News
Gov Bago Receives Remaining Rescued St. Mary’s School Students
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has received the remaining abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.
The rescued victims were formally handed over on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented at the event by Major General Adamu Laka.
Speaking during the handover, Major General Laka said security agencies worked tirelessly following the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the children and staff. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies aimed at protecting the rights and safety of every Nigerian child.
Laka also stressed the resolve of security agencies to sustain coordinated efforts to safeguard lives and property across the country.
Governor Bago, who was visibly emotional while receiving the students and staff, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for their swift intervention and decisive actions that led to the successful rescue.
The development follows the Presidency’s announcement on Sunday that all abducted students from the school had been released.
“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity,” Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare said in a post on X.
More than 300 students, teachers, and other staff members were kidnapped when gunmen attacked the Catholic school in the early hours of November 21. According to sources, the attackers arrived on over 60 motorcycles and a van, shooting the school’s gatekeeper and leaving him seriously injured.
In response to the incident, the Federal Government imposed a 24-hour security cordon and launched aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states. President Bola Tinubu also cancelled a planned international trip to personally oversee efforts to resolve the crisis.
Authorities further ordered the indefinite closure of schools in Niger State and other high-risk areas. On December 7, the Federal Government confirmed the release of 100 abducted students, which Governor Bago received at the Niger State Government House.
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News
Goodluck Jonathan 2027: Thousands Storm Abuja Residence, Urge Former President to Run
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday received thousands of supporters, youth groups, and political stakeholders at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, as calls intensified for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The crowd, made up of supporters from different parts of the country, gathered at the former president’s residence carrying banners and chanting solidarity songs, urging Jonathan to return to active politics and seek another term in office.
Some of the groups also pledged to mobilise support and fund his potential presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan acknowledged their appeal and thanked them for the show of confidence in his leadership.
The former president, however, said he would consult widely before making any decision regarding the 2027 presidential race.
“I have heard your calls and I appreciate your confidence in me. I will continue to consult and reflect on the way forward,” Jonathan reportedly told the supporters.
Jonathan also used the opportunity to stress the importance of peaceful coexistence, credible elections, and active youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout during elections, noting that the country still lags behind many democracies in terms of citizens’ participation in governance.
According to him, greater political involvement by young Nigerians is necessary to strengthen democracy and ensure accountable leadership.
The gathering has further fueled speculations about Jonathan’s possible political comeback, although the former president has yet to officially declare his intention for the 2027 election.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 and remains one of the country’s most influential political figures.
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News
Senate Confirms Joseph Tegbe as Nigeria’s New Power Minister
The Senate of Nigeria has confirmed Joseph Tegbe as Nigeria’s new Minister of Power following his screening before lawmakers on Wednesday.
Tegbe’s confirmation comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which continues to battle persistent grid collapses, inadequate power supply, transmission challenges, gas shortages, and mounting industry debts.
During the screening, Tegbe unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at stabilising the national grid within his first 100 days in office. He also pledged to introduce a transparency dashboard to improve accountability across the sector and proposed tariff reforms designed to protect vulnerable households while ensuring sustainability in the power industry.
The new minister, a civil engineering graduate with decades of experience in consulting, regulatory reforms, and corporate governance, previously worked with KPMG and has been involved in several public sector transformation initiatives.
Tegbe replaces Adebayo Adelabu amid growing public concern over Nigeria’s electricity crisis. Despite an installed generation capacity estimated at over 13,000 megawatts, the country reportedly distributes less than 4,500 megawatts due to transmission bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies.
Lawmakers who participated in the screening urged the incoming minister to focus on long-term structural reforms rather than temporary fixes. Several senators commended Tegbe’s composure and depth of knowledge during the session but stressed that Nigerians would ultimately judge his performance by results.
Observers say his appointment will test the government’s commitment to resolving one of the country’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with unreliable electricity supply and rising energy costs.
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News
Nigeria Bans Honorary Degree Holders from Using ‘Dr’ Title
The Federal Government has officially banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” title as a prefix to their names, in a move aimed at curbing the misuse and politicisation of academic honours.
The directive was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents, Alausa expressed concern over what he described as the growing abuse of honorary doctorate awards across the country.
