Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Sophia Momodu claims her daughter Imade Aurora Adeleke has about 15,000 siblings
FFK mocks peter obi over his visit to Rome for the Pope's inauguration
Peter obi recently travelled to Vatican city for the pope's inauguration. Femi Fani Kayode came on social media to ridicule Peter obi, who according to him wasn't granted entry to see the pope.
FFK who was formerly married to Precious Chikwendu has history of being controlling. Currently, it has been reported that Precious and FFK are co-parenting after several years of Precious not having access to her kids.
Monday, 19 May 2025
FRSC to clamp down on illegal driving schools nationwide
FRSC to clamp down on illegal driving schools nationwide
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to curb the proliferation of fake driving schools nationwide.
Mohammed made the commitment during the 2025 national workshop for driving school proprietors and instructors on Monday in Abuja.
The Corps Marshal said the move was part of the efforts to improve road safety and reduce crashes, emphasising that human errors remain the leading cause of road traffic accidents.
He, however, noted that proper driver’s education through accredited institutions was essential in minimising such errors and improving safety on the highways.
“We have been on this for a long time. You cannot completely eliminate fake driving schools, but with efforts such as this, we will reduce crashes to the barest minimum,” he said.
“Our focus is to identify and support genuine driving schools that have the capacity to transform drivers’ behavior and reduce road crashes.”
Mohammed stressed the importance of the safe systems accord initiative, which acknowledges the inevitability of human error and promotes systems designed to accommodate such lapses without fatal consequences.
According to him, driving schools serve as the first line of defense in preparing drivers to operate vehicles safely, and repeated training remains a key strategy.
“If we continue to train drivers and retrain them properly, we will build a generation of motorists who are alert, skilled, and capable of managing risk,” he said.
The Corps Marshal revealed that the engagement with school operators was part of a nationwide campaign targeted at key metropolises such as Lagos, Oshogbo, and Kano.
He said that after these sessions, the FRSC would consolidate feedback and best practices to develop a framework that ensures consistent quality in driver education and a significant drop in crash statistics.
Mohammed expressed confidence that the series of engagements would foster a robust community of stakeholders committed to upholding safety standards and restoring integrity to driver’s training in Nigeria.
“We hope that from these discussions, a strong community will emerge to support our mission of safer roads,” he said.
The FCT Minster, Mr Nyesom Wike, called for the institutionalisation of standardised training for drivers and riders across Nigeria.
Wike, represented by the mandate secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Dr Elechi Chinedum, emphasised the importance of reducing road traffic crashes and supporting national development.
The FCT Minister, however, commended the FRSC for its sustained efforts in promoting highway safety.This, he said, was through initiatives such as the DSSP, which provided guidelines and regulatory oversight for the operations of driving schools nationwide.
He described the theme of the workshop, “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria through Standardised Drivers and Riders Training,” as timely, given the crucial role transportation plays in national development and economic growth.
“It is my distinct honour to commend the FRSC for its commitment to promoting highway safety, especially through the DSSP, which regulates driving school operations,” he said.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of economic and social activities, yet thousands of Nigerians lose their lives or suffer injuries due to poor training of the drivers.
“Effective training and continuous capacity development for instructors are crucial to producing safe, skilled, and responsible road users,” he said.
Wike, however, stressed that standardisation in the education of drivers would not only reduce crashes, but also unlock economic opportunities and protect lives.
Gun men invades Bayelsan Radio Station
Some gunmen raided a radio station, Rhythm 94.7 FM in Swali, a community in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, and reportedly carted away operational gadgets and mobile phones of the radio staff.
The Guardian learnt that the gunmen invaded the radio station around 4:40pm on Saturday.
The staff who witnessed the attack were left traumatised.
The Bayelsa State faction of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the attack.
In a statement signed by the State Council Chairman, Tonye Yemoleigha, and the Secretary, Stanley Imgbi, the leadership of the union described it as an attack on press freedom.
The union urged security operatives to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack and called on the state’s Commissioner of Police to lead the operation.
