Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has warned that beneficiary institutions with delayed intervention projects will not be considered for new projects in the 2027 allocation cycle.

The Chairman of the Board, Aminu Masari, gave the warning while announcing measures to address the persistent delays in the completion of TETFund-sponsored projects across tertiary institutions in the country.

Masari noted that the Board had identified several reasons for the unacceptable delays, including volatility in the prices of key building materials such as cement, reinforcement bars, and sanitary and electrical fittings.

He said it was in response to this challenge that the Board introduced a dedicated intervention line in 2023 specifically to support the completion of affected projects.

A recent review, according to him, confirmed that the initiative yielded positive results, with many of the affected projects now completed following the intervention.

However, the BOT Chairman expressed concern over the continued failure by some institutions to adhere to stipulated timelines for project delivery.

He attributed the recurring problem largely to lack of continuity in project implementation by heads of beneficiary institutions who prefer to abandon ongoing projects to start new ones, as well as delays in the processing of payments to contractors handling the projects.

The Board also warned that TETFund-sponsored projects will no longer be subjected to internal bureaucracy and politics within beneficiary institutions, stressing that such practices have continued to negatively impact project delivery.

To provide a lasting solution, the Board approved new measures for immediate implementation.

“All beneficiary institutions are to compile a comprehensive list of all projects that have exceeded their planned completion period by more than six months, indicating the causes of the delay and proffering remedies. The affected projects are to be ranked in order of relevance and priority, with detailed costing for their completion.

“In addition, institutions have been directed to put in place a robust and effective supervision team with the active participation of their Physical Planning and Maintenance Departments to ensure effective delivery of projects in terms of time, cost and quality standard,” he said.

The Board further directed that institutions with delayed projects must prioritize the completion of such projects under their Annual, Zonal and High Impact Intervention lines.

“Accordingly, no new projects will be admitted from the identified beneficiary institutions for the 2027 Intervention cycle,” Masari noted.

A statement signed by the Fund’s Director, Public Affairs Abdulmumin Oniyangi, disclosed that to enforce compliance, monitoring teams comprising members of the Board of Trustees and technical staff of the Fund will carry out on-the-spot assessment of the affected projects and examine proposals submitted by the institutions on plans for their completion.

The statement noted that the monitoring exercise is scheduled to hold within the months of August and September 2026, ahead of the October 2026 statutory meeting of the Board for the consideration of projects to be admitted into the 2027 disbursement guidelines.

TETFund Bars Institutions With Abandoned Projects From 2027 Funding is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections will not slow the execution of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that his administration’s performance remains its strongest campaign message.

Speaking on Wednesday after inspecting major road projects in the capital, Wike said the FCT Administration would remain focused on delivering infrastructure rather than engaging in political rhetoric.

“We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done,” he said.

The minister said governance and politics would not clash under his leadership, arguing that completed and ongoing projects across the FCT speak louder than campaign promises.

“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it,” he added.

Wike spoke after inspecting the construction of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi, Gwarimpa and Karsana, being executed by CBC Global, as well as the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road connecting the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Expressing satisfaction with progress on the Arterial Road N16 project, Wike said the contractor had assured the FCT Administration that the road would be completed by January.

“The road is very critical. If they deliver it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. On our part, we will ensure adequate funding because once this road is completed, the entire Gwarimpa axis will be opened up,” he said.

On the Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road, the minister commended CCECC for maintaining its record of timely project delivery, disclosing that the company had pledged to complete the project by December.

“I’m very impressed with what they are doing. The promises we made during the flag-off and commissioning of these projects are likely to be fulfilled. Despite the rains slowing earthworks, they have concentrated on drainage construction, which is progressing well,” he said.

Wike also disclosed that he had approved the relocation of electricity poles along the road corridor to pave the way for the installation of streetlights.

He praised Chinese construction firms handling major projects in the FCT for commencing work without waiting for mobilisation payments, saying the confidence stemmed from the administration’s record of meeting its contractual obligations.

“What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. As soon as I return to the office, I will ensure that funds are made available so we can achieve what we have promised,” he said.

The minister urged the contractors to maintain the quality and pace of work, while reaffirming the FCT Administration’s commitment to providing adequate funding to ensure projects are completed on schedule.

2027 Won’t Distract FCT Projects, Wike Says is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, has reported a sharp improvement in profitability for the first half of 2026, with profit after

The post HBM Nigeria’s profit hits N208bn as margins widen appeared first on Tribune Online.

Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye collapsed during a court session in Kampala on Wednesday while standing trial on treason charges.

A senior official of the People’s Front for Freedom, Besigye’s political party, confirmed the incident, saying the 70-year-old was taken away in an ambulance after collapsing.

Court proceedings were subsequently postponed as prison guards moved to assist the 70-year-old opposition figure.

Besigye has been in custody since November 2024 after he was arrested in Kenya and returned to Uganda. He is facing treason charges, which he and his supporters have described as politically motivated.

The former presidential candidate has been a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni and has challenged him in several elections.

Besigye and his co-accused have denied the allegations. His repeated applications for bail have also been rejected.

His detention has attracted criticism from local and international rights groups, with concerns raised about his health and access to medical care.

Amnesty International said earlier this year that Besigye was seriously ill and required specialised medical attention outside detention conditions.

