IHEARTMEDIA AND NETFLIX EXPAND VIDEO PODCAST DEAL WITH NEW SHOWS FROM MARTHA STEWART, KATE HUDSON, OLIVER HUDSON, AND LELE PONS. (PHOTO).

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   iHeartMedia and Netflix expand video podcast deal with new shows from Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, and Lele Pons  iHeartMedia and Netflix are expanding their video podcast partnership with a new slate of shows featuring Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, and Lele Pons, as the companies continue building out their shared podcast lineup on the streaming platform. Under the expanded agreement, select iHeartPodcasts will be adapted into video format for Netflix, including new episodes and portions of existing episode libraries. The rollout will take place over the coming months. The new additions include Suite 305 with Lele Pons, The Martha Stewart Podcast, and Sibling Revelry hosted by Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, which features conversations with sibling guests. The shows will join other iHeart titles already on Netflix’s video podcast slate. That lineup also includes programs such as The Breakfast Club, The Bobby Bones Show’s Bobbycast, and My ...

EDUCATION MINISTRY PROBES ALLEGED UNAUTHORIZED DEDUCTIONS FROM STUDENT LOANS BY UNIVERSITIES. (PHOTO).


 Education Ministry Probes Alleged Unauthorized Deductions from Student Loans by Universities

The Federal Ministry of Education is investigating claims that some Nigerian universities have made unauthorized deductions from student loans and accounts managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund). The probe follows a report by The Guardian Newspaper on April 29, 2025, which alleged financial misconduct by certain institutions.


In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Education Minister Dr. Marut Olatunji Alausa described the allegations as “very disturbing and extremely concerning.” He emphasized that such actions, if true, would violate financial ethics, undermine NELFund’s purpose, and betray the government’s commitment to equitable education access. “Anyone found culpable will face appropriate sanctions,” Dr. Alausa warned, underscoring the ministry’s zero-tolerance stance on financial malpractice.


The Ministry has scheduled an urgent meeting on May 6, 2025, with vice chancellors of the implicated universities and NELFund’s Managing Director to investigate the matter and ensure accountability. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is also conducting a parallel investigation into NELFund.


Dr. Alausa highlighted that NELFund, a flagship initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was established with sufficient budgetary provisions to support students and institutions transparently. He condemned any attempts to exploit the fund as contrary to the President’s vision for inclusive education and human capital development.


To strengthen transparency, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Athena Centre, will launch a compliance-tracking initiative and a countdown webpage to monitor institutional accountability. An Annual University Transparency Index will also be introduced to enhance the global standing of Nigerian universities. Additionally, a training program for university bursars and ICT heads will focus on developing open-portal systems to promote financial transparency.


The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public funds and ensuring students fully benefit from government education support schemes.

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