1.6 Million Candidates Register For JAMB 2023 UTME

February 11, 2023

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the registration of no fewer than 1.16 million for candidates seeking for admission in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board’s registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, who said this while taking a tour of some computer-based test (CBT) centres in Abuja today, February 11, said that the board would not extend the deadline for the 2023 UTME registration.

Oloyede warned CBT centers against extorting unsuspecting candidates.

“UTME is not a school-based examination, but for individual candidates,” the registrar said.

“See what that school, Stella Maris is doing. (They are) collecting N30,000 from candidates in the name of JAMB and then end up missing the telephone number of the candidates.

“It is unlikely that we are able to reach candidates when we contact them to make a change in their timetable.

“You send a text to them and it will not get to them. After they have graduated from the school and want to change course, they don’t have access to it and that is a way of extorting the parents.”

The JAMB registrar warned that any CBT centre found guilty of extortion will be sanctioned.

He urged candidates to report cases of extortion via a code that has been provided by the board.

“We will take adequate steps to make sure that we stop that,” the board said.

“One of the reasons is that we will tell every CBT center to stop doing bulk purchases of pins and bulk registration.

“So if the center sells more than one pin to a source or collects money for more than one pin from a source then we will sanction such a center.”

Earlier this month, JAMB suspended three UTME pin vendors in Lagos over extortion of candidates and cancelled the UTME registrations of 817 candidates in the country over impersonation.

Source: Cable News.

APC, PDP Supporters Clash In Jigawa, 1 Person Confirmed Dead

Editorial staff

February 11, 2023

The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the killing of one person during a clash between the supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Maigatari town, Maigatari Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen in Dutse, the state capital, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Lawal Shi’isu Adam.

The statement read: “On Friday 10th February, 2023 at about 18:20 hours, the PDP gubernatorial candidate was at Maigatari for a political campaign rally.

“As they arrived APC secretariat, clashes erupted between the supporters of the two political parties, and the Santuraki Vanguard attacked one Abdullahi Isyaku age 35 of Gangare quarters in Maigatari town.”

The police command spokesperson said that the victim was rushed to Gumel General Hospital where he later died.”

DSP Lawal Shi’isu Adam said that five suspects were arrested and investigation is on going at the State Criminal Investigation Department at the command’s headquarters.

New Notes: CBN Accuses Fake News Merchants Of Trying To Pitch Public Against It

Editorial staff

February 11, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised alarm over what it called fake news merchants, trying to clash it with Nigerian public on the redesigned naira notes.

The apex bank said that while it appreciates the concerns shown by all stakeholders about the distribution of the Naira, “we are alarmed at the extent to which vested interests are attempting to manipulate facts and pitch the public against the Bank.”

In a statement today, February 11, reacting to what it described as false claims about the capacity of NSPMC Plc, and alleged threats to close some Deposit Money Banks, the Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi said that for the avoidance of doubt, the CBN remains committed to performing its monetary policy functions, as stipulated in the CBN Act, 2007, as amended.

“We also wish to restate that the NSPMC has the capacity and enough materials to
produce the required indent of the Naira.

The statement complained about the misleading, misquoting the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as attributing the current challenge in the distribution of the newly redesigned naira banknotes to a shortage of printing materials at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc.
“We wish to state categorically that at no time did the CBN Governor disclose
this during his presentation to the National Council of State at its meeting on
Friday, February 10, 2023.
“For the records, what Mr. Emefiele told the meeting was that the NSPMC was
working on printing all denominations of the Naira to meet the transaction needs
of Nigerians.

“While the CBN appreciates the concerns shown by all stakeholders about the
distribution of the Naira, we are alarmed at the extent to which vested interests
are attempting to manipulate facts and pitch the public against the Bank.
For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN remains committed to performing its
monetary policy functions, as stipulated in the CBN Act, 2007, as amended. We
also wish to restate that the NSPMC has the capacity and enough materials to
produce the required indent of the Naira.
“The Bank, therefore, wishes to appeal to the public to disregard the said report
and exercise more restraint, even as we work assiduously to increase the
circulation of the new notes in the country.
“Similarly, there is a misleading voice note trending in social media alleging that
the CBN planned to shut down some banks, particularly in a particular geo-
political region of the country.

“We wish to state unequivocally that there is no such plan and that the claims
are illogical and do not comply with the workings of the Nigerian banking
system. The public is therefore advised to ignore such recordings as they do
not represent the policy thrust of the CBN and are only the desperate attempts
of persons bent on inciting the public against the Bank.”

