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Oyo State Government has sealed off Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Apata, Ibadan, for operating without proper accreditation and for offering unauthorised health-related programmes.

The enforcement operation was carried out on Friday by a team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Kehinde Oyebode, who represented the Commissioner for Health during the inspection.

Officials revealed that the institution had been deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by running unapproved courses under the guise of legitimate health training. Among the fraudulent programmes identified were so-called ‘Nursing Technician’ and ‘Nursing Assistant’ courses, which are not recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or approved by the Ministry.

‘Let it be clear: there is no such thing as a ‘Nursing Technician’ or ‘Nursing Assistant’ course within the framework of Nigeria’s approved health training curricula,’ Oyebode stated.

‘This institution has been operating illegally and misleading students and parents who believe they are enrolling in accredited professional programmes.’

Oyebode expressed concern over the implications of such unauthorised operations on public health and safety. She noted that the school had not only commenced academic activities without approval, but had also been collecting tuition fees from students despite having no regulatory clearance from relevant authorities.

‘This is a serious violation. The health sector is not one where we can afford to cut corners,’ she emphasised.

‘Untrained and unlicensed individuals posing as health workers endanger lives. The government will not tolerate this kind of illegality.’

She explained that nursing education in Nigeria is strictly regulated, and only accredited Schools of Nursing or approved institutions affiliated with recognised teaching hospitals are permitted to train individuals in the nursing profession.

In line with its findings, the Ministry of Health issued an immediate shutdown order on the college’s operations, pending compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements, including programme accreditation and institutional licensing.

The Ministry further issued a public advisory warning residents of Oyo State and beyond to steer clear of Covenant College of Health Technology or any similar institutions offering unrecognised health programmes.

‘We urge parents, guardians, and prospective students to always verify the accreditation status of any health-related institution before making commitments. The list of approved schools is publicly available through the Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMCN,’ Oyebode said.

This incident adds to growing concerns over the proliferation of mushroom institutions across Nigeria that exploit the demand for professional training in healthcare by offering fraudulent courses with no legal standing.

Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have repeatedly called on government agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to these illegal setups.

The enforcement action reinforces Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s strong stance on education reform, public accountability, and ethical standards in both public and private institutions across Oyo State.

Government officials reiterated their commitment to sanitising the education landscape and ensuring that only credible, accredited, and professionally guided institutions operate within the state.

The Oyo State Ministry of Health reiterates that Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences remains shut until it secures proper licensing and programme accreditation from relevant authorities.

For inquiries or to verify the accreditation status of any health training institution, members of the public are advised to contact the Ministry directly or visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) website.

A two-year-old girl, Aryatara Shakya, was recently chosen as Nepal’s living goddess in another display of the country’s centuries-old custom. The little girl was carried by her family from their home in a Kathmandu alley to the temple palace during Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival.

The selection, rooted in religion and tradition, has once again drawn global attention to Nepal’s living goddess tradition, a practice that continues to interest and puzzle people around the world.

The living goddess, also known as the Kumari or living virgin, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and believed to represent divine feminine energy.

A Kumari is a young, prepubescent girl chosen from the Shakya clan within Nepal’s Newari Buddhist community. It is believed that the girl is possessed by the goddess Taleju or Durga.

However, behind the calm and ceremony lies a system of beliefs, selection rules, and emotional effects that make this one of the world’s most unusual traditions.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five facts about Nepal’s living goddess tradition.

1. Chosen before age four

One striking part of Nepal’s living goddess tradition is that candidates are often selected between the ages of two and four. The selection is carried out by priests who look for 32 qualities, including clear skin, calm behaviour, and physical balance.

This means that before they can fully understand the world around them, these young girls are made symbols of holiness and begin a new life inside the temple palace.

2. They live in isolation

After selection, the Kumari lives almost entirely inside the temple palace, meeting only a few caretakers, family members, and priests. She is rarely allowed outside except during major festivals when she is carried through the streets for people to worship.

While this isolation is meant to preserve purity, it also keeps the child from everyday experiences like going to school, playing outdoors, or meeting other children.

3. She loses her divinity at puberty

In Nepal’s living goddess tradition, the Kumari’s divine role ends as soon as she reaches puberty. Once her first menstrual cycle begins, she is believed to lose her purity and must step down immediately.

After this, she returns to ordinary life, learning to do chores, attend school, and live outside the temple. Many former Kumaris find this change difficult because they move from being worshipped to living like everyone else.

4. They face difficulties adjusting later in life

Many former Kumaris struggle to adjust to normal life after years of being kept indoors and treated as sacred. Doing everyday tasks, making friends, or walking freely in public can be hard at first.

Some also face emotional struggles as they try to adapt to a world that once saw them as goddesses but now treats them as ordinary people.

