Author: GANUX

 

Some educationists have condemned Artificial Intelligence and social media, subsets of the internet, saying that despite their positive impacts, when abused, they negatively influence students’ academic performance and reduce the quality of education in the country.

 

They disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.

 

They told NAN that the widespread use of social media and its misuse had made students to become lazy and pay less attention to their studies.

 

An Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Sadiq Mohammed, said social media had encouraged examination malpractices among students.

Mohammed said that social media, Artificial Intelligence, other emerging technologies, though meant to help developing the societies were being misused, particularly in the education sector.

 

“With the way our education sector is going, we seem doomed because many students go to magic centres to write their examinations.

 

“You see a lot of them leaving the city centres to villages where pre-answered scripts will be passed around in exams halls.

 

“You realise that they gain admission into the university with fantastic results but along the line they find it difficult to measure up.

 

“With the coming of AI, most students now relax, they spend more time on their phones, using different applications to write examination,’’ he said.

 

According to him, the government needs to empower the education sector on how to checkmate the misuse of AI by students.

 

Mohammed said that there was a need to implement measures that will guarantee the integrity of the education system.

 

He said this could be done by scrutinising research papers and addressing the prevailing challenge of copy-and-paste.

 

He called for an education system that would instil academic discipline among learners.

 

Judy Eke, a retired principal said that it was unfortunate that many parents were encouraging their wards to indulge in examinations malpractice through the social media.

She said in some instances parents finance such anti-academic behaviour and even provide data for their wards to access the internet for the purpose of exam fraud.

“Parents too are helping to spoil the children by giving them money to go and register for examinations in faraway villages.

 

“It is so bad that even the educated ones get machineries to write exams for their children.

 

“These practices are not helping the students; they no longer have value hard work.

 

“Social media generally is helping to avoid hard work. They believe that every answer that comes from the internet correct,’’ Eke said.

 

She added that a situation whereby emphasis was placed more on academic qualification and grades instead of capability was encouraging reliance on the internet to perpetrate exam malpractices.

 

Eke said it was time for the government to declare a state of emergency on the education sector.

 

Adebayo Olawole, a teacher, said that the social media had created access to information, learning opportunities, global connectivity but was also a source of distraction for many students.

 

According to him, many social media contents misinform the public, especially students.

 

He said addiction to social media was also affecting students’ performance in both internal and external exams.

 

“Students spend up to four hours online yet struggle to commit 30 minutes to their books.

 

“This is unlike in the past, when students were more focused. Today’s youth are more interested in social media trends than in their education,’ he said.

 

Olawole added that social media had encouraged cybercrime, exposed the young people to immoral behaviour and urged the authorities to regulate the social media space.

 

“The educational sector should also help in encouraging students to study the hard copy instead of the soft copy because students, no longer study their books; they rely more on the internet.

“You see teachers give students assignment that ordinarily should be done with the aid of the textbook, but you see them going on internet, making use of AI to do the assignments,’’ he said.

 

The State Chairmen of the Labour Party in the North Central geo-political zone of the country have vowed to continue to give maximum support to the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure in spite of the numerous political challenges he is currently facing.

 

The LP chairmen also condemned the recent actions of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, who they accused of trying to cause confusion in the party for selfish reasons.

 

The Nasarawa State Chairman of the Labour Party, Alexander Ombugu, who spoke for the North Central Chairmen, disclosed this while speaking with Journalists on Wednesday in Lafia, the state capital.

 

According to him, Abure was duly elected during the March 2024 Nnewi national convention of the party, and therefore will continue to get the full support of the North Central chairmen until the expiration of his tenure.

 

He further revealed that the forum of LP Chairmen in the zone, comprising Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau statses had recently payed a solidarity visit to Abure in Abuja to assure him of their continuous support despite his travails.

 

While emphasising that there is currently no faction in the Labour Party as it is being rumoured, Ombugu also assured the National Working Committee of the party that the North Central Chairmen will continue to stand with the party both in good and challenging times.

 

He said, “The Labour Party does not have any faction. I am surprised to hear some people saying there is a faction in the party. How is there a faction when we have an elected National Chairman and other executives who are currently occupying their positions?

 

“Our National Chairman is Julius Abure and he is the only person that we know. Any other person parading himself or herself as the national chairman should be seen as a joker by Nigerians.”

Ombugu further accused the 2023 Presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti of trying to cause disunity among stakeholders of the party, which, if not properly addressed, could affect the chances of the party during the 2027 general election.

 

He noted that the North Central is the heartbeat of the Labour Party, explaining that the support base of the party was why Peter Obi got massive votes in the zone during the 2023 presidential election.

 

He, therefore urged Peter Obi and Alex Otti to as a matter of urgency, align themselves with the leadership of the party to enable them discuss their challenges, if any, with the national chairman and the National Working Committee of the party, with a view to addressing the issues.

