Renowned journalist and media strategist, Emeka Monye, has launched an annual award of N1 million for the best-performing student in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Anambra State.

The award, which is aimed at promoting academic excellence, is open to all Anambra students – both public and private schools – who sat for the WAEC examination.

Monye, who is the Anambra State Correspondent for ARISE TV, said the initiative is part of his efforts to give back to the society and encourage students to strive for excellence.

According to Monye, the award is a way of recognizing and rewarding outstanding academic achievement, and he hopes that it will inspire other students to work hard and emulate the winner’s success.

The award winner will be selected based on their performance in the WAEC examination, and the announcement is expected to be made soon.

Monye, who has been a driving force in media innovation, has instituted this award to motivate students to aim high and achieve their goals.

He believes that education is key to personal and societal development, and this initiative is his way of contributing to the growth and development of Anambra State.

The launch of this award has been welcomed by the state COMMSIONER for education, Prof. NGOZI Chuma-Udeh who described the initiative as a great motivator for students to excel academically. Prof. Chuma-Udeh, while receiving the founder and initiator of the EMEKA MONYE SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE, Emeka Monye in her office, asked other well-meaning individuals to emulate the good gesture of the journalist whose charity work will make impact in the education sector.

The award, which commences in 2026 academic session and runs through to 2035, is expected to be presented annually in the sum of one hundred thousand naira for the next ten years, and Monye has called on other stakeholders to join him in promoting education and academic excellence in the state in particular and the country as a whole.

Edo State Government has announced the appointment of seasoned journalist, Dr. Ebojele Akhere Patrick, as the new Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The appointment, approved by His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, takes immediate effect.

Dr. Ebojele brings decades of experience in journalism, public administration, research, and lecturing. He previously served as Edo/Delta Correspondent for Channels Television and held correspondent roles with New Nigerian Newspaper, Champion Newspaper, and Comet Newspapers.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, described the appointment as part of the administration’s deliberate effort to strengthen government communication, promote transparency, and ensure effective dissemination of policies and programmes to the people of Edo State.

Dr. Ebojele succeeds Mr. Fred Itua, who has been commended by the government for his service. Mr. Itua is expected to be reassigned to another role in due course after completing the formal handover.

The new CPS is widely regarded in media and academic circles for his professionalism and depth of knowledge in public affairs.

In a pivotal move to bolster the nation’s faltering security apparatus, Retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa was officially sworn in today as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, capping a whirlwind nomination process that underscores President Bola Tinubu’s aggressive push to combat rampant terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings.

The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marked the culmination of Musa’s rapid ascent following his nomination by Tinubu on December 2 and a grueling five-hour Senate confirmation hearing the previous day.

Clad in a traditional brown kaftan and hula cap, the 58-year-old former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) – who retired from active military service in October 2025 – took the oath of office in the presence of family, top government officials, and fellow security chiefs, vowing to “go after” insurgents “fully” without retreat.

Musa’s appointment comes at a dire moment for Nigeria, where insecurity has reached alarming heights. A National Bureau of Statistics report revealed that Nigerians shelled out a staggering N2.23 trillion ($1.3 billion) in ransom payments between May 2023 and April 2024 alone, fueling a cycle of mass abductions – including recent school kidnappings in Kebbi State that drew fierce public backlash over alleged military withdrawals.

During his Senate grilling, Musa addressed these failures head-on, promising an immediate probe into the Kebbi incident and declaring, “The military is not known for cowardice.”

He emphasized leveraging technology for tracking ransom flows and building a national database to monitor citizens electronically, while urging an end to payments that embolden criminals.Born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State, Musa brings a storied 34-year military career to the role.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree, he rose through the ranks as Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai against Boko Haram, and CDS from June 2023 until his retirement.

His accolades include the 2012 Colin Powell Award for Soldiering Excellence, and he holds advanced degrees in military science from institutions in China and the U.S.

In his post-swearing-in remarks, Musa outlined a multi-pronged strategy: fostering inter-agency collaboration, empowering communities to share intelligence, reinforcing the Safe Schools Initiative, and overhauling outdated security laws.

He warned that terrorists view Nigeria as a “lucrative target” due to its perceived wealth, calling for zero tolerance and robust border controls to thwart foreign infiltration.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the confirmation, congratulated Musa and implored him to wield his office decisively in the war on crime.

Analysts see Musa’s insider knowledge as a game-changer, potentially ushering in a “new era” for Nigeria’s defence amid criticisms of fragmented responses to threats.

As Musa assumes command, all eyes are on whether his tenure will finally stem the tide of violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

The defence portfolio now rests on a general who has stared down defeat before – and vows to do so again.