5. Curse of marriage

A well-known Nepalese belief warns that any man who marries a former Kumari will die young. This fear has led many former living goddesses to remain unmarried for most of their lives.

Although Nepal is becoming more modern, this old belief still affects how people see former Kumaris, making it hard for many of them to live freely after leaving the temple.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Monday declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to take over the governance of Abia State in 2027, expressing gratitude to the people for their support.

Addressing a mammoth gathering of APC supporters and members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State in Umuahia, Kalu emphasised that the party’s victory would be through the votes of the masses, not federal government force.

He urged all Abia residents and eligible voters to obtain their voter cards in the ongoing continuous voter registration to enable them to participate in the electoral process.

Kalu also commended the people for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and assured that Abia would align with the federal government to maximise benefits.

The Deputy Speaker urged the state government, led by Governor Alex Otti, to do more for the people to reflect the increased revenue allocation from the federal government.

Kalu stressed that the federal government has increased the state’s revenue allocation since the removal of the oil subsidy, stressing that it should reflect in the state’s infrastructure development.

He insisted that the President must be commended for supporting the states to run effectively.

He said: ‘We have come to take over, and there is no going back. We want to work with the President to move our state forward. We are gathered because of the love we have for our President. All Abians, the youth, women, men, leaders, everyone, we are all gathering for what is to come in 2027.

‘The crowd here is to show they are there for the Renewed Hope Partners and to move the State and the federal governments forward. I want to appreciate you for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been assisting the governor to work for the people.

‘The miracle maker is the President who releases funds, the man who stopped oil subsidy and did not keep the money in Abuja but released it to the State. That is the right miracle worker. The President wants to see what the government is doing with the funds released.

‘I’m an opposition member in Abia state. We can be friends or family, but as long as we are from different political parties, our job is to be the watchdog of the administration.

‘As opposition leader in my state, I must speak for the masses. The job done so far by the state government is not enough. You cannot be getting the kind of money you’re getting and doing the job that former Governors who got less were doing. You can’t be delivering what a former governor used N4 billion or less to do.

‘Let me tell you, get ready, All Progressive Congress, APC will take over this state. APC will take over Abia state. And you know why? So, what is released from Abuja will get to your ward. And we are not going to take over by force. Some people think we are going to use federal power, no. We are going to use the vote of the masses to take over this state.

‘We are saying that we need more. What we are getting from them now is not enough. You are the people who will vote for APC in Abia State. The President and the party will be strong in Abia State. APC is strong and big in Abia State.

‘The purpose of this meeting today is for you to start registering people in your polling units. You must populate the voter register. We have to register to vote.

‘As we speak today, Abia is one of the States with the least registered voters. That’s not good. We need to show President Bola Tinubu that we have what it takes to vote for him, come 2027’.

The Deputy Speaker also encouraged students and traders amongst the APC supporters to apply for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) loan as well as the Nigerian Consumer Credits Cooperation (CREDICORP) facility to pay their tuition fees and boost their businesses.

‘As a student in the university, if you have not applied for the NELFUND loan, please go and apply. Another one is CREDICORP. When you get home today, go and form what we call the Renewed Partners Cooperative Society in your various local government areas. It is this cooperative that we will use to help you. There are also other people, and we will help revive their small businesses,’ Kalu said.

Legend Internet PLC Nigeria’s pioneering indigenous broadband service provider, has been assigned a long-term corporate rating of ‘Bbb-‘ and a short-term rating of ‘A3’ with a Stable Outlook by Agusto and Co., West Africa’s foremost credit rating agency.

This marks Legend’s inaugural rating since its incorporation in 2021 and represents a strong validation of the Company’s business fundamentals and growth strategy. The rating also reflects Legend’s satisfactory financial condition, supported by its cash-driven operations and low leverage. It also reflects robust infrastructure investments across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), passing 250,000 homes with 22,000 connected and 10,000 currently active, improving profitability margins, with gross profit rising to 63.9 percent in for year end 2024/25.

In a statement signed by Legend Internet’s Chief Marketing Officer, Shakirah Alaga, the Chief Executive Officer of Legend Internet Plc, Aisha Abdulaziz, said: ‘This is first-time rating from Agusto and Co. is a milestone achievement for Legend Internet Plc. It validates our resilience, prudent financial management, and commitment to building Nigeria’s most reliable broadband network. As we expand into Lagos and other key markets, this rating reinforces the confidence of our investors, partners, and customers in Legend’s ability to grow sustainably while powering digital lifestyles across Nigeria.’

Legend Internet, which transitioned to a Public Limited Company in April 2024, is advancing plans for a dual listing on the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. The Company continues to diversify its ecosystem with complementary solutions such as LegendMail, Nigeria’s first commercial email platform; MailPay, its proprietary fintech application; and Legend Omni, Fibre-to-the-Room (FTTR) services introduced in partnership with Huawei.

