Category: Nigerian Tribune

Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit allegedly linked to the theft of livestock in Gidan Madi, Sokoto.

The suspect was reportedly arrested at a local market while in possession of a goat, which was later identified by its owner as one of the animals stolen during an incident in the area.

The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the arrest while speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday.

Rufai said the suspect was identified by the owner of the stolen goat, who also identified other members of the group allegedly involved in the incident.

According to him, the suspect was among those who went to Jurelku, a village in Gidan Madi, where they allegedly took away livestock belonging to residents.

He said, ‘The suspect was arrested at the market with a goat. The owner identified the goat and also identified the suspect and his colleagues who came to Jurelku, one of the villages in Gidan Madi, where they took away his animals.

‘The suspect is currently in custody and he is giving us full information.’

Rufai added that the incident occurred on September 15, when the suspects allegedly stole the animals.

He said the arrest was significant because the victim was able to recognise the suspect as one of those involved in the incident.

The police spokesman said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other persons allegedly involved.

The Village Head of Aujarawar Alkali in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu, has reportedly been killed by his abductors.

Ahmad was abducted on Tuesday night, September 17, 2026, when gunmen reportedly stormed the community and took him away.

His body was later recovered from a shallow grave in Danladin Gezawa, where his abductors were said to have buried him after killing him.

Musa Garba, a resident of Gezawa, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with News Point Nigeria.

Garba said the abductors subjected the village head to severe torture before his death, alleging that one of his legs was cut off and his hands were tied behind his back.

‘I attended the funeral prayers today (Wednesday) at around 3pm. The assailants tortured the village head to death by cutting off one of his legs and tying his hands behind him. He was brutalised until he died,’ Garba said.

He added that the abductors subsequently buried the remains in a shallow grave in Danladin Gezawa.

‘Four days later, some villagers discovered the grave and raised the alarm,’ he said.

According to Garba, the deceased’s wife identified the remains, which were taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He said the remains were subsequently buried after the hospital authorities reportedly determined that they had begun decomposing.

Police authorities in Kano State have yet to issue an official statement on the reported abduction and killing.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, saying rising food, transportation and other living costs have placed pressure on households across the country.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, during the state’s 66th National Independence Day Parade, where he reflected on Nigeria’s journey since independence, including the civil war, years of military rule, economic difficulties and political upheavals.

The governor said Nigeria’s ability to overcome decades of challenges and sustain 27 consecutive years of constitutional democracy demonstrated the resilience of its people. He stressed that despite the difficulties, the country had remained united under one flag.

Sanwo-Olu, who took the salute during a parade involving the Nigeria Police Force, paramilitary agencies and students, also highlighted the historical significance of Onikan to Nigeria’s independence. He recalled that the Union Jack was lowered and the Nigerian flag raised nearby at midnight on October 1, 1960, marking the country’s independence from British colonial rule.

The governor said the priority now should be to ensure that the gains expected from ongoing economic reforms translate into improved living conditions for citizens. While acknowledging the difficulties faced by households, he urged Nigerians to remain committed to building a stronger and more prosperous country.

Turning to Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described the state as a microcosm of Nigeria and highlighted his administration’s investments in transportation, healthcare, education and digital governance. He cited the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, as well as the expansion of tertiary institutions, among the initiatives undertaken by his administration.

As his tenure approaches its end, the governor said his administration’s priority was to leave behind institutions capable of functioning beyond individual administrations.

He also urged young Nigerians to play an active role in shaping the country’s future through democratic participation, technology, entrepreneurship and other productive endeavours.

Sanwo-Olu called for peaceful participation in the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians to protect the country’s unity and build on the legacy of previous generations. Despite the challenges Nigeria has faced since independence, he said, ‘the flag has never come down.’

Meanwhile, as Nigeria looks ahead to the elections in January 2027, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said no political contest is worth the loss of human life.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, to commemorate the nation’s 66th anniversary of nationhood.

He cautioned that the period leading to the elections, as well as the period immediately after them, could be tense and potentially hazardous.

‘I therefore urge all citizens, particularly our youths, to exercise restraint and avoid locations, gatherings and incidents that are known or reasonably suspected to be trouble-prone.

‘No political contest is worth the loss of a human life. Let us reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and the destruction of lives and property.’

The ACF leader noted that differences of political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of communities.

According to him, ‘The strength of any society lies not merely in its numbers or resources, but in the quality of its unity, its shared values, its commitment to justice and its willingness to place the common good above narrow personal interests.’

The statement averred that the North must continually remind itself that its diversity should be a source of strength and not a justification for division.

‘Parents, elders and teachers have a profound responsibility in shaping the character and future of our young people.

