Efforts To Secure Release Of Chibok School Girls Still On Course – Presidency

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April 14, 2021

The Presidency has made it clear that the issue of seeking for the release of Chibok school girls, who were kidnapped from their school in Borno State in April 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents still looms large in its calculations.

“Efforts to secure their release through various channels and activities of the security and intelligence agencies remain on course,”senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said in a statement today, April 14.

Garba Shehu stressed that no one is giving up hope, saying that the recent decisive push by the military against the terrorists gives hope that a breakthrough is possible and could happen anytime soon.

He asked for support, understanding and prayers for the military as they discharge their historic mandate to quickly finish off the insurgency war and free all citizens held hostage, even as he assured parents and all concerned citizens that the missing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, remain constantly on the minds of government the same way they are always on the minds of their parents.

Federal Government Votes N532 Million For Works On Unibadan Library

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Editorial staff

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April 14, 2021

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the sum of N532 for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the library of the University of Ibadan.

The Federal Executive Council ( FEC), which approved the amount, following a memo presented by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, at its meeting today, April, 14, insisted that the job must be completed within 48 weeks.

The contract was awarded UYK Nigeria Limited, with members of the FEC, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, expressing the urgent need to actually extend the library facility in the University.

The FEC considered the fact that for many years, the library of the University of Ibadan had needed real extension, given surge of the student population.

The extension project will comprise two suspended floors, two online reading areas, three cubicles, one physically challenged reading area, four seminar rooms, one reprographic unit, six staff offices, one control room, general rooms, stores, four E-libraries, a coffee room, a media unit room, one galaxies exhibition room and a journal publication unit, in addition to two reading areas.

Edo Gov, Obaseki, Is A Liar, Finance Minister Curses

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Editorial staff

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April 14, 2021

The Federal Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed has described the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki as a liar over his claim that the Federal Government printed N60 billion in March to support federal allocation to states.

Zainab Ahmed, who answered reporters’ questions, said that Obaseki’s worry on the rising debt profile of the country, against the backdrop of what he called ‘huge financial trouble’, is not necessary as the country’s debt is still within sustainable limits.

The Edo Governor was quoted as saying at the Edo transition committee stakeholders engagement last week Saturday that, “When we got FAAC for March, the federal government printed additional N50-N60 billion to top-up for us to share.

“This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15-N16 trillion.”

But the Minister explained that what is distributed at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings were generated revenue from government institutions available to the public at the ministry’s website.

“The issue that was raised by the Edo State Governor for me is very, very sad. Because it is not a fact. What we distribute at FAAC is a revenue that is generated and in fact distribution revenue is a public information. We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true.

“On the issue of the borrowing, the Nigerian debt is still within sustainable limit. What we need to do as I have said several times is to improve our revenue to enhance our capacity to service not only our debt but to service the needs of running government on day to day basis. “So our debt currently at about 23% to GDP is at a very sustainable level. If you look at all the reports that you see from multilateral institutions.”

How I Was Given Fake Admission Into University Of Abuja, Final Year Student Narrates

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Editorial staff

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April 14, 2021

A final-year student of Economics at the University of Abuja, Justina Adegoke has narrated how she recently discovered she was given fake admission into the institution.

According to her, she was hijacked by a fraudster at one of the cyber cafes, when she came down to JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) centre to address her admission challenge.

She said that the fraudster asked her what she wanted to do and she told him that she wanted to create an email address to complete her admission process and that he collected her phone to assist.

“I didn’t know that he diverted the mail and password from my phone to himself. All information was then intercepted by him.

“He then called me first to ask me to send N1, 000 airtime before he would send the information while claiming to be a staff member of JAMB.

“He later asked for N2, 000 and then N3, 000 to release the mail and password and threatened to deal with me if I refused to co-operate.”

Adegoke said that she couldn’t bear it any longer and decided to go to JAMB headquarters to report and make her complaint known.

The owner of the cyber café, Moses Peter, claimed that he wasw not aware of the act he claimed was committed by one David Ahmed of Auchi Polytechnic.

He said that he employed boys at random to go out and look for customers but was not aware of their fraudulent activities.

All suspects apprehended by the board had been handed over to security agents for further investigations.

Nigerian Army Names 12 ISWAP Leaders Killed In One Week

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Editorial staff

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April 14, 2021

The Army has released the names of 12 leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) killed in military operations in the last week.

They are Abu Rabi, Mohammed Likita and their body guards, killed on April 6 during airstrikes and ground artillery bombardments. They were eliminated at Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari in Abadam Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Ameer Umar, Abu Ubaida and Abu Salim were killed by forces on April 10, after being ambushed around Wulgo, Logomania axis, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon while attempting to attack locals and rustle cows.

Those who were killed in Tudun Wulgo, Zari, Tumbun Alhaji, Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari, in Abadam, Marte and Ngala Local Government Areas, include Mohammad Fulloja, Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al-Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem.

The military statement today, April 14, said that Goni Mustapha, the Chief Imam of ISWAP, escaped with bullet wounds, adding that the sustained offensive has forced the insurgents to attack communities and locations occupied by humanitarian agencies in search of food.

How Cyber Fraudsters Defrauded Us Of N10 Million – JAMB Registrar

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Editorial staff

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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

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Editorial staff

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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

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Editorial staff

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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

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Editorial staff

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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

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Editorial staff

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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”