By John Nwafor

The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared a three-day mourning period following the tragic death of four fresh graduates who reportedly died after attending an off-campus house party in Nsukka, Enugu State.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the incident, which occurred on November 11, 2026, explaining that 10 students of the university attended the gathering organised to celebrate one of their friends who had completed his final-year examination.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, four of the students died after allegedly consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs, while the remaining six are currently receiving medical treatment at different hospitals.

Describing the incident as “a death too many”, Ortuanya announced that all social and academic activities would be suspended across the university during the three-day mourning period.

“Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the University,” he said.

He also announced the suspension of a town hall meeting earlier scheduled between the university community and the Governor of Enugu State.

The Vice-Chancellor extended the university management’s condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased, assuring them of the institution’s solidarity in their moment of grief.

“The Management, staff and the students of the University of Nigeria share in their grief at this difficult moment and pray for the repose of the souls of the departed,” Ortuanya said.

He also clarified that the students involved in the incident came from different departments, dismissing reports suggesting that all the victims were from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Reiterating the university’s ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations, the Vice-Chancellor urged students to avoid activities that could put their lives at risk.

He further disclosed that the university was cooperating with security agencies to establish the actual circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over students’ safety and the risks associated with substance use at social gatherings, as investigations continue to determine the precise cause of the deaths.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the State is capable of delivering massive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Rt Hon Kingsley Chinda and other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming general elections.

Fubara who stated this on Thursday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Port Harcourt, said the surest path to victory is for the members of the Presidential Campaign Council drawn from the APC and the Rainbow Coalition to embrace the spirit of teamwork..

Governor Fubara said what the state was witnessing in the current political season is a repeat of the successful mobilization done in 2022 and 2023, when a large campaign council worked in unity to deliver victory for him and for President Tinubu, adding that the present council is bigger, wider and better coordinated and should therefore achieve even better results.

He noted that the beauty of the new council is the fact that some persons who were in the opposition camp during the previous elections are now part of the team, noting that their inclusion has made the task easier, provided everyone works as one team and with sincerity of purpose.

The Governor thanked the Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council for Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and other leaders who worked tirelessly to bring the council to fruition, stressing that nothing is impossible especially when people work together for a common purpose. He expressed optimism that with seriousness and commitment, the state would record a higher number of votes than it recorded in 2023.

Governor Fubara, while congratulating members who made the list, appealed to those whose names were omitted not to be discouraged, as there are still sub-committees to be constituted and the list can still be updated, even as he warned against double loyalty.

He said the state has gone past the stage of division and is now looking to the future and what God holds for Rivers people, expressing confidence that with the strategy already put in place, the APC and the Rainbow Coalition would come out victorious in 2027.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Coordinator of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council for Rivers State and the FCT, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, while inaugurating the Campaign Council, lauded Governor Fubara for finding time to attend the ceremony and other engagements of the council in spite of his busy schedules.

Wike who is also the National Leader of the PDP/ Rainbow Coalition, reminded members of the newly inaugurated Presidential Campaign Council that each of them have been chosen based on their capacity to participate in the activities of the group and deliver positive results.

He charged them to work hard to win votes for the candidates of the APC and the Rainbow Coalition for the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly as well as State House of Assembly elections next year.
He disclosed that apart from the Presidential Campaign Council and its Sub-Committees, the Local Government Campaign Councils will soon be inaugurated to ensure better coverage of the grassroots during the current campaign season.

Wike also emphasised the need for every member of the council to work hard towards the delivery of massive votes for the candidates of the APC and Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming elections.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over disturbing allegations of an admission racket in some South-East universities, where desperate candidates are reportedly being exploited and allegedly charged between N1.5 million and N4 million to secure admission to study Medicine and Surgery.

HURIWA described the allegations involving the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) as a potential national scandal that must not be swept under the carpet.

The association in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko demanded an immediate, independent and far-reaching investigation by the Federal Government, warning that if the allegations are established, those responsible must be exposed, prosecuted and removed from positions of influence.

How did medical admission become a marketplace where money allegedly speaks louder than merit?

HURIWA said it was particularly disturbing that young Nigerians who spend years preparing for university entrance examinations could allegedly be denied admission despite impressive academic performances, while candidates with lower scores reportedly find their way into highly competitive medical programmes.

The association cited a disturbing account circulated by Alex Onyia, who questioned alleged exploitation of prospective medical students at UNN, claiming that candidates were being asked to pay between N1.5 million and N4 million to secure admission.

Another account attributed to a parent alleged that a candidate who scored 315 in UTME and obtained excellent O’level grades was denied admission to study Medicine and Surgery at UNIZIK and instead offered Biochemistry.

According to the account, the candidate reportedly discovered after resumption that some students with UTME scores of 250, 270, 280 and 300 had secured admission into Medicine and Surgery.

The parent said the candidate subsequently rewrote JAMB, scored 270 and gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at a university in Northern Nigeria without allegedly knowing anyone or paying anyone to facilitate the process.

HURIWA said these allegations, although yet to be independently verified, raise fundamental questions about the integrity of medical admissions and the credibility of the institutions involved.

WHERE ARE THE NUC AND EDUCATION MINISTERS?

The association expressed outrage over what it described as the apparent silence of the National Universities Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education in the face of allegations capable of undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s university system.

HURIWA asked whether the regulatory authorities would wait until the allegations degenerate into a full-blown national scandal before taking action.

It insisted that the NUC must not remain a ceremonial regulator while allegations of financial manipulation and admission racketeering threaten the integrity of university education.

The association also challenged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to investigate discrepancies between candidates’ academic performances and admission outcomes in the affected institutions.

ICPC MUST NOT WAIT FOR PETITIONS

HURIWA called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence discreet investigations immediately rather than wait for formal complaints to land on its desk.

It urged the commission to examine the admission records of UNN and UNIZIK, identify possible intermediaries, investigate alleged financial transactions and establish whether university officials or external networks are involved.

The association further demanded a broad-based Federal Government investigation to identify the individuals behind any admission manipulation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution and appropriate disciplinary sanctions.

HURIWA also called for the establishment of nationwide NUC-JAMB monitoring task forces to conduct periodic checks on admission processes, particularly in highly competitive programmes such as Medicine and Surgery.

A DANGEROUS ASSAULT ON THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S HEALTHCARE

The association warned that the alleged commercialisation of medical admissions, if proven, would amount to more than an educational scandal.

It would raise serious concerns about the integrity of the process through which Nigeria selects and trains its future doctors.

HURIWA asked what would happen to public confidence in the medical profession if admission into medical schools became accessible to those with money and connections rather than candidates who meet established academic requirements.

The association warned that Nigeria cannot afford to turn medical education into a marketplace where wealthy candidates allegedly buy opportunities while academically qualified but less privileged students are pushed aside.

HURIWA insisted that university admission must be governed by merit, transparency and clearly defined academic standards, not alleged financial inducements, political connections or clandestine arrangements.

The association therefore challenged the Federal Government, NUC, JAMB and ICPC to act decisively.

The authorities must investigate, expose and prosecute anyone involved if these allegations are established. Nigeria’s medical schools must not become trading centres for admission slots.