TRCN RANKS KWARA BEST IN NORTHERN NIGERIA IN TEACHERS’ QUALIFYING EXAMINATION State records 93.8% pass rate as 578 out of 616 candidates successfully pass professional examination By Poet of Afrique Reporter ILORIN, KWARA STATE — August 19, 2026: Kwara State has emerged as the best-performing state in Northern Nigeria in the recently concluded Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) conducted by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), recording an impressive 93.8 per cent pass rate . The recognition was conveyed in a congratulatory letter addressed to the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq , and signed by the Registrar and Chief Executive of TRCN, Dr. (Mrs.) Ronke Soyombo . According to the council, 678 candidates registered for the examination, while 616 candidates sat for the test . Of those who participated, 578 candidates passed , representing a success rate of 93.8 per cent. TRCN said the impressive performance reflected the high cali...

  APC RELEASES TIMETABLE FOR 2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIMARIES IN FIVE STATES Party schedules primaries for restored constituencies and legislative bye-elections ahead of September 19 polls By Poet of Afrique Reporter ABUJA, NIGERIA — August 19, 2026: The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities for primary elections ahead of the 2026 legislative elections in five states. The affected states are Delta, Kogi, Gombe, Bauchi and Kano , with the timetable covering four State House of Assembly constituencies recently restored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as constituencies where legislative bye-elections are scheduled to take place.  The development follows INEC's restoration of four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi states following court judgments directing their restoration. The restored constituencies are Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South II in Delt...

  EBOLA OUTBREAK IN DR CONGO ‘FAR FROM UNDER CONTROL’ — WHO CHIEF WARNS Nearly 5,000 infections and more than 2,300 deaths reported as Bundibugyo virus spreads across six provinces By Poet of Afrique Reporter KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO — August 19, 2026: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains “far from being under control,” amid concerns over the rapid spread of the disease and the increasing difficulty of tracing infections. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , issued the warning during an emergency meeting on the outbreak, saying the epidemic was spreading faster than previous outbreaks and that containment efforts were struggling to keep pace. According to the WHO, nearly 5,000 people have been infected and more than 2,300 have died across six provinces and 55 health zones. Dr Tedros said the epidemic had gained a significant head start, leaving health authorit...

  YOUTH, TECHNOLOGY AND PARTNERSHIP: LUKMAN URGES AFRICAN YOUTHS TO BUILD A BORDERLESS GENERATION Former West Africa Youth Parliament Speaker delivers keynote address at 2026 International Youth Day celebration in Abuja By Poet of Afrique Reporter ABUJA, NIGERIA — August 12, 2026: A former Speaker of the West Africa Youth Parliament, Hon. Comrade S. A. Lukman , has called on young Africans to harness technology, embrace strategic partnerships and move from being mere consumers of innovation to becoming creators of solutions capable of transforming the continent. Lukman made the call while serving as Guest Speaker at the 2026 International Youth Day Celebration of the West Africa Youth Parliament , held at the Nigeria Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja . The programme was organised under the theme: “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.” Lukman, who previously served as a Regional Speaker of the organisation during his active years i...

  ALAKA URGES GOVERNOR ABDULRAZAQ TO PICK WOMAN AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR IN 2027 Kwara women have never occupied deputy governor’s office, says Special Adviser on Party Affairs By Poet of Afrique Reporter IDOFIAN, KWARA STATE — August 11, 2026: The Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Kwara State Governor, Hon. Moshood Alaka , has appealed to the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq , to consider a woman for the position of Deputy Governor ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Alaka made the call while addressing participants at the Kwara South Women SYD Unique Women Grassroots Mobilization , held at the Idofian Town Hall, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State . The Special Adviser commended the AbdulRazaq administration for providing women with opportunities to serve in government through appointments into the State Executive Council and other strategic positions. He said the development had demonstrated that women possess the capacity and competence to contribut...

  IEDPU HAILS UNILORIN AS SALMAN, NAGODE, MUSTAPHA BAG PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS Emirate Union describes awardees as illustrious icons; commends university for promoting excellence and patriotism By Poet of Afrique Reporter ILORIN, KWARA STATE — August 11, 2026: The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has congratulated three distinguished sons of Ilorin Emirate who are set to receive prestigious awards from the University of Ilorin on Monday, August 17, 2026. The award recipients are the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Prof. Medinat Folorunso Salman ; the Dan Amana Gari of Ilorin Emirate, Dr. Abdulkadir Tunji Nagode ; and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sobi 101.9 FM, Ilorin, Dr. Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha . In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of IEDPU, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo , on behalf of the National President, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik , the Union described the three awardees as "il...

 A Proud Academic Milestone and a Fulfilment of Mentorship By Prof. Rasheed Jimoh Vice Chancellor Muhammad Kamalud-deen University  One of the most rewarding moments in my academic journey is witnessing the growth and accomplishments of scholars I have had the privilege to mentor. Today, I had the honour of serving as External Examiner at the Ph.D. defence of a scholar I am particularly proud of, Dr. Maruf Oyelakin, the current Dean, College of Computing, Crescent University, Abeokuta. Dr. Oyelakin is one of the 20 Ph.D. graduates I have produced, and today, he has proudly produced his first Ph.D. graduate. This is a remarkable testimony to the power of academic mentorship, knowledge transfer and the continuity of scholarship. Seeing a former Ph.D. student become a Dean and, in turn, successfully mentor and produce his own Ph.D. graduate is deeply fulfilling. It is a beautiful demonstration that the true measure of a teacher is not only in what he teaches, but in what his stud...

