NEWS
Yelewata Killing: EU, UNICEF Pledges more Humanitarian Support for Benue IDPs

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The European Union(EU) in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund(UNICEF) on Tuesday pledged to further provide humanitarian support to aid the safe return of the displaced persons from Yelewata and other communities attacked by suspected armed herdsmen in the state.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after interacting with the displaced persons from Yelewata community at the ultramodern international temporary IDPs’ Camp in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. He said they were in the state to meet and work with the state authorities to see how they can contribute to peace building and development support to the state policies that would guarantee lasting peace and return of IDPs to their ancestral homes.Ambassador Mignot, who led the partners to the state, said they were in the state to meet with men and women who were displaced from Yelwata and other communities who suffered the attack on Friday, June 13, 2025.“We felt that it was necessary to come and meet them and express our support, sympathy, and solidarity and listen to their testimonies,” he said.“We will have meetings with the state authorities to see how we can contribute to peacebuilding in Benue State and give development support to the state policies. We have addressed and listen to victims“We will launch a programme on social protection in Benue State. This is something that was already planned for some time, but it came, I think, at the right moment to express our support to state authorities and the population of all communities that have been victims of attack and of violence.“As the European Union, we know that peace is only lasting when it is built on dialogue and mutual understanding between communities.“Our Union was based on the ashes of two cruel world wars between our member states. And when we came together, united, that’s where we could thrive and prosper, and believe in peace.“So this is the future that we hope also for the population in Benue State. If we can bring our modest contribution, we will do this,” Migot stated.Speaking, UNICEF Country Director, Cristian Munduate, expressed sincere condolences to Benue State and all the people who were affected by the attack.She maintained that UNICEF team has been assessing along with UNHCR, IOM, and other UN agencies that are here, to give support and would continue to support the well-being of the IDPs.“For us, it’s all the lives that were lost, mainly the children, who we lost. There are many children, as well, who are still in different facilities recovering from this attack.“What we heard today from the meeting we just had is that the people want to return to their communities.“They want to move ahead; they want to still work on their farms, their land. They want their children to be at school, and this is very commendable because the easy way would be to all stay in a camp and here, maybe, our life will be solved.“And now, they want to go back. They want to continue working; this is highly about them. So, we will come with a joint response from the UN and, hopefully, with the partnership of the European Union.“As for UNICEF, because of all the destruction in the community, we will see how we can support the primary health facility there. We will need to see the condition of the school; we need to check the water sources to see how they are functioning. We will support their return to their community.”Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, commended the European Union for the support rendered to State so far, stating that the organisation have been on the ground since the citizens were evacuated for some succour.The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, noted the readiness of the IDPs to go back to their communities.He said it was disheartening that they were displaced at the peak of a farming season when they have crops in their farms, expressing gratitude to all the partners for the psychosocial support the victims are receiving at the camp.NEWS
Unique Secondary School Expands Outreach, Honors Ogbodo, Launches Scholarships

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

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.”
NEWS
Why I Quit Banking for Music – CDQ

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.