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Benue Local Govts Enjoying Autonomy Long Before Supreme Court Judgement- CPS

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Chief press secretary to Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Monday, said his principal, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had ready granted financial autonomy to local governments in Benue State far before the supreme court verdict.He further stated that Governor Alia saw the need for local government councils autonomy and upon assumption of offiice, he quickly granted the autonomy, adding that, monies meant for the councils are sent directly to their various bank accounts without interference.

Kula stated this while reacting to allegations made against the governor by some people on social media, regarding the subvention of the 23 Local Government areas in the state, where the people also called on the Governor to account for N47billion, which they allege are funds meant for the Local Governments in the state.
However, the chief press secretary Tersoo Kula in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Makurdi said, it is on record that Governor Hyacinth Alia has always made known his stand on the issue of Local government autonomy and has severally expressed his support at different fora, and has been variously quoted in the media as a supporter of Local Government autonomy.He maintained that the last Thursday’s Supreme Court pronouncement only came as a backing to Alia’s stance and decision on Local Government autonomy.”As a progressive-minded leader, Governor Alia is very committed to President Tinubu’s intention to ensure the country’s rural transformation, which he believes will be achieved only when the local councils are autonomous. “For instance, in March 2024, while declaring open a Two-Day workshop put together by the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in conjunction with Timarage Nigeria Limited, for chairmen and members of the local government interim Executives in the state, the governor re-echoed the same stand.”These were his exact words: “I am happy to state that my administration has given its full blessings to the autonomy of our Local Governments. Funds due to the Local Governments are promptly released. We are therefore committed to the growth and development of the system and have outlined adequate plans to open up the rural areas to enable rural economies to thrive.”According to him, as a government whose watch word is accountability, there is need to clarify the misinformation for the sake of the unsuspecting members of the public.On the N47b allegations, Sir Kula described it as another attempt to paint the administration black, which is not longer new to this administration. “An attempt of this nature was made in the past. One Mr. Uchenna Mojekwu, had brought a baseless allegation of N20 billion embezzlement by the government through the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He has since withdrawn the petition and tendered a public apology to the person of Hon. Dr. Dennis Akura and the Benue State government. “We assure the Benue people that there is no cause for alarm on the issue of Local Government Autonomy. Your Governor, the Rev. Gentleman, has already done it in Benue State. He will continue to pay salaries and arrears and execute massive projects; equally carrying out humanitarian services as enshrined in his campaign promises and oath of office as the Governor of Benue State.”We equally assured the Federal government under the President Tinubu led administration that Benue is 100 percent in support of the Local Government Autonomy and will continue to abide by its provision”, he stated.The CPS reiterated that Governor, on behalf of the masses of Benue, has always appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for his massive support to the state, and will continue to stand by him.

NEWS

Unique Secondary School Expands Outreach, Honors Ogbodo, Launches Scholarships

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By David Torough, Abuja

Unique Secondary School Makurdi (USSM), a leading private educational institution in Benue State, continues to make significant strides in academic excellence and community impact.

In a bold move to increase accessibility and reward excellence, the school has unveiled a new examination centre in Oju Local Government Area, launched a scholarship scheme for families with multiple children in the school, and honoured a distinguished alumnus, Dr.

Mark Ogbodo, by naming a recreational facility after him.

The newly inaugurated Dr. Mark Ogbodo Park was officially commissioned on July 24, during a colourful ceremony held at the school’s New GRA campus in Makurdi.

The event drew an impressive turnout of students, staff, parents, alumni, and dignitaries.

Chairman of Unique Schools and co-founder of USSM, Engr. Felix Atume led the commissioning, describing it as a tribute to dedication and impact.

Dr. Ogbodo, an author and founder of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, was visibly moved by the honour.

In a social media post after the event, he wrote: “Who am I to deserve this great honour? What impact have I made on USSM? These thoughts flooded my mind as I stood speechless in awe.”

He praised the school leadership, particularly Principal Mr. Samuel Ortsega, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for the recognition.

Also unveiled at the event was a scholarship programme aimed at easing the financial burden on families with more than one child enrolled at USSM.

The initiative was met with excitement and gratitude from parents in attendance. Furthermore, the newly established Oju exam centre was widely applauded for eliminating the long travel often required for external examinations, especially for students living in remote areas.

Founded on September 1, 1998, by Engr. Atume and Mrs. Juliana Atume, a noted philanthropist, USSM has built a strong reputation for nurturing students through academic rigor and character development.

