Omalicha News
Roundup of Stories that made the News on Omalicha 91.1FM
NOVEMBER 1, 2025
Group Set to Clean up Azaraegbelu
A team of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) advocates has intensified efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and balance as part of the global drive for sustainable living.
During a visit to Omalicha Radio, the group led by Jonathan Chijioke Onukwuje, emphasized the importance of SDG 6, which focuses on environmental protection and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The visit was part of preparations for a sensitization and clean-up exercise scheduled to take place in the Azaraegbelu community.
According to the advocates, the initiative aims not only to rid the area of waste but also to educate residents on the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
The team announced plans to tackle the growing refuse dumps that line the roads and market area of Azaraegbelu, while also introducing residents to best practices in waste management and environmental care.
Mpam Ancient Kingdom to Install Monarch
The Mpam Ancient Kingdom in Ekwerazu, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, is set to witness a defining cultural moment as it prepares for the Coronation of His Royal Highness, Eze Leonard Chukwudi Ogbata (Onuguotu II).
The event, scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the historic Eke Mpam Market Square, is expected to draw dignitaries and indigenes from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The coronation is being hailed by community leaders as a "cultural rebirth" and significant turning point in the kingdom’s history. In a joint statement, the Coronation Central Planning Committee, chaired by Nze Uchechi Obasi, and the Subcommittee on Media and Publicity, led by Chief Iyke Anyanwu (Ikukundu), underscored the event's importance beyond the ceremonial title.
According to the statement, the people of Mpam are already excited and standing firmly behind their Eze and the Mpam Progressive Union, pledging total support and loyalty ahead of the historic event. From the villages to the diaspora, Mpam sons, daughters, in-laws, friends, and well-wishers are rallying in unity for what is set to be one of the most significant cultural gatherings in Mbaise.
Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Nationwide Strike
Healthcare services across the country are set to experience major disruptions today as about 11,000 members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commence an indefinite nationwide strike.
The industrial action, which began at 12:00 am today, will affect 91 healthcare facilities across the country.
This development was confirmed by the NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, and Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim on Friday.
The strike is expected to cripple operations in Federal Medical Centres, teaching hospitals, specialist institutions, and private health facilities.
Judges Orders Non-recognition of PDP Convention Outcome
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the convention.
The judge predicated the decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
The judge held that evidence provided by the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.
In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its National Chairman without the National Secretary violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway: Arab Contractors Get Marching Orders
Umahi gave the directive on Friday in Aba after inspecting the progress of work on the project. He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the section, warning that the contract would be revoked, if the deadline was not met.
He assured the contractor of prompt payment, describing the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as a reliable partner that does not renege on its financial obligations.
Umahi praised Governor Alex Otti of Abia for his unwavering commitment to the development of the state and for supporting the president’s infrastructure agenda.
President Trump Designates Nigeria Country of Interest
President Donald Trump of the United States on Friday designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, in response to allegations of widespread persecution and genocide against Christians.
Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that Christianity faces a serious threat in Nigeria. The US leader also added Nigeria to a State Department watch list.
According to the US president, he was placing Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and most populous nation, on a “Countries of Particular Concern” list of nations the US deems to have engaged in religious freedom violations.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has rejected remarks by United States President Donald Trump. In a statement issued on Saturday morning by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the claims do not reflect the situation on the ground.
The government noted that while it appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate.
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Governor Uzodimma Canvases For Good Governance To Combat Insecurity In Africa
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said that democracy and good governance are the permanent panacea to the security challenges besieging African nations.
He argued that democracy begets good governance, which in turn begets quality health care, good education, and employment opportunities for the citizens. He insists that when good governance thrives, the conditions that encourage insecurity will diminish.
Uzodimma, who spoke on the topic Non-State Actors And Entrepreneurship Development In Africa: Challenges Responses and Way Forward noted that African leaders must embrace democracy and good governance to defeat insecurity.
Speaking as a keynote lecturer to the participants of Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18, at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Uzodimma urged African leaders to adopt the model of good governance practices evident in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in Nigeria which he said has significantly brought down the disruptive activities of non-state actors in the country.
