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Police Applauds Producer Of Viral Kidnap Scene In Awka

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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CP Ikioye Orutugu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP, Ikioye Orutugu has hailed the rare courage displayed by a resident who recorded  an abduction scene in Awka, the State capital.

The CP acknowledged the vital role the said viral video is now playing in the efforts of the police in both rescuing the kidnapped victim, as well as hunting down the three-man abduction gang.

The video which has been trending in the social media aptly captured the scene in which three armed men operating in a stainless-coloured Toyota Highland SUV without a number plate, kidnapped their victim, a middle aged man who was returning from dropping his child in school on Friday June 27, 2025.

A statement from the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, SP, on Saturday June 28, 2025, informed that  the heavily armed hoodlums shot sporadically in the air to scare both on-lookers and passers-by before whisking away the victim.

The Police Commissioner who commended the individual who risked all in the face of the indiscriminate shootings to record the video promised that the Service will surely leverage the video in its operations.

“The Police Command in Anambra will leverage the viral video of the criminal operation of three armed men who operated in a stainless coloured Highlander without a number plate.

“They ( kidnappers) shot indiscriminately and abducted an unsuspecting victim in the early hours of June 27, in Awka.

“Given the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP, in the State Ikioye Orutugu has hailed the bravery of the individual who recorded the video.

“This is aiding the rescue operations, and potentially helping to save the kidnapped”, Ikenga stated.

According to the CP, such rare act of courage represents a testimonial to the impact community involvement has on the effective policing in the society.

The CP noted that the Command is banking on the video to identify the hoodlums, gather intelligence, and arrest those involved in the dastardly incident.

Anambra Gov Election: LP Pays Mandatory N50m Campaign Permit Fee

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chief George Moghalu
Chief George Moghalu

By Ayodele Oni

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, is fully set for the flag-off of its campaigns as Dr. George Moghalu the party’s candidate and running mate, Mrs. Ify Okaro has paid the mandatory  N50 million permit fer.

The fee, which is one of the conditions laid down by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) was paid via their Campaign Organization.

The payment was made on Saturday at the ANSAA headquarters in Awka by the Director -General ,(DG,)of the Moghalu Okaro Campaign Organization,  Okey Chukwuogo, who was warmly received by the Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr. Tony Ujubuonu.

By the action, the L P has officially secured the green light to commence all outdoor campaign activities across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The campaign modalities include posters, billboards, branded campaign vehicles, rallies, public address systems, and other approved publicity tools.

The ANSAA boss, Tony Ujubuonu, had explained that the permit fee was a statutory requirement for all political parties intending to conduct outdoor advertising during the election period.

A total of 16 political parties have been cleared by INEC to contest the gubernatorial poll in the state and the permit process is expected to generate over ₦800 million for the state.

Speaking after the payment, Chief Dr. George Moghalu described it as more than a formality, calling it “a public declaration of discipline, order, and responsible leadership.

“This payment is proof that we are ready—not just to campaign, but to govern. Our approach to leadership starts with accountability and respect for institutions. We are setting a new tone for governance in Anambra.”

He assured Ndi Anambra that his campaign would focus on real issues affecting their daily lives—security, infrastructure, jobs, education, and good governance.

“We are not here to make noise—we are here to deliver results, to restore dignity to governance, and to bring prosperity to our people,” Moghalu affirmed.

Seven Years After Graduation, JAMB Declares Admission Of FUTA Graduate Fake

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bashola Jamiu

By Ayodele Oni

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rendered the admission of Bashola Jamiu, as a nullity after seven years full time programme at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA). He graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Jamiu has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians over a controversy surrounding his academic records, which he claims is threatening his future.

In a 4:05 minutes video appeal, Bashola, an orphan, revealed that he gained admission into FUTA in 2017 through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

He began his academic journey in 2018 and successfully graduated in 2024 after seven years of study.

However, following his graduation, Bashola said he was shocked to learn that JAMB had flagged his admission as “fake,” without providing any tangible evidence.

The alleged discrepancy came to light when the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly rejected his mobilization details on account of JAMB’s claim.

He explained that when he tried to access his JAMB portal to verify the issue, he repeatedly received messages saying “access denied” and was advised to visit an accredited JAMB center.

After several visits to JAMB offices in an attempt to resolve the issue, Jamiu said he was told that he would be handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation.

