August 2025 | Page 17 of 31

News

Ukraine War Update: Zelenskyy Meets Starmer; Kremlin Confirms Trump-Putin Summit Plans

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on August 14, highlighting Britain’s continued support for Ukraine ahead of the upcoming U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska. Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and warned that further pressure could be applied to Russia if necessary. The meeting comes at a critical moment, as the Kremlin confirmed that Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a one-on-one meeting this Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Following the private discussion, their delegations will join for broader talks, concluding with a joint press conference. This will be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Putin since 2019. It has raised concerns among European leaders, who fear Ukraine’s interests could be sidelined during negotiations. Many have stressed that any resolution to the conflict must not undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Trump has described the summit as a “listening exercise,” with the aim of exploring possible ceasefire arrangements. He has also indicated that economic measures could be considered if diplomatic progress stalls, while Putin has framed the talks as an opportunity to address security concerns and “reset” strained relations.

JAMB to Screen Exceptional Underage Candidates September 22–26

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will conduct a special screening exercise for over 500 exceptional candidates below the age of 16 seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session. The exercise will run from September 22 to 26, 2025, according to a statement issued on Thursday by JAMB’s Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin. A special technical committee will oversee the process, which follows resolutions reached during a virtual stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday. Screening venues will be in Lagos (397 candidates), Owerri (136 candidates), and Abuja (66 candidates). JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that of the 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only a fraction met the benchmarks for consideration. The screening will include subject-specific tests, an oral interview, and verification of WAEC or NECO results. Candidates must have scored at least 320 (80%) in UTME, obtained a minimum of 80% in post-UTME, and achieved 80% (24/30 points) in a single WAEC or NECO sitting to qualify. According to JAMB, the policy aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s minimum admission age of 16. It is designed to balance academic excellence with cognitive maturity, discourage age falsification, and protect candidates from undue parental pressure. Four universities — Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University — have stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances. Stakeholders at the meeting included heads of tertiary institutions, government agencies, civil society groups, members of the Nigerian Academy of Education, and the principal of the Federal Government Gifted Academy, Suleja.

FG Suspends Establishment Of New Tertiary Institutions For 7 Years

FG Places 7-Year Freeze on New Federal Tertiary Institutions

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa – August 13, 2025 The Federal Government has imposed a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing under-utilisation, overstretched resources, and declining academic standards. The decision, approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, followed a presentation by Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa. Alausa told State House correspondents that Nigeria’s tertiary education sector was facing a quality crisis rather than an access problem, with many institutions suffering from low enrolment, inadequate infrastructure, and excessive staffing relative to student numbers. “Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, 1,200 staff serve fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources,” he said. Statistics from the ministry show that last year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through JAMB, with 34 getting none at all. Of the 295 polytechnics in the country, many attracted fewer than 99 applicants, while 64 of 219 colleges of education recorded zero applications. Alausa warned that the proliferation of poorly subscribed institutions risked producing underqualified graduates, tarnishing the reputation of Nigerian degrees internationally, and worsening unemployment. The minister said the moratorium would give government time to focus on upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and expanding the capacity of existing institutions. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions,” he stated. Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to hundreds of state-owned and private tertiary institutions. Alausa clarified that the freeze applies only to new federal institutions. The FEC also approved nine new private universities at the meeting, noting that these had already met all licensing and regulatory requirements.

South Sudan Reportedly Approves Israeli Plan to Resettle Gazans

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

South Sudan’s cabinet has allegedly approved an Israeli request to receive Palestinians from Gaza, despite official denials, The Telegraph has reported. According to a foreign ministry official in Juba, the deal — brokered with Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates — would see the UAE provide funding, Washington lift sanctions on South Sudan, and Israel invest in health and education. The official claimed South Sudan has “enough land” and could benefit economically from the arrangement, but acknowledged strong domestic opposition. On Wednesday, the government dismissed claims of any such agreement as “baseless,” yet multiple sources told Associated Press that talks are ongoing. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel’s visit to Juba this week, following earlier diplomatic exchanges, has fueled speculation. The reported plan aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed push for the “voluntary” relocation of Gazans — an idea first floated by Donald Trump and widely criticised as a form of ethnic cleansing. Critics argue that given Gaza’s devastation, relocation could hardly be considered truly voluntary, and warn displaced Palestinians may never be allowed to return. South Sudanese lawmakers have voiced strong resistance, citing the country’s economic struggles and fragile political situation. “We are not able to feed ourselves — how can we take more people?” one MP said. Israel has reportedly approached other nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Somaliland, but without success. Egypt has lobbied Juba not to participate in the plan. Observers say large-scale migration from Gaza after the war may be inevitable, regardless of formal policy, due to the enclave’s catastrophic destruction.