He explained that the model involves the government not leaving any void for non-state actors to exploit and unleash havoc on the nations.
Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB Leader Seeks Dismissal of Charges
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release. In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”
The IPOB leader, who is representing himself, filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.
Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.
NSCDC Deploys 10, 000 Operatives for Anambra Governorship Polls
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed over 10,000 operatives to ensure adequate security during the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment, which includes tactical forces from the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
The move, according to the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, is part of efforts to support the Nigeria Police Force, which is the lead agency for election security.
Babawale said that the deployment was aimed at maintaining peace and guaranteeing a credible electoral process.
He added that the Commandant General had addressed State Commandants and Heads of Tactical Squads, warning politicians and their supporters against any actions or statements capable of inciting violence before, during, or after the election.
The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a fully digital civil registration system for births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events in Nigeria, describing accurate population data as indispensable to effective national planning and governance.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, made the call in Abuja, while declaring open a public hearing on a Bill to Repeal and Re-enact the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act.
According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to modernise Nigeria’s outdated civil registration system by introducing a secure electronic framework for collecting, managing, and sharing vital statistics.
Abbas said a digital registration platform would eliminate duplication and fraud, improve access to vital records nationwide, and enhance identity management across public institutions.
He added that the reforms were consistent with international best practices and United Nations recommendations on civil registration and vital statistics.
The Senate on Thursday began consideration of a Bill seeking to establish a National Centre for Autism in six zonal centres across the country for research, diagnosis, and care. ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. It manifests differently in individuals, making early diagnosis and tailored intervention essential for meaningful inclusion and personal development.”
The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), aims to institutionalise early detection and intervention for children and adults with autism while promoting awareness, professional training, and nationwide inclusion.
Leading debate on the general principles of the Bill titled “An Act to Establish the National Centre for Autism and Six Zonal Centres for Autism Diagnosis, Research, Education, and Care; and for Related Matters,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative was long overdue and critical to Nigeria’s social and public health development. She identified the zones as Kaduna, Bauchi, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation, the lawmaker noted that one in every 100 children globally is diagnosed with autism, adding that due to poor awareness and limited diagnostic capacity, Nigeria’s true prevalence rate is likely far higher.
The Federal Government, on Thursday, unveiled an innovative digital platform designed to formalize the country’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users in a transparent and traceable system.
The platform was launched at a sensitization workshop and the unveiling of the National Waste Marketplace Programme, themed “Digitising and formalising the circular economy through technology,” in Abuja.
The initiative, organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in collaboration with Recycle Stack Limited, brought together stakeholders from across the waste management and recycling sectors to discuss strategies for advancing a circular economy in Nigeria.
By leveraging technology, the platform aims to create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while promoting environmental compliance, material recovery, and sustainable production and consumption patterns.
FG Approves Measure to Offset Pension Liabilities
The Federal Government has approved ₦758 billion in bonds to offset long-standing pension liabilities, including pension increases owed since 2007.
The Director-General of the National Pension Commission, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this on Thursday in Yola at a two-day sensitisation workshop on the workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme for Employees and Pensioners in the North-East.
Oloworaran, represented by the Commissioner for Administration in PenCom, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, described the approval as a bold step by President Bola Tinubu to bring relief to vulnerable pensioners and restore confidence in the pension system.
She said the workshop formed part of ongoing reforms to enhance awareness and deepen understanding of the CPS among retirees and other stakeholders.
The Nigeria National League, NNL, has approved the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki for the 2025-26 season.
The venue is the home ground of NNL side, Abakaliki FC.
The NNL Stadium inspection representative, Mr Foster Chima expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the venue.
Chima described the facilities at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium as one of the best in the country.
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October 28
IMSG Debunks Claim of Award of Contract by Speaker Olemgbe
Imo State Government has decisively debunked a viral document circulating on social media which claimed that the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, had awarded 500 million naira in contracts for constituency projects in the Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area.
