The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the resumption of the third phase of the Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise in Ondo State.

According to a statement issued by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the exercise commenced on Monday, May 11, 2026, and is being conducted nationwide through both online pre-registration and physical, in-person registration.

According to the statement, “the third phase would adopt the IVED rotation framework for the first 40 days of the exercise. The final five days would take place across all the 18 Local Government Area offices of the commission in the state.”

The Commission disclosed that the exercise, which is the final phase of the registration process, is scheduled to conclude on July 10, 2026, in line with its approved timetable.

The statement urged “eligible citizens who are yet to register to take advantage of the opportunity within the stipulated period.”

It also encouraged electorates seeking to update their voter information or transfer their registration details to participate in the exercise.

The commission noted that individuals with missing or defaced Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, could also use the exercise to request replacements.

Agboke also assured residents of adequate arrangements to ensure a smooth and inclusive process.

“INEC in Ondo State is poised to ensure robust public engagement with all the activities of the commission to enhance better participation and awareness,” the statement said.

Former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has stated why he is confident of winning the governorship primary under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Gombe State.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Sunday, Pantami said he relied on strong evidence, not opinion.

According to him, the evidence includes polls conducted both physically and online, among which he emerged as number one in all 13 polls.

“I’m not just a member of APC, but I’m also a party leader. Tinubu appointed me as a special adviser in his campaign council for the 2023 election, addressed to me as a party leader.

“So why he addressed me as a party leader is that he knew very well the role I played during the merger of Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, on one hand and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on the other, since from 2010.

“Furthermore, the reason why I’m optimistic is because of the fact that I rely on strong evidence. It’s not opinion. And you cannot counter an evidence with an opinion.

“This evidence is the pools that have been conducted physically and also online. In each and everyone in which we have a result of around 13 of them, I emerged as number one, with all sense of humility. And you may wish to go there and verify what I have said.

“Thirdly, the reason I feel people love me so much and they appreciate my modest contribution is because of the fact that when I got the opportunity to serve as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, I did my best for Nigeria in general and for Gombe in particular,” he said.

Human rights group, Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to launch an independent investigation into the death of six civilians reportedly killed during a military airstrike in Niger State.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organization condemned the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Guradnayi settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area.

According to the organization, the airstrike allegedly hit a residential area around 5:00 a.m. during military operations targeting armed groups operating in the area.

The group said at least six civilians were killed, while several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.

“Nigerian authorities must promptly carry out an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident, make the findings public, and ensure accountability for any violations of international law,” the statement said.

Amnesty International expressed concern over what it described as the recurring loss of civilian lives during military air operations, warning that such incidents raise questions about Nigeria’s compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.

The organization stressed the need for authorities to adhere to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution during security operations.

It also urged the government to provide medical care, humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support and reparations to victims and affected families.

“The Nigerian government must urgently review operational procedures governing aerial bombardments and put in place effective safeguards to prevent further civilian casualties during military operations,” the group added.

Amnesty International further maintained that civilians should never be exposed to danger during security operations.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of Mrs. Victoria Adunola Samson, popularly known as BOVAS, as the new Chancellor of Osun State University, UNIOSUN.

The appointment of Mrs. Samson as the third Chancellor of UNIOSUN was announced in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, on Sunday in Osogbo.

Her appointment follows the completion of the tenure of the immediate past chancellor, Folorunso Alakija, whose service ended on March 18, 2026, after a decade in office.

The Osun State Government had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Alakija on May 8, 2026, expressing appreciation to her and her family for their contributions to the university’s development.

During the visit, Governor Adeleke commended the former chancellor’s impact, describing her tenure as a period marked by notable achievements and an enduring legacy.

He particularly highlighted the donation of the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital, describing it as a multi-billion-naira intervention that strengthened the institution’s infrastructure.

According to the statement: “Mrs. Samson, widely known as Mama BOVAS, is the founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas, a leading indigenous oil and gas firm.

“An indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, she was born on December 5, 1949.

“Under her leadership alongside her husband, the company expanded from a single petroleum products service station to over 200 outlets nationwide, employing more than 2,000 Nigerians as of December 31, 2025.

“Mrs. Samson also owns the Texaco Petroleum franchise and became the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.

“She reportedly recorded the highest sales performance across both West Africa and Latin America during the period.

“Her professional career includes service as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria at the NNPC/PPMC Satellite Depot in Ejigbo, Lagos, and Apata Depot in Ibadan, as well as membership of the Board of Trustees of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association.

“She holds a Professional Diploma in Marketing and attended leadership programmes at Harvard Business School and IESE Business School in Barcelona.”

Remarking through the statement, Governor Adeleke said, “We recognise with appreciation your distinct effort to make life easy for consumers of petroleum products. We celebrate you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity, and humanity in our society.”

The governor also congratulated Mrs. Samson on behalf of the government and people of Osun State and urged her to bring her experience and leadership to bear in her new role at the university.

The Taraba State Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, has charged principals, invigilators and supervisors across the state to ensure a malpractice-free conduct of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Dr. Godwin gave the charge on the weekend during the WAEC 2026 sensitization meeting organised for principals, invigilators and supervisors from Lau, Karim Lamido, Jalingo and Ardo-Kola Local Government Councils. The meeting was held on Saturday at the Government Technical and Training School, Jalingo.

Speaking, the commissioner stressed the importance of professionalism, discipline and integrity in the administration of the examination. She noted that the Taraba State Government, under Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, remains committed to promoting quality education and restoring public confidence in the examination system.

She warned examination officials and school administrators against all forms of examination malpractice and urged them to strictly comply with WAEC rules and guidelines.

“Taraba State must continue to stand out in academic excellence through hard work and credibility. We must collectively ensure zero malpractice during the conduct of WAEC examinations,” she stated.

On his part, the WAEC Branch Controller in the state commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his continued support for the education sector.

According to him, Governor Kefas is the first governor in the state to clear all 2026 WAEC-related fees, a move he said had eased the burden on parents and boosted students’ participation in external examinations.

The branch controller also praised the governor for donating a utility van to the WAEC office and for providing other forms of support aimed at improving the operations of the examination body in the state.

The sensitization meeting was observed to have attracted principals, invigilators and supervisors from secondary schools across Lau, Karim Lamido, Jalingo and Ardo-Kola Local Government Councils.