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Candidates, whose names appeared in a lawsuit filed against the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, said they were shocked to find their names as plaintiffs in an ongoing court case.

Three of the five candidates named in the suit told an online media organisation that they were not informed before the lawsuit was filed, and that they only found out about it when the court documents were posted online.

Some said they asked for their names to be removed, but have yet to receive a response, even as it stalls their admission chances.

The online media had reported how a law firm, F.K. Nnadi and Co., sued UNILAG and OAU over alleged irregularities that shortchanged candidates in their 2025 Post-UTME.

The law firm said it was suing on behalf of Success Chibuzor, Zainab Oyeleye, Adedeji Samuel, Aliat Monsuru, Bassey Nsikak and ‘on behalf of all other affected candidates of the 2025 UNILAG and OAU Post-UTME’.

Also added as a defendant in the case was the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) used for offering admissions is domiciled.

According to a pre-action notice issued by the law firm, the suit stemmed from alleged unjustifiable award of low scores to candidates and withholding of some results without explanation.

In an ex-parte ruling delivered on September 30, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court in Enugu asked all parties to maintain the status quo as regards the admissions processes pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

As a result, JAMB froze the CAPS profile of the five named applicants in the suit as well as the two institutions involved.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on October 19, JAMB said it will neither ‘alter nor allow any alteration to be carried out on the concerned profiles by any of the parties’ in conformity with the court order.

However, the candidates said they never asked any law firm to either represent them or file a lawsuit against the institutions.

Ken Nnadi, the counsel to the named candidates, maintained that ‘no candidate was maliciously or arbitrarily included in the lawsuit’.

Favour Obinyeluba, who contacted the candidates for additional information, promised to revert with responses but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.

Ms Obinyeluba is an associate of Alex Onyia, the Chief Executive Officer of Educare, who posted about the alleged irregularities and put out a form asking candidates with concerns about the OAU and UNILAG’s Post-UTME to fill out the form.

Onyia had, in a series of tweets, accused both institutions of using the same software for the Post-UTME and that it had a major bug that wrongly flagged candidates for malpractice and mismatched scores for others.

At one point, Onyia said he had compiled a list of 752 candidates allegedly affected by the glitch.

But, an anonymous source told the online media’s reporter via telephone: ‘I didn’t know they wanted to sue UNILAG.So when I saw it (the lawsuit), I was shocked’.

The anonymous source said she filled out a Google form shared on X by Onyia, after a friend sent it to her.

‘I thought it was just the way they helped people during JAMB,’ she said.

‘I even told the woman (Ms Obinyeluba) who reached out to me on 19 September, that I already did a change of institution.’

Another candidate, Success Chibuzor, said she first saw her name on the lawsuit online on 1 October, but thought it was another person with a similar name.

With their portals now frozen by JAMB, the candidates said they have been unable to proceed with their search for admission.

An anonymous source, also disqualified by UNILAG for alleged malpractice, successfully changed her institution from UNILAG to the Osun State University, Osogbo. However, she has been unable to proceed as JAMB had frozen her CAPS profile.

When contacted, Nnadi said he wouldn’t speak further on the case to avoid sub judice as the case remains before the court but maintained that the candidates were not arbitrarily included in the list.

‘I can clarify in good faith and for the sake of accurate reporting that the application before the court was filed on behalf of affected candidates of the 2025 UNILAG and OAU Post-UTME, many of whom reached out directly to us. This approach is a standard legal procedure in representative actions, particularly where a matter raises issues of broad public interest,’ he said in a text reply to our reporter.

‘If any individual believes they were inadvertently affected or wishes to clarify their position, the proper forum for that is the court, where such concerns can be formally addressed.’

30 years after, what was the situation like when this place was being conceived?

I was one of the founding students of this school. The founder of the school is Mrs. Adunola Akinyemi. When she started the school, she had a vision to run a Christian co-educational secondary school that would give quality education to children in Lagos State and across Nigeria, while also instilling Christian values – values that would help them become men and women who would stand out and excel in all that they do, especially in career, family and all walks of life.

