Wednesday, June 27, 2018

All My Appointees Have Abandoned Me – Gov. Ortom


The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom yesterday lamented that he has been abandoned by all those he gave positions in his government, regretting that all his appointees have not been able to stand for him in the face of opposition.

He spoke while inaugurating the governing board members and two governing councils at the Government House in Makurdi. Names of the Boards and Governing Councils are; Alfred Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, Colleges of Education, Katsina-Ala and Oju.

Others are; Benue State Examinations Board, IBB Square Management Board, Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Benue State Scholarship Board, Benue State Planning Commission, Benue Sports Council, Land Use Allocation Committee and Adult and Non-Formal Education as well as Boundaries Committee, Council for Arts and Culture, Radio Benue, Benue Tourism Board, Benue State Urban Development Board, Benue State Water Board and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Ortom said that rather than defending him wherever his government is being battered by opposition, “They will rather keep mute,” adding that the appointees have not contributed meaningfully to the success of his administration in the past three years.

“l know all these while that l have nobody in my government. It is unfortunate that l had surrounded me with appointees who cannot defend me or this government. I have realized that I have given the opportunity to serve with me in this government are not doing well to me.

“I’m all alone. This is because each time they are confronted with issues regarding me or the government, they would not defend me or the government, and rather they would remain mute. But l know that God will see us through.”

The governor, however, charged the newly appointed board and governing council members to do their best in order to meet the yearnings of the people of the State.

He said that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption, saying he would not hesitate to deal with anyone found diverting public funds into private pockets.

According to him, “It is necessary to urge all the appointees that they have come to serve at a time that challenges are numerous but the people’s expectations are high. The implication of this is that you should swiftly deploy your experience to respond to all these challenges and expectations. The meagre resources of the State must be frugally managed to get the best results for the people.”


CAN Raises Alarm Over Plans To Attack Kaduna, Others, Gives Breakdown Of Plateau

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has raised the alarm over planned wave of attacks to be unleashed on Southern Kaduna and other areas dominated by Christians in some states of the Middle Belt region.

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, spokesman to CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, in a statement sent to DAILY POST on Wednesday said Southern Kaduna Chiefdom and towns that include Gumel, Dagwarga, Daddu, Mariri, Kagoro, hotels, Open University and other soft targets, among others, are being targeted


“While we are prone to dismiss these planned attacks as products of figments of imagination, we are, however, constrained to call the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and other security agencies to be aware and take precautionary measures.

“Having witnessed unprecedented human carnage on the Plateau, we call on President Buhari to place the security agencies on red alert in order to avoid a similar recurrence.

“While we are happy at the statement credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that perpetrators of the Plateau carnage would not be allowed to escape justice, we are quick to remind and appeal to the Federal Government to at least stand by its promise to ensure that these blood-thirsty herdsmen are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.

“As the umbrella organisation for all Christians in Nigeria, we are at pains at the tragedy that has befallen our members. We mourn the death of over 200 Christians slaughtered on the Plateau at the weekend and we passionately appeal to the Buhari-led Administration to rise up and put a stop to further killings of innocent people, including defenseless women and children.

“Following the killings that took place on the Plateau, CAN has obtained reliable information on the number of dead as recorded in B/Ladi & Riyom LGAs from Sat. 23rd to Monday 25th June, 2018

“1. Gashish District:
-Nhyer – 80
-Exland(G/Akwati) – 40
-Ruku – 34
-Kakuruk – 6
-Kuzen – 5
Total – 165

