I Am Ready For Action – Inaugural Speech Of Governor Yahaya Bello Of Kogi

January 28, 2016

As we step into Office today, we are at once excited and tremulous. Excited at the great opportunities but tremulous at the massive challenges. One thing is clear, positive and decisive action must be taken quickly to rescue Kogi State. We are ready for action.
Being Text Of The Inaugural Speech By His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello On The Occasion Of His Swearing-In As 4Th Executive Governor, Kogi State Of Nigeria On Wednesday, 27Th January, 2016 At Lokoja.
Protocols!
His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, The Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His Excellency,
Dr. Olubukola Saraki, The President, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His Excellency,
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, The Speaker, House of Representatives.
His Lordship, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, The Chief Justice of Nigeria.
His Excellency, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress.
Your Excellencies, My Brother Governors here present or represented
His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Momoh Jimoh Lawal, The Honourable Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly.
My Lord, Honourable Justice Nasiru Ajanah, The Chief Judge of Kogi State.
Royal Fathers and Revered Custodians of Our Traditional Institutions.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Our Distinguished Guests from Far and Near.
My Dearly Beloved People of Kogi State.
All other Protocols deemed as duly observed.

Welcome!
It is with great Joy that I receive you all to the warm hospitality of Kogi State of Nigeria today. Kogi is the Confluence State, the Geographical Bridge between every Nigerian and his Compatriot. You are indeed welcome.
Life is a precious thing and we cannot earn or own it. It is given to us freely. We often take it for granted, failing to recognize its importance or significance. Should it not instead instill an immense sense of gratitude in our hearts to the One Who created life and gave it to us? “It is God Who brought you out of your mothers’ wombs knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and minds so that you may be grateful” The Quran 16:78. Say “O Allah, owner of Kingdoms.You give your Kingdom to whom you desire.And you take your Kingdom from whom you desire.You honour whom you desire.And you humble whom you desire. In your hand all is GOOD. Indeed you are over all things COMPETENT.” Quoran 3 vs 26.
I stand here today a grateful man. I am grateful to:
Almighty God, the Eternal One who led a young boy, fatherless while still a baby to this momentous day of my Swearing-In as the Governor of this Great State, and her humble Servitor.
Alhaji Bello Ipemida Ochi, my father, whose evergreen memories and legacies remain till today despite his death early in my life. Hajiya Hauwau Oziohu Bello, my model mother. Oziandu Obanyi, your hand rocked my cradle, and you still rock my world. Despite the anguish of young widowhood, your values steadied me through the turbulence of youth and years of self-discovery. All my siblings, especially Prof. Iliyasu Bello Ohiani, my elder brother, who became the father that I know.
My family. My dear wives and children were Wonderful. In particular, Hajiya Rashida Bello followed me on this chequered journey with a devotion and sacrifice that is astounding.
President Muhammadu Buhari, the one man who epitomizes the Personal Discipline, Rugged Determination and Honest Discretion I intend to model as Governor of Kogi State.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The APC National Leader is arguably the most singularly successful Nigerian Politician of this Democratic Dispensation. His Vision has given wings to those of many of his followers, including ourselves.
Prince Abubakar Audu, the Late Icon whose foresight and doggedness paved the way for the Victory we are celebrating today. Continue to rest in peace my Leader.
My Core Team, especially the Progressive Youth of Kogi State led by my right-hand man, Edward Onoja. Their doggedness and forthrightness brought home to me in a very personal way that popular line ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand…’ They are the apostles of this broad-minded Change.
The APC Family. The APC in Kogi State wanted Change for their dear State and worked hard to bring it. The APC at the National Level provided the Platform.
The entire People of Kogi State. Irrespective of who you are or where you stood during the elections, Na God Win. We are all united today, celebrating the outcome. My People, you are my one big Constituency, and I am responsible for, and to each and every one of you.
Nigeria has a rich diversity of traditions, cultures and history but it is instructive that in searching for a philosophy for this New Direction my Team and I did not have to go very far to locate the perfect response for our times:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to reiterate what President Muhammadu Buhari said in his celebrated Swearing-In Speech on May 29, 2015: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody!”
This quote is a complete worldview which defines the PURPOSE and METHODOLOGY of my Administration, and sets an AGENDA OF INCLUSIVENESS, which I am determined will characterize my tenure.
In this single sentence, Mr. President summarized the restorative force of the CHANGE ideology with which our great party, the APC, has swept Nigeria. I now declare it our guiding principle for fair action and equitable governance in Kogi State.
My Administration shall exist for the sole purpose of serving the superseding interests of the people of Kogi State to the very best of its capabilities. We also undertake to never lend our capacities to servicing the avarice of anyone or group–whether from Kogi State or elsewhere.
There is no greater evil than Corruption and nothing champions that evil more than Impunity…Corruption and Impunity made sure our people repeatedly arrived at a promised future and found it bereft of substance, or the promised better life.
