AAUA Student Wins Spelling Bee Competition, Finishes Oxford Dictionary in Three Days

By Ifeoluwa Adeyeye

Benjamin Esther Oluwatoyin, a 200-level Accounting student from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and an indigene of Ilaje Local Government Area, has emerged the champion of the 2025 Spelling Bee Competition.

The event, hosted at Margaret Mosunmola College of Health Technology, Owo, featured contestants from various tertiary institutions across Ondo State in an intense, intellectually charged contest.

Esther secured first place with 85 points, winning a cash prize of ₦300,000. Akinde Promise Excel from the College of Health Technology, Akure (CHTA), finished as the first runner-up with 45 points and received ₦200,000, while Okohokunbor Favour Oluwa Nifemi of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (AFUED), emerged second runner-up with 40 points and was awarded ₦100,000.

Speaking with Echo Media, Esther described her journey to the top as both challenging and transformative. She revealed that her school mother inspired her to register for the competition, adding that the encouragement strengthened her long-held desire to build a career in oratory.

Recounting her emotions upon reaching the final round, she said it was a blend of joy and pressure. “I was excited, but I was also afraid because many people believed in me, and I didn’t want to let them down,” she said.

Esther noted that no particular word challenged her during the competition, as she spelled all her words correctly. However, she said she struggled during preparation due to multiple study materials, adding, “I didn’t know where to focus because there were too many materials, Scripps, dictionaries, PDFs, and online resources.”

For preparation, she said she gave herself no break, revealing that “I finished a whole Oxford Dictionary in three days,” and also studied 4,000 words from a 28-page PDF within 24 hours, adding that pronunciation of words could be tricky even when familiar.

Esther, who barely sleep due to reading for the competition, acknowledged support from a 400-level colleague who tutored her, as well as her school father, school mother and her sister.

Speaking on what winning meant to her, Esther recalled that she came 10th out of 10 participants in a virtual debate competition last month, an experience that affected her mental health. She said, “This win boosted my confidence greatly.”

Her major challenge during preparation was time management, as she had a large volume of words to cover with no specific area of concentration. She also battled fatigue due to long hours of studying without involvement in other activities.

Esther stated that she is open to participating in more spelling bee competitions or similar contests in the future.

Offering advice to aspiring spellers, she emphasized the need for sacrifice and continuous learning. “You have to sacrifice and keep learning,” she said, adding that autocorrect on phones should be turned off, saying “what is a speller using autocorrect for.” 

She advised spellers to remain observant and calm because “one wrong letter cannot be corrected,” and added that listening must align with the brain and mouth for accurate spelling.

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Ondo Deputy Governor Visits Akungba, Promises Lasting Solution to Tragic Accident

By Ifeoluwa Adeyeye 

Following the tragic accident that occurred in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday, October 22, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Olayide Adelami, visited the scene today to sympathize with the family of the victims, students, and residents of the community.

Representing the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor described the incident as “an ugly situation” and extended the government’s condolences to the people of Akungba and the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) community.

He explained that before arriving at the scene, he had visited the palace of the Kabiyesi to commiserate with the monarch and later met with student representatives, who shared their concerns and demands aimed at preventing future occurrences.

The Deputy Governor acknowledged that the area has been prone to accidents for some time, which led to the installation of barricades to restrict heavy vehicles from passing through. However, he noted that certain traffic personnel had compromised, allowing trailers back on the road.

“As a listening government, we decided to provide a permanent solution, which is to reconstruct the road,” he said. “The contract has already been awarded, and construction work has commenced.”

He further stated that initial findings revealed that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the officers in charge had carried out their duties effectively. According to him, some barricades were removed by unknown individuals, allowing the heavy truck involved in the accident to pass through.

“From what His Royal Majesty told me, there were compromises from those expected to control traffic,” he said. “It’s an avoidable accident, but we are here to commiserate with the people and assure them that the government feels their pain."

