{
  "id": 8686695,
  "title": "Atiku pledges scholarship to viral Niger teen miner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/atiku-pledges-scholarship-to-viral-niger-teen-miner-8686695",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:58:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/atiku-pledges-scholarship-to-viral-niger-teen-miner/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed deep sorrow upon watching a video of a teenage artisanal miner, Yusuf Aliyu, speaking in Niger State after the deaths of 37 miners. Atiku believes that Yusuf, who displayed intelligence and confidence, should be in a classroom rather than working in a mine. He pledges to support the boy's education and appeals for his safety, warning against potential intimidation or retaliation. Atiku criticizes the current administration for criminalizing artisanal miners and failing to provide opportunities for their community. He demands answers about the administration's handling of the PAGMI initiative and the circumstances surrounding the recent deaths of miners in NSCDC custody.",
  "summary": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday said his “heart breaks” each time he watches a viral video of a teenage artisanal miner, Yusuf Aliyu, speaking at a mining site in Niger State after the deaths of 37 miners in the state. Atiku, in a statement posted on his X handle, said he was prepared Read More: https://punchng.com/atiku-pledges-scholarship-to-viral-niger-teen-miner/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Atiku pledges scholarship to viral Niger teen miner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/atiku-pledges-scholarship-to-viral-niger-teen-miner",
        "published": "2026-09-20T12:22:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}