‘As we commemorate the 66th Anniversary of our nation’s Independence, it is appropriate that we pause to reflect on the state of our nation and, particularly the experiences of our people across the various geographical locations of Nigeria.

‘Many of our people continue to suffer from natural disasters, insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and multifaceted forms of deprivation.

‘These challenges have disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and, in many instances, broken homes and destroyed livelihoods,’ the statement lamented.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s ’emergency treatment’ is over, saying his administration’s next priority is to bring down the cost of living by reducing the cost of producing and transporting goods.

Tinubu made the declaration in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday, as the country marked its 66th anniversary, saying the government had moved from correcting the economy’s fundamental weaknesses to pursuing ‘shared and widespread prosperity.’

According to the president, the reforms implemented by his administration over the past three years were necessary to correct economic distortions that had accumulated over generations.

‘My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point. The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed,’ Tinubu said.

He said the government’s focus would now shift from correcting the country’s economic direction to improving living standards and making essential goods and services more affordable.

‘Our priority is to bring down the cost of living. We will achieve this by lowering the cost of producing and moving the things Nigerians consume,’ he said.

Tinubu said the government would pursue the objective through increased agricultural production, mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improved access to seeds and fertiliser, and greater investment in mechanisation, storage and transportation.

He also pointed to ongoing investments in roads, railways and ports as part of efforts to improve the movement of goods from farms and factories to markets.

The president explained that reducing production and transportation costs would eventually affect the prices consumers pay.

‘When a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market,’ he said.

Tinubu also said the government was prioritising jobs, enterprise and industrial growth, with plans to use gas to power new industries, support businesses, expand digital connectivity and invest in skills required by employers.

He acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with food, school fees, medical bills and transportation costs.

However, he argued that the hardship predates his administration and is the accumulated result of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited opportunities and institutional weaknesses.

‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,’ Tinubu said.

The president said his administration would continue strengthening support for vulnerable households, improving the National Social Register and expanding access to education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

He also highlighted the role of CREDICORP in providing consumer credit for working Nigerians seeking to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets.

Tinubu said the government would continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services.

He maintained that the programmes were intended to support Nigerians while the economy moves towards broader prosperity.

‘These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it,’ he said.

Tinubu said achieving that goal would require sustained economic growth, discipline and the creation of millions of productive opportunities.

He declared that the government had laid the foundation for what he described as an ‘age of prosperity’ after the difficult period of economic reforms.

‘The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,’ the president said.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has urged Nigerians to strengthen national unity, promote inclusivity, and remain committed to nation-building as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

Sulaiman made the call in a goodwill message issued on Thursday to commemorate Nigeria’s independence anniversary, reflecting on the country’s journey since October 1, 1960.

He described Nigeria’s 66 years of independence as a testament to the resilience of its people and the efforts of successive administrations to advance the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.

Aligning with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,’ the NILDS director-general said the country’s diversity should be harnessed for national development rather than allowed to fuel division.

‘Our diversity across gender, ethnicity, region, and religion should remain a source of strength rather than division,’ he said.

Sulaiman called for greater public participation in nation-building, urging citizens to contribute to efforts to address the country’s security and developmental challenges.

He said national cohesion, gender inclusivity, unity, economic development, and legislative governance remained central to NILDS’ mandate of strengthening democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and advancing sustainable national development.

The former Minister of National Planning also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on the occasion.

While acknowledging that Nigeria had yet to achieve all its aspirations, Sulaiman noted that the country had continued to evolve and strengthen its democratic institutions.

He urged Nigerians to maintain their faith in the country and uphold the values of patriotism and collective responsibility.

‘Let us remain actively engaged in building a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and united Nigeria,’ he urged.

Sulaiman further called on citizens to uphold national unity and contribute to overcoming the challenges confronting the nation, stressing the importance of collective action in consolidating Nigeria’s democratic and developmental gains.

He wished Nigerians a peaceful Independence Day celebration and prayed for continued peace, stability, and progress in the country.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has assured members of the party that all candidates vying for different positions in the 2027 election would come out victorious, without fight or rancour.

He gave the assurance while addressing a gathering at an interfaith prayer and praise concert, held at the Ake Pavilion, in Abeokuta, on Wednesday evening, organised to seek God’s divine intervention in the elections.

Adeola, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, said the prayers offered at the gathering would culminate in victory for the party at all levels, beginning with the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be re-elected, alongside APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats in Ogun State.

The lawmaker, who is aspiring to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun, also prayed for divine support for his emergence as the next governor of the state.

