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Aondoakaa Condemns Kwande Killings, Calls for Urgent Government Action

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By David Torough, Abuja

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has strongly condemned the recent killings in communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, where more than 13 people were reportedly murdered by suspected herdsmen terrorists.

The attacks occurred in the Mbaav and Mbadura areas of Turan in Kwande, leaving several residents dead and others injured, displaced, or missing.

Aondoakaa described the incident as “barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable,” stressing that the killing of innocent farmers in their own communities should trouble the conscience of all Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his media aide, James Ian, the former justice minister expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and to residents affected by the violence.

“My heart goes out to the families of the victims who have lost their loved ones in such cruel circumstances,” Aondoakaa said. “I also sympathize with the many people who have been injured, displaced from their ancestral homes, or are still missing following these attacks. The trauma and suffering being inflicted on our people are simply unacceptable.”

He noted that the renewed violence in Kwande reflects the persistent insecurity facing many rural communities in Benue, warning that repeated attacks have turned once peaceful farming settlements into areas of fear and displacement.

Aondoakaa also expressed concern over what he described as the apparent silence and inaction of the Benue State Government amid recurring killings across the state.

He urged the state’s leadership to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and to provide clear direction and reassurance to residents.

The former Attorney General appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by deploying adequate security forces to affected communities to halt the cycle of violence.

He commended Tinubu for his earlier visit to Benue following the deadly attack in Yelewata last year, which left more than 200 people dead, saying the visit gave hope to grieving families.

Aondoakaa also called on security agencies to act swiftly to safeguard lives and property, while urging all levels of government to collaborate in addressing the growing security crisis affecting communities in Benue State.

NEWS

Justin Bieber Headlines Coachella with Nostalgia-fuelled Set

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Justin Bieber made a nostalgia-fuelled return to the major stage as Coachella’s much-anticipated headline act.

The 32-year-old spent much of Saturday night’s gig sitting in front of a laptop and singing to YouTube music videos of his older hits, such as Baby and Never say Never – delighting the crowd in an apparent tribute to the platform on which he was discovered.

He also played some of the home videos that had brought him to the industry’s attention aged 12, pulling them up on the big screen, and appeared to interact with the live comments on the YouTube stream of his set.

It marked the star’s biggest live show in four years, having cancelled his Justice World tour following health issues.

He opened the gig alone on an otherwise empty stage, performing tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II – before telling the crowd he wanted to take them “on a journey” and reaching back into his archive.

He repeatedly asked the audience: “How far back do you go?”

Bieber also played the clip for which he most recently went viral – and which prompted speculation about his mental state – in which he confronted a photographer and said: “It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business.”

Dressed in a hoodie and shorts on a stripped-back stage, Bieber was joined by musical guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems and Dijon.

The star’s wife Hailey Bieber was spotted in the crowd, alongside celebrity couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

Bieber cancelled his world tour after revealing he was suffering from facial paralysis, after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome – a complication from contracting shingles – in 2022.

He released his surprise album Swag in July 2025, and in February performed live at the Grammy Awards.

His Coachella set marked a starker departure from the previous night’s headline act, Sabrina Carpenter, whose Hollywood-themed gig included costume changes, choreography and elaborate stage design.

Colombian pop star Karol G will be Sunday’s headliner at the festival, which takes place over two weekends in the California desert.

It draws more than 100,000 people daily, according to police from the city of Indio, and has been running at Indio’s Empire Polo Club since 2002.

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Education

Sule Rewards First-Class Graduates, Honours Tanzania’s President at NSUK 8th Convocation

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By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nasarawa State University, Keffi over the weekend celebrated its 25th silver jubilee anniversary and combined 8th convocation ceremony, where over 25,000 students were awarded with various academic degrees.

The grand event, held over the weekend at the school main Campus Keffi, was confirmed and honoured with Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs), Master’s degrees, First Degrees, and Postgraduate Diplomas on graduating students across different faculties.

The ceremony also confirmed honorary doctorate degrees on prominent personalities for their contributions to global leadership, business, and development.

Among the prominent personalities honoured were the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group; and Mahmood Ahmad.

The awards recognised their outstanding contributions to global leadership, development, and their roles in advancing socio-economic development both within Africa and globally.

During the ceremony, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, awarded a cash prize of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) each to 82 first-class graduates, while the overall best graduating student was awarded N1 million.

The governor explained that the initiative was designed to promote excellence among students and aligns with the state government’s broader agenda of investing in education and human capital development. According to him, recognising academic achievement is essential in inspiring younger generations to pursue excellence.

Sule emphasised that rewarding hard work and dedication would encourage students across the state to strive for distinction in their academic pursuits. He noted that such incentives serve as a catalyst for improved performance and a stronger educational system.

As part of activities marking the institution’s 8th convocation and 25th anniversary celebrations, the governor commissioned several infrastructure projects at the University.

The newly inaugurated projects include the Alumni Secretariat, the Department of Accounting Postgraduate E-Library, as well as the university’s second gate and access road. He commended the university management for its commitment to infrastructural development and academic excellence.

The two-day celebration attracted a wide array of dignitaries from across Nigeria, including Governors, Ambassadors, Vice-chancellors, professors, traditional rulers, Business Men, and key stakeholders in the education sector.

In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, warmly welcomed guests and expressed appreciation to the university’s leadership for their continued support.

She specifically acknowledged the Chancellor, HRH. Shehu Chindo Yamusa the Emir of Keffi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Atahiru Jiga, and members of the governing council for their impactful leadership.

Liman credited the institution’s progress to strong governance and visionary leadership, noting that both staff and students have benefitted from an enabling academic environment.

“I have acquired knowledge and experience in this institution due to impactful and good leadership,” she said.

She further urged students to prioritise their education and draw inspiration from the leadership and values upheld by the university. According to her, such commitment is essential for contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s academic advancement and global competitiveness.

“Apply your knowledge positively, contributing to the advancement and educational success of Nigeria and the global community,” she appealed.

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NEWS

OPay Named Nigeria’s Most Trusted Digital Financial Company at 2026 ISO Awards

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OPay, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been awarded The Most Trusted Quality Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services Company of the Year at the 2026 ISO World Corporate Brand of the Year Award. This recognition reaffirms OPay’s strong reputation and the trust tens of millions of Nigerians have in its services.

The award ceremony, held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together leading companies making a positive impact across different industries.

The organisers, ISO World Consult, noted that the selection was based on an outstanding 4.6 from online referrer rating and also highlighted OPay’s strong track record and its role in improving financial services across Nigeria.

This recognition further shows that OPay continues to make financial services simple, secure and reliable for everyday

Nigerians. From sending money to paying bills and supporting businesses, OPay has become a trusted part of daily life.

Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said: “This award is a strong validation of the trust our customers and partners place in us. We are committed to maintaining high standards in compliance, risk management, and service delivery. Our goal is to keep building a platform that supports growth, protects users, and contributes positively to the financial system.”

OPay remains focused on expanding access to financial services and helping more Nigerians take part in the digital economy.

About OPay

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

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