 

“You see that we won the presidential election with a landslide here in Nasarawa State. Even Peter Obi benefited from our efforts.

 

“As of the time we finished our convention at Nnewi, Peter Obi was cooperating very well with us, but since Governor Alex Otti started creating confusion in the party, Obi stopped giving us the needed cooperation. Since then, he has not been working with us as expected.

 

“However, as a party that loves and cares for its members, we are urging them to change for the better. Labour Party believes in unity of purpose. In the party, everybody is important. We do not discriminate. So, we will be happy if they come forward to the leadership of the party so that their complaints or challenges can be addressed,” Ombugu added.

The Nasarawa State LP Chairman further used the opportunity to appeal to all aggrieved members of the party either at the national, state, local government or ward levels to put aside their differences and settle all the issues amicably in order to ensure victory for the party during the 2027 general elections.

 

The Rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Dr Abiodun Oluseye has expressed the institution’s solidarity and support to the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof Ishaq Oloyede over the recent glitches encountered during the conduct of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

 

Recall that the 2025 UTME was marked by massive failure as technical glitches were said to have comprised about 380,000 candidates that sat for the examination.

 

Oloyede had owned up to the unfortunate incident last week and wept publicly while assuring the affected candidates that JAMB will provide them the opportunity to resit the examination.

 

Oluseye, in a letter addressed to Oloyede on Wednesday, however said that while the incident was no doubt regrettable, the institution appreciated the courage, transparency, humility, commitment to truth and integrity all of which the JAMB Registrar has exhibited while handling the volatile issue.

 

The rector said that the polytechnic stands by the Registrar this stormy time and will continue to draw inspiration from his patriotic leadership, urging him not to be downcast but to continue on the path of honour, integrity and professionalism and strong character known to have made him a distinguished scholar.

Oluseye explained that, “While the incident was regrettable, we appreciate your recent action of acknowledging the glitches encountered in some of the centres which is a testament to your rare transparency, courage, humility and commitment to truth and integrity.

 

“In fact, it is a reminder that true leaders must be courageous enough to confront challenges with openness and sense of responsibility. This, you demonstrated, and we are immensely proud of you.

 

“Your efforts to maintain transparency and fairness are highly commendable. Despite the challenges, I must affirm that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board continues to play a crucial role in shaping the academic future of Nigerian students.

 

“Therefore, Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa stands by you at this time in solidarity, as we have observed your leadership of the Board over the years and found you exemplary in all ways and so, encourage you to continue on the path of industry, honour and professionalism, for which you are widely known.

 

“It is our prayer that God continues to guide and direct your endeavours.

While wishing you continued strength and God’s wisdom at all times, please accept our best regards.”

 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has denied reports that he travelled to Rome to meet President Bola Tinubu regarding an alleged ₦225 billion debt linked to Fidelity Bank.

 

In a statement released on Thursday, Obi described the report as part of a blackmail campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

 

“It is clear that the biggest business for blackmailers now is to speak about Peter Obi from every negative angle,” he said. “Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been distorted into yet another blackmail campaign by paid merchants intent on spreading falsehoods against me.”

 

Recent media reports claimed that Obi met secretly with Tinubu in Rome to seek intervention in a purported financial scandal involving Fidelity Bank, where Obi once served as a board member.

However, the former Governor of Anambra State categorically denied ever requesting or holding a private meeting with the president concerning any bank matter.

 

“I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office, except for a brief, respectful greeting during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where I was seated behind him alongside other dignitaries,” Obi clarified.

 

Obi also addressed misconceptions about his relationship with Fidelity Bank, stating that he does not own the bank.

 

“The self-proclaimed ‘blackmailer-in-chief’ and others who profit from spreading pain and falsehoods have claimed that I own Fidelity Bank. For the record, I do not. Throughout my career, I have served as Chairman or Director of three banks and financial institutions, one of which is Fidelity.

Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake. What these blackmailers seek is to harm hardworking Nigerians and cause unnecessary distress,” he added.

 

President Bola Tinubu is committed to the $25bn gas pipeline project between Nigeria and Morocco, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Nigeria at the executive session of the African Parliament Union, announced on Wednesday in Casablanca.

 

The senator stated that this gas initiative is at the forefront of the Nigerian government’s priority projects, with Tinubu poised to review all abandoned projects to ensure their swift completion.

 

According to Ibrahim, the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline is designed to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year across a distance of 5,660 km.

 

The pipeline’s route will traverse 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco, with Nigeria serving as the central gas supplier.

 

Ibrahim highlighted the transformative potential of the project, emphasising its expected impact on job creation and regional development.

 

“This project is expected to create thousands of jobs, boost industrial and digital development, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future for the participating countries,” he explained.

 

He further noted the significant advantage for Morocco, which stands to benefit from supplying European countries with gas.