He explained that the APC would record victory without a serious contest, saying God had already begun paving the way for the party ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election.

While adding that other political actors were allegedly making efforts to reorganize their political platforms, he remained confident that the APC would emerge victorious.

He said, ‘That same God that will give us victory on January 16 will also support me to become the seventeenth Executive Governor of Ogun State.

‘God will give us victory and clear our path without a fight. Because there will be nobody contesting against us. God has started that already. In February 6, 2027, there will be nobody, because they are all party less.’

He said they are running helter-skelter to perfect their shortcomings, but God has spoken that He’s going to give us victory without a fight,’ he added.

Also speaking, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the gathering was an opportunity for APC members to seek God’s guidance and commit their political journey towards 2027 into His hands.

Abiodun said the party had gathered to put God first through prayers, songs, and thanksgiving, expressing confidence that the prayers would yield positive results.

Reflecting on his political journey, Abiodun recalled the challenges he faced during the 2019 governorship election, saying his emergence as governor was a testimony to God’s intervention.

He said the political circumstances at the time were difficult, but maintained that the same God who helped him navigate those challenges remained capable of guiding the state through another transition.

The governor added that despite the challenges and political opposition he encountered in 2018, he eventually emerged as governor, stressing that the same divine intervention would guide the state towards a smooth transition from his administration to the next government.

‘We have gathered here to seek the Almighty’s face and commit our journey of 2027 into His hands.

‘Today, we have come here to put God first, to pray, dance, and sing. I am very confident, and without a doubt, that our heart’s desires shall be granted by the men of God who have prayed for us.

‘I recalled how the journey was in 2018. When we started, it was not like this at all; it was tough. But God has used me as a testimony.

‘God of 2018 is still around, and He will continue to allow us to embark on a smooth transition from a sitting governor to the incoming governor,’ he said.

Earlier in his sermon, the Regional Evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Johnson Kalejaiye prayed for divine intervention for the 2027 general elections.

Pastor Kalejaiye prophesied that God will clear the coast for Ogun APC and lead the party to victory without a fight.

The cleric called on political parties to refrain from the campaign of calumny and hate speech that may trigger violence.

The event, attended by Muslim and Christian clerics who prayed for APC candidates’ victory in turn, also had in attendance Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State; Minister of Livestock Idi Mukhta Maiha; Chief Yemisi Sanusi; Ogun State APC chairman and Senator Lekan Mustapha; and the Director General of the APC Campaign Council in Ogun.

The Ukomu Igala Organization (UIO) Worldwide has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address multidimensional poverty, insecurity and the deterioration of social amenities across the country.

The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its President, Major General James Ataguba (retd.), to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The UIO, while congratulating Nigerians on the anniversary, reaffirmed its commitment to the unity, peace and territorial integrity of the country.

It said the Igala people had remained active stakeholders in the Nigerian project through their contributions to national security, public service, commerce, education, culture and nation-building.

The organisation also acknowledged the contributions of past and present leaders to Nigeria’s development, while commending the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its ongoing economic and structural reforms.

According to the group, the reforms are being undertaken amid difficult economic conditions and are aimed at strengthening the economy, public institutions and social infrastructure, as well as attracting investments and laying the foundation for sustainable development.

However, it cautioned that the gains of the reforms could be undermined if the government failed to address the challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots.

‘While appreciating these efforts, however, our organisation will like to humbly observe that the country is still grappling with multidimensional poverty, pervasive insecurity and a progressive deterioration of social amenities in the country, especially at the grassroots,’ the statement said.

The organisation urged the Federal Government to reassure Nigerians of its commitment to improving their welfare through ‘more practical and productive steps’.

It also called on Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, stressing that the responsibility for building a better country could not be left to government alone.

‘The future that we desire for ourselves, our children and generations to come cannot be built by the government alone. Rather, it can only materialise through shared commitment and sacrifices, hard work and patriotism of all citizens of Nigeria,’ it said.

The UIO described Nigeria as a country with significant potential and urged citizens not to lose hope in its future.

It said, ‘Our diversity remains our strength, our unity our shield, while our shared destiny remains our greatest asset.’

The organisation prayed for peace, stability, prosperity and progress in Nigeria and Kogi State, and congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary.

The National Examinations Council [NECO] has introduced measures to curb racketeering in continuous assessment and strengthen the integrity of its examinations, dismissing claims that it establishes or operates ‘miracle centres’.

Registrar of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, who disclosed this while speaking on the council’s efforts to tackle examination malpractice, said the reforms were part of measures that contributed to a 64.74 per cent reduction in malpractice cases recorded in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination [SSCE] Internal.