In a formal clarification issued today, October 27, 2025, the Ministry of Special Projects explained that the controversial document was a mere project proposal and not an approved contract or a record of funds disbursed.
The statement, signed by Mrs. A. O. John-Njoku on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Special Projects, firmly noted that the document was being circulated by individuals’ intent on misleading the public and discrediting the Speaker.
According to the Ministry, the paper was one among several constituency project proposals submitted by state lawmakers for administrative consideration. The government emphasized that the document has not been approved, funded, or executed by any government agency.
Rescued Children Handed Over to Parents by Police
The Abia State Police Command has announced that some of the children who were earlier rescued in October 2025 have been reunited with their parents.
A statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia Command, said that the children were handed over to their parents after the parents provided all necessary documents to identify the rescued children as their own.
She said that Mr. Akinrinola Aliya Ayomide, who is from Lagos State, was reunited with his daughter, Akinrinola Aliyat Ayomide, one of those rescued in October 2025.
The Police Command spokesperson also disclosed that Mr. Oladapo Olanipekun, also from Lagos, identified and was reunited with little Master Olanipekun Akoede Daniel, one of the rescued children, as his child.
She advised that anyone whose child is missing should visit the Gender Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) or contact the OC Gender.
Hold Your LG Chairmen Accountable
With the tripple-fold increase in monthly allocations to all tiers of government, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has asked Nigerians to hold their state governors and Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen accountable.
He stated that no Governor and the LGA chairmen get less than triple or four times of what they used to get as monthly allocations before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The Chairman spoke on Monday in Abuja at a book launch titled “Vicious Red Circle”, written by Amb. Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku.
While giving indices that the current administration was getting economic policies right, the APC Chairman said it is his dream that Nigeria moves forward under his party.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called for increased investment stakes in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
He said there have been positive reforms that promise higher returns on investments in the sector.
Alake spoke at this year’s China Mining Conference with the theme: Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share, in Tianjin.
The minister assured his host that the security situation in Nigeria has improved tremendously.
He said the sector has witnessed security reforms, including the establishment of Mining Marshals and the satellite mines monitoring project.
AGF Fagbemi Asks Court to Dismiss Akpoti Uduaghan’s Case
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has asked a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, to dismiss an objection the embattled Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filed to challenge the defamation charge pending against her.
The AGF, in a counter-affidavit he filed before the court, stressed that the charge was a product of a comprehensive and conclusive investigations he said established a prima facie case against the lawmaker. Denying the allegation that his office abused the court process, the AGF, in a counter-affidavit he filed before the court, equally faulted the defendant’s claim that her own petitions were not investigated.
The development came on a day the trial judge, Justice Chizoba Orji, slated December 1 to hear the preliminary objection Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed to quash the three-count charge the Federal Government entered against her.
In the charge marked: CR/297/25, Federal Government alleged that the defendant who was earlier handed a six-month suspension by the Senate, made false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as a guest on a live television program. According to Federal Government, the defendant, by her claim, committed an offence under 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under section 392 of the same law.
FOREIGN
Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term following an election in which two of his biggest challengers were barred from running, provisional results show.
Ouattara won 89.8% of the vote, the electoral commission said on Monday, and businessman Jeal-Louis Billon came a distant second with only 3.09%.
The landslide victory is not a huge surprise, as after being banned from the presidential race, former President Laurent Gbagbo and Credit Suisse ex-CEO Tidjane Thiam had urged their supporters to boycott the vote.
Voter turnout reached just 50.1%, according to the electoral commission. Gbagbo's ex-wife Simone Gbagbo, who was allowed to contest the election, got 2.42% of the vote. Monday's results are provisional and the final outcome will be announced by the Constitutional Council after it rules on any election petitions.
BUSINESS
The Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) recorded a strengthening of the Naira against the US Dollar on October 28, 2025, while the parallel market rate maintained a relatively stable position. Currency traders and businesses are closely monitoring the market dynamics following recent CBN interventions and policy adjustments.
As of the latest reporting time today, the official exchange rate in the NFEM stands at approximately 1,457.06 Naira per US Dollar.