2. Ropp District:
-Gana Ropp – 34
-Razat – 1
-Kwang Jot Near Gen. Hospital (Takwok) – 1
-Rakwok – 2
Total – 38

3. Bachi District:
-Shonong – 8
Total – 8

4. Riyom District:
-Kwi – 1
Total – 1

5. Heipang District:
-Chit Heipang 2
Total – 2

6. Vwang District:
-K-Vom Vwang Jos South 1 (OPSH Killing)
Total – 1

7. Zawan District:
-Anguldi – 3 (OPSH Killings)
Total – 3

Grand Total – 218 deaths

“Apart from the total number of the death, there are still missing persons. Many people also sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Villages that have been under constant attacks are:
1. Tanjol Jol, Riyom LGA
2. Rim, Riyom LGA
3. Wereng, Riyom LGA
4. Kwi, Riyom LGA
5. Bangai, Sharubutu Ward, Riyom LGA
6. Kyeng, Dum, Sharubutu Ward, Riyom LGA
7. Lwa, Shonong Ward
8. Gassa, B/Ladi
9. Lokajoro, Ropp B/Ladi
10. Kwang Jot, Ropp B/Ladi
11. Rakwok
12. Rakung B/Ladi
13 Sho, B/Ladi
14. Razat
15. Tabam, Heipang B/Ladi
16. Chit, Heipang B/Ladi
17. Rafan, Fan B/Ladi
18. Tafan, Fan B/Ladi
19. Nding B/Ladi
20. Gana Ropp
21. Kuzen Gashish, B/Ladi
22. Exland Gashish, B/Ladi
22. Shwei Gashish, B/Ladi
23. Nhyer Gashish, B/Ladi
24. Kuzen Gashish, B/Ladi
25. Kakuruk Gashish, B/Ladi
26. Tenti, Bokkos
27. Daffo, Bokkos
28. Ruku Gashish, B/Ladi
29. Darwat, Jol Ward, Riyom
30. Tashek Jol Ward, Riyom
31. Wereh(Dorowa Babuje) Ropp B/Ladi
32. Lobiring Ropp, B/Ladi
33. Sho Ward Ropp, B/Ladi
34. Tarai Jol, Riyom
35. Vwak Jol, Riyom
36. Dakku Jol, Riyom
37. Loton Jol, Riyom

Villages sacked in Bokkos LGA:
-Hurti village in Mangunna Ward
-Josho Village in Daffo Ward
-Morok Daffo Ward
-Ganda Mandung Daffo Ward
-Hotom wurrim Daffo Ward
-Na kudung Daffo Ward
-Fara Dong Hai in Daffo Ward

“CAN calls on all security agencies to wake up to their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property. We urge them to be pro-active in doing their jobs. Mobilising troops and policemen after the havoc has been done does not make sense. A government that cannot protect the citizens is a failed government.

“CAN is, once again calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to replace all the security chiefs and the Inspector General of Police because they have overstayed their welcome. It is ridiculous and embarrassing that in the last three years, none of these criminals have been apprehended, detained, arraigned and convicted.

“This is what is emboldening them to kill the innocent with impunity. We are approaching a state of anarchy faster than we can imagine. Why are we following the footpath of Rwanda daily with these unprecedented killings and mass burials when we are not at war?ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

African Strides: 'Help': Oby Ezekwesili Protests Alone Over Plateau...

African Strides: 'Help': Oby Ezekwesili Protests Alone Over Plateau...: Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has embarked on a one-woman march to protest weekend attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau where m...

'Help': Oby Ezekwesili Protests Alone Over Plateau Killings

Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has embarked on a one-woman march to protest weekend attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau where many innocent citizens were killed. She walked through the streets of Abuja while clutching a placard condemning the killings.Written on the placard is 'HELP'.

