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…Appeal to affected candidates to accept idea of resit

Coalition of Civil Society Group under aegis of Quality and Improved Education Development in Nigeria has suspended its planned protest action against the Registrar of Joint Admissions And Matriculation Board (JAMB) , Professor Ishaq Oloyede

According to the CSOs ,the earlier decision to embark on a protest was informed by the public outcry and initial wrong information gathered.

The JAMB boss,Prof. Oloyede had been under fire following the mass failure of students from the recent examination conducted by the body as a result of what the he described as “technical glitches”, in the five states of the South East and Lagos State who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Speaking on the issue during a press briefing in Abuja, Professor Ishaq Oloyede who overtly admitted that the errors were caused by a systemic failure,broke down in tears .

The group in a statement made available to Journalists today said it has investigated the issue and discovered the errors were not intentional,thus the decision to suspend the protest.

In the statement jointly signed by the Coordinator,Dr. Yusuf Bala Gerei and Secretary,Dr. Pius Ishaku the group said,
“It is our resolve that since he has owned up responsibility for the glitches and rescheduled May 16 for candidates in Lagos and the Southeast to retake the examinations, the threat for legal action against the examination body should be shelved

The CSOs however , warned against politicising the issue surrounding the errors encountered and called on affected candidates, parents and other Nigerians to accept the idea of resit and conducting fresh exams.

The statement further reads: $We understand he feelings of disappointment expressed the shadow government, established by Political Economist Prof. Pat Utomi who called for the sack and subsequent probe Oloyede over the technical glitches that led to mass failure of students in the 2025 examination,and we appeal for calm since he has promised to make necessary amends

“We are there calling on registrar of JAMB and stakeholders to address the issues of poor performance including technical glitches and inadequate preparation.There is a need for systemic reforms to ensure fair and reliable assessment processes in future”.

By Mike Odeh James

A planned protest against the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari, has been called off by a diaspora-based group over concerns of misinformation and possible external sponsorship.

The group, Nigerians in Diaspora for Peace and Unity, headquartered in Washington D.C., announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing from the protest initially scheduled to hold in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

According to the group, the decision to suspend the protest followed findings from a 10-man fact-finding committee set up to investigate the allegations against Kyari.

“We were ready to take to the streets because we were led to believe that Engr. Kyari had fled Nigeria to evade accountability for alleged financial misconduct during his tenure from 2019 to 2025,” the group stated.

However, after thorough investigation, the committee found no credible evidence to support the claims of corruption or mismanagement.

The statement, signed by the group’s Chairman, Chief Sebastian West Lokpobiri, reads: “We discovered that rather than mismanaging the company, Engr. Kyari played a critical role in reviving the NNPCL. His leadership brought transparency, operational efficiency, and a profit-driven focus to the once struggling national oil corporation.”

The group acknowledged that the decision to initially plan the protest was made without a full understanding of the situation and admitted to being misled.

“As a responsible organization, we do not take actions based on hearsay or media sensationalism. We are committed to promoting peace and unity, not fueling unnecessary discord. It is on this basis that we are suspending all protest plans,” the statement added.

The group further urged other Nigerian diaspora organizations who may have been similarly misled or influenced to protest to also reconsider their actions.

Last week, reports circulated that hundreds of Nigerians had demonstrated at the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London, demanding Kyari’s deportation to face alleged corruption charges. But the Nigerians in Diaspora for Peace and Unity has now distanced itself from such movements.

“We commend Engr. Kyari’s efforts in repositioning the NNPCL and believe he should be recognized for his contributions, not vilified,” the statement concluded.

Maliki Maye

In the wake of continued attacks on vulnerable communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has issued a strong statement appealing to the Federal Government to empower besieged populations with the means for lawful self-defense, describing them as “first lines of defense.”

The appeal comes in response to comments made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during a condolence visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State. The NSA, while condemning the recent spate of killings by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, downplayed the crisis by comparing it to global conflicts and denying the existence of territories under the control of armed groups within Nigeria. The MBF described Ribadu’s comments as “inaccurate” and “callous,” citing overwhelming evidence of occupation by armed militants in parts of Benue, Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, and Borno states.

In a strongly worded statement signed by Luka Binniyat, MBF’s National Spokesman, the Forum criticized what it sees as government insensitivity, noting that “many communities remain under the occupation of armed Fulani militants who violently displaced the original inhabitants.” It warned that failure to acknowledge these realities was tantamount to denying displaced persons justice and the hope of ever returning home.

