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Pres. Tinubu Acclaims Fasoranti As Champion of Justice At Birthday Celebration
President Bola Tinubu has led tributes to the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Reuben Fasoranti, describing him as a principled leader who stood firmly for justice, democracy, and the betterment of the people.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke on Monday at Fasoranti’s centenary celebration held at his residence in Akure, Ondo State capital, where he said the elder statesman “stands out for justice and betterment of the people and in the fight for the attainment of democracy.”
The President said Fasoranti, who clocked 100 years, “sacrificed his comfort to serve the people and the nation meritoriously,” noting that his life reflected courage, discipline, and consistent advocacy for fairness.
“Live a thousand lifetimes in one, compressing into a single journey the courage of prophets, the patience of teachers, the sacrifices of patriots, and the dignity of elders,” Tinubu said, adding that Fasoranti had remained a witness to Nigeria’s historical and political evolution without compromising his principles.
He further described him as a leader who “never watched history from the safety of the pavilion,” stressing that public service in Nigeria often demands sacrifice in the face of personal interest.
“We live in a country where those privileged to serve the people too often end up serving their own interests,” the President said, warning that when “public duty becomes private appetite, the nation is made unsafe for the vulnerable.”
Tinubu praised Fasoranti for refusing silence in the face of injustice, saying he “gave voice to the underrepresented and sacrificed his comfort in doing so,” while choosing “the burden of advocacy and the loneliness of principle.”
According to him, Fasoranti’s long life, which spanned colonial rule, independence, military regimes, and democratic governance, places him in a unique position in Nigeria’s moral and political history.
“He saw Nigeria in its infancy. He saw her hopes rise, her dreams wounded, her institutions tested, and her democracy reborn,” Tinubu said, adding that Fasoranti remained “a steadfast voice for justice and national unity.”
He also commended the elder statesman for consistently warning against oppression, stressing that “peace without fairness is a fragile peace, and unity without justice only postpones grievance.”
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“On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I thank you for your service to education, democracy, and the cause of justice,” Tinubu said.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also described Fasoranti as more than an elder statesman, calling him “an institution” whose life reflects discipline, courage, and unwavering principle.
“Through political transitions, national uncertainty and changing times, he has remained remarkably steadfast, firm in principle, disciplined in conduct and fearless in defending what is right,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He added that Fasoranti’s life symbolised sacrifice, saying, “We stand here because one man chose to stand firm when it was easier to bend — for his people, for his principles, for the generations he may never meet but has always believed in.”
The governor also described leadership as a “sacred duty,” saying Fasoranti represents a generation that believes “character matters, honour matters, and power without conscience is dangerous.”
In his response, Fasoranti expressed appreciation to the President, governors, traditional rulers, family, and well-wishers for honouring him, while calling for unity and moral renewal in the country.
“To Ondo State and to Nigeria: We must return to values. Let us teach our children discipline again. Let us reward honesty. Let us love one another, irrespective of tribe or tongue,” he said.
He prayed for peace in the country, good leadership, and family blessings, adding, “At 100, my prayer is simple. I pray for peace in our land. I pray for good leaders… and that when my time comes, I will meet my Creator in peace, with a clear conscience.”
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including governors, former governors, and traditional rulers from across the country.
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The Complete Official Record of UTME Top Scorers Since 2013 To 2026, As Published By JAMB.
2026
Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin
State: Ekiti
372 / 400
The latest name to top Nigeria’s most competitive exam, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin scored 372 in the 2026 UTME, choosing the University of Lagos to study Medicine and Surgery. She was closely followed by Enwere Kingsley Ikenna (370) and Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel (369), with several other candidates recording 368 and 367.
2025
All-time record
Okeke Chinedu Christian
State: Anambra
374 / 400
JAMB’s official press conference document, delivered by Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede on May 14, 2025, listed the best score of the 2025 UTME as 374 — the highest recorded since the computer-based test began in 2013. The Registrar described it as “the best highest in the last one and half decades.”
2024
Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi (Ondo), Alayande David (Oyo) & Orukpe Joel Ehijele (Edo)
367 / 400 each
Three candidates shared top honours in the 2024 UTME with identical scores of 367, making it a rare triple tie. Their registration numbers — 202440343695GA, 202440097040EF, and 202440089418GA — are confirmed in JAMB’s official records. It was a year when only 0.46 per cent of the 1.8 million candidates who sat the examination scored 300 and above.
2023
Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere
State: Anambra
360 / 400
A student of Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Ogun State, Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere (Reg: 202330325356GA) scored 360 to emerge the highest UTME candidate in 2023. Her achievement attracted national celebration, and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo offered her a full scholarship.
2022
Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi
State: Ekiti
362 / 400
Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi (Reg: 202211075576JA) topped the 2022 UTME with a score of 362.
2021
Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem
State: Not disclosed
358 / 400
Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem (Reg: 10054281ID) scored 358 to lead all candidates in the 2021 UTME. He later went on to study electrical, electronics and communications engineering at the University of South Florida in the United States.
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One million admitted out of two million UTME candidates in 2025
FULL LIST: Ogun candidate emerges top scorer in 2026 UTME with 372 marks
2020
Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes
State: Anambra
365 / 400
Agnes (Reg: 21398306DF), a graduate of Louisville Girls High School in Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State, scored 365 — a score that stood as the highest in the CBT era until 2025. She went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Duke University in the United States under the institution’s Karsh International Scholarship..…For more, Complete your reading
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The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Distributes Relief Materials To Cross River Fire Vctims
The National Emergency Management Agency has distributed relief materials and building items to victims of recent fire outbreaks in Agbokim and Karaboat communities in Cross River.
PUNCH Online had reported that there was a massive fire incident in Agbokim in August 2025, which destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Following this incident, NEMA, on January 27, 2026, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of Agbokim and Karaboat communities following a distress call from the Cross River Emergency Management Agency.
Flagging off the distribution on Tuesday, Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, represented by Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operation Office, sympathised with the victims, assuring them of NEMA’s commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected communities nationwide.
She said, “We are here to sympathise with the victims and to assure you of our deep commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected communities not just in Cross River, but nationwide.”
She added that the intervention is part of the agency’s continuous efforts in supporting vulnerable people and communities affected by disasters.
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“This intervention forms part of the agency’s continuous efforts to support vulnerable persons and communities impacted by emergencies and disasters,” she said.
The delegation presented 600 bags each of 25kg rice and “garri” and 100 bags of beans, 25kg. Other items donated included 400 bags of cement, 60 cartons each of seasoning, salt, Vegetable oil and tomato paste.
On his part, Secretary to the Government of Cross River, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, commended the Federal Government and NEMA for their prompt intervention.
Owan-Enoh further appealed for sustained support to ease the hardship faced by residents affected by the fire incidents in the communities.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Manyo Ayuk thanked the Federal Government, NEMA and the Cross River Government for the timely intervention.
“This relief support is timely and impactful for many of the families here struggling to recover from the devastating fire incidents, and so, we are grateful,” he added.
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