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  • Babangida to launch memoir, host fundraising for presidential library

    Babangida to launch memoir, host fundraising for presidential library

    Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) is set to launch his long-awaited autobiography.

    The memoir, ‘A Journey in Service,’ will be released on February 20 at an event at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, marking 32 years since IBB left office.

    In an invitation sent to dignitaries this week, the Board of Trustees of the IBB Presidential Library Foundation announced that the book launch will be held alongside a fundraiser for a presidential library.

    The organisers said the event would be chaired by a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, with President Bola Tinubu as the special guest of honour.

    The keynote address will be delivered by the former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, while the autobiography will be reviewed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Other notable guests expected to attend include former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan.

    Former Minister of Defence Theophilus Danjuma and BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu have been named as chief launchers.

    ‘A U-turn’

    This decision marks a significant shift from eight years ago when Babangida expressed doubts about Nigerians finding his book inspiring. In an interview with Channels Television, he cited misconceptions about his leadership, including the June 12 crisis and policies implemented during his tenure from 1985 to 1993.

    He said, “People may not read it (the autobiography) because it is coming from a dictator. A lot will say dictator, he cancelled June 12 and that will kill the book.

    “If God spares my life, I will discuss about June 12 election because I still believe people don’t get what we were trying to put across. Nobody has ever sat down to say the two persons involved are friends, what went wrong? We tried to rationalise why we had to do what we did but nobody is prepared to listen to us.

  • Edo: PDP calls 10 witnesses against Okpebholo

    Edo: PDP calls 10 witnesses against Okpebholo

    BENIN CITY – THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the September 21 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo on Thursday called four additional witnesses to bring to ten the total witnesses they have called to continue their attempts to prove their allegation of irregularities in the election.

    This number is the largest the party and the candidate have presented since the case started.

    Recall that the PDP and its candidate in the election are challenging the INEC’s declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

    The four witnesses challenged the outcome of the result in some polling units in Esan North East, Oredo, Esan South East and Esan Central Local Government Areas in the state

    Giving his testimony at the resumed hearing of the Petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners’ witness and PDP Esan North East Local Government Area Collation Agent, Mr. Igbarase Matthias, prayed the tribunal to admit his statement on oath which he deposed to on October 11, 2024, in support of the petitioners’ case

    He claimed in his statement that there was overvoting in nine polling units relating to exhibits PCB 40- PCB 48 of Form EC25B series in his Local Government Area.

    Matthias told the court that in arriving at his statement on oath, he relied on certified true copies of INEC’s Voters Register, Forms EC25B’s, EC8A’s, INEC election manual booklet, screenshots of IREV copies of Form EC8A, BIVAS accreditation Report and BiVAS Extract being CTC’s of Form EC8C, after personally examined them

    He tendered IREV-certified true copies of results sheets obtained from INEC and duplicate Copies of Polling Unit Results Sheets of Form EC8A given by INEC to polling unit agents and his party agent card as documentary evidence.

    Upon cross-examination by lead counsel to the 1st Respondent (INEC), Kanu Agabi, the witness said he made his deposition on October 11, 2024, while the screenshots of INEC’s BIVAS Report he relied on his statement were certified by INEC on January 8, 2025.

    He admitted that PDP Unit and Ward Agents signed the election result sheets, adding that he did not function as a unit agent or Ward agent for his party in the election.

    On his part, the PDP agent for Oredo Local Government Area, Aigbe Ighodaro Lucky, told the court that there was overvoting in 66 polling units in the local government area and incorrect scores were entered by INEC for his party in favour of the APC during the election.

    He said he relied on INEC documents to arrive at his statement on Oath and adopted the same as evidence in the petition.

    Ighodaro also told the Tribunal that there was no prior recording of serial numbers of sensitive materials deployed for the election locally in INEC’s form EC25B.

    When cross-examined by counsel to the respondents, the witness claimed to have relied on INEC documents made available to him in the formation of his deposition, despite never participating in the signing of the documents except Form EC25C

    “My Lord, I did not examine any BiVAS Machine used for the election all through the process during my work as PDP Local Government Area Collation Agent in Oredo. But I examined the documents given to me by my party”, the witness submitted.

