Two students of the University of Ibadan have won the French Embassy’s “Get Creative with Plastic” Challenge.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan, by the university’s Director of Public Communication, Mrs Joke Akinpelu.
Akinpelu explained that the challenge was part of the French Embassy’s Plastic Free Campus Awareness Initiative.
”UI was one of the 10 Nigerian universities selected to participate in this initiative, which was funded by the French Embassy Fund (FEF) Project.
”The initiative was championed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale and coordinated through the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN.
”The initiative received support from other management staffers,” she explained.
She disclosed that Prof. Aina Adeogun of the Department of Zoology served as the focal person for the UI-FEF Campus Wide Initiative.
”Working closely with the Students’ Union Executive Committee, Directorate of Public Communication, and Information Technology and Media Services Unit, the team ensured robust student engagement and wide participation across the university community,” she said.
Akinpelu noted that the institution’s contribution stood out significantly, with more than 300 students’ active participation and about 100 creative submissions for the challenge.
”UI recorded the highest level of engagement among all participating campuses, a feat that can only be from the institution as the ‘First and the Best’.
”Due to this extraordinary commitment, the university became the only university among the 10 to have two winners in the challenge,” she added.
She disclosed that the first winner was Debbie Paul, a 300-level student of the Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, in the Music Category.
”The second winner was Adekunle Akorede, also a 300-level student of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in the Writing Category,” she said.
She said that the recognition underscored the university’s leadership and sustained excellence in addressing plastic pollution and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents, Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and former Presidents of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, Paius Ayim have arrived at the venue of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido’s Book Launch.
Former PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, is set to review Lamido’s autobiography titled Being True to Myself.
Among the attendees already present at the ongoing book launch at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja are the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, then Governors of Gombe, Muhammadu Yahaya; Jigawa, Umar Namadi; and Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang.
Also in attendance are several notable figures, including former Governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), and Babangida Aliyu (Niger), (Cross Rivers), Liyel Imoke among others.
Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party could collapse before the 2027 elections if the party’s leaders don’t take serious steps to fix its problems.
The PDP is currently battling over who should be the national secretary.
Also, the party recently experienced a gale of defection when the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his immediate predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and other erstwhile leaders and members of the PDP moved to the All Progressives Congress, signifying a turning point in the state’s political history.
Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Tuesday, Suswam said the party is in a critical condition.
He said, “A lot of people are hanging on, waiting to see the ultimate end of this party.”
He explained that many members have lost hope and believe the party might not survive.
Suswam said efforts by PDP governors and former governors, led by ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, may help save the party.
He said, “Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts made by Senator Saraki will be seen in the next two weeks. For now, I would say that PDP is it in the hospital? Yes. Is it in the ICU to some extent? Yes, it is. Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied.”
He added that comparing the PDP to a patient in the Intensive Care Unit means its survival chances are 50-50. If Saraki’s team fails, he warned, the party may not survive.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the recent attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP in various parts of the state, while urging residents to remain resilient and prayerful.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Dauda Illiya on Tuesday, the governor symphatised with the victims while reaffirming the state government’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, military, and other security agencies to contain the security challenges.
The statement said Zulum also expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of all victims affected by the tragic incidents, which included an improvised explosive device (IED) attack along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road.
“The recent surge in attacks will not deter our resolve to tackle the scourge of the 16-year-long insurgency. I urge the people of Borno to remain resilient and prayerful. This is a partial eclipse — and we shall overcome it, Insha Allah,” the governor said
“These acts of terror are deeply condemnable. The recent tragic loss of our education staff, gallant troops, and innocent civilians is a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face,” he added
He also said “I am more determined than ever to support the military, security agencies, and our volunteer forces in the fight to end terrorism and insurgency in our state.”
The statement said the governor recalled his recent visit to Gwoza, where he engaged with military personnel and the Izge community, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce resilience and ensure the protection of lives and property.
Punch had reported an explosion that killed two travellers along Maiduguri-Damboa Road, an attack in Marte, Chibok, Gwoza, Kala Balge, and other communities.
The National Youth Service Corps, has deployed 1,600 corps members to Bauchi State, assuring that the corps members would deliver maximum impact on their host communities.
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the assurance in Bauchi on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ stream 1 orientation course.
The DG, who was represented by the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC, Rifkatu Yakubu, commended the patriotism, loyalty, patience, perseverance, understanding and good conduct of the corps members during the orientation course.
He said, “By your show of maturity, patriotism, loyalty, commitment, discipline and tolerance, I am convinced that our three-week stay at camp has not been in vain and that you will have a maximum impact on your host communities during the service year.
“As you embark on the second phase of the service year, I enjoin you to continue to be obedient, loyal and diligent and endeavour to settle down quickly when you get to your places of primary assignment and adapt to the ways of life there.
“Do your best to obey the rules governing your host communities and learn to appreciate their customs and culture, and ensure that you leave them better than you will meet them through your community development projects.”
While appreciating all the collaborating agencies that sent their personnel to assist the scheme in the running of the camp, Nafiu also lauded the NYSC staff for being at their very best to ensure a seamless exercise.
