How Cyber Fraudsters Defrauded Us Of N10 Million – JAMB Registrar

April 14, 2021

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede has said the board lost over N10 million to fraudsters in 2020.

Professor Oloyede, who spoke to news men today, April 14 in Abuja, said however that the cyber criminals have been investigated, tracked and nabbed in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Abuja.

“We did not ask anyone to apply to be an ad hoc staff on the site, we had already chosen them through recommendations from various agencies.

“We only created the site just to pay them via a code that was assigned to them.

“However, these suspects gained access to the site, deleted the original account details and phone numbers and inserted theirs.

“We paid N20,000 each for accommodation per night and N100,000 for flight tickets, depending on the location of each staff to go and work for that period.

“The payments ranged from N200,000 to over N300,000 per person. Yet, these suspected fraudsters after gaining access to the sites also inserted details for their family members.

“They didn’t go to partake in the exercise but ignored the messages sent from our domains.

“One of them, Saidu Zubairu collected over N3.7 million for himself because he inserted the account details of his mother, sisters and other family members.

“We have not calculated all the monies they all have so far received but altogether, the amount will definitely sum up to more than N10 million.

“We have already paid the original owners, though it took us over a year to track the suspects but we finally apprehended them and I assure you the law will take its cause.”

Professor Oloyede said that the board’s preparations to combat corrupt practices in its system, adding that some of the illegalities had prompted changes in the board’s mode of operations.

Saidu Zubairu, one of the 10 arrested suspects said that he got the code for the site through his friend (presently at large) and indulged others.

He said: “I succeeded in changing the original details in the site and asked eight other friends of mine to do same and they confirmed receipt of payment afterwards.”

Zubairu said that he added the details of 12 family members to the site who were also paid above N300,000.

He pleaded that they be forgiven while promising to reimburse the money if given enough time.

2 Security Outfits In Southeast, IPOB’s ESN, Ebuba Agu Set To Clash

Editorial staff

April 13, 2021

Security outfit set up by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), known as Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the one recently constituted by the governors of the Southeast region, known as Ebube Agu are set to clash and turn the region into a war zone.

Already, the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has warned that anyone joining to spy on its own security network, should be ready to die.

Ebube Agu was floated on Sunday by South-East governors during a regional security meeting in Owerri, Imo State, for the purposes of overseeing the security of the geo-political zone.

But in a statement today, April 13, by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said that the governors have made a mockery of themselves in their usual quest to please their masters.

It wondered how a security outfit could be launched without first assembling the personnel and equipping them.

The group recalled that when Amotekun was formed in the South-West, it was not abstract, saying that the personnel and the equipment were handy, just like when its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, floated ESN.

“How then did South East Governors announce a security outfit without any personnel or were they under any pressure to hurriedly make the announcement after years of foot-dragging and deceit?

“However, whether or not they were under any influence, we want to remind these bunch of caliphate slaves that there is no need for them to form another security outfit in our land since we have our formidable ESN. They woke up from their slumber rather too late. We have gone beyond that stage unless they are on a mission to sabotage ESN.

“Any other security outfit formed in South East will crash because ESN is already on ground and living up to expectations.”

IPOB said that ESN was floated based on the clamour by the people, who it explained have since thrown their support behind the outfit.

“Forming another regional security outfit is suspicious, and a needless waste. The governors failed our people when they needed their protection. It’s already late.

“Biafrans will not be deceived by this purported Ebubeagu security outfit which is a huge joke. South East governors set up the outfit probably to fulfill all righteousness or to spy on ESN to curry favour from their Fulani slave masters.

“We therefore, warn our youths to have nothing to do with the so-called Ebubeagu security outfit which was ostensibly formed to sabotage IPOB and ESN. Anyone who neglects this warning and thinks he can hide under the cloak of EBUBEAGU to spy on ESN should be prepared to join his ancestors.

“The protection of all Biafrans is our priority and we are prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve this. We are aware of Fulani terrorists plans to decimate indigenous tribes in Nigeria. We are also aware of federal government’s tacit support for this evil agenda. But IPOB and ESN promise them that no inch of our land will be given to Fulani terrorists herdsmen in the East.”

I Have No Complain About Being Arrested By EFCC – Rochas Okorocha

Editorial staff

April 13, 2021

Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has said that he is not complaining about his being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which many media published as arrest.

