News
Meet David Alayande, 17-YearOld Whizkid Who Topped 2024 UTME In Nigeria
In an exclusive interview, David Alayande, one of the joint top scorers in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), shares his journey to success.
Alayande, a 17-year-old student of Zamani College, Kaduna, scored 367 in the UTME, making him one of the top performers in the exam. He shares his primary and secondary education experiences, preparation for the UTME, and reaction to his result.
“I had my primary education at a private school in Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government, Kaduna State. I remembered that I went away with all the prizes during graduation,” he said.
Alayande’s journey to success was not without challenges. He recalled feeling temporarily worried when he wasn’t coming first in his class at Zamani College. However, he had a rethink and decided to put in more effort and shun distractions.
To prepare for the UTME, Alayande did a lot of pre-mock and mock exams in his school from SS1. He also attended JAMB classes and tutorial sessions, and reviewed past questions. “I did a lot of past questions review. I did the JAMB mock exam as well and I scored 67 in English being the lowest score in that mock. After that experience, I decided to treat one English past question per day during my past time.”
When asked about his reaction to his result, Alayande said, “When I checked my result and saw my scores, I screenshot it and shared it with my friends first as a joke. However, I showed my parents and they were happy and said they were proud of me. That was emotional and I was grateful to God.”
Alayande plans to study Software Engineering at Nile University, citing his love for mathematics and creativity. “I like making things. I also want to study a course where I can work remotely. So, I can say I found all my interests in Software Engineering.”
He advises those coming behind him to be prayerful, determined, and hardworking, emphasizing the importance of setting targets and achieving them with God’s guidance and the right attitude. “They should be prayerful and act on their prayers because that is what helped me. We should pray for the spirit of excellence because when I was reviewing the grades, I was ahead of the second and third positions with just two marks.”
News
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”
The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.
Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.
Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.
Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.
News
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.
In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.
The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.
South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.
Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.
The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.
The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.
The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.
South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.
Diplomacy
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.
Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.
The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.
UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.
Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.
The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.
-
Analysis4 days agoThe Agony of a Columnist, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
-
Analysis3 days agoNow That Nigeria Has a U.S. Ambassador-Designate, by Boniface Ihiasota
-
Diplomacy3 days agoCARICOM Raises Alarm Over Political Crisis in Haiti
-
News4 days agoTinubu Unhurt After Brief Stumble at Turkey Reception
-
News4 days agoMacron invites Chad’s Déby to Paris amid push to reset ties
-
News4 days agoCourt, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
