Mascot Uzor Kalu, younger brother of former Abia governor and senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in Abia State.   According to a report by The Nation, Mascot Kalu announced his decision in a letter dated May 20, 2026, addressed to the APC National Chairman through the Abia State chairman of the party. He said the decision followed extensive consultations with family members, friends and political stakeholders across the state. Kalu described the move as difficult but necessary for fairness, equity and the unity of the APC in Abia State. He explained that the emergence of his brother, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, as the APC senatorial candidate influenced his decision to step down and allow other aspirants to contest the governorship ticket. Mascot Kalu also argued that the Abia Central Senatorial District should complete what he described as its “eight years of power rotation” in line with the state’s political arrangement. Despite withdrawing from the race, he reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and urged his supporters to remain committed to the party and participate actively in its future activities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Segun Aina as the new Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede whose second and final tenure ends on July 31, 2026.   The appointment was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Aina, who turns 40 in July, will become the youngest registrar in JAMB’s history. He is expected to continue reforms and technological advancements introduced under Oloyede’s leadership. According to the statement, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Aina’s ability to strengthen the operations of the admissions body through his experience in technology, institutional reforms and examination systems. “President Tinubu expects Professor Aina to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the Board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor,” the statement said. Aina is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University and is regarded as an expert in systems engineering, digital infrastructure and public-sector reform. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, alongside a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security and a doctorate in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University. The statement also noted that Aina attended the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School. His connection with JAMB reportedly dates back to his National Youth Service period, during which he worked with the examination body and gained experience in admissions and data-driven systems. With more than 15 years of post-graduation experience, Aina has advised federal and state governments on digital transition and institutional reforms. He has also consulted for examination bodies including National Examinations Council and National Business and Technical Examinations Board on ICT systems and examination integrity. He is a member of professional bodies including Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, has secured the All Progressives Congress ticket for Eti-Osa Constituency I after defeating Saheed Bankole in Wednesday’s primary election.   According to a report by Punch Newspapers, Adams polled 7,638 votes against Bankole’s 1,225 votes, winning five of the six wards contested in the constituency. The election in Ward J was declared inconclusive. The result, announced at Olomu Primary School in Ajah, positions Adams for a return to the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking after the exercise, Adams described the outcome as a reflection of the will of party members and residents across the constituency. “I feel great and honoured. It is the will of the people. It is democracy, and the people have spoken today,” he said. The lawmaker stated that his re-election bid had earlier received endorsements from party leaders, local government chairmen and other stakeholders within the constituency. He added that efforts were made to persuade his challenger to step down before the primary election, but the contest eventually proceeded. Adams also gave a breakdown of the ward-by-ward results, saying the figures reflected strong grassroots support for his candidacy. He said he secured over 2,000 votes in Ward A3 against Bankole’s little above 200 votes, while in Ajah he recorded 1,262 votes. In Oniru, Adams said he won more than 2,500 votes while his opponent got 143 votes. The APC chieftain commended party officials and security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Adams further expressed confidence that the party leadership would uphold the outcome of the primary election. He also pledged to mobilise support for Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates during the 2027 general election.

A new study has found that alcohol consumption is linked to more than 60 diseases and injuries, with researchers saying reducing or quitting drinking early could help reverse some of the damage.   The research, published in the journal Addiction and reported by TheCable Lifestyle, examined global disease classifications and previous evidence on alcohol-related harm. According to the study, heavy alcohol use is directly responsible for conditions including alcoholic cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Researchers said these illnesses are entirely attributable to alcohol use. Jürgen Rehm, a senior scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, said such diseases “would not even exist in the world without alcohol use”. The study also linked alcohol consumption to a higher risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections due to its effect on the liver and immune system. Researchers noted that alcohol contributes significantly to cases of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia, although those illnesses can also occur independently of drinking. The findings showed that some alcohol-related damage may improve after a person stops drinking. Heart-related risks, including elevated heart rate linked to alcohol intake, can decline when consumption is reduced. The study further revealed that alcohol affects the brain by damaging neurons and weakening connections linked to memory and decision-making. While some recovery may occur after long-term abstinence, researchers warned that certain risks, including dementia, may persist. It also found that alcohol temporarily weakens the immune system, though recovery depends on the amount consumed and the duration of drinking. Long-term heavy alcohol use may leave permanent damage. The researchers added that short-term dangers such as injuries and sexually transmitted infections decrease significantly when intoxication stops.