News April 09, 2026 Outrage as final-year student allegedly beats colleague to death over provisions

Tension has gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, after 12-year-old JSS 2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin died following alleged bullying by a senior student over his refusal to share provisions.

Vanguard gathered that the incident, which began before the Easter break, led to the deceased being hospitalised on Easter Sunday for a neck sprain sustained during the alleged torture.

Narrating the incident in Uyo, yesterday, a student who lived in the same hostel with the deceased, said the senior student approached him for provisions during terminal examinations, but the deceased refused, insisting he didn’t have enough to share.

“A fellow student (a senior student in SS3) asked the boy for provisions, but he refused.The student reportedly hit him on the neck, after which he went into a coma.

“He later regained consciousness in the hospital   and was taken back to school. When the holiday came, the parents picked him up without being informed of any incident involving their son. (Perhaps the school did not think the injury was that serious.”

The student, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said the senior descended on the deceased hitting his neck until he fainted three times before other students raised the alarm for his rescue.

He continued:  “At home, the boy developed severe pains on his neck and was shouting my neck, my neck. The parents bought pain relief drugs unknown to them that  the incident was more than ordinary pains.

“When the pains was more severe, the father rushed the deceased to hospital where he died on Easter Sunday

“Earlier at home, the parents said the boy started complaining of throat pain on Wednesday, and they got medication for him.

“On Saturday night, the father called some of his friends (one of whom shared this story), asking them to pray for his son, who had been taken to the hospital.

“By Sunday morning, the boy passed on. The hospital later confirmed that he died from complications associated with blood clots around his throat (neck area).”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, promised to confirm the incident but had yet to respond at press time.

However, the principal of the school, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, who confirmed the incident described it as unfortunate.

He said:  “It’s an unfortunate incident, the entire school is in a mourning mood. He is our child, he is a Nigerian child. So, we are deeply touched by his demise. The school management committee will meet to discuss the matter and the circumstances of his death will be communicated.”

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased student have called on the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances leading to death of their son.

The father of the deceased who spoke to our correspondent said:  “I cannot talk now. I am calling on the Federal Government to intervene for justice. I will talk at the appropriate time.”

(Vangaurd)

News Politics April 09, 2026 INEC has become APC’s department — Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, a former Kogi West Senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming that it is now a department of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Melaye accused the INEC of bias and misinterpreting a court judgement.

In a video shared on his X page, the ADC chieftain stated that the electoral body’s actions had destroyed public trust.

According to Melaye, those responsible should either be removed or made to step down.

“We expect that the president will either sack or these people will sack themselves because INEC has misinterpreted the order of the court, they have shown partiality.

“They have shown that they are a department of APC, and we have lost confidence in them,” he said.

This comes as chieftains of the ADC led by factional Interim National Chairman, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others held a protest at INEC headquarters over the delisting of the party.

(TheSun)

News Politics April 09, 2026 2027: PDP rejects claims of alliance talks with ADC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected reports suggesting it is in talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form an alliance, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The position was made known by a faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and backed by a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party insisted it did not hold any meeting—formal or informal—with the ADC or its representatives.

It clarified that any individuals alleged to have participated in such engagements did so in their personal capacities and do not represent the PDP.

The party urged its members, supporters, and the public to disregard the reports, stressing that they do not reflect its official stance.

It further disclosed that preparations for its party primaries are at an advanced stage, with timelines and guidelines to be announced soon.

News April 09, 2026 INEC registers 3.4m new voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recorded over 3.4 million new voters in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise nationwide.

According to the commission’s week 13 update released on Wednesday in Abuja, a total of 3,441,121 registrations have been completed as of April 3, covering both online pre-registrations and physical walk-ins.

INEC disclosed that 2,068,384 citizens completed their registration online, while 1,372,737 others registered physically at designated centres across the country.

State-by-state data showed that Jigawa recorded the highest number of registrants with 201,047, representing 5.84 per cent of the total.

Lagos followed with 181,095, while Kano ranked third with 177,681 registrations.

Youth participation remained dominant, with citizens aged between 18 and 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrants, representing 68.43 per cent of the total figure.

Gender distribution indicated a higher turnout among women, with females accounting for 1,922,143 registrations (55.86 per cent), compared to 1,518,978 males (44.14 per cent).

On occupational breakdown, students formed the largest group of new voters at 1,235,931, representing 35.92 per cent.

This was followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 per cent) and individuals in farming and fishing at 615,967 (18.28 per cent).

INEC also reported that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities registered during the period.

The commission noted that the figure remains provisional, explaining that it is “a preliminary figure pending data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.”

It further stated that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on February 21.

INEC urged eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to visit its official portals to complete their registration before the deadline.

News April 09, 2026 Nigeria not on brink of collapse, reforms working — FG

The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, saying the country is making steady progress in tackling its security and economic challenges.

