The Kwara government says it has started disbursing on Monday N10,000 to each of the 26,852 indigenous students in 140 tertiary schools across the country.

Chairman of the Government Committee on Students’ Palliative Fund, Shehu Adaramaja, said on Tuesday in Ilorin that the disbursement was to augment the students’ expenses after fuel subsidy removal.

He said the exercise followed a thorough screening process that lasted several weeks.

“Each beneficiary received a palliative fund of N10,000 directly into his or her account. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says the palliative is a token of support and another one in the multi-sectoral palliatives that his administration has rolled out since June,” said Mr Adaramaja.

The official added, “The disbursement of the palliative fund is a testament to the government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of its students.”

Mr Adaramaja, chair of the State Universal Basic Education Board, said 30,775 students registered online before the screening processes later produced 26,852 beneficiaries.

“In the data verification and analyses carried out by the technical committee, those with incomplete registrations, multiple registrations, and forged citizenship certificates, among others, were weeded out,” he explained.

“That pegged the number of beneficiaries at 26,852.”

By extending this financial assistance, the governor is showing empathy to the students and parents who need all the support they can get now, said Mr Adaramaja.

He also mentioned that efforts were underway to ensure that the funds were received by students from diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds, helping to cater to the needs of a wide range of deserving students.

Mr Adaramaja stated that Kwara remained resolute in its commitment to the welfare of the people, including students.

The police, on Tuesday, arraigned seven persons before a Grade I Area Court, Lugbe in Abuja for allegedly constituting public nuisance.

The defendants: Ibrahim Abdullahi, 20; Gadafi Usman, 23; Abubakar Adamu, 19; Habibu Idris, 20; Useni Abdullahi, 18; Abubakar Ibrahim, 18 and Anas Adamu, 32, all with no fixed addresses, were arraigned on a count charge of public nuisance.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Stanley Nwaforaku, told the court that a team of policemen, led by Bulama Dogu, attached to Lugbe Police Station, raided a black spot and arrested the defendants.

Mr Nwaforaku said that illicit drugs and knives were found in the defendants’ possession during the time of their arrest.

He added that during police investigation, they could not give satisfactory reasons for the items found on them.

The judge, Aliyu Kagarko, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with one surety in like sum.

Mr Kagarko, thereafter, adjourned the case till Oct. 13 for mention.

Not fewer than 15 persons were on Monday evening reportedly killed in an accident involving a trailer and a commercial bus in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The articulated vehicle was said to be coming from Lokoja-Okene road before ramming into the commercial bus that was full of passengers.

An eyewitness said that the incident occurred after the trailer had a brake failure and crashed into a Toyota bus, killing 15 persons. He also said the corpses of the dead were taken to the mortuary, while the injured were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

Calls and text messages sent to the mobile phone of the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Paul Okpe, were not responded to at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Etsako East Local Chairman, Hon. Benedicta Attoh, has commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the people of Okpella, on the tragic incident.

A statement from her Chief Press Secretary, Ben Atu, said she sincerely sympathises with the family of the dead and prays for a quick recovery for the injured.

The statement reads:

“It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Ewo Market Road in Okpella on Monday, September 25th, 2023.”

“Indeed, their deaths have caused great sorrow for their families. I wish to let the families of the victims know that our thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of grief. It is not the will of God that we die before our time, but when something like this happens, who can question God”.

“On behalf of Etsako East Local Government Council, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of our departed brothers and sisters.

“Their untimely death has undoubtedly caused great pain to their families and I pray that such tragedy will never occur again in Jesus name, Amen.

“May God grant the families and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may their souls rest in peace, amen,” she said.

Ogun State government on Tuesday said that it has cancelled celebrating the 63rd Independence Day scheduled for Sunday, October 1st.

This, according to a statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, was in tune with the directive of the federal government to have a low-key celebration this year.

The decision by the Federal Government to have a low-key celebration according to the statement was to reflect the mood of the nation with the government urging citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

The statement partly reads, “Following the directive of the Federal Government that this year’s Independence Day Celebration should be low-key, the Ogun State Government has cancelled all arrangements in respect of the anniversary on October 1st, 2023.

“The decision by the federal government is to reflect the mood of the nation. The state government enjoins citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

“It is the strong belief of the government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun that the supplications of the people at this crucial time will be answered by God.

“We seek the understanding and cooperation of all and sundry as we observe a low-key independence anniversary this year, believing that better times lie ahead of us as a people”.

A fully loaded NNPC tanker got stuck and caused gridlock for travellers coming from Oju Odo, Synagogue Church, inward Ikotun area of Lagos State on Tuesday morning.

This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofeek, on Tuesday.

According to the statement shared on the agency’s X page, the LASTMA operatives averted a major fire disaster and ensured miscreants didn’t loot the tanker’s product.

A Non-profit organisation, Margaret Modinat Foundation, on Monday, handed over to Ogun State government, a newly reconstructed block of three classrooms with furniture and four toilets at Comprehensive High School, Ijebu Ife in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.

The donor and Founder of the NGO, Princess Olanrewaju Osibote, said her passion for humanity and desire to further create a conducive learning atmosphere for the students, informed her decision to embark on the project about a month ago, amounting to N11m.

Osibote said she had always been an advocate of selfless service. This, she added, was one of those traits she inherited from her late mother who she said was always willing to share the little she had with others without expecting anything in return.

She explained that “I have always been immersed in giving back to the people and society; its one passion and sense of duty that always makes me fulfilled and be at peace with myself.

“We have done a lot of this in Lagos State, helping the widows and all that but I said let me come back home and see what could be done.”

Veteran Nollywood actor Oluyemi Lawrence Adeyemi popularly known as Suara, is dead.

The actor, according to a statement signed by his son, Adedotun Adeyemi, died on Sunday, September 24.

“It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to God that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Oluyemi Lawrence Adeyemi (Suara), who went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 24, 2023. 

“We are consoled because we know that he has gone to rest. We kindly request that the family be allowed some privacy in this time of grief. More details about the burial will be communicated soon.”

Adeyemi rose to fame with his role in the 2001 Wale Adenuga hit series, ‘Super Story.’

The Federal Government has unveiled the official logo for the country’s 63rd Independence Day celebration.

It was released by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on Tuesday morning.

Nigeria will mark its 63rd Independence Day celebration on Sunday, October 1.

The federal government has declared Wednesday, Sept. 27, public holiday in commemoration of Eid-el-Maulud celebration, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in Abuja.

Mr Tunji-Ojo congratulated the Muslim Ummah both home and in diaspora for witnessing the occasion.

He admonished Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which were deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet exemplified.

The minister also urged Nigerians, especially the youth to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity.

He also enjoined them to join hands with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that Nigerians would be proud of.

Mr Tunji-Ojo wished the Muslim Ummah a joyful celebration.

He admonished Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which were deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet exemplified.

The minister also urged Nigerians, especially the youth to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity.

He also enjoined them to join hands with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that Nigerians would be proud of.

Mr Tunji-Ojo wished the Muslim Ummah a joyful celebration.

Perez Medcare Hospital says Afrobeats artiste MohBbad was brought in dead to its facility.

The hospital said this in a statement signed by its management on Monday, stressing that the 27-year-old singer was dead on arrival on September 12.

After failed attempts to resuscitate him, the hospital stated that it advised the individuals who brought him to deposit his body in a morgue.

“We consider it pertinent to put on record that at about 4:30 p.m. on the 12th of September 2023, the lifeless body of Mr Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (aka MohBad) was brought to our medical facility and our medical team immediately sprang into action,” said the hospital.

“And after assessment, it was discovered that there was no sign of life, no central or peripheral pulse, no heartbeat, no recordable vital signs and his pupils were fixed and dilated.”

It added, “On attempting CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), rigor mortis (stiffening of some parts of the body in relation to death) was observed, and the persons who brought him to our facility were informed that it was a case of BID (brought in dead).”

The statement added that “upon enquiry about the circumstances leading to the emergency, our team was informed that the deceased was being treated at home by a nurse and that she administered injections on him,” pointing out that the nurse “who was said to be administering treatment on him at home is not a staff of Perez Medcare Hospital and the video of the medical facility circulating in the media space in which the late Mr Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (aka MohBad) is seen alive and receiving treatment is not Perez Medcare Hospital.”

The hospital insisted that MohBad was not its patient and “was never admitted at our hospital at any material time whatsoever.”

The Obafemi Awolowo University management, Ile-Ife, has reduced the sundry charges payable by university students.

The university spokesman, Abiodun Olarewaju, said this in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the decision followed a meeting the university’s management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday.

The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the university management after several student agitations to reduce the initial charges approved by the university, said the statement.

It said the students’ leaders insisted on a 50 per cent reduction, but the university management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the university requires to run efficiently.

The vice-chancellor of the university, Adebayo Bamire, later announced that the fees initially announced had been reduced.

“For the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of N89,200 for returning students have been reduced to N76,000. While the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of N151,200 have been reduced to N131,000,” said the statement.

It added, “For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of N101,200, for returning students, is now N86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay N141,000 as against the initial N163,200.”

It said returning Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences students would now pay N109,000 instead of N128,200. New students in the same faculties will pay N164,000 instead of the initial charges of N190,000.

The school announced that the fee could be paid in two equal instalments.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued an advisory to motorists and diverted traffic along the Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriageway following a collapsed flyover bridge.

FRSC spokesman Bisi Kazeem said this in a statement on Tuesday.

The collapsed bridge was at the new artisan market on the Port Harcourt-Enugu dual carriageway in Enugu.

The bridge collapsed on Monday at 12.30 p.m., affecting motorists and commuters.

FRSC advised motorists from Portharcourt-Aba to Abakaliki to pass through Bricks at the new Kenyatta Market (army checkpoint), Okpara Square.

“This will lead them to New Haven junction by Otigba Roundabout, through Ogui Roundabout-Abakpa junction (82 Division) and proceed to Abakaliki. While on the other hand, motorists from Abuja-Abakaliki going to Aba-Portharcourt are advised to take Abakpa Junction (82 Division)-New Haven junction by Otigba roundabout,” the FRSC statement said.

It added, “This would be through Ogui Roundabout to Okpara Square and proceed to Enugu-Portharcourt dual carriageway, new Kenyatta Market (army checkpoint) and continue to Aba-Port Harcourt.”

The Senate will on Tuesday screen the former chair of the board of Citi Bank Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, for the position of the Central Bank of Nigeria governor.

The Senate will also screen four nominees for the positions of CBN deputy governors, who will work with Mr Cardoso to steer the affairs of the apex bank in the next five years.

In a statement by the media office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate will screen all the nominees following its resumption from its annual recess.

On August 8, the Senate had adjourned sitting for its annual recess.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will resume plenary on Tuesday, September 26. We will consider the screening of Dr Cardoso at the Committee of the Whole. Cardoso will be screened alongside four deputy governors, namely: Mrs Emem Usoro, Mr Muhammad Dattijo, Mr Philip Ikeazor and Dr Bala Bello,” said the statement.

It added, “Besides, the Senate has scheduled to screen the ministerial nominees: Dr Jamila Ibrahim and Mr Ayodele Olawande, respectively designated as minister of youth and minister of state for youth on October 3.”

President Bola Tinubu had, on September 15, approved the nomination of Mr Cardoso to serve as the new governor of CBN.

Mr Tinubu also approved the nomination of four deputy governors for five years each at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Senate.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, says her ministry has concluded plans to constitute a mobile court to try Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

The minister, who said this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja, noted that it would increase the visibility of the ministry’s activities in dealing with SGBV issues.

Ms Kennedy-Ohaneye disclosed that among the would-be culprits to be arraigned at the court were those still practising Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to end the old traditional practice nationwide.

The minister said the ministry’s board of directors had given its tacit support to the ministry’s avowed determination to give women a voice in society.

“This will be done in line with Mr President’s renewed hope agenda,” she said, adding that they would work to allow the poor to breathe and not be suffocated.

According to her, the dispensation of cases at the mobile court will be in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Governors Forum, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other security agencies.

She said partnering with other organisations was an innovative way to enforce the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and other laws to guide against SGBV, GBV, and FGM.

