Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced a N1bn Teachers Appreciation Fund for teachers across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 Teachers’ Day celebration.

Otti made the announcement while addressing teachers at the celebration, themed “Standing With The Teachers,” where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of teachers.

The governor said he considered himself a teacher and assured educators that his administration would continue to support them and prioritise education in the state.

According to him, the government would continue to dedicate a significant portion of its budget to education because of its importance to the future of the state.

He said the administration was investing in smart schools across the 17 local government areas and three additional locations, noting that the initiative was aimed at preparing students for the future without replacing traditional education.

Otti also reaffirmed the government’s policy of free and compulsory education and congratulated Abia students who performed well in WAEC and NECO examinations.

Addressing challenges raised by the state leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, the governor said several of the issues had already been addressed by his administration.

He directed the Accountant-General of the state to ensure that outstanding check-off dues owed to teachers were paid within seven days.

Otti also ordered that workers who had remained unpaid due to verification issues should receive their salaries on or before the end of October.

He further directed the payment of salaries owed to the 4,075 newly recruited teachers before the end of the month.

On promotions, particularly those covering 2021 and 2022, the governor said the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, had been given a deadline to conclude the process and forward it for approval.

Otti also ordered the reinstatement of teachers below the age of 65 who had been disengaged, following the extension of the retirement age.

“I have given the approval from here. Please bring all of them back, even if it is six months before retirement,” he directed.

The governor said his administration was committed to fairness and transparency in dealing with teachers and other public servants.

He disclosed that the N1bn Teachers Appreciation Fund would be shared equally among teachers in the state.

Otti said the payment would be made directly to teachers and would be identified as the “2026 Teachers Appreciation Fund.”

He thanked teachers for their contribution to building future

generations, stressing that the impact of education extended beyond the classroom.

The governor said his administration would continue to invest in education and other areas aimed at preparing Abia for technological and economic changes.

He described teachers as key partners in the development of the state and assured them of continued government support.

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bauchi State Council, has threatened to withhold its votes from presidential candidates in the 2027 general elections unless its national leader, Bello Bodejo, is released from detention.

The group said it would not support the presidential candidate of any political party in the election while Bodejo remained in detention.

This is as it called on government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intervene, saying the matter should be addressed in the interest of justice, peace and Bodejo’s family.

The state chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sale Garbu, disclosed this on Monday at a press conference in Bauchi, where he called on the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

Garbu specifically appealed to President Bola Tinubu to review the circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention and the charges against him, with a view to securing his unconditional release.

He said the continued detention of the organisation’s leader had created anxiety among members, while also expressing concern about the effect of his absence on his family.

According to him, Bodejo had contributed to efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the country, particularly through initiatives addressing challenges affecting communities.

Garbu also urged Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to intervene and support efforts to secure Bodejo’s release.

He said the organisation’s decision on the 2027 election was informed by its concerns over the continued detention of its national leader.

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps has arrested 62 people during an enforcement operation aimed at curbing street begging in the Ajah and Lekki areas of the state.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X, stating that the operation resulted in the apprehension of 29 street beggars and 33 children allegedly being exploited for illegal street begging.

Wahab said the individuals arrested during the exercise had been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.

“A total of 62 individuals, comprising 29 street beggars and 33 children allegedly being exploited for illegal street begging, were apprehended by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps during an enforcement operation in the Ajah and Lekki areas of Lagos State.

“They have all been transferred to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” he wrote.

The latest arrests came days after the corps apprehended 215 street beggars in a separate enforcement operation conducted in different parts of Lagos.

Wahab had disclosed in an X post on Saturday that the earlier exercise was part of intensified efforts to tackle street begging and the activities of street urchins.

According to the commissioner, those apprehended comprised 152 males, 46 females and 17 young adults.

He said the enforcement exercises were part of the state government’s broader efforts to maintain public order, improve environmental sanitation and create safer and more orderly public spaces across Lagos.