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University of Maiduguri alumni and students reject renaming institution after Buhari

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Alumni and students of the University of Maiduguri, alongside concerned citizens of Borno State, have strongly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to rename the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The announcement was made on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Tinubu declared that the university would now bear the name Muhammadu Buhari University, in a move to honour his predecessor.

Reacting swiftly, the affected groups condemned the decision, insisting that the University of Maiduguri represents far more than a name. “The University of Maiduguri is more than just a name. It is a powerful symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and cultural heritage — especially in the face of insecurity that once threatened the North-East region,” they stated.

The protest was formalised through a public petition that began circulating online shortly after the announcement. So far, approximately 9,000 individuals have signed in support of the appeal, which has gained significant traction within the past 48 hours.

In their appeal to President Tinubu, the petitioners wrote: “We, the alumni, students, and concerned citizens, write this heartfelt appeal to Your Excellency regarding the recent decision to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University. With the deepest respect to the memory and legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari — a man whose contributions to Nigeria remain indelible; we believe that renaming the University of Maiduguri does not align with the sentiments of its core stakeholders and the enduring identity the institution has built over the decades.”

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The petitioners proposed alternative options for immortalising Buhari, urging the government to consider renaming institutions more closely linked to his personal history and legacy. “In this regard, we respectfully propose that the Federal University of Transportation, Daura — a relatively new and highly symbolic institution located in former President Buhari’s hometown — could be considered for renaming… Also, considering his background as a retired military general, the Nigerian Army University Biu stands out as another fitting institution that could be renamed in honour of the Late Former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Their message concluded with a plea: “Preserving this name is not a political position; it is a plea for continuity, emotional attachment, and the integrity of a brand that has stood the test of time and conflict. Let us honor both the legacy of former President Buhari and the soul of UNIMAID — without erasing the identity of either.”

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Education

JAMB directs 2026 UTME candidates to print examination slips

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

JAMB made the announcement on Thursday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.

“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.

Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.

The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed. The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.

Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide. JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.

The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal” and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.

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500-level Covenant University student dies during football match

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A 500-level Building Technology student of Covenant University, Ogun State, Toluwase Jesutunmise, has died after slumping during a football training session on campus.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement by the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, on Wednesday that the incident occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The statement noted that the deceased student had participated in a football training session before stepping out of the game to rest after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.

It added that moments later, his teammates noticed he was gasping for breath and immediately rushed him to the university’s medical centre emergency unit, located opposite the playing field.

He was, however, said to have stopped breathing before arriving at the facility.

The statement partly read, “On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Covenant University community experienced the unfortunate loss of one of our precious students. Jesutunmise, a diligent and vibrant student, participated in a student football training session on campus.

“He stepped out of the game to rest after he was said to have complained of leg pains and being tired. In a short while, his football mates observed that he was gasping for breath, and they responded swiftly by taking him to the medical centre’s emergency unit, which was directly opposite the playing field. However, he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived at the facility.”

The vice-chancellor explained further that despite being brought in without signs of life, medical personnel commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated external defibrillator, but all efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.

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Anake also disclosed that Jesutunmise was subsequently certified clinically dead, with indications pointing to a prior undisclosed heart condition.

The incident generated reactions following alleged claims by some students that Jesutunmise was not placed on oxygen or given immediate respiratory support despite struggling to breathe.

Also an X user @kamiikunre wrote, “This oxygen has been an issue since 2017 KILODEEEEEE!!!! they never have! that medical center is just for decoration.”

Anake, however, clarified in the statement that there was no negligence on the part of the medical personnel and that all necessary equipment required for emergency response was available and utilised.

“We wish to confirm that there was no form of negligence in the response of the medical personnel or a shortage of any required equipment for the treatment.

“The management of the university, led by the vice-chancellor, was at the medical centre from the time of the unfortunate event until the parents arrived and remained with the family until he was laid to rest,” the statement added.

The institution expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the death as a significant loss to the university community and society at large.

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Aba Polytechnic to introduce education technology courses, tackles drug abuse

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The Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba,  Abia State, has announced plans to introduce Educational Technology (EdTech) courses in line with directives from the Abia State Ministry of Education.

The initiative seeks to equip students with competencies in digital tool integration, instructional design, and contemporary pedagogical practices to strengthen teaching and learning within the institution.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, disclosed this while addressing members of the Academic Board at the Polytechnic Auditorium.

He said the institution has been positioned  to comply with the Ministry’s directive, assuring that all newly introduced courses would undergo proper accreditation before the planned relocation to the Osisioma campus.

“Before the relocation to Osisioma Campus, these courses must either be fully accredited or have completed the necessary resource verification processes,” he said.

Kalu further revealed that infrastructural development at the Osisioma campus is progressing.

He explained that the Ministry of Public Utilities has commenced work on water reticulation at the campus, with a projected completion timeline of one month and a durability span of up to 50 years.

The Rector added that the Ministry of Works is currently overseeing the construction of internal roads, covering both Phase One and Phase Two, while work has also begun on the administrative building, which is expected to be completed by September.

‎He also acknowledged the Abia State Government for the official handover of facilities previously constructed by Abia State University, Uturu.

‎Addressing concerns regarding the relocation, Kalu assured staff and students that their welfare remains a top priority.

‎In addition, he disclosed that modern equipment has been provided to support the establishment of an EYE Content Hub for students of Film and Multimedia Production.

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‎The hub, to be located at the institution’s ICT building, is designed to enhance practical training and align students with current industry standards.

In a related development the polytechnic has strengthened its collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command, to curb drug abuse among students.

Kalu approved the partnership on Wednesday while receiving the NDLEA State Coordinator, CN Chigbu Odomelam Chilee, and his delegation at the institution’s Council Chamber.

Chilee raised concern over the rising incidence of substance abuse in the state, noting that young people are among the most affected.

The NDLEA official called for the introduction of drug education programmes, peer sensitisation initiatives, and campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles among students.

The Rector described drug abuse as a major threat to societal development, emphasising the need for sustained intervention.

“Nothing destroys a nation quicker than drug abuse. Aside from its impact on mental health, it also contributes to poverty,” he said.

Kalu approved the training of students in the dangers of drug abuse as part of the institution’s preventive strategy.

He disclosed that the training sessions would be held between May and June this year with another round scheduled for November, and stressed the importance of continuous sensitisation.

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