Lydia Beshel - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Pope Francis fought for ‘just, peaceful, compassionate world’ – EU chief

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Tribute

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis would be remembered for his efforts to build “a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

“Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis,” von der Leyen wrote on X, shortly after the Vatican announced the pontiff’s death at the age of 88.

“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she continued.

“My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.

“May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said Francis’ “contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe.”

“‘The People’s Pope’ will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice.

“May he rest in peace,” Metsola wrote on X. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Foreign

Pope Francis dies in Rome aged 88

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Pope

Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died on Monday aged 88, the Vatican announced.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death in a statement: “At 7:35 this morning (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

Francis had recently suffered from pneumonia in both lungs and spent more than a month in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

It was his fourth longer stay in the hospital in the past four years.

He was initially there in 2021 for intestinal surgery, in 2023 for severe pneumonia and later that year for another open abdominal procedure.

Francis had been participating in public events from a wheelchair due to a severe knee condition and had to cancel many regular prayers, audiences and services in recent months.

In what turned out to be his last public appearance, Francis appeared briefly on the balcony in front of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday to deliver an Easter blessing.

In spite of his ill health, the pope completed a 12-day trip to Asia and the Pacific in the first half of September and a visit to Luxembourg and Belgium later the same month. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in Saudi-bound religious books

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Defence/Security

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in Saudi-bound religious books

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Cocaine

By Ibironke Ariyo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of cocaine concealed in twenty sets of religious books bound for Saudi Arabia.

According to the Director, Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the cocaine consignment consisted of twenty parcels with a total weight of 500 grams buried in the pages of the religious books.

Femi made the statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the seizure occurred on Tuesday, April 15, when NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) were searching through export cargos bound for Saudi Arabia at the logistics firm.

On the same day, NDLEA officers intercepted a separate shipment at another courier company: five parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2.8 kilograms hidden in a carton coming from the United States of America.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested 22-year-old Muhammad Mohammed, a supplier of illicit substances to bandits, in Kano, while on patrol along Bichi – Kano Road.

Babafemi said that the suspect was heading to Katsina, had 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection tied to his thigh and private part with sellotape.

“He was intercepted on Sunday, April 13, meanwhile another suspect, Mohammed Abdulaziz, 43, was arrested on the same day at Research Rimin Kebe area of Nasarawa, Kano with 68 blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 30kg,’’he said.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives raided two cannabis farms in Egbeta forest, Edo state, destroying 3,717.8625kg of the psychoactive plant on 1.487145 hectares and recovered 136.5kg of processed cannabis.

Similarly, at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA arrested Kayode Basorun, 40, a suspect who has been at large for two years, in connection with the seizure of 107kg of Loud imported from Cannada in 2023.

Babafemi added that another suspect, Dauda Yakubu who distributed illicit drugs within the seaport community was arrested by a team of operatives on Monday, April 14. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

2025 WASSCE: WAEC confirms readiness, goes tough against malpractice

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Fri, 2025

Education

2025 WASSCE: WAEC confirms readiness, goes tough against malpractice

305 total views today

Examination

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria says it has put measures in place to prevent examination malpractice in the forthcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) holding May/June 2025.

Dr Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, at a news conference on Thursday said that
the council had introduced variations of papers for candidates.

“From this year, two candidates will not have same questions on each number. We have adopted this innovation for some of the WASSCE codes.

“Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned to him or her, will be doing himself/herself a disservice and will bear the attendant consequences,” he said.

Dangut said the council had also introduced its maiden Computer-Based CB-WASSCE for School Candidates, noting that the initiative was part of the paradigm shift in the education sector.

He, however, stressed that the CB-WASSCE was optional for now.

According to Dangut, candidates’ paper variations for the papers to be deployed for CB-WASSCE 2025 had been preprinted according to their registration details.

He said this was also geared towards combating the menace of examination malpractice.

“The CB-WASSCE 2025 is thrown open, so schools that are ready will be given the opportunity to choose between traditional pen and paper examinations or the newly introduced CB-WASSCE in the forthcoming WAEC.

“The adoption of these current test administration techniques is geared towards upholding the academic and moral integrity of the National Policy on Education and in line with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The WAEC boss, therefore, called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to study diligently, while urging school principals and teachers to sensitise their students to desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice.

“The various state ministries of education are also urged to call their principals, teachers and other officials serving as inspectors and/or supervisors to order.

“Every candidate and examination functionary should familiarise themselves with the rules guiding the conduct of the examination as stipulated in the WAEC Syllabus and Guidelines for the conduct of examinations, issued to schools.

