NEWS
FCE Provost Warns Students against Anti-social Behaviors

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, Dr. Richard Otubaku has warned fresher’s of the institution against involvement in anti-social behaviour or be ready to face consequences that comes with deviant behaviours.The Provost gave the warning during the 42nd and 13th degree matriculation ceremony and unveiling of dual mandate system which took place at FCE Obudu campus in Cross River State at weekend.
Speaking on the topic “A New Era of NCE and Full Degree Awarding Status”, the provost charged fresher’s to shun laziness, desist from engaging in behaviour that will expose them academically backward and inimical to academic excellence. He charged students to shun cultism, examination malpractice, and other vices, urging them to embrace discipline, hard work, and integrity.Otubaku reiterated commitment to maintain high academic standards for students, lead on Path of discovery and personal transformation at the end of their programmes.While speaking on the giant stride recorded by the institution, the Provost stressed that FCE Obudu has so far played a significant role in shaping the future of its graduands who are presently making meaningful contributions in various sectors both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.A breakdown of students intake shows that out of 875 students admitted for 2025/2026 academic year, 310 are to pursue degree programmes that is affiliated to the University of Calabar Unical, whereas 565 had been enrolled to pursue Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)During the ground breaking performance that took place disclosed that the college will officially transit into full-fledged degree Awarding institution from September 2025.”This development marks the beginning of a new era under the dual mandate system, wherein the college will operate both NCE and degree programmes concurrently “. He maintained.Otubaku who is an alumni of himself having earned his NCE from the college before proceeding to other institutions to for his Ph.D programme urged students to take advantage of recently introduced federal government students’ loan scheme which he described a SA crucial initiative designed by president Bola Tinubu to ease financial burdens and expand access to tertiary education.Also speaking, University of Calabar Vice Chancellor Prof. Florence Obi, represented by Provost of College of Education, Unical Prof. German Anagbog, described matriculation as gateway to limitless possibilities, opening doors to knowledge, intellectual growth, creativity and holistic development.NEWS
Zamfara Govt. Returns 3,000 Rustled Animals to Rightful Owners

The Zamfara Government returned 3,000 rustled animals recovered by security forces to their rightful owners in the state in 15 months. Sheikh Sa’idu Maikwano, the Chairman of the Committee on the Verification of Recovered Rustled Animals, made this known at a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Nakwada.
The meeting was aimed at strategizing more effective and efficient ways for the success of the committee’s assignment, especially now that the security forces are recording successes courtesy of intensified offensive clearance operations across the state. The returned animals comprised of cows, sheeps and goats among others.The committee chairman commended the SSG for effective supervision of the committee.He also appreciated Gov Dauda Lawal for giving them all the necessary support which led to the success recorded.Sheikh Maikwano also said that the committee recovered N120 million from auctioned overstayed animals.He said the money was remitted into the state Zakkat Board account in line with the established rules and guidelines of the committee.Earlier, the SSG reiterated the government’s commitment to returning all rustled animals recovered by security forces to their rightful owners in the state.He commended the efforts of the committee for discharging its duty effectively.“Your assignment is very special and critical as it strives to give hope to the hopeless victims who lost their wealth to the heartless cattle rustlers, the SSG added.The SSG who supervises the committee, said the meeting was aimed at strategising more effective and efficient ways for the success of the committee’s assignment.He emphasized Gov. Lawal’s administration’s effort aimed at fostering community resilience and promoting social justice for amicable conflict resolution.(NAN)NEWS
Tinubu Seeks Confirmation of Chairman, MD, Board Members of NCDC

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking the confirmation of the appointments of 19 persons as Chairman, Managing Director/CEO and Members of the Board of the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC).The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, read Tinubu’s letter during Thursday’s plenary.
The letter reads: “In accordance with the provisions of Part I, Section 2(2)(a) of the North-Central Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2024…“I write to present, for confirmation by the Senate, in consultation with the House of Representatives, the appointments of the under-listed nineteen (19) persons as Chairman, Managing Director/CEO and Members of the Board of the North-Central Development Commission”. “They are Cosmas Akyhir Chairman, Benue, Tsenyil Yiltsen, Managing Director; Plateau, Dauda Kigbu, Member; Nasarawa, Zakari Jikantoro, Member; Niger.Others are Sulaiman Ali, member; Kogi, Rev. Bunmi Olusona, member; Kwara Dr Umar Mantu, member; Plateau, Atotse Abraham, member; Benue.“Solomon Adodo, member; FCT, Abdulkadir Usman, member ;North-West, Habu Mamman, member; North-EastDr Atinuke Owolabi, member; South-West.“Racheal Nse, member; South-South, Boniface Izziogu, member; South-East, James Uloko Executive Director, Benue, Atika Ajanah Executive Director, Projects;Kogi.“Hajiya Bilgis Sanni Executive Director, Kwara, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim Executive Director, Nasarawa and Muhammad Bashar Executive Director, Niger.”“While hoping that the request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate. please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.(NAN)NEWS
Akpabio to Peter Obi: Resolve the Small Party Crisis You Have

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, urged Peter Obi, the former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), to put his house in order and not make unnecessary comments on past leaders of the country.Akpabio stated this during a valedictory session held in honour of the late leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Pa Edwin Clark.
He was also reacting to a comment Obi made at an event saying that the efforts of Nigeria’s past leaders were in vain. “Those who are aspiring as presidential candidates to cause division with their mouths using the social media, tell them to resolve the small party crisis they have before they come to talk about the larger Nigeria.“I am saying this because I understand that just yesterday, one of the presidential aspirants, Peter Obi, said that the labours of our leaders who have passed on were in vain.“They were not in vain. The mere fact that Nigeria is still standing together shows clearly that their labours were not in vain.“Very few countries with the size of Nigeria are still together; today, many have been fragmented.“Edwin Clark lived through the days of the USSR. Nigeria in spite our difficulties, God has kept us together because of the voices of people like Pa Edwin clark. So clearly, his labour and labours were not in vain.“And for those in the social media, Nigeria has an unregulated social media system so let them wallow in it and then take this situation and propagate all sorts of falsehood and all sorts of narratives.“Some of them on social media were not even born when Pa Clark was very active in service and so they couldn’t have known some of the things he did that we are remembering today.“And yet when somebody makes a statement that the labour of our past leaders are in vain, I beg to disagree”.Akpabio added that let Obi show leadership, like Edwin Clark did by resolving first, the crisis in the Labour Party.“He has one of the the smallest parties in Nigeria and you cannot even resolve the crisis in that Labour Party”.(NAN)