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ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over FG’s Inaction on 2009 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike.
Speaking on Monday, August 25, ASUU stated that it is mobilising members across the country for a nationwide rally scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
According to the union, the move is part of ongoing efforts to pressure the Federal Government to address its long-standing demands.
The Zonal Coordinator, Adeola Oyebisi Egbedokun, made this known during a press conference at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti. He described the rallies as the union’s first decisive response to the government’s continued inaction, warning that the protests signal what lies ahead if concerns remain unaddressed.
Egbedokun noted that the rallies will hold simultaneously across universities nationwide, with academic activities suspended during the demonstrations.
According to him, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU has given the government until its scheduled meeting of August 28 to respond to the union’s demands, after which the next line of action would be determined.
“For over two years, we have kept faith with dialogue and refrained from strikes, but our patience has reached its limit. If the government continues to play games with the future of our universities, then it must bear the consequences of the storm that will follow,” he warned.
The union listed its demands to include: re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, opposition to the TISSF loan scheme—which it described as financial coercion—halting the proliferation of universities, and improved retirement benefits for professors and staff.
Egbedokun also urged members of the public, including the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), traditional rulers, and the National Assembly, to prevail on the government to avert an avoidable confrontation.
He accused the government of hypocrisy and neglect, citing the abandonment of the Yayale Ahmed report, the “debt trap” of the TISSF loan scheme, unchecked establishment of new universities, and the alleged poor treatment of retired academics.
 
“This government has chosen to mock knowledge, insult scholars, and trample on the foundation of the nation’s future. Enough is enough,” he declared.
He stressed that the burden of averting a crisis now rests solely on the government, saying:
“The ball is no longer in our court. It is squarely in theirs. Let them choose: justice or judgment, action or upheaval, peace or storm.”
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WAEC: Re-upload Your O’level Results Or Lose Admission – JAMB Orders Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a new order to all candidates seeking admission for the current cycle.
JAMB directed them to re-upload their results from the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The directive was issued in a statement on Monday via the official bulletin shared by JAMB on its X handle.
The statement noted that the directive concerns candidates who previously uploaded their results before the updated WASSCE and those who had yet to upload any results.
JAMB emphasized that it had cleared all previously uploaded results from its system to avoid confusion in the admission process, and all candidates are therefore required to return to accredited centres and re-upload their results, whether or not they differ from the earlier results uploaded.
“Candidates who sat the UTME with awaiting results are required to upload their O’Level results as soon as they are released. Many began uploading the WAEC 2025 SSCE before the final results were released. To avoid any confusion, the Board cleared all prior uploads, and all candidates are now required to re-upload their results, whether or not they differ from the earlier results uploaded,” the statement read.
The Board further emphasised that failure to comply with the directive would affect the eligibility of such candidates for admission.
“Please re-upload your 2025 SSCE result to the JAMB portal without delay,” the statement added.
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“I’ll run for president in 2027 to save the nation” – Atiku to Nigerians

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that Nigeria must be “rescued from the intensive care unit” where it currently lies.

According to Olateju, Atiku’s political focus was not on personal ambition but on ensuring a better Nigeria. But Abubakar swiftly distanced himself from those comments.

“I did not issue that statement,” Abubakar said in a telephone interview with his former media aide, Tunde Olusunle. “In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distil my thoughts. Prof. Olateju was not speaking for me.

“I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned to. The degeneration in our country—the poverty, the pain, the anguish—is unacceptable. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland.”

The former vice-president, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the ADC coalition, to which he belongs, is building a mass movement that will “shock the world” and upstage the political establishment in 2027.

Atiku, who is 78 years old, has run for Nigeria’s presidency six times and was on the ballot as a candidate in 2007, 2019, and 2023. In May 2024, he vowed to “keep contesting” for the presidency as long as he remains healthy.

If successful in securing the ticket, he will be 81 years old by the time Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.