In light of the opportunities the project is set to generate, Ibrahim urged Morocco to consider revising its visa policy for Nigerian visitors.

 

He called for the Atlantic to be opened to create more opportunities and for Morocco to “allow Nigerian visitors to enter without visa restrictions, given the level of opportunity that the new investment will generate for both countries.”

 

Currently, the project is in its feasibility study and route planning phase, with ongoing discussions involving relevant authorities and stakeholders.

 

The Final Investment Decision, initially slated for 2023, has been postponed to 2025, reflecting the complexity and scale of the undertaking.

 

Ibrahim also revealed that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is actively working to provide legislative support for Tinubu’s vision.

 

This legislative backing aims to “eliminate, through legislation, any converging complexities that may obstruct the successful implementation of the project.”

 

The executive members of the African Parliament Union expressed excitement regarding the developments of the Nigeria-Morocco gas project, following the briefing by the senator.

 

A coroner has blamed inadequate safety measures for the death of a 15-year-old Nigerian boy, David Ejimofor, who drowned after jumping off a breakwater into the sea at Aberavon Beach, Neath Port Talbot, South Wales.

 

The incident occurred on the evening of June 19, 2023, shortly after 7pm.

 

According to BBC, at an inquest into the teenager’s death on Tuesday,coroner Edward Ramsay concluded that a “lack of effective deterrents on the day in question” contributed to the fatal incident.

 

David, described by his mother, Maria Ejimofor, as a “cautious” swimmer, had jumped into the sea from the pier and quickly found himself in difficulty.

 

Though he had received swimming lessons in the past, the coroner said his ability was not strong enough to keep him afloat.

 

“This was because whilst he had swam, and could swim, his swimming ability was not good,” Ramsay stated.

 

He further noted, “Despite the frantic efforts of David’s friends, his swimming ability was not sufficient to keep him afloat.”

 

Emergency services were called to the scene, and despite rescue efforts from bystanders, including off-duty police officer Tyler Rowland, who was paddleboarding nearby, David was pronounced dead at 8.05pm.

 

Rowland helped bring the boy back to shore, where members of the public attempted CPR until paramedics arrived.

 

The inquest revealed that David had been researching swimming locations earlier that day.

 

His phone contained internet searches suggesting he was planning to swim, but was unsure about jumping.

 

“He had expressed some caution about jumping,” the coroner noted.

 

The coroner was critical of the safety conditions at the breakwater, stating, “I have no idea if he saw the signage stating no access. Secondly, even if he did, there was no physical barrier deterring entry.”

He added that “the breakwater should not have been used for jumping into the sea but there was effectively unrestricted and undeterred access.”

The coroner also revealed that there was absence of a lifeguard at the time of the incident.

 

According to BBC, Ramsay suggested that had a lifeguard been on duty, “it was possible David would not have jumped and therefore not have drowned.”

 

An RNLI spokesperson, reacting after the inquest, explained that lifeguard patrols generally run between 10am and 6pm, based on incident data indicating this is the highest-risk period.

 

David’s drowning happened shortly after those hours.

 

“Providing lifeguard cover is one of a range of safety measures a landowner or Council can implement to mitigate risk,” the spokesperson added.

 

Mr Ramsay confirmed he would be issuing a formal prevention of future deaths report, aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

 

A report from BBC stated that a spokesperson for Associated British Ports, which owns the breakwater, said: “Our deepest sympathy and thoughts remain with David’s family, friends and all who knew him.”

 

The company added that it continues to work with “local stakeholders and partners regarding water safety at Port Talbot.”

 

Neath Port Talbot Council, in a separate statement, extended its condolences to David’s family and friends and acknowledged the safety concerns raised.

 

“We are in the process of monitoring activity for the 2025 season and will continue to review beach safety provision,” the Council said.

 

It added that it would respond formally to the assistant coroner’s concerns in due course.

 

The officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority and Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps have arrested a man, Ogunbadejo Olawale, seen dumping waste on the roadside in the Alapere area of the state.

 

The state Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on his X handle on Wednesday.

 

Tokunbo said Olawale was arrested after being caught red-handed dumping refuse illegally in public.

 

He said the arrest followed credible surveillance and tip-offs from concerned members of the community.

 

He said, “This is part of our continuous effort to enforce environmental laws and keep Lagos clean.

 

“The suspect was caught in the act, and he will be prosecuted according to the state’s environmental regulations.”

 

He described the act as a clear violation that undermines its mission of creating a cleaner, safer, and more livable Lagos.

“The arrest is a strong reminder that we are serious about stopping illegal dumping. Residents must know that there are consequences for environmental abuse,” he added.

 

He also praised the role of the public in supporting the state’s cleanliness drive.

 

He said, “Dear Lagosians, your support and vigilance are the backbone of our success so far.