The MBF also expressed grave reservations about an ongoing “North Central Workshop on Developing a National Framework on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration” being convened under the NSA’s office in Makurdi. It raised fears that the workshop may adopt the “Kaduna model,” which it says involved unilateral amnesty for terrorists without any regard for their victims.

Recalling the controversial 2024 amnesty granted to so-called “repentant” terrorists in Birnin Gwari by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani—reportedly with support from the NSA—the MBF questioned the wisdom of forgiving perpetrators of mass killings, arson, and kidnappings, while their victims continue to suffer.

“The government must not allow murderers and destroyers of communities to simply surrender weapons and walk away free. Justice must be served,” the statement declared.

Citing a February 2025 statement by the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, which encouraged communities to act as first responders in the face of terrorist threats, the MBF asked whether the disarmament workshop would contradict that stance by targeting defenseless communities who have taken up rudimentary arms in self-defense.

The Forum presented four key demands:

1. No Blanket Amnesty for Terrorists – Justice must be prioritized, and perpetrators of violence must not be released without legal consequences.
2. Right to Self-Defense – Vulnerable communities should be legally empowered to defend themselves. The MBF urged the government to support the procurement of light weapons, training of youth volunteers, and deployment under vetted security supervision.
3. State and Local Policing – The Forum reiterated its longstanding call for state, local government, and ward-level police structures to improve security responsiveness.
4. Due Process for Amnesty – Any reintegration program must be transparent, follow due legal process, and involve legislative oversight. The Forum opposes any unilateral forgiveness of terrorists.

“The time has come for serious, responsible, and empathetic governance that truly reflects the pain and suffering of affected communities,” the statement said. “The NSA must offer leadership that reassures victims, not pamper terrorists.”

The MBF warned that the large-scale amnesty program extended to Boko Haram insurgents in the North East has failed to end the crisis, stressing that justice and security reforms remain the only sustainable solutions.

By Ekani Sunday

The North-East Youth Revival Movement (NEYM) has expressed deep sorrow and outrage following the recent deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a military base in Marte, Borno State, which led to the death of five Nigerian soldiers.

In a statement issued by its Chairman, Abbarious Lawal, the group described the attack as a damning indictment of the federal government’s failure to protect both the nation’s armed forces and its citizens. It called for the immediate resignation of Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, citing persistent failures in Nigeria’s security architecture.

“In light of this devastating event, we hereby call for the immediate resignation of Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar,” Lawal stated. “This demand reflects a growing frustration among the citizens of Nigeria regarding the government’s failure to provide adequate security and effectively combat the escalating threat posed by insurgents.”

According to the group, the insurgents overran a forward operating base, looted weapons, and commandeered military vehicles. In the aftermath, several soldiers, overwhelmed and demoralized, reportedly abandoned their posts and fled to nearby villages, leaving their equipment behind.

“This alarming behavior illustrates a critical crisis of confidence within our military ranks,” NEYM said. “The sight of a commanding officer’s vehicle and vital military resources falling into insurgents’ hands gravely compromises our operational integrity and further weakens morale.”

The statement also highlighted the broader humanitarian implications of the attack. Residents of Marte and nearby communities, fearing further violence, have fled to towns such as Dikwa, Lukumani, and Mafa. This has exacerbated the region’s displacement crisis, with overcrowded IDP camps now facing additional pressure.

Citing data from SBM Intelligence, the group revealed that over 2,000 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents between January and March 2025. Borno State reportedly recorded the highest number of casualties, including 892 civilians, 462 bandits, and 234 Boko Haram fighters.

“Our call for the resignation or retirement of Minister Badaru Abubakar by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is emblematic of a broader demand for accountability within our government,” the statement continued. “The perception of incompetence in handling the escalating insecurity in the region is not unfounded.”

NEYM accused the federal government of lacking a clear and strategic counterinsurgency plan and criticized its failure to engage local communities or equip military personnel adequately. The group argued that the repeated desertions by troops were less about cowardice and more about systemic neglect.

“Our soldiers are often thrust into perilous situations without adequate training, equipment, or support,” the statement read. “It is essential to address the root causes of this crisis, such as inadequate funding, lack of morale, and poor strategic planning.”

NEYM insisted that accountability at the highest levels is crucial to restoring public trust and improving national security. The group emphasized that without real reforms, the cycle of violence and displacement in the North-East would continue unchecked.

