Pen Blog Media

By— Pen Blog Media Fact-Checking Desk. Date: Saturday, 27th June, 2026 | 12th Muharram, 1448 AH. THE death of Ummulkhair Usman Aliyu in Kaduna State has generated widespread reactions across Nigeria, with thousands of social media users sharing messages describing the circumstances surrounding her killing. Some of the claims have been supported by official statements and multiple independent reports, while others remain allegations that have not yet been confirmed by investigators. Since Pen Blog Media first examined the incident, fresh developments have emerged, including the arraignment of suspects and the launch of a separate investigation into allegations concerning the conduct of police officers. Below is a fact-check of the most widely circulated claims. Claim 1: Ummulkhair Usman Aliyu was killed by a mob in Kaduna State. Verdict: Confirmed. The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that a woman identified as Ummulkhair Usman Aliyu died after she was attacked by a mob in Mar...

By: Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus | Pen Blog Media. Date: Friday, 26th June, 2026 | 11th Muharram, 1448 AH. A woman identified as Ummulkhair Usman Aliyu was killed by a mob in Maraban Jos, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after she was accused of child theft, in a weird and heartbreaking incident in Nigeria. According to information confirmed by the Kaduna State Police Command, the woman had been taken into police custody following the allegation before a crowd gathered outside the police station. The command said the situation escalated when the mob attacked the facility, overpowered security personnel and forcibly removed the woman from custody. She was subsequently beaten and set ablaze. Police authorities described the incident as a criminal act and disclosed that investigations had commenced. The command also announced that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack on the police station and the killing, while efforts continue to identify and ap...

By— Pen Blog Media . Date: Monday, 22nd June, 2026 | 7th Muharram, 1448 AH . POLITICS is often most interesting before campaign posters flood the streets. Long before official election season begins, conversations are already taking place in meeting rooms, party offices, community gatherings, media platforms, and among ordinary citizens trying to make sense of what lies ahead. In Oyo State, those conversations have become increasingly difficult to ignore. With Governor Seyi Makinde serving his second and final constitutional term, attention is gradually shifting from the present administration to a question that is likely to define the state's political landscape over the next few years: WHO COMES NEXT? While elections may still appear distant on the calendar, the early signs of political positioning have already emerged. Across party lines, individuals and groups are beginning to test their influence, strengthen alliances, and connect with voters whose decisions will ultimately ...

By— Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus | Pen Blog Media . Date: Monday, 22nd June, 2026 | 7th Muharram, 1448 AH . ABUJA, NIGERIA — THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education will, from the 2026/2027 academic session, be required to enrol through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) pathway. Under the new policy, fresh admissions into degree programmes run by Colleges of Education in affiliation with universities will no longer be processed through JAMB. The board disclosed the change in its updated admission guidelines for Colleges of Education, stating that admissions into 100-level and 200-level affiliated degree programmes have been discontinued. According to JAMB, the reform is designed to strengthen teacher education and restore the NCE as the primary qualification route for prospective teachers. Candidates who had previously applied for affiliated degree programmes in Colleges of Education hav...

By— Pen Blog Media. Date: Sunday, 21st June, 2026 | 6th Maharram, 1448 AH. IGBOHO, OYO STATE — The Chairman of Oorelope Local Government Area, Hon. Ogundiran Jacob Oluwale, has dismissed reports circulating on social media that victims of a recent kidnapping incident in Igboho have regained their freedom. In a statement issued on Saturday, the chairman described the reports as "false and misleading," adding that the abducted residents were yet to be rescued. • Related Story: Sunday Igboho Issues 2-Hour Ultimatum to Fulani Leaders Over Kidnapping The statement followed widespread claims online suggesting that the victims had been released after an ultimatum issued by Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho. While some media reports and videos shared on social media appeared to indicate that the victims had been freed, local authorities and the Oyo State Police Command said there was no official confirmation of their release as of the time of filing this report. The local governme...