To the glory of God, this has continued now for 30 years. We have been on this assignment and have produced excellent men and women who have done exactly what she set out to do. We started with four students – not at this location, but at another location on Wempco Road. I was one of the first four. We grew from four to eight, then to about 20-something, and to the glory of God, now – if we include the primary school – we have over 8,000 children. Many more have also passed through Dansol High School.

Is the school both a primary and secondary school?

Yes. It is Dansol High School and Dansol Nursery and Primary School. However, the primary school is 21 years old. It just turned 21 on the 18th of September, this year. But the high school is celebrating 30 years of its existence.

On the challenges that the management of the school faced in the past 30 years

Over the years, I would say growing the school and increasing in number was the initial challenge. After we got our Lagos State approval, we officially started on the first day of resumption, October 9, 1995 – and before the end of that year, we were approved by Lagos State. We had our formal opening on January 24, 1996.

At the beginning, convincing parents that we had what it takes was a major challenge. We were a new entrant into the education space, and there were already many schools that had existed before us. Convincing parents that we could deliver quality education was not easy.

However, we thank God that our results spoke for us – both in academic performance and in the character of our students. The way they behave, carry themselves, and who they have become in society are proofs of what we stand for.

Another challenge, especially in the early years, was financial. Growing a school requires a lot of financial investment. But God has blessed us with great relationships with our banks. Over time, these relationships have become mutually beneficial – the banks trust us, and we have remained committed to the growth of the institution. That focus and commitment have helped us overcome many challenges.

Some private school proprietors often say that running a school in Lagos today is not worth it because of too many taxes and levies. What was your experience like?

Because of the kind of organisation we’ve built over the years, we strongly believe in giving unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Yes, there are taxes, levies, and fines that the government expects us to remit from time to time, but we’ve been faithful in fulfilling those obligations.

We also ensure that our workers’ taxes are paid as and when due. We’ve been around for 30 years now, and that longevity has helped us manage our obligations properly. So, yes, we pay what is due to the government, and we do it with integrity.

What is the unique value you’ve built on over the years?

The value we’ve built on is simple – we are a Christian school, and we focus on academic excellence. We raise children who are children of God, and we make that clear to parents from the start.

When parents bring their children to us, we tell them plainly: this is a Christian, faith-based school. We don’t hide it or shy away from it. So, yes, your child will learn Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology, and so on – but your child will also learn the Word of God, learn about Jesus Christ, and understand Biblical principles.

We have successfully married these two – academic excellence and Godly values. We ensure that students understand they must work hard for their results. Nobody will help them in any exam. Their grades are earned through effort, discipline, and prayer.

If you see a child who graduates from Dansol High School, you can be sure that his/her result is a true reflection of hard work and knowledge. That’s what we pride ourselves on – academic excellence and spiritual development.

Importantly, the recent exposure of some fifth columnists within the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, highlighted the need for a review of its recruitment process and constant monitoring of its officers.

The commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, was quoted as saying the organisation’s ‘intelligence’ showed that three of its officers, Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, and Akinjumi Julius ‘have been sponsored not only to undermine and disparage the management of the corps but totally to distract the attention of the corps from its core mandate of the provision of security to lives and property.’ He added that they had been suspended and declared wanted. He stressed that the men had acted ‘in isolation.’

It is commendable that the organisation was able to identify these officers allegedly working against its interests. ‘We are looking for them to come and answer. If they are innocent, everybody will see,’ the commander said.

There should be no room for officers who undermine the organisation’s work. The suspects must be found and prosecuted swiftly to serve as a strong deterrent.

Operation Amotekun was launched in January 2020 by the governors of the six states in the country’s Southwest – Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti – ‘to ensure an end to insecurity in the South Western, Nigerian region.’ It is the country’s ‘first regional security outfit initiated by a geopolitical zone.’

The background of the suspended officers is unclear. Members of the security outfit are supposed to be drawn from local hunters, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and vigilante groups.

They are expected to assist police, other security agencies, and traditional rulers in combating terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping, as well as settling herder-farmer conflicts in the region.

Apart from naming the Amotekun men who are on the run, the security outfit paraded ‘four notorious suspects’ who had been arrested in connection with robbery and kidnapping in the state. Among them is Ogungbemi Adebayo, 29, who Adeleye said had ‘confessed voluntarily that he is an informant to kidnappers in the Ademekun power line area at the Ago Dada Camp.’

