Nigeria News (Standard)
Anambra Government Invests ₦80 Million in 80 Tech Startups, Graduates 400 ICT Professionals
State initiative aims to boost digital economy as officials celebrate milestone for local entrepreneurs and skilled youths
State initiative aims to boost digital economy as officials celebrate milestone for local entrepreneurs and skilled youths
The Anambra State Government has invested ₦80 million in 80 technology startups and graduated 400 information and communications technology (ICT) professionals as part of efforts to strengthen the digital economy in the South-East state. The announcement was made on Saturday, 20 June, during a ceremony marking the successful completion of the latest cohort of tech trainees in Awka.
According to state officials, each startup received ₦1 million in seed funding to support early-stage development and innovation. The 400 ICT professionals were trained under government-sponsored programmes targeting software development, digital marketing, and other high-demand tech skills relevant to both local and international markets.
The initiative is expected to address youth unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship by providing young people with practical skills and financial backing. Technology sector observers say such interventions are critical for positioning Anambra as a regional hub for innovation, especially amid Nigeria’s rising demand for digital services and the global shift towards remote work.
While details of the selection process were not immediately disclosed, the government said beneficiaries were chosen through a competitive application involving project pitches and aptitude tests. Officials expressed optimism that these investments will yield measurable economic benefits for the state. “This marks a new dawn for Anambra’s tech ecosystem,” an official said at the event.
Stakeholders have called on other states to adopt similar strategies to harness Nigeria’s youth potential. The government says it will monitor progress among startups and graduates over the coming year to assess impact and inform future interventions.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti Observers Hail BVAS Performance, Raise Alarm Over Vote-Buying in 2026 Governorship Election
Civil society groups praise INEC’s technology but warn that widespread cash inducement threatens credibility of South-West poll
Civil society groups praise INEC’s technology but warn that widespread cash inducement threatens credibility of South-West poll
Election observers in Ekiti State have commended the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for its efficient performance during the 2026 governorship election held on Saturday, June 20. However, they expressed concern over reports of rampant vote-buying across several polling units, warning that such malpractice undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
According to monitoring teams deployed by various civil society organisations, the BVAS devices functioned smoothly at most polling centres in Ado-Ekiti and other LGAs, allowing for quick accreditation and reducing incidents of multiple voting. The observers noted that the swift verification process contributed to orderly conduct at many locations and encouraged voter turnout.
Despite these technological gains, observers reported that party agents from major political parties were openly distributing cash and material inducements to voters near some polling stations. They said that while security personnel were present at many sites, enforcement against vote-buying was inconsistent. This development has renewed concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s campaign against electoral corruption, especially in the South-West region where Ekiti is located.
The observers called on INEC and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb financial inducement in future elections. “The use of BVAS is a major step forward for transparency,” one monitoring group stated in their preliminary report. “But as long as politicians continue to buy votes with impunity, the credibility of our elections remains at risk.” Calls for stricter prosecution of offenders were echoed by local civic leaders.
INEC officials have yet to issue a formal response regarding the reported cases of vote-buying. Meanwhile, stakeholders say they expect a comprehensive review from the commission once collation is concluded. Many believe that addressing these challenges is crucial as Nigeria prepares for subsequent off-cycle elections in neighbouring states.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Oyo Emergency Services Confirm Five Dead, Eight Injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Multi-Vehicle Crash
FRSC and Oyo Fire Service cite truck brake failure as cause; victims evacuated after fire outbreak near Satguru Maharaj Ji Village
FRSC and Oyo Fire Service cite truck brake failure as cause; victims evacuated after fire outbreak near Satguru Maharaj Ji Village
No fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead while eight others sustained injuries following a multiple-vehicle crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday evening. The incident occurred close to the Satguru Maharaj Ji Village axis in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, according to emergency officials who responded to the scene.
The accident involved six trucks, two Toyota Hilux vans and two cars. According to responders from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Oyo State Fire Service, the incident began when a truck suffered brake failure and rammed into another parked truck. This triggered a chain reaction, with several vehicles becoming involved in the collision.
The force of the impact led to a fire outbreak, which further complicated rescue operations as emergency teams battled both flames and wreckage. Personnel from Oyo State Fire Service and FRSC arrived promptly to manage the situation, contain the fire, and evacuate victims from the affected vehicles.
Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that five bodies were recovered from the site of the crash. He stated that eight injured persons were rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention. “Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks, including…” Akinwande said at the scene.
Officials urged motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan corridor to maintain safe speeds and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys. As at press time, clearing operations were ongoing at the accident site to restore normal traffic flow on this critical expressway connecting South-West states.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Uploads 34.6% of Polling Unit Results on IReV for Ekiti Governorship Election
Partial result uploads spark concern as stakeholders urge INEC to improve transparency in South-West state poll
Partial result uploads spark concern as stakeholders urge INEC to improve transparency in South-West state poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded only 34.6 percent of polling unit results on its IReV portal for the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election as at Saturday, June 20, 2026. The partial release comes amid heightened public interest and calls for greater transparency in the South-West state’s high-stakes poll.
According to data available on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) platform, less than half of the expected results had been posted by Saturday evening, raising concerns among voters and political parties about the speed and openness of the collation process. The slow pace of uploads has led several party agents and civil society groups to urge INEC to address technical challenges and ensure all results are made public without delay.
Ekiti State’s governorship election is seen as a crucial test of Nigeria’s electoral reforms, particularly following controversies from previous polls where delayed or incomplete result uploads fuelled allegations of irregularities. Many residents and stakeholders believe transparent electronic result management is essential for public confidence in the outcome.
INEC officials did not immediately issue a formal statement on the reason for the slow upload rate. However, some party representatives in Ado-Ekiti expressed frustration, warning that lack of timely updates could undermine trust in the commission’s processes. “We expect INEC to live up to its promise of real-time result viewing,” one agent said after reviewing progress at a collation centre.
As final collation continues, attention remains focused on whether INEC will complete the upload of all polling unit results before official declaration of a winner. Election observers have called on both political parties and supporters to remain calm while awaiting full publication, noting that credible electronic transmission is vital for peace and legitimacy in Ekiti’s democratic contest.
Ekiti Observers Hail BVAS Performance, Raise Alarm Over Vote-Buying in 2026 Governorship Election
INEC Uploads 34.6% of Polling Unit Results on IReV for Ekiti Governorship Election
Oyo Emergency Services Confirm Five Dead, Eight Injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Multi-Vehicle Crash
Ekiti Governor Oyebanji Secures Victory at Own Polling Unit in 2026 Governorship Election
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