Education Minister Insists scrapping Of Post-UTME Is With Immediate Effect

June 27, 2016

Minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu has made it clear that his order scrapping the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is with immediate effect.

A statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Ben Goong, quoted the Minister as having directed all higher institutions to comply with the directive.
The statement said: “The ban is with immediate effect, and under no circumstance should any institution violate the directive.
“The responsibility for admission into public tertiary institutions lies solely with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and under no circumstance whatsoever, should anybody or institution take over that responsibility by proxy.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any educational institution after secondary education is regarded as a tertiary institution.
“Therefore, all tertiary institutions, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Universities or by whatever name it is called after secondary education, must be subjected to admission through the JAMB.”
The statement said that at the end of probationary admission by JAMB, the candidates could be screened for final admission, adding that any institution with a shortfall in admission could revert to JAMB for supplementary admission.
According to the statement, screening in this case entails only the verification of certificates of the candidates, JAMB scores and any other physical examination to ensure that such candidates are not cultists.
“After this, the candidates are qualified for matriculation. Such screening should be at no cost to the parents or students and should be done upon resumption, in order to avoid unnecessary travels in search of admission.”
It said that the clarification had become necessary in order to clear the doubt in some quarters regarding the real stance of the minister.
The minister had earlier raised concern over the post-UTME test being conducted by various universities, saying: “as far as I am concerned, if the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing, the universities should not be holding another examinations.
“If the universities have any complain against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it.
“But if JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests and they have conducted test, then there will be no need to conduct another test for students to gain admission.”
The statement further quoted the minister as saying that there has been no empirical evidence to show that since the inception of post-UTME, universities have been having better quality students.
It said that students were still being expelled on a yearly basis for low performance even as they gained admission through post-UTME.
According to the statement, Adamu is concerned about the plight of parents who spend fortunes on transportation and sundry costs just for their wards to gain admission into universities.
It further said that the minister was mindful of reported cases where some staff of tertiary institutions took advantage of the girl-child in her quest to gain admission into the system.
The statement said the minister had directed the National Universities Commission and appropriate departments in the ministry to communicate the directive to relevant agencies and institutions, to ensure strict compliance.
Adamu was quoted as having said: “Those who have already advertised for the conduct of the Post-UTME under any guise should stop the exercise immediately as any university caught conducting Post-UTMNE will face appropriate sanctions.
“If any tertiary Institution has already conducted Post-UTME, such an exercise stands annulled and money taken from such candidates must be refunded immediately.” [myad]

Buhari Declares Personal Interest In Manufacturing Sector Of Economy

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared a particular interest in the growth of manufacturing sector of the nation’s economy.

He said: as soon as we have stabilized our budget, I would personally be interested in the manufacturing sector, particularly in the generation of essential raw materials.”

The President spoke on Monday when he received in audience at the State House, Abuja, the Chief Global CEO of Unilever, Mr. Paul Polman.

Buhari said that his administration is working very hard to change the structure of the Nigerian economy battered by several years of mismanagement even as he gave assurance that the Federal Government would fast-track the implementation of strategies to ease doing business and attract more investors into Nigeria.

“We want to create jobs, and supporting manufacturing is one way to do it.”

The Chief Global CEO of Unilever said the conglomerate had been in Nigeria for 93 years, making it the oldest manufacturing concern in the country.

“Our products are more Nigerian than other Nigerian brands. Despite the economic downturn, there are opportunities to further advance our business here.

“The situation to invest and continue to invest here is very encouraging,” MPolman said, adding that Unilever had invested about N15 billion in Nigeria in the past three years. [myad]

Senate Chief Whip Confirms Alteration Of Standing Rules

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

Chief Whip of the senate, Professor Olusola Adeyeye has said that the Senate Standing Rules were actually altered in June 2015.

Adeyeye made the disclosure while speaking with Channels Television on Sunday, adding that the court would have to determine whether it was forged or not.

“In the 7th Assembly, voting has to be done publicly (but) in this current one, it was done privately.”

The Senate Chief Whip, who expressed regret over the current situation in the Red Chamber, stressed that the senators have not shown maturity in handling the situation.

“Our own rules in the Senate forbid us from discussing matters in the court. Those who support our Senate President (Dr. Bukola Saraki) should have given him all the support he needs so as to provide for himself, the best defence in the court of Nigeria.”

Adeyeye said that removing the senate president, Bukola Saraki as the leader of the senate would not be possible considering the number in the Senate.

“If politics is a game of number, Saraki has the number in the Nigerian Senate (and) let nobody deceive himself.