Let it be recorded today that future generations will not be given reason to count the incoming Administration among those who reveled in Corruption or Impunity. We will be different by the Grace of God. We must and will be that generation of Leaders who made the entirety of Kogi’s Resources work for the entirety of Kogi’s People.
Accordingly, I hereby declare and affirm that the Yahaya Bello Administration will have ZERO TOLERANCE for Corruption and Impunity. I will lead Kogi State by honest and humble example. So help me God.
To reinforce our commitment to accountability, the incoming Administration will employ technology and a multilayered system of checks and balances to block all leakages in our financial processes and improve our wealth creation and retention capacities.
The rule of law is key to effective governance. We intend to work hand in hand with the Judicial Arm of Government and the Legislature to deliver the best governance possible to Kogi State. In this regard, we shall be guided by both legislations and binding judicial decisions.
Peace is key for prosperity. The sudden events that culminated in my emergence as Governor are beyond any mortal man. The sudden death of our leader, Prince Abubakar Audu remains a great mystery. This Administration shall liaise with the Kogi State House of Assembly for legislation to immortalise him in some meaningful way. I therefore extend my hand of brotherhood to all and sundry.
In the course of this journey we met and interacted with families, kindreds, clans, hamlets, villages, towns and cities, traversing the length and breadth of Kogi State and the picture we came away with is a depressing one. Everywhere, our People live in deprivation despite our abundant natural endowments.
The statistics as they apply to Kogi State are not rosy. As we step into Office today, we are at once excited and tremulous. Excited at the great opportunities but tremulous at the massive challenges. One thing is clear, positive and decisive action must be taken quickly to rescue Kogi State. We are ready for action.
We are conscious that to fail in this task is to fail in everything else. But take it from me, we will not fail because, apart from our preparations and resolve, God and good is on our side.
We have conceived a socio-economic Blueprint that we trust God will rapidly develop our State and radically empower our People. The said Blueprint will rank as a sort of Marshall Plan for rebuilding Kogi State on every index of Development.
Under this Plan, Education and Health Infrastructure, State of the Art Security Coverage, Roads, Rural Water Schemes, Farm and Agricultural Communes, heavy Investments in Solid Minerals, Artisanal Mining Collectives, repositioning of Kogi State as a preferred tourist destination, etc. are projected to play lead, often overlapping, roles.
We will run this Blueprint along with Civil Service reforms to change the orientation of our workers and improve their productivity. To show that we are ready to work and not just talking, the Blueprint contains ‘Action Plans’ for developing each sector. We expect that we will see begin to see increase in our Internally Generated Revenue.
For ease of monitoring by Kogi People my Team and I have distributed our Projects into the 100-Day Accomplishments, the First Year Results, the Halfway Marks and the Final Milestones. When our full Blueprint is published, anyone can predict where we will be, developmentally, in 100 days, and after each year of our Administration.
Security is a huge concern across Kogi State as we step into Office – in particular the dastardly and twin scourges of armed robbery and kidnapping. I therefore acknowledge with pleasure the Commissioner of Police and Heads of every Security Agency in Kogi State. Gentlemen, I shall be meeting with you soon to fashion out modalities to rid Kogi State of Insecurity. Please have forceful and actionable proposals for me when we meet. I promise you every support that this Administration can give.
Nothing engenders skepticism, even cynicism, in the citizen than lackluster leadership of the sort that we have experienced in the Confluence State. I am aware that with some notable exceptions successive Administrations have posted largely unimpressive performances. The cumulative effect is that the average Kogi Person has developed an acute distrust of Government.
We cannot succeed, in our Blueprint or anything else, without the co-operation of our People and our friends. Co-operation is difficult if trust is withheld. My people, we shall build rapport, and by delivering on our proposed array of people-centered projects, we shall earn your trust. I would appreciate, and I ask for nothing, other than that you give me the benefit of the doubt as we set off. Let the taste of this pudding be in the eating.
We know salaries have not been paid to some of our Civil Servants for some months now. We propose to commence paying as promptly as possible while implementing strategies to gradually defray the arrears. While doing this we shall count on the understanding of all the good people of Kogi State.
We shall immediately commence consultations with all stakeholders to get the buy-in of every progress-minded individual into every agenda that we have designed to move Kogi State in the New Direction. I see this as a Challenge and I am resolved to win your trust.
Today is indeed an auspicious day. We will not fail to appreciate those who made it possible. My predecessor, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, has been most gracious. We appreciate your service sir. The Transition Committees on both sides have acted with dignity and cooperation. We thank you. The Inauguration Committee has really worked hard to make this day a success. Thank you very much indeed.
Change has come to Kogi State. I may be the Torchbearer, and Custodian of it, but you, the great united people of Kogi State, are its Owners and Proprietors. Let us arise together, take our Collective Destiny in our hands and go forth excitedly to chart our New Direction. Kogi, THIS CHANGE IS YOURS.
Distinguished Listeners, this speech is an overview, it is not intended to say everything that we have to say, or plan to do, in Government. That being the case, I hasten to conclude.
God bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless Kogi State of Nigeria.
God bless you.
Thank you for listening. [myad]

