Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has asked the managing Director of BUA Company to explain his alleged role in the existence of militia group whose members have been tormenting the people in the community.
This was even as he expressed surprise over attack on his convoy recently by suspected members of BUA Surveillance Group during his visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Okpella, Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji Andrew Dirisu.
Obaseki, who received Alhaji Andrew Dirisu and his chiefs at the government House in Benin city, the capital of Edo State today, Tuesday, described such attack as “unacceptable and an attack on the Edo State Government.”
He directed the commissioner of police and the Director of Department of State Services (DSS) in the state, to commence search for explosives and other weapons with a view to disarming the militia group that have been operating in the community.
He told the traditional rulers and chiefs from the different clans in the community that the report of a bomb explosion in Okpella is disheartening and must be investigated.
The governor was told that a strange vehicle was seen in Okpella and when concerned people in the community stopped the vehicle, the occupants fled. In the process, one of the occupants set off a bomb which claimed the bomber’s life and his colleague in crime was apprehended. After interrogation, a bomb factory was discovered in the neighbourhood in the community.
Governor Obaseki expressed his worry over the reign of an armed group terrorizing the community, saying: “we cannot pretend that things are fine. We must move arms out of private hands in that community and ensure peace returns to that domain.
“Your Royal Highness, if not for the explosion that rocked the community where one person died, you would not have known that explosives of such nature were in private hands in your domain. In the last one year Okpella has recorded the highest rate of incidents in Edo State. I cannot sit down without taking action.”
He assured that his administration would do all within its power to ensure that all Edo people and residents in the state are safe and secure, promising to nip in the bud, the worrisome trend in Okpella.
The Presidency has called on the General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Musa Asake to stop spreading information that is not correct to Nigerians.
In a statement today, Tuesday, by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidency advised the CAN scribe to stick to his religious duties and leave politics for politicians.
In the statement, the Presidency said: “our attention has been drawn to reports of a press conference by General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Musa Asake in which he passed a judgment on the constitutionality of certain actions of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Unfortunately, he could not cite any valid cases of constitutional violations.”
The statement stressed that President Buhari’s government poses no threat to the country’s democracy and Constitution and that there are no cases of any violation of the constitution “and there will be none under this President.
“The respected religious leader should stick to his religious duties and leave politics for politicians.”[myad]
U.S President, Donald Trump and Stephanie Clifford
A female porn star, Stephanie Clifford, has revealed how the current President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, had sexual relation with her, an affair she claimed lasted “nearly a year.”
She claimed that Trump paid her $130,000 before the 2016 presidential election for her to keep silence over the alleged sexual relationship.
Stephanie Clifford told Slate magazine Editor-In-Chief, Jacob Weisberg, an online medium today, Tuesday that she first met Trump at a 2006 celebrity golf tournament in Nevada, where they had the first of numerous sexual encounters. At the time, Trump had been married to Melania for less than two years.
The adult film actress also known as Stormy Daniels, said that the alleged $130,000 payment was arranged by the Trump Organization’s longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen and according to the New York Times, the arrangement came as Clifford was “discussing sharing her account with ABC’s ‘Good Morning America.’”
Both the White House and Cohen fiercely denied the reports.
“These rumors have circulated time and again since 2011,” Cohen said in a statement to the Times. “President Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence as has Ms. Daniels.”
Cohen also released a letter, signed by Daniels denying that she had a “sexual and/or romantic affair with Mr. Trump many, many, many years ago.”
“Rumors that I have received hush money from Donald Trump are completely false,” the letter said.
“These are old, recycled reports, which were published and strongly denied prior to the election,” the White House said in a separate statement.
In the months leading up the 2016 election, Clifford told Weisberg that, through their lawyers, she and Trump reached an agreement for the Republican nominee to pay her “a six-figure sum to keep quiet.”
Weisberg said Clifford texted him “an unsigned two-page document spelling out this arrangement,” which appeared to use pseudonyms to “shield the real names of the parties.”
“Stephanie Gregory Clifford aka Stormy Daniels is referred to by the pseudonym ‘Peggy Peterson,’ and …. is referred to by the pseudonym ’David Dennison,’” the document said, according Weisberg.