Friday, June 22, 2018

N 578 billion budget padding tears NASS apart

The stunning revelation by the Presidency that the National Assembly inserted personal projects worth N578 billion into the 2018 budget has stirred a serious dissension among members of the National Assembly, Vanguard learned, yesterday. It was learned that many members of NASS who were unaware of the huge amount of money and phantom projects ‘built’ into the budget by the leadership, became very upset with the expose by the Presidency and have threatened to vent their anger on those who perpetrated the ‘cheating’ as soon as the legislature resumes. The lawmakers are upset that most of them were allocated meager projects and services valued at less than N50 million by the leadership of NASS, whereas each of them would have gone home with at least N1 billion allocation of the N578 billion. There are 109 Senators and 360 House of Representatives members in the NASS and given the amount of N578 billion alleged to have been inserted into the budget, each member is supposed to have received at least N1 billion worth of project amounting to N469 billion, with a surplus of N109 billion for the top leaders of the legislature. But one of the lawmakers from the South-West, who pleaded anonymity, said he was disappointed that the leadership of the NASS ‘actively short-changed’ some other members by allocating very small amount to them to service their communities but unjustifiably set aside huge amounts to themselves. “We have to thank Mr. President for this eye-opening revelation on the padding of the 2018 budget by the NASS and we will take it from there when we resume in short while from now. No security vote for State House —Udoma In the meantime, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has said there was no truth in the report by Amnesty International, entitled Camouflaged Cash: How ‘Security Votes’ Fuel Corruption in Nigeria, which “indicated, in part, that the Presidency was not only appropriating but “has also increased the number of security votes tucked into the Federal budget in the last two years.” Answering questions during the budget briefing session, yesterday, in Abuja, the minister said it was necessary to state clearly that there was no line item as security vote in the State House budget. Udoma said: “There are also provisions for military interventions in the North-East (insurgency), Operation Lafiya Dole, as well as other specific operations of the Armed Forces such as Operation Python Dance, Operation Crocodile Smile and very recently, Operation Cat Race, etc. “Owing to the growing number of internal security issues, a provision of N75 billion was made for these exercises in the service-wide votes, not State House vote, in 2018.”

Thursday, June 21, 2018

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Soulmedia in Brief COMPANY INTRODUCTION Soulmedia Communications Limited is a Marketing Communication Company that is run by proven experts, majoring in Professional Multi-Media Packages, Public Relations, Media Trainings and Consultancy Services. Our vision for result is driven by original and very genuine ideas that are highly supported with skilled manpower. For us, we believe strongly that nothing sells like well packaged ideas and products. Soulmedia Communication has a reputation for providing top quality and customized publicity services for Federal and state government, ministries, agencies/parastatals individuals, associations and corporate organizations. We have the unique ability to create marketing solutions that integrate experience across a full range of business needs, people, strategy, technology and process, which we do through our media brands and services. The idea is to create an enabling environment for every business, products and services at all levels to showcase their businesses through the Television, the Magazine and You-tube with strong persuasive contents purposely created to arouse interest in your potential customers/clients. The company is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the Companies and allied matters act 1990 with registration number, RC936328. We are members to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Print Media Publishers Guild of Nigeria (PMPGN), and Media Ideal for Development (MIDEV) we are also media consultants and strategist to various individuals and organizations. We have carried out numerous media and publicity projects for individuals, organizations, ministries, agencies and institutions. Soulmedia Communications limited is a company with enormous capacity and experience in media and journalism practice. We are an award holder with numerous commendations as best performing media outfit and best TV documentary production company. Our Core Business: a. CINEMATOGRAPHY: (TV/Video Production) 2. Television Programmes 3. Documentaries and Movies, Event Coverage 4. Video Jingles, Montage, Video Editing 5. Advertisement and TV Commercials 6. We Cover Any Type Of CEREMONY, PARTIES and EVENTS OUR TV PROGRAMME: 7. Development Platform is a 30 minutes Television programme showing on NTA International, MITV, NTA Abuja and recently on our newly introduced You-tube Channel (SITV) Silver-bird and AIT. It is a special video spotlight/documentary produced to inform and educate Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, providing required inspiration and insights on different sectors for the socio-economic development of the nation with millions viewers across the globe. SITV: Soulmedia You-tube Channel a. News-Events and activities, Entertainment-promoting young artistes, Special Report-fact file, Wahala zone. b. MAGAZINE, INTERNET PUBLICATION AND ONLINE MARKETING: Special Features, Personality and political profile, interviews, OUR PUBLICATION: b. African Strides with Marketspeech Magazine inside These are monthly publications of Soulmedia Communication that focuses on economy, African leadership and governance, politics, providing inspirational insights on trending issues, policy formation, interpretation and implementation for national growth and development. 1. ADVERTISING (Indoor/Outdoor) TELEVISION, BILL BOARDS, SIGN POSTS, MAGAZINE and ONLINE. 2. RECORDING STUDIO: Audio/Voice Recording, Music Production, Radio Drama, Audio jingles, mixing, mastering, SIGNATURE TUNES AND STUDIO SERVICES etc. 3. PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES: Indoor/Outdoors, PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS, FRAMED PICTURES and ENLARGEMENTS, PHOTO-BOOK, PRE-WEDDING SHOOTS, PREGNANT MOTHERS, BABY SPECIAL, WEDDINGS EVENTS, COUPLES AND FAMILY PICTURES, SCHOOLS and ORGANIZATIONS, MAJOR AND MINOR EVENTS 4. Events and logistics: We help clients/celebrants to Plan and execute all manner of events and ceremonies (be it individual, organizations or government functions) and this is done within their budgets and time frame 5. TRAININGS/CONSULTANCY: ORGANIZING MEDIA, COMPUTER AND ENTERTAINMENT TRAININGS and CONSULTANCY SERVICES for INDIVIDUALS and ORGANISATIONS: a. Vision: To become a brand name in solution based (Events and Media) services. b. Mission: To establish a consolidated purpose driven and people oriented service that is anchored on professionalism, consistency and reliability. c. Strength: Trust- Truth – Team work d. Core Values: Integrity, Diligence and Professionalism.  CORPORATE GOAL is to achieve our daily task/set target through cooperation, team work and strategic planning on daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly bases in order to meet the overall yearly target.

