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Late Gospel Singer, Osinachi’s Husband Sentenced to death by Hanging Late gospel singer, Osinachi’s husband sentenced to de@th by hanging Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a FCT High Court Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja today April 28, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to de@th by hanging. This was after the court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable hom!cide resulting in the de@th of the celebrated singer on April 8, 2022. While delivering his judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty. Nwachukwu first was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge. The charge was on culpable hom!cide punishable with de@th, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others. The prosecution team presented seventeen witnesses including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5, respectively. The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court. The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence. Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel, Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment. Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated. Delivering his judgment, the presiding judge thereafter sentenced Nwachukwu to de@th by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18. The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.

JAMB DEPLOYS NSCDC PERSONNEL TO SECURE UTME EXAM CENTRES Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed to all accredited Computer-Based Test centres in Anambra State in preparation for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, which is set to begin on April 24. The Head, Media and Tactical, Anambra NSCDC, Edwin Okadigbo, stated this in a press statement on Wednesday, adding that all the 33 CBT centres across the state would have adequate security personnel. Okadigbo said the state commandant, Olatunde Maku, ordered the deployment of personnel to provide security for the examination to go smooth and without any difficulty across the state. The statement read, “Briefing the area commanders, divisional officers, heads of formations and composite commanders on Tuesday, at the State Command Headquarters Awka, the State NSCDC boss said the personnel would respond promptly to duty calls. They will provide security for the critical infrastructure, prevent intrusion of unwanted persons and uphold the integrity of the examination in all the 33 accredited CBT centres across the state. According to him, the NSCDC state commandant as warned against unauthorised persons loitering around designated CBT exam centres and advised candidates against bringing prohibited items, emphasising the command’s commitment to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting. credit: MIKE- MEDIA

JAMB EXPRESSES READINESS FOR 2025 UTME As Nigeria braces for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has declared its comprehensive readiness to deliver a seamless testing exercise for over two million registered candidates across the country. JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Benjamin Fabian, made this known during an online media dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) on Wednesday. He disclosed that the examination, which begins today (Thursday), will be held across 887 centres nationwide, with more than 10,000 JAMB officials deployed to manage logistics and ensure strict compliance with examination standards. Dr Fabian assured stakeholders that no candidate was assigned to any examination centre outside their chosen town, except where capacity had been exceeded at the time of registration. He added, “What could make any candidate to be taken outside their selected exam towns and which would be the nearest one can only be when the available centres have been filled up at the time of registration.” Fabian also reaffirmed the board’s dedication to inclusivity, stating that JAMB had put in place special provisions for candidates living with disabilities, including free registration, transportation, accommodation, and feeding support throughout the examination period. Addressing concerns over the hitches experienced during the mock UTME held weeks earlier, Fabian said the issues had been fully resolved. “The technical hitches recorded during the recent mock exam, which was meant to test our preparedness and acclimatise candidates to the CBT mode, have all been fixed. There is absolutely nothing to worry about,” he said. The JAMB spokesperson also cautioned against misinformation regarding exam timing, noting that the actual start time is 8:00 a.m. “Candidates are advised to arrive at their centres early enough for biometric verification and some minutes of calm ahead of their papers. Contrary to rumours, the exam does not start at 6:30 a.m.,” Fabian clarified. In his opening remarks, EWAN Chairman, Mr Mojeed Alabi, stressed the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement in the education sector. “The UTME is a vital examination that determines the future of millions of Nigerian youths. As education journalists, we remain committed to spotlighting such pivotal issues that shape our national development,” he said. With these assurances, JAMB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring fairness, efficiency, and a level playing field for all candidates as the 2025 UTME commences nationwide. credit: MIKE-MEDIA

FG releases 50bn to ASUU, Other Varsity Unions The announcement was made by Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, through a statement released by Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo. According to the statement titled “FG Releases N50bn Earned Allowances to Varsity Unions, Tinubu Reaffirms Education Priority“, the release of funds is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s promise to support the education sector and prioritize the welfare of staff and students in higher institutions. This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them,” the Minister stated. “By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.” credit: MIKE-MEDIA

JAMB COMMENDS MR PRESIDENT FOR NEWLY LICENSED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, ROLLS OUT ADMISSION GUIDELINES, CAPS, AND IBASS The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of new tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, made this commendation during an interactive meeting with principal officers of newly established, upgraded, and adopted universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country on April 14, 2025, in Abuja. Prof. Oloyede noted that the approval of 67 new higher institutions, comprising 22 universities, 33 polytechnics and mono-technics, and 12 colleges of education between late 2024 and 2025, demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to tertiary education in Nigeria. The interactive session was organized to introduce the institutions to the regulatory framework guiding admission processes on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and the operations of the Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS). According to Prof. Oloyede, JAMB, as part of its regulatory mandate, oversees admissions into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria in collaboration with regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), professional bodies, and tertiary institutions. He stated, “It is due to your late entry into the session that JAMB deemed it necessary to hold this interactive meeting with you.” Prof. Oloyede urged the institutions to avoid conducting illegal admissions or engaging in any infractions, emphasizing that there would be no room for regularization or confinement of such admissions. All admissions must be processed through the automated Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Introduced in 2017, CAPS automates and streamlines admission processes, while IBASS, launched in 2018, facilitates communication among regulatory bodies and enables candidates to check their eligibility for academic programs. Prof. Oloyede emphasized, “CAPS ensures transparency, fairness, and integrity in the admission process. Any institution attempting to bypass this platform risks having such admissions nullified.” He further explained that CAPS and IBASS have replaced paper-based processes and are now equipped with institutional mail services, serving as JAMB’s sole official communication channel with institutions and regulatory bodies. Only academic programs approved by regulatory bodies will be activated on the JAMB platform, and Prof. Oloyede urged institutions yet to comply to do so promptly. He informed attendees that JAMB had created accounts for them on both platforms and advised their delegated handlers to safeguard their passwords, as heads of institutions would be held liable for any infractions committed through these platforms. Goodwill messages were delivered by heads of regulatory institutions, directors from the Federal Ministry of Education, and other critical stakeholders, who commended JAMB for its efficient service delivery and innovations in conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and admissions into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The highlight of the meeting was a live demonstration of the use of CAPS, IBASS, and the institutional mailing system. credit: MIKE-MEDIA