Buhari Describes Bureau De Change Business As A Scam

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the Bureau de Change (BDC) business in Nigeria as a scam that had been draining the nation’s economy.
He made clear that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would not resume the sale of foreign exchange to such Bureaux de Change.
The President who spoke at an interactive meeting with Nigerians living in Kenya today,
alleged that some bank and government officials used surrogates to run the BDCs and prosper at public expense by obtaining foreign exchange from government at official rates and selling it at much higher rates.
According to President Buhari, because of the lucrativeness of the BDCs, it had increased from 74 in in 2005 to about 2,800 now, saying: “we don’t have the Dollars to give to the BDCs. Let them go and get it from wherever they can, other than the Central Bank.
“We will use our foreign exchange for industry, spare parts and the development of needed infrastructure.”
The President reaffirmed his conviction that about a third of petroleum subsidy payments under the previous administration was bogus, adding: “they just stamped papers and collected our foreign exchange.”
He also made it clear that he was not convinced that Nigeria and its people will derive any tangible benefit from an official devaluation of the Naira.
The President insisted that while export-driven economies could benefit from devaluation of their currencies, devaluation will only result in further inflation and hardship for the poor and middle classes in Nigeria’s import-dependent economy.
He stressed that he had no intention of bringing further hardship on the country’s poor who, he said, have suffered enough already.
Likening devaluing the Naira to having it “killed,” President Buhari said that proponents of devaluation will have to work much harder to convince him that ordinary Nigerians will gain anything from it.
Buhari then appealed to Nigerians studying abroad to bear with his administration as it strives to address the challenges they are facing as a result of new foreign exchange measures.
He said that he was optimistic that the Nigerian economy will stabilize soon with the efficient implementation of measures and policies that have been introduced by his administration. [myad]