DSS Arrests Two Suspected ISIS Leaders In Abuja

The Department of State Services said it had arrested two Islamic State in West Africa commanders in Kukuntu village, Gwgwalada, Abuja. According to the secret service, the suspects, Bashiru Adams and Rufai Sajo, were nabbed in Kukuntu village, Gwagwalada area of Nigeria’s capital. Spokesman for the service Tony Opuiyo revealed that the suspects were arrested on 5 May after special operations on identified targets. According to him, they were discovered to have concluded plans to spread the ideals of the terror group in the area. It was also learned that the suspects were planning with Boko Haram to strike in the area. The DSS also informed that after receiving intelligence reports, two experts in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Adamu Hassan, also known as Bale, and Abubakr Abubakar, also known as Alhaji or Buba, were apprehended.

Two female bombers die at a military mammy market in Maiduguri

The Borno Command of the Nigerian Police Force said two female Boko Haram bombers died on Wednesday night while attempting to infiltrate 333 Artillery military hangout in Maiduguri. Edet Okon, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), disclosed this in a statement released today in Maiduguri. Mr Okon said the first bomber was gunned down by soldiers while trying to buy a ticket to gain entrance into Mammy market, where soldiers socialise. The soldiers had shot her on suspicion she was a bomber. “The bomb exploded and killed the first bomber while the second bomber detonated her IED inside the tricycle. The driver of the tricycle fled the scene. “As a result of the explosions, the two bombers died instantly while fifteen persons were injured and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. “In the meantime, the scene of incident has been sanitized by a team of EOD personnel and normalcy has been restored. “The Commissioner of Police Borno State, CP Damian Chukwu reassures members of the public of the commitment of the force to continue to protect lives and properties at all times” he said. He also urged residents to be extra vigilant and to promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the Police or other security agencies for necessary actions. (NAN)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

BREAKING: OAU sacks professor over sex-for-mark scandal

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has announced the sacking of Prof. Richard Akindele for allegedly demanding sex from a student, Monica Osagie, to upgrade her mark. The OAU Vice-Chancellor, Eyitope Ogunbodede, announced the sacking at a press conference in Ile-Ife on Wednesday. He said the Governing Council of the institution sacked the lecturer, “having found him guilty of all the charges against him.”

