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Dreams on the Line: PTDF Commences Rigorous Interviews for 2025 Scholarship Slots

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The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on Monday officially began its 2025 selection interviews for over 5,000 shortlisted candidates vying for placements under its prestigious Overseas Scholarship Scheme. The highly competitive process is being held simultaneously across six designated centres nationwide.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The shortlisted candidates were selected from a pool of more than 29,000 applicants seeking master’s and doctoral scholarships in leading universities across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Malaysia, and other countries.

Interview sessions are currently ongoing in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Bauchi, and Kaduna—each representing one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The screening process is being overseen by academic professionals, including university professors and researchers, serving as panel members.

During the formal flag-off of the interviews in Abuja, PTDF Deputy General Manager, Education and Training, Bello Mustapha—who represented the Fund’s Executive Secretary—reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to merit, transparency, and equity in its selection process.

“This exercise is vital to our mission of building human capital for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” Mustapha stated. “It must be protected from personal influence or negligence. Panelists are expected to apply clearly defined criteria—academic achievement, research potential, leadership abilities, and overall suitability for international study.”

He issued a stern warning against unethical practices such as lobbying, collusion, or tampering with scores, stressing that such actions would attract sanctions, including disqualification of the candidate and blacklisting of any panelist involved.

Mustapha also unveiled a new initiative under the scheme—a split-site PhD programme. This arrangement allows PTDF PhD scholars in the UK to complete part of their academic training at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna, with the remainder conducted in partner universities abroad, including Robert Gordon University, University of Portsmouth, and the University of Strathclyde.

“This hybrid approach aims to reduce costs, enhance local capacity, and foster joint supervision of doctoral research,” he explained.

In an effort to curb bias and improve efficiency, PTDF has introduced enhanced digital scoring systems. Mustafa noted that only subjects directly related to the applicant’s intended course of study would be assessed, while non-relevant subjects like Civic Education or indigenous languages have been excluded.

Panelists are expected to independently evaluate each candidate’s qualifications, research potential, leadership skills, and overall preparedness—without consultation or influence from fellow assessors.

Also speaking at the event, Head of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme, Bolanle Kehinde Agboola, confirmed that approximately 5,000 candidates made it through to the interview stage out of more than 29,000 applications submitted for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“We’re here today to conduct interviews for the 2025/26 Overseas Scholarship Scheme. All candidates are present, and our panelists have been thoroughly briefed,” Agboola said. “This programme has been running for about 25 years, and PT

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‘Kwankwaso Is More Experienced Than Peter Obi’ – Buhari’s Ex-Aide Declares.

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Ahmad made the assertion in a post on his X handle, maintaining that Kwankwaso’s decision to accept the position of running mate should be seen as an act of political modesty rather than an indication that he is less qualified than Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the former presidential aide, the relationship between the two politicians should be viewed as one of equals rather than that of a superior and a subordinate.

“To be entirely candid, the political dynamic between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ought to be characterised as one of collegiality between peers, rather than a hierarchy of principal and subordinate,” he wrote.

He added, “The choice to assume a deputy role beneath Obi ought to be interpreted as a testament to political modesty.”

Making a case for Kwankwaso’s political experience, Ahmad recalled that the former Kano State governor served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives before Obi became a prominent figure in national politics.

He also noted that Kwankwaso governed Kano State, which he described as Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state, for two terms and served as a federal minister.

“If we are assessing political experience, Sen. Kwankwaso probably has a longer and more impressive political background than Peter Obi,” Ahmad stated.

In contrast, the former presidential aide argued that Obi’s major public office experience was limited to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Unlike other candidates, Peter Obi was just a former governor of Anambra State,” he wrote.

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‘I Have Stopped Impregnating Women’ – 2Baba Makes Shocking Revelation.

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Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has declared that he no longer impregnates women.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer made the statement on Saturday during a live performance at Rehab Lounge in Calgary, Canada.

While performing his hit song True Love, 2Baba paused to interact with the audience and playfully asked the women present to identify where his true love was.

He jokingly wondered whether she was standing at the back of the venue or somewhere in front of him before making a remark about his experiences with women.

The award-winning musician told the audience that he had stopped getting women pregnant, adding that he had been making the same confession wherever he performed recently.

He said, “For the purpose of this show, I will pretend like I’ve never seen anything before. Where’s my true love? Is she back there? Is she right here? Is she somewhere here? Where’s my true love? You people shouldn’t put out me for trouble.

“As I said, some ladies they fear to shout. See, everywhere I go these days, I make this confession. As I say, some ladies they fear to shout. I say, I don’t fear to shout. Because I don’t stop to dey give woman belle. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you, I don’t do such thing things again.”

The singer’s comment comes amid public interest in his personal life and relationships.

2Baba was previously married to Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The couple announced their separation in January 2025 after having two children together.

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NPFL Cracks Down! Abia Warriors, Katsina United, Warri Wolves Hit With Sanctions.

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Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.

The Umuahia-based club was also found guilty of an attempt by one of its officials to disrupt the live broadcast of the match by harassing a crew member of the league’s broadcast partner.

As part of the disciplinary measures, Abia Warriors’ multimedia officer, Chidera Favour Igwe, has been suspended from all NPFL match activities for five matches.

Katsina United, meanwhile, were fined ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security during their home fixture against Plateau United.

The club was also sanctioned for allowing supporters to encroach onto the field of play during the encounter.

Warri Wolves Receive Heaviest Punishment

Warri Wolves have been handed the most severe sanctions following the unruly behaviour of their supporters during Sunday’s Matchday 10 clash against Kano Pillars in Ozoro.

The Seasiders were fined ₦4.2 million and docked three points and three goals from their accumulated tally. The club was also ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors.

According to the NPFL, Warri Wolves failed to provide adequate security at the stadium, resulting in an assault on match officials after the final whistle.

The league further disclosed that the second assistant referee sustained a nose injury and was left bleeding during the incident.

The NPFL stated that all three clubs have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal their respective sanctions in accordance with the league’s disciplinary procedures.

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