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  • Kalu Commends Otti For Speedy C-Of-O Approval For Bende Institutions

    Kalu Commends Otti For Speedy C-Of-O Approval For Bende Institutions

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has commended the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for the speedy approval of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) for two federal tertiary institutions in Bende Local Government Area.

    The institutions are the Federal College of Education, Bende, and the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item, Bende.

    It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, 2025 assented to the bills sponsored by Kalu to establish the two institutions in Bende.

    In a release by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, on Tuesday, noted that the approvals will accelerate the take-off of the institutions, create jobs, expand access to quality education and healthcare, and boost economic activities in Bende and across the state.

    Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of the State, further described the synergy between his office and the Abia State Government as critical to the transformation agenda for the state.

    He therefore pledged continued collaboration to attract more federal projects to the State.

    “I commend His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, for this swift action. It is a synergy that works for the development of Abia State and our people in general,” Kalu said.

    Kalu Commends Otti For Speedy C-Of-O Approval For Bende Institutions is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • 34 prison inmates write First School Leaving Certificate exam in Umuahia

    34 prison inmates write First School Leaving Certificate exam in Umuahia

    Abia State Government has conducted 2026 First School Leaving Certificate examination for 34 inmates in Umuahia and Aba Correctional centres in the State. 

    Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. 

     Kanu said the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, successfully facilitated the participation of adult learners in the 2026 First School Leaving Certificate assessment test.

    Kanu emphasised that the initiative was part of the state government’s determination to make education accessible to every citizen, regardless of circumstances.

    “This year, 15 inmates from the Umuahia Correctional Centre and 19 inmates from the Aba Correctional Centre participated in the examination, bringing the total number of participating inmates to 34”, Kanu said.

    He further said that Governor Alex Otti has directed the immediate deployment of intervention and mitigation measures to the Amamba-Uzuakoli and Ipupe-Ubakala gully erosion sites.

    34 prison inmates write First School Leaving Certificate exam in Umuahia

  • Tinubu meets new NBA chair, Badejo-Okusanya [VIDEO]

    Tinubu meets new NBA chair, Badejo-Okusanya [VIDEO]

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

     Badejo-Okusanya was accompanied to the meeting by some senior lawyers and other lawyers who were on her campaign team.

    Recall that Badejo-Okusanya has been elected the 33rd President of the NBA.

    She secured a total of 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast in Saturday’s NBA national election.

    The first female NBA president defeated her closest challengers, Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who garnered 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, who polled 5,855 votes.

    Tinubu had congratulated her on her election as the first elected female President of the NBA, describing her victory as a milestone for the legal profession and a triumph for merit, excellence and gender inclusion.

    Watch video:

    Tinubu meets new NBA chair, Badejo-Okusanya [VIDEO]

  • Durotimi Okutagidi, Adeola Awodein to star in HIV awareness film BI30

    Durotimi Okutagidi, Adeola Awodein to star in HIV awareness film BI30

    Ahead of the 2026 World AIDS Day, OGWA Studios has announced the lead cast for its upcoming short film and national awareness campaign, BI30, a project aimed at tackling the deeply rooted stigma surrounding HIV testing in Nigeria. Nollywood actors Durotimi Okutagidi and Adeola Awodein have been tapped to lead the cinematic campaign. According to […]

    The post Durotimi Okutagidi, Adeola Awodein to star in HIV awareness film BI30 appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • VIDEO: I feel like I’m living an extra time at 65 — RMD

    VIDEO: I feel like I’m living an extra time at 65 — RMD

    Nollywood veteran, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has reflected on life at 65, saying he feels like he is “living an extra…

    The post VIDEO: I feel like I’m living an extra time at 65 — RMD appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • Kano Task Force Chair Warns Politicians Against Interference In Drug Crackdown

    Kano Task Force Chair Warns Politicians Against Interference In Drug Crackdown

    The Chairman of the Kano State Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, has warned politicians against pressuring the committee to release suspected thugs and drug offenders arrested during its operations.

    Rimin-Gado issued the warning on Tuesday during a strategic meeting with media executives and journalists in Kano, where he pledged that the task force would operate independently and without fear or favour.