“Erring schools whose candidates engage in mass cheating will be derecognised; erring officials will be adequately punished, while erring candidates will be sanctioned if found culpable.

Dangut assured that the council would continue to partner with the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police and the various state governments to provide adequate security for the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination.

“The Council will decisively deal with examination malpractice of any kind as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), being the highest decision-making organ of the Council that sits on examination matters in Nigeria.

“The penalties for involvement in examination malpractice will always, without compromise, be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, schools, amongst others.

“Candidates should visit waec.estudy.ng to access the portal. WAEC has made available, via its e-learning portal, resources that will equip candidates’ with the requirements and expectations needed to write and pass their examinations.

“Students’ performances in previous examinations are analysed with the aim of highlighting candidates’ weaknesses and proffering solutions to assist candidates’ learning.

“Candidates should visit https://WAEConline.org.ng to access the portal.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Telecom: Consumers demand better services amidst tariff hike

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

General News , Science & Tech

Telecom: Consumers demand better services amidst tariff hike

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By Jessica Dogo

Some telecommunication service consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged Mobile Network Operators to improve their services to match the recent hike in their tariffs.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

The subscribers said in spite of the increase in subscription rates mobile networks could remain epileptic for hours.

In a publication dated February 6, 2024, the Executive Vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said that the commission would hold service providers accountable for poor service delivery.

Mr Ogah Paul, one of the subscribers said he had enough data on his network but could not access internet because of epileptic network.

He urged service providers to fix the problems surrounding the poor services.

“The only thing they know is to drain data without any good service delivery. I feel like crying because of a problematic network. I have been receiving server error since morning.

“To even download and watch a video sent to me takes me almost one whole day. “I wonder if members of staff of the service providers are enjoying the service they render to us.

“We cannot make calls, access the internet or even to receive calls,’’ he said.

According to him, unfortunately, the network providers put up some of the best adverts about their products and services which they cannot meet.

Mr Victor James, another subscriber said he had enough data but was not able to use it to his satisfaction.

“Why does their data plan not reflect immediately you buy data? Sometime it takes as much as 24 hours to reflect.

“I am really tired of this. The network is really bad. I have enough data but I cannot use it the way I want.

“I hope the issues get resolved as soon as possible so that I can access my data without further delay,” he said.

However, Ms Josephine Tanko, told NAN that she had not problems with her network providers.

“It is fast and reliable. I think it is the network that gives the best internet speed and quality.

“It will always be my best that is why I will always choose it over any other network,” she said.

She called on networks that did not meet their subscribers expectations to ensure that they improved on their services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Uche Anunne

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Agriculture

Farmers task new Bank of Agriculture MD on digitalisation

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Digitalisation
By Mercy Omoike

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Mr Ayo Sotinrin, to ensure the digitalisation of the bank for effective service delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu, on April 4, appointed Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the BoA.

Sotinrin is a seasoned finance and agribusiness expert and brings a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors.

The Southwest Chairman of AFAN, Mr Femi Oke, who commended the President for Sotinrin’s appointment tasked him on the digitalisation of the BoA for increased efficiency.

“It is a good development for President Tinubu to have appointed a new person. What we are asking is that they should move from analogue operations to digital.

“Their system is still an old one which is very slow. If you save there, you cannot withdraw in any other place.

“The new managing director should also expedite the process of loans, so that more farmers can get access to them. Definitely, without soft loans, new intakes cannot come into the sector.

“BoA is basically set up to aid those who are about to go into the sector. So they should prioritise funding for local farmers,” Oke said.

Also speaking, Mr Omotunde Banjoko, an agriculture analyst, urged the new management to update the operations of the bank to a digitalised state.

“The new managing director has been appointed at a very crucial time and the change is really straightforward. The number one thing to be done is that the bank has to be digitalised.

“And the digital transformation will come in different ways. As of today, when you pay money into your account at Bank of Agriculture, you do not get an alert.

“You can only withdraw from your branch and no other branch and customers can pay money into your branch. This means the bank is still operating in the 1940s.

“So, the bank has to be digitalised in its processes and operations. This is what has been scaring a lot of farmers.

Now I opened a bank account in Ogun state, I cannot even transfer into the account from my phone.

“I cannot go to any of their branches in Lagos to pay into my account except I go back to Ogun state. That is a major snag the bank is facing.

“So, the bank has to be completely transformed in terms of digitalisation.

Although they have on paper 109 branches, but they are spread wide apart,” Banjoko said.

The expert also urged the new managing director to prioritise funding and loans for local farmers to boost the sector’s growth.