PDP Expels Nnamani, Ex Gov. Fayose’s Son, 4 Others, For Alleged Anti-Party Activities

Editorial staff

February 10, 2023

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, and five others from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who confirmed the development in a statement today, February 10, in Abuja, listed the other affected persons as John Fayose (son of the former Governor of Ekiti State), Ajijola Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I), and Emiola Jennifer (Ekiti South II).

The party had last month suspended the former governor and eight other persons for alleged anti-party activities.

The party later lifted the suspension of two members who incidentally were the National Assembly candidates from Ekiti State.

Following the suspension, Nnamani declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier this month.

The PDP statement read: “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party at its 566th meeting today, Friday, February 10, 2023, approved the expulsion of the following individuals from the Party for anti-Party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The expulsion takes effect from today, Friday, February 10, 2023. The decision of the NWC is a sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee and pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 (1)(g) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The PDP charges all members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of our Party to Rescue, Rebuild, and Redirect our nation from misrule.”

2023: Sense Of Desperation Amongst Political Contestants Is Source Of Concern -Group

Editorial staff

February 10, 2023

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has expressed serious fear that besides other factors, the sense of desperation amongst the major political contestants in Nigerian is now a source of rising tension among them and concern about how the losing parties’ candidates and supporters may react to defeat.

The group said: “The sense of desperation pervading the camps of all three front runners is a source of rising tension among them and concern about how the losing parties’ candidates and supporters may react to defeat.”

In a 26-page report titled: ‘Mitigating Violence Around Nigeria’s 2023 Elections,’ published today, February 10, the global conflict prevention and peace-building group, listed other threats to the elections to include insecurity, Insecurity, rancour amongst political parties, scarcities of fuel and the redesigned national currency

ICGalso listed as factors that can mar the election to include the activities of various armed groups – Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North East, bandits in the North West and Biafra secessionist agitators and criminal impostors in the South East.

The report observed that intense acrimony, especially among the three major parties, has raised tensions across the country, with numerous incidents of violence that could escalate further during and after the polls.

The Crisis Group also said that the elections are further being challenged by the recent scarcities of motor vehicle fuel and the redesigned naira notes.

The organisation warned that the situation could hamper election logistics, adding that hardship caused by these scarcities could render many voters more vulnerable to vote-buying.

The report said that the governing APC, a coalition that wrested power from the PDP in 2015, wants to retain the presidency for several reasons, including the fear that if it loses control of the top office, the party could disintegrate.

“The PDP, out in the cold for the past eight years, sees the end of President Buhari’s faltering administration as its best opportunity to recapture the centre. Losing a third presidential election in a row could also have deleterious effects on its future.”

Crisis Group says a peaceful election is crucial to the country’s cohesion and to its credibility in discouraging unconstitutional seizures of power elsewhere in Africa.

“A violent or disputed vote could aggravate Nigeria’s governance challenges and diminish its status as a democratic leader on the continent.”

The report highlighted another major threat to the elections as violence arising from inter-party tensions.

“Some of the factors underlying the friction are not new. Since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, many people have made huge amounts of money by winning elected office.

“Unsuccessful candidates sometimes take large financial losses. With the stakes extremely high, many rally supporters with the mindset of winning by all means.

“Several other factors are particularly troubling. First – perhaps more than in the past – all three main parties are bent on victory, albeit each for its own reasons.”

It said that as a way of mitigating risks and ensure credible polls, federal security agencies should step up operations against non-state actors and to ensure adequate protection for offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The body called on parties, candidates and supporters to tone down their inflammatory rhetoric and re-focus their campaigns on the real issues that matter to the electorate, particularly the economy and security.

The report also called on the federal government to urgently boost supplies of fuel and currency notes and ensure they are adequately available, well before the elections.

The Group asked Nigeria’s foreign partners to sustain support for free and fair elections, including sanctioning those who incite attacks, through travel bans and other means.

PDP Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu Has Come To Destroy The Party – Gov Wike Alleges

Editorial staff

February 10, 2023

PDP National Chairman, Ayu | Photo credit: Premium Times

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has come to destroy the party, referring to Ayu’s saying, at the PDP campaign rally in Kano State yesterday, February 9, that “PDP has brought shame to the country.”

According to the Governor: Iyorchia Ayu boasted that they will not allow PDP to be in power and asked: “is that a good chairman? Is that not anti-party?

“Is the chairman not doing anti-party? Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. For us in Rivers State, our own party is a good party. Our own is a party that has done Rivers State well.”