 

“Together, we are building a city that will not only be resilient and sustainable but one that our children will be proud to inherit.”

 

The commissioner reassured residents that enforcement would continue, along with community engagement and public awareness efforts.

 

“Our goal remains a #CleanerLagos, and we will not relent,” he added.

 

Epic Games’ blockbuster multiplayer shooter Fortnite is back on Apple’s U.S. App Store, marking the end of a nearly five-year ban and a significant victory for the video game company.

 

The return follows a lengthy legal battle that began in 2020, when Epic Games, backed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, challenged Apple’s in-app payment policies. The studio claimed Apple’s commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases violated U.S. antitrust laws.

 

The breakthrough comes after an April 30 ruling by a federal judge, who found Apple in violation of a previous court order intended to open the App Store to greater competition.

The judge stated Apple had failed to comply with the injunction and referred the matter to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt.

 

 

 

The Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Igboho, on Wednesday, said he is still on the wanted list of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Igboho lambasted a former director in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, Naja’atu Mohammed, for reportedly saying he was enjoying freedom of movement despite being on the wanted list of the Federal Government.

 

The PUNCH reports that Igboho was declared wanted by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms and ammunition.

 

It will be recalled that Naja’atu had reportedly raised concerns over what she described as a disparity in the government’s treatment of separatist figures, questioning why there had been silence regarding the secessionist activities of Igboho, while Nnamdi Kanu remained in prolonged detention.

 

Naja’atu also accused Tinubu of sidelining the North in the governance of the country after exploring the region’s electoral value to attain power during the 2023 general election.

 

However, in a personally signed statement forwarded to The PUNCH in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday, Igboho said Naja’atu’s claim about his freedom aptly showed her ignorance and myopic mindset.

 

He said, “I’m still on the wanted list of the Federal Government despite the Presidency headed by President Tinubu.”

The activist described her claim as “unfounded and ridiculous, cautioning her to desist from dragging his name into propaganda and campaign of calumny aimed at rubbishing the government of Tinubu.”

 

The statement reads, “Currently, I’m using my German passport to travel in Europe and other continents and cannot enter the shores of Nigeria, having been declared wanted by security agencies under the leadership of former despotic President Muhammadu Buhari, who handed over a comatose economy to the present government. The order declaring me wanted still remains subsisting under the present government.

 

“What was my offence? Because I voiced my objection to the incessant killings of farmers, maiming and sexual violation of women perpetrated by herders against South-West communities, most especially in agrarian settlements during the inglorious regime of the immediate past President Buhari.

 

“It is on record that on July 1, 2021, a combined team of heavily armed personnel from the DSS and the Nigerian Army invaded my residence in Ibadan, with the intent to either arrest or assassinate me. At the end of the vicious attack, which lasted for hours, two of my people were shot dead while 13 others were arrested.

 

“Since Nigeria attained independence and the advent of democratic rule, out of 16 presidents who governed the nation, only two are from the Yoruba ethnic group- former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent President Tinubu.”

 

He added, “Where was Naja’atu Mohammed when Boko Haram terrorists and Fulani herders were wreaking havoc on Nigerians in the North and South-West through mindless killings during the administration of ex-President Buhari. During this period, an Islamic cleric, Abubakar Gumi, who was the negotiator between the Federal Government and terrorist groups, made millions of dollars.

 

“It’s because Tinubu’s government has resolved to tackle insurgency headlong rather than employing the service of the likes of Gumi which prompted spurious claims and mischievous propaganda by this woman. But she should desist from bringing my name into her diatribe.”

 

The Nigerian Correctional Service has announced a N5m cash reward for anyone who provides credible information leading to the recapture of inmates who escaped from the Medium Custodial Centre in Ilesha, Osun State.

 

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Controller of Corrections and Public Relations Officer for the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, on Wednesday.

 

According to the statement, the NCoS is urging members of the public to report any information regarding the whereabouts of the escaped inmates to the nearest security agencies.

 

The statement noted that all reports will be handled with strict confidentiality, and the identities of informants will remain anonymous.

 

The statement read, “In order to encourage public participation , the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the general public that a reward of N5 million is being offered to anyone who provides useful information that leads to the recapture of the fleeing inmates from the Medium Custodial Centre, Ilesha, Osun State.

“The Service urges members of the public to report any information they may have regarding the whereabouts of the inmates at large to the nearest security agencies. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and anonymity.

 

“For those wishing to share information, the NCoS has provided several contact channels, including its Public Complaint Response Desk at complaintresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng. Additional contact options include info@corrections.gov.ng and the phone numbers 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006.”

 

An overnight rainfall on Tuesday led to the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, after the facility’s old perimeter wall collapsed.

 

According to the NCoS, the breach occurred around 2:00 a.m. and was caused by the structural failure of the wall during the storm.