By David Torough, Abuja                        

President Bola Tinubu has called for unity, resilience and renewed commitment to nation-building, urging Nigerians to work together to overcome poverty, ignorance and hopelessness.

Tinubu made the call on Thursday at a meeting with leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House, Abuja.

He described the gathering as an opportunity to reinforce democratic ideals, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on shared values, integrity and a common national vision.

The president emphasised that democracy must be sustained through respect for the rule of law, separation of powers and active citizen participation.

Highlighting hope as a driver of development, Tinubu urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to remain optimistic and committed to national growth.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime to break the shackles of poverty, ignorance and hopelessness, and to build a nation anchored on freedom and democracy.’

He cautioned against disregard for lawful authority, stressing the importance of upholding judicial decisions.

“We cannot submit to disobedience of lawful court orders. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not.”

Tinubu said national greatness could only be achieved through unity and a shared vision for progress and prosperity.

“There is no path to national greatness other than building one country with a common vision for development.”

The president assured supporters of his resolve to remain steadfast in spite of challenges, noting that leadership requires courage and perseverance.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to economic reforms and infrastructure development aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.

“The journey is not easy, but I assure you, you will not regret being part of this movement for national renewal,” he said.

The president urged the ambassadors to mobilise support and deepen public understanding of government policies and programmes, especially at the grassroots.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nantawe Yilwatda, called for stronger collaboration between the ambassadors and party structures at the grassroots.

He said such synergy would enhance voter education, mobilisation and democratic participation across the country.

In his remarks, Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and governor of Imo, Hope Uzodimma, commended the president’s reforms as impactful and far-reaching.

Uzodimma pledged continued mobilisation and sensitisation of Nigerians to sustain momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event was attended by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, former Senate President Pius Anyim, former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, former governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura and former Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who all pledged continued mobilisation and support for government programmes.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

A wave of concern has trailed the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) nationwide following the abduction of candidates in Benue State and a separate controversy over alleged religious discrimination at an examination centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In Benue, suspected gunmen on Wednesday night abducted at least 14 passengers, most of them prospective UTME candidates, along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

The victims were travelling in a bus operated by the state-owned Benue Links transport company en route to Otukpo for their examinations scheduled for Thursday.

The attack reportedly occurred between 7:00 p.

m. and 8:00 p.m. near Otukpo in Otukpo Local Government Area, when the assailants intercepted the vehicle, dispossessed the passengers of their belongings and forced them into the bush.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the bus was carrying about 18 passengers, mainly young men and women heading to sit for the examination. The driver and one passenger managed to escape the attack.

Confirming the incident, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said 14 passengers were kidnapped while one escaped. He disclosed that he was personally leading a coordinated rescue operation in the area alongside other security operatives.

According to him, preliminary findings suggest the vehicle may have violated the transport company’s policy against night travel, as the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the journey.

Similarly, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that security agencies had been deployed to comb nearby forests in a bid to rescue the victims, noting that the abductees were largely students travelling for the UTME.

The incident highlights growing security concerns along the Makurdi–Otukpo corridor, where travellers have reportedly faced repeated attacks in recent months.

Meanwhile, in a separate development in Ibadan, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) addressed a controversy involving a candidate allegedly asked to remove her hijab before being allowed into a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre.

The incident, which occurred at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre during Thursday’s examination screening, drew public attention after a video surfaced online showing the candidate being delayed over her religious attire.

In a statement, JAMB attributed the situation to the actions of an “overzealous” ad hoc staff member who failed to adhere to official guidelines. The Board emphasized that it does not require candidates to remove or alter religious dressing, including the hijab.

JAMB said it intervened immediately upon being notified, directing that the candidate be allowed to proceed without hindrance and reiterating its policy of respecting the religious rights of all candidates.

The Board further assured the public that all ad hoc personnel have been re-briefed on proper screening procedures to prevent a recurrence, stressing that candidates must not face discrimination based on faith or appearance.

As the UTME continues nationwide, both incidents have underscored the need for improved security and strict adherence to examination guidelines to ensure a safe and fair process for all candidates.

From Muhammad Muhammad Al-amin, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has conducted a solemn burial ceremony for Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Captain Ismail, and several other soldiers who lost their lives during a recent insurgent attack in Borno State.

The fallen officers and soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, where they were accorded full military honours in recognition of their service and sacrifice to the nation.

The troops were killed on April 9 following coordinated attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on military positions in Benisheikh, a key town in Kaga Local Government Area along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.

In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, the Nigerian Army described the burial as a deeply emotional and solemn occasion. It noted that the ceremony reflected both grief and honour as the nation paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

“Their sacrifice highlights the enormous price paid by members of the Armed Forces in defending Nigeria’s peace, unity, and security,” the statement said.

The event was attended by prominent figures, including Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers. They praised the deceased as courageous patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country.

Prayers were offered for the departed, while military citations outlining their careers and contributions were read in the presence of grieving family members.

The Army also acknowledged the pain of the bereaved families, noting that their loss underscores the human cost of ongoing security operations, even as the bravery of the fallen remains a source of national pride.