Author: Chukwu Ikenna

 

The Federal Government has announced a monthly payment of N45,000 for students in technical colleges across Nigeria.

This move was said to be part of a plan to bring new life to Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Idris Bugaje, shared this in an interview in Abuja while speaking on the second year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Wednesday.

Bugaje said the plan was part of a bigger effort to improve the TVET system and make it more appealing than regular university education.

He explained that the goal was to grow the TVET sector fast and get more students to enrol in technical colleges.

He added that the government will not only pay the monthly stipend but will also handle other costs.

Bugaje said, “The government will pay school fees, give money to industry-based supervisors (called master class instructors), and cover the cost of skill certification.

“With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualifications, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria.

“This way, the whole sector is being repositioned. We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET.”

He noted that TVET used to be well-supported in Nigeria in the past.

“During colonial days and the early part of our independence, TVET had received attention. But, since the 1980s, we have been going down the drain. That is why the number of technical colleges has dropped, from 129 at the moment, compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria,” he said.

Bugaje expressed hope that this new effort will turn things around.

He revealed that Tinubu’s government has set aside N120 billion to support students under this new TVET plan.

“This money will be given through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

“The N45,000 is not a loan, but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back. We want to encourage more people to enrol in technical education,” he said.

To keep the programme running, Bugaje said the Minister of Education was working on a bill.

The bill aims to create a National Skills Fund under the new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.

“This was an idea we have been talking about in the past years, but the new minister has taken it up.

“The bill shall soon be presented in the National Assembly to establish the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework and under it, the National Skills Fund.

“The National Skills Fund will continue to fund TVET institutions, not only those in government colleges but also those in the private sector,” he said.

The Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, Enugu State Police Command, has arrested four male suspects for conspiracy, staged kidnapping, and defrauding the parents of a staged kidnapping victim of N2million.

The suspects included Chidera Godwin Ako, 21, who orchestrated his kidnapping; Okechukwu Philip Chidalu, 19; Ifeanyi Ugwu, 20; and Ossai Chigozie, 35, recently released from the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial centre.

They were arrested about 1 p.m on May 24, this year. with a local single-barrel gun and two live cartridges.

According to the spokesman of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, Chidera was reported missing on May 4.

“Subsequently, on May 21, 2025, his accomplices used his phone to demand a N10million ransom from his parents, sending a video of him bound, appearing beaten, with the recovered gun pointed at him.

“The parents pleaded for his release and paid N1.5million into a provided account, on May 22, but the suspects failed to release him. After an additional N500,000 payment, the police operatives swiftly arrested Chidera and his accomplices at a POS centre during an attempt to withdraw the funds.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and will be arraigned upon completion of investigations,” the police said.

Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, while describing the criminal act as unfortunate, has ordered further arrests of anyone linked to the crime.

He urged the public to report suspected kidnappings and avoid hasty ransom payments, emphasising that some cases might be staged.

The Lagos State Environmental Taskforce, in a continued effort to rid the state of criminal elements, carried out a clean-up enforcement operation in the early hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

The operation, which began around 1:30 a.m., targeted key areas on Lagos Island, including Victoria Island, Falomo Bridge, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Ikoyi, and several adjoining streets identified as hotspots for undesirable activities.

According to a post on the X handle of Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, 33 male suspects were arrested.

The post reads: “In continuation of the agency’s clean up enforcement operation to rid the State of criminal elements, the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce set out at about 1:30am on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025 and embarked on its ongoing clean up enforcement operation on the Island.

“The areas visited during the operation includes; Victoria Island, Falomo bridge, Ligali Ayorinde street, Ikoyi and other adjoining streets where the presence of some undesirable elements was noticed.

“During the raid exercise, a total number of 33 male suspects were arrested and sanity was restored in all the areas.

“All the Suspects will be charged to court accordingly.”

 

Popular entertainer Speed Darlington has faced intense criticism following a widely shared Instagram live video in which he appeared to confess to defiling a 15-year-old girl.

 

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons have responded quickly to the occurrence.

 

In the unsettling video, Speed Darlington who spoke in Igbo language described an incident in which he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old virgin girl at a motel some ten years prior, leaving the linens bloody.

 

He stated that he had to pay N2,000 to hotel staff to have the sheets changed, expressing disdain for working for anyone, especially in a hotel.

 

He said: “Before they could come change the sheets for me, I had to give N2,000. Because the thing is somehow, to tell an adult to come and clean blood that I brought out of the body of a 15-year-old girl. I can never work for anybody, lai lai. I only work for myself.”

 

Responding to the viral video, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) issued a statement on its official X handle, describing the footage as “deeply disturbing” and confirming that the matter is under review.

 

The statement reads: “The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency is aware of the disturbing video currently circulating online, in which a popular entertainer allegedly admits to engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

 

“While the individual in question did not specify the location of the incident during the Instagram Live session, we must clarify that the DSVA’s jurisdiction is limited to Lagos State.

 

“In view of the above, and in line with our commitment to justice, we have escalated the situation to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

 

“The Lagos State Government reaffirms our zero-tolerance stance against all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and will continue to advocate for accountability and the protection of every Nigerian child.