He also commended the Bauchi state Government for providing a conducive environment and security for both corps members and camp officials, saying the contributions have made the exercise a huge success.
PUNCH reports that a total of 1,600 corps members comprising 717 males and 883 females were deployed to their various places of primary assignments in the state for the one-year national service.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will take the reins of the Brazil national team on May 26, aiming to lead the team to World Cup glory next year for the first time since 2002.
Previous coach Dorival Junior was sacked in March after a 4-1 thumping by rivals Argentina in qualifying.
Here, AFP Sport considers three reasons he could prove successful with the record five-time world champions:
Calm character
Ancelotti, who has written a book named “Quiet Leadership”, is known for his calm and warm character, making him an ideal candidate for one of football’s highest pressure jobs.
The Italian has demonstrated his ability to succeed in similar environments with some of Europe’s biggest sides, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
With Brazil’s fiercest rivals Argentina reigning world champions, the pressure on Brazil to succeed in the 2026 World Cup will be higher than ever.
Ancelotti is also set to be the first foreign manager to lead Brazil into a World Cup.
However if anybody is cut out to thrive in — or despite — heavy scrutiny from fans and national media, it is the unflappable, avuncular Ancelotti.
“Ancelotti would be ideal because everyone, including opponents, respects him,” said Brazil great Zico in 2023.
“He knows football and is aware that players are more important than tactics.”
Ancelotti is considered a superb man-manager, which will allow him to get the best out of a national team rich in talent.
Strong relationships
With Neymar turning 34 ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, there is a strong chance the forward and talisman of this Brazilian generation will not feature.
He has made only nine appearances since rejoining Santos from Saudi club Al Hilal, continuing to struggle with injury problems.
Instead Vinicius Junior will likely be Brazil’s key figure, a player who has developed brilliantly under Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
The Italian has helped the 24-year-old turn from a figure of fun, because of his inconsistent end product, into one of the Spanish league’s biggest stars.
Rodrygo Goes has also won two Champions League titles with Ancelotti at Madrid, as has defender Eder Militao.
Teenage forward Endrick, who has already scored three goals for Brazil, has made 35 appearances for Madrid this season, netting seven times in all competitions.
Personal challenge
Ancelotti is the only coach in history to win all five of Europe’s biggest leagues and will find a new challenge in international football.
The World Cup is the final puzzle piece left for Ancelotti to complete his glittering managerial career.
Ancelotti won the Champions League twice as a player with AC Milan and twice more as a coach there, along with three further wins while in charge of Real Madrid — five triumphs puts him two ahead of any other manager.
The 65-year-old seemed to have fallen out of the elite after taking charge at Everton in 2019, but Madrid’s surprise move to reappoint him in 2021 has been fruitful for both coach and club.
Now Ancelotti sets his sights on glory with Brazil, and completing his personal trophy cabinet.
The UN is undergoing some dire financial strain amid growing global challenges, Secretary-General António Guterres has said.
Guterres, while briefing Member States in New York on Monday about the state of the multilateral body, pushed for wide-ranging structural reforms to cut costs and enhance the world body’s effectiveness.
According to information provided by the UN Controller to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), only $1.8 billion had been received against the $3.5 billion regular budget assessments for 2025.
This amounted to a shortfall of around 50 per cent.
As of 30 April, unpaid assessments stood at $2.4 billion, with the United States owing about $1.5 billion, China ($597 million), Russia ($72 million), Saudi Arabia ($42 million), Mexico ($38 million), and Venezuela ($38 million).
An additional $137 million was yet to be paid by other Member States.
For the peacekeeping budget, which runs on a July-June cycle, including prior-period arrears, the unpaid amount totals $2.7 billion.
For the International Tribunals, total contribution outstanding was $79 million as of April 30.
“These are times of peril,” Guterres lamented, adding, “but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation.
The mission of the United Nations is more urgent than ever.”
Guterres outlined wide-ranging efforts to revamp how the UN system operates, which included cutting costs, streamlining operations, and modernizing its approach to peace and security, development and human rights.
He said the conclusions would be reflected in revised estimates for the 2026 budget in September 2025, with additional changes that require more detailed analysis presented in 2027.
Guterres said the changes were expected to yield “meaningful reductions” in the overall budget, in which the departments for political and peacekeeping affairs could see a 20 per cent reduction in staff by eliminating duplication.
He said this level of reduction could serve as a benchmark across the UN system while also considering unique factors for each department.
Gutterres said, “There might be immediate, one-off costs involved in relocating staff and providing potential termination packages.
““But by moving posts from high-cost locations, we can reduce our commercial footprint in those cities and reduce our post and non-post costs.”
He said departments at the UN’s headquarters in New York and Geneva had been asked to review whether some teams could be relocated to lower-cost duty stations, reduced or abolished.
A preliminary review identified more than 3,600 unique mandates for the Secretariat alone. A full and more detailed analysis is now underway.