“The call for the resignation of Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar is a reflection of deep-seated frustration with the status quo and a demand for meaningful change,” the group declared. “As our nation grapples with the consequences of ongoing violence, we must prioritize accountability, reform, and a renewed commitment to the safety and security of all Nigerians.”

“Only through concerted efforts to address these pressing issues can we hope to overcome the challenges posed by insurgency and restore peace and stability to the North-East and beyond,” NEYM concluded.

Kaduna, Nigeria – May 13, 2025 — The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially announced the commencement of its screening process for applicants seeking admission into the 77 Regular Course for the 2025 academic session. The announcement, made by the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Major Mohammed Maidawa, outlines the requirements and key dates for prospective candidates.

According to the statement, all applicants who participated in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and selected the NDA as their first-choice institution are eligible for consideration—provided they meet the minimum score requirements.

“A minimum UTME score of 180 is required for all courses, while candidates applying for engineering courses must have scored at least 210,” the release stated. Only those who meet these criteria will be allowed to select a screening centre and sit for the NDA Screening Test.

The nationwide NDA Screening Test is scheduled for Saturday, 24 May 2025. Candidates who are successful in the screening phase will proceed to the Armed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) held at the Academy in Kaduna. There, they will undergo comprehensive evaluations including medical, physical, and psychological tests, as well as other assessments.

The final list of successful candidates is expected to be published in national newspapers and on the official NDA website in due course.

Meanwhile, the Academy has raised an alarm over a growing trend of online fraudsters impersonating NDA officials through fake social media accounts. These individuals reportedly disseminate false information and solicit payments under the guise of facilitating admission.

“The NDA has not authorized any individual or group to collect money on its behalf. Admission into the Academy is strictly based on merit, and the process is transparent,” warned Major Maidawa.

Prospective applicants and the general public are urged to rely only on the NDA’s verified communication channels for authentic updates. Official information is available on the Academy’s social media platforms, including:

TikTok: @ndefenceacademy

Facebook: facebook.com/@ndefenceacademy

Twitter (X): x.com/ndefenceacademy

Instagram: instagram.com/ndefenceacademy

YouTube: youtube.com/@ndefenceacademy

For direct inquiries, applicants may contact the NDA Registry via email at academyregistrar@nda.edu.ng.

The NDA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of training, discipline, and academic excellence, and looks forward to welcoming the next generation of officer cadets.

Malik Musa

Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Organizations has taken a swipe on Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, saying rather than him concentrating on developing the state, he instead choose to engage in blame games and attacks on those he considered political threats.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, convener of the coalition Aminu Abbas Arabi averred that since the assumption of office, Governor Lawal, a man who contested elections with a clear manifesto and blueprint has suddenly become overtly obsessed with the administration of his predecessor Bello Muhammed Matawalle without anything tangible to show for the huge allocations coming into the state.

Arabi further noted that it is on record that with the removal of subsidy, State allocations have more than doubled and no Governor or state has any excuse not to deliver democratic dividends to its people.

“In Zamfara State, instead of continuity and good governance, Governor Dauda Lawal has focused his attention on trying to demarket his predecessor pursuing imaginary probes and writing petitions upon petitions against a man who has never been found guilty or indicted of any crime.

“Instead of showing his scorecard and justifying the billions of naira allocated to Zamfara State since assumption of office, he has chosen to chase shadows and abandon the task he was elected to perform. This is a pure distraction from his core mandate and we find it not only repulsive but repugnant. It is, therefore, our firm position that his behavior is unbecoming of a sitting Governor, and if he feels inadequate to perform his duties, he should resign with immediate effect”.

The coalition also posited that under Governor Lawal’s administration, Zamfara has turned into an open abattoir and cemetery of sorts, adding that as the chief security officer of the State, the Governor has failed to stop the killings, stressing “all he does is blame others for his lapses. Communities are being sacked and terrorists have gained a foothold in many communities to the extent of collecting taxes and levies from vulnerable indigenes.

“Less than 72 hours ago, an imam and His son were killed in cold blood. His inability to act should be an embarrassment to everybody who identifies with good governance, and this is the time to tell Dauda the truth – he should either resign or act as a sitting Governor for once.

“It is also troubling that instead of concentrating on improving the internally generated revenue base of Zamfara State, the inefficient Dauda has rather prioritized bashing his predecessor about loans that were taken to develop the state. If he feels the funds accruable to Zamfara State are not enough, he should work towards increasing the internally generated revenue and attracting investors. It is sad to note that no investor has pitched a tent in Zamfara because of the widespread insecurity and unfavorable government policies since Dauda Lawal took over the mantle of leadership.