He said that he had no reason to complain about the invitation of today, which Okorocha honoured as patriotic and responsible Nigerian.”

Responding to plethora of media enquiries today, April 13, about the arrest of Okorocha, his Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo, on his behalf the former governor said: “the truth is that, Okorocha left as the governor of Imo State on May 28, 2019. And shortly after his exit as governor, Imo State Government wrote Petitions upon Petitions against him.

“The EFCC investigated the petitions and has been in various Courts of the land with Okorocha, to that effect.

“And if the EFCC has decided to invite Okorocha for Clarifications on the matters already in Courts, especially with a new Chairman at the helm of affairs at the Commission, there is nothing wrong with that.

“The matters between EFCC and Okorocha over his governorship in Imo, have been pendent in various Courts of the land.

“At the end of the day, we would know whether the Commission will be withdrawing the Cases in Courts, or would Continue with the Cases already in Courts.

“But to us, the Commission is doing its job and should be given the needed cooperation. And Okorocha being a law-abiding Citizen, would always cooperate with the Commission over the Matters in Courts. EFCC is not a slaughter House, but a very responsible institution and should be seen as such.

“We have no reason to complain about the invitation of today, which Okorocha honoured as patriotic and responsible Nigerian.

“Like we Stated earlier, the Commission didn’t invite Okorocha today, for the first time.”

JAMB Fingers University Of Abuja, Others In Admission Racketeering

Editorial staff

April 13, 2021

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fingered the University of Abuja and other universities across the country in illegal admission processes without recourse to the stipulated guidelines.

Head of Public Affairs and Protocols of JAMB, Fabian Benjamin, in a statement today, April 13, said that the affected universities have been reported to be issuing admission letters to candidates without recourse to the Board, insisting that such admissions that have not been proposed, approved nor accepted on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) are null and void.

According to Fabian, asking hapless candidates to pay acceptance fees for such admissions that had not been processed through CAPS amounts to illegality.

“Consequently, such admissions are illegal, unacceptable and offensive to extant rules and regulations guiding admissions to tertiary institutions in Nigeria as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education and provided on Caps.“

The JAMB, therefore, advised all candidates not to accept any admissions that are not provisioned on CAPS, adding that by implication, any candidate who has not accepted and printed his/her admissions letter on CAPS should not pay any acceptance fee as any admission done outside CAPS is an illegitimate admission that would not be sanctioned by the Board.

It would be recalled that JAMB instituted CAPS in 2017 as an automated platform designed to ensure that admissions are transparently done to protect the interest of all Nigerians desirous of tertiary education.

Ahead Of Ramadan, Dangote Floods Kano Market With Cheap Commodities – Dealer

Editorial staff

April 13, 2021

Dangote Group of Companies have flooded Kano market in Kano State with essential commodities at cheaper rate.

A prominent Kano trader, Alhaji Salisu Sambajo said that the company had made available, quality products at an affordable price to ease the financial stress of most households during the ongoing Ramadan fasting.

Speaking to newsmen today, April 13 in Kano, Alhaji Sambajo, a popular Dangote dealer at Singer market, confirmed that the President/CE, Dangote Group of Industries, Aliko Dangote has flooded the markets in Kano with affordable products to ease economic hardship of the people.

He also confirmed that Dangote Group had not at any time increased prices of commodities, adding that the Company has not done so at Ramadan which has just commenced during which it is incumbent to ease any hardship bedeviling the people.

“Dangote had not increased price of commodities at Ramadan, instead he has made efforts to make life easier.

“I am among the major dealers of Dangote products in Nigeria, and to the best of my knowledge the company has never increased price of commodities during fasting period”

Nigeria Perfects Plan To Gain Qatar’s Investment Worth $5 Billion

Editorial staff

April 12, 2021

Nigeria has perfected plan, by sending a competent link man as Ambassador to Qatar for the purpose actualising that country’s promise of bringing investment worth $5 Billion to Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who dropped this hint today, April 12 at a send-off dinner organised in honour of Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to the State of Qatar, Ambassador Yakubu Ahmed, said that Quarter is very important country to Nigeria

The minister said that Quarter is reckoned to be one of the richest countries in the world, per capita, and there’s a lot Nigeria will be doing with the State of Qatar.