Peter Obi: Nigeria Needs a Present President, Not a Perpetual Traveller

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Amid the deplorable state of our nation on all fronts, we have a virtually indifferent President who continues to display alarming insensitivity to our situation. How does one explain that a President who only recently returned from Brazil is now heading back to the same country—leaving behind unresolved crises at home? According to his latest itinerary, President Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, with a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In Japan, he will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. Notably, the schedule is silent on his return date to a nation visibly in distress. It is deeply troubling that our President—who has yet to visit any of Nigeria’s most troubled states—seems to find joy in foreign travel at the slightest invitation, often departing days before the events he is meant to attend. In his last foreign trip, for example, he spent a week in St. Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit—where Nigeria was only present as an observer, despite the role being dressed up as that of a “partner.” In contrast, leaders of actual member countries typically arrived just a day or two before the event. Meanwhile, insecurity, economic hardship, and human suffering in Nigeria have reached unprecedented levels. We now rank among the most insecure nations, the most fragile economies, and the hungriest countries in the world. This dire reality demands the President’s full attention—not prolonged absences for conferences that yield little tangible benefit. If his upcoming trip is unavoidable, it should be no longer than five days—given that the Japan conference begins on August 20—rather than the planned 12 days abroad. Nigeria today needs security of lives and property, economic stability, and policies that put food on citizens’ tables. Our country requires leadership marked by competence, capacity, compassion, and sacrifice. The President should embark on tours of Nigeria’s states with the same enthusiasm he has for foreign trips—seeing firsthand, listening directly, and understanding deeply the struggles Nigerians face. Nigerians know our problems won’t be solved overnight, but they expect 100% effort and visible commitment. Most importantly, Mr. President must remember that he is not a tourist. He is the Chief Executive of a nation in crisis, and his schedule—both at home and abroad—should reflect that urgent reality.

FG Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Exam Malpractice as WAEC Results Improve

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: August 14, 2025 The Federal Government has restated its zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, pledging continued reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and educational quality. Education Minister, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made this known in a statement on Thursday signed by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations. According to Dr. Alausa, the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results showed significant improvement, with 91.14% of candidates obtaining at least five credits (with or without English and Mathematics), compared to 73.79% in 2024. However, the percentage of candidates with five credits including English and Mathematics declined to 62.96% from 72.12% last year. Malpractice cases dropped from 16.29% in 2023 to 9.70% in 2025, a feat attributed to WAEC’s anti-cheating measures, including question paper serialization in core subjects. The Minister announced that WAEC and NECO will begin Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for objective papers in 2025, with full adoption for all papers in 2026. Dr. Alausa urged parents, teachers, and communities to work together in promoting discipline, supporting students, and creating an environment that enables every child to excel.

No Financial Gains For KWAM 1 as Aviation Ambassador -FG

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Federal Government has revealed that Fuji music maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall popularly known as KWAM 1 D’Ultimate will perform his Aviation Security Ambassadorial role in Community Service capacity. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo made this clarification in a statement on his Twitter handler now X on Wednesday. The Minister, who had earlier in the day announced that the Fuji musician would serve as an ambassador in the aviation sector, took time to explain that the appointment will attract no financial remuniration. Keyamo wrote; “For further clarification, it is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to Community Service. It is not paid for and it is voluntary service. “Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some would assume that once you hear the word ‘Ambassador’ it is a big position that comes with the perquisites of office. No, it is not. It is for free. It is not the first time it is happening in Nigeria and it will not be the last . Examples abound of such roles given to repentant persons by previous governments in Nigeria. “Whilst the Aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), they are also looking at the option of using Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct. It is left for the AON to work out those details since she has been actually released from prison custody today based on my earlier statement. “Whilst the usual suspects can continue to question our decisions on this issue, we firmly believe we have been fair to all.”

Pyrates Confraternity Harp on Equal Justice in Aviation Enforcement

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The National Association of Seadogs aka Pyrates Confraternity has noted the decision announced in the early hours of Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, to withdraw the criminal complaint against Ms Comfort Emmanson, reduce sanctions in the case of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1), and introduce reforms to improve the handling of disruptive passenger incidents. In a statement on Wednesday by the NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, the Association said the Minister’s intervention, which emphasised de-escalation, reconciliation, and capacity building for aviation security personnel, is a welcome step towards addressing public concerns about fairness and consistency in enforcement. “From the outset, NAS made it clear that our position was not to excuse or defend unruly behaviour, but to insist that all offenders, whether high-profile or unknown, must face the same lawful consequences for breaches of aviation safety protocols. “The Minister’s acknowledgement that wrongs were committed on all sides, and his move to review the cases holistically, aligns with our call for justice that is even-handed and corrective, not selective,” Oteri said. The Association, however, cautioned that the clemency granted in these cases should not be misconstrued as tolerance for misconduct in the aviation sector. “While compassion is a virtue, deterrence is a duty. Going forward, every passenger and airline staff must understand that safety rules are non-negotiable, and enforcement must be blind to status, influence, or public sympathy,” Oteri stressed. NAS also welcomed the Minister’s directive for a retreat to retrain aviation security personnel and review airline staff conduct, noting that improved crisis management, unbiased enforcement, and respect for human dignity during interventions will go a long way in restoring public trust in Nigeria’s aviation sector. The Association urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and airline operators to follow through on the planned reforms, ensure transparent monitoring of enforcement, and intensify public awareness campaigns on passenger conduct and penalties. “Air travel is a shared responsibility. Passengers must respect safety protocols; airlines must treat customers with professionalism; and regulators must apply the law equally. If these principles are upheld, the unfortunate incidents of recent weeks will serve as a turning point for safer, fairer skies,” Oteri said.