They also urged the commissioner to station a patrol van around the radio station to prevent a recurrence.
GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER
ECOWAS partners WASEOA to support youth agripreneurs with $594,000
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has partnered with the West African Secretariat of Ecological Organic Agriculture (WASEOA) to support 1,270 youths in agriculture across six countries with $594,000 grant.
The agreement signed between ECOWAS and the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN) – the secretariat of WASEOA and disburser of the grant, during a workshop organised in Lagos recently for delegates of approved training centres from Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
The project, which is to span from April 2025 to March 2026, will train youths between 18 – 35 years on organic agriculture and agroecology practices in West Africa.
Jude Obi, president of NOAN, said that it is a significant move for Nigeria and West Africa, where up to 60 percent of the population falls within 20 – 24 years.
Therefore, this creates difficulties in employment and leads to rising unemployment or underemployment, he noted.
“NOAN has the main objective to facilitate organic agricultural practice within Nigeria so that feeding, eating and sustainability of both human health and the environment are sustained through good practices,” he added.
Obi disclosed that the level of youths who are without jobs is becoming a concern for ECOWAS, noting that this initiative aims to bridge that gap and increase larger participation in Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Heuristics (ASPH) — a practical problem-solving technique used within agro-sylvo-pastoral systems, which integrates agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming.
“These training centres will be sub-granted to carry out this training. Specifically, in Nigeria, we are going to train 270 people. Now, these 270 people will be selected from different states of the country, and we have fragmented this training to take place in three different zones in the country,” he said.
Obi noted that in Nigeria, the training will take place in Zaria, Anambra and Oyo, with a focus on 40 percent females.
“We fragmented it in such a way that different interest areas in the training will be attracted to different youths that are resident in that place,” he noted.
The NOAN president said the training in Nigeria will be focused on crops that are peculiar to each state to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.
“In the north, we will focus on the training of sesame and ginger production, as these are better grown there.”
Also, Koffi Gle, chairman of regional steering committee, Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission, said they were after impact and ensuring that Africa becomes food secure.
“We want to have impacts on our population, not only in terms of peace, but also have regional integration, inclusive development and sustainable development. One part of these activities is led by our directory in the sector of agriculture,” he stated.
“We have some strategies, policies and programs in which our member states are involved. One of the strategies is the regional strategy of youth employment in the agriculture sector,” Gle added.
He said the ECOWAS has observed a gap in agriculture training, employment, climate change education, and food security, citing international migration as a major challenge in Africa.
“A lot of our youth travel abroad looking for better income, but we know the potential of our agricultural area,” Gle said. “It’s very good that we support these youths to be businessmen or businesswomen in the agricultural sector.”
He added: “One of the things the Commission is doing is to support the member states through implementing the regional strategy of youth employment in agriculture. This is done by giving grants to centres that will train youths.”
Some of the coordinators who participated in the first phase of the funding shared their success stories and encouraged the incoming coordinators on the steps to take to ensure that the project in each country is a success.
Emeka Iloghalu, coordinator of Fisheries & Aquaculture Value Chain Partnership Centre in Anambra State, shared that many of the youths who participated went on to form cooperatives where they can get funding, and many are now in the process of starting their own fish ponds.
Similarly, coordinators of training centres in Liberia and Togo also shared how much impact they were able to make in the lives of the youths who participated in the first phase.
BUSINESS DAY
2025 Admission: Nigerian varsities may accept 140, 150, 160 JAMB scores –
Amid the controversy surrounding the low pass rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, many students nationwide have been left in anxiety and uncertainty about their next steps.
The poor results have triggered widespread concern, particularly among candidates who had high hopes of gaining admission into top-tier institutions.
With cut-off marks expectedly to be affected and competition for available slots even tougher, students are said to be reassessing their options and exploring alternative institutions and courses they might not have initially considered.
As the admission season gets closer, questions about school choices, catchment areas, and departmental requirements have become top of mind for students and parents alike.
The uncertainty has created a sense of urgency, as students scramble to secure a spot in any institution that matches their scores and career aspirations.
