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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, in line with its determination to expand its global presence.

Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, who unveiled the new centre in London, explained that the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), London, United Kingdom, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Wushishi, who presented a keynote address at the ‘Education Matters Conference UK 2025’, organised by the Council to sensitise stakeholders on NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom, stated that the establishment of the centre would create opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the United Kingdom who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.

He explained that NECO’s objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad, in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.

The Registrar, who reeled out some of his major achievements since his assumption of office in 2021, stated that ‘our commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination (CBE) is the single most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body’.

Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said Wushishi, who expressed NECO’s commitment to the Nigerian diaspora and the wider African educational landscape, disclosed that the NECO SSCE is now successfully administered in seven countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He explained that ‘our global expansion is accelerating, as we currently have new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso, further solidifying NECO as a premier African assessment body’.

According to him, the establishment of a NECO SSCE centre at BEP Education in London offers profound and far-reaching benefits, such as direct empowerment of the diaspora, elevation of national pride and global standing, economic and social dividends, and leveraging proven educational capacity.

The Registrar disclosed that the NECO certificate is accepted and recognised by prestigious UK institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, adding that ‘NECO certificates are also accepted worldwide, including in the USA, Canada, India, China and Russia, among others’.

In his goodwill message at the conference, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the establishment of the NECO SSCE centre in London aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s mandate to serve every Nigerian child, including those in the diaspora.

He stated that the Federal Ministry of Education views the diaspora not just as a community to serve, but as a resource to be empowered, stressing that ‘every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally’.

The Minister, who commended NECO for the initiative, stated that ‘the accreditation of BEP Education is the first step in a broader strategy to expand NECO’s reach to other strategic locations globally, turning Nigerian education into a universally respected and easily accessible brand’.

The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), who is also NECO’s UK-based partner, Dr John Ibanga, in his address, said the conference was aimed at launching NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom and creating awareness about the new NECO examination centre in London.

Ibanga disclosed that many Nigerian children in the United Kingdom encounter challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to achieve the required GCSE qualifications.

He stated that such students often face limited progression opportunities, leading to educational disengagement and exposure to social vulnerabilities.

According to him, the new NECO SSCE centre in London could serve as an alternative pathway, providing such students with recognised qualifications for further education and vocational advancement.

Ibanga explained that NECO certificates are already accepted by several UK universities and that this initiative would benefit both young learners and adults seeking academic or career development.

Other speakers at the conference commended NECO for the initiative and pledged to sensitise other Nigerians in the United Kingdom to support and patronise the NECO SSCE CBE centre in London.

In a related development, the Registrar, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, led the NECO delegation on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London.

Prof Wushishi said the visit was to inform the Nigerian High Commission of the establishment and accreditation of a NECO examination centre in the United Kingdom.

He disclosed that NECO already operates similar centres in several African countries and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Registrar stated that the UK, being home to a large Nigerian population, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Wushishi disclosed that NECO had assessed and accredited a UK-based educational institution to serve as an authorised centre for the administration of NECO examinations.

He explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of expanding access to quality education for Nigerians in the diaspora through the CBE model.

The Registrar expressed gratitude to the Mission for its support and affirmed that, in other countries where NECO operates, the Council maintains official communication channels with Nigerian embassies and high commissions, especially for the coordination of examination activities and public sensitisation.

The Head of Political Affairs in the Commission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, in his response on behalf of the Mission, commended NECO for the initiative and described it ‘as a timely and commendable effort consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement’.

Ambassador Abu-Obe assured the NECO delegation that the Mission would collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.

A 28-year-old man, Wasiu Egbetunde, was arrested last Thursday by Amotekun Corps in Oyo State, after he allegedly invaded the shop of Madam Fatima Ahmed at Asuni area, along Isale Osi Road in Ibadan, and destroyed property worth over N3 million after taking Loud drug (a strain of cannabis).

The incident, which reportedly started at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday, was eventually brought to a halt by Amotekun Corps at about 4 a.m. on Thursday when the man was subdued with a gunshot to his hand to immobilise him.

Before this was done, efforts of Amotekun operatives to call him out of his hiding spot in the shop were futile as he allegedly injured them with the bottles he was throwing.

Tribune Online learnt that the arrested drug addict had gone to Madam Ahmed’s shop to buy N100 worth of sachet water to subdue the drug effect when he suddenly went berserk, coiled himself round the elderly woman, before running inside the shop.