“So, in terms of funding, before now, they give below N1,000,000 to farmers.

But, through the recapitalisation, even before the former Managing director left, they were giving loans up to N5 million to farmers, and that is fair.

“So, the new management should follow up on that. Even though I thought they should make it N10 million. So, they should make proper funding available for farmers.

“This is what will also transform the sector. So, funding should be prioritised and not politicised. We should focus on that as well and what will make agriculture attractive to young people as well.

“The bank really needs to do a lot of branding work. You enter a BUA branch and you are not sure you are in a bank. You see one or two staff probably sleeping, probably doing their loan and all that.

“So, there is serious branding work waiting for the new managing director. And then, he should engage stakeholders more,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FG unveils UBE school improvement programme

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Education

FG unveils UBE school improvement programme

281 total views today

Programme

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government has launched the Universal Basic Education (UBE) School Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) to boost teaching capacity, under the Teacher Professional Development (TPD).

Speaking at an event in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the initiative would foster community partnership and engagement.

Alausa stated that the programme aimed to address the issue of out-of-school children and expand access to education for school-age children, while also improving the teaching and learning environment.

He mentioned that the activities would be funded through the Federal Government/UBE intervention fund and would guide further efforts to enhance the capacity of teachers across the country.

Alausa highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing girl-child education and tackling the out-of-school syndrome.

“If girl-child education is to be advanced and if we are to eradicate or reduce the out-of-school syndrome, the government alone cannot tackle these challenges.

“It requires a synergy of efforts from all stakeholders, with the community playing a major role, to pave the way for achieving the expected outcomes,” he said.

He stressed that the government alone could not solve these challenges and that a synergy of efforts, particularly from communities, was essential for achieving the desired outcomes.

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the UBEC’s 2025-2027 initiatives, which include the construction of 7,200 new UBE facilities and the provision of 1,680,000 furniture pieces.

“Additionally, the initiatives involve the extensive renovation of 195,000 classrooms, as well as the installation of 22,900 water boreholes and 28,000 toilets across schools.”

These efforts, he said, were aimed at creating a safe learning environment, especially in rural areas.

Alausa outlined the pillars of the ministry’s education sector renewal initiative, which includes increasing enrollment, enhancing TVET to address skill gaps, advancing girl-child education, harnessing data and digitisation, and strengthening quality assurance to meet global standards.

He also explained that the teacher professional development programme aligned with the ministry’s goal of improving learning outcomes by strengthening teacher quality.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, also addressed the progress made in Nigeria’s basic education sector, noting a seven per cent increase in school enrollment over the past two to three years.

However, she lamented that about 13 million children remained out of school, particularly in rural and low-income communities.

Garba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering equitable, quality education for every Nigerian child.

“Imagine a child in a community eager to learn, full of promise, yet held back by a lack of infrastructure, qualified teachers, learning materials, and a conducive learning environment.

“Today, we mark a defining milestone in our shared vision to deliver equitable, quality-based education for every Nigerian child and to rewrite that story.

“We gather to reaffirm our commitment to every Nigerian child. We are unleashing the promise of a nation.

“The promise that every Nigerian child, no matter their circumstances or location, deserves a solid start to life through quality-based education,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

1,800 get teaching appointments in Kwara

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Education

1,800 get teaching appointments in Kwara

282 total views today

TESCOM

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Kwara state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has shorlisted 1,800 applicants for teaching appointments in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onile, made available to newsmen in Ilorin.

Onile said that the shortlisted applicants emerged from a screening exercise, which included computer based test, and interviews spanning over three months.

”The shortlisted comprises 790 (44%) for STEM subjects; 581 for core subjects; 370 for specialised subjects; and 59 for technical subjects.

”They will be assigned to senior secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state in line with the needs assessment of the commission,” he said.

Onile advised applicants who appeared for the interviews to check their status on the portal, adding “those shortlisted will undergo a mandatory drug test to ascertain their suitability to teach children.

”The drug test will be carried out by the NDLEA and will be coordinated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drugs Abuse, Prevention and Control, Hon. Mukail Aileru.

”The test will begin on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and end on Saturday April 12, 2025. Shortlisted candidates from Baruten, Edu, Kaiama, and Patigi are slated for Wednesday.

“Those from Ekiti, Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin will be tested on Thursday, April 10; Offa, Oke Ero, Oyun, and Moro are slated for Friday, April 11, while the candidates from Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West are to have theirs on Saturday.

“The drug test certificates will be sent to the commission by the NDLEA as no candidate is allowed to access it on their own to curb altering,” he said.

