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Cross River gov mourns UNICROSS students, staffer killed in crash

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Governor Bassey Otu has expressed grief over the death of students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) who died in a road accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, the governor described the incident as devastating, noting that it had plunged the state into mourning.

“I received with a deeply broken heart the devastating news of the tragic road accident involving students and a staff member of the University of Cross River State. This painful incident has cast a heavy shadow over our dear state and brought immense sorrow to us all,” he said.

He lamented the loss of young lives, describing the victims as promising individuals whose futures had been cut short.

“In one heartbreaking moment, we have lost some of our brightest young minds, full of promise, hope, and potential, alongside a committed staff member whose service reflected dedication and sacrifice,” he added.

“These were not just students; they were the future of Cross River State, dreams alive with purpose and possibility, now painfully cut short,” he added.

The governor also sympathised with the families of the victims and members of the university community affected by the tragedy.

“As a father, I cannot begin to imagine the depth of pain the families are going through at this time. My heart goes out to the parents who must now bear this unimaginable loss, to friends and classmates left in grief, and to the entire UNICROSS community weighed down by this tragedy.

See also  FG, states must provide free basic education, court rules

“Please know that you are not alone. Cross River stands with you,” he said.

He offered prayers for the deceased and wished injured victims a speedy recovery.

“I pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the departed and comforts every grieving heart. In this moment of sorrow, I also extend my thoughts and prayers to those currently receiving treatment, trusting God for their speedy and full recovery,” he stated.

The governor added that his administration would continue to engage relevant authorities in response to the incident.

“As your Governor, I stand in solemn solidarity with all affected, and my administration will continue to engage with relevant authorities as we respond to this tragic incident,” he said.

“This is a painful time for us as a people. The pain of UNICROSS is my pain, and it is the pain of every Cross Riverian.”

PUNCH Metro had reported that at least three students and a staff member of the university died after a coaster bus conveying students collided with a container truck in Odukpani Local Government Area.

The accident occurred on Friday night as the students were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The university confirmed that 24 students, mostly members of the Students’ Union Government executive, were involved in the crash.

Among those who died were the SUG Director of Sports, Solomon Uya; Lucky Erim, a Chemistry student and faculty president; Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management; and Mr. Anthony Arikpo, a staff member who drove the vehicle.

Survivors are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while the police said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash and locate the truck driver who fled the scene.

See also  It Was Like Being In Prison – Kemi Badenoch Speaks On Secondary School Experience In Nigeria

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Education

FUOYE suspends two students over leaked private video of suspended ex-SUG president

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The management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has suspended two students with immediate effect over allegations that they cyberbullied the institution’s suspended Students’ Union Government president, James Iyanuoluwa Adio.

This was contained in a statement published on the university’s official news portal on Friday, attributed to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Opoola, who is the Acting Vice-Chancellor.

The two students, identified as Alao Iyanuoluwa Odunayo and Olawale Abiodun Samuel, were accused of conspiring to cyberbully Adio “by posting his private affairs online for Adio’s inability to meet their financial demands.”

The management said it frowned at the duo’s involvement in what it described as conduct capable of denting the image of the university.

It added that investigations into the matter were ongoing, but ordered the two students to proceed on suspension immediately, stressing that the institution was determined to purge itself of any behaviour likely to tarnish its image.

Adio was suspended by the university last week alongside the Deputy Director, Students Affairs, over allegations bordering on extortion.

He was accused of being indirectly involved in the illegal collection of ₦1,000 from first-year students for practical sessions, with ₦700,000 said to have been traced to his personal account.

His suspension was followed by the circulation of an explicit video allegedly involving him, which trended widely on social media and drew the intervention of the National Association of Nigerian Students.

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See also  500-level Covenant University student dies during football match
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JAMB releases 2026 UTME original result slips for printing

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates can now print their 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination original result slips within two hours of issuance.

This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to the statement, the original result slips contain candidates’ photographs, national ranking, and other security features required for post-UTME screening and admission processes in tertiary institutions.