According to him, the number of candidates involved in various forms of examination malpractice dropped from 3,878 in 2025 to 1,406 in 2026.

Wushishi attributed the reduction to the deployment of technology in examination administration, including biometric verification, candidate photo-gating, barcode systems, computer-based testing (CBT) and randomisation of examination questions.

He said the council began intensifying the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in examination management after the current leadership assumed office in 2021.

‘We introduced several IT solutions and IT devices to curb the excesses of examination malpractice, having known the ease of examination malpractice as a teacher for more than 35 years,’ he said.

The registrar explained that NECO had introduced technology at various stages of the examination process, from test development to the conduct and marking of examinations.

He identified CBT as one of the major measures helping to reduce malpractice, saying the council had also randomised questions to make it difficult for candidates sitting close to one another to answer identical questions.

He said the same principle was applied to a large number of subjects conducted under the pen-and-paper mode because NECO currently operates a dual examination system.

‘CBT is one good answer to curb that, but it also comes with its own challenges. So, if possible, we will continue to increase our pace in the use of CBT,’ he said.

Wushishi added that a significant number of malpractice cases were detected during the marking of examination scripts by examiners.

The registrar said the council was also addressing loopholes in continuous assessment, which constitutes part of candidates’ final results but is largely generated and submitted by schools.

He said a committee constituted by the Minister of Education and comprising heads of examination bodies reviewed the challenges associated with continuous assessment and recommended measures to reduce manipulation.

He said the committee recommended that the contribution of continuous assessment to candidates’ final scores be reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent.

He added that the committee recommended that continuous assessment scores should no longer be submitted as a single cumulative figure.

‘First-term continuous assessment should be submitted by February. By March, you submit the second term. By April, you submit the final one,’ he said.

Wushishi disclosed that NECO had consequently developed a continuous assessment portal integrated into its main website to enable schools to submit the scores electronically.

He said the system would prevent schools from altering scores after submission.

‘The moment you submit your continuous assessment, you have no access to come and say, ‘Ah, I have forgotten something, we have a mistake, that we need to look at that continuous assessment again.’ It will never, never happen. Once you have submitted, you have submitted,’ he stated.

On the controversy surrounding ‘miracle centres,’ Wushishi said NECO did not establish or operate such centres, stressing that the council only accredits schools that meet its requirements to conduct its examinations.

‘We have nothing to do with miracle centres. In fact, as a council, we are not even aware of the existence of miracle centres,’ he stressed.

He explained that NECO owned only one school, the NECO Demonstration School, which had been upgraded to the SSCE level to serve as a model for the council’s examination administration.

According to him, schools seeking to serve as examination centres must undergo accreditation, while existing centres are subject to periodic reassessment.

He said NECO conducted accreditation exercises in February and October to ensure that schools continued to meet the required standards.

Wushishi, however, said the council had mechanisms for identifying centres suspected of facilitating examination malpractice.

‘As professionals in assessment, we have what we use to suspect a centre to be a miracle centre. And once that centre manifests such characteristics, we move quietly to assess the centre and determine whether it’s a miracle centre or not, on the basis of our accreditation records,’ he said.

The registrar cited an incident involving a public secondary school in Kogi State during the 2026 examination, where a NECO supervisor and other examination personnel were reportedly abducted.

He said the incident was subsequently attributed by the state Ministry of Information to the school being a ‘miracle centre,’ a description he rejected.

According to Wushishi, the school was established by the government about 40 years ago and had been accredited by NECO as an examination centre since 2000.

He said council records showed that the school had consistently presented candidates for its examinations, with the number never exceeding about 70 candidates.

He also noted that the supervisors deployed to the centre were employees of the Kogi State Ministry of Education who had served for several years.

Wushishi questioned how such a government-owned and accredited school could be classified as a miracle centre.

He said the responsibility for addressing the proliferation of such centres should involve state governments, which own public schools and regulate private schools within their jurisdictions.

The registrar further disclosed that NECO had introduced a system to verify the qualifications of teachers engaged in marking its examinations through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria [TRCN].

He said schools would provide details of teachers during the accreditation process, including information on whether they possessed TRCN certification.

The information, he said, would be cross-checked through an interface between the NECO and TRCN portals before qualified teachers were recruited for examination-related duties.

Wushishi said the reforms, including the use of technology, question randomisation, stricter accreditation, continuous assessment controls and teacher verification, were designed to strengthen the credibility of NECO examinations and further reduce malpractice.

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging citizens to renew their commitment to national unity, democratic values, and peaceful coexistence.

Idris also called for collective efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous, and united Nigeria.