Originally a day school, it added a boarding facility in 2007 to cater to growing demand. Situated in a serene environment, the school provides a secure and conducive atmosphere for learning.

USSM is part of the larger Unique Schools family, which began with Unique Nursery and Primary School in 1995.

The secondary arm offers a comprehensive curriculum infused with entrepreneurial and vocational training in areas such as catering, fashion, cosmetology, and design—preparing students with practical skills for life beyond the classroom.

The school boasts modern infrastructure, including science laboratories, an ICT centre, a digital library, spacious classrooms, quality boarding facilities, a healthcare unit, and the expansive Engr. Felix Atume Hall. Recreational amenities include courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, a football pitch, and indoor games like chess and scrabble.

In keeping with global trends, USSM has embraced digital innovations such as an online result-checking system and is planning an enhanced presence on social media.

The school runs a three-term calendar and prepares students for key national examinations including BECE, WAEC, and NECO.

Ambitious plans are underway to launch Unique Technical College, which will focus on technical and vocational education.

As the evening of July 24 transitioned into a celebratory dinner in honour of the 2025 graduating class, guests—including PTA members, parents, alumni, and staff—shared heartfelt goodwill messages. The PTA Chairman described the event as “unparalleled in the school’s history.”

Through initiatives like the Oju centre, new scholarships, and the celebration of alumni impact, Unique Secondary School Makurdi continues to set the benchmark for holistic and community-rooted education in Benue State.

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Foreign News

Zelensky Announces New Draft Law on Anti-corruption Bodies after Protests

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine – days after nationwide protests broke out over changes curbing their independence.

Kyiv’s Western partners had also expressed serious concerns over the legislation.

On Thursday, Zelensky seemed to backtrack, saying the new bill was intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap), and to protect them from Russian influence.

He said the text of the bill was “balanced”, but did not provide any details.

The law passed earlier this week brought Nabu and Sap under the control of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.

At the time Zelensky justified his decision to curtail the bodies’ powers by citing Russian influence. The day before, Ukraine’s security services had carried out searches and arrests targeting alleged Russian spies at the agency.

The passing of the legislation instantly sparked the largest protests since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 in several cities across Ukraine, with many worrying the law would severely undermine the Nabu and Sap’s authority and effectiveness.

Thousands of people gathered in streets and squares across Ukraine, holding placards calling for the legislation to be vetoed.

Several commentators accused Zelensky of democratic backsliding. Their concerns were further exacerbated when Ukraine’s Western partners signalled their displeasure with the bill.

Ukraine has official EU candidate status and a spokesman for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen previously warned Kyiv that the rule of law and the fight against corruption were “core elements” of membership to the bloc.

On Thursday, the Commission said it “welcomed” the Ukrainian government’s decision to take action against the bill.

“We are working [with the Ukrainian government] to make sure that our concerns… are indeed taken into account,” the spokesman said.

Nabu and Sap were created in 2014-15 as one of the requirements set by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund to move towards a relaxation of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

Writing on Facebook, opposition MP Oleksiy Goncharenko noted Zelensky said that “the independence of anti-corruption institutions must be guaranteed.”

“First we take it away, and then we say that it must be guaranteed. So why was all this necessary?”

In his message on social media on Thursday, Zelensky did not acknowledge the protests or the backlash but said it was “important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine.”

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NEWS

Why I Quit Banking for Music – CDQ

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Nigerian rapper CDQ has revealed that he left a stable banking job to pursue his true passion, music.

In an interview, the hip-hop star shared that becoming a banker was a move to honor his late father’s wishes, but it wasn’t where his heart truly belonged.

“I quit my bank job.

I couldn’t tell my mother or any family member then.
I left the house and went to stay with Masterkraft in the studio,” he said.

CDQ admitted that while at the bank, he often found himself scribbling lyrics during work hours instead of focusing on his official duties.

The internal conflict eventually led him to a bold decision, quitting his job to chase a career in music.

According to him, even his close friend and producer, Masterkraft, was shocked when he learned about the decision. Interestingly, Masterkraft used to lend CDQ suits to wear to the bank.

“I told him banking isn’t my passion. I will probably just do it to make ends meet. But music is something that, whether it gives me a return or not, I’m still happy doing it,” CDQ added.

CDQ’s gamble paid off. He shot to fame in 2016 with his hit single “Indomie” featuring Masterkraft and Olamide.

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