The Oyo State Government has announced scheduled dates for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination and Common Entrance Examination across the state. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olayiwola Olusegun, in a statement on Saturday, informed the general public, especially parents, guardians, and students in Junior Secondary Schools across the state, that the ministry will conduct BECE between Monday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 16, 2025. He added that the examination would commence daily at 9:30 am at the respective schools of the candidates. Meanwhile, the 2025 screening/placement exercise, also known as the Common Entrance Examination into Junior Secondary Schools, will come up on Thursday, 17 July 2025. According to him, the exercise will commence by 7 am at the designated screening centers for the Screening/Placement Exercise. He enjoined students to go to the designated examination centres with their writing materials. The commissioner, therefore, directed principals to make proper and adequate arrangements for the monitoring of the examination throughout the period. He said, “Ministry officials and members of the Oyo State Examination Ethics committee will be moving round to monitor the exercise and ensure that the integrity of the examination is not compromised. “The students and pupils are enjoined in their own interest to avoid all forms of examination malpractices, and members of the public are strictly warned against loitering at these schools and designated screening centres.” He stressed that the entrance examination is strictly for the eligible candidates.

The world of Indian comedy cinema has some unforgettable names, but few characters have left as enduring an impression as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. Played by the inimitable Paresh Rawal, Baburao became a cult favorite since his debut in Hera Pheri (2000), with his quirky glasses, hilarious mispronunciations, and unmatched comic timing. Now, following a lot of speculation and a reasonable amount of controversy, Paresh Rawal has confirmed that he will be reprising the iconic role in Hera Pheri 3. And for the fans, that’s nothing less than cinematic gold. The Hera Pheri franchise has been the pillar of Indian comedy for more than two decades. The equation between Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal became iconic, with Rawal’s character of bumbling but lovable landlord Baburao becoming a heartthrob across generations. So when news broke early this year that Rawal had walked out of the third installment over financial differences and court cases, disappointment was the order of the day. However, the air has finally been cleared. Speaking on a recent podcast, Paresh Rawal confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3. “When something is so well loved by people, we have to be extra careful; it is our responsibility towards the audience,” he said. “You can’t take that for granted; you must work hard and give them your best.” With those words, Rawal reaffirmed not just his involvement but his emotional connection to the role that made him a household name. The road to Rawal’s return was not smooth. In May 2025, Rawal stunned everyone in an interview with Bollywood Hungama by announcing that he had quit the project. The news made waves in social media as much as it did in the entertainment scene, leading to a backlash from his fans and rumors about what the future of the film held. The situation escalated when Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, reportedly issued a legal notice to Rawal demanding Rs. 25 crore in damages. The actor returned the Rs. 11 lakh signing amount he had earlier received, along with 15% annual interest and an additional goodwill sum, formally stepping away from the film. Lying at the core of the controversy was the payment term. Rawal’s remuneration, said to be Rs. 15 crore, was to be made only a month after the eventual release of the film, estimated for late 2026 or even 2027. Such extended delays in payment understandably induced reluctance, particularly for a veteran actor with decades of experience. Despite the complications, both sides seem to have recognized the cultural weight of Baburao’s character and the irreplaceable value Paresh Rawal brings to it. As Rawal explained in his recent statement, “It was meant to come together earlier too, but we had to fine-tune things with each other. Priyadarshan, Akshay, and Suniel are all talented people and friends for many, many years.” His statement is not only reconciliation but also a mutual pledge towards fulfilling the promise of Hera Pheri 3. Although official news regarding the revamped deal hasn’t been released, Rawal’s assurance hints that the economic and legal obstacles have now been overcome, clearing the way for the reunion of the trio long overdue. The first Hera Pheri by Priyadarshan in 2000 was not merely a movie; it became a pop culture phenomenon. The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), only established the trio’s comedic gold. With one-liners that continue to trend as memes and scenes that are seared into the memory of the audience, the franchise has gathered a devoted fan base of all ages. Over the past few years, fan pressure for a third installment has only gotten louder. But Hera Pheri 3 was delayed with script revisions, director changes, and cast doubts. The uncertainty over Paresh Rawal’s participation merely fueled rumors. But with the original trio now signed up and the production house getting its creative wheels in sync, things finally look to be back on track. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, production for Hera Pheri 3 is expected to begin later this year. Directed by Farhad Samji, the film promises to retain the heart and humor of the original while bringing a fresh twist to the story. Viewers can look forward to more of Baburao’s funny faux pas, Raju’s plotting, and Shyam’s deadpan responses. If executed well, Hera Pheri 3 might usher in a successful comeback not only for the trio but also for the old-school brand of comedy that Bollywood appears to have abandoned in recent years. The news of Paresh Rawal’s return isn’t just a casting update; it’s a celebration. In an age where nostalgia sells but rarely delivers, having the original trio return in Hera Pheri 3 is a rare chance to bring back authentic humor rooted in timeless performances. For audiences who grew up quoting Baburao’s lines and for a new generation discovering the franchise through memes and reruns, Hera Pheri 3 now holds the promise of laughter, chaos, and the return of one of India’s most iconic characters. The good news? Baburao is back. And this time, everything is resolved.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, discusses his efforts to combat vandalism and insecurity since taking office in August 2023 in this interview with GIFT HABIB Since assuming office as the Federal Capital Territory Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, how would you assess the current security landscape, and what key improvements or initiatives have you prioritised? When we came on board, security in the FCT was not how it is now. Then it was the challenges of kidnapping, one chance, vandalism of critical national assets and general apprehension. But between that time and now, many strategies have been put in place as well as new approaches to security management. Also, because of the level of synergy among the various security agencies in the FCT, especially with the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Security, the Armed Forces, and other paramilitary agencies, the security situation is now different. Today, kidnapping has reduced drastically, though I cannot say it has completely abated. Vandalism of critical national assets has also been reduced to the barest minimum. Security has been tightened so far in the FCT and people can go about their normal businesses. With the FCT being home to the nation’s capital, Abuja, how do you balance securing government officials, diplomats, and vital national infrastructure while also ensuring the safety of the general public? The security of FCT is uppermost in our minds and highly prioritised. We have the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who knows the importance of security. Having been governor for eight years in Rivers State, he has been able to utilise the security architecture of the FCT. Our men of the Joint Task Force are actively involved in sweeping the FCT. As we speak now, the operation is currently ongoing. If you go around the town and metropolises, you see the various agencies working hand-in-glove to improve security. We have a VIP protection programme which gives us the opportunity as well as to provide security for the VIPs within the FCT. The population of Abuja has been rapidly increasing. How are you preparing the NSCDC to manage the growing demands of urban security and public safety? For our officers, we are always on the ground and ready. Our officers are well-motivated to make sure that their mandate is not taken lightly. That is what we sign for and that is what we know how to do best. What we can only talk about in terms of meeting up with the growing population and size of the FCT is the provision of tools to do the job. If we line our men on the roads, on the streets, in the various critical and vital parts of the FCT where we feel security is necessary, but we do not equip them with the right tools to work, we will only be more or less scratching the surface. The NSCDC FCT command needs more tools like operational vehicles and other gadgets which will aid the business of security. That is the only thing that could stand between us and the deliverables people can get from us as a command. The FCT minister gave the command vehicles in the past but more is needed, because the population is growing daily, and the challenges of security are also very dynamic. For us to be everywhere and respond to various emergencies whenever the need arises, we will need more equipment to work and meet the challenges of the growing population. But as far as personnel is concerned, we are good to go. The NSCDC has played a key role in securing critical infrastructure. What specific steps is your team taking to safeguard the increasing number of government and private infrastructure in Abuja? We have a department dedicated to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure. We have arrested a lot of vandals. About 300 vandals have been arrested since I