He confirmed that the driver of the trailer has been arrested and is currently in custody, while relevant agencies such as the Road Safety Corps and the Emergency Management Agency are on ground to handle the situation, pacify the people, and cater for victims.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to public safety, the Deputy Governor assured that all promises made would be fulfilled. He added that the barricades would be reconstructed and the construction company would be instructed to speed up road work and adhere strictly to road safety protocols.

“No heavy vehicle will be allowed to pass through this route until construction is completed,” he emphasized. “All necessary precautions will be put in place to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.”

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AAUA Postpones Resumption for 2025/2026 Academic Session

By Oluwapelumi Akintoye 

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has announced a shift in the resumption date for the 2025/2026 academic session. The new date is now Sunday, November 9, 2025, replacing the earlier schedule.

According to a circular issued by the Registrar, Mr. Olugbenga Arajulu (FCAI, JP), and approved by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga E. Ige, on behalf of the University Senate, the postponement became necessary to enable the university community to make adequate preparations for a smooth take-off of the new session.

The Registrar explained that the circular was released to inform all staff and students of the new date and to guide them in their academic and administrative planning.

Copies of the circular have been distributed to key university officials, including the Deputy Vice Chancellors (Administration and Academic), the Bursar, Librarian, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and the President of the Students’ Union.

The University Management reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a seamless academic calendar and urged all members of the university community to comply with the new resumption schedule.

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AAUASU Refutes Palace Claims, Alleges Extortion by Palace Boys

By Eniola Akinwumi-Niyi 

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko Student' Union, has dismissed claims by the Alale Royal Palace over the reopening of the Akungba Okerigbo barricade, describing them as “misleading and aimed at shifting blame.”

In a statement signed by the SUG President, Comrade Salami Akeem (Ologbon), the Union said its earlier audio clarification was to defend its actions in preventing further road accidents, including the October 22 tragedy.

According to the SUG, a meeting held on October 18 at the Palace with security officials and student representatives resolved that heavy-duty vehicles be barred from using the route. A key was issued to the Union for monitoring, while spare keys remained with individuals linked to the Palace.

The Union alleged that these individuals, known as “Palace boys” converted the barricade to an illegal toll gate, collecting money from truck drivers and allowing unsafe passage. 

“Since our involvement, no truck has been allowed through the road. We have kept watch to prevent unauthorized movement,” the statement read.

The SUG further disclosed that one of the Palace boys was apprehended while attempting to collect money from a driver and was handed over to the police.

It accused the Palace of attempting to politicize tragedy rather than address corruption around the barricade.

The Union urged His Royal Majesty, Oba Oseni Isiaka Adu (Agure I), the Alale of Akungba to investigate those responsible for compromising safety, insisting that student leaders cannot be silenced.

“We will continue to defend the truth and prioritize student welfare,”the statement concluded.

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Dangote Group Disclaim Ownership of Truck

By Eniola Akinwumi-Niyi & Ifeoluwa Adeyeye 

Dangote Group has disclaimed ownership of a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Following the tragic accident that occurred on October 22nd, 2025 involving the lost of lives of eight according to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), report began circulating on social media linking the truck involved in the incident to the Dangote Group. 

However, the company has released an official press statement on October 23rd, 2025, refuting these claims. 

According to the statement, the truck with Plate Number JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company without affiliation to the Dangote Group.

The management claims that the vehicle was not transporting any Dangote products but was carrying crushed stones in reused sacks bearing various brand names. They further emphasized that all genuine Dangote trucks are easily identifiable by their distinct company markings and fleet numbers.

While expressing condolences to victims of the accident, the Group urged the public to verify information before sharing, saying such misinformation could damage the reputation of organizations that adhere to the law.

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ASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike

Gbonjubola Olanrewaju 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike initiated on Monday, 13 October 2025.

This happened during an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, which concluded in the early hours of Wednesday, 22 October 2025. 

At a press briefing immediately after the meeting, ASUU President Chris Piwuna revealed that the decision was driven by renewed engagements between the union and federal government representatives over several unresolved demands. 