“In the current situation, it is impossible because a majority is not enough to remove him (and) by the rules of the Senate, you need 2/3 to remove a presiding officer. That number will not come.” [myad]

Presidency To Saraki: You Are Just Waking From Troubled Sleep To Infer That Buhari Is Stooge

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The Presidency has described insinuation by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki thatthere is “now a government within the government of President Buhari,” as ridiculous and preposterous.
A statement by the special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that Saraki’s claim a cabal has seized the apparatus of Executive powers to pursue a nefarious agenda is a fiction and mere conjecture.
“This claim by Senator Saraki would have been more worth the while, if it had been backed with more information. If he had proceeded to identify those who constitute the “government within the government,” it would have taken the issue beyond the realm of fiction and mere conjecture.
“But as it stands, the allegation is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep, and say anything.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation is the Chief Law Officer of the state. It is within his constitutional powers to determine who has infringed upon the law, and who has not.
“Pretending to carry an imaginary cross is mere obfuscation, if, indeed, a criminal act has been committed. But we leave the courts to judge.
“To claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is anybody’s stooge is not only ridiculous, but also preposterous. It is not in the character of our President.” [myad]

INEC Disowns Modu Sheriff F For Edo’s Second Primaries

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not monitor Wednesday’s gubernatorial primary elections scheduled by the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP.

“INEC is yet to take a decision on that even though I learnt Alhaji Modu Sheriff has written the Commission to say that he intends to hold one (primary)”, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at INEC, Nick Dazang said.

He said that Section 85 of the Electoral Act provides that any party that wishes to hold a convention or primaries shall serve the Commission a 21-day notice.

Dazang recalled that “the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo Governorship provides that primaries are to take place between 2nd June and 4th July”.

By this design, the Sheriff’s faction has fallen short of the requirement for a 21-day notice to INEC. Sheriff had also claimed that INEC never monitored the primary election conducted by the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker committee which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its candidate for the September polls. Dazang disputed the claim but stated that INEC was awaiting the judgment of the appellate court which is fixed for July 4 to enable it know which of the factions to recognize.

“Even though INEC monitored the recent PDP primaries, it is awaiting the judgment of the Appeal Court scheduled for 4th July. The judgment will determine which faction the Commission will recognize.” [myad]

FCT Closes Down Cinema Hall

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has ordered the immediate closure of the Social Development Secretariat Cinema Hall over poor accountability by the management of the complex.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, who gave the order when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex on Monday said that the Administration would audit the revenue accruable from the cinema and all the shops administered by the Secretariat in the last two years.
He said that the Administration would also look into the lease agreements for all the shops with a view to ascertaining that all monies collected were duly paid into government coffers.
”We cannot account for the revenue coming from this complex. The cinema hall that is said to have been leased-out is now closed down with immediate effect. We are going to check the agreement that was signed very thoroughly.”
“As for the shops, we are not going to close them down, but we want to see the agreements of those that are renting the shops and we are going to audit what has been paid and who has been collecting the money.” [myad]

Abia Governor, Sacked By Court, Says He Remains The Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Abians not to panic, but remain calm over the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered on Monday in favor of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts.
Governor Ikpeazu, who said that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, added that he will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.
The Governor noted that as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state, his taxes were deducted at source.

He said that when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.
He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts. [myad]

Thieves Now Steal Cooked Food On Fire In Kwara

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

In Kwara State, cooking a pot of soup is now an invitation to robbers, as cases of eagle-eyed hungry men absconding with cooked food still on the fire is now a daily occurrence.
The incident is widespread in areas without perimeter fencing and among women who cook or have opted to cook with coal pots. At each of such areas such as Tanke, Basin, Sango, Offa Garage, and Kilanko, the incident according to The Guardian investigations occurred over five times in just a week.
According to Alhaja Hamidalat Olawale at Sango, “I was cooking around 5.00p.m. in readiness for the breaking of the fast for the day. It was beans and I decided to use coal pot at the open backyard. I had added all the food condiments and was waiting for the broth to dry up. But to my greatest surprise, I did not see the pot of the beans again.
“I was shocked discovering this. What amazed me was that the thief did not come for it before it was ready; he or she came when the food was ready and we were already salivating, meaning the person must have been closely monitoring me.”
Another victim, an undergraduate of the University of Ilorin, Anita Bazuaye, said it was her pot of soup that disappeared beside her window.
“It was painful because as a student, it was difficult for me to get money again for another soup. In fact, when I managed to start cooking again, I did not leave the place until I had securely packed the pot inside my room.”
Reacting to the development, the Police spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi (ASP), said no formal report to that effect had come to him or anyone within the state command, but warned that “it is a serious matter and we will not take it lightly with anyone caught in the act. The Penal Code frowns at theft and we will treat anyone in the act accordingly.”
A former chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Emmanuel Ayeoribe, said the development could not be divorced from the non-payment of workers’ salaries.
“If nothing is urgently done to commence regular payment of salaries, very soon, people will start leaping over the fence to steal food, not just from unfenced quarters,” he warned. [myad]

