Author: GANUX

 

The students of Tai Solarin University of Education have cried out over recent robbery attacks in their host communities by some unknown criminals in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

 

PUNCH Online learnt that the rampant criminal activities in areas like Ijele, Abapawa, Imaweje, among other localities where students reside, have posed a serious threat to their lives.

 

This was disclosed in an open letter addressed to the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, co-signed by the Students’ Union President, Tomide Abidakun, and General Secretary, Kehinde Olalekan, on Thursday.

 

They called for the state government intervention, noting that this insecurity has caused fear, and it is affecting their studies.

 

It was gathered that the students get ambushed, robbed, and sustain injuries from the violent attacks, restricting most of them from moving freely in the area

 

“This crisis began to escalate on Wednesday, May 8, 2025, with an armed robbery reported around 10:30 PM at the Council junction, a key route leading into our campus.

 

“That night, students were ambushed, beaten, and robbed of their mobile phones, ATM cards, power generators, and even had their accounts emptied at gunpoint.

 

“Since then, we have received daily reports of robberies and harassment, especially during the ongoing e-tests,” the letter partly reads.

 

According to the SU representatives, they alleged inaction from the state’s security agencies, including “Ogun Police Command, So-Safe Corps, and the Amotekun Security Network”.

They claimed that they get heartbreaking responses, despite multiple reports and cries for help, as there has been no consistent security patrol or visible protection.

 

“We are often met with disappointing excuses such as,” No fuel for the patrol vehicle”, “Our bike is faulty”, “Mobilise us first”.

 

“In several painful instances, students have been extorted by security personnel, turning victims into funders of their own safety.

 

“It is heartbreaking to witness law enforcement agencies switch roles, leaving students to organise their own local surveillance, while those officially responsible sleep or look away,” the statement noted.

 

The students acknowledged the concerns of the community leaders with the provision of local vigilantes, but they highlighted that the security men are poorly equipped and inefficient to combat the kind of armed threat in the area.

In the letter, they requested that the state government immediately deploy skilled security personnel, creation of a dedicated joint task force comprising Police, So-Safe, and Amotekun to conduct daily patrols.

 

They also demanded a declaration of a state of emergency on security until peace is restored, and disciplinary action on erring officers who neglect their duty or extort students.

 

The Ogun students also threatened to stage a mass protest if the silence from both the government and security agencies continue.

 

Efforts to contact the spokesperson for Ogun Police Command, Omolola Oguntola, was proved abortive as she neither responded to calls nor texts as at the time of filing this report.

 

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury, according to a report by BBC Sport.

 

Awoniyi had the first part of the surgery on Monday after sustaining a ruptured intestine during a match. As part of the procedure, he was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday to allow medical staff monitor his condition. The second stage of the operation, which involved closing the wound, was successfully carried out on Wednesday.

 

“Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury.

 

“Having had the first part of the surgery on Monday, he spent Tuesday in an induced coma as medical staff monitored his progress as part of the procedure.

 

“Awoniyi underwent the second stage of the operation, including closing the wound, on Wednesday – a process that was successful,” the report stated.

 

Meanwhile, the incident has drawn nationwide sympathy, with former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressing concern over the player’s condition.

“I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi, a resilient son of the soil, who, while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty,” Obi said.

 

He added, “It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on, a testament to the Nigerian spirit: strong, unyielding, and ever-committed.”

 

Obi urged Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the footballer and his family.

 

“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk… May he recover fully and return stronger,” he said.

 

Also providing an update, Nigerian photojournalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, popularly known as OgaNlaMedia, popsted that Awoniyi is responding well to treatment.

 

“I just spoke with a family member of Taiwo Awoniyi, he’s recovering well. His wife is around him, and he’s responding to treatment. Hopefully, we should be able to speak with him soon,” he wrote.

 

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has dared Arise TV anchor and former presidential spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, to a fight over what he described as disrespectful and mischievous comments made on live television.

 

Oshiomhole issued the challenge on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he reacted to a recent episode of Arise TV’s The Morning Show in which Abati questioned former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

 

“I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta state, Okowa, mischievously, I must say, with all due respect, ‘did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?’” Oshiomhole said.

 

Oshiomhole, who is a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and ex-governor of Edo State, said he found it absurd that Abati would imply he had such powers within the APC.

