News

206,610 Candidates Write UTME Resit Exam In Lagos, 173,397 In South East

Published

5 months ago

May 17, 2025

…Candidates express satisfaction

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for 206,610 candidates in Lagos and 173,387 in the South East commenced on Friday with candidates across the two zones expressing satisfaction with the exercise.

Lagos has resit exams in 65 centres while 93 are in the South East.

In all the centres visited by Saturday Tribune in Lagos, candidates and officials reported early while accreditation for the first session was held between 6.30am and 7.30am.

At the CBT centre in Ayobo, Lagos, 218 candidates showed up with 32 absent for the morning.

Imo State
In Imo State, the examination, which held across the three senatorial zones—Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri—was conducted in four batches.

According to the schedule provided by JAMB officials, the examination began at 6am and concluded by 4pm.

At the Mater Ecclesiae Seminary, Nguru, in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, one of the monitored centres, our correspondent observed that the process started promptly.

The first batch began their session at 6am, followed by the second at 9am, while the third and fourth batches followed accordingly.

However, some candidates experienced technical issues during the examination. Complaints ranged from computer malfunctions to system shutdowns and freezing screens.

Some candidates also reported problems with input devices such as malfunctioning mice and keyboards, which caused confusion and delays before being resolved by the examination officials.

At other centres such as Switch, the JAMB Professional Test Centre in Area H, Owerri, and Galaxy ICT and Educational Services in Umueze, Mbaitolu Local Government Area, similar technical difficulties were reported.

A candidate at Galaxy ICT centre lamented that due to system glitches, they were left with only about 20 minutes to complete the Mathematics paper, one of the core UTME subjects.

Despite the challenges, JAMB officials ensured that the examination proceeded as scheduled, and efforts were made to address the technical issues promptly.

Anambra State
Candidates repeating the examination in Anambra State expressed confidence in achieving their desired scores in the ongoing exams.

They cited the recent apology tendered to Nigerians by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, as a reassurance that their concerns are being addressed, and they strongly believe they will attain the scores they aim for.

At the IDK and Grafile examination centres in Awka, our correspondent observed that the exams proceeded peacefully, with candidates conducting themselves orderly. Security personnel were present throughout the exercise to maintain order.

Mrs. Esther Ugochukwu, a trader and parent of one of the candidates, shared her opinion on the matter, placing blame on the federal government for insufficient investment in education.

She argued that Prof. Oloyede should not be solely held responsible for the situation, describing the incident as evidence that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu lacks genuine interest in the country’s education system.

“How can a resource-rich country like Nigeria experience this kind of public embarrassment despite advances in technology?” she questioned.

Mrs. Ugochukwu called on the federal government to recruit more personnel to prevent future occurrences.

Saturday Tribune can also report that similar peaceful and conducive examination environments were witnessed across centres in Enugu State.

The UTME is scheduled to conclude today.

Abia State
Candidates in Abia State expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the rescheduled examination, describing it as smoother and better organised than the previous one.

Chioma Marvelous Nnamdi, one of the candidates who sat for the examination at a centre in Umudike, said the process went smoothly, with no technical issues.

“This time, the questions were simpler and easier to answer. It was better than what we experienced during the initial exam. I hope to do well this time,” she said.

She also appreciated JAMB for correcting the errors that marred the previous examination.

“There were many complaints about inconsistent and confusing answer options last time. I thank God and JAMB for acknowledging the issues and making efforts to fix them.”

Another candidate, Chinonso Ezekiel, also commended the improvements, noting that several candidates in the previous exam encountered incomplete questions, malfunctioning systems, and insufficient time.

“This time, things were more organised. Faulty computers were replaced promptly, and the questions were more straightforward than before,” he said.

Reports from across the state confirmed similar positive experiences, with many candidates describing the rescheduled test as more comfortable and well-managed.

A staff member at the E-Test Centre located at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the initial technical failures were not the fault of the centre but of JAMB.

He added that the centre made extra efforts this time to ensure a hitch-free examination.

(Tribune)

News

VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu

Published

18 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.

The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.

He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.

He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.

He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.

“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.

“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.

“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.

“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tribune Online (@tribuneonlineng)
Advertisement

News

UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack

Published

21 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.

Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.

Three men and three women are in custody.

The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.

Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.

The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.

A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.

London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.

However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.

A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.

– Accidental shooting –

Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.

“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.

During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.

“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.

A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.

The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.

“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.

“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”

IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

News

Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

L-R: ACGN, NDLEA, Fidelis Cocodia, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani during the Inauguration

Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”

The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.

On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.

Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.

He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”

She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.