Nation
THE STATES

Benue
Authorities of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi,
have shut down the institution indefinitely following cult activities which led to the death of four students and one security guard.
The institution’s Information Officer, Mr Dzerka Fanafa, said in Makurdi that the decision to close down the school was to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Fanafa told newsmen that the crisis broke out on Tuesday in some of the hostels built by independent developers and resulted in the death of one student.
He said the university authority swiftly intervened to contain the situation by inviting the security agencies to prevent further hostilities by the students.
Ekiti
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has appealed to
members of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Ekiti State chapter to call off their two-week old strike.
Fayose, represented by his deputy, Dr Olusola Kolapo, made the appeal at the 10th Congress Meeting of the organisation in Ado-Ekiti.
He charged the principals to show understanding in the face of present economic depression that had critically affected about 29 states of the federation.
Fayose explained that the present economic challenges could not support the payment of three months’ salary being demanded by the workers.
He further explained that the state government was unable to meet the demands of civil servants because the three months allocation from the federation account could no longer pay a month’s salary.
FCT
The Society of Women Engineers, Technology and Sci
entists (SWETS) says it plans to educate residents of the Federal Capital Territory on climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation.
The SWETS Chairperson, Mrs Vera Ogwatu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
According to her, the development is part of the SWETS Africa Community Project, with a view to building resilience in the local communities to climate change.
“Also to raise a younger generation with the right attitude and mind-set to promote environmental sustainability and sustainable development.
“ The project consists of the following aspects: enlightenment programme, introduction of alternatives to fuel wood project and Change the Light Bulb campaign (200 to 250 households),“ she said.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has approved the
release of N1 billion to the state’s Agricultural Supply Company as loan to procure farm inputs for farmers.
This is contained in a statement issued in Dutse by Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, the approval was given during the state executive council meeting which was held recently.
It explained that the loan would enable the company to purchase fertilisers, improved seeds and other farm inputs for the forthcoming farming season.
Kaduna
A Non-Governmental organisation based in Kaduna,
Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative (SAESI), has called on residents of the state to always keep their surroundings clean to enhance healthy environment.
The Controller General, SAESI, Yahaya Mohammed, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
He also called on residents and business owners in the state to refrain from accumulating waste around their surroundings.
According to him, most of the strange diseases so many people contacted today are because of the dirty environment they live in.
Kwara
The Kwara State House of Assembly has adminis
tered oath of office on Mrs Victoria Afolayan, a newly elected lawmaker representing Oke-Ero Constituency.
Afolayan, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, was elected at a bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) on May 28.
Our correspondent reports that the new female member is the wife of the deceased member, Mr Musa-Moses Afolayan, who died on Jan. 30.
Speaking at her inauguration, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, said Afolayan had submitted duly certified asset declaration form from the Code of Conduct Bureau and satisfied other requirements of becoming a member of the House.
Lagos
A 44-year-old businesswoman, Adenike Rodoye, has
lost her 20-year-old marriage to her husband, Durojaiye, because she was always tearing his boxers so as to rape him.
“My wife has turned my boxers to rags as she always tears them to rape me,” he told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State.
The president of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after he had listened to the couple, said that he was convinced that they could no longer live together as husband and wife.
Omilola said that he had to dissolve the union after the petitioner had insisted on the divorce.
The president added that several interventions made by him to reconcile them felt on deaf ears.
Niger
The Niger State Government has approved N46.2 billion
as 2016 appropriation bill for its 25 area councils.
Alhaji Kabir Abbas, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Minna.
He said “the late presentation of the 2016 local government budget was because of transition of leadership from the past administration to the present.
“The change in leadership of caretaker of the past administration to director of personnel management to caretaker again before the election of local government chairmen.
“When the budget was to be presented, the local government chairmen and the emirate councils requested for time to make contributions, which led to delay up until now.”
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has, granted am
nesty to 17 prisoners serving various jail terms in the state.
He also commuted the death sentences passed on four other prisoners to life imprisonment.
This is contained in a statement signed by Juwon Soyinka, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.
He said the gesture was part of activities marking the 2016 Democracy Day and June 12 remembrance anniversaries in the state.
According to the him, the governor’s gesture is in line with the power conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
Osun
Two men, who allegedly stole a dog belonging to a
church, were arrainged before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
The accused Oguntoro Segun, 22, and Ayinla Seyi, 27 are facing charges of theft and conspiracy.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Fagboyinbo Abiodun, the accused committed the offences on June 4 at about 8.30 p.m. at United Missionary Church of Africa’s premises behind Vision Oil, Dada Estate, Osogbo.
Abiodun said the accused sneaked into the church’s premises, tricked the dog belonging to a man, Ajilore Temidayo and bolted with it.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Sabon-Birni Local Government in Sokoto
State, Alhaji Idris Gobir, promised to provide farming inputs at government-controlled rates for farmers in the area.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that providing farming inputs was part of the council’s efforts to encourage farmers in the area to produce assorted food crops.
He said the farming inputs would be provided at the council’s 11 wards to enable farmers have direct access to them.
The chairman said the local government administration would encourage youths and women to participate massively in all-year-round farming.
Zamfara
The Defence Headquarters Committee on Persistent
Farmers/Herdsmen Clashes in the country is currently in Zamfara as part of its fact-finding tour to affected states.
Our correspondent reports that the Committee arrived in Gusau, the Zamfara capital on Tuesday for a two-day visit, where it met with the state’s acting Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala.
Nation
Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Nation
Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV
Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.
Nation
Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.
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