This figure represents a slight appreciation for the Naira compared to figures recorded in the preceding hours, hovering around the 1,457 naira to 1,458-naira mark. Market activity at the official window is key for importers, exporters, and those with regulatory demand for foreign exchange.
Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has been shortlisted for the 2025 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, an annual global award voted for by professional footballers.
Alozie features among eight defenders nominated for the elite lineup, joining Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson (England), Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona (Spain) and Ellie Carpenter (Australia).
The 28-year-old impressed during Nigeria’s run to their 10th African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title, earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament for her outstanding performances. More than 25,000 professional players vote each year to select the World 11, which recognises the standout performers across a calendar year.
The final team consists of one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, with the 11th spot going to the outfield player with the next highest vote count. The FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be revealed on Monday, November 3, at 13:00 (UK time)
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Lawmakers urges constituents to take advantage of voter registration exercise
The former lawmaker that represented Ahiazu Mbaise State constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly, Ichie Ken Agbim has called on the people of his area to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voters’ registration to ensure they prepare themselves for the next election year.
Agbim who spoke to journalists in Owerri said, the only civil weapon citizens have to change and bring on board the kind of leadership they desire is the ballot papers.
The former minority leader at Imo House of Assembly, pointed out that he is impressed that his constituents have become political savvy and will no longer allow themselves be swayed by the filthy lucre of politics.
Agbim called on the people of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte federal constituency to key into the ongoing continuous voters’ registration and enhance their voting strength.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Exoneratess Sowere
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has exonerated human rights activist Omoyele Sowore from any involvement in the arrest and detention of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
The family also denied claims that any medical panel from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, visited Kanu for a medical test as directed by Justice James Omotosho.
This was contained in a statement by Kanunta Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the family, condemning the arrests and demanding the immediate release of Prince Emmanuel, Ejimakor and other protesters who were detained during what he described as a peaceful demonstration. Kanunta expressed shock that some individuals were accusing Sowore of complicity in the arrests, describing such allegations as mischievously incorrect.
He accused certain political elites from the South-East of sponsoring false narratives against Sowore out of shame that a non-Igbo had the courage to do what they could not.
Former Abia Speaker commends D-Speaker, House of Representatives
Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, has commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for his outstanding contributions to Abia State and the Southeast region.
In a press statement, Ohajuruka described Kalu as a “shining light” in both the global and regional parliaments, lauding his legislative prowess and unwavering commitment to development.
He highlighted Kalu’s notable achievements, including facilitating the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), the University of Medical Sciences, Abia State, the Federal College of Education, and the Police Detective College, as well as attracting several infrastructure development projects to Abia State. Ohajuruka also praised Kalu’s legislative sagacity, citing landmark bills such as the Reserved Seat Bill for Women and the State Police Bill, which have received widespread national and international recognition.
The former speaker, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the SEDC, urged the public to appreciate Kalu for his service, frankness, and honesty. He stressed that Kalu’s recent comments on the financial earnings of Abia State were not meant to criticize the government but to encourage greater accountability and development.
ASUU suspends warning strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike, giving the Federal Government a one-month window to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and address other unresolved issues affecting the nation’s university system.
President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he explained that the suspension followed fruitful engagements with the Federal Government and key interventions from the National Assembly.
Piwuna recalled that ASUU had declared the warning strike on October 13, 2025, after what he described as the government’s failure to respond to several appeals to address the lingering renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and other welfare-related concerns of university lecturers.
The ASUU president revealed that following the commencement of the strike, the Federal Government re-engaged the union through a team led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, which met with ASUU representatives on October 16 and 18, to discuss the government’s response to the draft renegotiated agreement. According to him, although the meetings did not fully resolve all issues, the union recognised that significant progress had been made compared to the pre-strike period.
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October 24, 2025
182 New Police Constables Assume Duties In Imo
182 newly trained and deployed police constables have assumed duties at the Imo State Command, Owerri. They passed out recently from the Police Training School, Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Council of the state, after successfully completing their basic training.
