By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship poll, Nicolas Ukachukwu, has slammed Governor Charles Soludo over his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu.Ukachukwu, who described the visit as a fruitless venture, declared that the trip is an admission of fear of possible defeat in the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.

Soludo told reporters after the visit that he has been a close friend of Tinubu for 22 years, adding that he is working for the President’s re-election in 2027 in the spirit of progressives working together. Ukachukwu noted that Soludo is aware of an imminent defeat and is shopping for a helper. He pointed out that Tinubu is the leader of the APC and has given him the mandate to go and take Anambra State for him.According to him, the governor is acting like “a drowning person, and no amount of window-dressing campaigns and photographs with the President will save him from being humiliated out of office on November 8.”The APC candidate, in a statement made available to newsmen in Awka, the state capital, through Okechukwu Modebe, likened Soludo’s visit to an eloquent sign of desperation and anxiety.He said that after allegedly squandering his chances of impacting the lives of the people, the governor is running helter-skelter in search of off-the-field assistance.Ukachukwu also expressed optimism that the APC would have its victory party with the August 16 Senatorial by-election in Anambra South, in which Azuka Okwuosa is the flagbearer.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye has solicited for reliable information from citizens that can aid the Nigeria Police Force in tackling crimes and criminalities across the country.The commissioner said that the call has become necessary as a result of the rising insecurity in virtually all parts of NigeriaThe CP made the call during an interactive engagement with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, held at the Police Command’s headquarters in Lokoja.

He said that the business of security of lives and property should be seen as a collective efforts and pleaded for complementary roles of citizens to achieve the goal.He expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in accurate reportage of police activities in the state.Dantawaye also pledged unwavering commitment towards strengthening existing police and media relations to foster a stronger working collaborationHe commended the media for it’s role in shaping public perception and promoting accountability in the system urging journalists to remain Focus in their professional callings as it is critical in building a safer Kogi State and Nigeria at large.He emphasised the need to establish and maintain strong relationships with Journalists, media outlets, and other stakeholders inorder to secure positive image and public support of the CommandHe outlined notable achievements since assumption of office to include arrests of 582 suspects comprising of 157 kidnappers, 192 Armed Robbers, 28 Homicide, 38 unlawful possession of firearms, 7 Rape, 6 Cultists and 168 others. And also dismantling of criminal networks, rescue of kidnapped victims. Firearms recovered includes; eight (8) AK 47 rifles, one (1) AK 49, seven (7) locally made pistols, eleven (11) Dane guns, 407 rounds of live ammunition, ten (10) magazines, barretta pistol, seven (7) live cartridges, one Sharon car, two (2) Bajaj motorcyclesEarlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Kogi State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr Segun Salami had informed the CP that the essence of the interactive session was to rub minds on the way forward to ensure effective reportage of police activities in the state.Salami hailed the leadership style of the commissioner of police, noting that the engagement will foster a stronger working relationship in building mutual trust and promoting societal harmony.He gave an assurance that the chapel remains committed to supporting the efforts of the police in the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, educational excellence, and zero tolerance for examination malpractice.In a statement by Mrs Folashade Boriowo Director of Press and public relations, Alausa spoke against the backdrop of the 2025 WAEC results released recently.

According to official statistics from WAEC, the percentage of candidates who obtained five credits with or without English Language and Mathematics rose to 91. 14% in 2025, compared to 73.79% in 2024 and 84.38% in 2023. However, candidates securing five credits including English Language and Mathematics stood at 62.96% in 2025, down from 72.12% in 2024 and 79.81% in 2023.Reiterating the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice, Dr. Alausa highlighted the consistent decline in malpractice rates over the past three years—from 16.29% in 2023 to 11.92% in 2024, and 9.70% in 2025.He attributed this progress to robust anti-malpractice measures introduced by WAEC, including the serialization of question papers in key subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics.The Minister emphasized the government’s resolve to build human capacity through continuous teacher training and support. “We are committed to producing smart, competent teachers to better prepare our students for academic success. This is crucial to ensuring that our examinations remain credible and flawless,” he said.According to him, going forward, the Ministry will roll out Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and NECO objective papers in 2025, and for both essay and objective papers in 2026. This step is aimed at enhancing efficiency, curbing malpractice, and aligning Nigeria’s examination system with global best practices.Dr. Alausa called on all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders, to support students, encourage discipline, and create enabling environments for learning. “Let us work together to ensure that every hardworking child has the opportunity to succeed,” he urged.