With this rating, Legend Internet PLC strengthens its position as one of Nigeria’s leading broadband providers, building a stable foundation to accelerate growth, attract investment, and deepen digital inclusion nationwide.

This exemplary rating is the outcome of cost optimisation measures and strong expansion prospects, including its planned entry into Lagos via merger and acquisition, alongside organic growth in Abuja and future rollouts in Kano and Port Harcourt.

Agusto and Co. noted that Legend’s strategic pause in customer activations during Abuja’s city-wide construction works has positioned the Company to scale more efficiently as disruptions subside. The recently approved 50% tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is also expected to boost earnings and cash flow in the near term.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has called on residents of the state to strengthen collaboration with security agencies by providing credible intelligence that will help in winning the ongoing fight against criminal elements in the state.

The governor made the call over the weekend during a stopover at Gegu community, Kogi Local Government Area, where he was warmly received by residents who trooped out to welcome him on his return from national engagements.

Governor Ododo commended members of the Gegu community for their unity, communal spirit, and commitment to peace, describing such values as vital for effective community policing and overall security of the state.

‘I appreciate you all for your love, unity, and commitment to peace. Our communities must remain vigilant and work closely with security agencies to keep Kogi safe,’ Ododo said.

He urged citizens to promptly report any suspicious movements of individuals or groups whose activities could threaten public safety, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires the active participation of everyone.

‘If you see something, say something. Intelligence is the lifeline of security, and every citizen has a role to play. We will not allow criminals to take shelter among us,’ the governor stressed.

Ododo emphasised that intelligence sharing between communities and security operatives is crucial to sustaining the gains recorded so far in the state’s security architecture, noting that his administration remains resolute in ensuring that criminal elements find no hiding place in Kogi.

‘We have made significant progress in securing our state, and we must not relent. This administration will continue to provide all necessary support to our security agencies to protect lives and property,’ he stated.

Governor Ododo, who is on a working visit to Yagba Federal Constituency following recent reports of security concerns in the area, assured citizens that the state government will continue to strengthen logistics and coordination to maintain law and order across all communities in the state.

The Governor further enjoined traditional rulers, community leaders, and youths to serve as the first line of defence by volunteering timely and accurate information that can aid in crime prevention, arrest and prosecution of criminals.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, has constituted an 11-member committee to plan and coordinate the celebrations, as part of preparations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Oyo.

The Governor named Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, as Chairman of the committee for Oyo @ 50 anniversary.

The appointment was formally conveyed in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, and made public on Monday.

Also appointed as Deputy Chairman is the immediate past Head of Service in the state, Alhaja Ololade Agboola.

Other members of the committee include Dr Ajuwon, OON, Mustapha Razaq Areo, Alhaja Fatimah Ololade Azeez, S.A. Adejumo, Pastor John Olasunkanmi Alabi, Alhaji A.K. Bello, Mrs. Ronke Adedayo, who will serve as Secretary of the committee, COMPOL Fatai Owoseni (Rtd.), Mr. Samuel Adegboyega Badejo, Director General of Protocol, Oyo State Government

The committee is expected to immediately commence work and put forward a comprehensive roadmap for a befitting celebration of the state’s golden jubilee.

Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976, following the breakup of the old Western State. The upcoming anniversary in 2026 marks 50 years since its establishment, a milestone the state government says deserves significant reflection, celebration, and public engagement.

Governor Makinde, in the appointment note, expressed confidence in the capacity of the committee members, drawn from both public and private sectors, to deliver a memorable and impactful celebration.

The Governor has also mandated the committee to work closely with relevant ministries, agencies, and stakeholders across the state to ensure inclusivity and statewide participation in the anniversary programmes.

The committee’s terms of reference are expected to include designing the theme and logo for the Oyo @ 50 celebration, recommending and coordinating activities to mark the anniversary, collaborating with corporate, traditional, and community stakeholders, and showcasing the state’s historical achievements, cultural heritage, and developmental milestones.

The appointment takes immediate effect, and the committee is expected to submit its preliminary report within a defined timeframe.

The lawmaker representing Edo North in the Nigerian Senate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, stand no chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole stated that both Atiku and Obi had faced defeats in previous elections, whether they contested jointly or separately, and would face the same outcome if they teamed up again.

‘Did Atiku not run with Obi before and contested against the APC. Were they not defeated?

‘Throw any number you want to throw. The point is that when these two ran together, they were roundly defeated by the APC,’ the former Edo governor stated.

‘They have a history of being defeated together and they have a history of being defeated apart. So, if they come back together, they will still be defeated,’ he added.

Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, while Obi flew the flag of the Labour Party (LP), both garnered a combined total of over 12 million votes in the election that produced President Tinubu.

