Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, paid a condolence visit to Kebbi following recent killings in parts of the state and the death of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru.

Shettima, who visited the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, conveyed the sympathy of President Bola Tinubu to Gov. Nasir Idris, the families of the slain security personnel, and the people of the state.

The late Speaker died on April 6 in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, after a prolonged illness.

Speaking during the visit, the vice president said he was in the state at the instance of President Tinubu to commiserate with the government and people of Kebbi over the tragic incidents.

“We are here at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to express our profound condolences to the families of the gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, as well as over the death of the Speaker.

“The attacks on communities in Shanga Local Government Area and the loss of our gallant soldiers in Giron Masa are deeply painful.

“We are here to condole with you, the people of Kebbi, and the security agencies in the state. Our hearts are with you,” he said.

Shettima said the Federal Government delegation included the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, to ensure adequate support for communities displaced by the attacks.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength for their families, as well as the state government, to bear the losses.

The vice president also commended the Kebbi Government for its efforts in education, infrastructure, and inclusive governance, noting that the state remained dear to the federal government.

Responding, Idris thanked President Tinubu for the condolence visit, describing it as a strong demonstration of concern and solidarity with the people of the state.

“We are grateful for this visit. It shows that Mr President shares our grief and stands with us at this difficult time,” the governor said.

Idris disclosed that about 11 persons, including security personnel, were killed in an ambush while responding to a distress call in Shanga LGA.

He, however, commended security agencies for their prompt response to distress situations across the state.

On the death of the Speaker, the governor said the state government did its best to ensure that he received adequate medical attention, but ultimately submitted to the will of Allah (SWT).

He further told the vice president that the state government had donated N100 million to support persons displaced by banditry, and N60 million to families of fallen security personnel.

Also speaking, the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu, commended the governor for his sustained support to families of victims and affected communities in the emirate.

The vice president was accompanied on the visit by the NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan; and the Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Umar-Modibbo, among other dignitaries.

Shettima Visits Slain Officers’ Families In Kebbi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal Government has opened applications for the second cohort of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, as part of efforts to improve skills development and create more job opportunities across the country. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Monday via his X handle, describing the initiative as […]

Benin’s finance minister has won a landslide victory in a presidential election, according to provisional results, keeping the coastal west African country on course after a decade of robust economic growth.

Wadagni embodies continuity with the era of outgoing president Patrice Talon, which has seen the country enjoy rapid economic growth, an expansion in tourism and the completion of numerous infrastructure projects.

He nonetheless faces major challenges, including a huge wealth gap and insecurity in the north due to attacks blamed on jihadist groups.

The 49-year-old technocrat was the overwhelming favourite to succeed Talon, who handpicked him, and was backed by the two parties in the governing coalition.

He faced a single, minor opponent, Paul Hounkpe, who ran a low-key campaign and conceded defeat while ballots were still being counted.

“To… Romuald Wadagni, I offer my republican congratulations. Democracy requires mutual respect and the ability to rise above partisan divides,” Hounkpe said in his concession statement.

Benin’s independent electoral commission, CENA, announced he had secured more than 94 percent of the vote in provisional results overnight from Monday to Tuesday, based on 90 percent of votes counted.

The constitutional court is expected to announce the final results from Sunday’s election later in the week.

CENA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said the election had been peaceful and had run smoothly.

– No surprise –

Newspaper Le Patriote, however, saw “signs of an electoral heist” and an electoral monitoring platform reported complaints of ballot boxes appearing full before the start of voting.

The electoral commission said turnout was nearly 60 percent.

The main opposition Democrats party failed to secure the required parliamentary endorsements to field a candidate.

Hounkpe needed the endorsement of several majority lawmakers to get on the ballot paper.

“The results are no surprise,” said legal practitioner Hilaire Okounde. “Wadagni had no opposition. He could have got 99 percent.”

“The public has opted for continuity in modernisation, sound management and a commitment to development,” said Augustin Salanon, a port official who supported Talon’s anointed successor.

Democrats activist Astrid Kounouho said: “I’m not pleased with this result but the fact is that Romuald Wadagni is now the president-elect.”

“As a member of the opposition, I contest the conditions under which this election took place, the lack of political openness and the absence of genuine pluralism.

“But the country is greater than our differences and we expect him to govern for everyone,” she said.

Alimata, a lock seller in the Gbegemey neighbourhood of Cotonou, took a pragmatic view.

“If this election or Wadagni’s arrival can change our lives, we shall be happy but for now, we have to find a way to feed the family,” he told AFP.

– Challenges ahead –

Talon, who has run Benin since 2016, is standing down after two five-year terms.

This was Wadagni’s first run at elected office.

Under his 10-year stint as finance minister, Benin’s public finances have been cleaned up and the deficit cut by a third to reach three percent of GDP.

With growth averaging more than six percent over the decade, Wadagni and Benin have won the backing of international investors.