According to reports online, the following universities will accept JAMB scores as low as 140:
1. Abia State University
2. Achievers University
3. Akwa Ibom State University
4. Al-Qalam University
5. American University of Nigeria
6. Augustine University
7. Babcock University
8. Bowen University
9. Covenant University
10. Edo University
11. Igbinedion University
12. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
13. Madonna University
14. Nile University of Nigeria
15. Oduduwa University
16. Pan-Atlantic University
17. Paul University
18. Redeemer’s University
19. Renaissance University
20. Rhema University
21. Samuel Adegboyega University
22. Skyline University Nigeria
23. Summit University
24. Tansian University
25. University of Mkar
26. Veritas University
27. Wellspring University
Universities accepting 150 JAMB score and above
1. Adamawa State University
2. Ajayi Crowther University
3. Al-Hikmah University
4. Benson Idahosa University
5. Bingham University
6. Caritas University
7. Chrisland University
8. Crawford University
9. Hallmark University
10. Mountain Top University
11. Novena University
12. Nigerian Turkish Nile University
13. Precious Cornerstone University
14. Renaissance University
15. Rhema University
16. Salem University
17. Southwestern University
18. Tansian University
19. University of Mkar
20. Veritas University
21. Wellspring University
Universities Accepting 140 JAMB score and above
1. Admiralty University of Nigeria
2. African University of Science and Technology
3. Baze University
4. Chrisland University
5. Delta State University
6. Federal University, Dutse
7. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma
8. Federal University, Gashua
9. Federal University, Gusau
10. Federal University, Kasere
11. Federal University, Otuoke
12. Gombe State University
13. Lead City University
14. Modibbo Adama University of Technology
15. Nile University of Nigeria
16. Northwest University
17. Obong University
18. Oduduwa University
19. PAMO University of Medical Sciences
20. Renaissance University
21. Rhema University
22. Ritman University
23. Samuel Adegboyega University
24. Skyline University Nigeria
25. Summit University
26. University of Africa
27. University of Mkar
28. Veritas University
29. Wellspring University
Doctors in Ebonyi state rejoice over increment of salaries by the state Governor
The Governor of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced a salary increase of N500,000 for newly employed medical doctors serving in all primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The announcement was made during the flag-off of a health activation programme, which included the launch of a drug revolving fund and the distribution of medical equipment to general hospitals in the state in order to improve the health sector in Ebonyi State
He also called for community accountability in managing healthcare resources and outlined plans to establish specialist hospitals and adopt digital health innovations to improve access and efficiency
New 'Final Destination' film slays North America box office
Final Destination: Bloodlines," the latest installment in the horror franchise, made a grisly splash in North American theaters this weekend, taking in $51 million to debut in the top spot, industry estimates showed Sunday.
"This is a sensational opening for the sixth episode of a horror series," said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, adding that critics' reviews and audience scores were "excellent."
The previous film in the franchise, "Final Destination 5," opened in 2011 to just $18 million.
Kaitlyn Santa Juana stars in the Warner Bros. flick as a young woman who learns how her dying grandmother long ago cheated Death -- and she now has to deal with the shocking ramifications of that.
In second for the Friday-through-Sunday period was last weekend's leader, Marvel superhero film "Thunderbolts" from Disney, at $16.5 million. The film about a motley bunch of antiheroes stars Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan.
Vampire thriller "Sinners" starring Michael B. Jordan in dual lead roles, claimed the third spot, taking in $15.4 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated.
"Bloodlines" and "Sinners" continued a recent string of successes for Warner Bros., on the heels of commercial flops "Mickey 17," "The Alto Knights" and "Joker: Folie a Deux," Variety noted.
Yet another Warner film, "A Minecraft Movie," placed fourth, at $5.8 million. The live-action film, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, has pulled in $416.6 million domestically and $512 million internationally in seven weeks.
And in fifth place, at just under $5 million, was Amazon MGM Studios' thriller "The Accountant 2," with Ben Affleck playing a neurodivergent math genius with criminal ties and Jon Bernthal as his hit-man brother.
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