“Based on our objective observation, Governor Lawal Dauda is in no way interested in developing the state. His interest at this material time is to accumulate as many resources as possible to prosecute his reelection bid come 2027. This is totally unacceptable and we cannot sit idle and watch our Governor convert our revenue and resources to his personal estate at the expense of the suffering masses.

“Let us reiterate that Zamfara has no business with underdevelopment because the State is blessed with resources both physical and human. We insist that the Governor must wake up and go to work like other Governors are doing. He must intensify the revenue drive, block leakages, and come up with policies that will attract investors to Zamfara State. Other states such as Kaduna, Rivers, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and a lot more have done it, and he can also do it. We are tired of excuses and the blame games that have not taken Zamfara anywhere in the past two years.

“Let it be categorically clear, that the inefficiency of the Governor of Zamfara State has turned the military against the state. That’s why there’s no success in the fight against the bandits. The trinity of any war is the government, the military, and the people. In Zamfara State, the Governor has denied the people the opportunity to be part of the success story. He must take a cue from the Governor of Sokoto State who took power from a PDP Governor but has never come out to criticize his predecessor despite the pockets of insecurity incidences in the State.

The Sokoto State Governor, who is his next-door neighbor, has remained resolute, consistent, and determined to bring progress to his state. That’s what we expect of Mr. Dauda and not the shenanigans he’s displaying at the moment.

I”nsecurity and blame games have sadly become the mantra of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration. He has abandoned the concerns of his people and is obsessed with attacks on the personalities of his opponents. That’s certainly why he is not succeeding, unlike his counterparts in Katsina, Kaduna, and Kebbi, who, despite the insecurity in their states, have continued to advance the welfare and well-being of their people.

“His failures are directly responsible for the insecurity we are experiencing in the state even though he might want to make people believe the contrary. We are no longer comfortable with his cowardly tactics and failures. This is time for him to act decisively or forget about reelection entirely.

“As representatives of the people, we are issuing a 7 days ultimatum to the Governor to retrace his steps and avoid all forms of distractions that have so far retarded our progress. Failure to act will result in a massive protest, with more than 73 million of our registered members occupying the Government House, the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary Complex, and the State Secretariat. Our motive is clear, we can no longer tolerate inefficiency and the mundane politics of blame games not only in Zamfara but the whole of Northern Nigeria and elsewhere”.

ENDS

By Sowore Gbengha

The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has cleared a misconception surrounding recent attacks on Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, through a sponsored fake protest calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate him.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani, described the protest as another shameless and dishonest act perpetrated by a so-called faceless and non-existent group that claimed to be the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA), which staged a protest demanding the probe of Matawalle.

“This is nothing but another episode in the series of sponsored, devilish, and character-damaging campaigns by certain unpatriotic, dishonest enemies of democracy threatened by the gigantic successes achieved by the Minister. The opposition has allegedly set aside a sum of 2 billion naira for such purposes.

“All their campaigns are nowhere close to the truth but are full of jargon, falsehoods, and devilish notes meant for destructive purposes. This is not the first attempt — they have tried using different organizations and persons, all of which have failed, yet they refuse to back down.”

He added, “We are here to expose them to Nigerians, reveal their real identities as the criminals and frauds that they are, and bring an end to their sponsored and unpatriotic plot. The APC-YLA is non-existent and nonfunctional, created solely for this smear campaign against Minister Matawalle.

“The address they provided is fake; it is merely a marketplace with no proper location. The protest itself was a farce — only a few participants were above 18, while the rest were minors, hired and paid peanuts to carry placards and chant slogans they did not understand.”

CNF also reported the matter to the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing concern that the party’s name was being used in vain. The forum called on the APC and security agencies to investigate the group and publish a full list of its alleged members and affiliates.

The group expressed confidence that the ruling party would not allow itself to be used as a tool for witch hunts or personal vendettas and urged security agencies to act swiftly to expose and stop the imposters.

“We maintain that this madness must stop, sanity must return, and the normal status quo must be followed,” it stressed.

ENDS

By Christian Simon

Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has withdrawn allegations previously made against former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defense, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, admitting that the group was misinformed by political opponents.

At a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, CNF Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed declared that the earlier statements were based on misleading information aimed at tarnishing Matawalle’s image.