According to him, he voluntarily submitted himself to the DSS and spent hours in custody before being transferred to the police for further questioning.

During this period, his institution was represented by an officer who, he said, presented proof of his admission and supported his claims.

He was eventually granted bail by a friend and assured by police officers that a report of the investigation would be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja.

Yet, as of the time of his video statement, Basha said there has been no response or acknowledgment from JAMB headquarters in Abuja.

The embattled graduate insists he possesses all the necessary documentation, including his original JAMB result, admission letter from both JAMB and FUTA, and other supporting academic credentials to back up the legitimacy of his admission.

Bashola said he has not relented in his search for justice, having written several letters to various authorities within the university, including the Registrar, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Chairman of the Admission Committee, appealing for intervention and direct correspondence with JAMB.

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) confirmed that Jamiu Bashola was admitted into the Department of Civil Engineering of the of the institution in the 2017/2018 academic session after passing the 2017 UTME .

In a statement through the Director Corporate Communication FUTA, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, the institution noted that “In the course of trying to fill the appropriate form to be mobilized for the NYSC in his final year, he discovered his admission was declared fake by JAMB. He contacted JAMB and was informed that the matter would have to be investigated by the Police.

“The University was invited by the Police and all documents pertaining to his admission was presented for scrutiny. Thereafter, the Police wrote their report and reported that it had been forwarded to JAMB Headquarters for consideration.

“The University also took the extraordinary step of writing JAMB a reminder on the issue.

” FUTA has discharged its responsibility on the matter on behalf of Jamiu Basola and waits on JAMB, which flagged his status in the first place, to resolve the matter based on the documents and information supplied to them by FUTA relating to the status of Jamiu Basola.”

Bukar Dalori Named Acting APC National Chairman

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bukar Dalori - Acting APC National Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the sudden resignation of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, with immediate effect, as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bukar Dalori, the Deputy National Chairman, North, of the APC, has assumed the role of Acting National Chairman of the ruling Party.

It came as a  shock when Ganduje suddenly announced his resignation as the Party’s National Chairman. He was appointed to the saddle in August 2023.

He cited health issues for his resignation, but sources within the Party said that he stepped down amid growing internal agitation and mounting calls for the return of the National Chairmanship to the North Central zone, the region originally allocated the position under the APC’s zoning arrangement.

Other sources within the party hinted that his exit may be connected to strategic political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.

One source noted that the positioning of potential Vice-Presidential Candidates from the North West, Ganduje’s home Zone, could have influenced the decision.

Kano-Born Business Mogul,  Alhassan Aminu Dantata Dies

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alhassan Aminu Dantata
Alhassan Aminu Dantata

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Renowned Kano business mogul and elder statesman, Alhassan Aminu Dantata, is dead.

Dantata, a well known philanthropist,  passed on in the early hours of Saturday, June, 28, 2025, in Dubai ,United Arab Emirate, at the  age of 94.

Aminu Dantata who hailed from Bebeji area of  Kano state was the 15th child of a family of seventeen children whose trajectory in business is well documented.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is  one of the children of Aminu Dantata’s sister, Maria Dangote.

Although much more known within the business world where he presided over a vast business conglomerate, Aminu Dantata was also a prominent personality in the political evolution of both Kano and Northern Nigeria ,.

A pioneer Commissioner for Planning and Development in Kano between 1967 and 1972 ,Aminu Dantata was also  a prominent face in the Old Northern Nigeria House of  Assembly where he served as one of the representatives of Kano between 1960 and 1966.

Between 1960 and 1966, his political activities occiliated between the Northern Elements Progressive Union NEPU and Northern Peoples Congress NPC.

He was one of the progenitors of Jaiz Bank in Nigeria,as well as its activities in promoting the economic growth and development of Kano and other northern states.

Aminu Dantata through the instrumentalities of his  Foundation ,left an indelible mark in philanthropic gestures across the Northern region ,and Nigeria.

Born May 19, 1931, Amuinu Dantata was also one of the promoters of Kano state Foundation, an endowment fund that supported educational initiatives, and provided grants to small scale entrepreneurs in Kano.

His business ventures cut across real estate, fertilizer productions and distribution, Gas and Oil ,Commodity trading,and Construction.

Over the years, he expanded his business holdings and activities into various sectors of the Country’s political and economic sphere.

His Construction firm by the beginning of the 1960s received enormous patronage from the Federal Government with the firm one of the outfits that handled the construction of the School of Aviation in Zaria .

