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SERAP Kicks Against Life Pension, Luxury Cars for Kano Lawmakers

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Anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, not to assent to a bill seeking life pension, luxury vehicles and foreign medical trips for members of the Kano State House of Assembly.

Rather than give assent to the bill, SERAP, in an open letter on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, urged Ganduje to prevail upon the lawmakers to drop the bill.

It admonished Ganduje to prevail upon the lawmakers “to subordinate their interests to the public good, live on fair and equal terms with their fellow citizens, and not use their legislative powers to convert public resources to their own benefit.”

However, SERAP said should Ganduje ignore its admonition and goes ahead to assent to the bill, he should be ready to face legal actions, both nationally and internationally.

While condemning the proposed life pension for the Kano lawmakers, SERAP argued that it not only violated the principles of legal justice and the rule of law but also betrayed the trust reposed in the lawmakers by the people.

It said if assented to, the bill would lead to a misuse of trust property and threaten to affect the welfare of the people of Kano by diverting public funds from development and provision of access to quality education, clean water and health care to the personal benefits of members of the House of Assembly.

SERAP said, “This bare desire by the lawmakers of the Kano State House of Assembly to pass a bill to award to themselves life pensions, foreign medical trips and brand new vehicles every four years is oppressive and violates the obligation of impartiality to the people of Kano they are elected to serve and the ideals of fiduciary government. The bill, proposed by Baffa Baba Dangundi, is a textbook case of diversion of public resources to private purposes.

“Rather than passing bills to divert public resources for personal benefits, the lawmakers should pass legislation that will urgently address the chronic problem of over three million out-of-school children in Kano (the highest in Nigeria) and ensure immediate payment of outstanding pensions and workers’ salaries, given that the state government has already received N21.7bn from the Paris Club debt refund, and also reportedly received in 2018 N84.2bn from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee.

“Government is a trust for the benefit of the governed, and members of the Kano State House of Assembly ought to be guardians of justice, general good and public interests. There is indeed a duty on the lawmakers to subordinate their own interests to those they are supposed to serve. But rather than acting as the ‘servants of the people,’ the lawmakers have acted in a self-serving way and pushing to enrich themselves at the expense of the people of Kano.”

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Celebrating Amala Day with Founder, Adeola Alamala

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By Ayo Oyoze Baje

“Our goal is to bring the experience of home-cooked Nigerian food to more people, one community at a time. By this, we are celebrating culture and culinary excellence” – Olorunsomo Smart Adeola, aka Alamalla

In a vibrant celebration of culture, food, and community spirit, Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala recently hosted the much-anticipated Amala Day 2025, followed closely by the grand opening of its brand-new AAU Campus Outlet in Ekpoma. The events, held on Friday, 31st October, and Saturday, 1st November 2025, with the outlet officially opening on Monday, 10th November 2025, marked a major milestone for the fast-growing local food brand known for its authentic Nigerian dishes and warm customer experience.

Amala Day 2025 wasn’t just another food event it was a festival of culture, taste, and togetherness. For two full days, from 12 PM to 8 PM, the atmosphere at Amala Spot on Sec School Road, Ujemen, Ekpoma, was filled with excitement, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of freshly served Amala, Ewedu, and Gbegiri.

Customers trooped in large numbers, eager to partake in the special 20% discount offered throughout the event. From students to working professionals and local food lovers, everyone came together to celebrate the timeless Nigerian delicacy that unites people across generations.

Olorunsomo Smart Adeola, popularly known as Adeola Alamala, is a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. Long before his university days, he had already been actively involved in the food industry, where he developed a strong passion for culinary excellence and customer satisfaction.

Adeola Alamala, the passionate founder and face behind Amala Spot, described the event as “a moment to celebrate our roots, appreciate our customers, and introduce new faces to the real taste of Amala done right.”

Guests were treated to well-prepared meals featuring the perfect blend of soft Amala, rich Ewedu soup, and the flavorful Gbegiri option. Many attendees commended the brand for maintaining high food standards and consistency while creating an environment that felt like home.

Beyond the delicious food, Amala Day was also about community connection. Adeola and the team interacted directly with customers, creating a friendly, family-like atmosphere. There were light games, cheerful moments, and even spontaneous dance sessions that kept the energy alive throughout the event.

What truly stood out was the spirit of togetherness Amala Spot successfully turned an ordinary weekend into a memory-filled culinary celebration. Patrons expressed their satisfaction, with many sharing positive feedback on social media and promising to return with friends.

