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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.

 

Management and staff of the Peoples Democratic Party have thrown their weight behind the PDP Governors’ Forum and the National Working Committee in recognising Deputy National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, as the acting National Secretary.

 

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP’s Director of Administration, Gurama Bawa, on behalf of the 83 staff, voiced concern over ongoing leadership issues, especially regarding the National Secretary role.

 

The PDP has faced internal turmoil since the 2023 elections, escalating in December 2024 when a lower court named former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, as National Secretary.

 

While the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, and NWC accepted the ruling, Senator Samuel Anyanwu challenged it at the Supreme Court, which on March 21 dismissed his removal, stating that internal party matters are not for courts to decide.

 

In response, PDP governors on April 14 asked the South East to nominate a new secretary and named Koshoedo. The NWC later endorsed him at its 600th meeting on April 29.

 

Despite these efforts, the dispute over the National Secretary’s role persists, splitting party leadership.

 

To address this, serving and former governors appointed ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki to lead a 7-member committee to reconcile differences before the May 27 NEC meeting and the August elective convention.

 

Bawa, joined by about 83 other PDP staff, expressed their strong desire and concern to see the issues resolved promptly.

 

He stated, “After a thorough consideration, the management and staff of the PDP National Secretariat unanimously align with and declare unalloyed loyalty to the recommendation of the PDP Governor’s Forum as adopted by the NWC in recognising and working with Arch Setonji Koshoedo as the Acting National Secretary of our party in line with the provisions of the PDP Constitution.

“We believe that the NWC’s directive that Arch Setonji Koshoedo acts as National Secretary is in the overall interest of the stability of our party being the best step at the moment to restore the confidence of members of the party and preserve the integrity of our internal processes given the sensitive nature of the office of the National Secretary in the operation of a political party.”

 

The PDP staff also urged Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to take all necessary measures to ensure the NEC meeting holds as planned.

 

They emphasised that the meeting is crucial for addressing key issues and reinforcing the party’s core values of unity, discipline, loyalty, and adherence to its constitution.

 

He added, “The judgement of the Supreme Court led to renewed disputation as Senator Anyanwu argued that it was in his favour because the judgements of both the Enugu State High Court and the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division were struct-out by the Supreme Court for lack of jurisdiction.

 

“However, the NWC in an official statement on the same March 21, 2025, stated that the Supreme Court judgment settled the emergence of SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“As you may recall, in its bid to find a lasting solution, the PDP Governor’s Forum at its meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital reiterated its position endorsing Hon Udeh Okoye as National Secretary but recommended that in the light of the Supreme Court Judgment, the Deputy National Secretary, Arch Setonji Koshoedo should act as the National Secretary pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive National Secretary from the South East Zone and National Executive Committee respectively at its next meeting.

 

“This recommendation, which is in consonance with Section 36 (2) of the PDP Constitution, was duly adopted by the NWC in its 600th meeting held on April 29, 2025 wherein in exercise of its powers under Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution directed the Deputy National Secretary, Arch Setonji Koshoedo, to act as the National Secretary pending the emergence of a substantive National Secretary.”

 

The PDP Management Staff acknowledged and valued Senator Anyanwu’s contributions to the party’s growth and success.

 

A major scandal has rocked the Lagos State civil service after it was revealed that 30% of civil servants sent abroad for training have failed to return to Nigeria.

 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, revealed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

 

Speaking openly, Ayantayo said the government’s goal of building a better workforce through international training has been affected by the growing “Japa syndrome”—a slang term used to describe the increasing number of Nigerians leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

 

“When asked how many staff returned home from such training,” Ayantayo said grimly, “while 70% returned, 30% failed to come back.”

 

He explained that the state is serious about training its workers, saying, “A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024.

 

“Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organised which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance.”

Despite this large investment, the fact that nearly a third of the trainees stayed back abroad has raised serious concerns about how the programme is monitored and how the state plans to retain its workers.

 

Ayantayo also said about 8,000 civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been granted study leave in the last three years to improve their qualifications and skills.

 

He highlighted some of the ministry’s achievements, including Governor Sanwo-Olu’s approval of a N35,000 wage increase for workers to reduce the effect of economic hardship.

 

In the health sector, Ayantayo said the state has paid the Medical Residency Training Fund, Rural Allowance for Primary Healthcare Workers, and also given bonuses and wage awards to staff of the Lagos State College of Medicine.

 

However, when asked about severance packages for political appointees whose terms have ended, the Commissioner “was, however, silent on the amount of severance allowance the state government paid to political office holders whose tenure have expired.”

 

Barry Showkey Set to Drop New Single “ROBOROBO” on May 1

Balogun Adewale Akanji, popularly known as Barry Showkey, is set to make a grand return to the music scene with his much-anticipated single “ROBOROBO,” scheduled for release on May 15, 2025.

 

Barry Showkey is the son of the legendary Fuji music pioneer, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, also known as Alhaji Agba Barusati, who is widely credited with the invention of Fuji music. Like his father, Barry Showkey is a multi-talented artist, blending traditional roots with modern sounds to create a unique musical experience.

 

Speaking ahead of the release, Barry Showkey revealed that “ROBOROBO” marks his first major release in years, signaling his renewed commitment to pushing the boundaries of Fuji music. He also spoke about the influence and guidance of his father, saying:

 

“My father always told me, ‘focus on your own path, build your legacy, don’t depend on mine.’ That’s the energy behind ROBOROBO. It’s about authenticity, resilience, and rhythm.”

 

The single will be distributed globally by Digital Music Commerce and Exchange (DMCE) across over 30 digital music platforms, including:

 

Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, YouTube Music, Audiomack, Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SoundCloud, TikTok, Amazon Music, and many more.

 

In addition to being a musician, Barry Showkey is part of a musical family, with his younger brother Barry Jhay also making waves in the Nigerian music industry. However, Barry Showkey has carved out his own path, choosing to explore a sound that pays homage to his roots while embracing a fresh, contemporary direction.

 

“ROBOROBO” is expected to be a major comeback hit, and fans of Fuji, Afrobeats, and Nigerian music culture are eagerly awaiting its debut.

 

Release Date: May 15, 2025

Distributed by: Digital Music Commerce and Exchange (DMCE)

Platforms: All major global digital streaming platforms