News
Provosts Seek Exemption From Ban On Establishment of New Tertiary Institutions
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
In a bid to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences, has urged the Federal Government to exempt their institutions from the 7-year ban on establishing new polytechnics and allied institutions.
com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">The Association made the call in a Communique issued at the end of the 2025 Quadrennial Conference in Abuja which was made available to Journalists on Thursday in Lokoja by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Nuhu Anyegwu.
The Provosts said the ban will create an intergenerational gap of at least 7 years in terms of shortage of Health and Medical manpower in various communities in Nigeria.
The Conference, which brought together Provosts from across the country, expressed concern that the ban would exacerbate the brain drain syndrome that has plagued the nation’s healthcare sector for decades.
The Provosts emphasised that Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences are not supposedly referenced as allied Institutions and should be exempted from the ban.
They argued that the ban would create an intergenerational gap of at least 7 years in terms of shortage of health and medical manpower in various communities in Nigeria.
The Provosts also appreciated the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for removing cumbersome and rigid measures in the accreditation process and digitalizing the accreditation process.
The Provosts further resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to exempt Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences from the ban, citing their prior approval and accreditation by Professional Health and Medical Councils or Boards.
They, therefore, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to put an end to multiple accreditations by Professional Health and Medical Councils or Boards.
The Conference noted with deep concern the undesirable exclusion of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences from TETFUND’s funding schedule.
The Provosts urged the Federal Ministry of Education and NBTE to support the TETFUND Act Amendment Bill to provide for the inclusion of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences in TETFUND’s funding schedule.
The Association also re-elected its Officers and filled vacant posts in line with the new Constitution as a result of which Dr. Johnson Adebayo Ojo and Malam Adamu Ahmadu emerged as Chairman and Secretary General respectively among others
The Provosts resolved to establish a Journal to support publications of research works and set up a Media Committee for adequate publicity of the Association’s activities.
The Communique highlighted the need for the Federal Government to support the growth and development of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences to address the healthcare needs of Nigerians.
The Association’s efforts to improve the standards of healthcare education and training are crucial to the nation’s healthcare sector.
With Nigeria’s population estimated at over 200 million people, the need for skilled healthcare professionals cannot be overstated.
The Provosts’ plea to the government highlights the critical issue facing the nation’s healthcare sector and the need for urgent action to address the shortage of healthcare workers.
News
Unidentified, Mutilated Corpse of Man Found Behind Pankshin Market in Plateau
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 morning, the corpse of an unidentified man was found behind the Monday Market in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State with his private part and other vital organs allegedly removed. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
According to a community source, the corpse was discovered by members of the community in the morning, upon which security operatives were alerted, and they reportedly arrived at the scene to evacuate the body.
The disturbing discovery attracted concerned residents to the General Hospital, Pankshin, where efforts were made to identify the deceased.
The Punch reports that a local resident, Panshak Rogo, who spoke at the hospital, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be established.
“Presently, we are at the General Hospital. We are here because there is an unidentified individual who was killed around Monday Market.
“The corpse is yet to be identified because some sensitive organs have been removed from the body. His ears and nose were cut off, while his private part has also been tampered with.”
Rogo urged members of the public who had relatives or friends reported missing to contact the police for possible identification of the corpse.
“Please, if you have any report of a missing person, go to the nearest police station. To be precise, Pankshin Police Station is important,” he said.
He appealed to anyone with useful information about the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death to report to the police.
Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of press time.
News
NAF Confirms 25 Dead In ATR-42 Crash, Releases Names Of Casualties
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.
The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.
The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.
The casualties are:
Crew
- Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
- Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
- Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
- Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.
News
World Public Relations Forum: Kogi NIPR Chapter Embarks on Road Show for Sensitization
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum( WPRF) scheduled for Abuja from November 15-21, 2026, members of Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR) on Saturday, organised a road show and public advocacy in Lokoja as part of preparations for the event
The Abuja Forum is an international event meant to be attended by Public Relations Practitioners from all over the world.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, ISmaila Isah who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Tado Asuloto, told journalists that the road show was meant to sensitize the public about the forthcoming forum.
He also explained that the road show was meant to draw members of the public closer to the Institute.
His words” We embarked on the road show to sensitize our members and the public on the forthcoming WPRF.
” The NIPR also engaged in the public advocacy with a view to drawing the institute closer to the public and enlighten the public more about our activities. The WPRF is coming up in Abuja later in the year and the event will be attended Public Relations Practitioners from the world over.”
The road show saw NIPR members in Kogi State including those from the Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ), the State Police Command, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Kabba, Federal University, Lokoja, the Federal Roads Safety Commission( FRSC) , the Red Cross and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC , among others, walking from the Ganaja Junction road through the Cenotaph to the Government House where they distributed leaflets on the Abuja event and also engaged the public in discussions.
The participants were also shown the first office of Lord Lugard located within the Government House premises and other historical structures in Lokoja.
The Director of Protocol in the Government House, Sulaiman Ibrahim welcomed the NIPR members on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, assuring them of the Governor’s readiness to assist them always.
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