“Daniels said she was talking to me and sharing these details because Trump was stalling on finalizing the confidentiality agreement and paying her,” Weisberg explained in his report. “Given her experience with Trump, she suspected he would stall her until after the election, and then refuse to sign or pay up.”
According to Weisberg, Clifford told him that she “was holding back on the juiciest details, such as her ability to describe things about Trump that only someone who had seen him naked would know.” (Earlier Tuesday, Clifford’s friend Alana Evans told NBC’s Megyn Kelly that Daniels later told her that Trump had chased her around the bedroom “in his tighty whities.” Evans relayed the same story to the Daily Beast).
On Nov. 4, 2016, the Journal reported that National Enquirer, the tabloid owned by Trump’s supporter, David Pecker – agreed to pay $150,000 to a former Playboy model for her story of an affair with Trump but then didn’t publish it.
Two weeks before that, in late October 2016, another porn star, Jessica Drake, accused Trump of sexual assault. The alleged incident occurred at the same 2006 golf tournament where Clifford said she first met Trump, who has denied multiple sexual misconduct allegations.[myad]
File photo: President Muhammadu Buhari and Sen. Shehu Sani
The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has described those endorsing the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 general election, at the time people are being killed in Benue and other states of the federation as barbaric.
The Senator, who was contributing to the debate on the killings that are going on in Benue state allegedly by herdsmen, at the plenary today, Tuesday, particularly lambasted governors that endorsed the President at a time Nigerians are mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Saying that the intentions of such governors are evil, the maverick Senator said: “when people are being killed in Benue State, we are here hiding the truth to please Mr. President.
“I wonder if indeed we would genuinely admit that the inscription above the seat of Senate President that reads ‘Unity, Faith, Peace and Progress’ is being witnessed in Nigeria today.”
He also blamed Benue state elders and stakeholders for visiting President Buhari yesterday, Monday, saying that it is the President who should have visited Benue State to see for himself, the extent of damages done by the killer herdsmen.
“The leaders are supposed to find the way out to secure the lives and property of Benue State; some are busy endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari for second term in office, which is barbaric”, he said.
“As regards to the crisis where over 73 lives were lost in Benue, it is enough for Aso Rock to travel to the scene of the crisis, not Benue elders coming to Aso Rock. To do what?”
He was emphatic that some Senators out of 109 of them were hiding the truth, a situation he posited, did not augur well for the nation.
The United States of America’s State Department has warned the citizens of the country wanting to visit North Korea to write their death warrants before taking off. The Department said that such travellers should also make their funeral arrangements and designate careers for their children and pets. The fresh advice came on the heels of a report by Fox News, against the background of the new rules issued by the North Korea last year that requires Americans to apply for a special validation to travel to the hermit kingdom, which is only handed out in “very limited circumstances.” The travel ban was enforced in the aftermath of the death of US student, 22 year old Otto Warmbier, after being arrested by the North Korean as he was holidaying in Pyongyang. He was first sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour. He returned home last summer in a mysterious coma and died shortly afterwards.[myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment that he and other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had to use strong-arm tactics to get Yahya Jammeh, the former Gambian president out of office after failing to win re-election. “We had to go through those actions because it was the only option for Nigeria and ECOWAS,” President Buhari told the President of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, who succeeded Jammeh. President Buhari recalled that in spite of all entreaties, the former President refused to accept the outcome of the election he superintended which was widely accepted as credible. “We thank God for the role He allowed us to play in the Gambia. We believe in multi-party democracy. In Africa, it is absolutely necessary but for the system to work and one to come out of it clean, there is need for patience. “Patience on the part of leaders is also necessary in view of ethnic and religious diversities that prevail. Leaders must be patient, hardworking and resourceful.” President Buhari noted that if African countries can get the institutional structures of democracy working properly, the continent will emerge from the process of development successfully. He advised the Gambian leader to uphold the legacy of free and fair elections which he described as the biggest guarantee for democracy. Comparing experiences with the new leader of the Gambia, the Nigerian leader said that one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria is unemployment. “Sixty percent of the 180 million people are under 25 years. “They all wish for a secure future. Those of them who are