“The 2026 UTME Original Result Slip will be available for printing within the next two hours today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026,” the statement read.

It added, “The Original Result Slip contains the candidate’s photograph, national ranking, and other security features. It is part of the official document required for post-UTME processing and consideration by tertiary institutions.

“Candidates can conveniently print their Original Result Slip from any internet-enabled device, whether at home, in the office, or at accredited business centres.”

JAMB urged candidates to ensure they carefully review their details after printing and keep copies for future admission-related use.

The 2026 UTME main examinations took place in April 2026, with a mop-up examination held on June 13, 2026, for candidates affected by technical glitches or biometric issues during the primary exercise.

Results from the mop-up were released on Tuesday, June 16.

Printing of original result slips had been delayed earlier to allow completion of foreign-based examinations and the mop-up round.

On May 19, JAMB had urged patience as it wrapped up these processes.

The release of printable slips will enable candidates to proceed with applications to tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.

See also  FG, avert looming ASUU strike

Many schools have already begun or are about to commence post-UTME registrations.

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Oyo NUT strike leaves pupils idle, parents raise concerns

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The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State has continued to generate concern among parents and education stakeholders over its impact on pupils and students.

Some parents and teachers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Wednesday said the prolonged closure of public schools had left many children idle, exposed to negative influences and disrupted their academic activities.

NAN recalls that the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning on June 1.

This was in reaction to the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, lamented what she described as the nonchalant attitude of some parents towards the future of their children.

She said some parents leave their wards unattended while they go to work or attend to their businesses during the strike.

“Ignorance has led many parents to neglect their children’s future. They believe the government should do everything without them lifting a finger.

“The children are not well monitored, and some of those placed under apprenticeship are also not serious about learning the trade,” she said.

Alao described the situation as unfortunate, noting that the nation often reacts to challenges rather than taking proactive steps to address issues affecting children.

“As we pray and believe in God for the release of the abducted children, we should not forget to put measures in place to secure the future of every child,” she said.

See also  It Was Like Being In Prison – Kemi Badenoch Speaks On Secondary School Experience In Nigeria

She added that the strike came at a critical period when pupils and students were about to commence continuous assessment exercises.

According to her, the eventual resumption of schools may lead to rushed academic activities in an attempt to cover the curriculum.

“This is a collective call to action. People should be interested in mentoring children around them and engaging them meaningfully with books, sports and other productive activities so that their minds will be occupied with positive ideas rather than fraudulent ones,” she said.

Also, a parent living in the Mokola area of Ibadan, Mr Godwin Obinna, said the strike had led to many children roaming the streets, while others engaged in hawking products for their parents.

“My children are already worried and keep asking whether there will be no schooling again.

“I keep reassuring them that the situation is temporary and things will get better.

“This whole situation is unfair,” he said.

Obinna urged the state government to intensify efforts toward resolving the issues that led to the strike while strengthening security measures in schools.

“The government should put adequate security measures in place in schools to prevent unauthorised access,” he said.

Another parent living in the Alaadorin area of Yemetu, Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, said many children now spend their time playing football, singing and engaging in other leisure activities.

She said parents in her neighbourhood had adopted a community approach to child supervision during the strike.

“What we do in my neighbourhood is watch over the children and ensure they are safe because not all parents can stay at home.

See also  FG, states must provide free basic education, court rules

“Parents usually leave instructions for their wards before going to work to play safe and avoid fighting,” Yusuf said.

Another parent, Mrs Adeola Aina, a resident of the Nalende area of Ibadan, said she enrolled her wards in tailoring apprenticeships to keep them occupied and away from negative influences.

She, however, noted that younger children between the ages of three and seven, who were too young for apprenticeship programmes, were the worst affected by the school closure.

“They just play around while their parents leave them in the care of neighbours or sometimes alone,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Tunrayo Adeyemo, who lives in the Total Garden area, said her children spent most of their day playing after completing household chores.

“We are not happy that our children are at home when they ought to be in school, but there is nothing we can do about it.

“We can only pray that the abducted children are released soon,” she said. (NAN)

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