According to the minister, the sanitary towels the ministry usually gives students will be transformed into a “Sanitary Pad Production Centre” as the old method can no longer be sustainable.”

She also said the ministry had stopped the old practice of distribution of gas cylinders to rural women.

“it’s no longer sustainable, as the ministry is now concerned about who refills the gas cylinder for these women when it’s finished,” she said.

She disclosed that the ministry would change the old support method to charcoal burners and bio-gas stoves because of its cost-effectiveness.

Ms Kennedy-Ohaneye added that the ministry had concluded plans to set up women’s cooperative societies to empower the women folk.

She said the scheme would be run in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Traders Associations, and other international organisations.

The minister assured Nigerians that its creche and other underutilised assets would be revived and begin to function optimally within her first 100 days in office.

Egypt’s presidential election is to take place in December, the country’s National Election Authority said.

The commission said on Monday that the presidential poll would be held over three consecutive days beginning December 10.

It said the Egyptians living abroad could cast their ballots over three days starting December 1.

Candidacy registration would open from October 5 until October 14, with the final list of candidates will be released on November 19.

The final vote results are to be officially announced on December 18.Walid Hamza, the commission’s head, promised a fair election, adding that the election would take place under full judicial supervision.

“Say your word in the ballot box and decide your fate and future by your hands,” Mr Hamza said, calling on Egyptians to vote in the upcoming election amid an economic crisis in the country of around 105 million.

Around 65 million Egyptians are eligible to vote, according to Egyptian media.

Incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, who has ruled Egypt since 2014, has not officially announced his candidacy, but he is widely expected to run.

After his re-election in 2018, his current term ends next April.

Under approved amendments to Egypt’s 2014 constitution, al-Sissi could run for one more six-year term.

Several leaders in political parties loyal to Mr al-Sissi have announced their intention to stand for president.

Opposition politician Ahmed al-Tanatawi, an ex-lawmaker, has also said he would run and accused security agencies of arresting some of his supporters.

One of the flyover bridges across the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriage expressway in Enugu has collapsed with no casualties.

The bridge collapsed on Monday morning and is located at kilometre one of the expressway, which lies between the Naira Triangle and the New Artisan axis of the Enugu metropolis.

The incident forced motorists plying the expressway to divert to alternative routes within the metropolis to continue their journey.

Police operatives, Federal and Enugu State Ministries of Works officials, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FEMA), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were sighted within the area to assess the situation and assist road users.

A witness, who gave his name as John Nwokobia, said there was no casualty as artisans and street hawkers were yet to come out of their homes for the day’s activities when the incident happened.

The witness, however, noted that commuters on the axis are likely to encounter serious gridlock in the coming days due to the collapsed bridge.

The police, federal, or state governments have yet to issue an official statement on the incident at the time of this report.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Ogun chapter, has disclosed plans to educate secondary school students on the dangers of drug abuse in the state.

In a statement on Monday, PSN chair Adewale Adenugba said it was part of the association’s activities marking the 2023 World Pharmacist Day.

Mr Adenugba added that the association would also visit prisons and orphanages, providing drugs to communities lacking basic amenities.

“We would also be visiting the Nigeria Correctional Service and orphanages within the state to show our empathy and support. Some of our secondary schools will also be visited for health talk on drug abuse and addiction and, of course, engagement with the media for continuous education of the populace.”

“In recognition of the crucial roles pharmacists play in healthcare administration and promotion, for the 2023 celebration, we intend to carry out medical outreaches to key communities in the state. The association will carry out basic necessary investigations, health education and donation of medications in those communities,” added Mr Adenugba.

According to him, celebrating the day acknowledges pharmacists’ efforts while demanding better working conditions and appropriate professional recognition.

Mr Adenugba contended that pharmacists remained the most accessible healthcare professionals in most communities, presenting available and affordable healthcare solutions to the populace and improving health standards across the country.

He, however, urged that, as experts on medicine, pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe and initiate medications.

Mr Adenugba, however, noted that “there is still a wide range of other needs that can be met by community pharmacists in Nigeria, which would relieve pressure on and save time for other areas of the health system.”