It was discovered that he was working for ‘Fulani men’ who had trained him on the use of AK-47 rifles. He was among informants who regularly communicated the movement of farmers and security personnel to the bandits in the state’s forests, and he said they were paid N150,000 monthly for their role.

This case provides an insight into kidnapping for ransom, which remains a serious security challenge across the country. It suggests that kidnappers are aided by informants. The organisation must, therefore, intensify its efforts to identify and arrest such spies.

In addition, the commander named Nasiru Suleiman ‘who, over three months, had been dismantling a government caterpillar parked in a government yard along the Akure-Ondo Road.’

He stated that Saliu Nureni, 57, ‘was arrested around NEPA market for alleged robbery and setting ablaze the property of the victim, and threatening to kill the victim.’ Another suspect, Ahmed Oladimeji, was ‘arrested with the generator and alternator he stole around Igoba in Akure.’

These arrests further demonstrate that Amotekun in the state is alive to its responsibility of enhancing local policing presence. For instance, in September, the Ondo Amotekun corps announced the arrest of ‘six major kidnap suspects,’ and said it had dismantled ‘a terrible kidnap syndicate.’

However, the organisation must continuously review its operations towards improved performance; it must ensure that internal saboteurs and external criminals do not succeed.

According to reports, a police inspector and four others were killed in a multiple collision that occurred at the Kara Bridge area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash involved a mini truck laden with cartons of biscuits, a heavy-duty long truck, a 40-foot containerized trailer, another truck carrying sardines, and a tow truck.

This tragic incident occurred barely 24 hours after a driver was reportedly hospitalised following a collision between two trucks at the Otedola Bridge section of the same expressway.

The accident on the Kara Bridge occurred after a truck rammed into a stationary, faulty truck, causing it to catch fire. The crash happened around a few minutes past 9 p.m., and immediately after it occurred, another truck coming from behind also rammed into one of the trucks. The impact made the detached head to burst into flames. Nobody could go near at that moment because the fire was very fierce.

Some impatient motorists started driving against traffic to escape the gridlock caused by the incident. Several vehicles also diverted through the Berger underpass, connecting to the other side of the expressway and driving one-way towards the OPIC U-turn.

In all, the accident resulted into four fatalities. All were adult males, including a police officer. Two deaths occurred at the incident scene, while the other two upon arrival at the hospital.

Recall that on October 2, 21 people narrowly escaped death in a crash involving a bus and a truck along the same expressway, with eight individuals sustaining injuries due to excessive speed.

Similarly, on September 18, a fatal collision occurred on the same expressway near Mountain Top University, where two lives were lost in a crash between a Hiace bus and a truck.

Characteristically, many have tried to establish a connection between these bloody incidents and the usual ’ember months’ myth. The so-called ’ember’ months, which refer to the last four months of the year from September to December, are regarded as tragedy tragedy-prone period.

This belief is so entrenched in the consciousness of the people that various religious groups and other relevant institutions regularly organize special prayer sessions and seminars with a view to minimizing ’ember months’ havoc.

The reality, however, is that the so-called ’embers’ months are not really spiritually jinxed as many might want to swear they are. Tragedy occurs in ’ember’ months just as it does in every other month of the year.

Ascribing needless spiritual and mythical undertones to tragic happenings during the ’ember’ months could just be the usual Nigerian way of trivializing issues. Rather than cloth the ’ember’ months in a garb of gratuitous mystery, the pragmatic way of explaining dreadful events during these months is more human than mythological. For instance, preliminary reports have attributed the Kara Bridge crash to mechanical failure and reckless driving.

The truth is that there is usually an increase in the tempo of public, private, and corporate activities during this period. Religious bodies are not left out of the frenzy of the season as they organize various events during the period. The ’ember’ months are always the busiest on our roads for obvious reasons, and the tumultuous air of festivity does not really help matter.

It is a period when people are in so much haste to make all the money they have not made since the beginning of the year. Hence, commercial drivers, who usually embark on five trips per day, capitalize on the aura of festivity to go for ten trips. This, naturally, comes with its fatal consequences. It is only logical that when there is a mass exodus of people from one place to the other, there is bound to be a measure of uncertainty and disorder.

