News
NASS Minority Leadership: Wike plots Upset, meets Akpabio
The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has on Thursday held a meeting with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for over six hours ahead of the Senate resumption on July 4, 2023.
It was gathered that the marathon meeting was Wike’s move to block the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hierarchy from nominating the Senate Minority leaders at the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly.
The meeting, which held in the office of the Senate President, had the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau in attendance, the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senator Jibrin Isah representing Kogi East Senatorial District, and Senator Salihu Mustapha representing Kwara Central Senatorial District.
It was learnt that Wike insisted on nominating the Minority leader of the 10th Senate from his faction rather than allowing the PDP national organ to handle the nomination.
Though he declined speaking with journalists after the meeting ended at about 6.30 pm, and drove away in the convoy of the Senate President, a source, who spoke under anonymity, revealed that the former governor explained reasons his faction should be allowed to produce the Senate and House of Representatives Minority leaders.
It could not be confirmed, if the Senate President agreed to Wike’s proposal.
Recall that the choice of Majority and Minority Leaders of the upper and lower legislative chambers have been traditionally handled by the political party organ.
He said, “Wike was only serious in his faction producing the principal officers, but never revealed names of those he was targeting.
“He is very serious about getting the required support from the leadership of the National Assembly, as well as membership of the other minority political parties in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.”
Meanwhile, the APC has 59 Senators, PDP 36, Labour Party 8, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, APGA 1 and YPP 1.
News
UTME 2026: System Glitch Disrupts Exam at Abuja CBT Center
A technical glitch has disrupted the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, (UTME), at the Good Success Computer-Based Test centre in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The system failure, which occurred at the commencement of the examination, led to a shutdown of operations at the centre, leaving several candidates unable to sit for the test.
Officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education were on ground to address the situation. However, their efforts did little to ease tensions, as affected candidates expressed frustration over the disruption.
Speaking to journalists, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, Mohammed Mucktar Dantuse, alongside JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, assured that all affected candidates will be rescheduled to write the examination.
They also pledged to strengthen technical systems to prevent similar occurrences in other centres nationwide.
Authorities say the affected CBT centre will be delisted from future examinations, as efforts continue to ensure a smooth exercise across the country.
News
FG Graduates 774 Former Terrorists From Defence Hqt ‘s Training Camp
The Federal Government of Nigeria has graduated 744 individuals previously linked to terrorist groups after successfully completing its Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme.
The graduation followed the conclusion of a 24-week intensive course organised by the Defence Headquarters under Operation Safe Corridor at the Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, stated that the programme is designed to encourage defections from terrorist groups by offering a “corridor of opportunities” through structured deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts as part of the government’s strategy to end the long-running insurgency.
While at the camp, the participants underwent vocational training in skills such as carpentry, barbing, tailoring, welding, bakery operations, vulcanising, and various agricultural programmes.
These trainings aim to prepare them for productive lives after reintegration into society.
The graduates will also receive starter packs to support their self-sufficiency and smooth transition back into civilian life.
Operation Safe Corridor is a non-kinetic component of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, primarily targeting low-risk defectors who voluntarily surrender.
Participants undergo rigorous screening, psycho-social support, and skills acquisition to reduce the risk of recidivism and weaken terrorist organisations from within.
This latest batch adds to thousands of individuals who have passed through similar rehabilitation initiatives in recent years, according to updates from the Defence Headquarters.
The Federal Government has maintained that the programme is not an amnesty but a targeted intervention that complements ongoing military operations in the North-East and other affected areas.
News
FG begins 2.5km rural road linking three Enugu communities
Eze said that the road project being handled by JRB Construction Company Limited was initiated through his office but is being funded by the Federal Government.
The 2.5km road under construction. Credit : Facebook
The Federal Government has commenced the construction of a 2.5-kilometre road linking Aji, Isiugwu, and Ufodo communities in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Peter Ogbonna Eze, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Eze said that the road project being handled by JRB Construction Company Limited was initiated through his office but is being funded by the Federal Government.
He emphasised that the project is aimed at improving rural connectivity and economic activity. also connects neighbouring Kogi State, is expected to improve access to farms, schools, and markets, thereby boosting livelihoods in the affected communities..
He added that the first kilometre is nearing completion, with asphalt laying and drainage works ongoing.
“This is a 2.5km road linking three communities, Aji, Isiugwu, and Ufodo. The project is ongoing, and the first kilometre is nearing completion. Once the asphalt is laid, we will move to commission it,” he said.
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