    For Adekunle Oboh, PDP Local Government Area Collation Agent in Esan Central, there were irregularities in 23 polling units in the area during the election.

    He specifically told the court in his testimonies that there was no prior recording of serial numbers of sensitive materials deployed to the polling units in the area in Form EC25B.

    Oboh said the polling unit results sheets were signed by his party agents up to the ward level before he signed Form EC8C.

    According to Wilson Ibhawa, the petitioners’ Esan South East Local Government Area Collation Agent, there was no prior recording of serial numbers and sensitive materials used in the election in Form EC25B in five polling units in his area.

    Justice Wilfred Kpochi, Chairman of the Tribunal, however, admitted the documents in evidence provisionally, pending the arguments of the respondent’s counsel.

    He, therefore adjourned sitting to Friday, January 24, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.

  • Corruption allegations against ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel, baseless – Aide

    Corruption allegations against ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel, baseless – Aide

    The Media Assistant to Mr Udom Emmanuel, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Barr Steven Abia has described allegations of corruption levelled against his boss by a group Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, NACAT, as malicious and baseless.

    Abia who was fielding questions from newsmen on Thursday regarding the issue, described NACAT as a faceless group that resorts to blackmail to extort money from politicians and therefore appealed to Akwa Ibom residents to disregard the accusations against Udom Emmanuel.

    His words, “The immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State has been maliciously accused, so we are here to tell you that those allegations against my boss are unfounded. So I implore you, Akwa Ibom people to disregard, what they are saying. Those allegations are not true. The people saying those things don’t even have the facts.

    “They are faceless people from nowhere trying to dent his reputation. We have never heard of that name. You will agree with me that this NACAT never existed before now, so you can’t even trace them. The name just came up to dent this man. And some people blackmail politicians to make money. We know some people benefit from doing this kind of thing.

    “My boss did his work very well. Throughout his time he touched every area in Akwa Ibom State. There’s no place that we did not have projects executed. The documents are here before you. The facts are here and we have loads of them. And that endeared him to the people. Our people love him.”

    Abia who brought out some of the documents containing all the projects approved and executed under the last administration described former governor Emmanuel asan accountable, sincere and straightforward political leader.

    ” This is a man who keeps records meticulously. And then the papers as you have seen, every single project executed throughout his tenure, from day one to the last day, the records are there, and they are excellently kept.
    . So my boss is unperturbed. He worked with an audit firm so he knows his left from his right.

    “The man is unruffled. There’s no cause for alarm.
    And I want to tell you that we have not received any petition, notice or letter from any of the anti-graft agencies. All we are reacting to is what you have also seen on social media. That’s all..And we are expecting that the ICPC and the EFCC go ahead and do their work fairly”

    Recall that NACAT had petitioned both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) against the immediate past Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, urging that the eight-year tenure of the former governor be thoroughly investigated.

    The group had alleged that based on its investigation, the sum of N700 billion remained unaccounted for during Udom Emmanuel’s 8 years tenure

    In the petition dated January 21, 2025, signed by its operational manager, Stanley Ugabe and addressed to the chairmen of the two anti-graft agencies respectively, NACAT alleged that there was “wanton corruption and embezzlement of public funds orchestrated by former governor Udom Emmanuel”.

  • Two pastors nabbed in Rivers with live cartridges, thousands of pictures, shoes

    Two pastors nabbed in Rivers with live cartridges, thousands of pictures, shoes

    PORT HARCOURT: Two clerics believed to be fake have been arrested in Rivers by youths and handed over to operatives of the State Police Command.

    The suspects Pastors, Umoren Bassey and Elija Aniete, were arrested on January 20, 2025, by the youths of Rumunduru in Oroigwe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspects, aged 60 and 51 respectively, are natives of Akwa-Ibom State and were handed over to the police for discreet investigation.

    The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday,  noted that preliminary investigations have revealed that bizarre items were found in the church premises, including a live cartridge,  sword, two wooden coffins, fake naval passports, and thousands of people’s pictures and passports.

    Other items recovered from the church include bottles containing unknown liquids, children’s shoes, calabashes, coconuts, Bibles, police uniforms, and various spiritual items. Notably, there was no python or big casket found among the items, contrary to initial reports.

