As the week draws to a close, PUNCH Online highlights the biggest stories that dominated the news landscape.
From the resurgence of fuel queues and the government’s move to increase civil servants’ salaries to the shocking 77% failure rate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, here’s a recap of the top stories that made headlines this week.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board released the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, revealing that out of 1,842,464 candidates, 1,402,490 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks. This failure rate represents 77% of the candidates whose results were released.
The board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that 8,401 candidates scored 300 and above, 77,070 scored 250 and above, and 439,974 scored 200 and above. Oloyede stated that due to the board’s stance on not publishing the names of top scorers and the variability of admission criteria among institutions, identifying the highest scorer might not be practical. Additionally, the results of 64,624 candidates were withheld pending investigation.
Following the release of the 2024 UTME results, which showed a 77% failure rate, Nigerians have begun pinpointing reasons for the poor performance. Some attribute it to excessive social media usage among candidates, neglecting their studies. Others blame issues like computer problems during the exam, examination malpractice, and inadequate preparation.
Some suggest stricter measures, like making candidates with less than 50% scores retake the exam. However, concerns about early morning exam schedules and the need for better computer skills among students have also been raised. Overall, there’s a call for a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of the mass failure.
The fuel scarcity situation in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria persists despite claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that logistic issues causing the scarcity have been resolved. In Lagos, many filling stations remained closed over the weekend, leading to struggles for Premium Motor Spirit among Nigerians.
The scarcity has led to a surge in black market activities, with some residents resorting to buying fuel at exorbitant prices.
As the fuel scarcity situation continues to worsen, incidents of violence and desperation are on the rise, as seen in the tragic shooting at a petrol station in Obalende, Lagos, where a man was killed in a confrontation over a spot in the queue.
Toheeb Eniafe was shot and killed after a confrontation with two men, one now confirmed to be a police officer, who attempted to bypass the queue at the petrol station.
Eyewitnesses reported that Eniafe, along with others in the queue, confronted the officers, insisting that they join the queue like everyone else. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, culminating in Eniafe being shot and later succumbing to his injuries. The incident has sparked outrage and fear, highlighting the tension amidst the ongoing fuel scarcity.
The Lagos State Police Command said it has identified the police officer who shot Eniafe.
“The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos,” the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Thursday.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed on Wednesday the discovery of an apartment beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where tenants paid an annual rent of N250,000.
The apartment, consisting of 86 partitioned rooms sized between 10×10 and 12×10, was uncovered by the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. Videos shared by Wahab showed the eviction of illegal settlers and the removal of structures, including a container used for various illegal activities.
Wahab announced on Thursday the discovery of another illegal settlement, this time under the Osborne Bridge in Ikoyi. He stated that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps also known as KAI, had commenced immediate clearance operations.
Earlier in the week, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, ordered the closure and subsequent demolition of Landmark Beach in Lagos, citing the need to clear the area for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Umahi emphasised that only shanties and structures encroaching on the Federal Government’s right-of-way would be affected. The demolition commenced on Monday.
The construction of the 700-kilometer coastal highway, estimated to cost N15 trillion, is touted as Nigeria’s largest single infrastructure project and is expected to take eight years to complete. Opinions on the project are divided, with some highlighting its potential benefits while others lament the loss of Landmark Beach’s iconic status.
Other beach businesses affected include Mami Chula, Breeze Beach Club, Moist Beach, Xchange Lagos and G12 Oniru Beach
The Federal Government approved a salary increase ranging from 25 to 35 per cent for various sectors, including police officers, armed forces, and public servants. This increase, effective from January 1, 2024, covers six consolidated salary structures, according to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. Additionally, pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme will receive a raise of 20 to 28 per cent.
Before this decision, negotiations for a higher minimum wage were ongoing, with unions proposing figures up to N615,000 per month.
Talks are ongoing, influenced by factors such as inflation and the recent electricity tariff hike.
The Adamawa State Government has reported a measles outbreak in Mubi and Gombi Local Government Areas, resulting in 42 deaths. According to the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwame, the outbreak affected eight wards in Mubi and seven in Gombi, with 131 and 177 individuals affected, respectively. Measures have been implemented to contain the spread, including the distribution of measles vaccines and coordinated efforts with partners to manage the situation.
Journalist Daniel Ojukwu, employed by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, has reportedly been detained by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police on alleged cybercrime charges.
Ojukwu went missing on May 1, 2024, prompting concerns from FIJ, who traced his last active phone location to an address in Isheri Olofin. Despite his family’s discovery of his detention at Panti in Lagos, Ojukwu has been held incommunicado for three days without legal representation, raising concerns about press freedom and the right to freedom of expression, particularly as his abduction coincides with World Press Freedom Day. This incident follows prior harassment of FIJ by law enforcement.
In a similar incident, Segun Olatunji, the kidnapped Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, was detained by men of the Defence Intelligence Agency after being abducted by military personnel on March 15, 2024.