assumed office. Several cases are in court. We are still out there. The department has been re-activated and the officers are embarking on 24-hour patrol. This has helped us to keep vandals away from the FCT infrastructure. The recent ban on the activities of scavengers in the FCT and the regulation of “pantaker” markets (a place where used goods are sold) has helped us to keep everything in check. I championed the proposal for the regulation of pantaker markets. I wrote several opinions in the newspaper, drawing the attention of the government and, because of my experience on the field, I discovered that these vandalised items are sold at the pantaker markets. A few weeks ago, I made a presentation to the FCT Minister. I told him of the need to tackle this problem from the root, and he listened. The matter was debated at the Security Council meeting, and it was ratified. Today, we all see the results. We embarked on a joint raid of some pantaker markets and the public was amazed at the number of seizures of items which belonged to the government, running into billions of naira. We are re-strategising, and we are getting results. How would you describe the current state of vandalism of government assets in the FCT, and what specific actions have the NSCDC taken to combat it? The vandals are aware that there is no hiding place and they are also aware that we are everywhere in the FCT. I have my men on patrol. Gone are the days when you see these vandals perpetrating their nefarious activities at odd hours. These days we do not see them. Even the “baban bola” (waste pickers or scavengers) who are major culprits, we do not see them anymore and even when they see us, they take to their heels because they know we are coming for them. I am glad that awareness is everywhere. The vandals already know that we are after them. What is your stance on enforcing strict penalties for vandals? Do you believe the current legal framework is sufficient to deter vandalism in the FCT, or are there gaps that need to be addressed? There is a need to impose stiffer penalties. The current laws are not serving as a good deterrent to most of these vandals who have been arrested in the past. When we take them to court, we are amazed that sometimes they get penalties such as community service. Sometimes they get fines as low as N1,000 or N2,000 which the majority of them can pay on the spot. It has affected our operation and that is why many times when we make arrests, we see a lot of recidivists. These are people that we have arrested time and time again. This is because no law isolates them somewhere. If the penalty is stiff, at least they should be kept behind bars for some time. When the rest of their gang members know that the person has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, they will have a rethink. After an act of vandalism, how does the NSCDC collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders to restore damaged infrastructure and prevent future occurrences in the affected areas? We have a wonderful relationship with the Federal Capital Territory Authority. When we see these criminals, some take to their heels and we apprehend some on the spot. We realised that if we leave those items at the spot of vandalism, especially streetlights, by the time we go back the following day, they are gone or they will come and cut it into pieces and cart them away. However, we go the extra mile by hiring trucks to convey the vandalised items. The command bears that responsibility, even though we are not supposed to do that. However, we do that to save the cost of replacing the infrastructure. We hand over the vandalised items to the Department of Facility, Maintenance, and Management of the FCDA for reuse and redeployment to different places. How many private security companies operate in the FCT, and what steps is the NSCDC taking to ensure they are properly regulated, trained, and equipped? We have about 525 private security companies in the FCT. The number grows with time and gets updated because companies get licensed once they meet the requirements for registration. The command is also in synergy with them, because we monitor, regulate and train the security guards. They play an integral part in the security of any society. We get periodic security reports from them which we also process and send to the right authorities for analysis and final processing that is beneficial for the country. The command has trained many guards and supervisors. We do that periodically as well. So far, we have trained about 964 guards and 51 private guard companies. This is to ensure that they function within the ambit of the law, are properly guided and do what is expected of them without compromising security. How does the FCT NSCDC collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to security? As far as I am concerned, the security synergy in the FCT is top-notch. I have a wonderful relationship with the Commissioner of Police, the various heads of the military, the Commander Guards Brigade, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, the Navy, and the Air Force, and we are all members of the Security Council in the FCT. We meet from time to time to brainstorm on the way forward and to strategise on how to secure the FCT. We have a standing