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ADC Promises 50% Leadership Slots For Youth And Women

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to prioritize youth and women in governance by allocating at least 50 percent of elective and appointive positions to them.

The party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration in Lagos on Saturday during a ceremony to welcome defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, and other political groups into the ADC fold.

Speaking under the theme: “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win,” Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor and ex-Minister of Interior, described ADC as a youth-driven party committed to offering Nigerians a credible alternative.

He explained that the party’s constitution explicitly guarantees 35 per cent representation for women and another 35 per cent for youths, ensuring that their combined presence in leadership structures will never fall below 50 per cent.

“This is not tokenism but a recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to those who have long been underrepresented,” he said.

The party chieftain emphasised that the ADC is not controlled by an individual but by a collective of patriotic citizens determined to rebuild Nigeria. He criticised the hardship and uncertainty confronting the nation, warning that any government that fails to prioritise citizens’ welfare risks losing legitimacy.

“Our mission is to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit. Leadership must meet the basic needs of the people or it will collapse with time,” Aregbesola said.

He urged members to strengthen the ADC’s grassroots base rather than waste energy attacking political rivals. According to him, both the APC and the PDP have lost direction and reduced themselves to power-seeking platforms.

“We must not repeat the mistakes of APC and PDP. Let us build a people-oriented party from scratch,” he declared.

Earlier, Abimbola Ogunkelu, a PDP Board of Trustees member, who led a delegation of defectors, said their move to the ADC marked the beginning of a new era of progressive politics. He noted that the coalition was determined to mobilise grassroots participation and provide Nigerians with trustworthy leadership.

Segun Osho, who led defectors from the Labour Party, also said their defection was motivated by the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.

ADC chieftain Kolawole Ogunwale urged members to demonstrate their commitment through action, stressing that words alone would not guarantee the party’s success.

Among the notable defectors were former Lagos PDP chairmen Muritala Ashorobi and Tunji Shelle; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Tai Benedict; Niyi Adams; and a former PDP youth leader.

Lagos ADC chairman, George Ashiru, formally presented the party’s flag, logo, and statement of purpose to Ogunkelu and other new members, symbolising their integration into the party.

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Ex-Lagos PDP Chairman, Tunji Shelle Joins ADC

On Saturday, a former Lagos State PDP Chairman, Tunji Shelle, announced his resignation from the party and officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Shelle was received alongside other PDP stalwarts and some Labour Party members at an affirmation ceremony in Lagos, where he accused the PDP of being plagued by “gross indiscipline and endless crises.”

Among those who defected with Shelle were a former PDP Board of Trustees member, Abimbola Ogunkelu; another ex-state PDP Chairman, Muritala Ashorobi; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Tai Benedict; former Youth Leader, Niyi Adams; and ex-South West Secretary, Rahman Owokoniran.

They were formally welcomed into the ADC by the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and other leaders.

Speaking on the reasons for his defection, Shelle said PDP leaders had failed to address what he described as the destabilising activities of some national figures. He specifically accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) while still claiming PDP membership.

“Wike cannot hijack the party, and the rest of us continue to look as if we are helpless or we are no human beings. I don’t take it. I don’t like being subjected to such ridicule. One man cannot say he is working for APC while on the other hand keeps holding PDP to ransom. I think the leaders are compromised,” Shelle said.

He declared that his defection, along with other top leaders, had further weakened the PDP in Lagos.

“PDP is now empty with all its leaders moving to ADC in Lagos,” he added.

The former Lagos PDP boss described the ADC as a party filled with “tested and trusted politicians” capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027.

“There are no distractions in ADC. The party leaders are not people anyone can buy over. ADC has all it takes to save the situation in Nigeria and give the people the country of their dream,” Shelle stated.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of David Mark, the Interim Chairman, and Rauf Aregbesola, noting that both men had the capacity to steer the party to victory.

Other defectors echoed Shelle’s sentiments. Former South West PDP Secretary, Rahman Owokoniran, said: “PDP has lost track. PDP is gone, there is nothing there. ADC is the only opportunity to challenge the ruling APC.”