educated feel they are more qualified for employment. “We have studied the problem and are doing our best to stabilize the situation. “We took over from a party that had been in power for 16 years. During those years, the country earned an unprecedented amount of money as revenue, never seen at any time before. It is noteworthy that, no matter how grudgingly, the people are accepting that we are doing our best.” At the end of the meeting, the President announced that representatives of both countries will deliberate and advise the leaders on how best to strengthen the existing level of cooperation between the two states. President Barrow said he came to thank Nigeria and its leader in person for ensuring the completion of the democratic process in his country which had stalled back then following the refusal of Jammeh to accept the election results. The Gambian leader said that his country received the support of Nigeria in many spheres, citing education, administration, justice and security sectors and requested President Buhari to continue to be of assistance. “We will never forget Nigeria for the help it has rendered to us since independence.”[myad]
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has warned Nigerians against the misuse of Paracetamol which it said can damage the liver and kidney. Chairman of the PSN in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jelili Kilani, in an interview in Abuja today, Tuesday, stressed that Paracetamol is an analgesic that is not supposed to be misused. Kilani defined drug misuse as the use of drug for purposes for which it was not intended or using a drug in excessive quantities. He described drug abuse as an ill-wind which its effect might not manifest immediately but later in life. The chairman decried the usual practice of taking about three or more tablet of Paracetamol at once to fast-track healing processes. “By engaging in such practice, you are damaging your internal organs like the liver and kidney, which if care is not taken, such damages cannot be remedy.” Kilani advised members of the public to desist from misuse of Paracetamol in order to avert inflicting injury to their system. “Misuse of drug is when somebody is tired and decides to take three or more tablet of Paracetamol simply because he wanted a quicker or higher effect. “As good as Paracetamol is, if not properly taken, it damages the liver and kidney; the only drug that is harmless to the body is water. “I advise the public to desist from self medication. “If anyone is experiencing feverish condition or body pains after taking Paracetamol once and the symptoms persist, they should consult medical doctors rather than taking the drug continuously.” Source: NAN[myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari in a warmed handshake with his The Gambian Counterpart, Adam Borrow at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
The Gambian President, Adama Barrow has recalled a statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari that changed the direction of the country for good. He said: “when we met in Mali, he (Buhari) took a decision as a leader in a closed-door meeting; he made one statement that changed everything: that if The Gambian President (Yahya Jameh) wants to challenge the sub-region, he is welcome. “These words made a big difference as a leader. And that leadership role was very important not just for The Gambia but for Africa because the problem was an Africa problem with an Africa solution.” Barrow told newsmen after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Tuesday, that he had always wanted to say ‘thank you’ to Nigeria for giving him all the support during and after the (political) impasse. “Nigeria has been supporting The Gambia for a long time in different areas like technical assistance in the area of education, judiciary. “So we are very grateful and that was why we wanted to come and say thank you. There is a saying in my country that if you want to thank a farmer for a good job, you have to visit him at his farm and that is why we are here.” On the role he expects Nigeria to continue to play to help The Gambia overcome some of the reforms its undertaking such as security, President Barrow said that President Buhari had promised to raise a team to work with his own team in drawing a political programme that will complements each other’s effort on development.[myad]
Nigerians, with population of nearly two hundred millions, are preparing for another political journey to have a President to take care of their affairs for four years after the February 16, 2019 Presidential polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The nation’s population, officially, may be less, but it is an undisputable truth that Nigeria is growing fast in population and must have tremendously increased from 2015 to 2019 with an estimated annual growth rate of 3.5 percent.
The 2015 general elections were eye openers. The 2019 elections will definitely open more eyes. But it must record greater success with the best of Nigerians emerging for all elective positions, especially the President for our dear and only county, Nigeria. INEC owes this to Nigerians whose obligation is to participate actively in the electioneering processes to ensure that the constitution is fully protected and the civic rights of the citizenry are fully enthroned. Every Nigerian must see himself or herself as the key to the success of the 2019 general elections and must display that in a mature and peaceful manner.