“I wish to unequivocally state that I was misled by the information presented to me, and the content of the press text was blown out of proportion,” Mohammed stated. “It was a political witch hunt, deliberately orchestrated and propagated by the opposition who are envious of the Minister’s achievements.”

The chairman had earlier urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Matawalle for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor, but has now retracted the call, labeling it part of a broader political strategy.

Mohammed praised Matawalle’s leadership in Zamfara, citing numerous achievements across critical sectors including security, infrastructure, health, education, and economic development.

He highlighted key projects such as the construction of a new airport, major road projects, water system improvements, and the procurement of over 200 Hilux vehicles and ambulances. He also noted the installation of solar-powered streetlights in the state capital and the establishment of primary healthcare centers in all 147 wards.

In education and technology, the former governor was credited with settling examination backlogs for NECO and WAEC, and establishing a Digital World ICT Center and a Command and Control Room in Gusau.

Mohammed also mentioned investments in infrastructure such as the renovation of the State House of Assembly, construction of a governor’s lodge in Kaduna, and the acquisition of Best Premier Hotel in Abuja as a state asset.

The CNF chairman alleged that the Zamfara State Government had released over two billion naira to fund a smear campaign against Matawalle, whom he described as a political threat to the current administration in the state.

“We call on the general public to disregard such toxic news and any future press conferences sponsored to malign the Minister,” he said. “Matawalle to the best of our knowledge did well as Governor and is presently doing extremely well in the security sector towards actualizing the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.”

Mohammed concluded with an appeal to Nigerians to support the administration’s vision: “We deeply acknowledge and commend the efforts of this administration in restructuring and ultimately building a new Nigeria.”

ENDS

By Grace Manaya

A prominent youth advocacy group in Zamfara State, Zamfara Youth for Progress (ZYP), has strongly condemned what it describes as a politically-driven plot to discredit the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, warning that such moves could undermine the ongoing progress in the fight against insecurity across the North.

In a statement released to the media on Monday and signed by its chairman, Tijjani Musa Tsafe, the group alleged that a press conference was being planned by certain individuals, purportedly sponsored by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to malign the image and efforts of Minister Matawalle.

“We hereby issue this statement as a clarion call to the youth and citizens of Zamfara, urging them to reject any attempts to destabilize the ongoing fight against insecurity in our region,” the group stated.

According to the youth group, the North—especially Zamfara State—has witnessed a significant reduction in banditry and other violent crimes, thanks to the focused and strategic operations led by Minister Matawalle in collaboration with the military and other security agencies.

Chairman Tijjani Musa Tsafe noted that several notorious bandit leaders have been neutralized under Matawalle’s leadership, resulting in the restoration of relative peace to many communities that were once under siege.

“It is imperative that we recognize and celebrate these achievements rather than allow ourselves to be drawn into divisive politics that serve only the interests of a few,” he said.

The group criticized the alleged plan to host a press conference targeting the Minister as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and a distraction from the urgent task of securing the region.” According to ZYP, the individuals and groups behind the move are “disorganized, unrepresentative, and motivated solely by personal ambition and the desire for public recognition.”

“They are hungry for attention and recognition, but their actions threaten to derail the progress we have made in combating insecurity,” the statement added.

The group emphasized that Zamfara—and by extension, the entire North—cannot afford any distractions at this critical time when real gains are being recorded in the war against banditry.

“We call upon these non-existent groups to desist from their misguided plans. The people of Zamfara deserve leaders who prioritize the welfare of their constituents above personal ambitions,” Tsafe said.

He urged political actors to allow Minister Matawalle and the Federal Government the space and support needed to continue executing effective security strategies that are already showing results. “The stakes are too high, and the consequences of such distractions could be dire for our communities.”

The youth group went further to describe Matawalle as a “beacon of hope for the North,” noting that his leadership and commitment have brought tangible changes to a region long plagued by insecurity.

“The reduction in banditry and violence is not merely a statistic; it is a testament to the lives saved and the families reunited,” the statement said. “As a community, we must rally behind him and support his efforts, for he is now the only remaining hope for the Northerners.”

ZYP concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and united against any schemes meant to destabilize the fragile peace currently enjoyed in many parts of the North.

“We must focus our energies on supporting those who are genuinely working to improve our lives rather than engaging in futile political squabbles,” the statement concluded. “Let us stand together in solidarity, championing the cause of peace and security for Zamfara and the North as a whole.”

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