body of the Joint Task Force operation in which we also contribute a large chunk of the men. Through this joint task force, crimes have been reduced in the FCT. The issue of one-chance has also gone down drastically because they conduct stop-and-search operations within the town. Any vehicle that is clamped down with dangerous weapons and daggers is seized. Those with unauthorised tinted glasses are asked to remove them for security purposes. We have proper coordination and enjoy the synergy and we hope that it will be sustained. How is the NSCDC fostering relationships with local communities in the FCT, and what role do they play in your security strategy? Just last week, one of our divisional offices was inaugurated. The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, was on the ground. It was commissioned for use because of the interest we have in ensuring grassroots security. The Bwari divisional office serves as our command in that axis and provides security for the people in that environment with the help of other security agencies. So, we have our men everywhere. One of the advantages we have is that we are in every local government area nationwide and FCT is not an exception. I have about 25 divisional offices across the FCT and seven Area Commands. These structures are intentionally put in place to ensure the administration of security within the local communities. So no area council does not have the presence of NSCDC. We do not live in the barracks, rather we live, wine and dine with the people. So our access to credible information and intelligence is another area that has proven very satisfactory for us. Living very close to the people has enabled us to access information that has helped. How do you ensure that your officers are well-trained and equipped to handle diverse security challenges in the FCT? What measures are in place for their continuous development? When I came on board, I identified that training and retraining are pivotal to officers’ delivery in terms of capacity and capability. I ensured that my men were properly trained. We have trained about four batches of trainees (over a thousand officers) on weapon and arms handling. We are not stopping at this. It is a continuous process. We have done some workshops at various departmental and unit levels. We are taking this very seriously because our presence in the FCT says a lot. For me, professionalism is paramount. We have to be professional in what we do. I have told my arms-men that there is nothing like accidental discharge in our dictionary and that is why even those who have been trained before, I advised them to go for refresher training to brush up and constantly stay in touch because security is dynamic. We are training in different and diverse ways. What have been some of your key successes or initiatives that have had a positive impact on public safety in the FCT? When I came on board, I came to wage war against vandals and destroyers of critical assets in the FCT. I think we have done well in that area, considering the number of arrests and prosecutions made. Response to vandalism is not on the high side anymore. We are winning the war against vandalism. Also, my initiative on the deregulation of pantaker markets which we take credit for as a command will stand the test of time. We have done well in terms of training of our personnel. We are also making progress in community policing, as the command has robust relationships with traditional heads at various local divisions. The protection of schools in various local councils is something we have given attention to. Our armed squad and female squad patrol schools from time to time alongside the divisional officers. We are ensuring that the Safe Schools Initiative in the FCT enjoys government attention. Finally, we are ready to identify areas where there are gaps and fill the gaps to make FCT and Nigeria better.

It was once customary for Premier League players to be gifted a bottle of champagne as reward for winning man of the match. Times have moved on since then, with players now receiving a small trophy in recognition of their display. But Norwegian club Bryne FK - where Manchester City forward Erling Haaland started his career - have come up with a novel approach by awarding eggs to their player of the match. The club, based in the south-west of Norway close to the city of Stavanger, were promoted back to the top-flight last season for the first time since 2003. They were beaten 1-0 by Europa League quarter-finalists Bodo/Glimt in their first fixture back in the top division on Sunday. But they were kept in the match by goalkeeper Jan de Boer, who pulled off a string of fine stops and saved a second-half penalty. The Dutchman's reward? Four trays of eggs, of course. The prize is a nod to the club's ties with local agriculture, which is dominated by meat and dairy production. Such is the association with farming, supporters are often heard chanting "we are farmers and we are proud of it" at matches, and there are 'VIP' tickets on sale for fans to watch games from a pitchside tractor. But any Bryne player hoping to get their hands on eggs next week will be disappointed because the club say their player of the match against Kristiansund on 6 April will be given cartons of local milk.