• Hot Source
• Hot News
• September 4, 2025
• 29 views

Again, Gunmen Abduct Monarch in Kogi State

Again, Gunmen Abduct Monarch in Kogi State

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Suspected gunmen have abducted a second-class traditional ruler and the District Head of Bagaji Odo, His Royal Highness David Wada, in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

THISDAY gathered that the monarch, who was said to have been returning from a traditional council meeting in Abejukolo, headquarters of the Omala  Local Government Area, was waylaid at Ojuwo Ugweche at gunpoint and was taken into the bush.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. last Monday, as the locals noted that while the monarch was being taken away by a commercial motorcycle operator, they ran into an ambush at a dangerous Ugweche spot, and were forcibly commandeered into the bush, as the rider escaped by the whiskers.

The Ojuwo Ugweche, notorious for its kidnapping, was routinely manned by vigilantes and security personnel; however, on that fateful day, there was no security personnel at the scene.

Meanwhile, the state government had drafted the military and other sister security personnel to the local government area, yet insecurity and other crimes continue unabated in the area.

The Chairman of Omola Local Government Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the Onu Ife, confirmed the incident and appealed to the security agencies to ensure his safe rescue.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Williams Aya, said his men have mobilised hunters, vigilantes, and state actors to comb the bush for his release.

It would be recalled that in the wake of the atal killings and burning of Bagana, Bagaji, Agojeju Odo, and Ajokpachi Odo communities by the bandits, Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo has deployed a detachment of the military and other security agencies to the area. Unfortunately, the carnage continues unabated as Fulani herders have blatantly taken control of the forests.

As of the time of filling this report, his abductors have not opened a line of communication with the family.

The post Again, Gunmen Abduct Monarch in Kogi State appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

​  

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Suspected gunmen have abducted a second-class traditional ruler and the District Head of Bagaji Odo, His Royal Highness David Wada, in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi
The post Again, Gunmen Abduct Monarch in Kogi State appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• September 4, 2025
• 28 views

NELFUND Blames Institutions’ Slow Verification for Student Loan Delays

NELFUND Blames Institutions’ Slow Verification for Student Loan Delays

Funmi Ogundare 

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has cautioned that delays in student loan disbursements are largely due to slow verification and approval of applications by tertiary institutions.

The Director, Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, in a statement, revealed that many prospective beneficiaries have lodged complaints, expressing concern that their institutions’ sluggish turnaround time is preventing them from accessing tuition fees and upkeep allowances on schedule.

She urged institutions to prioritise and speed up the verification of successfully completed and submitted applications.  

“Timely approval is critical to ensuring students receive their funds when due.”

In a related development, NELFUND has announced the relocation of its headquarters to a permanent office at House 12, Plot 103/104, Monrovia Street, Wuse 2, Opposite Bon Hotel, Abuja, effective September 5, 2025. 

Oluwatuyi, who noted that all correspondence, visits and enquiries are to be directed to the new address, assured stakeholders that the move will not disrupt operations. 

“NELFUND remains fully operational and committed to its mandate of providing affordable education loans and support to Nigerian students across the country,” she said. Official communication channels remain unchanged: X (Twitter): @nelfund

Instagram: @nelfund; Facebook and LinkedIn; Nigerian Education Loan Fund – NELFUND, Website: www.nelf.gov.ng.

“We appreciate your trust and continued support as we work to expand access to higher education financing nationwide,” the director stated.

The post NELFUND Blames Institutions’ Slow Verification for Student Loan Delays appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

​  

Funmi Ogundare  The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has cautioned that delays in student loan disbursements are largely due to slow verification and approval of applications by tertiary institutions. The
The post NELFUND Blames Institutions’ Slow Verification for Student Loan Delays appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• September 4, 2025
• 33 views

Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI

Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI

Funmi Ogundare 

A Social Impact Strategist and AI Governance Advocate, Chidozie Managwu, has stressed the need for countries to embrace practical governance frameworks that balance safety with innovation if they want to remain competitive in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Managwu, who explained that rigid regulations or a laissez-faire approach would fail, insisted on a layered governance model that builds public trust while accelerating innovation. “The way forward is layered governance that builds trust and accelerates innovation,” he said.

He explained that rules should be proportionate to risk, high-stakes applications such as clinical decision support and biometric identification demands strict testing and monitoring, while lower-risk uses can advance with lighter oversight. “Controls must be matched to the potential for harm rather than to hype,” he said.

The strategist also urged governments to prioritise outcomes over prescriptive technology rules, recommending transparency, auditability and post-deployment safety reporting to ensure accountability. 

He emphasised that markets alone cannot provide the safety infrastructure AI needs, calling for public investment in model evaluation platforms, red-team testing suites and synthetic data labs.

To avoid fragmented rules that advantage only large corporations, Managwu advocated harmonised international standards. 

He also linked governance to workforce development, warning that policies without skilled talent are ineffective, as he proposed reskilling, apprenticeships and partnerships between industry and communities to grow the AI talent base.

For policymaking, he suggested risk-tiering, mandatory post-deployment monitoring, national safety infrastructure and procurement policies that reward responsible innovation.

“If done well, the benefits compound,” he said. “Public trust rises, safe technologies spread faster, and ecosystems attract talent and capital.”

The leaders, he noted, will be those who govern for real outcomes rather than appearances, building systems that protect people, reward responsible innovators and strengthen national competitiveness.

The post Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

​  

Funmi Ogundare  A Social Impact Strategist and AI Governance Advocate, Chidozie Managwu, has stressed the need for countries to embrace practical governance frameworks that balance safety with innovation if they
The post Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.