Author: Standard Focus

By James Akinlade Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved the appointment of Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka as the new Head of the Ogun State Public Service. The appointment follows the statutory retirement of the immediate past Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya. Before his elevation, Saka served as the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Cabinet and Special Services. Saka joined the Ogun... Read more

By Clement John Preferred aspirant, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa State after defeating former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and other contenders in the party’s primary election. Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, secured a total of 196,090 votes to clinch the... Read more

By Emmanuel Golak JOS — The Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State after securing a sweeping victory in the party’s primary election ahead of the forthcoming general election. Mutfwang defeated his closest rival, retired Navy Commodore Yilchini Jan Bida, polling 233,335 votes against Bida’s 3,070 votes. Announcing... Read more

By Clement John ABUJA — The faction of the Social Democratic Party led by Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe has declared victory following Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, insisting that the ruling reaffirmed the authority of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and invalidated attempts to challenge its disciplinary actions. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Gombe said the apex court’s... Read more

By Clement John ABUJA — The faction of the Social Democratic Party loyal to Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam has declared that the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis has restored him as the substantive National Chairman of the party. In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Barrister Muka’ila Yahaya Mavo, the SDP said... Read more

By Joseph Paul The International Maritime Organization has adopted the world’s first global regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), a move aimed at strengthening international shipping safety amid growing security concerns around key global trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was reached during the 111th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in London,... Read more

When the Classroom Becomes a Killing Field By Standard Focus The abduction of dozens of children and teachers in Oyo State, and the brutal murder of one of their number, demands more than condolences. It demands a reckoning. The images were too grotesque to ignore and too painful to watch. A teacher a man who had dedicated his life to... Read more

By Clement John ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday attacked President Bola Tinubu over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the killing of civilians, including a pregnant woman, in Katsina State, accusing the president of reducing governance to post-tragedy press releases. Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku... Read more

By Kemi Lawal IBADAN — A two-year-old girl is among 46 people abducted by terrorists who raided two schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, as community leaders released a full list of victims showing the majority are young children. Christianah Akanbi, aged two, of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School is the youngest of 39... Read more

By Ademola Adebayo IBADAN — The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that 25 people, including pupils and teachers, remain missing four days after suspected kidnappers attacked two schools in Oriire Local Government Area. Police spokesman CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, speaking on Channels Television, said the attackers struck simultaneously at schools in the Yawota and Esiele communities on May 15 at... Read more