The official said that successful applicants would also sign a bond not to seek transfer for six years, a policy response to the dearth of teachers in rural areas.

“Shortlisted applicants are to also come with medical certificates from any state government hospital as well as the original copies of their credentials for documentation, during which they will be required to drop photocopies of same for record purposes.

“They will also submit handwritten letters of acceptance of the job offer, while other conditions of service will be spelt out during the documentation process,” Onile added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will withstand flood for 50 years – FG

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Metro

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will withstand flood for 50 years – FG

255 total views today

Highway

By Chigozie-Ngwakwe

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has given the assurance that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway when completed would withstand flood for about 50 years.

Umahi gave the assurance at a stakeholder engagement on Section 2 of the highway project on Sunday in Lagos.

“We will make sure that our pavement level is going to counter any climate change,” he said.

According to him, the pavement level would be at the first floor of many buildings.

“To retain the road, we are going to be building retaining board. It has already started.

“We also have the cable duct so you don’t have to cut the road.

“MTN, African Plus or any other network doesn’t have to cut the road. The cables are there, I saw them.”

He reiterated that there would be closed circuit television cameras on the road so that the response time for any issue would be less than five minutes.

The minister also said that the highway would have an evacuation corridor.

” We are going to be earning carbon credit by the reason of the use of concrete pavement which will have no emission.”

He said that trees would be planted all through on the road to make it exciting.

“We have the Dangote Refinery. You need about 60 metres clearance for the trucks to go in and out.

“We are now building a flyover that has a span of 60 metres, and then the next span is 41.6 metres counterbalance.

“We are flying over Dangote Refinery, and the seven axial road is coming. It is going to be a point to behold. It is going to be another tourist site.

” Let me announce that along the corridor, there are lands that the state government has given us the right so we can build what I call relief centres where you can stop to have snacks, buy petrol.”

He added that supermarkets and medical facilities would be part of the centres.

Umahi thanked stakeholders for their support.

“Let me thank you all for coming to this public engagement.

“There are some people who are here not because they have money to claim but because of the love they have for this development.”

He also praised the contractor handling the project, Hitech Construction Company, for excellence and timeliness. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

FG to receive first batch of 3.2m meters in April

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

Economy/Business

FG to receive first batch of 3.2m meters in April

264 total views today

Meters

By Constance Athekame

The Federal Government says it is set to receive the first batch of 3.205 million meters in April, procured to bridge the metering gap in the country.

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said this in a statement by his Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mr Bolaji Tunji in Abuja on Sunday.

Adelabu said that 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) were also expected by the end of April.

According to the minister the second batch of 200,000 meters will also be received in May.

He said that the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) was set to deliver the 3.2 million meters by 2026.

“This will be achieved through different procurement models, including 1.437 million meters through International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1).

”There is another 217,600 meters through National Competitive Bid (NCB), and 1.550 million meters through International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2), ” Adelabu said. .

According to him, as part of this plan, the first batch of 75,000 meters under ICB1 is expected by April, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May.

”In addition to the DISREP, the N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is another key intervention designed to accelerate metering,”he said.

The minister said that the PMI, which had already secured N700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), was structured to ensure large-scale meter procurement and deployment.

He said that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) had been established to oversee the implementation of the initiative.

”While challenges persist, the facts tell a more balanced story; one of sustained effort, financial commitment, and structured implementation plans by the Federal Government to close the metering gap.

”Despite claims of stagnation, metering installations have been progressing steadily.

”As at Dec.2024, a total of 5.502 million customers had been metered, representing about 55 percent of the 10.114 million active electricity customers in the country,”he said.

He said that In 2024 alone, 572,050 meters were installed.

According to him, though installation rates have varied over the years, the sector maintains a yearly average of about 668,000 meters installed.

He said that structured financing and government-backed initiatives were expected to accelerate deployment beyond the current pace, ensuring that the metering gap is addressed efficiently.

He said that to bridge the meeting gap, the government had put in place key initiatives aimed at significantly improving metering across the country.

“The government had set a target of deploying two million meters annually for five years, with the first batch of two million meters expected to be released by the third quarter of this year.

”These structured interventions provide a clear roadmap for addressing the metering gap in an effective and sustainable manner”.

“While the metering gap remains a concern, the notion that it will take over a decade to resolve is misleading,” he said.

He said that with the ongoing DISREP and PMI initiatives, Nigeria’s metering landscape was set to experience significant improvement before the end of the year.

”The focus should be on the execution of these well-structured plans rather than a blanket critique that overlooks the real progress being made,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Kadiri Abdulrahman