Receiving the officers yesterday at the command’s premises, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, represented by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, charged them to uphold ethical conduct, discipline, and community-oriented policing.
He congratulated them for their perseverance during the drilling period, urging them to be law-abiding and exhibit professionalism as they discharge their duties henceforth, including accepting postings to any station the command deploys them to.
The IGP directed them to embrace grassroots Community-Oriented Policing, which emphasises grassroots security and stronger collaboration between the Police and members of the public.
Embrace Bold Regional Development Strategy, Sam Amadi tells Southeast Leaders
In preparation for its second investment summit, the Southeast Business and Investment Summit (SEBIS) on Friday, October 17, 2025, held its inaugural roadshow and town hall meeting in Abuja to garner support for the upcoming event in Enugu, the Coal City. The summit is scheduled to hold from November 26–28, 2025.
In a thought-provoking intervention at the event Dr. Sam Amadi, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and current Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, called on the South-East region to embrace a bold regional strategy to fully unlock its vast economic potentials. He argued that the region already possesses the fundamental human resources needed for a resurgence.
Dr. Amadi stressed that the five states in the South-East should aim to create a single economic market, as according to him, the region is a natural economic market because there are virtually no internal barriers when travelling between these states. He called on the state governors to converge their regulatory regimes, even without diluting their individual state sovereignty. This convergence, he argued, would make all their regulations uniform.
Referencing the regime of the late Premier of the Eastern region Dr Michael Okpara, Amadi said Eastern Nigeria provided a model of development for Africa.
The roadshow attracted many dignitaries of the southeast extraction, including former governor of Anambra State Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, two former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Anyim Pius Anyim, leaders of Ohaneze in the FCT, leaders of professional and trading Associations, journalists and among others.
The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan has promised to deliver credible, free and fair elections going forward. The Chairman addressed the staff of the Commission for the very first time immediately after being sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
The Chairman said one of the tasks before him was to restore electoral confidence in the electorate, so they realise that their votes count.
He said his first point of call would be the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, calling on staff of the Commission to ensure that credibility is delivered. Amupitan also said that the staff welfare will be one of his major priorities.
The new Chair, noted that the journey ahead is a challenging one, adding that his coming as the Chairman of INEC is divine.
The West African Examinations Council has conducted a trial test on essay writing ahead of the Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates in 2026.
The exercise, led by the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, took place on Thursday at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre, Ogba, Lagos.
Senior secondary school students participated in the trial, designed to familiarise them with the upcoming computer-based format combining both objective and essay components.
Dangut explained that the initiative aims to prepare candidates for full digital examination participation while gradually bridging technological gaps among schools across the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has said that the Federal Government has recruited more than 20,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists into federal health institutions across the country in the last two years.
Pate said the mass recruitment, approved by President Bola Tinubu, was part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation’s health system and improve access to quality healthcare services.
He stated this during a dialogue with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, where he highlighted the administration’s achievements in the health sector.
Pate explained that the new recruits were deployed across teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and other tertiary facilities to fill critical manpower gaps and improve patient care
US President, Donald Trump, has pardoned the convicted Binance co-founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the White House said on Thursday, accusing Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, of launching an unnecessary war against the industry.
Binance was created in 2017 and swiftly became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, turning Zhao into a billionaire.
Following an investigation into the firm’s operations, Zhao pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money-laundering laws in late 2023 and served a four-month prison sentence for it in 2024.
Zhao’s pardon wipes his criminal record, and could help pave the way for Binance to return to the United States, around two years after it agreed to suspend its US operations in a deal to resolve the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation.
BUSINESS
Town union leaders in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra Town Unions Council (ASTUC) has reacted to allegations that its leadership was imposing levies on them to fund the re-election campaign of the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
A letter circulating on the internet, which was titled; Support for Mr. Governor (Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR), and signed by Comrade Ken Okoli, President General youth wing of ASTUC and his secretary, Comrade Orstager P. Chinweuba had mandated all youth leaders to pay 30,000 naira, same as women leaders, while President General communities will pay 75,000 naira.