Instructively, Aminu  Dantata was one of the three delegates that made up the 23 member economic mission group.,the first world-wide mission sent by. the newly Independent Nigerian Government in 1964.

He is survived by many  children ,grandchildren and great grand children ,and siblings .

Owo Memorial Park: Gov. Aiyedatiwa Sets Up Committee On New Edifice

By
Ayodele Oni
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Committee on Owo Memorial Pak

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government, still in search of truce over the demolition of the Memorial Park built in Owo in honour of victims of terrorists attack, has constituted a committee to work on a new site for the project.

At a meeting in Akure on Friday, the controversies trailing the demolition of the Memorial Park in Owo have been laid to rest as the Catholic Diocese accepted and pledged support for the relocation of the cenotaph to another site in Owo.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Ebenezer Adeniyan, in a statement said that Aiyedatiwa, met with stakeholders where all the issues surrounding the incident were addressed and resolved.

The meeting, held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, was attended by the leaders of the Church, led by the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade, Bishop of Owo Diocese, Bishop Steven Fagbemi, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State, who was represented by his deputy, Bishop Ayodeji Komolafe.

Others at the meeting included Chairman of the Action Committee of CAN, Apostle ZB Adeboriota, the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Dr. Ayo Oladapo, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Very Rev Father Dominic Adeosun, representative of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Archbishop Simeon Borokini and the representatives of the Olowo-in-Council.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who said religion and culture must coexist peacefully, added that the need to find a balance between the two necessitated the demolition of the Memorial Park to make way for a new one which will not cause any communal crisis.

The Governor added that he has commissioned a team of government officials to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to make arrangements to build a new cenotaph at a location acceptable to the church and the people of Owo.

The Governor warned parties involved and critics of the demolition to refrain from the language and narratives that could incite the people and lead to break down of law and order in the community.

Bishop Arogundade and other leaders who spoke at the meeting said the crisis that followed the demolition was unnecessary, adding that the church has accepted the decision to relocate the Memorial Park and will give support to the committee that will find a suitable location for a new cenotaph.

Stressing that Owo community has been very accommodating to the Catholic Church for decades as the first church to settle in the community, the religious leaders promised to continue to accord the culture, the stool of the Olowo and the Olowo-in-Council the respect they deserve.

Uzodimma Appoints Imo State Immediate Past CAN Chairman, Eches, Special Adviser

By
The Source
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Rev Dr Divine Eches Divin

Governor Hope Uzodimma has named the immediate past Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State Chapter, Rev. Dr. Divine Eches Divine as his Special Adviser on Religious Affairs.

His appointment took effect June 25, 2025.

Rev Eches was elected Chairman of CAN, Imo State in 2020, a position he relinquished this month following a successful hand over to a successor.

In the five years that Rev Eches held away as CAN boss in Imo State, he acquitted himself creditably, discharging his roles in ways that also brought accolades to him from his Superiors working in God’s vineyard, both within and outside.

Before Rev Eches became Chairman of CAN Imo State, he had held other key positions in the organisation such as Secretary; Director of Education, Youth and Women Development;  Deputy Publicity Secretary;  among others.

A strong member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) ministry, Rev Eches holds a Doctorate Degree in Theology, and was at different times, Chaplain of Enyimba Football Club, Aba and Super Eagles of Nigeria

He hails from Isiala Mbano in Imo State.

In congratulating Rev Eches in his new role, Governor Uzodimma expects that he will bring his wealth of experience, not just to serve Imo State well, but to deploy same in ensuring that the society is a better place for all.

Imo Government Accuses Amadi Of Inciting Citizens Against Uzodimma

By
The Source
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Sam Amadi and Declan Emelumba

The Imo State Government has accused a governorship aspirant in the state of inciting the populace against Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration. It stated that ever since Sam Amadi conceived the idea of contesting for the governorship, he has been engaging in seditious acts against the government under the guise of campaigns.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, described Amadi’s actions as a “sustained clannish campaign of calumny” against Uzodimma and the administration. He cited Amadi’s recent tirade where he “practically insulted the government for discharging one of its constitutional duties of allocating land for development purposes.”

“Unfortunately, he exposed himself as a man who is out of touch with the realities in the state,” the statement read, adding, “obviously, he has never accessed the Imo master plan to know which areas of the state are designated for what purpose, neither has he taken time to study the Land Use Act to know the powers of a governor, nor what constitutes public interest.”