Guterres emphasised that the sheer number of mandates, and the bureaucracy needed to implement them, placed a particular burden on smaller Member States with limited resources.
“Based on this work, Member States may wish to consider the opportunity to conduct themselves a review of the mandates,” he added.
Nearly 50 initial submissions had already been received from senior UN officials, reflecting what Guterres described as “a high level of ambition and creativity.”
Key work areas had been identified for review, including peace and security, development, human rights, humanitarian, training and research and specialised agencies.
Guterres also touched on the UN dire cashflow situation, stating that the initiative was not an answer to the months-long liquidity crisis but by being more cost effective, it should help limit the impact.
“The liquidity crisis is caused by one simple fact – the arrears,” he said, adding that structural reform was not the answer to a fundamental failure by some member states to pay what they owed on time to meet running costs.
The secretary-general told member states he would be consulting with them closely and regularly on the cash crisis and needed reforms, seeking guidance and presenting concrete proposals for countries to act on.
He said UN staff members and their representatives were being consulted and listened to, adding, “Our concern is to be humane and professional in dealing with any aspect of the required restructuring.”
He concluded by highlighting that the UN80 Initiative was a “significant opportunity” to strengthen the UN system and deliver for those who depended on the global multilateral organization.
Launched in March, the UN80 Initiative centred on three priorities: enhancing operational efficiency, assessing how mandates, or key tasks, from Member States are implemented, and exploring structural reforms across the UN system.
He urged,“Let us seize this momentum with urgency and determination, and work together to build the strongest and most effective United Nations for today and tomorrow.”
Super Eagles striker and KRC Genk player, Tolu Arokodare, has won the 2024/25 Ebony Shoe Award in Belgium.
Arokdare claimed the award meant for the best African player in the European country for this campaign on Monday.
The 24-year-old has scored 20 goals in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League and is the second leading goalscorer in the competition.
He helped Genk finish top of the pile in the regular 2024/2025 season, but their campaign suffered a setback in the championship play-offs.
Arokodare became the seventh Nigerian player to win the award. The latest since Paul Onuachu won the prize in 2021.
He won the prestigious award ahead of Noah Sidiki of Union St.Gilloise, Genk teammate Zakaria El Ouahdi, Union Saint-Gillloise star Promise David and compatriot Raphael Onyedika.
Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Godwin Opara and Celestine Babayaro are other Nigerians who have won the award.
Arokodare was born in Festac Town in Lagos. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2025.
He came on for Victor Osimhen in the 2026 World Cup qualification match against Rwanda.
A few days later, he played his second game for the team in a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in the same qualification campaign.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled a new insurance policy to transform Nigeria’s aviation sector, with the revised regulations specifically designed to ease aircraft financing and support the growth of local airline operators.
The minister announced this in a signed statement by the spokesperson to the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, on Monday.
The statement reads, “While flagging off the new era of insurance regulation, the Minister said the revised insurance regulations are expected to boost the aviation sector, improve Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation, allow local operators to cede up to 90 per cent of risk to international markets under certain conditions and it is in line with the Cape Town Convention which gears towards acquisition and financing of aircraft.”
“We are proud of the progress made in enhancing the aviation ecosystem in Nigeria, our focus is on investor-friendliness, empowering the local operators, ensure compliance with international standards, and drive growth and development in the aviation industry,” Keyamo stated.
The Commissioner for Insurance and NAICOM CEO, Olusegun Omosehin, said the commission has fully embraced the initiative.
“The Commission did not only agree to pilot the process but to take ownership of the process,” he said, noting that the policy will enhance Nigeria’s GDP and promote the stability of the aviation insurance market.
Omosehin emphasised the benefits of the new regulation, saying that “The leasing of aircraft will give the airline operators the needed advantage required in procuring more aircraft which will ultimately be to the advantage of Nigerians and other stakeholders.” He added that it would “go a long way to reduce the cost of air ticket in Nigeria, give comfort to Nigeria Airline Operators and restore confidence among foreign investors.”
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Zahrah Audu, assured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to implement business-friendly policies.
She urged airline operators to improve customer service and minimize flight delays and cancellations.
The Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, expressed the association’s support for the new policy.
“The AON is excited seeing the new insurance policy coming to bear. This will strengthen the aviation sector, retain more money among the operators, and provide general services to Nigerians,” he said.
He further acknowledged the sector’s improved performance under the current administration.
“The aviation sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu generates more income for the country than before,” he said.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to support the government’s efforts in resolving industry challenges.
Manchester City have unveiled their official home kit for the 2025/26 football season in collaboration with Puma.
The club, in a brief statement on Tuesday, announced the release of the new strip, which features a distinctive sash design on the traditional sky blue shirt.
“Bring the sash home. Introducing the 25/26 Man City x @pumafootball Home Kit. Out now,” the statement read.
A promotional image released by the club features several players modelling the new design, highlighting the kit’s modern aesthetic while retaining elements of City’s classic identity.
The shirt, emblazoned with the club’s crest and principal sponsor Etihad Airways, continues the partnership between Manchester City and global sportswear brand Puma.