    She said Bassey’s church, God Deliverance Apostolic Church, and Aniete’s Power House of Glory International Church, are both located along Eneka Road in Rumunduru, Obio-Akpor Council of Rivers State.

    Iringe-Koko assured the public that more findings would be made available as the investigation progresses.

    However, the arrest of the two alleged fake pastors has sparked widespread interest and concern online with many calling for greater scrutiny of religious leaders and their activities.

    Speaking, Bassey claimed that he uses spiritual materials for prayer, as directed by God. He alleged that the community planted some of the items found in his church and searched his house without a warrant. Bassey stated that he has been healing people and helping the community for 17 years.

    He said: “You can use water and oil to heal people..I have lived there so long.It is a land case.i still have three weeks after court judgement that asked me to quit. They used it to step up me up.The community planted some of the materials they claimed they saw in my church.They searched my house without warrant.

    I have been healing people.Helping the community.I have lived there for 17 years.some of the pictures you saw there is that of my Son and some are that of my members.

    “I Use the small casket or miracle life  oil to pray for mad persons.The mad person must be calm within three months.I use it to help the community people”

    Also,, Aniete, who was arrested alongside Bassey, claimed that he owns a church and was visiting Bassey to discuss maritime-related issues, stating that Bassey is the captain of the Maritime Rescue Coastal Security organization and had been invited to discuss a signal from Lagos.

    He said:  “I own a church. What brought me here is that we belong to an organization of Maritime Rescue Coastal Security, Bassey is the captain in the Maritme.

    “So he called me, he called me on Sunday that he had signal from lagos that he wants to relate with me. As I was with him that was when the youths came in and arrested me.”

    Meanwhile, the Youth President of Rumunduru, Henry Worlu, revealed how the alleged fake pastors were apprehended by youths in the community.

    He said: “I was called by the vigilante commanderthay they saw a man doing mid night and the man happen to be a man they know very well, they call him pastor.

    “They traced him down to his house. The next morning the youth went to his house to ask him to know what he was doing at the center of the road. When we got there we asked him, he denied. He said he a pastor that he had nothing to with fetish things he doesn’t deal with them.

    “We met him with Elijah and we asked him he said nothing that he came to see his friend to talk about maritime, we allows him.

    “So we asked the man we came to see to allow us see his compound, he refused entry. Until we opened one of his chambers and we saw all manner of Fetish things.”

  • Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF

    Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised an alarm that water could soon become a highly precious commodity in Nigeria.

    UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Christiane Munduate, issued the warning during an interview with journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.

    Munduate warned that, if authorities in Nigeria failed to address environmental challenges and combat the effects of climate change, there would be water scarcity across several communities.

    She said that environmental degradation and improper waste management practices were aggravating water scarcity in the country.

    The UNICEF official urged the authorities to enforce existing laws to curb the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic and polythene materials, which were harming the environment.

    “In Nigeria, water will become the most precious commodity or product in the future.

    “This will surpass the current value of solid minerals, oil and gas resources,” she warned.

    Munduate, who was on a working visit to the North West, also expressed concerns about the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes.

    She stated that the practice was worsening the effects of climate change

    She called on governments at all levels to prioritise the provision of clean water, emphasising its role in preventing diseases and improving public health.

  • Nigerian youths epitomize resilience, innovation – First Lady

    Nigerian youths epitomize resilience, innovation – First Lady

    ABUJA – THE First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has described Nigerian youths as an epitome of resilience, innovation and indomitable spirit the world admires.

    This is because the President’s wife has commissioned the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Digital Museum of Dynamic History and Television Studio.

    Speaking while commissioning the facilities which are within the NYSC directorate headquarters, Mrs Tinubu said it was a visionary step towards preserving the extraordinary legacy of the NYSC scheme in its over fifty (50) years of existence and the significant roles it has played in the history of the nation.

    The First Lady in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, was quoted as saying: “This event highlights the significant contributions of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973, particularly its pivotal role in fostering patriotism, promoting national unity and service among Nigerian youth.

    “The NYSC scheme, in its over 50 years of existence has played significant roles in the history of our beloved nation, serving as a platform for national development, integration and bridging gaps between youth potentials and community needs.”