As president “he will follow in the continuity of what has been done”, political analyst Franck Kinninvo said.

Major challenges remain.

The poverty rate is estimated at more than 30 percent and many people have not felt the benefits of economic growth.

Benin’s development will also depend on security, which requires dealing with violence in the north attributed mainly to Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

The next elections are not until 2033 because a constitutional reform has extended the presidential term to seven years.

The post Benin elects 49-year-old Wadagni as new president appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Peoples Democratic Party has said the Supreme Court will hear its leadership dispute case on April 22, 2026, following an application for accelerated hearing.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on April 14, 2026, on the official page of the party.

According to the statement, the appeal challenging a judgment of the Court of Appeal was first heard at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where counsel to the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, Chris Uche, applied for a shorter timeline to fast track the case.

The statement noted that counsel to the respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, did not oppose the application but requested time to file their briefs.

“The Court granted the request and abridged time to 5 days for the Respondents to file their Respondent’s Brief,” the statement said.

It added that all processes are to be filed on or before April 21, with the matter fixed for definite hearing on April 22.

In a related case involving Sule Lamido, the party said the Supreme Court also granted a similar application for accelerated hearing, with the matter equally scheduled for April 22.

The PDP, however, urged its members to remain steadfast, expressing hope that the apex court would deliver judgment that would uphold democratic principles.

Supreme Court to hear leadership dispute case April 22 – PDP reveals

Shola, the son of the Olubandan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, has threatened to release a receipt that the current speaker, Depo Ogundoyin, begged him to see his father to back him for the 2027 gubernatorial ambition.

He made this known in a statement on his X account on Tuesday amid the controversy surrounding the alleged Governor Seyi Makinde impeachment plot.

According to Shola, he was hesitant to do the bidding of Ogundoyin then.

“My recent tweet was deleted because I realized a lot of people thought I meant a payment receipt. No. I meant receipt of our conversations.

Debo on the 25th of March begged me to take him to my father to back him for the gubernatorial ambition, which I was very hesitant to do,” he wrote.

Earlier, Shola had stated in a deleted but reposted screenshot that the Chief Whip of the State House Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, is being used as a tool by Ogundoyin.

DAILY POST reports that Oyekola alleged that the wife of the former governor of the state, Florence Ajimobi, and Olubadan offered to bribe him on the account of Makinde’s impeachment plot.

However, DAILY POST reports that Ajimobi dismissed Oyekola’s claims.

In two different statements, the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, had alleged that Makinde planned to dethrone Olubadan; however, the governor denied the claim.

2027: Olubadan’s son threatens to release of conversation with Oyo Assembly Speaker, Ogundoyin

By Florencemary Nwabueze

A wave of fear and outrage has gripped Nigerians following the emergence of a disturbing video showing a kidnapped student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), identified as John Arum.

According to reports, the student was abducted by armed bandits while travelling along the Kaduna–Jos highway, a route that has increasingly gained notoriety for insecurity and kidnappings. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦30 million for his release.

The situation took a more alarming turn when the abductors allegedly used the victim’s phone to record videos of him being tortured and shared the footage in his class group chat.

The video, which has since circulated online, shows the student in distress, pleading for his life while being subjected to physical abuse.

A fellow student, Ezikima Asunga, confirmed the incident in a message shared publicly. He stated that the victim was his coursemate and raised concerns that the student’s family might not be aware of the kidnapping, as there has been no direct line of communication with them.

The footage has triggered widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians expressing anger over the continued deterioration of security across the country. Social media users have also pointed out that the kidnappers were not masked, raising questions about the possibility of identifying and apprehending them.

Public reactions have been intense, with citizens calling on security agencies, including the police and military, to act swiftly to rescue the victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. Many have also decried the increasing frequency of such incidents, describing the situation as a national emergency.

“He was kidnapped on his way to Kaduna from Jos. His captors are torturing him severely and using his phone to send pictures and videos to his class group. When asked if he’s a Christian, he denied it, hoping to save himself from pain, but the torture only got worse. He started calling on Jesus, which made his captors mock him and Jesus”.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security authorities regarding the incident or any ongoing rescue efforts.

The post Bandits demand ₦30m over kidnapped UNIJOS student appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Vice President, Sen Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday paid a condolence visit to Kebbi following recent killings in parts of the state and the death of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru.

Shettima, who visited the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, conveyed the sympathy of President Bola Tinubu to Gov. Nasir Idris, families of the slain security personnel, and the people of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the late speaker died on April 6 in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, after a prolonged illness.

Speaking during the visit, the vice president said he was in the state at the instance of President Tinubu to commiserate with the government and people of Kebbi over the tragic incidents.

“We are here at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to express our profound condolences to the families of the gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, as well as over the death of the Speaker.

“The attacks on communities in Shanga Local Government Area and the loss of our gallant soldiers in Giron Masa are deeply painful.