 

“How can you ask that? What is my status? I am in the legislature. Is the legislature responsible for the prosecution of anyone wrong in any way?” Oshiomhole questioned.

 

Although he did not mention Abati by name during the interview, Oshiomhole’s references to the journalist’s past and political career pointed clearly in his direction.

 

He also took a swipe at Abati’s past, referencing his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after his time as President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesperson.

 

“The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Thereafter, EFCC arrested him. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?” he stated.

Oshiomhole further accused Abati of deliberately refusing to acknowledge his role in labour movements, especially on May Day.

 

“Even on Labour Day, he was saying some labour leaders who had been involved in picketing and fought for workers; he could not even credit me with the fact that I led the protest. This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC.

 

“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” Oshiomhole said.

 

The senator concluded with a direct challenge.

 

“If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and you lost an election in Ogun state, is that the reason you are paranoid, that every opportunity you want to abuse me? If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out,” he said.

 

Abati was the running mate to Buruji Kashamu in the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election under the People’s Democratic Party.

They lost the election to Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress.

 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Nigeria Nsukka branch, has threatened to sue the Joint Matriculation Board over the massive failure recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam.

 

The Chairman of ASUU-UNN, Óyibo Eze, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Nsukka on Wednesday.

 

Oyibo said the massive failure, which mostly affected candidates from the South East, was a deliberate attempt by JAMB to stop children from the zone from getting admission.

 

He said, “My office has been inundated with protests, calls and visits by parents and the general public on this deliberate massive failure in the 2025 JAMB examination.

 

“ASUU will challenge this result in High Court if JAMB fails to review the result and give candidates their merited scores.

 

“JAMB knows that children from the South East must score higher before they can get admission whereas their counterparts in some parts of the country will use 120 JAMB score to get admission to read medicine in universities in their area.

 

“In the JAMB recently released result, out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the 2025 examination, over 1.5 million candidates scored less than 200 and the majority of these are from the South East and Lagos State, where many Igbos reside.”

 

He called on governors from the South East to rise up and challenge this injustice targeted towards preventing children from the zone from gaining admission into higher institutions in the country.

“The governors in the zone should not sit and watch JAMB toy with academic future of our children.

 

“I am not against the board punishing those found guilty of exam malpractice, but JAMB should not, because of these few candidates, fail the whole candidates in an exam centre,” he said.

 

The ASUU boss said that it was unbelievable and unacceptable that in the whole University Secondary School, Nsukka, no candidate who sat for the exam scored up to 200 in the UTME.

 

“This school has superlative students who have excelled in academics both inside and outside the school, how come all of them scored less than 200 in the exam.

 

“Even if JAMB discovered one or two candidates for exam malpractice, is that enough reason to fail all others who have prepared very hard for that exam,” he stated.

 

Oyibo advised JAMB to act fast to do the needful by reviewing the result, as the massive failure had become a national issue which might attract national protest if nothing urgent was done.

 

The National Health Insurance Authority has signed an expanded Memorandum of Understanding with a leading multinational healthcare company, Roche, to enhance access to affordable cancer care and treatment.

 

The partnership follows an existing MoU rooted in a shared vision to significantly increase the number of Nigerians who can benefit from comprehensive cancer care coverage as enrollees of the national health insurance scheme.

 

A statement issued by Roche on Wednesday noted that the MoU focuses on streamlining the enrollment process for newly diagnosed patients while ensuring that specialised tests like immunohistochemistry and treatment regimens, including Roche’s innovative therapies, are more accessible and affordable.

 

It also creates access to patient navigation and counselling services, an important but often neglected component of cancer treatment.

 

The statement emphasised that the expanded MoU is yet another weapon in the fight against breast cancer, the leading cause of death among Nigerian women.

 

In 2022, according to the Global Cancer Observatory, there were over 30,000 new cases of breast cancer in Nigeria.

 

“Patients face considerable barriers to accessing timely and effective care as costs are paid out of out-of-pocket by over eighty per cent of Nigerians.

 

“This expanded MoU is a critical step towards alleviating these challenges by providing hope and financial protection for individuals and families affected by cancer. The initiative by NHIA and Roche to improve access to care complements other efforts to improve accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“Both Roche and the NHIA are leveraging their expertise and resources to strengthen the existing framework for cancer care. This includes initiatives aimed at improving accurate diagnosis of cancer, simplifying patient navigation, and ensuring the sustainable provision of life-saving cancer medicines through the NHIA,” the statement noted.