From there, he was reported to have started bringing out filled bottles of malt and soft drinks from their cartons and started aiming them at people through the burglar-proof diving inner part of the shop from the outer part.

In the process, many who made attempts to bring him out sustained injuries in different parts of their bodies.

While one person had his ear sliced off, another person had a serious injury on his foot which broken pieces of thrown bottles.

The arrested suspect, who admitted taking a Loud drug which affected him, however, said he was trying to hide himself from some area boys who attacked him, demanding money and other things.

He told the Tribune Online that he held on to the shop owner to protect himself, with the thought that the attackers would leave him, adding that he had no choice but to use the bottles to prevent the attackers from killing him when he saw that the elderly woman could not help.

When Tribune Online visited the scene, the second-in-command to the Amotekun Coordinator in Ibadan South West Local Government Areas, Mr Sikiru Apanpa, said it took efforts to subdue the suspect, as he was among those injured.

Salt, also known as sodium, is essential for life. It helps with fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. It also serves as a preservative. But like many other things, too much of it becomes dangerous. Taking too much can be inimical to your health, making your immune system prone to various diseases.

Health experts warn that Nigerians are consuming way beyond the safe limit of 5 grams of salt daily recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this article, Tribune Online highlights 5 reasons why too much salt is dangerous for your health :

1. Hypertension

Excess salt makes the body hold excess water, which increases blood pressure. Hypertension is also known as the silent killer because it often shows no signs until stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure sets in. High salt intake can lead to hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. Kidney stones

Too much salt increases calcium levels in the urine. When calcium builds up, it combines with other substances to form hard crystals known as kidney stones. These stones block urine flow, cause severe pain, and may require surgery if they become large.

3. Stroke

Too much salt makes the body hold water, raising blood pressure. Over time, this pressure stiffens arteries, weakens the heart, and can trigger heart failure or stroke.

4. Stomach Cancer

When you eat too much salt, it doesn’t just affect your heart and kidneys; it can also hurt your stomach. Salt irritates and wears down the lining of the stomach, making it weaker over time. This damage creates an easy ground for harmful bacteria like Helicobacter pylori to thrive. This bacterium is one of the major causes of stomach ulcers, and if left untreated, ulcers can turn into stomach cancer.

5. Osteoporosis

Too much salt doesn’t just raise blood pressure; it also weakens the bones. When the body tries to flush out excess sodium, it also pushes out calcium through urine. With less calcium available, bones lose strength, density drops, and the risk of osteoporosis (fragile, easily broken bones) increases over time.

Nigeria’s National Sodium Reduction Guidelines even list osteoporosis as one of the dangers of high salt consumption.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reacted to a viral video on altercation between FRSC officers and a driver in Edo.

The video, trending on X, shows a driver involved in a physical altercation with FRSC officer during what seemed to be a traffic stop.

In a statement issued on X by Corps Public Education officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC expressed ‘deep concern’ over the incident, announcing an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

‘The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media showing an altercation between some FRSC officers and a driver along Abudu, Edo State, Nigeria, on Saturday, 25th October, 2025.

‘The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over the incident and has ordered an immediate investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

‘He emphasized that the Corps does not condone any form of unprofessional conduct or behavior that undermines the integrity and discipline for which the FRSC is known. He further assured members of the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any officer found culpable, in line with the Corps’ operational guidelines and public service rules,’ the statement partly reads.

The corps also appealed to motorists to remain calm and cooperate with FRSC officers, stating that they are committed to ensuring safer roads and protecting lives of the citizens nationwide.

‘The Corps Marshal also appealed to the motoring public to remain calm and continue to show cooperation and respect towards FRSC personnel who are committed to ensuring safer roads and protecting lives across the nation.

‘While the FRSC remains steadfast in its mission to promote road safety, maintain order, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in service delivery, the Corps marshal will also not tolerate any form of assault or violence against its personnel from members of the public in the course of duty.’

A solar-powered retinal implant and AI-enhanced glasses have enabled blind patients to read again.

The new electronic eye implant has restored reading vision to people blinded by age-related dry macular degeneration (AMD).

Dry AMD is a gradual condition that damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Over time, the light-sensitive retinal cells deteriorate and die, leading to blurring and eventual blindness.

In a major trial, patients using the PRIMA implant and augmented-reality glasses were able to see letters and words again after years of darkness.

