Author: Herald Newspaper

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended the swift trial and conviction of separatist Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, who was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by a Finnish court for terrorism-related offences. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, Finland, convicted Ekpa after finding him guilty of terrorism charges. NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, conveyed the association’s position on Monday in Abuja while presenting the communiqué of the just-concluded 65th Annual General Conference (AGC). “For me, the takeaway is the time it took to commence and conclude his trial, and I wish…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has embarked on a nationwide sensitisation campaign to Federal Government’s policies and programmes. The News Agency of Nigeria NAN) reports that the sensitisation also focuses on national values re-orientation, flood mitigation, national symbols, as well as national security awareness. The Director-General of the agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu disclosed this at a press briefing to inaugurate the third quarter sensitisation exercise in Minna on Monday. Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Media Communication of the agency, Princess Egbe Akenzua, said that the initiative would be implemented across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory…

The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has disclosed that a total of 21,971 admission seekers applied for its 2025/2026 Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) screening exercise. The Director of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, Unilorin, Prof Kamilu Rauf, however, informed journalists on Monday that the university can only admit 13,000 students. Rauf explained that the exercise, which comprised 20,220 candidates for the UTME and 1,751 candidates for Direct Entry (DE), commenced on August 28 and will end on September 4. According to him, the year 2025 figure reflects an increase over that of 2024, which was 15,946 UTME and 1,175 Direct Entry…

The All-Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday in Abuja expressed appreciation to Rivers’ residents for their overwhelming support in Saturday’s local government elections. Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement that the APC’s victory reflected the confidence the people of Rivers have in the party. The APC secured victory in 20 out of the 23 contested local government councils across the state. “This victory is yet another unmistakable indication of strong confidence in the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu,” Morka said. He added that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda continued to deliver transformative and people-oriented…

Manchester United suffered fresh humiliation as fourth-tier Grimsby Town beat them 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the English League Cup. Goals from Charles Vernam and former United youth player Tyrell Warren gave Grimsby a deserved two-goal lead at halftime in Wednesday’s second-round clash at Blundell Park. United struggled in torrential rain but found a lifeline when Bryan Mbeumo scored his first goal for the club to reduce the deficit in the second half. Grimsby defended bravely but Harry Maguire’s 89th-minute header levelled the tie and forced a dramatic penalty shootout. The shootout lasted 18 minutes, with Matheus…

By Zarumi Mashood The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday said his administration will continue to commit resources and collaborate with relevant organisations to tackle the challenges of climate change and encourage community acceptance for the options so adopted. Governor AbdulRazaq spoke in Ilorin at a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization on climate change policy and action plan for the state, organized by the state Ministry of Environment. “The reality of climate change, though global, is now a part of our days and livelihood, especially because of unchecked negative human interference on the environment through activities that encourage greenhouse…

The Kwara State Government has presented cheques worth over N569 million to land owners and host communities as part of the first phase of compensation for the 19,300 hectares of land acquired for the Kwara Smart City project. According to a statement issued by Hassan Jibril (Press Secretary, Directorate of Physical Planning & Development Control KWGIS), the mega project is aimed at development and industrialization. In his speech, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), ESV. Sulyman Babatunde Abdulkareem stated that the smart city project proposed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq two years ago, is aimed at…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is set to empower seven million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills, aiming to create millions of job opportunities in the next two years. Represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Tinubu said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference 2025. The conference organised by Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with National Defence College, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the strategic thinking and leadership tools to become proactive agents of national development. The President said that his administration was poised to position Nigerians in the…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it is set for a nationwide sensitisation campaign on government policies, programmes, activities, national values, and national security awareness. The Director-General (DG), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna. Issa-Onilu, who was represented by Mr Olorunfemi Olubukola, the Director, Community Outreach and Development, NOA Headquarters, Abuja, said the campaign, which would cover 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas, aims to engage the public and provide clarity on government programmes and policies. He noted that the agency had expanded its message platforms to meet…

Dozens of persons being held at the Babasango hideouts of criminals have fled the location following a security crackdown on the place, according to operatives and community leaders in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. “The security operation has really been a modest success, in spite of the ambush laid for the government forces. Not only were several of the criminals eliminated, but dozens of their victims have also fled the area. Many are now in Babanla and Shagbe,” a source said on Tuesday. “Also, a forest guard which we thought we had lost to the operation has…