  NSCDC Deploys 10,000 Personnel for Osun Governorship Election Poet of Afrique Reporter The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel to Osun State as part of comprehensive security arrangements for the forthcoming governorship election. The deployment is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process , with personnel expected to provide security at polling units, collation centres and other critical locations across the state. The extensive deployment forms part of broader efforts by security agencies to prevent electoral violence, voter intimidation, disruption of voting and other forms of electoral malpractice before, during and after the election. NSCDC personnel are expected to work closely with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to maintain law and order, protect election materials and safeguard voters, electoral officials, accredited observers and other participants in the democratic process. Th...

  Sultan Has No Preferred Candidate for 2027, Media Team Denies Endorsement of Tinubu By Poet of Afrique Reporter The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, has dismissed reports claiming that the revered monarch has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any other individual ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement, the Sultan's media office described the report as false, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of the Sultan's position on partisan politics. The team stressed that the Sultan has not publicly or privately declared support for any presidential or political candidate for the 2027 elections, urging members of the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise. According to the statement, the Sultan remains a father to all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation and is committed to promoting national unity, peaceful coexistence, and good governance rather than partisan political inte...

  Why Olopoenia Remains Our Leader Against All Odds – SAO Founder By Poet of Afrique Reporter The Founder and Proponent of the SAO Group, a socio-political and humanitarian organisation, Hon. Sunday Adeleke, has described Alhaji Abass Olopoenia as an exceptional leader whose commitment to peace, unity, and grassroots development has continued to earn him admiration across Oyo State and beyond. Adeleke made the remarks while speaking on the leadership philosophy of the respected political figure, whom he described as a father figure and a symbol of reconciliation in Nigerian politics. According to him, Olopoenia's enduring influence stems from his consistent commitment to inclusive leadership, peaceful coexistence, and selfless service to humanity. "Alhaji Abass Olopoenia is a blessing to Oyo State because of his immense personal contributions to the growth and development of the state and the country. Above all, his reconciliatory approach to politics deserves commendatio...

  Alaka Celebrates Moro Councillor, Hon. Olarewaju Habeebat Taye, on Birthday The Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Hon. Moshood Alaka , has congratulated the Councillor representing Abati Alara Ward in Moro Local Government Area, Hon. Olarewaju Habeebat Taye , on the occasion of her birthday anniversary. In a goodwill message issued on Tuesday by his Press Secretary, Sanni Yusuf Olatunji , Alaka described the celebrant as a dedicated, hardworking, and exemplary public servant whose commitment to grassroots development and public service continues to inspire many. He commended Hon. Olarewaju's passion for excellence, loyalty, and significant contributions to governance and community development, noting that her service to the people of Abati Alara Ward has earned her admiration and respect. The Special Adviser prayed that Almighty Allah grants the councillor many more years of sound health, wisdom, peace, and greater accomplishments in ...

  2027: Asiwaju Mashood Shittu Joins OK Movement National Leadership as Director of Political Engagement. By Poet of Afrique Reporter Asiwaju Mashood Shittu (AMS), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election and National Coordinator of the Kwankwaso National Network (KNN), has been appointed Director of Political Engagement of the OK Movement. The appointment was announced during the inauguration of the movement's national leadership as part of efforts to strengthen its nationwide structure ahead of the 2027 general elections. The OK Movement is a grassroots political coalition bringing together supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to promote accountable leadership and advocate a joint Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 elections. In his new role, Shittu will be responsible for coordinating political mobilisation, deepening engagement with key stakeholders, and strengthenin...

  Supreme Court Prohibits Use of 'Barrister' as Official Title in Correspondence By Poet of Afrique Reporter The Supreme Court of Nigeria has prohibited legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers from using the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official correspondence and engagements with the apex court. The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated July 13, 2026 , signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, Esq. , acting on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The circular, titled "Prohibition of the Use of the Title 'Barrister' as a Prefix to Names," was addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and lawyers. It stated that the practice is inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court. According to the memorandum, the use of the title "Barrister...

  FUDECO Congratulates Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq at 70, Presents Commemorative Gifts The Fulbe Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO), a prominent Fulani socio-cultural group in Kwara State, has congratulated the Mutawalin of Ilorin, His Eminence, Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, describing him as an exemplary leader and a pride of the Ilorin Emirate. The FUDECO delegation, led by Hon. Salihu Umaru Sanda, joined other dignitaries and well-wishers at the special birthday celebration and prayer session organised in honour of the elder statesman. During the visit, the delegation presented commemorative gifts to Dr. Abdul-Razaq in recognition of his outstanding contributions to humanity, community development, education, youth empowerment, and the promotion of peace and unity in Kwara State. Hon. Salihu Umaru Sanda congratulated the celebrant on attaining the milestone age of 70, noting that his remarkable achievements, generosity, and unwavering com...