This comes after a coalition of 52 Nigerian Civil Society Organisations, including Amnesty International Nigeria, CISLAC, CITAD, MRA, Centre for Democracy and Development, Transparency International, and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, warned that the country is on the verge of collapse due to escalating insecurity, poverty, and moral decay.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the 81st General Assembly and 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, dismissed the warnings as “pessimistic narratives” insisting that Nigeria is demonstrating resilience in the face of difficulties.

He cited ongoing security operations, including coordinated military offensives and improved intelligence-sharing, as evidence of progress, saying these efforts have led to the neutralisation of bandits and disruption of attacks, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria.

“We are daily exhibiting resilience and tackling our security and economic challenges more decisively.

“Incidents of large-scale insurgent control have significantly decreased,” he said, adding that enhanced rapid-response mechanisms are being deployed nationwide to safeguard lives and property,” he said.

Idris, in a statement signed by his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim, also pointed to signs of economic recovery, including improvements in foreign reserves and expanding revenue sources across oil and non-oil sectors, attributing these gains to reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and fiscal discipline.

The minister also referenced Nigeria’s recent reclassification as a Frontier Market by FTSE Russell, saying it reflects improvements in foreign exchange liquidity, market transparency, and ease of capital repatriation.

He urged broadcasters to uphold professionalism and avoid promoting narratives that could deepen divisions, especially as the country approaches another election cycle.

“The airwaves are a public trust. Broadcasting must inform, educate, and unite our people while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and accuracy,” he said.

News April 09, 2026 Amb. Ihwo, Jennifer Ibrahim, Others Extol Women's Courage, Urge Resilience

Stakeholders in women's growth, rights and empowerment have called for continued resilience to surmount systemic barriers that have stopped women from achieving their full potentials, praising their ability, creativity and courage to make a difference in the society 

Speaking at a gathering, Rise With Elegance in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of Dee Utensils, HRM (Amb)

Lois Andrew Ihwo called on women to embrace resilience and pursue financial independence with purpose, declaring that “women must hustle not out of desperation, but out of vision.”

While lauding the evolving roles of women in nation-building, she tasked them on resilience, strategy, and innovation. 

According to her, resilience goes beyond merely enduring hardship. She said, “It is about rising through challenges with strength and dignity.” 

Amb. Ihwo noted that women have historically borne the weight of families, businesses, and communities, often with minimal recognition. 

She urged participants to approach their ambitions with clarity and integrity, stressing that financial independence is both a tool for empowerment and a form of preparation for the future. 

“When a woman is resilient, she becomes unstoppable. She becomes a builder of legacies, a pillar in her home, and a force in her industry,” Ihwo added.

Also speaking, the convener of Rise With Elegance, Jennifer Ibrahim, reflected on her personal experiences growing up around hardworking women, noting that her upbringing shaped her belief in the balance between ambition and family life.

She said, “I grew up watching strength in motion,” Ibrahim said. “My grandmother worked. My mother worked. I saw women who nurtured their homes without abandoning their dreams.”

She maintained that motherhood and career ambitions are not mutually exclusive, but can coexist harmoniously when approached with intention. 

According to her, children raised by purpose-driven mothers often grow up imbibing resilience, courage, and vision.

Ibrahim further highlighted the importance of community among women, noting that many are increasingly refusing to choose between building a career and raising a family.

“My message to you all is clear: chase your career, build your vision, and nurture your home. Do it with elegance and intention, knowing you are not alone,” she said.

Others who spoke include, Chinyere Jimifuna, Amb. Ruby Ross Maribao, Fina Onu, Stella Onwochei, Joan Ulaeto and others.

News April 09, 2026 Gov Yusuf settles N32bn gratuity backlogs

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has paid N32 billion out of N48 billion gratuity backlogs of retirees inherited in 2023.

Yusuf disclosed this on Wednesday in Kano while inaugurating the sixth tranche of payments to retirees in the state.

The governor said the payments also covered the death benefits inherited in 2023.

The governor explained that  N27 billion was paid in five tranches, while N5 billion was disbursed in the sixth tranche, making total payments to N32 billion.

“As  at May 2023, this administration inherited N48 billion  gratuity backlogs.

“However, N27 billion in five tranches and the new  N5 billion for the sixth tranche have been released.

” As we speak, my administration has released N32 billion to clear some backlogs, with N16 billion pending,” he said.

The governor promised to clear the outstanding gratuity backlogs as part of efforts to address long-standing liabilities and reposition the state for responsible governance.

According to him, the payments were effected to reduce the hardship faced by retirees and families of deceased workers, restore confidence in the government and promote social justice.

He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners ( NUP) for exercising patience and cooperation.

Malam Abubakar Hussein, a pensioner, who spoke on behalf of other pensioners, expressed appreciation to the governor for his kind gesture and canvassed continuous support for the Yusuf-led administration. (NAN)