OGUN INVESTS OVER ₦2.25 BILLION TO BOOST AQUACULTURE

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed that his administration has invested over N2.25Billion with the support from relevant partners to promote aquaculture, towards ensuring food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihood.

Governor Abiodun made this known during the official flag off of Fish Harvest at Ijako-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the State, adding that his administration was reducing undue dependence on imports and positioning the State as a leader in inland aquaculture.

Represented by his Deputy Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the states helmsman noted that the event was not just about harvesting fish, rather it was about celebrating real cultivation and people-focused progress in the state, appreciating the World Bank and the OGSTEP team for their continued support as well as commitment towards improving the livelihood of its citizenry.

“Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) was developed to strengthen our economy through strategic investments in agriculture. In aquaculture alone, we have supported over 3,400 fish farmers across the State. Each farmer received 72 bags of high-quality feed, with the government subsidising 30 percent of the cost. In total, more than 179,000 bags have been distributed, representing an investment of around ₦2.25 billion”, he noted

Abiodun stressed that agriculture was a serious economic enterprise, noting that his administration remains committed to scaling the cluster model across the State, continue to provide access to finance, inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all in bid to make Ogun State the preferred destination for agribusiness in Nigeria.

He charged the Ministry of Agriculture to fast-track the development of the proposed Processing Zone in the area, as the process would further increase value and reduce post-harvest losses.

Speaking, Chief Economic Adviser and the Commissioner for Finance/Chairman Project Steering committee OGSTEP, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning/Chairman Project Technical Committee OGSTEP, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, stated that the programme underscores the importance of agriculture, especially Aquaculture, saying it would not only help to boost food production but serve as a reservoir for fish farmers in Igidaduro Abule Ewipe fish farm as well as create more jobs for youths.

He also reiterated the State Government’s commitment in supporting agricultural initiatives and partner relevant stakeholders with a view to growing the State economy through food production as well as create more job opportunities for youths.

Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said the programme had impacted over 3000 farmers in the State, with a cluster of over 700 fish farmers, noting that the country import about 55 percent of fishes while Ogun State produced 40,000 tonnes as against the demand of over 100, 000, revealing that the present administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun had invested nothing less than 5.4billion to support different initiatives in agriculture.

Responding, the Project Coordinator OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi noted that the flag-off of the fish harvest was not just a celebration of hard work but a testimony to what could be achieved when the right structures are in place describing the successes recorded as largely due to the unwavering support received from the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders

Representing the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Onibudo of Ibudo, Oba Dr. Odutola Adewunmi, commended the State Government for his strides in agriculture and other sectors, saying it shows his commitment to good governance.

In his remarks, the Cluster Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Jinadu, expressed appreciation to the State Government and the OGSTEP team for the laudable initiative, saying before the programme, most fish farmers have closed businesses but the intervention had helped to resuscitate their businesses, while seeking more government support in building processing centers.

The Chairman ACDC, Mr. Atiba Johnson as well as three other beneficiaries also took turns in appreciating the government for the initiatives while asking for further intervention on the access road.

JAMB to Review 2025 UTME Results Amid Surge in Complaints and Technical Glitch Allegations

Over 75% of candidates scored below 200 as students, parents demand transparency

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results following a wave of public complaints from candidates, parents, and education stakeholders.

The decision was confirmed in an official notice from the board’s headquarters in Abuja. According to the notice, the review meeting will take place on Thursday and will include a cross-section of Nigeria’s educational leaders — from vice-chancellors and rectors to ICT experts and school principals — to examine the conduct and outcome of the nationwide examination.

“In furtherance of the commitment of the board to earn public confidence in its processes, the management has approved your participation to be part of the review panel… with the mandate to identify challenges, if any, and proffer relevant recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” the notice read.

The meeting follows widespread dissatisfaction over the recently released results, with many candidates alleging technical issues during the examination and questioning the scoring methodology used by the board.

Poor Results Spark Outrage

Of the 1,955,069 results processed by JAMB, over 1.5 million candidates — more than 75 percent — scored below 200 out of a maximum 400 marks. Only 12,414 candidates (0.63 percent) scored 300 and above, and just 4,756 candidates (0.24 percent) scored 320 or higher.

The breakdown of the results is as follows:

• 334,560 candidates (17.11%) scored between 200–249

• 983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160–199

• 488,197 candidates (24.97%) scored between 140–159

• 2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100

The results have led to a surge of criticism on social media and offline. Some affected candidates have rejected their scores, claiming the results do not reflect their actual performance. Others have cited login issues, computer malfunctions, and test submission errors as reasons for their poor showing.

A group of over 8,000 candidates has reportedly submitted official complaints to JAMB. Some parents and students have also threatened legal action against the board, calling for a full investigation into the technical operations of the exam.

JAMB Responds

In response, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the board had fast-tracked its annual post-examination review process to investigate the complaints. He said JAMB was “particularly concerned about the unusual complaints originating from a few states,” and that experts had been engaged to assess the situation.

“We are currently scrutinising these complaints in detail to identify and rectify any potential technical issues,” Benjamin said.

JAMB explained that its review typically covers three stages: registration, examination, and result release. It assured the public that any candidate genuinely affected by disruptions would be given an opportunity to retake the exam.

Minister Backs Tougher Integrity Measures

Reacting to the controversy, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the poor performance was an indication that anti-malpractice reforms were working.

“The results show that our examination integrity efforts are paying off,” the minister stated. “We will not compromise standards, and the days of inflated scores due to cheating are over.”

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, also weighed in, saying the 2025 performance was consistent with previous years. In 2024, 76 percent of UTME candidates scored below 200, while in 2022, that number rose to 78 percent.

“There is nothing unusual about this year. The results align with the trends of the past 12 years,” Oloyede said.

What Comes Next?

The Thursday review panel will include representatives from:

• All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS)

• National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS)

• Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)

• Educational Assessment and Research Network

• Various public and private universities and polytechnics

JAMB emphasized that the panelists are serving voluntarily and will not be paid by the board.

Meanwhile, aggrieved candidates continue to call on JAMB to publicly disclose its grading system and provide subject-by-subject breakdowns for all scores.

As scrutiny intensifies, JAMB’s handling of the review and its responsiveness to stakeholders’ concerns could prove pivotal in restoring trust in one of Nigeria’s most critical educational gateways.

Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*

_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.

Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.

The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.

Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”

Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.

As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.