Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, paid a condolence visit to former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, over the death of his son, Faisal Makarfi.

Obi was accompanied by his long-time ally, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, to offer prayers and sympathy to the grieving family in Kaduna.

During the visit, Obi extended heartfelt prayers for the late Faisal Makarfi, asking for God’s forgiveness of his sins and that he be granted eternal rest in Aljanna Firdausi.

He further prayed that God grants the Makarfi family and their well-wishers the strength to bear such an immense and irreplaceable loss.

Faisal Makarfi, whose sudden demise shocked many in Kaduna, was mourned deeply by friends and political allies of the Makarfi family.

Obi and Baba-Ahmed’s visit to Makarfi’s residence was not just a symbolic gesture but underscored the deep bond shared between them and the former governor.

Makarfi, a two-time Governor of Kaduna State, remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics.

He has played key roles as the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was a senator representing Kaduna North.

His contributions to Kaduna State’s development, especially in areas of healthcare and infrastructure, are well-documented.

Obi’s day of empathy and service did not end with the condolence visit.

Following his time with the Makarfi family, Obi made a significant stop at one of the almajiri schools in Kaduna, where he has been providing support for the betterment of the students’ lives.

Almajiri schools are Islamic learning centers where children, often from impoverished backgrounds, study the Quran.

Unfortunately, many of these schools suffer from a lack of basic amenities and resources, leaving the children vulnerable to hardship and neglect.

Earlier in the year, Obi had visited this almajiri school and was appalled by the poor state of its infrastructure.

With no access to proper sanitation, a dysfunctional water supply, and dilapidated buildings, the conditions were far from conducive for the children’s learning and well-being.

Moved by the need for immediate intervention, Obi made a financial contribution toward improving the school’s facilities.

His donation was directed toward constructing new toilet systems and drilling boreholes for clean water, essential elements that were sorely missing.

On his return to the school yesterday, Obi was filled with joy as he saw the remarkable improvements that had been made.

The once-ailing infrastructure had been uplifted, and the children now had access to two functioning boreholes and decent toilet systems.

The development symbolized a leap forward in providing the children with a more dignified and nurturing learning environment.

Impressed by the progress, Obi donated an additional N5 million to the school, further emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that the children of the almajiri system receive the education and support they need.

He reassured the school that he would continue to stand by them, pledging his ongoing assistance in securing brighter opportunities for the children.

This initiative aligns with Peter Obi’s long-standing advocacy for better education in Nigeria.

Throughout his political career, Obi has been an ardent supporter of youth empowerment through education.

He believes that providing quality education is the best way to equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive in the future.

His vision for a new Nigeria revolves around offering every child a chance to rise above their circumstances through education, skills acquisition, and strong moral values.

Obi concluded his visit by reiterating his commitment to building a Nigeria that offers hope, equal opportunities, and a brighter future for all.

In his words, a New Nigeria remains possible with the right leadership, vision, and dedication to the people’s welfare.

Senator Ahmed Makarfi, despite his current grief, has always been a figure of strength for Kaduna State and the nation.

His legacy of leadership continues to inspire many, including those who work for the progress and development of Nigeria.

Through this difficult time, Obi and Baba-Ahmed’s show of solidarity with the Makarfi family reflects the deep-rooted connections that exist within the Nigerian political landscape, where leaders across party lines share moments of joy and sorrow together.

Peter Obi’s focus on improving almajiri schools also highlights a critical issue in Nigeria’s educational sector.

With millions of children in the almajiri system, Obi’s contributions shine a light on the importance of tackling educational inequity and addressing the long-standing challenges faced by these communities.

His visit to Kaduna underscored the importance of ensuring that every child in Nigeria, no matter their background, is given a fair chance to succeed in life.

Obi’s visit is not just a statement of sympathy but also a reflection of his philosophy of compassionate leadership—one that combines empathy with concrete actions aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

A CNG-powered vehicle reportedly exploded while being filled at a gas station in Benin, Edo State. The incident caused panic at the scene as onlookers scrambled to safety. While details about the extent of damage or injuries are yet to be confirmed, the explosion has raised concerns about the safety of compressed natural gas (CNG) usage in vehicles. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the explosion to prevent future occurrences.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions are now permitted to admit candidates who will turn 16 by August 31, 2025, into the 2024/2025 academic session.

This decision comes as part of the board’s commitment to ensuring that admission processes remain fair and inclusive for all eligible candidates.

According to the latest directive, candidates who meet the academic and institutional requirements but are not yet 16 years old by December 31, 2024, can now be considered for admission as long as they reach the age of 16 by the end of August 2025.

This decision follows extensive discussions held earlier this year during JAMB’s 2024 Policy Meeting, where it was established that the minimum age for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria would be set at 16 years.

Initially, the board set the age cut-off date for December 31, 2024, sparking a wave of reactions from parents, educational stakeholders, and the general public.

Some parents expressed concerns that their children, who would have otherwise qualified for admission based on their academic performance, might be excluded due to the age restriction.

Many parents argued that the age requirement could disadvantage young, high-achieving students who completed their secondary education early.

In response to these concerns, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, released a statement clarifying the board’s position.

He explained that several institutions had extended their admission periods into the middle of 2025, some as late as July, creating a window for candidates who would turn 16 shortly after the original cut-off date.

To accommodate these candidates, the board has now set a new cut-off age deadline of August 31, 2025.

This move, according to JAMB, is intended to maintain equity in the admission process, ensuring that students who turn 16 during the extended admission period are not unfairly left out.

Benjamin emphasized that the new policy is not mandatory for all institutions.

Any university or tertiary institution that wishes to maintain its internal policy of requiring candidates to be 16 years old by the end of 2024 is free to do so.

This flexibility allows institutions to adopt the admission timeline that best suits their academic calendar while still adhering to the general age requirement set by JAMB.

The decision has sparked diverse opinions. Some parents welcomed the adjustment, appreciating the board’s effort to provide more opportunities for students who may have been excluded due to age constraints.

They believe that this new policy will allow young, bright students to continue their academic journey without unnecessary delays.

On the other hand, some critics argue that the minimum age requirement is still a necessary safeguard, ensuring that students are mature enough to handle the demands of tertiary education.

Education experts have weighed in on the matter, highlighting the importance of balancing academic readiness with emotional and social maturity.

They point out that while many students may excel academically at a young age, the transition to tertiary education often requires a certain level of maturity, especially in navigating the independence and responsibilities that come with higher learning.

JAMB’s policy shift is part of a broader effort to streamline the admission process in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Over the years, the board has introduced several reforms aimed at improving transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the admission process.

These reforms include the introduction of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which allows institutions to manage their admissions more effectively while allowing candidates to monitor their admission status online.

As institutions prepare for the 2024/2025 academic session, the new age policy is expected to provide greater flexibility for both candidates and schools.

It will enable more students to access higher education opportunities while allowing universities and colleges to make informed decisions based on their timelines.

In the coming months, JAMB and tertiary institutions across the country will continue to engage with stakeholders, including parents, educators, and policymakers, to ensure that the admission process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive for all Nigerian students.

With this new policy in place, the board aims to address concerns raised by various quarters while keeping its focus on delivering a smooth and efficient admission process for the upcoming academic year.