News
Insecurity Tales: Between Reality and Toxic Hype in Anambra – Aburime
By Christian ABURIME
The Chief press Secretary to the Anambra state government, CHRISTIAN ABURIME has reacted to the insecurity Tales both in Anambra state and the country at large.
According to Aburime, the issue of insecurity is a global phenomenon, and today it is not the exclusive preserve of any society. Every nation has its share of security risks and breaches.
He said while responsible governments try their best to fulfill their constitutional primary responsibility of securing lives and property, no society in the world is ever totally safe.
His words: In fact, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, 6 in 7 people worldwide are plagued by feelings of insecurity. Also, the report further confirms that about 1.2 billion people live in conflict-affected areas, with almost half of them (560 million) in countries not usually considered to be fragile.
This means that, whether in the developed world or developing continents, vulnerability to insecurity is universal. Gun violence is an ever present threat in the US. Fatal stabbings are common in the UK. Terrorism abounds in the Middle East. Deadly crimes occur in Asia. South America has their drug cartel and mafia-related killings.
And most countries in Africa face diverse insecurity crises, including South Africa where crimes and killings are regular. But despite all the spate of insecurity across the developed societies, visitors, tourists and investors never cease travelling there; neither do their citizens badmouth their countries to the outside world.
This makes one wonder why when it comes to the case of Nigeria, some subversive elements are bent on disparaging their own state with exaggerated tales of insecurity, especially in Anambra State.
They have appointed themselves as town-criers of not good tidings, but of horror stories and pull-down-Anambra narratives just to make the government look bad. What a criminal indulgence!
Every day, insecurity rears its ugly head in different parts of Nigeria as daily reported in the news. For instance, banditry and kidnappings are daily tales in the North zone of the country. Weeks ago, five students of Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State were kidnapped and yet to be released. Sectarian killings continue in Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Kogi and Benue.
Gallant Nigerian soldiers recently arrested some rail track vandals in Nasarawa, just as policemen lately engaged armed robbers in a gun battle in Gombe State. Abuja, the seat of power that should be supposedly most secure, is a theatre of kidnappings and stabbings.
Over the past weeks, there have been several reported incidents of fatal stabbings across Abuja, from Wuse II to Gwarimpa, Airport Road to Gwagwalada, and Utako to Jabi.
Coming down to the Southwest, the zone has its own share of insecurity crises. Armed robberies and ritual killings do occur in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and other states.
South-south and Southeast regions are not spared either.
In all of this, citizens of various states don’t indulge in mischievous hyping up of terrifying insecurity to discourage visitors and investors as some misguided few Anambra State’s own citizens do. And in spite of isolated incidents of violence and crime, Anambra State today can still be reckoned as one of the safest states in Nigeria.
The relative security in the state is not a mere coincidence, but rather the result of deliberate and concerted efforts by the Soludo-led government to continue to secure lives and protect property.
So, instead of campaign of calumny and pull-it-down syndrome by critics who never see anything good in their state, Anambra State government under the visionary leadership of Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, deserves commendation for its unwavering dedication to ensuring the security of lives and property within its jurisdiction.
The government has made substantial investments in law enforcement agencies, equipped them with modern technology, and provided adequate incentives to enhance their effectiveness.
Furthermore, the government has created an enabling environment for the security agencies to operate optimally, fostering collaboration and intelligence sharing among them.
However, as citizens of this remarkable state, it is crucial to recognize the responsibility we bear in maintaining the positive strides that Anambra State has made in other aspects.
We must refrain from indulging in the temptation to badmouth our own state or spread exaggerated stories of insecurity. While it is natural to discuss and address any security issues that may arise, let conversations be constructive and tend towards improvement.
We must discuss our security situation with caution and accuracy, avoiding the trap of sensationalism in social media platforms that could unjustly scare away visitors and investors.
As it is a universally acknowledged fact that no society is ever totally free from insecurity, the Anambra State government will continue to do all things possible to strengthen the state’s security architecture. And with Ndi Anambra providing their goodwill and support, fostering a healthy environment of positivity, the state will surely flourish under the protective wings of a proactive government led by Governor Soludo.
By so doing, we will attract the much-need development investments that will ultimately help in making Anambra a secure, livable, progressive and prosperous state we can all be proud of.
In a major push to strengthen Nigeria’s food security, the National Assembly has forged a strategic partnership with agricultural colleges and research institutions across the country.
The collaboration focuses on enhanced research, improved legislation, better funding, and practical innovation to transform the agricultural sector.
The Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), announced the partnership ahead of the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.
The two-day event, themed “Unfolding the Potential of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions through Collaboration and Innovation to Enhance Food Security and Job Creation,” is scheduled for May 12–14, 2026, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Senator Alli emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between farmers and research institutions.
He noted that many breakthroughs by Nigerian researchers including improved varieties of cassava, cocoa, and other crops have not reached smallholder farmers, contributing to declining productivity despite the country’s agricultural potential.
Senator Alli highlighted historical lessons, such as Malaysia’s rise in palm oil production after obtaining seedlings from Nigeria, stressing the need for Nigeria to reclaim its leadership in agriculture.
The summit will convene over 28 agricultural institutions, international development partners, embassies, policymakers, and stakeholders. It also aims to create jobs for youths and women through mechanized farming, reduce post-harvest losses with technologies like solar-powered dryers, and improve market access.
Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Professor Mohammed Atanda, described the initiative as timely and called for a stronger legislative framework to support research institutions.
Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Dr. Adedeji Rasheed, urged greater private sector involvement in funding research, noting that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility.
Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) affirmed that Nigeria has the expertise to achieve food sufficiency with the right policies, funding, and coordination between federal and state governments.
This partnership forms part of broader National Assembly efforts to reposition agriculture as a driver of economic diversification, rural development, and poverty reduction.
Observers see the Ibadan summit as a critical step toward turning Nigeria’s agricultural institutions into innovation hubs capable of delivering sustainable food security.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has highlighted a remarkable upward trend in top Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) performances over the past 14 years, with peak scores rising from 299 in the early 2010s to a record 374 (and claims up to 375) in recent cycles.
This progression reflects improving preparation, better access to resources, and the competitive drive among Nigerian students aspiring for tertiary education, particularly in high-demand fields like Medicine, Engineering, and Sciences.
Key Highlights Across the Years:
- 2013 & 2014: The highest scores stood at 299, achieved by Olise Israel Chukwunalu (2013) and Onomejoh Princewill (2014). These marked the baseline in the early CBT era.
- 2015: Ilukwe Lottachukwu Geraldine led with 332.
- 2016: A tie at 359 between Akenbor Adesuwa Osarugue and Anonye Victory Emenike.
- 2017: Akingbulugbe Precious Ayomide scored 353.
- 2018: Galadima Israel Zakari topped with 364.
- 2019: Ezeunala Ekene Franklin achieved 347.
- 2020: Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes set a strong benchmark with 365.
- 2021: Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem scored 358.
- 2022: Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi reached 362.
- 2023: Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere posted 360.
- 2024: A three-way tie at 367 — Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi, Alayande David, and Orukpe Joel Ehijele.
- 2025: JAMB reported the highest score in over a decade at 374 (with one unconfirmed or later-adjusted claim of 375 by Okeke Chinedu Christian; other top performers included scores of 374 and 373).
- 2026: Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin (also referred to as Owoeye Jesudunsin), an Ekiti State indigene who sat the exam in Ogun State, emerged as the top scorer with 372. She aims to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has repeatedly noted these high performances even amid broader challenges like result glitches in some years, crediting dedicated candidates and improved study tools.
Trends and Context
Top scorers frequently target competitive courses such as Medicine and various Engineering disciplines at institutions like UNILAG. Many top performers come from strong tutorial centers and demonstrate exceptional subject mastery, often scoring 90+ in core sciences.
While the absolute highest has climbed significantly since 2013, JAMB continues to emphasize that UTME is just one factor in admission, alongside O’Level results and other criteria.
These outstanding achievements continue to inspire millions of Nigerian students, proving that excellence in UTME remains attainable with determination and proper preparation. As the examination evolves, future candidates are expected to push the boundaries even further.
News
FG Engages CCECC To Build N545bn New Carter Bridge in Lagos
The decision to reconstruct the bridge became necessary after years of alarming structural investigations revealed worsening defects beneath both the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
The federal government has officially handed over the construction of a brand-new Carter Bridge in Lagos to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said that the decision to reconstruct the bridge became necessary after years of alarming structural investigations revealed worsening defects beneath both the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
According to the minister, investigations into the underwater structural elements of the bridges began as far back as 2013, with another assessment carried out in 2019.
The reports, he said, showed that the defects were increasing at what experts described as “geometrical progression.”
Experts, according to him, advised that repairing the Carter Bridge would cost almost twice the amount required to build a completely new structure. Following detailed technical analysis, the federal government, he said, approved the construction of a new modern bridge.
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