“Pharmacists also have the skills to take on the management of patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and HIV and many community pharmacists have shown tremendous success in this regard,” said Mr Adenugba.

On Monday, the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) called on African countries to strengthen systems that would improve access to sanitation services for the people sustainably.

AMCOW’s executive secretary, Rashid Mbaziira, made the call in an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said the council would continue to promote implementing and utilising the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) in member countries.

Mbaziira said the ASPG was formulated using standards from global best practices, saying its adoption would ensure safely managed sanitation services for the populace.

He said Nigeria had been a major partner in AMCOW’s activities, saying more efforts were needed to close the huge sanitation gaps in the country.

Mr Mbaziira noted the crucial importance of having a functioning system and stakeholders’ partnership, saying this would strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up sanitation and hygiene services.

He said having a stand-alone sanitation and hygiene policy in the country was important and should be encouraged by all, adding that AMCOW would continue to work to see its acceptance.

Mr Mbaziira added, “It would be a huge achievement for us if our host country, Nigeria, is utilising the ASPG being developed by a body that it has supported to such a great length to also strengthen the enabling environment for sanitation and hygiene service provision.

“So for us, it’s one of those things that we really are keen to see take place, and we would like to render or contribute in any way we can to see to it that there is a sanitation and hygiene policy, whether stand-alone or contributing to other sectors.”

Mr Mbaziira said there was a need to look at the upcoming AfricaSan7 as a moment of reflection and call to action to track progress for meeting the sustainable development goals six.

He stressed that the conference would facilitate the assessment of progress by member states in meeting their sanitation and hygiene commitments, as outlined in the 2023 AfricaSan Ngor report.

He, however, welcomed all intending participants to enjoy the beautiful city of Swakopmund, saying it would be an opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

AfricaSan7 Conference will be held from November 6 to 11 in Swakopmund, Namibia.

On Monday, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi announced the sacking of his special adviser on stakeholder relations, Anthony Ogah.No reason was given for Mr Ogah’s dismissal.

The termination of employment is contained in an announcement released by Folashade Arike-Ayoade, who serves as the secretary to the government of Kogi.

The government said that the sack takes effect from Sunday.”

Governor Bello has issued a directive for the immediate dismissal of Ogah, who served as the special adviser to the governor on stakeholder Relations,” said the statement.

“The termination of Ogah as the special adviser to the governor is effective from September 24. Governor Bello extends his best wishes to Ogah in his future endeavours.”

He was instructed to “promptly hand over his identity card and any other government property or documents in his possession to the permanent secretary, Administration, in the office of the secretary to the government of the state.”

Gunmen on Saturday night attacked residents of Tijjani Malumfashi Housing Estate in Malunfashi in Local Government Area of Katsina State where they attempted to kidnap a number of people.

The hoodlums numbering about 50 stormed the area at about 11pm with sophisticated weapons and started shooting into the air on arrival.

The hoodlums, who divided themselves in groups, were said to have gone from house to house, bringing out people before the prompt intervention of the policemen, military personnel and members of vigilante groups.

A reliable source told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the quick arrival of the police and the military personnel saved the kidnapped persons, including a judge (Alkali Saidu), from being whisked away by the hoodlums.

It was gathered that no fewer than six people were brought out of their respective houses, tied and blindfolded before the arrival of security personnel.

“The Divisional Police Officer in Malumfashi, alongside a team of policemen, soldiers and the vigilante groups, successfully repelled the attack.

“There was heavy exchange of fire between the hoodlums and security personnel for over an hour before they (the gunmen) took to their heels.

“But one of the victims, a prominent businessman, Alhaji Zaharaddeen, popularly known as Danmaliki was shot by the gunmen and is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Kwandala Malumfashi,” the source said.

Meanwhile, residents of the Malumfashi have continued to hail the Divisional Police Officer, Bello Umar, and the military for their timely intervention and gallantry, which prevented the hoodlums from kidnapping many people in the estate.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Katsina Police Command, Aliyu Abubakar, confirmed the incident.He, however, said that the Command had commenced investigation into the incident and would revert to our correspondent later.

“Yes, we are aware of the incident but investigation has commenced and we shall let you know the outcome later,” the police spokesman said.