Similarly, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Tai Benedict, remarked that many more party members were set to dump the PDP.

“We are emptying PDP members in Lagos State into ADC. Others are on the way; they want to take their last supper before coming,”he said.

Former PDP Youth Leader, Niyi Adams, claimed that more than 5,000 members had already defected across the 20 local government areas of Lagos.

According to him, the defectors were determined to work “assiduously to ensure victory for ADC in the 2027 general elections,” stressing that he did not believe PDP could resolve its crises even after its planned national convention in November.

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NDLEA Arrests Nigerian Widow For Using Fake Pregnancy To Traffic Cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, for attempting to smuggle 1.3 kilograms of cocaine while posing as a pregnant woman.

Ezewuike, who runs a fashion outfit, Golden Star Creation, in the Okota area of Lagos, was apprehended at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, on Friday, August 22, 2025, while attempting to deliver the drug consignment to customers in Abuja.

A statement released by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said a follow-up operation at her residence in Ago Palace Way, Okota, led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in processing cocaine.

Babafemi said in her statement to investigators, Ezewuike, a mother of one, claimed she inherited the drug trade from her late husband, who died two years ago, despite being in the fashion business for over 20 years.

“A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, using fake pregnancy as a façade to escape scrutiny and detection.

“The widow who is a mother of one and proprietress of Golden Star Creation, a fashion outfit in Ago palace way, Okota, Lagos, was arrested at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba area of the state on Friday, 22nd August 2025, while attempting to move the cocaine consignment to customers in Abuja.

“A follow-up operation at her house in the Ago palace area led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in the production of a strain of cocaine. In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband, who died two years ago, while she has been in the fashion business for 20 years,” the statement partly read.

In related operations, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, concealed in three cartons of kitchen sinks imported from the United States.

He said the seizure was made at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, August 19

“Not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States of America and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sink were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, 19th August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation,” Babafemi said.

In Adamawa, he said NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Friday, 22nd August, raided the home of a notorious drug dealer, Idris Garba, who scaled the fence to escape arrest while one of his associates, Boniface Nnaji, 55, who attempted the same, was caught in the act at Rumde Baru area of Yola South.

“Recovered from the premises include a black Toyota Thundra jeep marked FST-885-CZ driven to Yola by Nnaji to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and others as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA”, he added.

In Kano, Babafemi said the duo of Buhari Ibrahim, 25, and Mansur Musa, 24, were nabbed at Zangon Ungogo, with 5,850 capsules of pregabaline on Tuesday, 19th August, while a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect Rabilu Mukhtar, who is at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA, just as Buhari Idris, 35, was arrested at Tashan Rami area of the state with 140 litres of codeine syrup, both on the same Tuesday.

“Fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from Adamu Yusuf, 29, along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora area of the state on Saturday, 23rd August”, he added.

In Abuja, he said two dispatch riders were arrested for distributing illicit substances.

According to the statement, similar crackdowns were recorded in Taraba, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states, where NDLEA teams destroyed large cannabis farms and warehouses.

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They Both Belong To Us – Akwa Ibom Gov Pledges Support For Comfort Emmanson, Ibom Air

Pastor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, has pledged support for Comfort Emmanson, the embattled passenger involved in a confrontation with Ibom Air.

The governor equally pledged support for the airline, which is owned by Akwa Ibom State government.

Emmanson is also an indigene of Akwa Ibom.

Eno, who did not disclose the nature of the planned support, said Emmanson and the the airline “belong to Akwa Ibom State hence should be supported”.

Recall that Emmanson following her altercation with the crew members was remanded and later pardoned by the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo.

She claimed in an interview that she had been traumatized and unable to move around and interact with people any longer as her body had been unduly exposed .