 

Speaking at the signing, the Director General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, expressed the NHIA’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

 

He noted the catastrophic financial burden of cancer places on Nigerians and expressed confidence that the programme will alleviate hardship, ensuring Nigerians are healthier and more productive.

 

“The NHIA is scaling the quality and scope of cancer diagnostic and treatment services at tertiary care centres. In the coming weeks, we will launch health insurance awareness campaigns as well. I’m using this opportunity to encourage every Nigerian to enroll for health insurance to benefit from coverage” he said.

 

The General Manager, Roche Nigeria, Dr Ladi Hameed, expressed his appreciation for the visionary leadership of the NHIA.

 

“With this agreement, every newly diagnosed cancer patient has the opportunity to access the treatment they need to improve their outcomes and quality of life while meaningfully contributing to the Nigerian economy.”

It said since the first NHIA-Roche partnership in 2021, the number of cancer Centres of Excellence has almost tripled from seven to 20, adding that this signals a strong commitment by the NHIA to enhance access to high-quality cancer services for citizens nationwide.

 

A plus-size actress and content creator, Monalisa Stephen, is dead.

 

It was gathered that she died in Lagos on Tuesday after battling low blood sugar and internal bleeding.

 

The news of her death was announced on Wednesday by the founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, on Instagram.

 

Sharing a photo of the late actress, Oloketuyi wrote, “Brand influencer Monalisa Ayobami Stephen is dead, she died yesterday in Lagos after losing the fight against Low sugar and internal bleeding. Her immediate younger sister confirmed the death of this hardworking and beautiful soul.”

The tragic occurrence has sparked an outburst of anguish from fans

 

Stephen, also known as Gabacci during her lifetime, featured in movies like Mami Wata (2023), Breaded Life (2021), and a myriad of comedy skits. She rose to prominence by using her platform to champion self-love and body positivity amongst plus-size women.

 

Earlier this year, in an interview with The PUNCH, she said that plus-size actresses are discriminated against in Nollywood.

 

“They’re biased against plus-size actresses, and it’s becoming worse for a generation with a fast mind. I don’t know who started the idea of putting one’s look over one’s talent. That is so ridiculous. They need to do better—all sizes should be included! Not even from a place where my forefathers and mothers were built like this. I can’t do anything about it; it’s in the genes.”

 

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board has released the list of the best Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination candidates in the last 12 years.

 

The Registrar of the Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, released the list during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

Oloyede stated that despite the mass failure in the 2025 UTME, the board was not surprised that the best score (374) was the highest in the last decade and a half.

 

Below is the examination year, registration number, scores and names of the candidates.

 

Year Registration Number Name Score

 

2024

 

202440343695GA Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi 367

 

202440097040EF Alayande David 367

 

202440089418GA Orukpe Joel Ehijele 367

 

2023

 

202330325356GA Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere 360

 

2022

 

2022202211075576JA Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi 362

 

2021

202110054281ID Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem 358

 

2020

202021398306DF Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes 365

 

2019

 

201996630270JC Ezeunala Ekene Franklin 347

 

2018

 

201886034528DA Galadima Israel Zakari 364

 

2017

 

201775902784CB Akingbulugbe Precious Ayomide 353

 

2016

 

201665290500BI Akenbor Adesuwa Osarugue 359

201665740193BF Anonye Victory Emenike 359

 

2015

 

201555395199EB Ilukwe Lottachukwu Geraldine 332

 

2014

 

201447049891HB Onomejoh Princewill 299

2013

 

201337207292AB Olise Israel Chukwunalu 299

 

The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday nominated Mr Eugene Inegbeboh (PDP, Igueben) as the new Minority Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly.

 

His nomination came following the defection of the former Minority Whip, Mr Yekini Idiaye (Akoko-Edo I), to the All Progressives Congress.

 

At the plenary in Benin, the Speaker of the House, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, read a letter from the state PDP chairman, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, officially nominating Inegbeboh for the position.

 

The announcement, however, triggered a rowdy session after Mr Addeh Isibor (APC, Esan North-East I) challenged the legitimacy of the nomination, claiming that Aziegbemi’s chairmanship was being contested in court.

His objection was quickly countered by other lawmakers, including Minority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian, who described Isibor’s claim as misleading.

