NEWS
ASUU President says Late Prof. Madunagu Stood Against Injustice

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has described the late Prof. Bene Madunagu, as a leader who fought against injustice and oppression.
Osodeke stated this during a wake/funeral conference organised in honour of the late professor of Botany, and first female ASUU chairman, University of Calabar chapter.
Recall that Prof.
Madunagu who died on Nov. 26, 2024, at the age of 77, was summarily dismissed as a lecturer in 1978 following her roles in union activities, but was reinstated in 1981.The ASUU president said that Madunagu used her lifetime to impact positively on the people and the world around her.
He said that Nigeria needed service-oriented leaders such as the late Madunagu in order to make meaningful impacts on the wellbeing of the citizenry.
Osodeke expressed worry that the political class in the country lacked the drive for selfless leadership.
“Their only ambition is to accumulate wealth, they have no interest in delivering selfless service to the people, this is unfair.
“It has become so bad that even the youth do not believe in hard work anymore. People only want government appointments so that they can steal public fund,” he said.
He described the attention being given to education in the country by policy makers as poor and absurd.
“We give N2 billion annually to a federal university as overhead cost while the Ministry of Finance gets about N72 billion, this is absurd, and won’t help the education sector.
“This is one of the injustices and bad policies that the late Madunagu fought against, we need to take back our country,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Prof. Eka Braide, said that the late professor, contributed immensely to the struggle for a better world in spite of obvious challenges.
Braide, the pioneer Vice Chancellor, University of Cross River, said that Madunagu’s legacies in the campaign for gender equality and social justice would remain indelible.(NAN)
Foreign News
Trump Tells Iran to Make Nuclear Deal ‘Before it is too Late’

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.
“There is still time to make this slaughter come to an end,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” Trump continued.
“JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”Observers consider it unlikely that Iran’s leadership would opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks.
Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump wrote.
“The U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come and they know how to use it,” Trump wrote. (dpa/NAN)
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)