    He said no individual, regardless of political influence, would be allowed to interfere with the committee’s activities.

    “No politician should approach me to release any thug if we arrest him. This is Kano, and we are all indigenes of the state. We will not allow a few people to destroy its future,” he said.

    According to him, only Governor Abba Yusuf has the authority to request the release of an arrested person, adding that such an instruction would amount to a vote of no confidence in his leadership of the task force.

    “The only person who can ask me to release anybody is the Governor. If he does so, it simply means he is indirectly asking me to resign,” he added.

    The task force, inaugurated by Governor Yusuf, comprises representatives from various security agencies and was established to tackle drug abuse, illicit trafficking and gang-related violence in the state.

    Rimin-Gado said the committee was set up following the governor’s declaration of a statewide public health emergency on substance abuse on July 22.

    He explained that the task force’s mandate includes arresting drug traffickers, reducing substance abuse, rehabilitating victims and ensuring the prosecution of offenders.

    “Our major target is the drug traffickers because they are the main enemies of society. We are also committed to creating mechanisms for rehabilitation and community engagement,” he said.

    The chairman disclosed that data from the Kano State Police Command indicated that about 70 percent of major crimes recorded in the state in 2025 were linked to drug abuse.

    He said tackling substance abuse was critical to reducing crime and restoring security across the state.

    Rimin-Gado added that the committee would also focus on dismantling violent gangs, noting that an executive order signed by the governor had outlawed such groups under Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code.

    He stated that individuals convicted of belonging to any group declared unlawful under the law face a minimum five-year jail term.

    The task force chairman said it would rely on intelligence gathering, security collaboration and community participation to combat drug-related crimes.

    He urged parents to take greater responsibility in monitoring their children, stressing that family supervision was essential in preventing substance abuse and youth involvement in criminal activities.

    Rimin-Gado also called on media organisations, community leaders and residents to support the fight against drug abuse through public awareness campaigns.

    “This fight is not for the committee alone. It requires the support of the media, community leaders, parents and every resident of Kano. Together, we can protect the future of our state,” he said.

    Kano Task Force Chair Warns Politicians Against Interference In Drug Crackdown is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Air Defence Expansion At White House

    Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Air Defence Expansion At White House

    United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Tuesday for talks focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defences and advancing diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

    The two leaders discussed expanding the production of Patriot interceptor missiles to bolster Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.

    Zelenskyy thanked the United States for its continued support and said both sides would coordinate closely on further defence cooperation.

    The meeting came as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth year, with renewed efforts underway to revive peace negotiations despite persistent disagreements over territorial control, security guarantees and the conditions for a ceasefire.

    Zelenskyy also paid tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, describing him as “a true friend of Ukraine” and thanking him for his longstanding support for Kyiv. Both leaders were expected to attend Graham’s funeral in Washington following their meeting.

    No immediate details were released on any agreements reached during the talks.

    However, officials indicated that discussions on military assistance and diplomatic initiatives would continue in the coming weeks as Washington and Kyiv seek to strengthen Ukraine’s defences while pursuing a negotiated end to the conflict.

    Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Air Defence Expansion At White House is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Food security: Oluremi Tinubu expands Renewed Hope outreach to Ondo

    Food security: Oluremi Tinubu expands Renewed Hope outreach to Ondo

    The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday extended the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme to Ondo State…

    The post Food security: Oluremi Tinubu expands Renewed Hope outreach to Ondo appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • BREAKING: Oyo receives two surveillance aircraft to boost security operations

    BREAKING: Oyo receives two surveillance aircraft to boost security operations

    The Oyo State Government on Tuesday bolstered its security architecture with the delivery of two surveillance aircraft, as Governor Seyi Makinde said the investment would significantly improve intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and rapid response to security threats across the state. The aircraft were received by the governor at the newly upgraded tarmac of the Samuel […]

    The post BREAKING: Oyo receives two surveillance aircraft to boost security operations appeared first on Tribune Online.

  • FG launches IPPIS human resource modules in civil service

    FG launches IPPIS human resource modules in civil service

    The Federal Government has officially launched the Human Resource (HR) Modules of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System…

    The post FG launches IPPIS human resource modules in civil service appeared first on Tribune Online.