 

“If you have any information that may assist with ongoing investigations, kindly reach out to us via our toll-free line 08000-333-333 or send a direct message on any of our official social media platforms.

 

“You may also contact NAPTIP directly via email: info@naptip.gov.ng or phone: 07030000203.

 

“Lastly, we appreciate the vigilance of citizens who brought this to our attention and urge the public to continue reporting such cases through the appropriate legal channels.”

 

 

The Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, charged with supervision of the telecommunications infrastructure under the Osun State Environmental Protection Law 2022, has commenced the shutdown of MTN operations in Osun State with two of the main offices in Oshogbo sealed.

The ministry said the decision follows the company’s failure to pay N945million taxes and “ongoing efforts to mislead government representatives”.

It said over the coming weeks, MTN users may be experiencing significant service disruptions within Osun State.

Speaking on the development over the weekend, Rotimi George-Taylor, on behalf of Global Transactions Nigeria Limited, the sole consultant on telecommunications infrastructure in Osun State, “expressed concerns over MTN’s lack of accountability”.

George-Taylor said: “I reached out for a peaceful resolution, and the Chief Technical Officer of MTN proposed a meeting within seven days.

However, this commitment was never honoured.

“When asked to produce receipts for the payment of right of way, MTN was unable to do so.

“Furthermore, several staff members of MTN are currently evading arrest following accusations against them at the Osun State Police Command”.

The Ministry urges MTN to ensure that it makes all necessary payments for the telecommunications infrastructure it operates within Osun State.

The Ministry of Environment and Sanitation reiterates that MTN must comply with all regulations and pay the necessary taxes to operate in Osun State in line with section 135 of the NCC Act.

“Until they are held accountable, they don’t want to fulfill their financial obligations,” George-Taylor added.

“The shutdown will serve as a reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance and accountability in the telecommunications sector.

“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all operators adhere to the laws governing their operations, thereby fostering a fair and equitable business environment in Osun State”, George -Taylor said.

The ministry attached a court order to carry out the shutdown of the MTN activities and that it has notified the State Command of the Nigeria Police and other sister security agencies in Osun State.

(ThisDay)

Three members of Deeper Christian Life Ministry in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening.

According to a message sent to the church’s WhatsApp platform, the victims were kidnapped while returning from a Bible study session at Kasemola Area inside Ogbese axis of the council.

“Good morning, beloved. Kindly pray along with us. Three of our members were kidnapped yesterday after Bible study at Kasemola inside the Ogbese axis.

We are seeking divine intervention to secure the release of our kidnapped members. The case has been reported to the police and Amotekun Corps in the state,” the message read

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Ondo state police command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, said that the men of the command were already tracking the kidnappers in the bushes, and are also working with members of the community to rescue the victim.

He, however, was unable to ascertain the number of victims.

A 75-year-old woman from Edo State, Adizatu Dazumi, died during the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Dazumi was from Jattu Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the pilgrim died on Monday at King Fahad General Hospital in Makkah after a short illness.

The Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Musah Uduimoh, confirmed her death on Tuesday.

Uduimoh said Dazumi became ill shortly after performing Tawaaf (walking around the Kaaba) and was taken to the hospital on Sunday. She passed away the next day.

“She was buried in Makkah on the same day, according to Islamic tradition, and her family in Jattu Uzairue has been informed,” Uduimoh said.

He sent his condolences to her family and assured other pilgrims that the board is committed to their health and safety.

 

The Nigeria Police Force has identified and summoned a group of officers seen in a viral video allegedly involved in extorting motorists.

The footage, which surfaced on Monday, shows an officer demanding either N5,000 or five litres of fuel from drivers who failed to present their Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) documents.

Reacting to the incident, Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the officers’ conduct, assuring the public that disciplinary actions are underway.

He wrote: “This action is totally condemned. The officers have been identified and summoned to the force headquarters for necessary action. We will not condone any act of indiscipline and unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible. Thanks. #PoliceNG #PoliceNG_CRU #EdoPoliceNG.”

 

A social influencer, Minister Yahdan Yada, has advised women to never loan money to men or let them drive their cars.

Yada who gave the advice in a Facebook post on Sunday, May 25, said a man who’s comfortable asking a woman for help while bringing nothing to the table, isn’t a real man.

According to him, a man can easily misconstrue a woman’s generosity and compassion, making him feel entitled.

“Never loan a man money. Never let him drive your car. Never let him move into your home. Because the second you do, he’ll start treating your generosity like it’s owed to him,” he wrote.

He’ll confuse your compassion for convenience. He’ll start calling your strength his safety net—while offering you nothing but excuses.

You are sacred. You are not a rehab center for men who refuse to grow up. You are not a sponsor. You are not his ride, his shelter, or his backup plan.

A man who’s comfortable asking you for help while bringing nothing to the table, isn’t a man. He’s a liability.

Real men build. Real men protect. Real men provide.

They don’t drain you. They don’t live off you. They don’t watch you struggle while they sit back and “figure it out.”

Make it harder. Make him rise to your standard, not drain you until you lower it.

Protect your peace. Know your worth. Stop playing wife to men who haven’t earned your presence.

If your fathers didn’t teach you, i am! NDBA No Dusty Bums Allowed!