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US State honours Nigerian diplomat
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The US State of Georgia has honoured the Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Amina Smaila, for “efficient and unselfish dedication to public service to the state”.
The North American Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia presented the honour to Ms Smaila on Thursday on the floor of the house.
The house, in resolution 647, obtained from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta, stated that Ms Smaila had diligently and conscientiously devoted her time, talents and energy toward the betterment of the state.
The resolution, signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, William Reily, spelt out the exceptional diplomatic skills of the Nigerian envoy.
“A distinguished Nigerian diplomat with more than two decades of exceptional service in the Nigerian Foreign Service, she currently oversees 16 southeastern states as well as Puerto Rico.
“Throughout her impressive career in public administration and policy development, she served in senior roles such as Minister at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York and acting Director of Policy Division under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Her outstanding service has earned her numerous honours, including delivering the commencement speech at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and receiving the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta.’’
According to the lawmakers, the Nigerian diplomat has given inspiration to many through her high ideals, morals, and deep concern for fellow citizens.
The representatives noted that Ms Smaila had served with honour and distinction, and her vision and unyielding commitment to excellence had set the standard for public service.
“It’s abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognised,’’ they noted.
Miriam Udeozo, Consul, Consulate of Nigeria, Atlanta, spoke on the extraordinary qualities of Ms Smaila that won her the honour by the State of Georgia and other honours.
Ms Udeozo said the Consul General had won the Phoenix Award by Andre Dickens, Mayor of the City of Atlanta, which was in recognition of her diplomatic work in reinforcing the ties between Nigeria and the United States.
According to her, the envoy has won Courageous Women Award by Courageous Women in Action, Atlanta, Georgia.
Under her leadership, Ms Udeozo said, the President of the City Council of Atlanta and all the State of Georgia, recognised 1 October as the Independence Day of Nigeria in Georgia.
They also made a “proclamation declaring May 25 as Nigeria’s Day for Art and Culture in the State of Georgia.
“This pronouncement came at the heels of the exhibition titled “Nigeria Speaks”, which attracted Atlanta, the entire United States and the world, to a navel cultural extravaganza, projecting Nigeria and African art in all of its diversity and beauty,’’ she said.
(NAN)
The Federal Government has endorsed a new examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), effective from 2027.
The approval was conveyed in a statement dated June 18 and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim. According to the statement, the decision followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the SSCE registration fee for candidates from 2027.
The new fee represents an 82 per cent increase from the current registration fee of N27,500. Ibrahim explained that the decision stemmed from a meeting held on March 31, 2026, between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed.
He stated that the Minister directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform examination fee for the conduct of their SSCE examinations.
You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need for an upward review of examination fees was discussed, the Honourable Minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.
“Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) only as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”
The ministry also directed that the approval be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Confirming the development, the Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, told TheCable that the Federal Government had approved the upward review of the examination fees.
“I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he said the approval was done,” she said.
An Iranian newspaper has published a controversial list naming former U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and several European leaders as alleged targets for revenge following the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The publication is linked to hardline elements in Iran but it is not clear whether the list reflects official Iranian government policy.
The report comes amid heightened tensions after Khamenei’s death and follows renewed vows of retaliation by Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has publicly promised revenge for his father’s assassination.
The newspaper’s publication has raised international concern, with analysts warning that such inflammatory rhetoric could further escalate the already volatile security situation in the Middle East. While the list has attracted widespread attention, there has been no official confirmation that it represents an operational threat or an approved policy of the Iranian government.
The development comes as tensions between Iran, the United States, Israel, and their allies remain at one of their highest levels in recent years, with governments closely monitoring the situation for any signs of further escalation.
News
Military identifies Army lieutenant who paid supreme sacrifice in rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers
Military sources have confirmed the death of an Army officer, Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, during the operation that rescued 44 abducted pupils and teachers from the Old Oyo National Park.
The victims were rescued on July 10, 2026, in a coordinated operation involving security agencies after spending several days in captivity.
According to the sources, Lieutenant Isaac was killed in the line of duty during the rescue mission and was buried the same day.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that the military recorded a casualty during the operation.
Sources said Lieutenant Isaac was among the officers leading efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers when he was fatally wounded.
The pupils and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on or about June 6, 2026, before their eventual rescue by security operatives.
FG jerks WAEC exam fees by 82%, parents to pay N50k
Iranian Newspaper lists Trump, European leaders as alleged revenge targets
Military identifies Army lieutenant who paid supreme sacrifice in rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers
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