One student attendee commented, “Amala Spot isn’t just a food place anymore; it’s a vibe. Adeola and the team made everyone feel special.”

The two-day festival didn’t just end with satisfied customers it also built momentum for something bigger: the expansion of Amala Spot into new territory.

The Launch of Amala Spot AAU Campus Outlet

Barely a week after the successful Amala Day, Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala took another bold step by launching its AAU Campus Outlet on Monday, 10th November 2025, at 2:00 PM, located before Igbinedion Hostel, AAU Campus, Ekpoma.

This new branch, designed as a “Take-Out Only” outlet, represents the brand’s innovative approach to convenience and accessibility for students and staff within the Ambrose Alli University community. The opening day featured a 10% discount on all take-out orders, drawing a crowd of enthusiastic customers eager to be among the first to experience the new spot.

Adeola Alamala expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and explained that the AAU Campus branch was inspired by high demand from university students who wanted easier access to their favorite meals. “We realized many of our loyal customers are students who love our Amala but find it difficult to leave campus often. This new outlet brings Amala closer to them,” he said.

The new outlet is a reflection of Adeola Alamala’s long-term vision to make Amala Spot not just a local eatery, but a recognizable food brand across multiple campuses and cities in Nigeria. The Ekpoma expansion shows the brand’s commitment to growth while maintaining its strong focus on taste, quality, and customer satisfaction.

According to Adeola, the success of the Amala Day celebration reaffirmed the community’s love for authentic Nigerian meals and reinforced the need to spread that joy beyond one location. “Our goal is to bring the experience of home-cooked Nigerian food to more people, one community at a time,” he said proudly.

Both the Amala Day event and the new outlet launch demonstrate the brand’s unique philosophy combining culinary excellence with cultural pride. Amala Spot is not just about serving food; it’s about sharing a cultural experience that connects people emotionally to their roots.

By offering discounts, engaging directly with customers, and expanding thoughtfully, Adeola Alamala continues to redefine what a modern local food brand can achieve. The emphasis on trust, transparency, and consistency has earned Amala Spot a loyal following and positioned it as a leading destination for traditional meals in Edo state.

As Amala Spot with Adeola Alamala looks to the future, the brand’s mission remains clear: to celebrate Nigerian cuisine, promote food entrepreneurship, and create spaces where food, friendship, and culture meet beautifully.

The success of the 2025 Amala Day and the launch of the AAU Campus outlet are only the beginning. With the love and support of its growing community, Amala Spot is well on its way to becoming a household name one bowl of Amala at a time.

Kudos to Alamala for his patriotic efforts to bring a local delicacy, such as Amala to the global stage.

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IGCD: Pad Me A Girl Initiative Partners Senate, Access Bank to Celebrate Abuja IDPs

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The “Pad Me A Girl Initiative”, in partnership with the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS) and Access Bank, on Monday, October 13, 2025, hosted a powerful and transformative celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child at the Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Durumi, Abuja.

An initiative of Gatmash Media that seeks to bring hope, empowerment, and essential support to hundreds of vulnerable girls and women.

The event gathered hundreds of internally displaced girls and women, alongside top government officials, lawmakers, civil society, actors, media representatives, and corporate partners — all united by a single goal: to amplify the voices of girls in crisis and champion menstrual health, dignity, and equal opportunity.

In her welcome address, Theresa Moses, Convener of “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” and CEO of Gatmash Media, expressed gratitude to partners and highlighted the urgent need for sustainable action to break barriers facing young girls.

“This year’s theme: The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis reminds us that girls are not just victims of crisis, but resilient leaders, change-makers, and symbols of hope,” Moses explained.

“At Pad Me A Girl, our mission is to ensure that no girl is left behind because of her period, her circumstance, or her background.”

Through its Access Pad Me A Girl Pad Bank, the initiative has reached over 5,000 girls and women with reusable pads, menstrual hygiene education, and self-esteem building sessions.

Moses shared the inspiring story of 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, from Yobe State, who was crowned World’s Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, beating 20,000 contestants from 69 countries.

“Nafisa’s story is a reminder that brilliance can blossom anywhere — even in the most unlikely places,” she added. “Every girl, when supported, can transform her community and her nation.”

Represented by her Personal Assistant, Mrs. Patricia Oyagha, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, delivered a compelling speech that cut to the heart of gender inequality and health stigma in Nigeria.

“For too long, menstruation has been shrouded in silence, stigma, and misinformation,” she began. “Silence around menstruation is not neutrality — it is neglect. And neglect has consequences.”