By— Pen Blog Media. Published: Sunday, 21st June, 2026 | 6th Muharram, 1448 AH. IGBOHO, OYO STATE — Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani community leaders in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, demanding efforts toward the release of residents reportedly abducted by kidnappers. According to multiple media reports, the ultimatum was delivered during a meeting involving Fulani leaders, security officials, and traditional authorities at the palace of the Alepata of Igboholand. • Read also:  Breaking: Oorelope LG Chairman Denies Release of Igboho Kidnapped Victims Videos circulating online show Igboho expressing concern over recurring kidnapping incidents in the area, including the reported abduction of a pregnant woman and members of her family. Igboho reportedly accused some members of the Fulani community of having knowledge of the activities of the kidnappers and urged community leaders t...

By— Abdul-Qoyyum Badmus | Pen Blog Media. Date: Wednesday, 17th June, 2026 | 2nd Muharram, 1448 AH. CANDIDATES who do not meet the admission requirements of their preferred institutions often have an opportunity to improve their chances through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's change of institution process. Whether you scored below your chosen university's cut-off mark, want to switch to a less competitive course, or simply made a mistake during registration, the JAMB change of institution option allows you to update your admission choices. This guide explains everything candidates need to know about changing institutions or courses through the JAMB portal in 2026, including eligibility requirements, costs, procedures, and common mistakes to avoid. WHAT IS JAMB CHANGE OF INSTITUTION? The JAMB change of institution service allows candidates to modify their selected institution, course of study, or both after completing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinati...

By— Pen Blog Media. Date: Tuesday, 16th June, 2026 | 1st Muharram, 1448 AH. LAGOS, NIGERIA — June 16, 2026: Muslims across Nigeria have commenced the Islamic New Year following the official declaration of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as the first day of Muharram 1448 AH. The announcement was made by the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, after the conclusion of the crescent moon verification process. In a statement shared by the committee on Monday night, the Secretary of the NMSC, Yahaya Muhammad Boyi, confirmed the development. “His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has declared Tuesday, 16/6/2026, as the first day of Muharram 1448 AH,” the statement read. The committee subsequently issued an update on Tuesday morning, stating: “Today’s date is Tuesday, 1st Muharram 1448 AH / 16th June 2026.” The declaration follows reports from moon-sighting teams across the country and aligns Nigeria’s obse...

By— Pen Blog Media News Desk Published: Saturday, 13th June, 2026 | 27th Dhul-Hijjah, 1447 AH. VETERAN Nigerian actor, dramatist, and theatre scholar, Dr. Kola Oyewo, has passed away at the age of 80, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned more than six decades in the country's theatre and film industry. The news of his passing was made public on Friday night by fellow Nollywood actor Kunle Afod, who paid tribute to the late thespian in a heartfelt message shared on his official Instagram page. Announcing the loss, Afod described Oyewo as a legendary figure whose contributions to Nigerian theatre and cinema would remain unforgettable. The late actor was widely respected for his exceptional performances on stage and screen, as well as his influence on generations of actors, playwrights, and theatre practitioners across Nigeria. Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his professional acting journey in 1964 after joining the renowned Oyin Adejobi Th...

By— Pen Blog Media. Date: Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026 | 17th Dhul-Hijjah, 1447 AH. ARMED men have reportedly abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a statement issued by the Adelabu family through media aide Femi Awogboro, the incident occurred on Wednesday morning while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school. The family identified the children as Peter and Paul, both aged 12 years. The statement said the victims were intercepted by the attackers and taken to an unknown location. In its reaction, the family appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could hinder ongoing efforts to secure the victims' safe return. The statement further noted that relevant security agencies had been informed of the development and were expected to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing the abducted family member...

By— Abdul-Qoyyum Adeshola, Badmus | Pen Blog Media. Date: Monday, 1st June, 2026 | 15th Dhul-Hijjah, 1447 AH. PUBLIC primary and secondary schools across Oyo State have begun to witness major disruptions on Monday, June 1st, 2026, following the commencement of an indefinite strike earlier declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The action comes amid growing concerns over the abduction of teachers and pupils in parts of the state, a development that has generated widespread reactions from education stakeholders, parents and community leaders. With the strike taking effect, many public schools remained largely inactive as teachers complied with the union's directive to suspend classroom activities until further notice. The union said the decision was aimed at drawing attention to the security challenges confronting schools and the need for urgent measures to safeguard learners and education workers. The situation has also fueled public demonstrations in some areas, particul...