Education Undergoing Revival Under Renewed Hope Agenda — VP Shettima

** Receives University of Ibadan Sole Ambassador Plenipotentiary award

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.

Specifically, he affirmed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will mobilise both public and private sector support to uplift institutions such as the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria’s premier university.

This is just as the Vice President has been bestowed with the highest alumni honour of the University of Ibadan, “UI at 75 Ambassador Plenipotentiary.” He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1991 at the University.

Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the management of the University of Ibadan, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President described the institution as the greatest citadel of learning in West Africa, recalling its illustrious past and continental impact.

“This is an honour that I cherish deeply. Ibadan is certainly the greatest citadel of learning in this country and in West Africa. When we were there, we had students from South Africa, Namibia, and even the Caribbean.

“There was a time when the King of Saudi Arabia was sick and he was recommended for treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan,” the Vice President said.

He pledged the government’s commitment to mobilising both private and public sector resources for educational transformation across the country.

“We are going to mobilise resources from both the private and public sectors to ensure that UI and other universities in the country succeed.”

VP Shettima also highlighted the President Tinubu administration’s education-focused policies, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), aimed at supporting indigent students.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are determined to rescue the educational sector. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is the first of its kind, directly addressing the needs of underprivileged students,” he stated.

On the economy, the VP said that Nigeria had turned a corner, expressing confidence in the country’s economic trajectory.

“Our economy has turned the corner, we have crossed the Rubicon, and we are on the path to sustained economic growth. The tax revenue of the government has steadily increased. The President is an economic guru who understands the language of commerce and is completely at home in the economic ecosystem,” he said.

Earlier, Professor Adebowale explained that the award given to the Vice President as UI at 75 Ambassador Plenipotentiary is the first in the university’s history in recognition of his contributions to both the public and private sectors.

“You are a foremost alumnus of the University of Ibadan — the first and the best,” Professor Adebowale said.

He continued: “We honoured some of the alumni as UI at 75 Ambassadors, those who are friends of the university, and we made them Ambassadors Extraordinary. We thought that, for the position you have assumed and being an Alumnus of our university, we exceptionally put you in a class and decided to induct you as UI at 75 Ambassador Plenipotentiary. You will be the only person to be so awarded.

“We came here to honour one of our own; someone who has contributed in the banking sector, as Governor of Borno State, and now as Vice President of Nigeria.”

Other members of the delegation included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba; Registrar of the University, Mr. Ganiyu Oke Saliu; Director of Alumni Relations, Professor Olakunbi O. Olasope; Lecturer at the Department of Classics, Babatunde Blavo and Mr Oladayo Olajide of the Directorate of Public Communications at the university.

Education Undergoing Revival Under Renewed Hope Agenda — VP Shettima

Joint Nigeria–Niger military offensive hits major terrorist stronghold near Damasak

By: Zagazola Makama

In a major show of regional military cooperation, troops of the Nigerian Military in collaboration with the Nigerien Defence Forces have launched a decisive joint offensive on a fortified terrorist stronghold located between Damasak in Borno State and Diffa in southern Niger Republic.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the offensive, which began in the early hours of Sunday, targeted a well-defended insurgent position approximately 25 kilometres from Damasak and 17 kilometres from Diffa, believed to be operated by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the location served as a key logistical hub and operational base for the insurgents, complete with anti-aircraft (AA) gun emplacements and an extensive network of trenches.

“In the first wave of the assault, the Air Component Command of Operation HADIN KAI conducted four precision strikes which successfully knocked out enemy anti-aircraft positions and neutralised scores of terrorists,” the source said.

The coordinated strikes were immediately followed by aerial bombardment from the Nigerien Air Force, which delivered additional blows to the insurgents’ infrastructure and personnel. A subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the effectiveness of the air operations.

On the ground, combined troops from Nigeria and the Nigerien Defence Forces subsequently executed a dual-flank ground offensive to clear and secure the area.

“This joint operation point to the recent deepening regional cooperation between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the fight against terrorism and trans-border criminality in the Lake Chad Basin,” confirmed the source.

The offensive comes at a time of increasing cross-border attacks and insurgent movement in the region, especially around the Kamadougou-Yobe River axis and other porous points of the Nigeria–Niger border.

Joint Nigeria–Niger military offensive hits major terrorist stronghold near Damasak

Inside Enugu’s anti-cultism crackdown: how one suspect’s confession led to the arrest of three cultists in Udi

By: Zagazola Makama

For weeks, residents of Umuasi Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State lived with an uneasy silence. Whispers of cult-related violence, extortion, and intimidation crept through the community like a shadow.

But in the early hours of July 21, a breakthrough by the Anti-Cultism Squad of the Enugu State Police Command brought a glimmer of hope.

It all began with the confession of a 31-year-old cult suspect, Ikemefuna Ani, popularly known as “Majority,” who was already in custody and undergoing investigation for cult-related offenses.

According to sources within the Anti-Cultism Unit, Ani’s detailed statement cracked open what had long been a closely guarded network. Acting on his revelations, the Officer in Charge of the squad led a pre-dawn operation to Umuasi Ngwo at about 4:30 a.m.

The result was the arrest of three notorious cultists: Stephen Chidiebere Ugwu (alias “Shaggy”), aged 42; Arinze Udeh (alias “Anonymous”), aged 30; and Onuigbo Kingsley, all residents of the area and self-confessed members of the Black Axe confraternity.

Their arrest marks a significant milestone in Enugu’s ongoing efforts to rid its communities of cult-related violence and criminality.

One locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel gun was recovered during the raid, further strengthening suspicions that the cultists were involved in activities far beyond mere fraternity.

“These are not just men hanging out in secret corners. They’re part of a dangerous network that has, for too long, threatened the peace and safety of our people,” said a senior officer involved in the operation.

The suspects, now in police custody, reportedly confessed to longstanding involvement in cult activities ranging from intimidation of residents to violent clashes with rival groups. Some community members who spoke to NAN under anonymity said the suspects had long been feared figures in the neighbourhood.

“People avoided them. We knew they were up to no good, but fear kept everyone quiet,” said a youth leader in Umuasi Ngwo.

The Police Command says discreet investigations are ongoing and that more arrests may follow as operatives continue to unravel the network’s operations across the state.

Police sources have reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on cultism, urging citizens to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies.

“We are taking proactive steps. Anyone involved in cultism should know there’s no hiding place. Communities are safer when the people support our work with information,” he said.

This latest development adds to the growing list of successful operations by Enugu’s Anti-Cultism Squad, which has intensified its crackdown on secret cults in both urban and rural areas.

For the people of Umuasi Ngwo, the arrests bring a renewed sense of security. But as investigations continue, residents hope the momentum won’t stop with these three.

“There are more of them out there,” said one elderly resident. “We just pray the police won’t stop until they clean up everything.”

Inside Enugu’s anti-cultism crackdown: how one suspect’s confession led to the arrest of three cultists in Udi