Buhari Signs The 2018 Appropriation Bill Into Law

Speech By His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, At The Signing Into Law, The 2018 Appropriation Bill, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Wednesday, June 20th, 2018 Protocols I would like to thank the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as all the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, for passing the 2018 Appropriation Bill, after seven months. 2. When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year. The importance of this predictability cannot be overemphasized. 3. While the Federal Government’s budget represents less than 10% of aggregate yearly expenditures in the economy, it has a very significant accelerator effect on the financial plans of other tiers of government, and even more importantly, the private sector, which mostly operates on a January-December financial year. 4. Notwithstanding the delay this year, I am determined to continue to work with the National Assembly towards improving the budgeting process and restoring our country to the January-December fiscal cycle. 5. I note, with pleasure, that the National Assembly is working on the enactment of an Organic Budget Law, so as to improve the efficiency of the nation’s budgetary process. 6. As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, we intend to use the 2018 Budget to consolidate the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020. 7. It is in this regard that I am concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the budget proposals that I presented. The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects. 8. Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira. 9. Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute. 10. Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required. 11. As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened. 12. Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows: a. The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira. b. Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira. c. The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project. d. The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira. e. The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government. f. The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira. g. At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment. h. The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira. i. The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project. j. The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira. readmore

A word is enough

Like I would say, the devil doesn't have to come in form of a creature with horns and a long tail. Some things are avoidable in this age and time, where we have knowledge at our fingertips, it is wickedness/devilish, if you still give birth to a sickler.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Kidnapper Who Killed Onose Onakpoma Arrested In A Forest (Photos)

Security operatives have apprehended a notorious kidnapper who together with his gang abducted a Delta lawmaker, Hon Onose Onakpoma on March 31, 2018 and hid him in a forest in Okurekpo, Ethiope East Local government area of Delta state - before shooting him to death inside the hideout (see HERE). The notorious gang leader identified as Omote Eboh has been on the run despite the arrest and detention of his wife after leading a team to the scene in the thick forest to recover the remains of Hon Onokpoma on May 11, 2018. Most of the perpetrators of the heinous crime have been apprehended including those who aided the escape of the leader, Omote Eboh The team led by the Vigilantes Group of Nigeria, Okpara Inland - trailed Mr. Omote Eboh yesterday to the village in Benin, Edo state where he has been hiding and was captured like a goat. The Omote Eboh, a kidnap-for-ransom network in the thick forest between Okurekpo and Okuekpagha boundary (Omue’ te’te) carried out a major robbery operation on 31st March, 2018 where they robbed over 20 people including Hon. Onose Onakpoma and there after kidnapped him and hauled him to the thick forest where he was promptly killed before the kidnappers called to pick up a ransom of N500,000.00 and thereafter vanished into the thin air with no trace of Hon. Onakpoma and a little or no trace of the Kidnappers. Hon Onakpoma’s remains are in the Eku Baptist Government Hospital morgue while officials are preparing legal documents to release the body to the family. The robbery| kidnap gang had carried out their robbery operation at Okorore near Eku on 31st March 2018 were they robbed over 15 people including a couple who were rushing their 8 years seriously sick son to the hospital at about 5.30am and despite the couple appeal to the robbers| Kidnappers to have mercy and compassion on them to release them to enable them rush their sick son to the Eku Baptist Government Hospital, the heartless gang refused and held them for over an hour until their son died there. The Police Anti Kidnapping squad had to step up operations against the gang and worked tirelessly with Hon Evance Ivwurie, a the member representing Ethiope East State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly - who provided the courageous leadership.

Introducing SoulMedia Communication

OUR COMPANY: Soulmedia Communication Limited is a leading marketing communication company with multimedia facilities. We are the producer of Development Platform on NTA Int’l, Mitv and SiTV which is a You-tube Channel. We are also the Publisher of (African Strides Magazines). We provide services in Print and Electronic Media as Independent Producers, Publishers and Multi-media service providers. We have executed numerous media projects in both print and electronic to the Federal & State Governments, Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies, Corporate Organizations, Associations and Individuals within and outside Nigeria. Including the university flagship TV programme on ICT tagged “The Nigeria High Standard University” in 2016 endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC). The TV report on NCCE and the Colleges of Education in Nigeria Tagged “NCCE Today” in 2012 through 2014 endorsed by the then Executive Secretary, Prof M. I. Junaid. These programmes were highly rated by viewers and the university communities. We have also featured the Commission in the different edition of our magazine. OUR TV PROGRAMME AND PUBLICATIONS: a. Development Platform is a 30 minutes Television programme showing on NTA International, MITV, NTA Abuja and recently on our newly introduced You-tube Channel (SITV) Silverbird and AIT. It is a special video spotlight/documentary produced to inform and educate Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, providing required inspiration and insights on different sectors for the socio-economic development of the nation with millions viewers across the globe. b. African Strides Magazine. These are monthly publications of Soulmedia Communication that focuses on African leadership and governance, economy, politics, and is committed to providing inspirational insights on trending issues, policy formation, interpretation and implementation for National growth and development.