The letter stated that there will be consequences for non-payment and that the money was a compulsory payment meant to donate to the campaign of the governor. But the media coordinator of ASTUC and President General of Uke Community, Chief Peter Onyejegbu insisted that the letter was a fabrication geared at discrediting the union for their support for Soludo.
He however did not dispute that the members of the organisation were making donations towards Soludo’s campaigns, but insisted that no one was being coerced to pay, nor was there any intention to punish those who failed to pay.
SPORTS
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed Ivorian referee Kouassi Frederic Francois Biro to officiate the Champions League second preliminary round, second leg match between Rivers United FC and Black Bulls of Mozambique.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.
Biro will be assisted by fellow Ivorian officials Prosper Adiouman and Eba Médard Wenceslas Ettien as assistant referees, while Patrick Tanguy Jean Philippe Vlei will serve as the fourth official.
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Governor Hope Uzodimma initiated these modern facilities, which are currently being constructed by the company Planet Projects Ltd. Prince Eze Ugochukwu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, confirmed this development in a statement released on Sunday.
He further revealed that the constructing company, Planet Projects Ltd., has a record of building large terminals in Lagos, such as the Oshodi Interchange, incorporating advanced amenities like simplified ticketing and comfortable waiting areas.
A fresh crisis is brewing in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as federal lawmakers from the Southeast have threatened to boycott the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan over alleged moves to rezone the position of National Woman Leader from the Southeast to the South South.
The lawmakers, led by the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the plan to alter the existing zoning arrangement, saying it is an attempt to humiliate and alienate the Southeast within the party.
They warned that the PDP risks further internal disunity and mass defections if the purported plan is not reversed before the screening exercise scheduled for next week.
Ugochinyere, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers in Abuja, said the position was originally zoned to the Southeast, with Imo State expected to produce the next National Woman Leader. He explained that the current Southeast Zonal Woman Leader, Ifeyinwa Arodiogbu, was unanimously backed by PDP stakeholders in the region to clinch the position before Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, now in the All-Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly influenced the zoning to his state.
He said Mbah’s defection to the ruling party has rendered the earlier arrangement invalid, giving Imo State a legitimate claim to the position. Ugochinyere disclosed that the lawmakers would issue a disclaimer against the convention in two weeks and would not participate if Imo State and the Southeast are humiliated.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.
The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement released by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday.
The statement noted that the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.
According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.
The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.
Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.
Nigeria to Host IPI Africa Bloc Conference
Nigeria will host the inaugural meeting of the African bloc of the National Committees of the International Press Institute, following the country’s acceptance to lead the new regional grouping.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed the development during a meeting at the weekend in Vienna, Austria, with the Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Marton Gergely; the IPI Executive Director, Scott Griffen; and Nigeria’s representative on the IPI Executive Board, Raheem Adedoyin. This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Sunday.
The IPI Board had earlier approved the creation of regional blocs of national committees to better address region-specific interests within the global IPI community. Idris, who spoke at the meeting, said Nigeria was honoured to host the maiden edition of the African bloc’s meeting.
Despite the counter statements from the presidency on the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, a member of the US Congress, Rep Riley M. Moore has insisted that about 7,000 Christians have been killed across the country this year.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the lawmaker described the alleged genocide as a tragedy saying it has been going on for decades without anyone talking about it.
Reall that Rep Moore and Senator Ted Cruz recently called for the designation of Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns, CPC over the alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria. But presidential media aide, Daniel Bwala, had on different occasions dismissed the claim, insisting that the security crisis in the country does not target a particular religion.
However, in his recent interview with Fox News, Rep Moore insisted that about 35 Nigerian Christians are murdered per day.
SPORTS
Real Madrid have won the first El Clásico of the season, beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Los Blancos came into the game with revenge on their minds, having lost all their fixtures against their arch-rivals last season.
Kylian Mbappé gave Madrid the lead with a fierce drive from a distance.
But Fermín López continued his red-hot form in front of goal to make it 1-1.
The winning goal came just before the break, as Jude Bellingham ghosted in at the back post to tap into an empty net.
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