The Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has urged the Federal Government to scrap the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing the process as burdensome for students.

Apostle Chinyere made the call on Sunday during a sermon at the international headquarters of the church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he questioned the relevance of the current tertiary admission system.

He argued that multiple stages of assessment, including WAEC, UTME, and post-UTME, place excessive pressure on candidates and often force them to repeat the process if they fail to meet admission requirements.

“In Nigeria, you will write WAEC; after WAEC, you will write JAMB; after JAMB, you will write post-UTME; then you wait for the school cut-off mark and departmental cut-off mark. If you don’t meet it, you wait another year, register for JAMB again, and start afresh. It is very frustrating,” he said.

The cleric also said JAMB has become less relevant, arguing that universities still conduct additional screening after the UTME.

“JAMB has lost its relevance because universities still organise their own entrance examinations after UTME,” he added.

Apostle Chinyere further raised concerns about the 6:30 a.m. examination schedule, saying it exposes candidates to safety risks and additional costs, particularly for those required to travel long distances.

“Sometimes I wonder why JAMB fixes exams for 6:30 a.m. Do you know that for all my adopted children under OPM scholarships going for JAMB, I have to give them extra money to pay for hotels?” he said.

He explained that many candidates are forced to lodge near exam centres due to early morning timings and distant postings, which he said increases financial strain on families and sponsors.

“They cannot travel safely that early, so they have to stay overnight in hotels close to their centres. This creates additional financial pressure,” he stated.

The OPM founder also criticised the allocation of candidates to faraway centres, arguing that it heightens security concerns. He referenced reports of the reported abduction of UTME candidates in Benue State, describing it as troubling.

“I saw something on social media that 12 people who went to write JAMB in Benue State were kidnapped. It is really very unfortunate,” he said.

Comparing Nigeria’s system with admission processes abroad, he said some countries use more flexible approaches that do not rely on a single central examination.

“If you want to get admission into universities outside Nigeria, you don’t need JAMB. You apply to the university, they send you an unconditional letter of offer, and when fees are paid, a conditional offer follows after verification of results. They won’t ask you to write JAMB,” he explained.

He warned that the current system could contribute to an increase in out-of-school youths due to repeated admission setbacks.

Apostle Chinyere added that his organisation has sponsored educational scholarships for underprivileged Nigerians for over 15 years, stressing the need for reforms that improve access to higher education…….Continue Reading

Suspected terrorists have attacked a military camp in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving three soldiers dead, according to security sources.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday around 3 a.m., causing panic in the area as heavy gunfire was heard across the community.

A resident who spoke anonymously told Vanguard that the attackers stormed the camp unexpectedly, catching some soldiers off guard.

“Few of the soldiers were asleep around 3 am today when the terrorists invaded their camp and killed three of them before others launched a reprisal attack,” the source said.

The attackers were said to have engaged troops in a gunfight, leading to casualties on the military side, while the exact losses among the assailants remain unknown.

Security operatives reportedly launched a counter-offensive in an attempt to repel the attackers.

The source also noted that the location of Kemanji, a border community surrounded by thick forests, may have contributed to the vulnerability of the area.

“Kemanji is a border community… so there are thick forests around the place,” the source added.

The attack has raised renewed concerns over security in border communities in Kwara State, where difficult terrain is often believed to provide cover for armed groups

New details have emerged suggesting that the Federal Government previously found no link between former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the 2018 Offa bank robbery incident in Kwara State, according to reports.

The development comes amid renewed legal proceedings initiated by the Kwara State Government, which recently filed fresh charges against Saraki and former governor Abdulfattah Ahmed in connection with the deadly attack.

Reports cited by The Tribune indicate that the conclusion was reached after legal and investigative reviews conducted at the federal level. The process reportedly involved the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, who assessed police investigation files submitted by the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team.

A 16-page investigation report covering the April 5, 2018 armed robbery in Offa, which resulted in multiple deaths, was reviewed during the process.

In a legal advice dated June 22, 2018, the DPP stated that there was insufficient evidence linking Saraki and the then governor to the crime. The document noted: “for the Senate President (Saraki) and the Kwara State governor (Ahmed), his office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects. Hence, it is our advice that further and thorough investigation in this regard be carried out.”

A subsequent review of additional findings in July 2018 reportedly led to a second legal advice issued on August 23, 2018. The conclusion remained unchanged regarding Saraki’s alleged involvement.

The document further stated: “with regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable with death.”

Following the review, six suspects were recommended for prosecution. One of them later died in custody, while others were tried and convicted at the High Court in Ilorin. The convictions were upheld by the Court of Appeal, with the case now pending before the Supreme Court.

Some of the accused persons reportedly told the court they were pressured to implicate Saraki, alleging inducements such as promises of money and travel opportunities, though the trial proceeded regardless.

The case has continued to generate political reactions, with the APC elders’ caucus in Kwara Central advising Saraki to address the matter in court rather than in the media.

The group also expressed support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying the renewed legal action reflects efforts to ensure accountability and justice for victims of the Offa robbery.