News

UTME: FG Sponsors 37 Blind Candidates For Examination In Bauchi

Published

4 months ago

April 29, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government, through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sponsored 37 blind candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Bauchi state.

Speaking to journalists at the examination centre in Bauchi on Tuesday, the Deputy Coordinator, UTME Bauchi Centre for the Blind, Prof. Hadiza Bazza from the University of Maiduguri, said that the move was part of the Federal Government’s effort to provide equal opportunities for persons with special needs to achieve their educational dreams.

According to her, the candidates were drawn from four states of the Northeast zone of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe.

She explained that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) introduced the special UTME Equal Opportunity Group program for the blind in 2017.

The initiative, she said, was championed by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who recognised the need to support candidates living with disabilities, especially the blind and physically challenged.

“He saw that there are many persons with disabilities, the blind, the crippled, and others who, if given the opportunity, can perform excellently instead of ending up on the streets begging,” she said.

Prof. Hadiza added that it is the prayer of the JAMB Registrar that every blind student who completed secondary education could register and sit for the UTME.

She explained that the examination is offered free of charge to all blind candidates, with the federal government covering transportation, accommodation, feeding, and other logistics.

“When they pass the exam, universities admit them. Some universities have special education faculties with trained teachers capable of handling the unique needs of these students,” she said.

She however, expressed concern that while the government at the highest level was doing well to support blind candidates, many stakeholders at the grassroots, particularly parents, were not doing enough in this regard.

She urged stakeholders to create more awareness among communities to encourage persons with disabilities to access available educational opportunities, stressing that greater awareness would lead to higher participation in future UTME examinations.

The deputy coordinator also advised candidates to remain calm and motivated during the exams, emphasizing the importance of discipline and adherence to the rules and regulations.

Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Usman Shehu, lamented that despite the state government’s investment in building schools, enrollment figures remain low.

“Unfortunately, our people are yet to realise that without education, nothing can progress,” he said.

He assured that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), would design a comprehensive enlightenment programme to encourage school enrollment, particularly among persons with disabilities.

“Many people do not realise that being disabled does not mean you cannot be educated. You can still attend school.

“Although, as I said, there is a lack of willingness among our people to pursue education, but with proper enlightenment, many persons with disabilities will be encouraged to attend,” he assured.

On his part, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Mohammed, commended the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group for their efforts in uplifting the lives of persons with disabilities.

He urged parents to support their children, especially those living with disabilities, to develop their potential and secure a brighter future.

The Commissioner also assured that the Bauchi State Government would intensify awareness campaigns to ensure more parents and guardians take advantage of the special JAMB programmes available.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.