He said the union would pause the strike to allow the government a one-month ultimatum to meet its outstanding issues. 

The demands include the full implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, improved funding for public universities, and protection against victimisation of lecturers.

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Nigeria at 65: Independence Without Stability is Incomplete

                         Photo credit: UNICEF

By: Ifeoluwa Adeyeye

Sixty-five years after Nigeria’s independence, the question remains: has our education system truly kept pace with the nation’s democratic and economic aspirations? The reality is sobering. While progress has been made in expanding access, the sector continues to be plagued by deep structural and systemic problems.

Over the years, successive governments have pledged reforms, from student loans to increased funding, building technical schools to expanding teacher support. Some gains are visible. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme expanded free access to primary and junior secondary education. More universities, both public and private, have been established. Campaigns for girl-child education and digital learning opportunities have opened new doors.

Yet, the realities often betray the promises. Public schools across the country remain overcrowded and poorly funded. Teachers are underpaid, infrastructure is inadequate, and basic facilities are missing. According to UNICEF, about 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, one of the highest figures in the world. At the tertiary level, repeated strikes keep disrupting academic calendars, leaving students stranded and families frustrated.

These challenges are not abstract; they are lived daily. In many federal and state-owned universities, it is common for students to stand during lectures due to inadequate seating. Departments share lecture halls, leading to timetable clashes and cancelled classes. Students spend money on transportation, only to return home without attending a single lecture. This is the day-to-day reality in a country that, 65 years after independence, still struggles to provide a smooth learning environment.

The irony could not be sharper: while Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, some universities remain on strike. It feels like two worlds colliding, a country rejoicing in freedom while its students are trapped in uncertainty. True independence is not just political. It is also educational, the freedom to learn without constant interruption, and the assurance that young people can plan their lives and future with stability.

President Bola Ahamed Tinubu’s proposed reforms including improved infrastructure, functional student loans, and better access to skills development have the potential to ease these burdens. But policies must move beyond paper. Effective implementation and accountability are essential if students are to feel the benefits.

The biggest reform Nigeria’s education sector needs today is stability. No more strikes, no more disrupted calendars, no more wasted years. Stability would allow students to graduate on time, build trust between lecturers and the government, and restore confidence in the system.

At 65, Nigeria’s independence cannot be considered complete without addressing the persistent challenges in education. A nation cannot claim freedom while its young people remain trapped by an unreliable learning system. True independence means giving students the tools, time, and environment they need to thrive.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.

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NELFUND Announces Closure of Portal for 2024/2025

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‎By Ayomide Oguntade 

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‎The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced the closure of its application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session on the 30th of September, 2025.

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‎This federal government initiative, which aims to empower Nigerian students through interest-free loans, is said to open a new application cycle in the second week of October 2025.

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‎Institutions across Nigeria are hereby informed to update their students' records for the 2025/2026 academic session. After October 2025, all unverified 2024/2025 applications will be automatically cancelled.

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‎Students are also advised to work closely with their institutions, complete their application on time, and reapply for the 2025/2026 session.

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AAUA Sports Complex Gears Up for Monieball 5-A-Side Football Action

By Boluwatife Kehinde and Daniel Akinte

The heat is on as Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), prepares to light up its Sports Complex with the electrifying Monieball 5-A-Side football showdown, powered by Moniepoint.

Come October 15, 2025, it’s not just football, it’s fire, flair, and full-throttle action as some of Nigeria’s finest universities battle for bragging rights.

From the University of Ibadan to FUOYE, FUNAAB, UNILORIN, UNICAL, UNIUYO, and Abia State University, the pitch will be packed with raw talent, silky skills, and heart-stopping drama.

The road to glory starts with the group stage, before the stakes get higher in the semis and climax in a winner-takes-all final.

But make no mistake, this isn’t just about goals and glory. It’s Moniepoint making a bold statement on and off the pitch, stamping its brand in the heart of Nigerian campus football.

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