Governor Wike, who spoke today, February 10, at the Rivers PDP campaign flag-off in the Eleme local government area of the state, said that the PDP National Working Committee under Iorchia Ayu is bringing shame on the party, describing the chairman’s gaffe as an “anti-party” comment.”

The aggrieved Governor, who is leading four other PDP governors on a war path with the leadership of the PDP, said: “When you see undertakers, you will see those who came to kill this party. But the party will not die; they will die first. I didn’t know they are wicked to this party. No wonder they left this party and joined ACN before.”

Other members of the Wike’s G-5 are Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Tinubu To Sultan Sa’ad Of Sokoto: Endorse Me

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, today, February 9, minced no word in asking the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar to endorse him for the Presidency of Nigeria, as February 25 presidential election knocks. Tinubu was in the Sultan Palace with President Muhammadu Buhari and top government and party leaders to pay homage before going for the mega presidential campaign rally in Sokoto city stadium.

Buhari, Tinubu, others at the mega rally in Sokoto stadium.

Federal Government Shuts Down Universities For 2023 Elections

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the closure of universities across the country, to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections.

In a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and Directors of inter-university centres, the National Universities Commission (NUC), said that the directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

The letter reads: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware that the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March 2023.

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and Chief Executives of inter-university centres are, by this Circular, requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday, 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday, 14th March 2023.

“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary‘s highest regard for your understanding and unwavering cooperation.”

Why We Should Not Curse Our Leaders – Sultan Of Sokoto

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has expressed disgust on those who are in the habit of abusing and cursing leaders because of the fact that, to them, such leaders are not performing to their satisfaction.

He said that cursing leaders amount to cursing the country and the system, saying that such people only succeed in complicating matters for the country.

The Sultan, who received in audience today, February 9, President Muhammadu Buhari, who led the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a courtesy visit ahead of the campaign rally in Sokoto today, said that the more one prays for the leaders, the more God would help such leaders to do better for the good of all.

“If you pray for leaders, God may answer you and intervene to make them perform better for the benefit of all. But if you curse them, God may also answer you by intervening to make them weak and confused, also for the hardship on the people. We all suffer for the consequences of what we say about our leaders.”

Sultan Sa’ad said that he had always been praying to God to help President Buhari to do better for the country, adding that even after he leaves office, he would continue to pray for him.

The Sultan said that as traditional ruler, he cannot openly take side in the political contest due to take place shortly, saying that the only thing he would continue to do is to pray to God to give the country the best president that would elevate Nigeria to greater height and bring about peace, security and good standard of living for the people of the country.

“Our concern is peace, security, stability and development of the country in all ramifications. That is why we don’t openly support any candidate, believing that God has already known who the leader we are praying to have, is.”

President Buhari told the Sultan that he chose to join the campaign trane of Asiwaju Tinubu for three reasons: that he and Tinubu have been together as friends in the last 20 years and the fact that he performed wonderfully well when he was Governor of Lagos State.

“The third one is that Tinubu won my party’s presidential primary in a free, fair and credible process and therefore, he is the legitimate candidate of my party.”

He appealed to Sultan to support Tinubu, who Sultan called; “The Jagaban of the World.”

Tinubu also appealed to Sultan Sa’ad to support and endorse his candidature as a mark of respect for President Buhari who led him to the palace.

He said that if he is voted as President, he and his team will turn Nigeria around in all aspects of life, adding that he had never known to disappoint in his promises.

Gov Wike Approves Stadium For Tinubu Rally Free Of Charge

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has approved the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the campaign of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The rally is slated for Wednesday, 15 February, 2023.

This was made known by the Rivers State Coordinator of Bola Tinubu Campaign Organization, Tony Okocha, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, February 8, saying that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free rally for the APC presidential standard bearer.

Tomy Okocha said that Governor Wike, out of his benevolence, approved the use of the stadium without collecting the required N5m fee prescribed by Executive Order 21 from the campaign council.

“Wike in his usual magnanimity has granted the approval of an alternate venue, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on February 15, 2023 absolutely free of charge.

“But subject to the issuance of a written guarantee of the safety and security of the facilities at the venue due to the violence recorded in recent rallies by the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”

Okocha, who is also the Coordinator, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT-Vanguard in the South-South), said that an 11-man committee had been set up to coordinate and ensure the successful hosting of the rally in the State.

He noted that the campaign committee in the state had done its homework to ensure that Tinubu wins in the state.

Source: Voiceofnaija.

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