The Foreign Affairs Minister recalled that President Buhari had visited the State of Qatar in 2016 and the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani reciprocated with a State visit in 2019.

He recalled that there had been discussions with Qatar on partnership with Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, for significant investments in the region of 5 billion dollars in the Nigerian economy.

‘‘It is a weighty and strategic country and very strategic in that part of the world and we are putting our best feet forward to advance the interest of our country economically and in other areas.”

The Foreign Minister said that a trusted hands with a track record of diligence, experience and professionalism in the Foreign Service like the new Ambassador had to be appointed into positions of career ambassadors.

He said the appointment of Ahmed and other career ambassadors were predicated on posting dedicated and keen Foreign Service practitioners to serve as image-makers of the country.

‘‘Ambassador Yakubu Ahmed is a dedicated professional with a penchant for rigour and detail. He is very capable and one of the best in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“He is personable, affable, extremely friendly, dispassionate and objective.“

This was even as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Adeola Rahman Ipaye, described the Ambassador as a ‘‘perfect gentleman, very even-natured and always well turned out.’’

Ipaye said he had no doubt that the newly appointed ambassador would serve the country well in Qatar, adding that ‘‘we are further encouraged that when he completes this assignment he would return to serve Nigeria in a higher capacity.’’

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, while congratulating the outgoing DOP on his appointment, lauded him for excellent service to the State House and the nation.

‘‘He served this institution and the nation with the deepest sense of responsibility and it is very important that we establish a tradition where the system appreciates those who have served it well and those who will continue to serve it well.’’

On behalf of the staff and management of State House, Umar presented a gift to Ambassador Ahmed, who attended the dinner with his wife and children, wishing him a successful tenure in his duty tour.

He urged him to keep very fond memories of his time at the presidential Villa, assuring the outgoing DOP of the prayers and goodwill of all the staff.

Responding, Ahmed thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the great honour and privilege of making him his principal representative in Doha, Qatar.

The Ambassador-designate pledged to deplore his energy and skill to the promotion of the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Qatar, particularly in the areas of economic, political, cultural and consular affairs as well as other key areas.

Ahmed, who joined Nigeria’s Foreign Service in 1993, said during his years in public service he had learnt that ‘‘patriotism, selfless service, diligence, determination and perseverance will always result in the achievement of the desired objective.’’

He said these virtues would be his ‘‘watchword’’ in the pursuit of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and the attainment of national interests.

The Ambassador-designate singled out for appreciation the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and the State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure, saying he had learnt a lot working under their mentorship.

He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Secretary, State House for giving him the opportunity of a memorable work experience in the State House.

He also thanked the protocol, media and security departments of the State House for their support and cooperation.

Our Cement Factory Price Is Between N2,450 And N2,510 Per Bag – Dangote

Editorial staff

April 12, 2021

Management of Dangote Cement Plc has said that the price of a bag of cement from its factories and plants across Nigeria is N2,450 in Obajana and Gboko, and N2,510 in Ibese inclusive of VAT.

The clarification, according to spokesman of Dangote Cement, is coming on the heels of the recent insinuations that the company sells cement in Nigeria at significantly higher prices relative to other countries, particularly Ghana and Zambia.

He quoted Dangote’s Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Devakumar Edwin, as saying that, while a bag of Cement sells for an equivalent of $5.1, including VAT in Nigeria, it sells for $7.2 in Ghana and $5.95 in Zambia ex-factory, inclusive of all taxes. He said that though the company has direct control over its ex-factory prices, it cannot control the ultimate price of cement when it gets to the market. He advised that it is important to distinguish Dangote’s ex-factory prices from prices at which retailers sell cement in the market.

He frowned at intentional misinformation or demarketing, allegedly sponsored by some individuals, that Dangote sells its cement at higher prices in Nigeria relative to other African countries at the expense of Nigerians. He described the allegation as false, misleading, and unfounded, while giving the media persons present at the press conference copies of invoices from Nigeria and some other African countries (Cameroun, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zambia), and urging them to conduct independent investigations on the price of cement across the West African coast.

Edwin explained that while Dangote cement has 60% share of the market, other companies have the remaining 40%. DCP has no control over neither the prices charged by other cement manufacturers nor the prices charged by retailers in the markets.

He further explained that “Demand for cement has risen globally as a fallout of the COVID crisis. Nigeria is no exception as a combination of monetary policy changes and low returns from the capital market has resulted in a significant increase in construction activity. To ensure that we meet local demand, we had to suspend exports from our recently commissioned export terminals, thereby foregoing dollar earnings. We also had to reactivate our 4.5m ton capacity Gboko Plant which was closed 4 years ago and run it at a higher cost all in a bid to guarantee that we meet demand and keep the price of Cement within control in the country.”

“Over the past 15 months, our production costs have gone up significantly. About 50% of our costs are linked to USD so the cost of critical components like: gas, gypsum, bags, and spare parts; has increased significantly due to devaluation of the Naira and VAT increase. Despite this, DCP has not increased ex-factory prices since December 2019 till date while prices of most other building materials have gone up significantly. We have only adjusted our transport rates to account for higher costs of diesel, spare parts, tyres, and truck replacement. Still, we charge our customers only N300 – 350 per bag for deliveries within a 1,200km radius. We have been responsible enough not to even attempt to cash in on the recent rise in demand to increase prices so far.”

Buhari Asks Muslims To Reject Agents Of Division, As Fasting Begins Tomorrow

Editorial staff

April 12, 2021

Nigeria Muslims listen to sermon by Imam (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Muslims in the country to reject agents of division as they get set to start the 30-day fasting tomorrow, April 13.

This was even as the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar had earlier announced the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan, in live broadcast, signaling the beginning of the Fasting.

Welcoming the Fasting with open arms, President Buhari prayed to Allah to accept our sacrifices and increase the unity, solidarity, peace and prosperity of the nation.

He amphasised on the need for Muslims to exercise patience and tolerance and reject voices that seek to divide the nation.

He advised all citizens to show compassion to the millions of the less endowed and remember those that have been displaced by conflict in their charity and prayers in this important period.

In his announcement, the Sultan called on Muslims to ensure strict adherence to the COVID protocol during the fasting period.

Ex President Jonathan Frowns At Judiciary Awarding Victory To Election Losers

Editorial staff

April 12, 2021

Former Nigeria President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan raised question over a situation where judiciary would award victory to supposed losers in election in the country and called for the strengthening of the nation’s electoral laws in a such a way that only the ballot paper, and not the courts, is allowed to determine the winners of elections.

“I have said this before and I will always repeat it: I am not saying the judiciary is not doing well. But my point is that our laws should suppress the issue of the judiciary returning candidates.

“If a candidate is declared winner after a flawed electoral process, what the courts can do is to annul the election and order a fresh one, where a winner will finally emerge through the ballot. The ballot paper should decide who holds any elective office from the councillorship to the presidency.”

Dr. Jonathan, who spoke today, April 13, in an interaction with newsmen in Abuja, said that the standard practice is that the electoral management bodies exercise the sole responsibility of returning candidates and declaring winners while the judiciary complements by either upholding declared results or nullifying flawed elections and ordering a rerun.

“I had already made a public statement on that to the effect that the ballot paper and not the judiciary should determine who wins elections or select political leaders. The ballot paper should be the only basis for selecting political leaders.”

Dr. Jonathan said that countries that conduct free and fair elections experience less election-related litigations while numerous court cases following elections are the hallmark of fragile democracies.

The former President who also admitted that some funds might be needed in elections, especially in the area of logistics during campaigns, however frowned at the negative way money is deployed in inducing electorates, officials and security operatives.

Dr. Jonathan pointed out the weakness of governance at local Government level which is the third tier of government, particularly in the exercise of its autonomy and its capacity to manage development issues.

He highlighted the need to review the local government system to enable the tier of government perform better in delivering democracy dividends to the people.

Aviation Ministry Raises Alarm Over Planned Attacks On Lagos, Abuja, Other Airports

Editorial staff

April 12, 2021

Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika

The Federal Ministry of Aviation has alerted the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria of planned attacks on airports across the country.

The airports, according to a memo addressed to airport security chiefs, are those in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri and Sokoto.

The memo, dated April 9, 2021, directed the security chiefs to submit a list of counter-measures, and also convene an urgent emergency meeting to “recommend appropriate measures.”

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