Nigerians must shine their eyes and broaden their minds in making the best choice for the nation, not for mere parochial interests. Although they are limited to make this all-important choice through 68 registered political parties, it will be of great interest to the nation if INEC mandates every of the parties to present its own presidential candidate instead of selling out to the big parties for immediate or expected interests. So, we should expect 68 presidential candidates, in addition to independent candidates if allowed by the electoral laws.
It must be made imperative on all parties to field in candidates for all elective positions or they are made to withdraw completely from all the political processes after the deadlines issued by INEC. INEC approved the registration of 22 new parties on December 14, 2017 and has presented certificates of operation to them. This included the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) in compliance with a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which in November 2017 ordered INEC to immediately register and recognize SPN as a new political party. There were about 103 pending applications for political party registration.
According to the director-general of National Population Commission (NPC), Ghali Bello, Nigeria’s population was currently 182 millions with more than half of the people under 30 years. The last population census in 2006 was 140 million. If the statement of the NPC is anything to go by, then Nigeria should have over 100 million citizens above 18 years who are potential voters. Unfortunately, with such huge number of citizens, Nigeria cannot boast of 100 million registered voters.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while receiving the Ambassador of Norway, Mr. Kjemprud, said Nigeria’s voting population stands at 71,040,000. A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, quoted the INEC boss as saying that there were 70 million registered voters currently on the voter register, with additional 1,040,000 so far registered since the commencement of the CVR exercise on April 27, 2017.
With all these glaring facts and figures, it means that the choice of a president for Nigeria in 2019 will not be a joke. That will, howbeit, depend on the possibility of ‘a vacancy’ in Aso Rock Villa. But will there be any? From indications, a lot of Nigerian politicians and technocrats have either started showing interest in the national race or are being lobbied to join the race. On the other hand, some political jobbers and jokers are perfecting their plans to act as ‘spoilers’ in the national event. Those in the category of ‘any government in power’ (AGP) are not left behind.
In the list of the aspirants cutting across Nigeria are President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former Lagos state governor and leader of the All Progressives Party (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former governors of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Ibrahim Shekarau, immediate past governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, immediate past Speaker of House of Representatives and current governor of Sokoto state, Rt. Hon. Aminu Wiziri Tambuwal, former governor of Kaduna state and immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmad Makarfi and former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and current governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Other visible aspirants are former governor of Borno and former PDP chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, Ekiti state governor and chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Ayo Fayose, governor of Imo state and chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Owelle Okorocha, former governor of Abia state and founder of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) which is a political party that won gubernatorial elections in 2003 and 2007 in Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Lagos state and current super minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasola, former Senate President and chairman of committee on Electoral Reforms, Senator Ken Nnamani, governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark, former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke, current Lagos state governor, Akinwumni Ambode, Major Hamza Mustapha, richest African man and business tycoon, Aliko Dangote and business and oil magnate Tony Elumelu, amongst others.
Of all in the list, only President Buhari and few are sure of the party through which they will vie. A lot are waiting for opportunities. Some are perpetual defectors who will, out of despondency, continue to jump from one party to the other until the deadline given by INEC for submission of presidential candidates. This list shows that major faces in the 2015 presidential polls will be missing as only 11 parties participated in it. The PDP had the then President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo, while the APC had President Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Oluremi Sonaiya and Saidu Bobboi were for Kowa Party, Ambrose Albert and Haruna Shaba for Hope Democratic Party, Ganiyu Galadima and Balarabe Ahmed for Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Rafiu Salau and Clinton Cliff Akuchie for Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Godson Okoye and Haruna Adamu for United Democratic Party (UDP).
Others were Nani Ibrahim Ahmad and Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue for African Democratic Congress (ADC), Martin Onovo and Ibrahim Mohammed for National Conscience Party (NCP), Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani and Paul Ishaka Ofomile for Action Alliance and Chekwas Okorie and Bello Umar for United Progressive Party (UPP). The Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) adopted the PDP candidate, Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate as well. And although some of the parties have been deregistered, they must be commended for fighting to the end and displaying political maturity.