Monday, June 18, 2018

African Strides: Blackout as power grid Collapses again

African Strides: Blackout as power grid Collapses again: Some parts of the country have been plunged into darkness as the power grid recorded a total collapse on Saturday morning, our correspondent...

Blackout as power grid Collapses again

Some parts of the country have been plunged into darkness as the power grid recorded a total collapse on Saturday morning, our correspondent has learnt. The system collapse led to the shutdown of most of the nation’s power plants. An industry source, who is a top executive of one of the nation’s electricity distribution companies, told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that the national grid first collapsed on Friday. When contacted to find out the cause of the outage in parts of Lagos, he said, “It’s a general thing; it is a system collapse. It happened yesterday and this morning. All the power plants were shut down.” Data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing showed that the grid collapsed on June 8, bringing the number of total collapses recorded so far this year to seven.

JAMB report reveals states leading in law admissions

Admissions into law in Nigerian universities between 2011 and 2015 were led by Imo, Anambra and Delta states, according to JAMB figures. The three states were the most consistent of all top performers for the five years. They also dominated medicine and were amongst leading performers in engineering admissions — the three courses being amongst the most competitive in Nigerian universities. Earlier analyses by PREMIUM TIMES, using data from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, showed that medicine and engineering were dominated by mostly South-east, South-west and South-south states. North-central states of Kwara and Kogi also made a good showing. But for law, there is a new member of the pack: Benue state, which delivered a positive but brief performance in 2011 by coming fourth behind Imo, Anambra and Delta. That year, the four states were followed by Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Edo, Osun and Enugu. Ogun appeared thrice in the top cadre in the five years, coming fourth in 2011, third in 2014 and second position in 2015. Benue made it to the top three in 2011 before it dropped below the top 10, while Rivers made it to the top four in 2012, top three in 2013 before it dropped to eighth position in 2011 and 2014. It made the top seven in 2015. The data are for students admitted through test-based examinations conducted by JAMB. JAMB’s admission process is guided by merit, university catchment area and gives advantage to educationally-less developed states. For law, while Imo had 739 students admitted into various universities in 2011, Anambra followed with 679 and Enugu was third with 593. Benue came fourth with 558 and Ogun was fifth with 488 students. Admissions into law in Nigerian universities between 2011 and 2015 were led by Imo, Anambra and Delta states, according to JAMB figures. The three states were the most consistent of all top performers for the five years. They also dominated medicine and were amongst leading performers in engineering admissions — the three courses being amongst the most competitive in Nigerian universities. Earlier analyses by PREMIUM TIMES, using data from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, showed that medicine and engineering were dominated by mostly South-east, South-west and South-south states. North-central states of Kwara and Kogi also made a good showing. But for law, there is a new member of the pack: Benue state, which delivered a positive but brief performance in 2011 by coming fourth behind Imo, Anambra and Delta. That year, the four states were followed by Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Edo, Osun and Enugu. Ogun appeared thrice in the top cadre in the five years, coming fourth in 2011, third in 2014 and second position in 2015. Benue made it to the top three in 2011 before it dropped below the top 10, while Rivers made it to the top four in 2012, top three in 2013 before it dropped to eighth position in 2011 and 2014. It made the top seven in 2015. The data are for students admitted through test-based examinations conducted by JAMB. JAMB’s admission process is guided by merit, university catchment area and gives advantage to educationally-less developed states. For law, while Imo had 739 students admitted into various universities in 2011, Anambra followed with 679 and Enugu was third with 593. Benue came fourth with 558 and Ogun was fifth with 488 students. In 2012, some of the states again made the top five. Imo emerged first with 551 students, Delta followed with 476 and Anambra came third with 469, Rivers came fourth with 447. That year, Abia placed fifth with 355 students admitted into Law. In 2013, positions changed significantly, with Delta taking the first position with 683 students. Imo dropped to second with 630, while Rivers came third with 569. Anambra was fourth with 490 and Edo , with 463, took fifth. Anambra jumped to first position 2014 with 452, Delta dropped to second position with 430, Ogun jumped to third position with 418. Osun was fourth with 381 and Edo took fifth with 373. In 2015, Delta again took the first position with 456 students. Ogun dropped to second with 419 while Imo dropped to third position with 415. Enugu was fourth with 363 and Osun took fifth. For the first time in five years, Anambra slumped to sixth position. Generally, the number of admitted law candidates fell compared to engineering and medicine. Hassan Soweto, who coordinates a civil rights group, Education Rights Campaign, suggested one reason why