Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

In furtherance of its vision to raise tax compliant citizens and propagate tax education among the younger generation, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, has concluded the semi-final stage of the 2025 Tax Club Quiz Competition.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the KW-IRS, Funmilola Oguntunbi, said six schools emerged as finalists at the competition.

The semi-final stage of the competition which was held via online Computer Based Test (CBT), involved 12 schools that sat for the test from the comfort of their respective schools, with appropriate back-end monitoring provided by KW-IRS Tax Club Advocacy Committee alongside representatives of the Commissioner, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Aina, B.E and Mrs Alaya, A.I.

The finalists are St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin; Roemichs International Schools, Ilorin; Ansar Ud Deen College, Offa; Ansarul Islam Grammar School, Ijomu Oro; Shepherd School, Lafiagi; and Government Secondary School, Lafiagi.

The six schools will contest for the grand prize of N2.5m at the final stage of the competition which will hold in Ilorin on 6th November, 2025.

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Hassan Taiye

Minister of FCT , Nyesom Wike has disclosed that the Administration is currently working on rehabilitation of over 100 identified schools across the territory.
While giving the marching order to the education secretary to publish the 100 identifed schools under renovations, he said that the provisions for the development of FCT also covered other sectors like the schools.

Wike made this revelation while flagging off provision of engineering infrastructure within A09 lot 1& 2,Guzape, A04 Asokoro Districts on Wednesday in Abuja.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration covers all sectors of human endeavors, dismissing claimed by some people saying FCT Administration concentrated on road construction only.

For clarity sake, the Minister ordered the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Education Secretariat to compile the list of the identified over 100 schools spread across the six area councils in electronic form to covers those whose rehabilitation have been completed, those that are ongoing and those that will soon be flag off for members of the public viewing.

According to the Minister: I have told the Mandate Secretary for Education to compile the list in an electronic form, area council by area council, school by school. how many schools have we rehabilitated, completed? How many is ongoing, and how many are we going to flag up? Let Nigerians see, and challenge us, and say it is a lie.

“It is, seeing is believing. And I have told him, that must be shown. The 107 schools, some have been completed, some are going to be rehabilitated, and some will be flagged up.

He said provision of engineering infrastructure to areas of Guzape and Asokoro districts are in tandem with President Tinubu’s intention towards ensuring that every part of Abuja, particularly the city has infrastructure, has good road network’s that will make the city look what it is.

” And those who are living here, what would they be saying tomorrow? Would they say that there is not impact of the Tinubu’s administration? They have been here for years, no road. But Tinubu has come, now there is a road. Would they say it has no impact at all, at all, as far as Tinubu ‘s administration is concerned? So, the truth must be told, “

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin has inducted 35 new veterinary doctors at its seventh induction/oath-taking ceremony.

Speaking as the Keynote Speaker at the event, a former Vice President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr. Bala Muhammed, told both the graduands and audience at the event that solutions to contemporary health challenges demand interdisciplinary cooperation.

“Solutions to today’s greatest health challenges cannot be designed in isolation—they demand cooperation across veterinary medicine, human medicine, environmental sciences, and public policy”, he added.

Muhammed, a veterinary surgeon, said: “The health of humans, animals, and the environment can no longer be treated as separate concerns.

“They are intricately linked, forming the foundation of the one health approach, a global strategy that requires collaboration across disciplines to achieve optimal health outcomes for all.”

He added that, “despite successes, veterinary services remain underfunded, under-recognized, and under-integrated into national health frameworks.

“Many countries, including ours, face surveillance blind spots, weak laboratory capacity, and governance silos.

“These gaps allow diseases to simmer unnoticed until they explode into public crises, with devastating health and economic consequences.

“To truly protect one world, we must invest in veterinary infrastructure and laboratories, foster collaboration among doctors, veterinarians, ecologists, and policymakers to strengthen education, funding, and data systems which empower community-centered prevention strategies. “Veterinarians must be recognized not only as responders but as guardians of planetary health.”

The President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Prof. Mathew Adamu, urged the graduands to uphold the ethics of the profession.

Prof. Adamu, who was represented by the Vice President of VCN, Halimah Gambo, urged the graduands to let the integrity be their watch word and serve with compassion.

According to him, taking care of animals as a veterinary doctor, means they are indirectly taking care of people of the nation.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN) who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Management Services, Prof. Adegboyega Fawole, charged the new vet doctors to be good ambassadors of the university.

Earlier, Dean of the Faculty Professor Saliu Ameen, said that the induction marked the formal licensing of these young doctors as veterinary professionals.

Professor Ameen added that, “this ceremony is not merely a ritual; it is a defining moment. It signifies the transition of our graduands from students of veterinary medicine to full members of a noble and globally relevant profession”.

Dr Kareemot Babalola, who spoke on behalf of the graduands commended their lecturers for the mentoring and tutorship for their six years rigorous of learning.

Babalola appreciated their parents for the spiritual, moral and financial support throughout the journey.

She, therefore, urged her colleagues to be good ambassadors of the institution and Nigeria.

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