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Obaseki Pledges Extension of Internet Connectivity to UNIBEN

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…recommits to revamping of education system, youth devt

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged to connect the campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) with internet connectivity to enable the management and students of the institution to enjoy free internet services.

Obaseki said this while giving his remarks at the League of Brainiacs, an academic competition between 15 faculties of the institution, held at the school premises, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Betsy and other members of the State Executive Council, commended the students for organising the unique programme and showcasing their intellectual prowess and academic excellence.

He said, “I am pleased you organised this academic event yourselves which emphasises the reason why you are in school: to learn and acquire knowledge. I am totally committed to this event and what you have done here today.

“Our priority as a government is to be committed to young people who will lead tomorrow. This has made my administration emphasise basic education, ensuring we focus on the foundation, with the quality of education that will make the Edo child compete with any other child across the globe.

“We must look for ways for the government to support you. I urge you to play more roles in government as it’s your government. Nobody will come to fix the nation for us but we will fix it ourselves. We all can’t run away from this country but we will encourage you as youths to contribute to the development of the nation.”

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On their performance at the competition, the governor further noted, “Listening to your various presentations, I said to myself how can this programme be sustained and ensure it continues. I am going to advise the Students Union Government (SUG) President to institute a Trust in his time and I will support that Trust to keep the programme going annually. I will put the first N10 million into that t]Trust so that it wouldn’t be a one-off event but will continue beyond the tenure of this administration of SUG.”

He added, “I assure you of my support before leaving office as governor. My present to you is that within 30 days from today, I will give you free Wi-Fi to ensure connectivity in the institution’s premises.”

On her part, the Edo First Lady, Besty Obaseki, while commending the students, reassured the government’s commitment to youth development, noting, “The governor is in politics to show Nigeria how to govern well. Nigeria’s political space has been taken over by people who don’t know. Those who don’t know have overwhelmed those who know in Nigeria.”

She added, “You are in an environment of people who know and are grooming young people who will know and people we need to govern Nigeria. Nigerians have suffered in the hands of illiterate people in government and politics as they have stolen our patrimony and impoverished the people.”

Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lilian Salami, applauded the governor for extending infrastructural development to the federal government-owned institution of learning.

Salami, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Ekenwan Campus, Dele Ayinde, said: “The institution has never had it this good in terms of infrastructural development. We thank the governor for ensuring UNIBEN feels the impact of his administration.”

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The SUG President, Comrade Israel Monye, while commending the governor’s strides in the education sector, said the programme was organised to harness the talent of the students of the institution.

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Trump threatens attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities as talks continue

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U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of drastic consequences for Iran over its nuclear programme, including a potential attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

During a meeting at the White House with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump said: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they got to go fast, because they’re fairly close to having one, and they’re not going to have one.

“And if we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us.

“I’m doing it for the world, and these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

When questioned by a reporter if this included an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump affirmed, “Of course it does.”

The U.S. government and other Western states as well as Israel aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

During his first term in office in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear deal, which was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and lift sanctions in return.

Following this, Tehran also ceased adhering to the agreement’s stipulations.

Last Saturday, the U.S. and Iran resumed talks about a possible new nuclear agreement after years of deadlock, with Oman acting as a mediator.

The next round of talks is expected to hold on Saturday in Rome.

Trump confirmed the scheduled date and expressed confidence in resolving the issue with Iran, describing it as “almost an easy” problem.

Earlier Monday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that he would travel to Tehran this week ahead of the next round of nuclear talks.

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According to Iranian media reports, Grossi is expected in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi wrote on X on Monday.

Tehran’s lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors is a main cause of the growing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, along with its production of near weapons-grade uranium. (dpa/NAN

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Alleged N33.8bn fraud: Court adjourns trial of ex-Power Minister

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, until May 2.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s video evidence to counter the allegations by Mamman that his extra-judicial statement was not voluntarily made, was played in the open court.

Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in a trial-within-trial, following allegation that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.

The ex-minister had, through his lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, insisted that his statement tendered by the EFCC in the alleged corruption trial was not not made voluntarily.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, disagreed with Atteh’s submission.

The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played in the open court to ascertain the veracity of the argument.

In the video on Monday, Mamman insisted that he could not write statement due to his ill-health.

Counsel to the EFCC, Abbas Muhammed, asked the EFCC investigator and a witness, Abubakar Kwaido, whether he read the statement of caution to Mamman before the session.

Kwaido confirmed that the cautionary statement was read to the defendant before the video recorded and the statement taken.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 2 for continuation of trial.

Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel, had, on Thursday, asked Kwaido whether he harassed Mamman or threatened him with detention but the witness responded in the negative.(NAN)

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Ghastly accident claims 7 lives in Ebonyi– FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi has confirmed the death of seven persons in Sunday’s auto crash at Nwafia Oga, Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, saying that it occured at about 7.30pm.

Igwe also said that the crash involved a commercial Toyota Bus, with Registration Number UWN 429 ZY and an articulated vehicle, with Registration Number XW 294 ENU.

He said: “20 persons were involved in the crash, consisting of six males and two females.

“The dead include four males and three females, while two females were injured.”

According to him, 11 persons, comprising two males, eight females and one child, escaped unhurt.

The FRSC chief also said that the crash was caused by speed violation.

He said that while the injured were taken to St. Saviour Hospital, Onueke for treatment, the remains of the deceased were taken to the Onueke General Hospital’s morgue.

He said that investigation into the crash had commenced.

“We still urge drivers to drive carefully and obey road signs because it is only the alive that travels,” he said. (NAN)

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