COVER
22 Killed in Boat, Road Mishaps, Many Missing
From Attah Ede, Makurdi & Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Over 20 people have been reportedly died with many missing after a boat accident on the River Benue, Saturday.
The incident happened when a boat carrying almost 100 passengers capsized, resulting to loss of these lives, mostly women.
It was gathered the wooden boat was loaded with several goods and passengers returning from Ocholonya market in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State to Udei in Nasarawa Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after close of market.
Our correspondent learnt that the passenger victims were not wearing life jackets.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Fada Awatsu, told journalists in Makurdi that the mishap was caused by overload, adding that shortly after it took off, there was uproar by passengers.
It eventually tumbled and lowered into the water.He said the affected victims were mostly market women and children from Agatu, Agbashi, Ajima, Okpata, Rukubi, Ondoli, Odadu in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State and were returning home the market.
Awatsu disclosed that 20 corpses were recovered yesterday, while efforts were being intensified to rescue any survivors.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Council, Melvin Ejeh confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate and very pathetic.
He said, “The victims were returning from Ocholonya market to their village in nearby Nasarawa State…
“The view of the sailor was obstructed by shrubs in the river and when the canoe hit the trees, it crashed and capsized.
“So far, over 20 dead bodies have been recovered and rescue operations is still ongoing.
“I’m working on how to send officials of the council to commiserate with the families of the deceased.”
Efforts to get reaction of the Benue State police command failed as the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene did not pick her calls or returned text messages sent to her cellphone.
Similarly, in the neighbouring Kogi State, two female students of the Federal University and Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, were on Friday, killed in a motor accident that occurred at Felele axis of the Confluence City.
Names of the deceased students were given as Convenant Omotola Isaac of the Development of Geology, Federal University, Lokoja and Abuh Taiwo Abimbola of the Department of Science Laboratory and Technology, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
Our reporter gathered that heavily loaded articulated vehicle heading for Abuja axis along Felele, in Lokoja lost control and ram into Keke NAPEP that was carrying passengers heading to town.
The source added that aside loss of the two female students, other passengers were seriously injured.
“An identification card of the late female student of Federal University Lokoja by name Covenant Omolola Isaac of Department of Geology was recovered from the accident scene,” a witness stated.
According to the source the bodies of the two female students were deposited at the Specialist Hospital Lokoja by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The president of the National Association of Science Laboratory and Technology Students, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja Chapter, Comrade Akor Caleb Kelvin has issued press statement over the demise of the female student.
It reads, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of our cherished member, Abu Taiwo Abimbola, 2023/HSLT/MCB/087, who tragically lost her life earlier today [Friday] in a road accident along Felele Road, Lokoja. This devastating loss has left all of us in shock and deep sorrow.
“Abimbola, was more than just a member of our association; she was a beacon of hope and inspiration to everyone around her.
“Her kindness, dedication, and passion for education made her an exceptional part of our community, leaving behind a legacy of love and excellence.
“As we mourn this heartbreaking loss, we extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and loved ones. We pray for strength and comfort for them during this incredibly difficult time.
“In honor of her memory, the association will be organizing a tributes and memorial service to celebrate her remarkable life.
“Details of the event will be shared in due course, and we encourage everyone to join us in paying our final respects.
“Taiwo Abimbola will forever remain in our hearts. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace Amen.”
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced plans to raise N157 billion through a rights issue.The disclosure was made via a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX).It said in a statement on Thursday that its stock brokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., had submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
to that effect. It added its stock brokers had requested for approval and listing of a Rights Issue of 3,156,869,665 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N50. 00 per share“Trading License Holders are hereby notified that United Bank for Africa Plc, through its Stockbrokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., has submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.” in that regard.“The rights issue will be on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 13 ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.“The qualification date for the Rights Issue is July 16, 2025,” the bank noted.The move is part of UBA’s strategy to strengthen its capital base and support its expansion and growth objectives across Africa.(NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Over 4000 substandard and illegal schools have been uncovered and ready to be shut down across the state.The chief press secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula disclosed this at a press conference in Makurdi.Kula was reacting to a statement credited to former commissioner for education and knowledge management, Prof.
Dennis Ityavyar, said that Governor Alia has stabilised the educational sector since coming on board two years ago. ”No more strikes. Schools are moving on smoothly and in a bid to bring teaching and learning closer to the people and address the problem of younger school leavers in securing admission into tertiary institutions, the governor has established a new university.”The establishment of University of Agriculture Science and Technology Ihugh, Vandeikyaa LGA is real..The governor has secured the licence, acquired land and made appointments of principal officers.”This is to address the issue of providing admission for the teeming Benue indigenes seeking admission into Nigerian universities.”The Governor has employed over 9700 teachers to energize public primary schools in the state. Apart from the fact that our primary schools would be energized, 9700 youths have been taken off the streets.”The government of governor Alia has also paid the 38 months earned allowance owed to lecturers at the Moses Adasu University, formerly Benue State University Makurdi”, he said.He maintained that renovation of government secondary schools and colleges across the state are ongoing where ongoing construction of new structures is in some public primary and secondary schools to ensure conducive learning environment.”Public primary schools teachers are trained on ITCs to enhance the teaching and learning of information and technology innovations at elementary level.”This government has been able to identify over 4000 substandard schools in the state and have secured insurance cover for Benue State students and paid bursary allowances in law school students in the state”, Kula stated.Benue Moves to Domesticate National Policy on IDPsThe Benue State Government has commenced a validation process to domesticate the newly federal government policy on Internally Displaced Persons (PDP) in the State.Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in the State, Aondowase Kunde, stated that upon stakeholders’ inputs into the Internally Displaced Persons policy document, it would be fully launched.He added that the aim is to improve the welfare of the displaced population in the state.Kunde stated this during a two policy validation meeting held at Benue Hotels Makurdi yesterday.He maintained that the document which was passed into law by the national assembly needed to be domesticated in the state in line with the peculiarities of the state.In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Benue State House of assembly, James Abu Umoro, noted that the state has suffered so many natural and man-made disasters that it requires the policy to be domesticated in the state.Umoru insisted that the house will not hesitate to pass the document into law when presented by the executive arm of government.He said the issue of IDP in the state is a concern for everyone and must be given accelerated consideration at any point in time.On his part, House committee chairman on SDG and Donor Agencies, Peter Uche, noted that in most cases, communities have suffered attacks for more than ten years.”Let me therefore, call on all to support the implementation of the policy document for the displaced to return to their ancestral homes to start their normal farming and business activities”, he stated.The Director General, Sustainable Development Goals, John Akuse, who spoke at the occasion, said the validation of the IDP policy document is vital in paving the way for the displaced population to be adequately taken care of regarding their peculiar needs.
By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
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