Personality in Focus
Atiku Awards Full Scholarships to Three Nigerian Winners at TeenEagle Global Finals
Three Nigerian teenagers Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukaiya Fema, and Khadija Kalli have been awarded fully-funded scholarships by the Atiku Abubakar Foundation following their outstanding performance at the TeenEagle Global Finals.
The girls, who emerged as global winners in various categories of the prestigious academic competition, were recognised by the Foundation for what it described as their “remarkable success.”
In a letter which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday, dated August 5, 2025, and signed by Prof. Ahmadu Shehu, Acting Secretary of the AAF, the Foundation wrote: “The Atiku Abubakar Foundation is delighted to learn of your outstanding performance at the TeenEagle Global Finals, where you emerged as global winners in various categories of the competition.”
Among the recipients is 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi, who stood out for her command of the English language, critical thinking, and articulation, skills that propelled her to win against participants from 69 countries.
The Foundation, in its congratulatory message, said, “Your remarkable success is a testament not only to your academic excellence but also to the boundless potential of all children to achieve their dreams, regardless of gender, social class, or background.”
In recognition of the feat, AAF offered the girls a “fully-funded scholarship covering the remainder of your secondary education and your university studies at any institution of your choice.”
The letter also reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission, stating, “As the platform that coordinates the philanthropic activities of H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON, renowned for his commitment to quality education in Nigeria, the Foundation reaffirms its dedication to supporting education, particularly for girls and other vulnerable groups.”
Concluding the message, the Foundation added: “We wish you continued success in all your future endeavours. Please accept our warmest congratulations and sincere regards.”
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu congratulated the three students for emerging world champions at the academic competition.
Atiku Abubakar also congratulated Nafisa Aminu, an indigene of Yobe state for emerging as the world’s best in English at the finals of the competition.
Nigerian academic, literary critic and Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, is dead. He was 80.
Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of the foremost scholars of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
His passing was announced by the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Andrew Haruna, in a statement on Wednesday, saying the scholar passed away on 11 February.
The Nigerian Academy of Letters expressed condolences to his family and the academic community, describing his passing as a significant loss to literary scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
In January, an international scholarly gathering was held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos to mark his 80th birthday.
The event drew academics, writers and cultural figures in recognition of his lifelong contributions to literary studies and intellectual life.
Colleagues have often described Mr Jeyifo’s writing as both intellectually rigorous and accessible, blending critical depth with clarity of expression.
Beyond Soyinka studies, he was known for his wide-ranging engagement with world Anglophone literature, cultural theory and postcolonial thought.
Born on 5 January 1946, Mr Jeyifo was a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and a prominent public intellectual whose career spanned several decades of teaching, research and mentorship across Nigeria and the United States.
Legendary gospel singer, Ron Kenoly, has passed away.
Kenoly’s death has been confirmed by several artistes via their social media pages.
He was 81.
Top Nigerian minister, Nathaniel Bassey, wrote on Instagram: “Dr Ron Kenoly crosses to yonder side.
“Thank you for inspiring generations of psalmists like me.
“I grew up on these songs. And today, others are growing up on ours.
“Thank you sir.”
Kenoly was behind hit songs like Majesty, righteousnes, peace & joy, Anointing, All honour, Sing out, among others.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, approved the immediate posting of AIG Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force CID Annex Alagbon Lagos. The redeployment is with immediate effect, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, can report.
Until the latest posting, AIG Disu was AIG in charge of Special Protection Unit (SPU).
NAOSNP recalls that AIG Disu once served as the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, among other exemplary roles. He was decorated with the AIG rank on March 25, 2025.
