News
FG Launches Data-Driven Initiative to Tackle Out-of-School Crisis
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system through the National Education Data Initiative (NEDI), describing accurate data as a critical tool for improving planning, transparency, and service delivery in the sector.
Officials say the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in the areas of human capital development and social investment.
Speaking at the workshop, government representatives noted that the initiative is being advanced through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
They explained that improving access to credible educational information would help strengthen accountability and ensure better educational outcomes for Nigerian children.
Participants stressed the strong link between education, family stability, child protection, and national development, noting that every educated child contributes to a stronger and more prosperous society.
The workshop also coincides with activities marking the International Day of Families and preparations for the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration.
Officials described the workshop as more than a technical engagement, saying it serves as a platform for collaboration towards building an inclusive, responsive, and people-centred education system.
According to them, properly identifying, supporting, and educating children remains essential to achieving peace, productivity, and sustainable national growth.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized the importance of data in solving national challenges, particularly in education and correctional services.
He said that data-driven policies had helped the Ministry of Interior significantly reduce the number of inmates in correctional facilities since 2023, and explained that reliable statistics revealed underlying social issues affecting inmates, including poverty and food insecurity, adding that proper analysis and understanding of problems are necessary for lasting solutions.
Ojo however described education as the foundation for national development and called for broad support for the NEDI initiative to help build a new Nigeria.
An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.
Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.
The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.
News
ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)
ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).
ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.
ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).
Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.
The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.
Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.
News
Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.
Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.
Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.
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