NEWS
INEC Calls for Swift Prosecution of Electoral Offenders- Yakubu

By JOHN Onah, Abuja
The chairman of Independent National electoral commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said democracy and credible election would be deepened where electoral offenders are swiftly prosecuted.
Yakubu disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a meeting of the Inter-Agency consultative Committee on Election security (ICCES).
According to him, the recent general elections in South Africa held in May 2019, some electoral offenders were arrested and swiftly charged to court even before the election was concluded.
“From our assessment, insecurity as a result of violent disruption of process was the major reason why a number of elections had to be declared inconclusive”.
“There is therefore an organic link between security and the conduct of peaceful elections”, he added.
He stated that the commission has requested the police to avail it of the case files so that the commission can initiate their immediate prosecution.
“While we will continue to do our best working with the security agencies in this regard, I wish to renew the call for the establishment of the Electoral offences tribunal”.
“We shall work with the National assembly to ensure the passage of Private Members Bill sponsored by the former chairman of the Senate committee on INEC, senator Abubakar Yyari in the House of Reprsenataives by Hon Francis Uduyok”.
CRIME
Bandits Attack Buhari’s Advance Team Convoy in Daura

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
The Presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.
The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.
Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu in a statement, said two persons in the convoy were receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered.
Shehu said “all the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura”.
NEWS
Bello Forwards Three Commissionership Nominees to Kogi Assembly for Confirmation

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has forwarded names of three Commissionership nominees to Kogi State House of Assembly for confirmation
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday.
He said that the nominees are; former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, (Kogi West); Dr.
Zakeri Usman and Engr. Mohammed Abdulmutalab from Dekina and Okene Local Government Areas respectively.The Information Commissioner, Fanwo had resigned his appointment to contest the Yagba West House of Representatives ticket of the All Progressives Congress but lost.
It was also gathered that Dr. Usman if confirmed by the assembly, will replace the former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna Audu who was sacked by the Governor from office in April 2022, over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
Meanwhile, Abdulmutalab will also replace Engr. Abubakar Ohere who resigned to pursue his senatorial ambition.
Ohere emerged the Senatorial candidate of the APC for Kogi Central Senatorial seat, and would be slugging it out with Barr. Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, the candidate of the main opposition- Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Education
Education Minister Promises Equity, Fairness over Unity Colleges Admissions

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By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja.
As Principals of the Nation’s 110 Unity Colleges converge on Benin city, the Edo State capital to kick-start this year’s admission, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu has directed that they must be guided by the principles of fairness,equity and good conscience in the conduct of the admission exercise.
In a message to the body of Principals handling the exercise, the Minister emphasized that every part of the country must be given a sense of belonging in the admission exercise, adding that the process must reflect the ideals of the founding fathers of unity colleges as centers of academic excellence and models for states and private schools as well as instruments for National integration and unity.
In a message delivered at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Minister, the Director Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir said that; if we are to produce responsible citizens, we must stick to the rules in order to make the right choices of qualified candidates as a foundation for future academic excellence.
The Minister reminded the principals that they should stick to the National policy of the ratio of one teacher to forty students per class in line with UNESCO regulations, adding that carrying capacity must be adhered to.
Adamu Adamu emphasized that candidates who have applied for admission into Unity schools outside of their immediate communities should be given Priority.
The Minister directed Principals to adhere strictly to the criteria for the selection which is 60percent National merit, 30percent equality of states and 10percent exigency.
Earlier in her welcome address , the Chairperson of Principals of Federal Unity colleges who is also the Principal of Queens Collage Lagos,Dr T. F. O Yakubu-Oyinloye said government’s guidelines on merit and equality of states will be followed strictly so as to get the best candidates for the Nation’s Unity Colleges.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was a guided tour of the host college, Federal Government Girls College Benin, which is wearing a brand new look, more like a University campus than a secondary school.
The Principal of the collage Mrs Aghedo Osamediame who led her colleagues on the guided tour said, the brand new look of the college has been made possible courtesy of the intervention of the Ministry.