Why Corruption Thrives In Maritime Agency – Dakuku Peterside

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has given some reasons why corruption has continued to thrive in the agency despite several measures to curtail it.
Peterside who spoke on a Live programme: Business Nigeria, on Television Continental (TVC) in Lagos argued that corruption is not limited to the maritime industry but expressed confidence in the ability of the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the scourge.
According to him, human contact in any payment system is a precursor for corruption and that the Agency is automating its processes and systems to eliminate human contact in order to engender efficiency and eliminate leakages.
“We noticed over time that corruption in NIMASA was propagated through external influences as such we are reforming our people, putting them through a re-orientation process, making them understand that the little things we do in NIMASA affect our global perception.”
This was even as he called for the integration of the maritime industry into the economic development agenda of the country saying it is a prerequisite if the nation is to harness the vast opportunities in the sector.
He said that a lot of areas in the sector have not been developed, citing the issue of ownership of ocean going vessels as a case in point.
“We are perhaps the only country in the world that only foreign flagged vessels lift our crude to the international market. We do not have a single Nigerian flagged vessel that lifts our crude. Our ferry services are also underdeveloped and there are vast opportunities for ship building, leveraging on the Cabotage Act.”
The Director General said that the multiplier effect of Nigerian vessels with Nigerian crew lifting Nigeria’s crude can better be imagined given the cost of freight and the wages of seafarers involved.
Dr. Peterside said that comparatively, Nigerian ports are better positioned and more viable than her other African counterparts if the necessary funding is injected into the maritime sector to develop the infrastructure.
”There has been a global drop in the price of crude oil which has affected the revenue derivable from the maritime sector and the fiscal regime that had existed also affected importation to a large extent.” The Director General is confident that the maritime sector will still experience growth this year and contribute significantly to the Nigerian economy.
On maritime security, he said that it is work in progress with relevant partners to rid the Nigerian waterways and the Gulf of Guinea of maritime crimes.
He cited the collaboration with the Nigerian Navy who recently launched an electronic based surveillance facility called the ‘Falcon Eye’ as a major step in the right direction.
Peterside said that NIMASA has also keyed in to the ECOWAS integrated Maritime Security Strategy as well as that of the African Union (AU) all aimed at combating piracy and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
“We are committed to showing continuous presence on our waters. The Air Force has Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (MPA) to provide aerial surveillance while the Navy does the sea patrols.
“With the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy and our own satellite surveillance system, we will constantly keep an eye on our Exclusive Economic Zone. What we need to do now is to improve our response time which was quite a challenge previously.
“In the meantime, NIMASA is championing the enactment of an anti-piracy bill to deal with the prosecution and punishment of offenders. Once all these are in place, I can assure you that our water ways will be safer to do business and we would get more of our people employed and make more money for themselves and our country.” [myad]

Pope Francis Wants Church Apologize To Gays People

Greenbarge Reporters

June 27, 2016

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has said that the Church should apologize to gays for all the offences it has committed against them.

The Pope said this at a press conference aboard the Papal Plane on his way from Armenia, while responding to a question from a journalist about a German Cardinal who said the Catholic Church should apologize for being “very negative” about gays.

The Pope was also asked whether Christians bear some blame for hatred toward the LGBT community, as horrifically demonstrated in the Orlando massacre at a gay night club that killed 49 people on June 12.

“I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally,

“The Church must ask forgiveness for not behaving many times — when I say the Church, I mean Christians! The Church is holy, we are sinners!

“I believe that the church not only should apologize to the person who is gay whom it has offended, but has to apologize to the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labor; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons.

“One can condemn, but not for theological reasons, but for reasons of political behavior…Certain manifestations are a bit too offensive for others, no?

“But these are things that have nothing to do with the problem. The problem is a person that has a condition, that has good will and who seeks God, who are we to judge? And we must accompany them well.

“There are traditions in some countries, some cultures, that have a different mentality about this question (homosexuals)” and there are “some (gay) demonstrations that are too offensive for some.” [myad]

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