As for those who belong to APC, their hopes are hanging because only the decision of the president can clear the ways on what they should do. If they decide to go into primary, no one seems to have the credibility to overcome President Buhari as contended by his supporters. As for the aspirants under the opposition party, PDP, they are realizing the greatest mistake they made in 2015 as well as the deceit and distrust which they created in Nigerian governance. The party is still suffering from the shock of its defeat in 2015 cum the crisis that have thwarted its earliest effort to recover. It can, therefore, not be guaranteed or overruled that it can make great impact in the 2019 polls even if it fields in a northern candidate.
Dele Momodu in his column in Thisday Newspaper titled: “The Shape of The 2019 Presidential Election”, was quick to acknowledge that the first of the serious aspirants, naturally, was President Muhammadu Buhari, who is allowed by the Nigerian constitution to seek a second term, though the right does not grant automatic return to power as the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan remains a sobering indicator in Nigerian politics of today. Many socio-political organizations and states of the federation have already endorsed Buhari. February 16, 2019 is far for the common citizens but it is just by the corner for the politicians now having sleepless nights (mis)calculating ahead of INEC schedule.
In my next write-up, I will invite my dear compatriots to look out for 12 qualities in choosing the next President of Nigeria in 2019. It will be God’s making, not merely human. Nigerians are really divided in this political era, but we must continuously remind ourselves of the powerful saying that “Man proposes, God disposes.” Hopefully, there must be a winner and with faith and patriotism, he will be the one chosen by Nigerians themselves, though no one definitely can assure of life till 2019. May God keep us alive to reap the fruits of our labour beyond 2019. Ameen.
Muhammad Ajah, an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance can be reached on: mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk. [myad]
Alhaji Abdulrahman Idris is the Chairman of Board of Trustees of the newly licensed Atiba University Oyo, in Oyo State Nigeria. In this interview, he traced the origin and the history of the University, the challenges envisaged and the plan to stand the University out as a world class institution. Excerpts:
What do you think can stand Atiba University out among the numerous private Universities in Nigeria, in view of the competitive natures of those Institutions?
The road to ATIBA University being licensed today has been hectic and a very long journey of 15 years. Ordinarily, in view of what we passed through, we should value the license and coming into being of the University. The longer and difficult the journey, the sweeter the success story we have had. We shall strive to put in our best in ensuring that ATIBA remains one of the best Universities in Nigeria and even beyond – Amen.
After-all, it was not something we got on a platter of gold. We really worked hard for it and thank God Almighty for enabling us to achieve the success story that it is. Accordingly, it is our ardent desire and hope to give ATIBA a superlative and competitive edge over its contemporaries and even the older Ivory Towers. What then shall be our selling point over and above the others?
Firstly, we have put all the relevant machineries at our disposal to make it work. This is due to the fact that we have long years of preparations and in the process identified the major and specific problems/crisis of the Nigerian University System. We specifically came up with responses on each specific concerns. We have put in all necessary working structures and facilities in place. We have dealt with the all-important issues of space by acquiring a vast expanse of land for future expansion.
Secondly, we intend to have a University that will answer in clear and emphatic terms the functional and practical needs of the society. We shall have courses on Entrepreneurial Studies so that we have creators rather that seekers of job
Thirdly, we intend to adopt an Inter-disciplinary approach in our curricular as to make our graduates well rounded. In the fourth stead, we intend to integrate teaching models and modules. These are our selling points which will give a cutting and competitive edge. We intend to hit the ground running, Insha-Allah (God willing).
Now that you have obtained the license and ready to take off, what are the major public expectations?
With my response to the first question, the Nigerian public should definitely expect the best. Though we are starting with only three (3)faculties, Eleven (11) Departments and Nineteen (19) programmes, the best should be expected. We will begin our admission with only Five Hundred (500) students.