In a bid to be part of the various end-of-year activities, a lot of people throw caution to the wind by disregarding critical safety issues. Vehicles are driven irresponsibly. Alcoholic drinks are consumed with reckless abandon, while social outings are organized as if tomorrow will not come.

The atmosphere, during the season, is often filled with unusual allure and jollity. It is in the midst of this hilarity that avoidable human blunders that result in diverse kinds of misfortunes usually occur.

Hence, it is imperative for everyone to, first and foremost, have a changed perception of the ’ember’ months. Conscious efforts must be made to disrobe the months of every garb of unfounded mysticism. It is only when we are convinced that the dangers associated with the months are human rather than mythical that we can really make considerable progress in averting disasters during the months.

Therefore, enforcement of existing laws and attitudinal change are central to making any progress. As we march towards the end of the year, we must modify our views on the ’ember’ months. We must not get involved in any pointless, extraordinary end-of-the-year ‘rush’, which could endanger our lives and indeed, those of others.

Those who have to organize social events to correspond with this period should do so bearing all safety precautions in mind. Commercial drivers and other road users must respect the sanctity of human life by observing required road safety measures.

Perhaps, more importantly, relevant government agencies must step up enlightenment campaigns as well as enforcement strategies to guarantee that ’ember months’ crashes and other related tragedies are reduced to the barest minimum. In this respect, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Lagos State Driver’s Institute (LASDRI), and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, should be commended for their various ’ember months’ safety strategies, in Lagos and adjoining states.

However, there is a need for them to intensify efforts in this direction, while more appropriate government agencies should also come on board the ’ember’ months’ re-orientation and re-awareness project. Presently, the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy is embarking on an ’ember months’ responsiveness campaign across the state. The objective is to change the attitude of the people towards these months and offer key safety tips.

As it has been previously affirmed, tragic happenings during ’ember’ months are promoted by reckless human actions. It is only in living modestly and responsibly that we can avoid the dangers and hiccups that are generally associated with the ember months. If only we could rid ourselves of our usual ’ember months’ excesses, we would discover that nothing is actually wrong with the months.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said the death toll from Lassa fever in the past 10 months has climbed to 176, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.4 per cent.

This is higher than the 16.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes Lassa fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is spread to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

The disease is endemic in West Africa and is known to occur in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

According to the NCDC’s latest epidemiological report for Week 43, a total of 955 confirmed cases have been recorded across 21 States and 102 Local Government Areas (LGAs) so far this year.

The report revealed that 88 per cent of all confirmed infections were recorded in just four states of Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba while the remaining 12% came from 17 other States.

Ondo State alone accounted for 37% of the total cases, followed by Bauchi (21 %), Edo (17%), and Taraba (13%), the agency said.

It noted that the number of suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to the same period last year, though the fatality rate has worsened.

‘In Week 43, the number of new confirmed cases rose slightly from nine in Week 42 to eleven, all reported in Ondo State,’ the report stated.

The agency added that the predominant age group affected remains between 21 and 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 0.8.

While no new infections were reported among healthcare workers during the week, the NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate national response efforts.

The report also identified key challenges in managing the outbreak, including late presentation of patients leading to higher fatality rates, poor health-seeking behaviour due to the cost of treatment, inadequate environmental sanitation in high-burden areas, and limited community awareness.

The NCDC urged state governments to sustain year-round public sensitisation on Lassa fever prevention and advised healthcare professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion and ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

It also reaffirmed its commitment, along with partners, to strengthening state capacity for timely detection and response.

Small businesses and vulnerable households in Nigeria are set to benefit from fresh ideas on how to expand access to microinsurance at Goxi Microinsurance’s Third Annual Conference in Lagos.

The event, holding next Wednesday at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, will be held in partnership with the microinsurance network, an international multi-stakeholder platform for experts to work on key development areas in inclusive insurance

The theme: ‘Reflection on Microinsurance in Nigeria for Inclusive Growth,’ will drive discussions on how affordable insurance can shield low-income families, traders and MSMEs from unexpected financial shocks.

Goxi Microinsurance has a track record of paying out claims to victims of market fires, accidents, and social crises. In the last five years, the company paid over N636 million claims to vulnerable low income holds in Nigeria.