The clinical trial involved 38 participants across 17 hospitals in five European countries, with Moorfields Eye Hospital serving as the only UK site.

The study tested a cutting-edge retinal implant called PRIMA. Every patient selected for the procedure had completely lost central vision in one eye before implantation.

People who had lost their sight have regained the ability to read after receiving a groundbreaking electronic eye implant combined with augmented-reality glasses, according to a clinical trial led by researchers from UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Findings from the European study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that 84% of participants were able to recognise letters, numbers and words using prosthetic vision in an eye that had previously gone blind.

Their vision loss was caused by an advanced, untreatable form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) known as geographic atrophy.

On average, participants treated with the implant were able to read five lines of a standard vision chart. Before the procedure, some could not see the chart at all.

Mr Mahi Muqit, Associate Professor at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Senior Vitreoretinal Consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital, who led the UK arm of the study, said that in the history of artificial vision, this represents a new era.

According to him, ‘Getting back the ability to read is a major improvement in their quality of life, lifts their mood and helps restore their confidence and independence.’

The PRIMA implant represents the first successful device capable of restoring the ability to read through an eye that had lost vision.

The PRIMA chip operation can safely be performed by any trained vitreoretinal surgeon in under two hours-that is the key to allowing all blind patients to have access to this new medical therapy for GA in dry AMD.

The surgical procedure involves a vitrectomy, in which the eye’s natural gel is removed from between the lens and the retina. The surgeon then inserts a wafer-thin microchip, about the size of a SIM card (2 mm x 2 mm), beneath the central retina through a small opening.

After surgery, the patient wears augmented-reality glasses equipped with a video camera connected to a small computer with a zoom function, worn on the waistband. The camera captures visual information and transmits it to the implant, allowing the brain to interpret these signals as vision.

Around a month or so after the operation, once the eye has settled, the new chip is activated. The video camera in the glasses projects the visual scene as an infrared beam directly across the chip to activate the device.

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms through the pocket computer process this information, which is then converted into an electrical signal. This signal passes through the retinal and optic nerve cells into the brain, where it is understood as vision.

The patient uses their glasses to focus and scan across the main object in the projected image from the video camera, using the zoom feature to enlarge the text. Each patient goes through an intensive rehabilitation programme over several months to learn how to interpret these signals and start reading again.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to introduce a Zero Debt Strategy beginning in January 2026 in order to address the rising financial non-compliance by airlines with regulatory financial obligations.

Speaking at the weekend in Lagos, at the 2025 Civil Aviation Cost Recovery Optimisation Stakeholders’ Retreat, the Director-General of Civil Aviation at the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said the payment system under the platform of mandatory Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) would address the rising indebtedness of airlines to the Authority.

He also expressed the NCAA’s readiness to implement stricter enforcement measures to confront the growing burden of poor compliance with financial regulatory standards and obligations by airlines.

Represented by the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS), Capt. Donald Spiff, the DG, condemned the persistent failure of some airlines to meet their financial obligations, describing the trend as a major threat to the sector’s stability.

Najomo stated that the retreat, with the theme ‘Strengthening Collaboration for Revenue Optimisation and Operational Efficiency’, is timely.

Najomo explained that the new framework will strengthen accountability, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure sustainable growth in line with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.

The retreat was coordinated by the NCAA Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA), led by Mr Olufemi Odukoya, in collaboration with Javier Technologies Limited.

You may think of snails only as animals that wreak havoc in your garden or crawl around on the sidewalk after rain. But in many parts of the world, snails are actually a delicacy.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at the health benefits of snail consumption and the possible risk of eating them if not well prepared:

Health Benefits of Snail Consumption

1. Rich Source of Protein and Micronutrients

Snail meat offers a lean protein source, and compared to some meats, it has lower fat content. It also contains minerals like iron, calcium, and vitamins such as A. These nutrients support functions like immunity, bone strength, vision, and healthy red blood cell production. Some studies also suggest snail slime might influence blood sugar regulation.

2. Hydrates and protects the skin

The slimy mucus (or serum) from snails includes oligosaccharides and other moisturizing agents that help lock in water. When used topically in creams or serums, they can calm irritation, brighten the skin, and protect against environmental damage. Research into snail mucin’s effects on skin shows improvement in hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction in animal and human skin models.