Emelumba stated that Amadi, who hails from Ngor Okpala Local Government, has gone on to incite the people to challenge the government for allocating the said land, whereas “all due process was followed in the allocation.”

“Instead of telling the people the truth, he has gone ahead to brainwash them and turn it into a clannish matter by saying that an Orlu man wants to dispossess them of their land,” he declared.

“For the purpose of clarity, the government allocated the land to a corporate organisation after due scrutiny of the purpose, which is development and which aligns with public interest. From independence to date, governments have been allocating land to churches, so why is this an issue? Trying to turn it into a clannish squabble shows his lack of knowledge of the workings of government.”

Emelumba further clarified that apart from the church to be built, the organisation is also setting up schools and other facilities, which will generate employment for Imo people and revenue for the government. He described Amadi as being “shallow and mischievous” in his presentation to the people of Ngor Okpala concerning the allocation of the land.

He noted that for a man who seeks to contest the highest office in the state, “he needed to be more circumspect and guarded in his utterances so as not to create a clannish war in the state.”

The Commissioner regretted that since Amadi declared his governorship ambition, he has been “incoherent on his intended policies and programmes if elected.” He remarked, “Apart from criticising the government, he has not marshalled out any coherent policy proposals. What he has said so far is shallow. Maybe that is why he has not gone past mere declaration since he started running for office.”

Emelumba, however, advised the people of Ngor Okpala not to be drawn into “fighting a proxy war,” as Amadi’s intention is to “set them up against the rest of the people of the state.”

Four Dead, 23 Severely Injured In Yobe IED Explosion

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Bomb Explosion

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than four persons were on Friday, June 27,2025, confirmed dead in an explosion on the ever busy Katarko-Goniri Road within the Gujba Local Council Area of Yobe state .

Over 23 others were also said to have been seriously injured in the  blast believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device IED..

According to eyewitness accounts, most of the victims were locals said to be on their way to the popular weekly Buniyadi Market before their vehicle drove on the IED believed to have been planted by  terrorists .

The Source reports that some parts of Yobe and  neighbouring Borno States have, of recent, witnessed a resurgence in the activities of terrorists elements.

The terrorist groups particularly Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, have in the last few months renewed their attacks on some soft targets, leading to several deaths and destruction of properties.

The attacks have also left many residents, most of whom were only recently resettled from previous displacement, again homeless.

Gotala is one of the most vulnerable communities in Yobe state owing to its proximity to the dreaded Sambisa Forest, believed to be a terrorist haven

According to  eye witnesses, while the injured are currently receiving medical attention at the Damaturu Specialist Hospital, the dead have been handed over to their families for burial.

Although the authorities, including the military, were yet  to react officially to the latest terrorist attack as at the time of reporting, however,  evacuation efforts are said to be ongoing at   the scene of the explosion, with security operatives drafted to look for any of the remaining yet-to-explode   IEDs.

JAMB Laments Low Response As Candidates Shun Mop-up Examination

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Prof Ishaq Oloyede -JAMB registrar
Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Former JAMB registrar

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB on Friday June 27, 2025, expressed deep concern over the lukewarm attitude of candidates towards printing their slips for its upcoming Mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

The Source reports that the Board has been battling to remedy a severe operational disruption recorded during the 2025 UTME,  CBT, text held across the country.

A technical glitch as acknowledged by JAMB’s Executive Secretary, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, had affected the results of no fewer than 380,000 candidates drawn mostly from the South East region and Lagos state.

However, the Board has taken some measures aimed  at ensuring that those affected retake the examination with the first supplementary examination already held some weeks back.

However, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB lamented that only 12,442  out of  98 ,232 candidates  scheduled to participate in an up-coming Mop-up UTME test have so far printed their slips online.

“As of this morning ( Friday ) only 12, 442 ,out of the 98,232 scheduled candidates have printed their slips ,reflecting a mere 12.6% participation rate .

“We strongly encourage all candidates,particularly those who missed the main examination, to print their notification slips promptly.

“This is a rare opportunity for them to participate in this year’s examination”, Benjamin stated.

He noted that the Board is religiously monitoring the slips printing process.so as to know the number of candidates that will be participating in the examination.

This is just as it informed that adequate human and material resources have been deployed to ensure a hitch free exercise .

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