Latest News
NDLEA: Our Ex-Addicts Now Role Models in Schools, Winning Academic Laurels
The Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that several of its rehabilitated clients are now achieving remarkable academic success, despite once battling substance addiction.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Chinyerem Eziaghighala, made this disclosure on Thursday during a capacity-building workshop held in partnership with Smart Recovery, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Eziaghighala noted that the majority of clients at the NDLEA rehabilitation facility in Gbagada are youths aged between 22 and 25—many of whom had once abandoned their educational pursuits due to drug dependency.
“At the Lagos State strategic command, we’ve handled over 50 clients, and I can confidently say that at least 40 per cent are thriving,” she said.
“Our very first client is now studying at the University of Birmingham, where he has been winning academic awards.”
She further recounted that two clients, while still undergoing rehabilitation last year, took the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. One of them scored 296, despite previously dropping out of three different universities.
Eziaghighala said these academic breakthroughs were achieved without remedial classes or extra tutoring.
“These were individuals who couldn’t function academically while on drugs. Now in recovery, they’ve regained focus and are excelling. These are the kinds of transformations we’re witnessing,” she added.
She explained that the training was initiated by the state commander to equip drug demand reduction officers with Smart Recovery techniques, which aim to strengthen client support throughout their recovery journeys.
Smart Recovery—short for Self-Management and Recovery Training—is designed to complement the NDLEA’s existing rehabilitation framework with structured, evidence-based recovery tools.
Speaking at the event, Smart Recovery Global Master Trainer, Chinyere Okoro, said the collaboration with NDLEA is intended to embed mutual support systems into Nigeria’s broader addiction recovery strategy.
“Nigeria currently lacks a uniform recovery support system. Smart Recovery is pioneering this approach, and with NDLEA as the government-mandated addiction treatment agency, it’s the ideal partner to scale these initiatives,” Okoro said.
Honest Anaba, founder of Smart Nigeria, added that the pilot phase would roll out across various NDLEA area commands. High-performing officers could be integrated into the Smart Nigeria facilitator network.
“Following this initial training, each area command will create a tailored plan to implement Smart Recovery. A joint team will offer continued coaching and evaluation for six to nine months,” Anaba explained.
“Our ultimate goal is to institutionalise Smart Recovery group sessions as a core, permanent feature of NDLEA’s treatment and long-term recovery support system,” he said.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has indicated that residents may have to wait until May before knowing his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, as political consultations within the state continue.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the governor disclosed that he would publicly unveil his chosen successor before the end of the first week of May, following extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the state.
Makinde explained that the selection process has involved wide engagements with elders, religious leaders, and other influential figures, noting that while several aspirants have emerged, no final decision has been reached.
He added that the choice of a candidate is a sensitive responsibility that requires broad acceptance and careful consideration to maintain political stability and continuity in the state.
The governor also dismissed speculations suggesting that he had already endorsed any individual, stressing that no aspirant has been officially anointed for the race.
Makinde further noted that the direction of his political decision, including the platform on which the party will contest, may depend on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court ruling affecting the Peoples Democratic Party.
He stated that the ruling is expected to provide clarity on internal party matters, which could influence his final decision regarding the 2027 governorship election.
Bayern Munich have officially secured another Bundesliga title following a 4-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena, confirming their triumph with four games still remaining in the season.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the win extended Bayern’s lead to 15 points over Borussia Dortmund, who suffered a shock defeat to TSG Hoffenheim a day earlier, effectively ending the title race and triggering celebrations in Munich.
The match saw Stuttgart take an early lead in the 21st minute through Chris Führich, but Bayern responded strongly before halftime. Raphaël Guerreiro restored parity before Nicolas Jackson and Alphonso Davies scored in quick succession to turn the game around within minutes.
England captain Harry Kane, who started the match on the bench after being rested, was introduced in the second half and quickly made an impact by scoring from close range to further extend Bayern’s advantage. Stuttgart later managed a consolation goal through Chema Andrés, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
The title adds to Kane’s growing list of achievements since joining Bayern in 2023, marking his third trophy with the club after previously winning the Bundesliga and German Super Cup. He also continues to impress individually, with 32 league goals in 27 appearances this season.
Under manager Vincent Kompany, Bayern have delivered a dominant campaign, suffering only one defeat all season while scoring 109 goals and conceding just 29.
The club now shifts focus to a possible treble, with a DFB-Pokal semi-final clash against Bayer Leverkusen, upcoming league fixtures against Mainz 05, and a UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
Kidnapped candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have narrated their traumatic experience after being rescued from captivity, where they said they were subjected to starvation, beatings, and inhumane treatment for four days.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the victims were abducted on Wednesday along the Taraku–Otukpo road in Benue State when armed men attacked a Benue Links passenger vehicle. They were later rescued in the early hours of Sunday following coordinated operations by security operatives.
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who received the victims at the Government House in Makurdi, confirmed that among those rescued were eight UTME candidates, while others were regular commuters. He assured that the victims would receive medical attention and support, adding that efforts were ongoing to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. He also appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to consider special arrangements for the affected candidates who missed their examinations.
Recounting their ordeal, one of the victims, 18-year-old Gbenga Daniels, said the abductors dispossessed him of ₦8,000 and subjected them to constant assault, adding that they survived without proper food or clean water. Another survivor, Ngukulan Iornav, also 18, said they were fed only garri mixed with salt throughout their captivity and were repeatedly beaten.
A medical student, Orih Raphael Sylvester, explained that the victims were moved from one location to another within the forest to avoid detection by security forces. He said they initially went without food, later drank unsafe water, and were eventually forced to contact their families under duress while being assaulted. He added that they were later given instructions early Sunday morning to move toward the express road, where they eventually encountered military personnel.
Other victims, including a 100-level Accounting student of the Federal University of Lafia, Sunday Augustine, and Akor Jessica, also described the experience as traumatic, noting that they sustained injuries from repeated beatings with sticks and machetes.
A relative of two of the victims disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦10 million per person before a ransom of ₦3.4 million, along with food supplies, was eventually paid to secure their release.
Security authorities confirmed that 18 passengers were initially abducted, with some escaping during the ordeal, while 13 remained in captivity until their rescue. The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Enemari, said several suspects have been arrested and are assisting investigations, noting that the operation involved multiple security agencies.
However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disputed claims that the victims were UTME candidates, stating that preliminary findings suggest they were participants in a police recruitment exercise returning from Makurdi when the incident occurred.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp