The Federal Ministry of Education has scheduled a meeting with vice-chancellors, admission officers and other stakeholders to discuss the processes for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination against the background of the recent directive by the minister of education, Adamu Adamu. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja, said the meeting would hold next week. Yemi-Esan said the minister had made a pronouncement which should be complied with. “The responsibility is now on us to give them guidelines and modalities on how to go about what the honourable minister has said. “There is no written directive but all the stakeholders were at that meeting where the minster said it openly. “There is going to be a meeting of the all the vice-chancellors and admission officers sometime next week to work our modalities.” However, an academic, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told NAN that scrapping post-UTME could not be done by mere comment at an event. He said he expected the minister to issue a circular on the issue to the universities through the National Universities Commission. Meanwhile, various universities have been sending out notices via the media for the test, even as some stakeholders believe that the Federal Government has scrapped exercise. NAN. [myad]
A consolidated group of militants, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) has alerted Nigeria of the plan by some senior military officers to overthrow the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in a coup d’état.
The militant group, which was behind threats of missile launch that created panic in the Niger Delta region, said that the persons behind the coup plot are planning to instigate civil unrest as part of their strategies to actualize the scheme.
The group in an electronic statement said that already the top military officers involved in the scheme approached its leaders with an appeal to continue with the ongoing attacks on oil installation.
It claimed that the “coup plotters” said they wanted to use sustained attacks on oil facilities as a genuine reason to take over the government.
The statement was signed by persons who identified themselves as ‘General’ Torunanaowei Latei (Creek Network Coordinator); ‘General’ Agbakakuro Owei-Tauro (Pipeline Bleeding Expert); ‘General’ Akotebe Darikoro (Commander, General Duties) and ‘General’ Pulokiri Ebikade (Intelligence Bureau).
The group said: “We are constraint to let the cat out of the bag today that PresidentMohammadu Buhari should be wary about the security of this country as some military men are making move to remove him from power by instigating civil unrest in the country.
“Some top military men through their civil agents approached us to cause and continue the vandalization of the oil and gas pipelines in the Niger delta region so as to use as an excuse to take over the government from democracy to military rule in the country.
“We said no as such plan will not work and not in conformity with our genuine desire of agitation. The military want to disgrace him now and let him quickly look into the issues and make pronouncement for his administration to be in peace.
“Let president should analyze certain memo from the military concerning Niger delta region before taking action or otherwise the military will use that as a platform to remove him. We know the issue of Niger delta is political and we preferred
political solution to resolve it but if the president refused.”
The group further advised the President to adopt holistic approach in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta.
It named the ongoing corruption probes in the military as one of the reasons why like minds had gathered to plot the removal of the President adding that most officers behind the scheme were above the ranks of major-generals.
“We received several calls unknown to persuade us to continue the bombing and that when succeeded in overthrowing the government we will be placed on a better position, we said capital NO!
“When asked of their names they are above Major General’s level. They refused to disclose their names but their intonations seem like yoruba and Hausa. Our agitation is not for selfish interest but for the overall benefit of the Niger delta region.
“We’ll not kidnap any person, kill or hostage taking of any expatriate in the country but will continue our agitation with clear determination to actualize our course in Nigeria.
“We believe their sinister plan because there is ceasefire in the region for dialogue, but since then the attitude and actions of the service chiefs show that such plan could work for them”, it said.
The group also accused the military of invading Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta, harassing, chiefs and women during the period of ceasefire.
It asked the President to quickly implement their demands which it listed as immediate release of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Dr. Nnamdi Kanu.
Others are directing the EFCC to defreeze the bank accounts of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo; resuming the academic sessions of the only Nigerian Maritime University sited in Okerenkoko and immediate implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference report.
They asked the President to clean up all the oil-polluted land in the region and to remove Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd.) as an Amnesty Coordinator.
According to them, Boroh should be replacing with Dr. Felix Tuodolo who it said had been in the struggle of non-violence since 1980 and the designer.
It said: “Why all these attacks on oil and gas pipelines in the region is that the Pharaoh of Nigeria (Buhari) made a childish statement that, he will develop those areas that gave him 95% votes during his presidential election last year.
“We the Niger Delta people only gave him 5% hence we vowed that our oil money will not be used for the development of any other region. The President should change his mind set towards the region, if not this will continue.” [myad]
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and some stakeholders have concluded arrangements to hold a forum soon to address the abuse of the rights of consumers of insurance services and find solutions to the consumer issues in the nation’s insurance sector. The Forum is coming on the heels of the complaints received by CPC which indicate that consumers in the insurance sector are facing numerous challenges, including sale of fake insurance policies, incessant delays in payment of claims, repudiation of claims on very flimsy grounds, unnecessary rigours in claims documentation and investigation processes, non-disclosure of vital information to consumers, and fraudulent abscondment of agents with premiums paid by unsuspecting consumers. The two-day event, which has been scheduled to hold from July 26, 2016, is being jointly organised by the Council insurance stakeholders, Pastures Consult Limited, Congress International Limited and consumer NGOs. A statement by the coordinator of the event, Ogah Columba, said that the maiden Annual National Insurance Consumers’ Colloquium” is a platform for an in-depth discussion and a means of taking practical steps in dealing with and managing the various challenges concerning insurance consumers and the insurance industry. According to him: “the problem of insurance firms and insurance consumers in Nigeria is also the problem of everyone in the society, particularly in terms of self-preservation,” stating further that “this is because failure to insure is a threat to individual and national prosperity. “It is in view of this that we make the challenges facing insurance consumers as well as the issue of insurance penetration and awareness an imperative to tackle in the maiden edition of the Annual National Insurance Consumers’ Colloquium 2016.” The statement revealed that the Colloquium with the theme: “100 Years After: Is Insurance Working in Nigeria?” seeks to “bring together stakeholders from the insurance industry, regulatory environment, and policy making institutions, including consumers and the media, to identify the challenges facing consumers in the industry, proffer the way forward and inspire commitment from all stakeholders.” Ogah said that highly experienced experts and discussants are expected at the event, adding that the Consumer Protection Council, collaborating to organize the event, is deeply committed to the project especially as the Director General of the Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, has made sector based intervention the strategy of the agency. [myad]
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has opened up on how his election was funded two years ago by the Zenith Bank Plc, fund raising, donations from friends and associates as well as sales of campaign souvenirs. Fayose said in a statement on Wednesday: “I have no financial transaction whatsoever with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.” In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to publish statements made by Obanikoro, his sons or any other person associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election. He added: “EFCC is only acting a movie scripted, produced and directed by the All Progressives Congress government of President Muhammadu Buhari just to silence me being a major opposition voice in the country.” On the alleged involvement of President Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari, in the Halliburton scam, the governor challenged the President’s wife to visit the United States of America to convince Nigerians that she was not the Aisha Buhari mentioned in the judgment convicting William Jefferson. He said: “It is on record that the President has visited USA three times and his wife did not travel with him. Equally, she ought to have visited USA last year September to chair a United Nation programme but she sent wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki to represent her. “The management of Zenith Bank, which majorly funded my election, called me to a meeting where I was assured that fund will be provided for my election. I was asked to nominate a trusted ally to be related with and I nominated Mr Abiodun Agbele. “All the payments into Abiodun Agbele’s account domiciled in Zenith Bank were directly from Zenith Bank. In actual fact, the account was opened by Zenith Bank hurriedly at that time and Abiodun Agbele’s identity card which ought to have been collected before the account was opened was only collected last week in the bank’s desperation to perfect the account obviously after submitting to the intimidation and harassment of the EFCC. “Most of the funds posted into Agbele’s account were through the Ibadan, Akure and Lagos branches of the Zenith Bank and sometimes, they brought cash. “Assuming but not conceding that cash moved from Lagos to Akure as being claimed by the EFCC in its usual manner of media trial, was meant for my election in Ekiti, why was the cash not moved to Ado Ekiti branch of Zenith Bank or the cash handed to me directly? Why was it deposited into Zenith Bank, Akure and did the bank make any report on the transaction to the appropriate authorities? Why did the bank send its bullion van to move the money from Akure Airport to their Akure branch if it was illegal money? “I must say it categorically that I don’t have any link financially with Obanikoro and I know as a fact that he (Obanikoro) has not and cannot mention my name, as beneficiary of whatever money any company in which he has interest could have gotten from the ONSA if truly Obanikoro collected money from the ONSA as being claimed by the EFCC. “Therefore, bringing Obanikoro and his son’s narrative or that the Zenith Bank is telling different stories, having been blackmailed and coerced into submission by the EFCC is a joke that will not fly. “I wish to state further that if it becomes evidently clear that those who willingly provided money for my election can no longer stand by what they did, may be because of threat from the EFCC, I will not hesitate to name names.” Fayose, who challenged the EFCC to also beam its searchlights on the funding of APC elections, especially that of President Buhari, said: “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC, must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission. “Most importantly, Nigerians are interested in the $60 million allegedly donated to the APC campaign by Sahara Energy, on which EFCC has been forced to suspend investigation.” Fayose said it was obvious that he has become the main headache of President Buhari’s government, adding: “What they are doing now is part of their grand plots to intimidate and harass me into submission but I am not someone that can be cowed by threats of incarceration and death. “I advise that they should keep their gun pounder dry and wait till the end of my tenure in 2018 and I want to assure them that I will be available to answer any of their questions, no matter how unreasonable. “Furthermore, Nigerians should know that I have been persecuted by the EFCC before, using phantom N1.2 billion poultry scam and I came out victorious. I was not only acquitted, I got N10 million judgment against the EFCC and my impeachment that was orchestrated by the EFCC was quashed by the Supreme Court. “Nigerians should recall that it was part of this plot to get back at me because of my critical stance on Buhari’s government that the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by men of the Department of State Service (DSS), placement of travel ban on me and lately, illegal freezing of my account by the EFCC. “I therefore make bold to state that in the overall interest of democracy and well-being of Nigerians, I will continue to speak my mind on issues bordering on governance in Nigeria. I will not be intimidated!” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), mostly ministers, to make sure that the generations coming are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic.
The President, who spoke at the breaking-of-fast dinner for members of FEC at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, on Tuesday, said that the Month of Ramadan is a special time when “God listens and answers prayers from the faithful.” President Buhari added that the Ramadan period provides leaders the opportunity to be more conscious of their responsibilities to the people they are leading, saying: “It strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger. It is no news that we are the biggest country in Africa and that we are the economic engine of Africa, which are true by the way. “But we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others. “In this (Ramadan) month of prayers and service to God, let us keep on praying all the times, believing that God in His infinite mercy will listen to our prayers, give us peace, security and better the economy once more, so that we can quickly rebuild and even do more for our country. “Let me assure you that the time of Ramadan is making us more conscious of what leaders at every level ought to do. “Leading the people is not a joke; it means accepting responsibilities for good or wrong. “We need a lot of prayers, certainly, with the nation’s economy going down. “We haven’t developed our agriculture. “We are still trying to talk to those who will come and develop our solid minerals for us.” President Buhari said that Nigeria needed a lot of prayers in view of the economic and security challenges facing the nation, citing the activities of the militants and those agitating for the state of Biafra, reminding such people and their sponsors of the calamities that befell the country during similar agitations between 1967 and 1970, when about two million lives were lost. He said: “We need to reflect very seriously on what happened between 1967 and 1970 when over two millions Nigerians lost their lives. “At that time, as young military officers, you hardly heard of anything about petroleum or whatever money you got from it. “Look at what General (Yakubu) Gowon said: ‘To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ and every soldier, whether he had been to school or not, knew what the General meant. “But we were quarreling with our brothers, we were not fighting an enemy and now, somebody is saying that once again, he wants Biafra. “I think this is because he was not born when there was Biafra. “We have to reflect on the historical antecedents to appreciate what is before us now and what we intend to leave for our children and our grandchildren.” Buhari thanked the ministers and other members of the cabinet for accepting to serve and identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke on behalf of members of the FEC, thanked Buhari for inviting them for the breaking-of-fast dinner. [myad]
The United Nations (UN) refugee agency marked the June 20 World Refugee Day at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State. It was the first out-of-Abuja observance in Nigeria of the day set aside by the UN since 2001 to highlight the plight of the displaced of the world. The event, held in a northeast capital of the country, is seen by many as a signpost of the new security situation in the region and an acknowledgement of the lead role played by the University in continuing to care for over 250,000 people still displaced from their homes in the region. During a town hall meeting at AUN on April 22, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Samantha Power, had singled out AUN for commendation. Power said: “What you all have done is really a model for how universities in not only Nigeria but all around the world can wade into some of the most complex and seemingly intractable challenges facing their communities.” “AUN will continue to support the state government to cater for refugees and their host communities in Adamawa State,” AUN President, Margee Ensign, said in a welcome address read at the occasion by the Vice President of Finance, Anthony Agbo. Dr. Ensign also emphasized AUN’s collaborative partnership with local religious and community leaders under the Adamawa Peace Initiative, which it helped form in January 2012. She added: “AUN-API has been deeply involved in peace building, using sports, skills training, and other such personal development activities to engage the youthful and the vulnerable from the surroundings, thus preventing them from joining Boko Haram. “As we have seen in north eastern Nigeria and Adamawa state in particular, refugees are not just those confined to government designated camps, there are primarily living with the general population putting pressure on the already diminished resources of their hosts. Aside from what AUN was already doing in the IDP camps, the university took on an the additional responsibility of supporting our people hosting IDPs. “AUN has a founding mandate to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. This mandate was drawn from the vision of our Founder who thought a university is not necessarily an ivory tower, but must be involved in solving problems in our community. “When the population of Yola exploded as a result of influx of refugees from the countryside, AUN-API was among the first few organizations that were considered credible to reach the needy with supplies. In partnership with the Adamawa Peace Initiative and other well-meaning Nigerians, we went on mobilizing food, men, and material for the upkeep of the IDPs, feeding more than 270,000 at one point in the crisis. AUN-API helped to bring the plight of the Adamawa displaced persons to international attention.” The event, organized by the UN High Commission for Refugees, was attended by several dignitaries representing the government and private sectors, as well as the donor-agencies. The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Engr. Martins Babale, joined President Ensign and other speakers in praising UNHCR for marking the World Refugee Day in one of the locations where the insurgency forced mass displacements. The UNHCR representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Angele Dikongue-Atangana, also acknowledged the generosity that AUN, as well as numerous individuals, families and communities have shown to IDPs. It said: “These ordinary people see refugees not as beggars, or competitors for jobs, or as terrorists, but as people like you or me whose lives have been disrupted by war.” This year’s International Refugee Day at the American University of Nigeria also featured a solidarity walk for refugees, display of waste-to-wealth souvenirs made by IDPs and their hosts who underwent skill training and financial literacy seminars facilitated by AUN and international donor agencies. [myad]
Worried by the growing crime rate in Kogi state, the Nigerian Army has concluded arrangement to deploy special force to control the rate.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday said, when he paid paid a courtesy vistl on Governor Yahaya Bello at the Government House in Lokoja.
The army chief said that the special troops would be deployed to the affected areas in the state, adding: “I want to assure you that very soon we will deploy special forces to the state.
“That is why I came here with the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison; he is getting them ready and by Monday they should be on ground.
“They will come with their vehicles; they will come with their sustenance, so very soon they will come in and begin the operation.”
Buratai expressed regrets that previous efforts to contain insecurity in the state had failed even as he assured the people of the state of the army’s commitment to tackling the security challenge.
He commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state in checking insecurity.
Responding, Yahaya Bello decried the rising cases of kidnapping and armed banditry in some parts of the state, adding that the situation was deteriorating as new cases of kidnapping were being reported on a daily basis.
Governor Yahaya Bello solicited the support of the Federal Government to help rid the state of criminals.
“With the support of the military and other security agencies in the state, the security situation in the state improved tremendously.
” But the situation has changed. Recently, new cases are reported on a daily basis and this is frustrating. It is so bad that some travellers who hitherto pass through the state have started running away from the state.
”That is why we are soliciting the assistance of the Federal Government to help us with equipment and the force to clear the hills and forest where they are hiding.”
Governor Yahaya said that the state government had adopted measures to improve the situation in the state.
The governor said the state government recently launched a security awareness campaign known as “Operation Know Your Neighbour.’’
He emphasized the need for citizens to be conscious of happenings around them.
Bello added that all buildings linked to any kidnap kingpin would be demolished.
The embattled former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali modu Sheriff has declared Monday’s Governorship Primaries in Edo State as illegal and a contraption of an illegal care-taker Committee and called members nationwide especially in Edo State to disregard it. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, the Party asked INEC not to give legitimacy to what happened in Edo and said that the party is going to conduct a proper primary in the state. Meanwhile, Modu Sheriff’s PDP has released a scheduled congress in Edo State to start from June 23rd to June 29th with the inauguration of Congress Committee scheduled for Thursday. He warned state Chairmen and officers of the party to desist from meeting or having anything with the illegal Caretaker committee and warned that anybody dealing with them is on his own. In another statement also, Sheriff also announced the appointment of some deputy national Officers as members of the National Working Committee in acting capacity. The party said that it is acting pursuance to a resignation of five (5) members of NWC and in accordance with the provisions of sections 39(2), 42 (2), 43 (2), 44 (2) and 47 (6) of the Constitution of the party 2012 as amended. The newly appointed officers are: Mr. Okey Nnadozie – Acting National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Alonge-Niyi Dennis –Acting National Youth Leader, Mrs. Hannatu Ullam – Acting National Women Leader and Barrister Bashir Maidugu – Acting National Legal Adviser. The appointment, he said is with immediate effect. [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has admitted that Nigerians may be passing through difficult times, but that the Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency is working to ensure that the citizens benefit from the resources of the nation eventually. Osinbajo, who received in audience on Tuesday, the Australian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary, African Branch, Mr. Mathew Neuhaus who was accompanied by the country’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Paul Lehmann, remarked: “it is a difficult time, but we think it is an excellent opportunity to do right by the people so that our people are able to get the benefit of the nation’s resources.” Professor Osinbajo took a look at the steps the presidency is taking in the areas of security, governance, anti-corruption and the economy, adding: there has been a liberalization of the oil and gas’ downstream sector.” He added that the flexible foreign exchange policy just recently put in place would encourage foreign investment, adding: “we are looking forward to the benefits of the new foreign exchange policy.” He commended the Australian government for its excellent support in the fight against insurgency in the Nigerian Northeast, even as he said that while significant progress has been recorded in militarily downgrading Boko Haram, the other challenge now is overcoming the ideology that motivates terrorist activities. “We have already dealt with Boko Haram militarily. We now have to deal with the ideology (of terror) and this is something that the entire world has to also deal with. The terrorists basically reject any engagement, simply preaching hate and murder. it is a new kind of threat. The ideology and motivation is what we – the global community – have to find a way to deal with.” Earlier, Mr. Neuhaus, who had earlier served as his country’s High Commissioner in Nigeria congratulated the Buhari administration for being “off to a good start.” He also praised the steps that have been taken so far by the administration, some of which he said have not been easy. He said that Australia looks forward to doing more business with the government and working very closely with Nigeria. He made allusion to closer relationship in mining and investment and cooperation at the Commonwealth and the United Nations levels. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, as the Acting Inspector-General of Police. The Acting Inspector-General, who hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State, was born on 15th of January 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria with a Bachelors degree in Agriculture. He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri. AIG Idris has served in various commands and formations in the Nigerian Police Force, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, and Commandant. He served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano States and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters. He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service. AIG Idris, who was in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters before his appointment as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, will act in that capacity pending his confirmation. [myad]
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The Federal Ministry of Education has scheduled a meeting with vice-chancellors, admission officers and other stakeholders to discuss the processes for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination against the background of the recent directive by the minister of education, Adamu Adamu.
