News on the Go: 5 things that should matter to you today

• Nigerians applaud Tunde Onakoya for breaking chess marathon world record
• JAMB reschedules 2025 UTME exam date
• Babachir Lawal dismisses PDP’s role in 2027 coalition talks

We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Monday, April 21, and present them below.

5 issues in the news that should matter to you today

1. Babachir Lawal dismisses PDP’s role in 2027 coalition talks: The Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has downplayed the relevance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the ongoing coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Lawal, a founding member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), stated that the PDP was never considered part of the proposed political merger.

He described the party as “an incurable virus,” asserting that it holds no attraction for coalition stakeholders seeking credible change.

2. Nigerians applaud Tunde Onakoya for breaking chess marathon world record: Celebrations have erupted across Nigeria and among Nigerians in the diaspora following Tunde Onakoya’s historic feat of setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya, alongside American chess player Shawn Martinez, played non-stop for 70 hours in Times Square, New York, surpassing the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by Norway’s Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn. Social media has since been flooded with congratulatory messages, hailing Onakoya’s achievement as a proud moment for the country.

3. JAMB reschedules 2025 UTME exam date: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new date for the commencement of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Initially scheduled to begin on April 25, the examination will now start a day earlier, on April 24, 2025.

The change was made public in a statement released by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, via the board’s official X handle on Saturday, April 19.

4. WAEC bans 574 Nigerian schools over exam malpractice: The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has barred 574 secondary schools in Nigeria from participating in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The ban follows investigations that revealed the involvement of these schools in various forms of examination malpractice.

Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of National Office, disclosed this during a press briefing at the council’s Lagos headquarters.

5. Governor Abiodun highlights importance of parenting in nation-building: The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has stressed that strong family values and godly parenting are essential ingredients for national development. 

Speaking at the wedding ceremony of Dr. David Achudume and Precious Chukwu in Abeokuta, the governor, represented by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, emphasised that societal growth starts with the proper upbringing of children. 

He called on parents to be deliberate and committed in raising future leaders who will contribute positively to the country.