 

Agbebaku intervened to calm the situation, stating that the House had no authority over internal party matters and urged members to let the issue rest.

 

Meanwhile, the House also passed a bill to establish the Edo State Public-Private Partnership Agency, aimed at enhancing infrastructural development across the state.

 

NAN

 

The Senate on Wednesday passed a proposed ₦1.783 trillion statutory appropriation bill for the Federal Capital Territory for the 2025 financial year for second reading.

 

President Bola Tinubu formally presented the budget proposal in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging the Senators to fast-track its passage to facilitate critical development projects within the FCT.

 

In the letter, which Akpabio read, Tinubu emphasised that the budget presentation complies with Section 299 of the Nigerian Constitution, empowering the President to lay the FCT’s budget before the National Assembly.

 

The President highlighted that the proposed budget would boost key sectors, including health, social welfare, agriculture, and employment, stressing that its passage is crucial for delivering an effective and service-oriented administration to FCT residents.

 

Tinubu outlined that 85% of the total allocation would be directed towards completing ongoing infrastructure and development projects, while the remaining 15% would fund new initiatives.

 

“The passage of the budget would facilitate investment in health and social welfare, increase agricultural production, and improve job creation.

 

“I urge the National Assembly to give this budget the urgent attention it deserves, in the interest of accelerating development within the FCT,” he added.

 

Immediately after the letter was read at plenary, the FCT budget went through its first reading and was subsequently presented for second reading.

The budget breakdown includes N150.35 billion for personnel costs, N343.78 billion for overhead, and N1.29 trillion allocated for capital projects.

 

To facilitate the process, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), called for the suspension of Senate Standing Order 78(1), allowing the bill to scale second reading on the same day it was introduced.

 

The accelerated procedure, however, faced opposition from Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who raised concerns about the lack of prior distribution of the bill’s copies to Senators before the debate, citing Order 77 (3 and 4) of the Senate rules.

 

Despite the objections, the Senate proceeded to debate the general principles of the FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year.

 

Leading the debate, Bamidele explained that the bill seeks to authorise the issuance of ₦1.783 trillion from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to finance personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

 

Bamidele emphasised that the primary objective of the budget is to ensure an effective, service-oriented administration with a strong focus on completing ongoing projects that are critical to infrastructure and essential services in Abuja.

He further noted that while the budget prioritises the continuation of existing projects, it also introduces new initiatives deemed crucial for the growth and sustainability of the FCT.

 

However, the bill was referred to the Senate Committees on FCT, Area Councils, and Auxiliary Matters for further legislative action, with a report expected back at plenary within one week.

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra has denied any involvement in the murder of a former presidential aide and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Gulak.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group rejected claims linking the Biafra group to Gulak’s death.

 

Reacting to the claims, Powerful said Gulak was murdered on Sunday, May 30, 2021, while the sit-at-home observance declared for the annual May 30th Remembrance Day in 2021 was held on Monday, May 31.

 

While dismissing the claims as false and misleading, the IPOB spokesperson said the APC chieftain was killed in Owerri, the Imo State capital, a full day before the IPOB observance.

 

“This timeline alone proves that IPOB had no involvement in his death. Linking the tragic event to IPOB is baseless,” the statement read.

 

IPOB also addressed the recent introduction of Gulak’s death certificate during the ongoing trial of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to the group, the certificate has “no relevance to the context of the trial.”

The group further criticised what it described as “media misrepresentation,” urging media outlets to adhere to the principles of “truth, accuracy, and objectivity.” IPOB called for transparency in reporting and demanded that “the full transcript of court proceedings be reviewed before spreading unverified claims.”

 

“We call on all responsible media outlets to prioritise factual reporting and avoid spreading narratives that could mislead the public,” the statement concluded.

 

IPOB also reiterated its demand for the “immediate and unconditional release” of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who it claims is “unlawfully detained in violation of local and international law.”

 

This comes hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted Gulak’s medical report and death certificate as evidence in the ongoing trial of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges.

 

Justice James Omotoso, who presided over the proceedings, allowed the documents tendered by the prosecution through a witness identified simply as BBB, following no objection from the defence team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), alongside Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN) and Aloy Ejimakor.

 

The prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), presented the documents, which included a police report from Owerri, Imo State, linking Gulak’s death to gunmen suspected to be members of IPOB.