‘Microinsurance in Nigeria has come a long way, but we must do more to ensure that vulnerable households and small businesses are adequately protected,’ said Shina Gbadegesin, managing director.

Industry watchers note that many traders still operate without protection, leaving them exposed when disasters strike. The conference will explore digital solutions, gender-focused products, and community partnerships that can close this gap and support economic growth

‘When a market fire or accident happens, insurance should not be a luxury. It should be a lifeline,’ said Gbadegesin.

Goxi’s efforts have earned it recognition, with awards as Leading and Excellent Microinsurance in Nigeria.

This edition will bring together thought leaders and industry stakeholders for impactful sessions, exhibitions, and networking.

The Zamfara State fiscal performance total revenue had a year-on-year growth

The Zamfara State fiscal performance has recorded a boost from 36th position in 2023 to 17th position in 2025 under Governor Dauda Lawal, a report by BudgIT has revealed.

This was revealed in the organisation’s 2025 State of States ranking released this week.

The report said Zamfara’s fiscal performance took a 13-step up in its fiscal performance ranking, 17th. It ranked 26th in 2024, the report said.

The state was ranked 36th in 2023 when Governor Lawal took over.

The state’s recurrent revenue increased by 182.34% from N87.44bn in 2023 to N246.88bn in 2024, while its total revenue had a year-on-year growth of 117.68%, moving from N144.95bn to N315.53bn. When IGR is compared to total revenue, the state’s IGR in 2024 is at 10.31% of the total revenue.

The report said that the positive fiscal performance index ranking means that Zamfara is one of the few states that ‘have comparatively limited dependence on federally distributed revenue for their operations and thus have greater viability if they were to theoretically exist as an independent entity.’

BudgIT is a civic organisation that uses creative technology to simplify public information, stimulating a community of active citizens and enabling their right to demand accountability, institutional reforms, efficient service delivery and an equitable society.

The report said the state recorded improvements in its IGR index. ‘Looking closely at the state’s IGR, Zamfara brought in N25.46bn in 2024, just 14.86% higher than the N22.16bn in 2023. In 2024, Zamfara’s IGR ranked 25th among the 36 states in the federation.’

It states that the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue, one of Zamfara’s sources of income, ‘increased by 239.18% from N65.28bn in 2023 to N221.42bn in 2024.’

BudgIT explained that ‘the IGR per capita stood at N4,364 as of the end of 2024,’ adding that the state has managed to improve on its IGR moving from a record of N2.74 billion in 2015 to N25.46 billion in 2024 under Governor Lawal.

Zamfara’s non-tax revenue declined by 71.31% from N3.73 billion in 2021 to N1.07 billion in 2022, but ‘increased by 593.46% in 2023, with a record of N7.42 billion, and further increased to N12.91bn in 2024 under the Lawal’s administration, the report said.

Breaking down some components of its non-tax revenue, licences rose by 25.30% from N18.18 million in 2021 to N22.78 million in 2022, and grew by 5921.47% and 44.53% in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Revenue earned from fees decreased by 93.90% between 2021 and 2022, and increased by 3610.57% and 88.24% in 2023 and 2024, moving from N82.44mn in 2022 to N3.06bn in 2023 and N5.76bn in 2024. Fines declined by 78.15% in Zamfara.

The BudgIT report also explained that ‘There were notable changes in the state’s health and education spending between 2022 and 2024. While health sector spending and spending per capita increased over the years, its spending performance declined significantly. With a spending of N4.29bn in 2022, it increased to N5.74bn in 2023 and further increased to N11.88bn in 2024.’

After years of running on generators, power banks, and other makeshift power sources, students at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu campus, can finally heave a sigh of relief as electricity is returning to campus.

In line with his promise to revamp infrastructure in the institution, the Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr Alex Otti, has flagged off several landmark projects, including the delivery of a 5000KVA transformer to restore stable power supply to the campus.

For students who have spent years enduring blackouts, this development feels nothing short of historic. The new transformer is expected to end ABSU’s long struggle with power, which has affected both academic and administrative activities for decades.

