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Another Suicide: 300-Level Medical Student Drowns Self for Failing Exam

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A 300-level medical student of the Niger Delta University, Ammasoma in the Southern Ijaw Local Governmant Area of Bayelsa State, has committed suicide for failing his examination.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the student, identified as Uzakah Ebiweni, dived into the Amassoma River and drowned before he could get help.

Sources at the university said few hours after Ebiweni’s body was recovered, another student attempted to kill himself by running into a fast-moving motorcycle was rescued by other students.

It was gathered that Ebiweni, a student of Surgery and Medicine at the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of the NDU, decided to kill himself following his failure to realise his dream.

He was said to be among the students disqualified by the institution after their results were released on Friday.

Ebiweni, it was learnt, found the development difficult to accept and was said to have dropped a hint about his suicidal intention through his WhatsApp status update.

He was said to have initially posted the picture of a lit candle and later changed it to that of a candle with its light blown out.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident, but said no official report had been made at the command headquarters yet.

The Public Relations Officer, NDU, Ndoni Ingezi, who also confirmed the incident, told our correspondent that Ebiweni’s body had been recovered and deposited in the Sabageria hospital mortuary.

He said the late student might have resorted to suicide after news that he was among the 22 students shortlisted to be withdrawn from the college.

Ingezi stated, “You know, it is a general practice that every student passes the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery exams before progressing to the next level of academic pursuit.

“But Ebiweni and 21 others failed beyond the level that they could be placed on academic probation for another academic year; so, they had to be withdrawn. So, in our usual practice, we did not break the news to the students until they had been invited for counselling.

“When Ebiweni was counselled and informed that he would be withdrawn from the college, he accepted the decision of the college in good faith and left, only to for the university to hear afterwards that the young man took his own life.”

The first female President of the Federated African Medical Students’ Association, Esite Winifred, lamented the development.

She said, “Today, a medical student took his life after failing his professional exams. This brought back a lot of memories, especially the number of times lecturers used to spread negativity and discouragement at the initial phase of the medical school.

“Please, this should at least be a wake-up call to all students and lecturers in the faculty. It is not your destiny to demoralise young people who want certificates.

“Mentor and uplift them or be quiet. Nothing at the end of the day is worth dying for, especially not medicine and surgery.”

The Punch

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Metro

Armed Thugs Attack NDC Members at Lagos Town Hall Meeting

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Panic broke out on Thursday in Lagos as thugs attacked supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in the Oregun area of the metropolis.

Reports said the hoodlums, who were armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, stormed the venue of the event while the meeting was in  session.

The attackers were said to have invaded the hall, disrupted proceedings and sent participants scampering for safety.

Many of the supporters ran in different directions to escape the attack, while chairs and other items at the venue were scattered in the confusion that followed.

At the time of filing this report, it was not clear if anyone was injured in the attack, or if any arrest had been made by the police.

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Metro

60 Years Anniversary: MAGGI Unveils Text & Win Promo, Set to Give Out 12 SUVs, N1m Each to 60 Persons

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MAGGI is marking 60 years of being part of Nigeria’s food culture, family traditions and shared celebrations in MAGGI-NIFICENT style, with the launch of its MAGGI @ 60 Text and Win promotion, offering consumers the opportunity to win 12 brand-new SUVs, 60 cash prizes of ₦1 million each, and thousands of other rewards, including household appliances, airtime and additional cash prizes.

Over six decades, MAGGI has evolved alongside the changing tastes, preferences and needs of Nigerian consumers, continually innovating its products while Nestlé has invested in the local manufacturing capabilities and partnerships that support the brand’s growth.

Speaking at the anniversary press conference in Lagos, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, described the milestone as a celebration of the trust Nigerians have placed in the brand over the years.

“When we look back on 60 years of MAGGI in Nigeria, we see far more than the history of a brand. We see generations of families who have made us part of their lives, investments that have helped strengthen local capabilities, and partnerships that have created opportunities for people and businesses across the country. These contributions remind us of the responsibility that comes with the trust Nigerians have placed in us. That means maintaining the quality and standards consumers expect from us, while continuing to listen to their needs. As we celebrate this milestone, our commitment is to keep earning that trust and contributing positively to Nigeria’s future,” he said.

Nestlé’s investment in local manufacturing has also supported the development of MAGGI’s value chain, bringing together farmers, suppliers, transporters, distributors and retailers who contribute to the brand’s production and distribution across Nigeria.

To mark the anniversary, MAGGI is recognising and rewarding the consumers and business partners who have contributed to its journey.

Speaking on the anniversary celebrations, Funmi Osineye, Category Business Manager for Culinary at Nestlé Nigeria, said the brand had planned a series of exciting activities to reward consumers and recognise the partners who have contributed to its success.

“We wanted to celebrate 60 years of MAGGI in a truly MAGGI-NIFICENT way, with the people who have made this journey possible at the heart of it all. Through our MAGGI @ 60 Text and Win promotion, we are giving 12 lucky Nigerians the opportunity to drive home brand-new SUVs and making 60 other millionaires, with ₦1 million each. There are also thousands of other exciting prizes to be won, including lots of deep freezers, triple-door refrigerators, cookers, ovens, microwaves, fans, airtime and several cash prizes to be won. It is our way of saying thank you to Nigerians for six wonderful decades and inviting everyone to celebrate with us,” she said.

To participate, consumers aged 18+ and above can purchase promotional packs of MAGGI Star, MAGGI Star Double Cube or MAGGI Chicken Flavour, find the unique code inside the pack and dial *8011*3# or scan the QR code on the packaging to follow the entry instructions and stand a chance to win in the weekly draws. The promotion runs from 1 November to 31 December 2026.

Beyond consumer rewards, MAGGI is recognising 15 of its leading distributors with an all-expenses-paid trip to Cairo Egypt, in appreciation of their longstanding partnership and contribution to the brand’s growth.

The anniversary will also feature the unveiling of a commemorative documentary chronicling MAGGI’s six-decade journey in Nigeria. Told through the experiences of consumers, farmers, distributors, creators and individuals who have helped shape the brand, including its first Marketing Manager, the documentary captures the people and defining moments behind MAGGI’s enduring place in Nigerian life.

Six decades on, MAGGI’s story continues to be told through the experiences of Nigerians who have grown up with the brand, shared it across generations and made it part of their own stories. It is this enduring connection that gives the anniversary its significance and makes the milestone worth celebrating.

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Metro

Technology Behind Smartphones: Why Africa Needs More Chip Engineers

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From smartphones and laptops to
vehicles and AI systems, semiconductors are essential to modern technology. Yet, the expertise required to design these components remains concentrated in a relatively small number of global
technology hubs.

ChipMango is working to expand access to semiconductor engineering skills and commercial opportunities for African engineers. Its journey also highlights why initiatives such as EIB’s Boost Africa matter. By supporting venture capital funds investing in innovative African businesses, Boost Africa helps strengthen the financing ecosystem needed to develop specialised technology companies. Watch the video to learn how
ChipMango is contributing to Africa’s place in the global technology industry.

Watch the video:

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