The governor made the call in his Independence Day message, describing the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey since independence in 1960, honour the sacrifices of its founding fathers and reaffirm citizens’ shared responsibility for national progress.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Serki, Idris said democracy, the rule of law, justice, fairness, and good governance remained essential to sustainable development and national stability.

He urged Nigerians to protect the country’s democratic gains and reject actions capable of undermining peace, unity, and constitutional order.

The governor said Nigeria’s greatest strength lay in its diversity and the ability of citizens to coexist despite political, religious, ethnic, and other differences.

‘We are stronger in unity, and our prosperity lies in upholding togetherness as one indivisible entity,’ the governor declared.

Idris urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the patriotism, courage, discipline, and selflessness of the country’s founding fathers, noting that independence was achieved through sacrifice and a shared vision of a better nation.

He specifically acknowledged the contributions of prominent nationalists, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying their legacies should inspire present and future generations to prioritize national interests.

The governor also called for sustained prayers for Nigeria’s peace, stability, and prosperity, expressing confidence that the country’s challenges could be overcome through collective responsibility, resilience, mutual understanding, and faith.

On developments in Kebbi State, Idris assured residents that his administration remained committed to strengthening security, sustaining empowerment initiatives, and implementing development projects to improve their welfare and living conditions.

He called for greater patience, understanding, and cooperation from residents in addressing security challenges, stressing that protecting lives and property was a shared responsibility involving the government, security agencies, and citizens.

Idris also expressed confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed his administration’s support for efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, security, democratic institutions, and overall development.

He thanked the people of Kebbi State for their continued support and cooperation, assuring them that his administration would remain focused on policies and programs that directly improve their lives and promote the state’s long-term development.

A nongovernmental organisation, the Frederick Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, in partnership with the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, has launched a major initiative to strengthen stroke care, research, and medical education in Nigeria.

The partnership, formally inaugurated in Ibadan, aims to improve stroke treatment and outcomes, strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals, and promote research into the prevention and management of the disease.

Established in December 2023 by Oxford Emeritus Professor of Neuropathology Margaret Esiri in memory of her late husband, Dr Frederick Esiri, the foundation also aims to strengthen academic collaboration between the University of Ibadan and the University of Oxford.

Speaking at the inauguration, Professor Esiri said the initiative was inspired by her late husband’s commitment to improving healthcare in Nigeria.

Dr Esiri, a Nigerian and Oxford medical graduate, returned to Nigeria in 1981 and operated a health clinic in Taraba State for more than 20 years.

Professor Esiri stated that the foundation would collaborate with UI, UCH, and Oxford University to strengthen stroke services and reduce mortality, while creating opportunities for medical students through a reciprocal exchange programme.

She said the foundation’s immediate priority was to improve stroke care outcomes in Ibadan and build a sustainable academic partnership between the medical schools of UI and Oxford.

As part of its early interventions, she disclosed that a seven-member clinical team from Ibadan had visited the Stroke Unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in the United Kingdom to observe its operations and learn from its approach to stroke management.

The visit, she said, was supported by educational webinars designed to assess how improved nursing and therapy practices could influence patient survival and recovery.

Building on this initiative, Professor Esiri stated that the foundation had introduced a reciprocal clinical neuroscience student exchange programme, with two medical students each from UI and Oxford participating to advance education and research.

She also stressed the importance of prevention, calling for increased attention to healthy lifestyles, stronger government support for stroke services, and broader access to quality treatment, particularly in low-resource settings.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and chairman of the occasion, Professor Kayode Adebowale, described the initiative as a transformation of personal loss into a legacy of hope.

Adebowale stated that stroke care in Africa continues to face serious challenges, including limited access to neuroimaging, restricted availability of specialised therapies, delayed patient presentation, and inadequate standardised treatment protocols.

He said the collaboration would aim to address these gaps and develop practical interventions that could be replicated throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to him, the decision to make UI the anchor institution reflects its longstanding contributions to medical education and research in West Africa.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that a clinical neurosciences medical student exchange programme between UI and Oxford had been approved, with Professors Godwin Ogbole and Rufus Akinyemi playing key roles in establishing the academic partnership.

He said the collaboration would extend beyond student exchange to strengthening acute stroke services at UCH, developing standardised clinical workflows, and supporting research aimed at producing solutions applicable to resource-limited healthcare systems.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor Taiwo Lawal, who represented the Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, stated that the partnership would provide opportunities for academic collaboration, clinical training, and research.

The foundation has awarded four travel grants to medical students from UI and Oxford to date.

Plans are also underway to establish an acute stroke unit at UCH, Ibadan, as part of efforts to enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide specialised stroke care.