Faster” and “Talk Smarter” when speaking spontaneously. Abrahams provides science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. Here are some masterclass takeaways from the book:

READ THIS BOOK 'WHY WON'T YOU APOLOGIZE?'

By Harriet Lerner

Lessons From "Why Won't You Apologize?"

1. The Power of "I'm Sorry": Lerner explores the immense emotional weight of a genuine apology and its role in VALIDATING your hurt, fostering hope, igniting healing, and eventually, restoring trust. Offering and receiving apologies are crucial for healing and maintaining healthy relationships.

2. Beyond "I'm Sorry": The book goes beyond expecting a simple apology and delves into these deeper needs that arise after betrayal. It reveals that an apology is an acknowledgement of responsibility and the impact of our actions on others. It is also one sure way to show remorse and the desire to repair the damage.

3. The "Non-Apologizer": Lerner explores the psychology behind individuals who resist apologizing, including factors like shame, denial, or difficulty facing their own wrongdoing. This knowledge helps you detach from their behavior and manage expectations, focusing on your own healing journey.

4. The Over-Apologizer: Excessive apologies can also be problematic. The book examines those who apologize excessively, often due to low self-esteem or fear of abandonment. Recognizing this dynamic can help you avoid getting caught in unhealthy codependency patterns.

5. Healing Without an Apology: While an apology is ideal, focusing solely on its absence can hinder your healing. The book offers strategies for healing even if you don't receive one, such as self-compassion, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your narrative by focusing on your strength and resilience.

6. Anger is your friend: Your anger is not your enemy. It signals a violation, fuels change, and motivates you to protect yourself. Lerner normalizes and validates anger as a natural response to betrayal, and offers healthy ways to express and manage it constructively instead of allowing it to consume you.

7. Forgiveness is a Personal Choice: Forgiveness isn't about condoning the act; it's about self-care. Focus on letting go of anger and resentment for your own peace of mind, not theirs. The book challenges the societal pressure to forgive automatically. You decide what forgiveness means and looks like for you.

8. Grieving the Loss: Allow yourself to feel the emotions. Betrayal often involves a loss of trust, safety, or the relationship itself. Acknowledging and grieving this loss is crucial for processing your emotions and moving forward.

9. The Power of Connection: Don't heal alone. Reconnect with supportive loved ones, seek therapy, or join support groups. Sharing your experience and receiving understanding can be invaluable for your emotional well-being.

10. Rewriting Your Story: The power lies in your narrative. Lerner encourages you to rewrite the narrative of betrayal on your own terms, focusing on your strength and resilience. While you do, remember that the experience doesn't define you, but empowers you to become a more authentic and resilient version of yourself. NNL.

READ THIS BOOK, '12 LAWS OF THE JUNGLE'

By Daniel Cleland and Matthew Cartagena

This great book will Unleash Your Entrepreneurial Prowess. While it might use a provocative title, its lessons offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the competitive landscape.

Here are 10 key takeaways to unlock your inner entrepreneurial beast:

1. Embrace the Zero-Revenue Tightrope: Don't fear the initial lack of income. Focus on building your product/service, validating market needs, and establishing a foundation before chasing revenue.

2. Seek High-Profile Connections: Cultivate relationships with successful entrepreneurs and mentors. Their experience and guidance can be invaluable in navigating unforeseen challenges.

3. Disrupt the Norm: Don't be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace unorthodox tactics. Find innovative solutions to problems and differentiate yourself from the pack.

4. Beware the Betrayal Bite: Anticipate potential betrayals and have backup plans in place. Protect your intellectual property and choose your partners wisely.

5. Channel Your Inner Jungle Cat: Develop resilience and adaptability. Learn from failures, pivot when necessary, and stay agile in the face of uncertainty.

6. Master the Art of the "Pre-Sell": Don't wait for launch. Generate pre-launch buzz and interest to build momentum and early customer adoption.

7. Leverage the Power of Storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that connect with your audience on an emotional level. Sell the vision, not just the product.

8. Become a Master of Persuasion: Develop your communication skills and learn to influence others. Pitch your ideas with passion, clarity, and data-driven evidence.

9. Embrace the "Minimum Viable Hustle": Don't get bogged down in perfection. Get your product/service out there quickly and gather feedback to iterate and improve.

10. Celebrate the Thrill of the Hunt: Find joy in the entrepreneurial journey itself. Embrace the challenges and celebrate the wins, big and small. NNL.

Remarriage: COPING WITH ABUSED, DAMAGED SPOUSES

By Michael West

The most difficult and delicate person to marry is a person who came out of an abused, emotionally damaged and mentally tortured marriage. It is akin to a wounded lioness that survived a hunter's snare. Any animal that dares to intrude on her space or tries to hurt her cubs will not live to tell the story. That is how delicate it is to marry a deeply hurt soul.

Research Study: A NEW GENERATION OF HUMANITY ARRIVES THE WORLD IN 2025. WHO ARE THEY?

* Researchers Finger 'Generation Gamma' (Gen G) as Coming Next From Year 2040 - 2054

By Our Reporter

With the arrival of the new year, a new generation is officially on the horizon: They are called Generation Beta, Gen Beta for short.

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MINISTRY, DEFENCE MINISTRY FORGE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO ADVANCE INDIGENOUS MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES

By Shedrack Akunna (Science & Tech Reporter)

In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) is strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to deploy Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in advancing Nigeria’s national security and defence capabilities.

SIBLINGS BANNISHED FROM IMO STATE COMMUNITY OVER ALLEGED INCEST

By Alexandria Dominic-Chukwu

Two siblings have been banished from their community in Lude, Mbaise, Imo State, for allegedly committing incest – sleeping with each other.

STAKEHOLDERS HALL CS-SUNN LEADERSHIP TRANSITION IN BAUCHI

By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

Members of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) have commended the smooth transition of leadership following the election of new executives in Bauchi State.

STOP DATING FOR WRONG REASONS

By Michael West

Dating is a prelude to marriage for adults. It is otherwise known as courtship but because some engaged adults don't really want to settle down, they remain in dating for as long as it serves their purposes and interests.

STOP VICTIMIZING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, PREACHES AWARENESS CAMPAIGNER

• * Says Cases Can Be Tamed, Managed

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

As Nigeria joins other countries to mark the 2021 World Mental Health Day, a Mental Health Awareness Advocate in Niger state, Aisha Obiageli Wakaso, has over the weekend in Minna, Niger state called for an end to the stigmatization of victims of mental health-related issues.