The two opposition leaders, now members of a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), finished second and third, respectively, in the last presidential election.

The Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, has explained that the fire incident that occurred on Monday evening at the State Secretariat Complex was caused by an electrical fault.

She, however, stated that no life was lost in the incident, which destroyed property worth millions of naira on the ground floor of the Podium Block in the complex.

Our correspondent reports that the fire, which reportedly started after the close of work, also affected key sections of the State Pension Board located in the same block.

Addressing newsmen, the Head of Service said the fire was promptly contained through the combined efforts of both the state and federal fire services, stressing that their swift response prevented further damage.

Dr. Brown expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his foresight in rehabilitating fire service stations across the state.

She said, ‘Other partners to the state also sent fire services. The Federal Fire Service and the military deployed their trucks as well. So, it was a combined effort, and the fire has been contained.

‘We thank His Excellency for being proactive in rehabilitating the state fire service before now; otherwise, the situation would have been worse.

‘From the preliminary report we received, the fire was caused by an electrical fault. But we thank God that no life was lost and no medical incident was recorded.’

She further urged civil servants in the state to take responsibility by ensuring that all electrical appliances are switched off at the close of work before leaving their offices.

Confirming the incident earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the fire started from the ground floor of the Podium Block.

He commended officers of both the state and federal fire services for their prompt response, which helped prevent greater damage.

The management of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, on Monday disclosed that the citadel of learning would be graduating the highest number of first-class graduates, totalling 185, who attained the top academic honour in the 2025 graduating set, since the inception of the institution.

He also hinted that the institution has been selected by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund as one of the eight private universities in Nigeria for the training of TETFUND-sponsored candidates for postgraduate degrees.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, while revealing these at a press conference to mark the university’s 17th convocation ceremony and 20th anniversary celebration, however, gave the total number of students graduating as 1,341 across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes during the convocation slated for October 9 and 10.

He further gave 662 as the number of students to be graduating with second class upper, 410 second class lower, 79 third class, and 5 pass.

The Vice Chancellor stressed that at the postgraduate level, a total of three hundred and thirty-eight students are graduating. This is made up of 109 students at the postgraduate diploma level, 65 students with a Master of Arts degree, 120 with a Master of Science degree, 25 with a Master of Business Administration and 19 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

He said, ‘The university milestone is a reflection of our commitment to academic excellence and character development, and the 2025 convocation represents a season of ‘double honour’ for the faith-based institution.

‘We are not only graduating from another distinguished class, the indomitable set of 2025, but we are also celebrating 20 years of Redeemer’s University. Indeed, this is a season of double honour.’

On the selection by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund as one of the eight private universities in Nigeria for the training of TETFUND-sponsored candidates for postgraduate degrees, the university don stated that, ‘the selection was a remarkable achievement for the university considering that Nigeria has 168 private universities presently.’

‘In recognition of the quality of postgraduate training in our university, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of the federal government of Nigeria has selected Redeemer’s university as one of the eight private universities in Nigeria for training of TETFUND-sponsored candidates for postgraduate degrees,’

‘Also, the university’s African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), led by Professor Christian Happi, continues to earn global acclaim. Happi was recently listed among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 for his pioneering work in genomics and public health,’ he concluded.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately effect the downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has accordingly urged NAHCON) to come up with new fares for the exercise within two days.

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications

(Office of The Vice President), Stanely Nkwocha, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Shettima handed down the President’s directive at a meeting with management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa.

Shettima noted that the directive had become imperative considering continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar – a primary determinant for the pilgrimage fares.

He called for synergy among national and state officials, including state Governors, in streamlining and adopting a new set of fares for the exercise.

He aslo urged prompt action by all stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate a hitch-free exercise.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting with the VP, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the meeting convened at the instance of the Vice President was to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly the determination of fares for the 2026 exercise.

He explained that the goal is to reduce the amount payable by pilgrims for the exercise, given the current trend in the economy occasioned by ongoing reforms being undertaken by the Tinubu administration.

He said, ‘Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ?8.5 million to ?8.6 million based on negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims.

‘So, the commissions and all officers of the Hajj commission are here and they have been told to immediately go to look at more realistic exchange rates. If we achieve what we envisage, then we will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj.’

On his part, Secretary of the National Hajj commission (NAHCON), Dr Mustapha Mohammad, said the the President’s directive would increase the number of intending pilgrims for this year’s exercise.

‘It is a welcome development and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. So, as directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to the bearerest minimum and affordable rate for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of Islam.’

Also, the Chairman, Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman, Forum of the Chief Executive of 36 and the FCT Chairmen of pilgrims Board, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed delight with the presidential directive.

‘We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of Hajj fare. So, we are happy,’ he said.