WAEC REVOKES LICENCES OF 574 SCHOOLS OVER EXAM MALPRACTICES The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has revoked the licences of 574 schools found guilty of examination malpractice. Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday at WAEC’s national headquarters in Lagos, the head of the national office, Dr Amos Dangut, said the list of affected schools has been submitted to the federal government. “This year, we have shared with them a total of 574 schools whose recognition has been withdrawn. This measure will also be adopted by all examining bodies.These schools are no longer recognised as examination centres by WAEC, and we will not conduct exams there,” he said. Ahead of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), scheduled from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, 2025, Dr Dangut revealed that 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered for the examination. He said of this number, 979,228 are males, while 994,025 are females, an increase of 158,627 candidates compared to last year. Dr Dangut highlighted WAEC’s commitment to leveraging technology, introducing the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates. He further disclosed that no two candidates will receive identical questions in a bid to uphold academic integrity and discourage cheating. credit: MIKE-MEDIA

OVER 1.9 MILLION STUDENTS TO SIT FOR NIGERIA’S FIRST DIGITAL WASSCE In a major technological shift, the West African Examinations Council has introduced the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates. According to the council, it is aimed at improving examination delivery and curbing malpractice. Speaking during a press briefing held at the WAEC National Office in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday, Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, said the council was fully prepared for the conduct of the examination. He said WASSCE for school candidates, 2025, would be held from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, June 20, 2025, across Nigeria. He said, “The Council has introduced its maiden Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025. “It will interest you to know that from this year, two candidates will not have the same questions on each number. This is part of a paradigm shift in test administration techniques to uphold academic integrity.” He revealed that a total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools had registered to take the exam, an increase of over 158,000 from the previous year. Of this number, 979,228 are males (49.63 per cent) and 994,025 females (50.37 per cent), showing a continuing rise in female participation. The examination will cover 74 subjects with 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers will serve as supervisors nationwide,” he said. Dangut acknowledged the security challenges that had previously affected exam administration in some parts of the country, saying, “Conducting examinations in such situations has been challenging, though surmounted. The Council has continued to partner with the Nigeria Police Force and State Governments to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination.” Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Dangut warned candidates, supervisors, and schools to adhere strictly to examination rules. The Council decisively deals with examination malpractice. Candidates’ paper variations for the CB-WASSCE 2025 have been preprinted. Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned will bear the consequences.” He appealed to parents, teachers, and school officials to discourage malpractice and called on media organisations to support WAEC’s awareness campaigns.“School principals and teachers should sensitise their students to the dangers of this terrible crime against humanity. A word is enough for the wise,” he said. Dangut added that to aid candidates in preparation, WAEC had unveiled several digital platforms, including: “WAEC E-Study Portal, which provides access to past questions, marking schemes, and learning plans, WAEC E-Learning Portal, which offers performance analysis and solutions to common challenges faced by students, and WAEC Konnect, which facilitates communication and updates for candidates and stakeholders. He said, “In addition, WAEC has compiled Past Question Papers and Chief Examiners’ Reports for various subject areas to help candidates understand expectations and improve performance.” Dangut also issued a stern warning to operators of rogue websites, describing them as a threat to the future of Nigerian students. “Parents are hereby cautioned to desist from patronising these evildoers who are hell-bent on frustrating the efforts of WAEC,” Dr. Dangut warned. “We shall, as usual, work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Police Force to bring perpetrators to book.” Dangut promised that the results of the 2025 examination would be released 45 days after the last paper, and certificates will be issued within 90 days. “Digital copies of certificates will be accessible through the WAEC Digital Certificate platform, ” he said. He affirmed its commitment to conducting a credible examination in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries, security agencies, and other stakeholders. We remain ever grateful to all stakeholders for their continued support. We cherish the partnership of the media and urge you to join us in delivering a successful WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025,” Dangut concluded. credit: MIKE-MEDIA

TINUBU APPROVES 67 NEW TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, JAMB WARNS, “NO MORE BACKDOOR ADMISSIONS Tinubu approved 22 new universities, 33 new polytechnics and mono-technics, and 12 new colleges of education across the country between late 2024 and 2025.Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, in a statement issued on Monday, April 14, disclosed that the approval of the new higher institutions demonstrated Tinubu’s “commitment to expanding access to tertiary education.During an interactive session with principal officers of the newly established, upgraded, and recently approved tertiary institutions in Abuja, the JAMB registrar sternly warned the institutions against conducting illegal admissions. As reported by The Punch on Tuesday, April 15, he stressed that there would be no room for regularisation of such entries, emphasizing that all admissions must go through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and adhere strictly to due process.CAPS ensures transparency, fairness, and integrity in the admission process. Any institution attempting to bypass this platform risks having such admissions nullified,” Oloyede said.However, Oloyede, clarified that only academic programmes approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education would be activated on the JAMB platforms.He explained that CAPS, introduced in 2017, automates and streamlines admission processes, while the Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System), launched in 2018, enhances communication and ensures clear eligibility checks for academic programmes. credit: MIKE-MEDIA