admission into law faculties in Nigerian Universities has been falling is cost. According to him, in most federal and state universities, students studying law are asked to pay tuition fees larger than what is charged for arts and social sciences. ination [Photo credit: ElitesplanetBlog] Related News EXCLUSIVE: For Engineering, University admissions led by three states -- JAMB data EXCLUSIVE: JAMB report reveals four Nigerian states leading in medical education for five years UNILORIN, ABU are Nigeria's most sought after universities ANALYSIS: WAEC rating highlights dwindling fortunes of education in South-west Nigeria Nigeria recycles 38 delegates at Obasanjo's 2005 conference for Jonathan's 2014 conference Admissions into law in Nigerian universities between 2011 and 2015 were led by Imo, Anambra and Delta states, according to JAMB figures. The three states were the most consistent of all top performers for the five years. They also dominated medicine and were amongst leading performers in engineering admissions — the three courses being amongst the most competitive in Nigerian universities. Earlier analyses by PREMIUM TIMES, using data from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, showed that medicine and engineering were dominated by mostly South-east, South-west and South-south states. North-central states of Kwara and Kogi also made a good showing. But for law, there is a new member of the pack: Benue state, which delivered a positive but brief performance in 2011 by coming fourth behind Imo, Anambra and Delta. That year, the four states were followed by Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Edo, Osun and Enugu. Ogun appeared thrice in the top cadre in the five years, coming fourth in 2011, third in 2014 and second position in 2015. Benue made it to the top three in 2011 before it dropped below the top 10, while Rivers made it to the top four in 2012, top three in 2013 before it dropped to eighth position in 2011 and 2014. It made the top seven in 2015. The data are for students admitted through test-based examinations conducted by JAMB. JAMB’s admission process is guided by merit, university catchment area and gives advantage to educationally-less developed states. For law, while Imo had 739 students admitted into various universities in 2011, Anambra followed with 679 and Enugu was third with 593. Benue came fourth with 558 and Ogun was fifth with 488 students. In 2012, some of the states again made the top five. Imo emerged first with 551 students, Delta followed with 476 and Anambra came third with 469, Rivers came fourth with 447. That year, Abia placed fifth with 355 students admitted into Law. In 2013, positions changed significantly, with Delta taking the first position with 683 students. Imo dropped to second with 630, while Rivers came third with 569. Anambra was fourth with 490 and Edo , with 463, took fifth. Anambra jumped to first position 2014 with 452, Delta dropped to second position with 430, Ogun jumped to third position with 418. Osun was fourth with 381 and Edo took fifth with 373. In 2015, Delta again took the first position with 456 students. Ogun dropped to second with 419 while Imo dropped to third position with 415. Enugu was fourth with 363 and Osun took fifth. For the first time in five years, Anambra slumped to sixth position. Generally, the number of admitted law candidates fell compared to engineering and medicine. Hassan Soweto, who coordinates a civil rights group, Education Rights Campaign, suggested one reason why admission into law faculties in Nigerian Universities has been falling is cost. According to him, in most federal and state universities, students studying law are asked to pay tuition fees larger than what is charged for arts and social sciences. Mr. Soweto said law education is gradually being “commodities and commercialized”. “When the cost of law school is also taken into consideration, law education is rapidly becoming the preserve of the few rich. This ugly phenomenon will continue to be the case until public education is properly funded such that regardless of whatever course students apply for, access is opened to anyone whether they come from poor or affluent backgrounds,” he said. The states with the least number of students admitted into law were FCT, Yobe, Zamfara and Jigawa. FCT had the smallest number for four years with only 29 students admitted into Law in 2011. It had 14 students in 2012, 27 students in 2013, 20 students in 2014 and 19 students in 2015. In 2011, Yobe had 25 students, followed by Zamfara with 39 students. Katsina had 50 while Gombe had 51 students. In 2014, Zamfara had 19 students, Sokoto had 32 students, Jigawa had 39, and Katsina had 41. In 2015, Zamfara had 28 students, Jigawa had 33 students, Kebbi had 45 and Bayelsa had 47 students. Ola Adeosun, a lawyer, said it is essential for the federal government and civil societies to sensitise people from the northern states on the need for quality education. “You will recall that there was a time that people from the South Eastern part of the country did not go to school, they believed so much in learning a trade under a principal and getting settled but the advent of Nnamdi Azikwe’s Eastern region education revolution changed the story. “Although it was not successful at first, but they were able to sensitise the young minds on the importance of education,” Mr Adeosun said. He blamed the political leadership in the north. “The thinking of the elite is that there won’t be competition between their children and the children of the poor. Unfortunately, there has been a setback in the education sector especially with the incessant kidnapping of girls from that part of the country,” he said.