Officials from Uganda’s judiciary and prison authorities had not immediately commented on his condition or provided details about where he was taken.

Ugandan Opposition Leader Collapses During Treason Trial is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

United Capital Plc delivered a strong first-half 2026 performance, with profit after tax rising 77.5 per cent to N21.10 billion, as the

The post United Capital doubles H1 profit to N21.1bn appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian streamer and content creator, Peller, has officially tied the knot with girlfriend, Jarvis.

The court marriage took place in Lagos on Wednesday, three days to their planned white wedding.

Footage circulating online showed the couple receiving their marriage documents to formalise their union.

The court marriage took place a few days after the couple announced on August 1, 2026 as their white wedding ceremony.

Their engagement took place in June during an event in Accra, Ghana, after the two lovers briefly went their separate ways following disagreements over Peller’s inability to keep parts of their relationship private. 

Also the couple held their traditional bride price ceremony on June 21, 2026 in Benin City, Edo State.

Watch the video

Peller legally marries Jarvis ahead of planned wedding reception [VIDEO]

National Population Commission (NPC) has officially commenced full digital registration of births and deaths in Ekiti under

The post NPC begins full digital birth, death registrations in Ekiti appeared first on Tribune Online.

Reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija winner, Phyna, has hit back at content creator Davrel after he alleged that she repeatedly asked him to introduce her to his billionaire father and also attempted to sleep with him.

The exchange began after Phyna accused Davrel of refusing to pay a cameraman she introduced to him for a project.

According to Phyna, Davrel contacted her, claiming he needed a cameraman to shoot a thriller for music star Davido, prompting her to recommend her personal cameraman.

“I know Davrel. The other time, he said he wanted to shoot a thriller for Davido and needed a cameraman. I sent him my personal cameraman. Till today, he has refused to pay that boy his money. Then you come online and start talking anyhow,” she said.

Reacting in a video, Davrel denied the allegation and accused Phyna of being disrespectful, he also made further allegations.

“Phyna has been begging me to introduce her to my dad. She dey ask me to connect them,” he alleged.

Davrel further claimed that Phyna was upset because he rejected her alleged advances.

“God will punish you. Phyna, tell them the real reason you’re mad at me. Phyna has been trying to sleep with me but I am not interested. You’re too old. I have my wife. I don’t want, please,” he said.

Phyna, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as false, before mocking the content creator’s appearance in her response.

“Davrel avoid me and if you want clout I’ll give you clout. Please go and bathe well and try and visit a dentist if there’s something they can do about your dripping mouth with spit. Please go to Turkey to fix your hairline too,” she said.

Neither party has publicly provided evidence to support the allegations exchanged in the videos.

“You tried to sleep with me” — Davrel, BBNaija Star, Phyna trade allegations 

The National Universities Commission (NUC) conducted a comprehensive accreditation
exercise for selected academic programmes at Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka,
between October and December 2025. Following the evaluation, the University achieved an
outstanding result, with all seven programmes presented for accreditation receiving Full
Accreditation Status.

The accredited programmes are:

Accounting

Mass Communication

Computer Science

Cyber Security

Software Engineering

Economics

International Relations

Programme scores ranged from 84.8% to 97.0%, comfortably exceeding the benchmark
required for Full Accreditation.

According to the NUC’s official results, 100% of the
programmes assessed earned Full Accreditation, with no programme receiving Interim or
Denied Accreditation.

The accreditation status for all seven programmes is valid until 2030,
reaffirming the University’s sustained compliance with national quality assurance standards.
The accreditation panels acknowledged several institutional strengths, including:
–
Strong academic curriculum and programme delivery.
–
Compliance with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS/CCMAS).
–
Adequate library services and learning resources.
–
Functional teaching and learning environment.
–
Commitment to quality assurance and academic excellence.
–
Overall institutional capacity to deliver quality university education.

Overall, the accreditation outcome reflects Maduka University’s continued commitment to
academic excellence, institutional quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Achieving Full Accreditation in all seven programmes assessed demonstrates that the University meets the National Universities Commission’s standards for academic quality, staffing,
infrastructure, library resources, and governance. The outcome provides assurance to students, parents, employers, and other stakeholders that the University’s academic
programmes satisfy nationally approved standards and remain positioned for continuous importance.

For Enquiries:
Rose: 08055091802 , 08065356367
Henry: 09157893107

Email: admission@madukauniversity.edu.ng

Website: madukauniversity.edu.ng

Admissions Portal: admissions.madukauniversity.edu.ng

Maduka University earns 100% full NUC accreditation

The bodies of Vivian Chinedum and her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Stanley were recovered from the rubbles of the collapsed Elite 5-Star Hostel in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, which had about 60 rooms, caved in on Sunday night, July 26, 2026.

Vivian, a baker, and Ifeanyi, a Moniepoint PoS machine distributor, popularly known as Don Cash, were both alumni of the Federal Polytechnic Oko.

It was gathered that the young couple were working hard to build a better future together.

According to friends, Ifeanyi had gone to visit Vivian at the hostel at about 10:45 p.m on that fateful day. 

Tragically, what was meant to be another beautiful moment together became their last.

Meanwhile, friends have taken to Facebook to mourn the couple. 

One Ganobi Precious Ifeanyichukwu, described Vivian and Ifeanyi as a very hard working and promising couple.