Author: Akintayo Adams

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 has released detailed data on universities worldwide, including Nigerian institutions, with Covenant University topping the national list. According to the report, the rankings are based on the new WUR 3.0 methodology, which evaluates universities using 18 performance indicators across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook. The report states: “The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 includes 1,907 universities from 108 countries and regions, providing insights into the evolving global higher education landscape. This year’s analysis covered over 134 million citations from 16.5 million research publications…

70-year-old Tizi Hodson from Lincolnshire, UK, has finally received a response to a job application she submitted nearly five decades ago. Back in 1976, Hodson had applied for a role as a motorcycle stunt rider—a job she was passionate about. After never hearing back, she assumed the application had been unsuccessful. However, nearly 48 years later, the mystery was solved. Her letter had been stuck behind a drawer at the Staines Post Office all this time and was only discovered during renovation work. The post office staff returned the letter to Hodson with a note that read, “Late delivery by…

The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has announced the cut-off marks for the 2024/2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) admission exercise. The cut-off marks are determined by combining candidates’ UTME scores, post-UTME scores, and their Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) results. Below is a breakdown of the required points for merit, catchment area, and Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) for some key programs: Medicine and Surgery: Merit/Catchment – 78.125; ELDS – 76.25 Nursing Science: Merit/Catchment – 71.875; ELDS – 63.375 Medical Laboratory Science: Merit/Catchment – 65; ELDS – 58.75 Pharmacy: Merit/Catchment – 68; ELDS – 65.625 Law: Merit/Catchment –…

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been named global head of soccer at Red Bull, beginning his new role on January 1, 2025. The 57-year-old German expressed his excitement for this next chapter after nearly 25 years in management. While Klopp will not oversee daily operations, he will offer guidance on playing philosophy, transfer strategy, and coaching development for Red Bull’s football teams, which include RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, and Red Bull Bragantino. Klopp, who won eight trophies at Liverpool, including the Premier League and Champions League, said his passion for football remains strong. Red…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has criticized Starlink for increasing its subscription packages without obtaining prior approval from the Commission. Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. According to Muoka, Starlink’s decision to unilaterally raise its prices is a violation of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, specifically Sections 108 and 111, as well as the company’s license conditions regarding tariffs. He stated that the NCC initiated pre-enforcement actions against Starlink on October 3, 2024, in response to the unauthorized price hike. Muoka emphasized that Starlink’s move undermines…

For the second consecutive day, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has refused to grant the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, access to Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) machines and other materials used in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election, despite a court order. The PDP’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olusegun Jolaawo, had attempted to inspect these materials on Monday, following a court order dated September 29, 2024. However, INEC officials delayed the process, citing the need to seek permission from Abuja. On Tuesday, October 8,…

The Oyo State Government confirmed on Tuesday that 245 suspected cholera cases were reported from January 1 to October 7, 2024, with 23 cases confirmed and one death recorded. The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi, disclosed this during a briefing at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. She noted that the only death involved a patient brought from Lagos, and nine patients currently admitted at the Infectious Disease Center, Ibadan, are responding well to treatment. Additionally, Ajetumobi announced that the state is preparing for a malaria net campaign set for May 2025, supported by the United States Agency for International…

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, announced that 15,000 residents in the state have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). This was revealed during the investiture of Champions and Ambassadors of the Lagos Steering Committee for TB at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday. Abayomi stated that federal government statistics estimate 32,000 TB cases in Lagos, meaning around 15,000 people with TB are yet to be diagnosed. He emphasized the need to identify these individuals and ensure they receive free treatment. The programme, spearheaded by Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, saw female local government chairpersons and the wives…

The Cameroonian presidency has denied reports claiming that President Paul Biya has passed away. The 91-year-old leader, who has been the subject of health-related speculation, had missed several international events, fueling rumors of his death. ABS Africa TV, on Tuesday, falsely announced Biya’s death. The president had not been seen publicly since leaving Beijing on September 8 after attending the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation. Despite expectations of his return to Cameroon, he remained in Switzerland on medical advice. A statement from Samuel Ayolo, the director of the presidency’s civil cabinet, reassured the public that Biya is alive and in good…

Access Bank has announced a temporary shutdown of services to facilitate a system upgrade aimed at enhancing its offerings. In a communication sent to customers on Tuesday, the bank revealed that the upgrade would be conducted in phases, beginning on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 10 pm, and concluding on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 6:30 am. During this period, customers may experience temporary disruptions on the Access More app, Internet Banking platform, and ATMs. However, the bank assured that cards would remain operational, and the *901# service would still be available for essential transactions such as funds transfers, airtime…