***Orders Road Safety Campaign A tragic road accident that claimed 19 lives—including five children—and left eight others injured has plunged Kogi State into mourning, drawing a swift and emotional response from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. The deadly collision, which occurred in the early hours of Monday along the Lokoja-Obajana road in Lokoja Local Government Area, involved a Toyota Hummer Bus and an articulated vehicle. Authorities say the crash was caused by excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking. Governor Ododo described the incident as a heartbreaking loss not only to the victims’ families but to the entire state, saying the scale of…
Author: National Update
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities, following a successful raid on a location along Udi Street that led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of stolen items. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Timfon John in a statement indicated that the operation, which took place around 1:15 AM, was carried out by operatives acting on actionable intelligence, in accordance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare. According to the statement, the suspects, identified as Babangida Idris Usman and Awalu Abdullahi, are believed…
By Omohimuan Emakhu Benson The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major leap in performance for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with 17,025 candidates scoring 300 and above — the highest number recorded since the exam transitioned to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format in 2013. The figure, representing 0.88% of the 1,931,467 total candidates, reflects a steady upward trend in both participation and top-tier performance. By comparison: 2024 saw 8,401 candidates (0.46%) score 300+, 2023 had 5,318 (0.35%), 2021 recorded just 724 (0.06%), 2014 and 2013 had none Additionally, 117,373 candidates scored 250 and above…
By Omohimuan Emakhu Benson At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including a journalist and a senior emergency services official, according to health authorities in the territory. The strikes targeted areas in Khan Younis, Jabalia, and Nuseirat. In Jabalia, journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda and members of his family died when their home was struck. In Nuseirat, Ashraf Abu Nar, a high-ranking civil defense official, and his wife were killed in a similar strike. There has been no official response from the Israeli military. Gaza’s media office, run by Hamas, said Abu Warda’s death…
Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago has put to rest fears of land seizures as he unveiled an ambitious 20-year development plan designed to transform Bida and other major towns into thriving urban centers. At a vibrant town hall meeting on Saturday in Bida, the Governor emphasized that the state government has no intention of confiscating farmers’ lands, despite rumors circulating in some quarters. Instead, the plan aims to decongest the historic town by creating well-planned layouts and improving infrastructure. “This is about building the future—not taking land from our people,” Governor Bago declared. Central to the plan is a…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is on the brink of finalizing a major coalition that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, coalition talks that have spanned over 16 months are now set to conclude within the next two weeks. Dr. Nwosu revealed over the weekend that the ADC has emerged as the preferred platform for a united front of opposition leaders, civil society organisations, and citizens’ groups seeking to challenge the status quo and present a credible alternative in 2027. “The situation in the country…
**Federal Character Commissioner Honored for Bold Leadership, Advocacy, and Visionary Service A wave of inspiration swept through the 2025 African Iconic Women Recognition Awards(AIWRA) as Mrs. Ginika Florence-Tor Williams, Honourable Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission, was honored as the “Most Outstanding Personality of the Year.” A dynamic public servant, activist for inclusion, and unapologetic voice for equity, Ginika’s recognition comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria—when leadership is being redefined not by titles, but by tenacity, truth, and transformational impact. AIWRA is organised by Face of Democracy Nigeria (FDN) to recognize outstanding women for their contributions…
By Egbuchulam Precious Chiemela In a rare moment of coordination amid a brutal war, Russia and Ukraine have successfully completed a third round of prisoner exchange, each side releasing 303 detainees in what is seen as a quiet triumph for diplomacy — largely steered by Türkiye. The deal, brokered in Istanbul on May 16, has now facilitated the release of nearly 1,000 prisoners from each side over the span of a few days, despite ongoing hostilities on the front lines. Türkiye, which hosted the first direct talks between the two countries in over three years, is earning renewed attention for…
By Egbuchulam Precious Chiemela The Federal Government has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s growing skills deficit in the power sector, warning that the country currently lacks more than 50% of the human resources required to support its energy transition and long-term electricity goals. Director-General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Mr. Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, issued the warning in Abuja during the official flag-off of the Next Gen RESCO Programme—a talent development initiative championed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NAPTIN, and Eco-Innovation Empowerment Initiatives. The programme is designed to create a new generation of technicians and engineers…
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Barrister Kabir Akanbi, has called on judiciary correspondents to be fair, balanced, and objective in their coverage of the nation’s judicial system. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Abuja chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), led by Mr. Kayode Lawal of Daily Post, Akanbi stressed the importance of protecting the image and credibility of the judiciary through fact-based and responsible journalism. He expressed concern over the rising trend of sensational and misleading reports, especially on social media, which he said often distort facts and misrepresent the judiciary. “It…