Education
University Of Ibadan Student Wins Amnesty Nigeria’s 2025 Intervarsity Debate
Odebala Odemena of Baze University, Abuja, secured the position of first runner-up, while Alexander Boroh from the University of Benin came in as second runner-up.
A student of the University of Ibadan, Goodluck Ihuoma Akinlawon, has emerged winner of the 2025 edition of Amnesty International Nigeria’s Intervarsity Debate.
Odebala Odemena of Baze University, Abuja, secured the position of first runner-up, while Alexander Boroh from the University of Benin came in as second runner-up.
Amnesty International described this year’s edition as highly competitive, noting an increase in the number of participating universities from the preliminary stages. The grand finale occurred on Thursday at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, congratulated the winners and all participating institutions, adding that the debate continues to grow in quality and impact with each passing year.
“As a global human rights organisation, Amnesty International will continue to empower youth to play a role in our vision of a world in which every person enjoys all human rights,” said Isa Sanusi.
“By equipping students with advocacy and public speaking skills, we are empowering them to lead the conversations on justice, human rights, and accountability.”
“Ending the culture of silence begins with the youth learning that they have a right to speak and to be heard,” Sanusi added.
Themed “Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change,” the debate brought together students from 16 universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Through structured rounds of argument and advocacy, participants tackled oppressive norms and championed the principles of dignity, justice, and protection of human rights.
According to the organisation, by building students’ skills in advocacy and public speaking, the initiative aims to empower young people to lead conversations on justice, human rights, and accountability.
It asserts that breaking the culture of silence begins with young voices realising their right to speak and be heard.
This marks the third edition of the annual intervarsity debate, designed to promote a culture of critical thinking and rigorous engagement with human rights issues among university students.
This year’s debate featured participation from a diverse range of institutions across Nigeria, including: Landmark University, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Gombe State University, University of Maiduguri, Baze University, and Benue State University Makurdi.
Education
NYSC Official Arrested Over Female Corper’s D3ath After Abortion
An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, has been arrested in connection with the de@th of a female corps member.
The corps member, Victoria Ariyo, serving under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of the NYSC, reportedly d!ed last Tuesday after undergoing abortion.
It was gathered that the corps member had terminated her pregnancy and d!ed from complications that followed the procedure.
Her remains were buried at Kobape Cemetery on Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.
According to Daily Trust, Ariyo’s d3ath came barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, d!ed in what has been described as mysterious circumstance.
Mary, who was serving under the same Abeokuta South LG, was attached to the Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
A source told the publication that both deceased corps members were friends.
“The first lady d!ed at her residence, which is not far from her PPA. They found her lifeless body in the apartment and, up till now, nobody can tell the cause of her d3ath,” the source said.
However, the second corps member who d!ed on Tuesday was said to have died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.
It was alleged that the NYSC official, who is the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan was culpable in the process leading to the corps member’s d3ath.
Sources told the publication that the LGI was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased, which eventually led to pregnancy, and it was the termination that led to her d3ath.
“That is the fact in issue,” a police source who confirmed the NYSC official’s arrest told Daily Trust on Thursday.
The police source said the development raises questions about the legality of romancing “someone that should be in your care.”
Confirming Olalekan’s arrest, the source said, “He is in our custody at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”
The police source, however, said there is no connection between the current incident and the one that occurred last month.
Spokesperson for the police in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed death of Ariyo and said that the investigation was ongoing.
However, he failed to respond to questions on the arrest of the LGI and the alleged involvement.
“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said in a terse statement.
Education
Teacher Reportedly Suspended In Kebbi After Rejecting Ramadan Palliative
A classroom teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without salary after rejecting a Ramadan palliative reportedly distributed by the state government.
The teacher allegedly declined the offer of one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet and also criticized what he described as poor governance in the state.
According to claims circulating online, the action was taken under the administration of Nasir Idris, prompting criticism from some commentators who described the suspension as an attempt to silence dissent and punish a public worker for speaking out.
Critics argue that educators deserve better working conditions, fair compensation, and respect, rather than disciplinary action for expressing their views.
@Mallam_jabeer who shared the report, said …
“A classroom teacher in Kebbi, Abduljalal Usman has been suspended for 3 months without salary simply for rejecting one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet offered as Ramadan palliative from the government and for speaking out against the bad governance.
Under the leadership of
@NasiridrisKG
, the Kebbi State Government is now punishing teachers for refusing humiliation and for criticizing the weaponization of poverty.
This is bias, incompetence and total abuse of power.

Education
Tinubu makes new appointment
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Makoji Stephen as the new Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ugep in Cross River State.
The approval was granted by the Federal Government, and the appointment will take effect from March 17, 2026.
Dr. Stephen will serve a single term of five years in line with the Polytechnic Act 2019 as amended.
The decision is seen as part of efforts to strengthen leadership and improve the academic and administrative structure of the institution.
Before this new role, Dr. Stephen worked as a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at Federal Polytechnic, Idah.
He also served as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Nigeria.
Dr. Stephen began his academic journey at Ahmadu Bello University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration in 1998 with Second Class Upper Division.
He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from Benue State University.
In 2009, he earned another Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom.
He further completed a Ph.D. in Business and Management with a focus on Human Resource Management at the University of Salford Business School in 2016.
His doctoral studies were supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
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