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu commended the Nigerian youths, who she said are admired the world over.

    According to her: “The Nigerian youths embody an indomitable spirit that the world admires; a spirit of resilience, innovation, and boundless energy.

    “This selfless and enduring commitment to the nation is perfectly captured in the words of the NYSC Anthem: “Under the sun or in the rain, with dedication and selflessness.” Whether facing challenges or opportunities, Nigerian youth rise with unshakable determination, proving that their strength lies in unity and promise of a brighter tomorrow for our nation. I celebrate you all.”

    She noted that the digital museum which showcases not only the innovativeness and creativity of the Nigeria youth but also the various historical landmarks of the scheme, would serve as a tool for civic education and inculcation of national values.

    “This digital museum, represents the various interventions of NYSC members, who through their selfless service, have left indelible marks across diverse sectors; pioneering innovations in science and technology, advancing agricultural development, improving healthcare delivery, championing human rights, and community service.”

    “By embracing technology in this initiative, the NYSC has aligned itself with global best practices, ensuring that the lessons and legacy of the scheme are accessible to all.”

    She said it would also serve as a reminder of the immense potential and possibilities that lie within the Nigerian youth who are united in purpose and enriched by Nigeria’s diversity.

    “History is at the cornerstone of our national development. When we study the past, we can better understand the present and forge new paths for the future”.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande applauded the First Lady for her various contributions to youth development in the nation especially through her Initiative, the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI.

    He described the Nigerian youth as committed and hardworking adding that the youth should carry on the legacy of the NYSC and do researches to further promote the facility and indeed national development.

    The Minister explained that the facilities were built with determination of the NYSC leadership adding that the edifice showcased that the scheme has moved forward, aligning with global trends.

    The Director General of the NYSC Brig. Gen YD Ahmed said that the Museum and TV studio are not merely a repository of artifacts but a dynamic chronicle of Nigeria shared history, values, and aspirations as a nation.

    He said the NYSC museum is intended to show the rich legacy of the scheme and the nation Nigeria.

  • Ogun CUPP accuses Gov Abiodun of nepotism in appointments

    Ogun CUPP accuses Gov Abiodun of nepotism in appointments

    …..petitions President Tinubu, raises alarm over alleged threats by Ogun gov

    ….they are illegal, irritant body, trades on propaganda, blackmail – Oladunjoye

    By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

    The Ogun State chapter of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has accused the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government in the State of nepotism, saying that he favours only Ogun East in key appointments.

    The State Chairman of CUPP, Otunba Femi Sholuade stated this at a press conference in Abeokuta, stressing that indigenes of the Ogun East Senatorial District were given key positions in his government, at the expense of Ogun Central and Ogun West Senatorial Districts.

    It also condemned the appointment of an Ondo State indigene as the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Media, describing it as an affront to Ogun State professionals.

    The group said it has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Governor Abiodun, Secretary to the State Government, and Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade of orchestrating threats against its executive members.

    The CUPP claimed that its demand for transparency in the State government’s housing projects had sparked intimidation tactics, including calls for its members to appear before the Department of State Services (DSS) under conflicting pretenses.

    Recall that the CUPP had given the state government a seven-day ultimatum to disclose the beneficiaries of its housing scheme and contracts since it’s inception.

    The coalition had pointed to alleged irregularities in the state’s housing project awards, which it claims were executed without open bidding or adherence to due process.

    It also demanded the Ogun State government release information about these projects under the Freedom of Information Act.

    Sholuade, alongside the Secretary, Engr. Samson Okusanya, highlighted the imminent threats against members including Alhaji Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker.

    “We have been trailed by vehicles with covered plates and intimidated by road union leaders, allegedly loyal to the governor. These developments point to an orchestrated effort to silence our voices,” the statement reads.

    “The lives of CUPP members, including myself, Engr. Samson Okusanya, Alhaji Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker, are under imminent threat due to our demand for transparency and accountability in the Ogun State government’s housing projects.

    “These projects, awarded to construction companies without open bidding and due process, have raised concerns about governance and the misuse of state resources.

    “These threats have escalated to include intimidation by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State.