How Emergence Of Oil Made Nigerians To Lose Their Senses – FCT Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has said that emergence of oil had for long, made Nigerians and their leaders to lose their senses.
“We need to rethink our own role individually in what has happened in the past and what is happening now.”
Muhammad Bello, who spoke through FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye as he received in audience, participants of Senior Course 38, Command and Staff College, Jaji, that were in the FCT Administration for a study tour of Abuja, urged Nigeria’s elite to embrace the Change Agenda of the Federal Government to make Nigeria great again.
Muhammad Bello spoke against the background of the topic for discussion, which is repositioning Nigeria’s non-oil sector as a major source of revenue. He added that this topic is timely in view of the dwindling oil prices at the international market.
The Minister asked Nigerians to have a rethink individually and collectively to agree that “we are really ready for change.”
He emphasised the need for Nigeria’s elite to decide that they are really ready individually and collectively because that is what the study is all about.
“The most important thing in Nigeria is for those of us who are seated here and representing the elites to have a consensus and agree that we are really ready for change, because that was what happened in Singapore and Malaysia.”
Muhammad Bello wondered how the country got to the point it is now, where it is just beginning to discuss this issue of diversification after more than 50 years of independence?
“We have had very bad leadership in the history of this country and it is very unfortunate because we did not start with oil after all.
“The major infrastructure that we have in this country today was not built with oil money but as oil came, we lost our senses and today we are trying to bring it back.”
The Minister regretted that the industries, including the textile industries that used to be the second most important area that employed people in Nigeria have all been crippled.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Makanju Madison Kadiri said that there in the college, the students receive lectures from various areas of interest associated with national
development and national security, and that the students do embark on study tour once in a year.
He said that the project is an environmental study tour that enable the students to familiarise themselves with the socio-economic and political developments in the country.
“This year, we are here in the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of government. When we go out, the students have the opportunity to consolidate the knowledge that we seek by way of interaction with practical experiences in the field. This is very important to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“I want to thank the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the arrangements they made for our reception because since we came, we have been very well received. We have been privileged to visit selected departments of this FCT Administration to see your activities.” [myad]

Buhari Says He’s Determined To Clean Up Ogoniland

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged his determination to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta which have been damaged by crude oil spillage.
Speaking during a visit to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, President Buhari appealed the United Nations for more support for his administration’s efforts to clean up the region.
“When I came into office on 29th May 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for the clean-up of Ogoni land.
“The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons why many people in that region lost faith in Government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today.
“The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead.
“Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the Government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region,” President Buhari said.
The President applauded the outcome of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that held in Paris in December last year.
“The commitments agreed in Paris will clearly benefit Nigeria and many African nations adversely impacted by climate change. We therefore look forward to their fulfilment and implementation.
“As the UN Office in Nairobi gears up to host the 2nd session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) this year under the auspices of UNEP, I would like to take this opportunity to further pledge Nigeria’s commitment to this very worthy cause of having a safe, secure and clean planet,” he said.
President Buhari said that with half of the world’s population now living in cities, world leaders must give greater attention to the challenges of rapid urbanisation.
“In our effort to promote the sustainable urbanization in Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria funded and anchored the Africa Urban Agenda (AUA) programme in partnership with the UN-Habitat.
“The Programme aims to enhance engagements between state and non-state actors to build consensus around identified urban development priorities and amplify Africa’s voice at the global level towards HABITAT III.
“The Africa Urban Agenda will culminate in a major conference of African Ministers of Housing where numerous issues will be discussed.
“I am pleased to announce that this conference will be hosted by Nigeria in Abuja next month and I look forward to meeting and deliberating with you, and other stakeholders on this very important topic,” the President said.
The Resident Coordinator of United Nations Office, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde said that the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in a free and fair election last year demonstrated the commitment of Nigerians to democracy as a system of government.
She described Nigeria as a “crucial member of the UN, a vital partner and a major contributor to UN peace-keeping operations.”
Before leaving the United Nations Office, President Buhari undertook the symbolic planting of a tree, a tradition reserved for all visiting Heads of State and Government.
He also addressed the ongoing session of the “Mini-United Nations,” an annual event that brings children from all of the world’s regions together to draft, debate and pass resolutions on issues of current global interest. [myad]

‘Man Of God’ Allegedly Rape 11 Year Girl

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

A man of God, identified as the General Overseer of Divine Light Prophetic Mission International, located in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State, has been accused of raping an 11-year-old girl.
The incident was said to have occurred on January 23 at Skido Hotel in Oworonshoki.
The pastor’s name was simply given as Pastor Daniel.
It was learnt that the victim’s cry of pains attracted prostitutes in the brothel, who rushed to the room that was firmly locked.
The matter was reported to the Police at Alonge Police Division.
The Police quickly moved to the scene, forced the door open and the girl was found in a pool of blood.
Pastor Daniel was subsequently arrested. [myad]

Nduka Undertakes To Refund N670 Million He Got Out Of $2.1 Billion Arms Scam

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

Publisher of Thisday newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena is believed to have made an undertaking to refund the sum N670 Million which he received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Sources at the Economic and Financial Crime Commission confided in newsmen that the publisher, who reported to it on January 26 said that he has already written an undertaking, to refund the money within two weeks, perhaps as precondition to be released on administrative bail. It was learnt that Obaigbena disbursed N568,360,000 from the ONSA heist to establish Arise Global Media Limited, promoters of troubled international pay TV, Arise TV. The amount was said to have been transferred from the account of General Hydrocarbon, which received the initial payment from the ONSA purportedly for a contract that was not stated. The mandate for the first tranche of N150 million paid to General Hydrocarbon by the ONSA indicate that it was for Environmental Security Project, while the remaining tranches were tagged energy consulting. Investigation is said to have failed to establish a nexus between the funds paid to General Hydrocarbon and the alleged monies paid to NPAN members by Obaigbena. “There is so far no established trail of funds moving from General Hydrocarbon’s account and the NPAN account which should have confirmed the claim by Nduka that he received money from ONSA for onward delivery to NPAN members.” In the absence of this link, it is becoming clear that funds were moved from ONSA’a account to fund Arise TV. [myad]

PDP National Committee Insists Secondus Is Still National Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that Uche Secondus remains the acting national chairman of the party, saying that there is no change in the leadership composition for now.

In a statement today the national legal adviser of the party, Victor Kwon, the party said: “for the avoidance of doubt, the statutory organs of the party, the NWC, National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Council (NEC) will be meeting next week.
“They will meet to deliberate on some developments, including the replacement, from the North-East of Alhaji Adamu Muazu, who resigned as the National Chairman of the party.”
Kwon said the replacement would be in strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution of PDP as specified in Section 47(6).
He said: “Until then, the status quo remains, which means the Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, remains as the Acting National Chairman.
“It must be reiterated that all relevant stakeholders of our party, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, National Caucus and the Board of Trustees (BoT) as well as our leadership structures at all levels are united behind the current NWC.
“They are all united behind the current NWC in the efforts to rebuild, reposition and strengthen our party for the challenges ahead.”

The PDP governors have earlier resolved that the national secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo should take over the leadership of the party from Secondus. [myad]

PDP Governors Make Professor Oladipo National Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have made the party’s national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo to take over the mantle of leadership from the acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

The governors said that this position is in line with provisions of the party’s constitution.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting in Abuja yesterday, the governors chided a former presidential adviser, Ahmed Gulak for what they described as his unacceptable conduct.

Ahmed Gulak had, yesterday, forcefully seized power at the party’s national secretariat conferring on himself the rights of the national chairman of the party.

He cited the court judgment of December 15, 2015, which sacked the acting chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus and gave him 14-days to vacate office.

Gulak said that more than 40 days after the court ruling, Mr. Secondus is yet to step down in line with the court decision.

An Abuja High Court has, on December 15, dismissed Chief Secondus from office following a suit filed by Mr. Gulak.

In his judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf held that the position of the Acting National Chairman of the party was zoned to the north-east, hence could not be occupied by Mr Secondus, who is from the south-south.

Justice Baba-Yusuf upheld the prayer of Mr Gulak that Mr Secondus was occupying the position of the Acting National Chairman of the party illegally.

He, therefore, ordered the Acting Chairman to vacate the office within 14 days.

Justice Baba-Yusuf noted that Secondus was from Rivers State, and not North-east geopolitical zone to which the PDP zoned the position.

He gave Secondus 14 days within which to vacate the office and directed that the plaintiff or any other party member worthy of that position should take Secondus’ place. [myad]

Serena Williams Cruises To Australian Open Final; Sends Radwanska Packing

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

Serena Williams, the world table tennis King has cruised to the 7^th Australian Open Final by handing out a 6-0 6-4 to a fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska today.
The game was played at Melbourne Park where she won the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Victory in Saturday’s final against either seventh seed Angelique Kerber or unseeded Briton Johanna Konta would give her a 22^nd grand slam title. The win will move her to a tie with Steffi Graf for the most in the Open era.
Williams romped through the first set in just 20 minutes before Radwanska showed some fight in the second.
Radwanska was unable to stop the momentum of the American, who clinched her place in the final in 64 minutes.
“I’m really excited to be in another final. It blows my mind right now,” Williams said in a courtside interview.
“I just feel like I’m being the best I can and I can’t believe I’m in another final.
“She started really well in the second set and making some great shots and hitting it deep and I just thought that I had to be aggressive.”
Williams began in ominous fashion breaking the Pole’s serve in the first game with Radwanska’s lack of power highlighted by the blistering nature of the American’s returns.
Radwanska’s fastest serve in the first game reached just 140 kph.
Williams was returning the ball at over 130.
The fourth seed appeared resigned to defeat in the first set by the fourth game.
She barely got a backhand return to a Williams serve then stood, with slumping shoulders, and watched as the 34-year-old put the overhead smash away.
Williams cleaned up the first set in just 20 minutes before Radwanska elicited the largest cheer of the match at that time when she held serve in the first game of the second set.
She avoided an embarrassing potential “double bagel” 6-0 6-0 score.
The crowd on Rod Laver Arena, which had its roof closed due to heavy rain in Melbourne, however, managed to almost open it in the sixth game.
They shouted with a decibel-rising roar of support for Radwanska when she broke Williams to level it at 3-3.
Williams, however, broke again in the ninth game and then served out with three aces to seal a match in which she belted 42 winners to Radwanska’s four.
Radwanska also heavily lost her only other semi-final appearance at Melbourne Park when she was beaten 6-1 6-2 by Dominika Cibulkova in 2014.
She, then, had been bidding to reach her second grand slam final after Wimbledon in 2012. [myad]

Hunger For University Education: Over 1 Million Nigerians Buy JAMB Form For 2016

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2016

The hunger by Nigerians for higher education, especially, the University seems growing despite the dwindling employment opportunities for graduates, as over one million candidates were said to have bought the form to sit for the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said today that it had so far sold

more than one million application forms for the candidates across the country.
The board’s Director of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, said that the figure is likely to rise by the time the sale of the forms closes on January 29. About 1.5 million forms were sold in 2015.
Benjamin said that more than 400 centres within and outside the country were accredited for the examination this year, saying: “I want to state that over one million application documents have already been sold for this year’s all Computer Based Test UTME examination.
“So far, we have concluded arrangement for the smooth conduct of the examination.
“All our technical staff and engineers have been given the necessary training and they have carried out proper familiarisation tour of these centres.
“This is in a bid to ensure an improved outing during the entire duration of the examination.”
According to Benjamin, the board is committed to ensuring that the future of the Nigerian child is secured.
“We will also continue to sustain the board’s integrity as one of the best examination bodies in Africa,” the director said. [myad]

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