Speaking on the progress, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, thanked the governor for his ‘unwavering commitment to transforming the university in all spheres,’ assuring that proper measures are already in place to maintain and safeguard the new facilities.

At the powerhouse, the Director of Works, Engr. Raymond Orioha, described the intervention as timely, noting that poor power and water supply had been a major setback for the university community.

‘For years, these challenges have frustrated both staff and students. But the present administration understands the urgency of the situation,’ he said.

He added that electrical components and materials for the new transformer have already arrived on campus and that the goal is to achieve 24-hour power supply soon.

Meanwhile, construction work is also ongoing at the new Faculty of Law building, a 5,000-capacity hostel, and the ABSU Staff Primary School. The governor also recently completed the renovation of Hostel A, which has now been transformed into a modern, fully functional facility.

In addition, new lecturers are being recruited to fill manpower gaps across departments, while the long-standing staff promotion arrears (from 2022 to date) have been cleared, a first in ABSU’s history.

With these visible changes, Otti is proving to be a promise-keeper, steadily repositioning Abia State University for global competitiveness.

For many ABSU students, the sight of transformers in Uturu campus is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it’s a symbol of hope.

A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Ayodele Arowojolu, has sought the inclusion of sexual health education in school curriculum especially at the secondary level.

The don noted that the lack of structured sex education is pronounced in most African countries, unlike in Europe and parts of Asia, where comprehensive sexuality programmes are integrated into school curriculum.

Arowojolu spoke at the Seventh Aina Omololu-Mulele Endowment Annual Lecture in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

His lecture was entitled: ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenges among Adolescents in Low and Middle-Income Countries.’

He underscored the need to provide comprehensive sexuality education, quality healthcare, and supportive environments for adolescents, calling on governments at all levels, schools, parents, and religious bodies.

Arowojolu said effective sexuality education and a supportive environment for adolescents, regardless of background, will foster responsible sexual behaviour and promote mental health and overall well-being.

He decried challenges most adolescents face including the absence of sexuality education and guidance, rising cases of teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, drug abuse, sexual violence, early marriage.

According to him, misinformation from peers and social media compounds the problem with far reaching consequences.

The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who expressed delight over the annual lecture, hailed its positive impact on young doctors, medical education, and humanity.

She was represented by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the annual lecture and former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research) at UNILAG, Prof. Oluwole Familoni.

She also thanked the family of the late Omololu-Mulele for impacting the society.

The event featured the presentation of the N3 million research grant cheque to this year’s winner of the Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Award, Dr. Godwin Oyewumi, a Senior Resident Doctor at LUTH.

Oyewumi won the grant with his research thesis : ‘The effect of open myomectomy and uterine artery occlusion with tourniquet on ovarian reserve: A multicentre prospective longitudinal study in Lagos.’

ýCarthage Eagles of Tunisia head coach, Sami Trabelsi, has expressed deep respect for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their meeting at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

ý Tunisia were drawn in the same group as Nigeria, along with the Taifa Stars of Tanzania and the Cranes of Uganda, in what promises to be a fiercely contested pool.

ýSpeaking to CAFOnline, Trabelsi acknowledged Nigeria’s pedigree and the quality they bring to the tournament. ‘Nigeria remains a continental powerhouse, with a vast pool of talent playing at top European clubs,’ he said. ‘They are always among the favourites to win the title, and facing them is never easy.’

ýThe Super Eagles, who finished second at the last AFCON, are widely tipped as strong contenders once again, thanks to their depth of talent and recent resurgence under head coach Eric Chelle. The three-time African champions boast several top players competing across elite European leagues, giving them a strong edge in experience and skill.

ýTrabelsi, however, insisted that Tunisia will not be intimidated. He emphasized his team’s determination to compete with confidence and discipline, noting that their last encounter with Nigeria – a 1-0 victory in the Round of 16 at the AFCON 2021 finals in Cameroon – proved that they can rise to the occasion against Africa’s best.

ý’Our previous victory against Nigeria gives us belief,’ Trabelsi added. ‘But every tournament is different. We respect them, yet we will focus on our strengths and prepare to qualify from the group.’

ýThe anticipated Nigeria-Tunisia clash is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting fixtures of AFCON 2025, as two of Africa’s football giants renew their growing rivalry.