    “On January 20, 2025, a DSS officer by the name of Emmanuel Abua called Alhaji Moshood Adesina, informing him that all CUPP officers must report on January 24, 2025, for a routine interaction with the Ogun State DSS Director.

    However, on January 21, 2025, another DSS official, Kunle Dealer, contacted me, as the State Chairman of CUPP, directing all CUPP officers involved in a recent press conference to report to the DSS office, based on a petition from the Ogun State government”.

    “The conflicting messages from the same organization raise suspicions that Governor Dapo Abiodun is targeting us with the intention to harm our lives and those of our families”.

    “We now live in constant fear of potential assassination, especially given the involvement of powerful and ruthless road union leaders loyal to the Governor, who are capable of carrying out violent orders.”

    “Instead of addressing these issues, the governor has chosen to target us through threats and harassment,” the coalition added.

    It warned that any harm to its members would be attributed directly to Governor Abiodun and his administration.

    CUPP called on President Tinubu to intervene urgently, emphasizing its resolve to uphold transparency despite the alleged witch-hunt.

    Reacting to the allegations, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Oladunjoye described the CUPP as attention seekers, who are not known to media in the State.

    He said, the CUPP in the State remains an illegal, irritant body that trades on propaganda, blackmail.

    Oladunjoye in a statement stated that “the integral principle of natural justice resides in the maxim: “He who calls for equity must come with clean hands”.

    “The case of so-called Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Ogun State is pathetic, as it is laughable; it is a confirmation of a group’s agitation spurred by pecuniary gains”.

    “For clarity, CUPP is simply the union of deregistered political parties in Ogun State, who were sent out of the political space by the electoral umpire as a result of their redundancy, unpopularity, inaction and rejection in the political environment”.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) considered this group of political jobbers as dangerous parasites in the political climate, hence, their ignominious exit from political environment to entrench sanity in the system”.

    “The recent virtuperations of the illegal association called CUPP in Ogun State about Governor Dapo Abiodun and other senior officials in his government is practically an aberration, considering the antecedents of those individuals that constitute the illegal group”.

    “Without mincing words, the society must be very wary of these individuals who are perpetually jobless as well as covetous; they are serious threat to decency and seriousness in the political arena”.

    “These individuals need to be educated that Prince Dapo Abiodun is beyond a personality that can be blackmailed into submission; thinking the Governor can be emasculated to dole out cash to help their terrible economic conditions”.

    “As far as Ogun State and the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun is concerned, the State is geometrically on the path of development and sustained growth with remarkable projects of indelible legacies”.

    “On a final note, the crop of elements in CUPP must immediately refrain from their illegal activities and get engaged in productive activities rather than their present nude dance at the market square”.

  • ‘Blatantly unconstitutional’ – Judge blocks Trump’s order on birthright citizenship

    ‘Blatantly unconstitutional’ – Judge blocks Trump’s order on birthright citizenship

    A United States of America, USA, judge has temporarily blocked Trump’s order to change birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the Constitution.

    Read Also: What Nigerians should know about Trump’s order on American birthright citizenship

    The judge says the order, which was slated to take effect on 19 January, was “blatantly unconstitutional”.

    The order

    Among the executive orders President Donald Trump signed just hours after taking office as the 47th President of the United States of America, USA, was the one directing government agencies to stop issuing citizenship documentation for babies born in the US to parents without legal status.

    Immigration advocacy groups have already gone to court. It is expected that more lawsuits will follow, given the controversial nature of the orders.

    The order is titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship”.

    ‘Blatantly unconstitutional’

    In Seattle, today, according to BBC, things did not go well for Trump’s lawyers during the brief hearing in Seattle.

    Four states asked a judge to immediately block Trump’s attempt to deny the right to birthright citizenship to children born to undocumented migrants and people in the US temporarily.

    Just as Justice Department lawyer, Brett Shumate, began his arguments on the validity of the order, Judge John Coughenour cut in, asking him point blank: “Is this order constitutional?”

    The judge again interrupted as Shumate began to respond, saying: “This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.

    “We look back in history and say ‘where were the judges, where were the lawyers?’”, the judge continued.

    “Frankly, I have difficulty finding that a member of the bar can state confidently that this is a constitutional order.”

    The “bar” refers to the American legal professional institution.