“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he said.
“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”
New Directive Takes Effect
Under the new policy, individuals conferred with honorary doctorate degrees will no longer be allowed to use “Dr” as a prefix in any official, academic, or professional setting.
Instead, recipients are required to clearly state the full honorary designation after their names—for example, John Doe, Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt)—rather than adopting the “Dr” title.
The government clarified that only individuals who have earned doctoral degrees through academic study or are certified medical practitioners will retain the legal and professional right to use the “Dr” prefix.
Move to Restore Academic Integrity
The decision is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to restore credibility and integrity to Nigeria’s education system, particularly in the awarding of honorary degrees.
Education stakeholders have long raised concerns over the proliferation of honorary doctorate awards, with some institutions accused of granting such honours without strict academic or ethical standards.
Observers say the new regulation is expected to discourage the commercialisation of honorary degrees and reinforce the distinction between earned academic qualifications and ceremonial recognitions.
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Abuja
Mercedes G63 Kills Six Cows in Abuja Highway Crash
A luxury Mercedes-Benz G-Class G63 AMG was involved in a late-night crash on a major highway in Abuja, killing six cows and sparking renewed concerns over road safety and enforcement of grazing laws in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Monday,
according to eyewitness accounts, when the high-speed SUV collided with a herd of cows that had reportedly strayed onto the roadway. A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath, with the white cows lying across the dark highway as traffic officials worked to manage the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed injuries to the driver or any passengers in the vehicle. Unverified reports on social media suggested that the SUV sustained only minor damage despite the severity of the collision.
The accident has reignited debates over the continued presence of cattle on major roads in Abuja, despite the 2017 ban on open grazing introduced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The policy was designed to curb frequent clashes between herders and communities, as well as prevent traffic disruptions and accidents caused by roaming livestock.
Residents and road users have repeatedly raised concerns about the enforcement of the grazing ban, noting that cows are still often seen along highways and within urban areas of the capital. Monday night’s crash is the latest in a series of such incidents, highlighting ongoing gaps in regulation and compliance.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the crash or confirm whether any action will be taken regarding the presence of the cattle on the highway.
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Jobs
Job Vancancy: Moniepoint Job Vacancies in Abuja and North Central Nigeria
Leading Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint has announced six new job openings across Abuja and several states in the North Central region, expanding its workforce in compliance, technical operations, sales, and security management.
The vacancies cut across multiple departments, reflecting the company’s continued growth in agent banking, SME solutions, and digital financial infrastructure services.
Available Positions
Field Risk & Internal Control Officer (North Central)
- Team: Compliance
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
The role focuses on monitoring operational risks, enforcing internal control standards, and ensuring compliance across field operations in the region.
Apply Here
Hardware Engineer
- Team: Advanced Technical Operations
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
Successful candidates will handle hardware installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and technical support for field operations.
Apply Here
Implementation Officer (North Central)
- Team: Moniebook Business Management Tools
- Locations: Benue, Plateau, FCT
This role involves onboarding merchants and ensuring smooth deployment of Moniepoint’s business tools across assigned regions.
Apply Here
Inbound Sales Officer (Abuja)
- Team: Moniebook Business Management Tools
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
The position focuses on handling inbound customer inquiries, converting leads, and supporting sales growth for Moniepoint business solutions.
Apply Here
Regional Lead, Corporate Security (North)
- Team: Moniepoint MFB
- Locations: FCT, Kano
The role oversees corporate security operations, risk prevention strategies, and protection of company assets across northern Nigeria.
Apply Here
Regional Lead, Field Risk & Internal Control (North)
- Team: Compliance
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
This leadership position is responsible for coordinating regional risk management teams and strengthening internal control systems.
Apply Here
The hiring drive comes as fintech companies in Nigeria continue to expand their physical and digital operations across underserved regions, particularly in agent banking and SME support services.
Moniepoint, one of the fastest-growing fintech firms in the country, has steadily increased recruitment in technical, compliance, and field operations roles over the past year.
With these openings, Moniepoint is strengthening its presence in Abuja and northern Nigeria while scaling its financial services infrastructure across the country.
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