3. Support Skin and Aid Bone Repair

Snail secretions are rich in compounds like allantoin, collagen, and elastin, which are ingredients commonly found in skincare products. These substances are beneficial in promoting skin healing and may help in bone repair. Additionally, snail mucus often contains copper peptides, used in many scar-reducing and wound-healing creams.

Risks and Side Effects of Snail Consumption

1. Heart and Artery Risk from Fatty Preparations

Snail meat itself is not typically high in unhealthy fat, but when cooked in rich, heavy oils, the added fats can accumulate on arterial walls over time. This raises the risk of clogged arteries, increasing the possibility of heart attacks or strokes.

2. Parasitic Infections: Rat Lungworm Disease

If snails are eaten raw or insufficiently cooked, they can carry parasites like Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm). When these parasites are ingested, they may cause neurological symptoms like headaches, fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, and in rare cases, serious brain involvement.

3. Contamination and Bioaccumulation

Snails collected from polluted environments may accumulate heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium) or toxins. Regular consumption of contaminated snail tissue could pose risks to the kidneys, liver, or other organs over time.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Lagos socialite and nightclub owner, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, alongside former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tuoyo Ideh, and more than 100 guests during a midnight raid at Proxy Nightclub, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and posted on its website on Sunday, the operatives recovered cartons of banned substances, including Loud and laughing gas, from the venue during the operation conducted in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025.

The agency said its operatives, acting on credible intelligence, infiltrated the nightclub around 11 p.m. on Saturday before launching the raid at about 3 a.m. in line with standard operating procedures.

The statement reads, ‘In Lagos, NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, raided Proxy Night club at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, where a drug party was going on. Over 100 suspects, including the owner of the club, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, alias Pretty Mike, were arrested and taken into custody for screening. Cartons of illicit substances, including Loud and laughing gas, were recovered from suspects at the party and the club’s store.

‘The raid followed intelligence about the drug party. NDLEA operatives who were embedded in the party between 11 pm on Saturday, 25th October, however, disrupted the gathering at 3 am on Sunday, 26th October based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).’

Confirming his arrest, Tuoyo shared his experience on Instagram on Sunday, expressing frustration over the incident.

He wrote, ‘I have been arrested by the Ndlea from a night club in Lagos for basically nothing at all since around 4am, they made us sit down like criminals, we over 150 people here up till now ,that were (sic) carried to Ndlea head quarters Ikoyi, we didn’t commit any crime, they came with guns inside the club and told everyone to lie down.’

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has predicted that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will lose Lagos and the South-South in the 2027 general election.

In a statement on Sunday titled Why Peter Obi Will Lose Lagos and the South-South in 2027, Omokri argued that Obi’s recent statements and political decisions have alienated key regions that previously supported him.

According to Omokri, Obi performed well in Lagos and the South-South during the 2023 presidential election but has since lost goodwill in both zones.

He stated that the former Anambra governor’s criticism of federal infrastructural concentration in Lagos has damaged his chances among voters in the state.

Quoting Obi, Omokri recalled his statement that ‘Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other(s)’, describing it as a ‘threat to the economic interests of Lagosians.’

‘A good politician would protect his base,’ Omokri wrote, explaining that Lagos voters would not support a candidate perceived as opposed to their development priorities.

‘What Obi, in essence, was saying to Lagosians who voted for him in 2023 is that if they repeat their voting pattern in 2027 and he wins, he would stop the infrastructural development of Lagos and take it elsewhere.

‘That statement was a threat to the economic interests of Lagosians. Lagosians are sophisticated voters. They will never forget the unspoken threat implicit in Peter Obi’s statement on Friday, October 24, 2025. You cannot expect people to vote against their own economic interests.’

He likened Obi’s situation to the backlash faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012 after removing fuel subsidies on New Year’s Day, noting that ‘people do not vote against their own economic interests.’

Omokri further criticised Obi’s alleged opposition to the ?15 trillion 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, saying it has weakened his support in the South-South.

Omokri argued that the project is widely celebrated in the region and that Obi’s resistance to it shows a lack of political tact.

‘By coming out against a project that is popular in the region, one that would cut travel time to and from the South-South, and asking the President to cancel, how does Peter Obi expect the South-South to go against their own economic interests by voting for him?

‘Why didn’t Peter Obi ask the President to cancel the contract for the Southeastern railway corridor?

‘It is like knowing that a man wants to cut your head and still going ahead to give him a machete!’