    In Seattle, lawyers for the four states are now speaking to the press about the temporary block of Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship.

    “This was fairly obvious. This was simple,” says Nicholas Brown the attorney general of Washington, speaking about the judge’s decision.

    He says the nationwide block is just the first step, but predicts that it won’t be overturned by another court.

    We are waiting to hear what the Trump administration’s next legal move will be.

  • All exams in Nigeria ’ll be 100% CBT by 2027 – Minister

    All exams in Nigeria ’ll be 100% CBT by 2027 – Minister

    The Federal Government has a 2027 target for transitioning its examination system to 100 per cent computer-based testing (CBT).

    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.

    Alausa said that the committee was tasked with the responsibility of addressing key challenges in the education sector, standardise examination practices and ensure fairness and quality.

    He emphasised government’s commitment to tackling widespread examination malpractices and enhancing the overall quality of the nation’s educational assessments.

    According to him, tackling examination leakages requires a holistic approach, as students are not the only culprits in examination malpractices.

    The minister said that parents also contributed to examination malpractices by encouraging their wards.

    He added that teachers, school principals as well as those supervising the examinations were also culpable in the rising examination malpractices in the country.

    “So, we’re planning that by 2027, all our exams will be computer-based. We will work so hard to ensure that that happens. We have to use technology to help our endeavour.

    “The committee will also be working with local swapping of candidates.

    There are multiple participants in exam practices. From the student to parents, teachers, principals, to even people regulating and supervising exam conduct.

    “During this change, a lot of areas of compromises will happen. There will be people investigating and regulating the exams,” he said.

    Alausa outlined several goals which the committee was set up to achieve, including eliminating examination leakages, addressing identity theft in examinations and improving examination supervision.

    He stressed the importance of transitioning to computer-based examinations by 2027 and combating local swapping of candidates during examinations.

    According to him, this will be made possible through government’s substantial funding of education under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, with a strong focus on human capital development.

    The minister also announced that examination certificates would now feature three key identifiers: national identification numbers, candidates’ photos and birthdates to ensure the authenticity of results.

    He described examination malpractice as a growing threat, warning that allowing it to persist would undermine the efforts of diligent students striving to improve themselves.

    “I’ve mandated all the registrars of our examination bodies, such as WAEC, NECO and NAPTEB that by their next examinations scheduled for May, June and July, there will be three identifiers on the certificates they issue.

    “These identifiers will be the national identification number of the candidates, picture of the candidate on the certificates and their date of birth.

    “By having these three identifiers, we will ensure almost 100 per cent certainty in identifying candidates,” he stated.

    Responding, Chairman of the committee, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, thanked the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the committee in carrying out the national assignment.

    Oloyede, who is the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), pledged to carry out the assignment dutifully and promptly.

  • UK tech minister expresses concern over TikTok

    UK tech minister expresses concern over TikTok

    Britain’s technology minister is “genuinely concerned” about how Chinese-owned TikTok could use the data of millions of Britons, according to an interview with The Guardian newspaper published Thursday.

    The UK, unlike the United States, has stopped short of calling for a ban on the social media platform, as concerns rise over how the app could be exploited by the Chinese government.

    “I am genuinely concerned about the ownership model of TikTok,” Peter Kyle said.

    “I’m genuinely concerned about their use of data, linked to the ownership model.”

    He nevertheless called TikTok a “desirable product”, adding that “young people should be free to explore all sorts of cultures and ideologies”.

    A TikTok ban law has been passed in the United States owing to concerns that the Chinese government could use the social media app to spy on Americans or covertly influence US public opinion through data collection and content manipulation.

    The United States gave TikTok’s Chinese parent ByteDance the choice to sell the platform or face a ban. The deadline for this has been extended by 75 days by new president Donald Trump.

    Responding to The Guardian interview, a TikTok spokesperson told AFP:

    “In the UK, TikTok is provided by a UK registered company, subject to UK laws and regulated by UK regulators.”

    “Our parent company is majority-owned by international investors, predominantly from the US.”

    TikTok insisted that the Chinese government has no stake in ByteDance.

    The company also said it has invested £10 billion ($12 billion) to set up a data security programme in the UK and mainland Europe.