“We are here to condole with you, the people of Kebbi, and the security agencies in the state. Our hearts are with you,” he said.

Shettima said the federal government delegation included the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, to ensure adequate support for communities displaced by the attacks.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength for their families, as well as the state government, to bear the losses.

The vice president also commended the Kebbi government for its efforts in education, infrastructure, and inclusive governance, noting that the state remained dear to the federal government.

Responding, Idris thanked President Tinubu for the condolence visit, describing it as a strong demonstration of concern and solidarity with the people of the state.

“We are grateful for this visit. It shows that Mr President shares our grief and stands with us at this difficult time,” the governor said.

Idris disclosed that about 11 persons, including security personnel, were killed in an ambush while responding to a distress call in Shanga LGA.

He, however, commended security agencies for their prompt response to distress situations across the state.

On the death of the Speaker, the governor said the state government did its best to ensure that he received adequate medical attention, but ultimately submitted to the will of Allah (SWT).

He further told the vice president that the state government had donated N100 million to support persons displaced by banditry and N60 million to families of fallen security personnel.

Also speaking, the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu, commended the governor for his sustained support to families of victims and affected communities in the emirate.

NAN reports that the vice president was accompanied on the visit by the NEMA director-general, Zubaida Umar; deputy chief of staff to the vice president, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan; and the special adviser on general duties, Dr Aliyu Umar-Modibbo, among other dignitaries. (NAN)

The post Shettima visits Kebbi, condoles families of fallen heroes, late Speaker appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has explained the reason for adjusting the arrival time for candidates writing the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) starting on Thursday., April 16, 2026.

Clarifying the issue on Tuesday, the spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, stated that the time was slightly adjusted for security reasons.

“We adjusted the time of arrival slightly for security reasons,” he said.

Recall that JAMB in its X handle announced that the time will be adjusted. The Board stated, “Attention 2026 UTME Candidates: This is to notify you of a slight adjustment to the arrival scheduled time, particularly for the first session, which is now 7:00am as against the earlier published 6:30am, while the scheduled start time for the session is now 8:30 am and end time 10:30 am. Please note that you need not reprint your slip. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, JAMB disclosed that it has finalised all arrangements to conduct the UTME slated to hold between 16th – 22nd April, 2026.

According to JAMB, no fewer than 2.2 million candidates are expected to sit the UTME in about 966 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country following the deletion of 23 centres for poor performance in the recently-concluded Mock-UTME.

“ It is expected by now that all the candidates must have printed out their examination slips for the exercise. Candidates who have not done so are to visit the Board’s website at https://www.jamb.gov.ng and click on 2026 Slip Printing to print.

“The slip contained vital information such as the date of examination, time, venue and other critical data that would facilitate a seamless examination and biometric verification exercise,” JAMB said.

It added that necessary arrangements have been made for candidates living with disabilities to be processed through the machinery put in place by the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) headed by the erudite scholar and former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola.

JAMB noted that the 2026 examination features enhanced security measures designed to curb all forms of malpractice and warned candidates and centre owners to desist from any form of misconduct, as strict sanctions will be applied.

“Candidates are also to note that prohibited items are not allowed in the examination hall as the Board will not hesitate to invoke all extant laws on examination malpractices and unwholesome behaviours during and after the examination.

“ Similarly, adequate provisions have been made for candidates with other challenges to sit the examination as the Board has all it takes to conduct an all-inclusive examination in line with international best practices just as relevant technology has been deployed to safeguard the sanctity of the examination,”JAMB added.

Why We Adjusted Arrival Time For UTME Candidates – JAMB is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has visited communities affected by recent attacks in Akure North Local Government Area, assuring residents of steps to tackle insecurity.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on the official page of the Ondo State Government.

According to the statement, the governor visited Imafon, Igushin and Ilado communities following reports of deadly attacks in the area.

He condemned the killings and disclosed that more than 100 suspected kidnappers have been arrested as part of ongoing security operations.

The governor added that security agencies are working with local hunters and vigilante groups to track down criminal elements hiding in forest areas.

He further noted that the government plans to establish Amotekun posts and strengthen security presence across vulnerable locations.

“Security agencies are working with local hunters and vigilantes to flush out criminals hiding in forests. The government will also establish Amotekun posts and strengthen security presence in affected areas,” the statement read.

Aiyedatiwa also urged residents to cooperate with authorities and avoid harbouring criminal elements, noting that some local youths have been linked to the activities.

Community leaders, while commending the governor’s visit, called for improved security infrastructure, better-equipped personnel and stronger collaboration to address the situation.

Ondo Attacks: Aiyedatiwa vows action as over 100 suspects arrested

CBC News, a CNN affiliate, projected the Liberals would pick up two more seats in Parliament on Monday that would take them to 173 seats in the House of Commons — one seat past what’s required for a majority. One other tight race in Quebec, where the Liberal previously won by a single vote, still hasn’t been called.