Senator Kingibe called for a national framework that recognizes menstrual health as a matter of public health, education, and human rights. She revealed ongoing efforts by her Committee to push for:

* Integration of menstrual health education into national school curricula.

* Policy support for the affordability and availability of menstrual products for girls in rural and underserved communities.

* Increased collaboration between government, private sector, and CSOs to drive grassroots impact.

“When we break the silence, we break the stigma. When we empower girls, we uplift communities. And when we invest in menstrual health, we invest in the future of our nation,” she said, to a standing ovation.

She commended the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” and partners for their grassroots impact, describing their work as “a bridge between government policy and lived realities.”

“We cannot achieve gender equality if our girls are missing school every month because of a natural process. Menstrual hygiene is not a privilege — it’s a necessity,” she concluded.

In her goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, represented by Mrs. Mariam Fitumi Shaibu,
Deputy Director,
Child Development,
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs lauded the initiative for its bold commitment to gender empowerment and inclusion.

“Today’s celebration is not just to highlight challenges, but to celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of the Nigerian girl,” she stated.

She revealed that the Ministry is actively reviewing and updating key national instruments, including: The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015; The Child Rights Act, 2003; and The National Child Policy (2009).

In addition, the Minister announced the validation of the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management, aimed at normalizing menstrual conversations and ensuring nationwide access to hygiene products, facilities, and information.

“We must eliminate female genital mutilation, early child marriage, bullying, and all forms of gender-based violence. The future of Nigeria depends on how well we protect and empower our girls today,” she emphasized.

“Empowering the girl child is not charity; it is nation building.”

The day’s highlight featured an engaging health education session led by Mrs. Blessing Amos, Abuja Team Lead of Pad Me A Girl Initiative, focusing on menstrual hygiene management, body confidence, and breaking taboos around menstruation.

This was followed by the distribution of empowerment packs — including reusable sanitary pads, exercise books, corn flour (Tuwo Masara), custard, and kuli-kuli — to hundreds of girls and women.

The event which was also supported by ProStar Sports International, a renowned sports equipment and apparel company, BL Consulting and Vita Baites Foods was rounded off on a note of hope, unity, and renewed commitment to girl-child education and menstrual dignity.

About Pad Me A Girl Initiative

Pad Me A Girl Initiative is a gender advocacy project under GATMASH MEDIA, committed to promoting menstrual hygiene, reproductive health education, and girl-child empowerment. Its Access Pad Bank has reached over 5,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria, providing reusable pads, mentorship, and health awareness in schools and communities.

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Congratulations! NAOSNP Hails Adejobi on Promotion to DCP Rank

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Foremost security news beat association, National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) felicitates with the Force PRO of Nigeria Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on his new promotion and decoration with the rank of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun at the Force Headquarters Abuja.

The well-deserved promotion of DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, alongside other newly promoted officers across various ranks, was approved by the Police Service Commission at the recent plenary session presided over by the PSC Honorable Chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd).

Widely regarded for his dynamic approach to police-community relations, quick response and transparency in public communications, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi has served as the image maker of the Nigeria Police Force with distinction and excellence. His promotion underscores and recognizes exceptional service, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the ideals of policing in Nigeria. Since his appointment as Force PRO, DCP Adejobi has led several strategic initiatives to rebuild public trust, effective media relations, improve accountability, and modernize the Force’s communication channels across the Country.

Conveying the felicitations of NAOSNP to the Force PRO, the National President of the association popularly known for covering the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, Comrade Oki O. Samson highlighted the great impact work of DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi noting that ‘he has proven to be an asset to the Nigeria Police helping to spotlight the values and ethics of the Force as a citizen-friendly agency as well as its mandate as the prime agency in charge of internal security.’

‘For us at NAOSNP, DCP Adejobi is a great and reliable friend; he has contributed significantly to us, being a great supporter speaking at many of our security conferences and trainings and providing deep insights to conversations. The exploits of Nigeria Police across operations, administration, public relations, advocacy, and other sectors are given the much-needed attention. We celebrate a refined senior police officer, a PR guru, an excellent communicator, a Media-Friendly Force PRO, a capacity building officer and wish him greater heights in the service of our motherland’, Oki said.

The blue blood, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi is a great role model who portrays the policing values of discipline, service, professionalism and integrity. He has a rich blend of expertise and experience having served in various capacities such as the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos and Ogun States among others.

He is a recipients of the prestigious NAOSNP Best Security Agency Image Maker of the Year Award and many other International awards.

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