20 Killed, 48 Injured As Explosion Rocks Borno Village

No fewer than twenty persons have been confirmed killed after an explosion in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. The explosion is suspected to be an attack by suicide Boko Haram bombers. Villagers in Abachari town, in Damboa Local Government Area, were observing the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations when the explosion occurred on Saturday evening. The attack was confirmed to Channels Television by Borno State Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu. “At about quarter to nine, yesterday night, a loud explosion was heard at Abacahri village, along Damboa/Chibok road. The DPO mobilised with our men from the SARS and civilian JTF to the scene and found twenty people dead and 48 others injured.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Congratulations for witnessing this year's Ramadan successfully, may Allaah accept our Ibadah, forgive our sins and bless us with the best of this duniya wa Akhira... May He count us among those who will be privileged to witness next Ramadan in good health, Aamin. Happy Eid fitri celebration /Jumma'at Kareem.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

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Court grants temporary forfeiture of N2.2 billion recovered from ex-NAF chief

A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has granted a temporary forfeiture of ₦2.2 billion recovered from a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Adesola Amosu. The judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, made the order following an application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “An interim order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the total sum of N2,244,500,000 found and recovered by the Commission from the first respondent (Amosu) which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity,” the judge said in her ruling. The judge also granted an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of N190,828,978.15 recovered from a former Nigeria Air Force Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo. Ms Olatoregun also ordered temporary forfeiture of N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Mr Amosu. The EFCC said the sum “is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.” The judge directed EFCC to publish the interim order in The Nation and Punch newspapers so that the respondents or anyone interested can show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government. Ms Olatoregun made the order on June 7 after the ex-parte application was moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo. She adjourned till June 29. The defendants were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money. Messrs Amosu and Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014, allegedly removed over ₦663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at 50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW41TH) and at 93B Shirehall Park, London (NW4 2QU), United Kingdom. They were accused of buying properties at 40A Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with ₦900 million and at Sinari Daranijo in Victoria Island with ₦1.5 billion. The EFCC said they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for ₦750 million, as well as a property worth over ₦1.7 billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi Lagos, using Airforce’s fund. Other properties they allegedly bought using pilfered funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja. The accused also allegedly used ₦428,139,539 removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24 Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos. They all pleaded not guilty.