Speaking during a grand reception held for him at his home local government area – Nsit Ubium – on Saturday, Eno advised that Akwa Ibom people should not join the fray in apportioning blames either to the airline or the passenger, who he said might have made mistakes.

He said, “We will continue to support our flagship airline , the Ibom Air. Every Akwa Ibom person should be proud of the airline which has flown our colours.

“Our money is invested in Ibom Air, so you should be proud of the airline. If there was any crisis, do not join issues with others who are spoilers because they don’t love good things.

“Whatever had transpired, we will solve the problem. It was a small mistake, both parties belong to us. The lady is our daughter. When two people fight, there is always the third person to separate the fight.”

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UNIZIK Reacts Following The D3ath Of Diabetic Law Student At University Medical Centre

Nnamdi Azikiwe University has released the findings of its investigation into the de@th of a 100-level law student.

Miss Isabella Chioma Ajana died on July 9, 2025, three days after she was rushed to the school’s medical centre with complications arising from her diabetic condition.

According to Ms. Ajana’s roommates at Elmada hostel, they had lost their room key and approached the hostel mistress for a spare key but the mistress allegedly insisted they paid N120,000 to get the spare, meaning, the three roommates had to pay N40,000 each.

The girls said they did not have the money so they pleaded that Ms. Ajana desperately needed her insulin medication but the hostel mistress “did not budge.”

This they said, led to the decline of Ms. Ajana’s health and it ended in her de@th days later at the University Medical Center.

Reacting, Nnamdi Azikiwe University released a statement on Friday evening  August 22, announcing that the medical personnel at the University Medical Centre who handled Ms. Ajana’s case have been suspended for three months by which time investigation would have been concluded and their fate decided.

As for the hostel mistress, Unizik stated that Elmada is a jointly owned hostel but is privately managed.

The institution demanded that the management of Elmada hostel should sack her “as a matter of urgency”. Unizik added that they will re-evaluate their partnership with the hostel going forward.

See the full statement below…

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2027: PDP Governors In Closed-Door Meeting

Nigerian State Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly holding a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

Although the detailed agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, the meeting is widely expected to address pressing national issues, the party’s internal strategy, and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Discussions are also anticipated to focus on the forthcoming PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) convention, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

The meeting comes at a time of heightened political activity across Nigeria, with major parties positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.

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For the PDP, which lost the presidency since 2015 to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), internal cohesion has been a recurring challenge.

The planned NEC convention in November is expected to play a significant role in addressing factional divisions and setting the tone for the party’s campaign machinery.

Analysts say the choice of Zamfara for the gathering is also symbolic, as the PDP currently controls only a handful of northwestern states.

Strengthening the party’s presence in the region is seen as key to regaining national influence.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, which serves as a coordinating body for all PDP governors, has traditionally played a major role in shaping party direction and policy. ,

Its resolutions often influence decisions taken at the national level, particularly in times of internal crisis.

As the closed-door session continues, Nigerians and party faithful alike await details of the communique expected at the end of the meeting.

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NDLEA Arrests 27-Year-Old With N10m Worth Of Cannabis In Kano

The Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Umar Adamu-Umar, for allegedly being in possession of 9 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa (Colorado) valued at over N10 million.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

He said that the suspect, a resident of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested on August 6, along the Zaria–Kano Road by the operatives of the NDLEA attached to the Kiru Area Command of Kano.

According to him, the suspect was intercepted while conveying 19 parcels of the illicit substance from Lagos to Kano.

“The suspect confessed to being involved in the illegal drug trade and had been under surveillance by the command for some time,”Muhammad-Maigatari said

He explained that the interception dealt a major financial blow to the trafficking network as it denied traffickers substantial revenue, disrupted their supply chain and reduced funds available for further criminal activities

“Removing this quantity from circulation also helps protect vulnerable communities from the social and economic harms associated with the trade in narcotics,” he added.

The spokesperson said the Strategic Command under the leadership of Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad would intensify patrols and intelligence‑led operations to curb drug trafficking in the state.

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