This is a solely to ensure that the existing structures and facilities on ground adequately meet the demands (or needs) of the students. It is improper to admit more that we can serve efficiently. By this, we are simply avoiding and averting one of the major crisis (or problems) of the Nigerian University System where the crisis of space (and accommodation) is prevalent because the existing facilities on ground cannot cope with the number(s) of the students. People should expect the best in terms of quality teaching, quality learning environment and quality facilities. Qualitative education is our prime objective. Ours is a world class citadel where global University standards, procedures and bets practice will not be compromised but strictly observed. Let it be emphatically observed that there is a clear nexus (or causal link) between the progress of a nation on one hand and the quality of education of its citizenry on the other.
There is no doubt that running a private university is capital intensive, unlike the public universities that get assistance from government through the Tertiary Education Trust Funds (TETFUND), what efforts are proprietors of private universities making to access or enjoy this fund?
You have stated a fact. We know it and are assiduously working on the issue. The crisis of finance is the major problem of the entire Nigerian University System (be it the Public or Private Universities). We had detailed discussions with all relevant Stakeholders on the subject.
Indeed, the present Government has, at the highest level of officialdom decided that very soon the issue of financial assistance to private Universities will be looked into by the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND). We trust the Government. Additionally, Consultancy Services and such other strategies for raising funds are being marshalled out and articulated by our Team of Consultants and Implementation Committee (Take-off Committee).
In view of the fact that the university is ready to start admitting students in readiness for academic programmes, what are the criteria for admissions?
Admission into Universities is one matter that the latter acts in conjunction with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and such other Stakeholders. There are laid down criteria and requirements alongside specific procedures and we (at ATIBA) resolve to strictly adhere with them so as to ensure quality standards.
What are the challenges that you think the university may face at this initial stage of take-off and if there are any, how do you intend to confront such challenges?
There is not one challenge but challenges. First, there is presently the challenge of time. We have a short time to swing into full action.
We have to complete the admission processes as soon as possible and time is insufficient. The admission process needs to be done articulately, meticulously and equitably (or justly). These are difficult and time-consuming acts. We must avoid emotions and sentimentalism in all that we do. This is yet another challenge. Thirdly, there is the challenge of external pressure either for admission or employment. I must confessthat our human challenges daunt us more than other kinds of challenges (e.g. operational challenges). But, we are coping well with both categories of challenges. We are facing all these at our own pace.
Atiba University Oyo is located in the South West and you, as the Chairman of BOT, are from the North, is the principle of Federal Character not going to play a crucial factor in selecting the principal officers of the university?
The principle of Federal Character will not be a crucial factor in the management and operations of ATIBA. That, I am a Northerner has nothing to do with quality education. There is no better legacy one can bequeath than good quality education. That is why we are in. we want to get the best and go by the best. We shall endeavor to operate the best academic market anywhere in the world. Accordingly, the Federal Character principle will not be a fundamental but incidental factor. By this, I mean people in the catchment area of the University will be accorded some measure of consideration but only after all fundamentals of meritorious cases have been considered.
In other words, while the interests of the people of the locality will not be ignored, local interest will not be of immediate and prime relevance. The best and only the best will be accorded such priority relevance.
Having said this, it is however, instructive to add that the University will operate in such a way to give the Governments within the jurisdiction of the University revenue. Since we also intend to expand the frontiers of Agriculture as a major discipline, you can be rest assured that the people of the locality will be gainfully employed.
Is the university going to adopt the scholarship approach in sponsoring indigents but brilliant students, or are there any measures to cushion the effect of high school fees?
That is a very good question. The issue was recently tabled at our Stakeholders meeting. We have set up a Committee comprising of eminent and seasonal scholars. We call the “Take –off Committee”. They are currently working on this and other relevant concerns. At theend of the day, they would come up with acceptable positions or arrangements that are practically workable and in tandem with contemporary realities. Definitely, we are going to put indigent students in our consideration and agenda. We must give them chance. Indigents(or poverty) is a reality. And it will be a tragedy to allow it to obstruct the educational or any form of personal development. After-all, education is a social service. It is a national tragedy for us to continue to allow poverty to remain an obstacle to education. [myad]
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Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has warned Nigerians against the misuse of Paracetamol which it said can damage the liver and kidney.
