16-year-old Osasere Okundaye becomes Nigeria's youngest chartered accountant
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has congratulated Osasere Okundaye for becoming Nigeria's youngest chartered accountant at 16 years old. Olawande described her achievement as a demonstration of hard work, discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence, highlighting her as an example of the potential of Nigerian youth. The minister also acknowledged the support from her parents, family, teachers, and mentors. Okundaye earned this qualification through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 by Jonathan Adewale, who achieved the feat at 17. The qualification is known as one of Nigeria's most demanding professional certifications.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA Kaduna State Command seized 12,724.652 kilograms of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances and arrested 1,107 suspects between June 2025 and June 2026. State Commander CN Maijama鈥檃 Muhammad stated that the seizures included 9,091.974kg of cannabis sativa, 0.004kg of heroin, 0.315kg of cocaine, 2.949kg of methamphetamine, 301.852kg of tramadol, and 3,345.558kg of psychotropic substances. Of the arrested suspects, 1,075 were male and 32 were female. The command charged 297 suspects to court, securing 251 convictions. In terms of rehabilitation, 94 clients were admitted to treatment programs, with 78 successfully rehabilitated, and 1,458 individuals received brief interventions. Anti-drug sensitization campaigns reached thousands across Kaduna State. The NDLEA also dismantled 662 drug joints and continues its War Against Drug Abuse campaign through partnerships with various stakeholders. Muhammad emphasized that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and called for collective responsibility in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Three Brazilian sisters, aged 109, 104, and 103, have been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the highest combined age of three living siblings, totaling 316 years. Their longevity has attracted the attention of scientists, leading to their enrollment in The DNA Longevo Project, a study led by geneticist Dr. Mayana Zatz at the University of S茫o Paulo. The project aims to identify biological markers that contribute to physical and mental resilience at advanced ages by comparing genetic data of healthy nonagenarians and centenarians with those who experience early frailty or cognitive decline. The sisters, Levita de Deus Nunes 109, Zoraide de Deus Mota 104, and Zulina de Deus Nunes 103, grew up in rural Cedro de S茫o Jo茫o, Brazil, and later moved to Rio de Janeiro. They attribute their long lives to natural nutrition, including fresh food and breastfeeding, and a hardworking lifestyle. Researchers believe inherited biological factors play a significant role in extreme survival, and the study seeks to understand how genetics protect the heart, muscles, and cognitive function from aging. A co-researcher, Joao Paulo Guilherme, stated the goal is to study 500 centenarians for more definitive conclusions on longevity. Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, noted the strong genetic component and the importance of their support network. The eldest sister, Levita, worked at Rede Globo Television and enjoyed handmade crafts. Zoraide became a primary school teacher and later a
Must ReadUganda's army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son, announced on Sunday the shutdown of independent media outlets, including NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor. Kainerugaba stated on X that he does not believe in a free press in Uganda, asserting that the press should be guided by "cadres of the revolution." The Daily Monitor reported being under "military siege" with armed soldiers outside its Kampala offices, affecting its other outlets like Dembe FM, Spark TV, KFM, and The East African. A senior NTV reporter confirmed that military personnel ordered staff to leave and prevented entry or exit. The military raid occurred early Sunday, causing power disconnection and operational disruption. Kainerugaba ordered the arrest of NMG Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa, an order he later retracted. He accused the Nation group of "lifetime of insults" and claimed his father approved the shutdown. The Daily Monitor, launched in 1992, has been a significant independent newspaper and was previously shut down in 2013. Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Vocal Africa, condemned the action, calling it a "dangerous silencing of the press" and an escalation against independent media. Kainerugaba insisted the outlets would not reopen without his permission and stated that all media in Uganda would follow his rules, adding that he intended to make more arrests. Uganda ranks 143 out of 180 countries on the Reporters without Borders pr