The management of Deeper Life High School have taken to social media to celebrate the exploits of 174 of their students who scored 300 marks and above in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

The students scored between 300 and 362 marks out of possible 400.

The feat was disclosed in a Facebook post by the school on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Despite JAMB’s announcement that only around 0.5% of candidates nationwide scored 300 and above in the 2024 UTME, an astounding one hundred and seventy-four (174) students of DLHS exceeded expectations with flying colours by scoring 300 and above,” the school said in the post.

In another post, the school shared a video with the caption, “Behold the DLHS 2024 UTME heroes and heroines; one hundred and seventy four (174) students who scored 300 and above! Congratulations to the Champions.”

According to information from the school’s Facebook page, this year’s highest scorer, Ayeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa, achieved a total score of 362 out of a possible 400 marks.

Recall that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Monday, April 29, released the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

The board announced that 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

It also announced the decision not to disclose the names of the highest-scoring candidates in the just-concluded UTME.

The statement partly reads, “It is common knowledge that the Board has, at various fora, restated its unwillingness to publish the names of its best-performing candidates, as it considers its UTME as only a ranking examination on account of the other parameters that would constitute what would later be considered the minimum admissible score for candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

“Similarly, because of the different variables adopted by respective institutions, it might be downright impossible to arrive at a single or all-encompassing set of parameters for generating a list of candidates with the highest admissible score, as gaining admission remains the ultimate goal.

Hence, it might be unrealistic or presumptive to say a particular candidate is the highest scorer given the fact that such a candidate may, in the final analysis, not even be admitted.”

Isa Dogonyaro, a member of the House of Representatives, is dead.

Dogonyaro, who represented Babura/Garki federal constituency of Jigawa, died on Friday in Abuja, after a brief illness. He was 46 years of age.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, announced Dogonyaro’s passing in a statement.

“Hon. Isa Dogonyaro was a dedicated and passionate legislator who served his constituents and the nation with utmost commitment,” the statement reads.

“He was a pillar in the House, contributing significantly to the development of legislation, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, where he served as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee.”

Rotimi said Dogonyaro was “known for his integrity, diligence, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the Nigerian people”.

“His presence will be sorely missed in the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives.

“Hon. Isa Dogonyaro was a detribalized patriot who was very jovial as much as he was an intellectual.

“He built strong bonds of friendship with Honourable Members from all parts of the country.

“He is survived by wives and children.”

The house spokesperson said prayers will be held for the deceased today (Friday) at the National Mosque, Abuja, after Jumaat prayers, which will be followed by interment at the Gudu Muslim cemetery, in line with Islamic rites.

The Kogi state government says nine students have been confirmed missing after the attack by gunmen on Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC) Osara.

The gunmen invaded the university around 9pm on Thursday and abducted students who were preparing for their examinations.

Kingsley Fanwo, commissioner for information in Kogi, told journalists on Friday that the state has deployed security operatives and hundreds of local hunters into the bushes in pursuit of the kidnappers.

He added that security agents have also been positioned around the school.

“Hundreds of local hunters, who understand the terrain, as well as the conventional security agents, are currently combing the area to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped from their classrooms,” Fanwo said.

“So far, nine students have been reported missing and we hope to rescue them as soon as possible.

“We wish to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi that the government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive.

“We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail by God’s grace,” he said.