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Leading youth and church development initiatives

Project management and entrepreneurship programs

Serving as Research & Data Entry Lead at Apex Assets

Membership in prominent networks like YALI, UNYA-NG, and Youth Quake Nigeria

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Buhari has impacted the poor than previous presidents, Festus Keyamo claims

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Media director of Buhari Campaign Organisation Festus Keyamo said no Nigerian government has touched the lives of the poor like President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has done in three years.

Keyamo, a human rights lawyer made this known at the inauguration of Buhari/Osinbajo Project 2019 in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.  He said the previous administrations established the worst system of government.

“I can tell that there is no government in the history of this country since 1960 that has addressed the plights the poor, the vulnerable in the last three years than this government,” Keyamo said.

“If you compare what accrued to the country in 16 years and what was done with the money earned in three years and infrastructure built by Buhari, you will see the difference,”

According to him, before Buhari came on board, over 24 state governments were unable to pay the salaries of their workers.

He said the administration, with prudent management of resources, approved bailout funds to the states to clear the arrears and address their critical challenges.

“We should not go back to that era of nonpayment of salary and suffering of the masses,” Keyamo added.

He said Buhari with his sharing formula has done was to take the bullet from the rich to protect the poor unlike previous governments.

“They operated a system that ignored physical infrastructure in the country, that ignored the plight of the poor, the weak and the vulnerable in Nigeria,”

“In 16 years, all they did in the South East was Onisha-Owerri road, whereas, in three years, President Buhari is doing four major road construction in the region. You have a president who has fought for you, why can’t you fight for him,” Keyamo said.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the president in next year’s elections, saying ”this is the time he needs you more to fight for him…. We must remind ourselves today why we must stand firmly behind him in 2019,”

By Dennis Erezi

Substance abuse, illicit drugs, youth and society

A man whose child was admitted into a psychiatric facility was downcast and lamented how he had been struggling to provide the best opportunities for the child. His psychopathic child was admitted after a long period of addiction to illicit drugs and the man has being trying all he can to salvage the situation. This father is not alone in this sort of situation as many parents today have the added challenge of saving their children or child from drug addiction and abuse that has taken an epidemics proportion.
In a research published in Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Health in 2014, Hamisu Mamman, Ahmad Tajuddin, PhD and Lim Hooi Liam, PhD, discovered that drug abuse and addiction was more prevalent in northern Nigeria. Professor Nelson Ochekpe, a professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the University of Jos while delivering lecture at a sensitisation lecture on eradication of vices by students of higher institutions, stated that research findings showed that 60% of substance abuse occurs in north. Sadly, in all these, youths below 35 years are mostly affected. In their quest to get high they are hooked to marijuana, codeine, tramadol, amphetamine, heroine, glue, rohypnol and other psychotropic substances. As for illicit drugs, there is always one for anyone depending on one’s financial and social standing. This is one of the major reasons this problem has become widespread. Youths from various backgrounds resort to the use of drugs for various reasons and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary which exposed the dire drug problem was impactful because of the international dimension. But for people living in Nigeria especially the northern states, nothing was new since they have witnessed the exponential rise and spread of this problem over time.

Youth of different financial, social and cultural backgrounds often congregate at various points known for drug dealings and consumptions and do their things very much unhindered. At one points, they virtually took over most recreation parks and gardens in Abuja. Some make public show of it as though it is status conferral. Yes, it might confer on one the status of psychiatric patient. Various medical, psychological and sociological reasons or theories have been adduced as to why people live a life of addiction. Those from rich and influential parentage usually fell into the drug trap due mainly to peer influence and just to get high – recreational use. The other group of deprived frustrated youth of poor or broken family backgrounds cling to the alibi of hardship and hopelessness. In this, the rich barons become the factors of supply, the spoilt rich, deprived and frustrated poor youth become the factor of demand while poor parental upbringing, strong peer pressure and rot in the educational system become mediators in this mission of self-destruction.

All over the world, illicit drugs are known to fuel crime. Troops fighting the insurgents in North East have been recovering large quantities of assorted psychotropic substances. Just like bandits, kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers are known to use them to be able to perpetuate the kind of beastly and heinous crimes that are fast becoming a daily occurrence. One kidnapper in Ondo State was reported to have gone into coma during an operation due to an overdose of tramadol and Police said that he died on the ninth day despite all efforts to save him.

Nigeria as a developing nation still battles with the lack of basic medical and health care facilities as such the state of mental health care is better imagined. Psychiatric patients that find themselves in the few poorly equipped and manned psychiatric facilities are just lucky and must thank their God. And usually such patients are of rich and influential family background. Many others are shackled away at home, in traditional healers or spiritualists enclaves in pitiable conditions. The rest roam about posing dangers to the entire population.

The challenge of tackling this menace is enormous and a systematic and holistic approach is most suitable because there is no quick fix. The total ban and crack down on manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical preparation with codeine as an active ingredient by the government is a step in the right direction. However, this alone will not solve the problem the same way that smoking of marijuana have almost replaced cigarette among the youth in spite of the fact that it has been an illicit drug that the law prescribes stiff penalties for its possession.

It has been established that Nigeria has one of the highest number of out -of-school children in the world and devising a sustainable means of getting these children out of the street back to school will be a bold step in tackling the problem. The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in a speech to mark the International Youth Day and graduation ceremony at Katsina Vocational Training Centre regretted that politicians in the north have been playing on religion, using it for campaigns while paying little attention to solving the problems in health and educational sectors. This problem, the Emir noted, was responsible for the underdevelopment in many states in the north. Moreover, stabilising children at the family level and during their formative years need to be at the fore front of any solution. It is here that the authorities need to weld the big stick to force parents to be alive to their basic responsibilities.

The political class and opinion leaders must show good example and leadership. The practice of exploiting the youth for anti-social behaviours bordering on violence and criminality for selfish interest of highly placed individuals in our society must be stopped. This sort of action has become a ‘mentoring’ ground for the youth and those already caught in this sordid web. This is very unfortunate as those ‘elites’ that the youth turn to for directions have now become a source of the youth’s ruination.

It is important that traditional rulers, religious leaders and opinion leaders partner with governmental agencies to speak out and tackle those practices and conditions that predisposes the youth to drug addiction. As a developing nation, the country cannot afford to lose her youths to drug because when the population that is supposed to be the driving force in society and nation building are hooked to drug, the nation is doomed. We have already started reaping the reverberation in form of deadly violent crimes, cultism and inexplicable mass killings. However, Nigeria has the capacity to overcome her problems.
Uja is a research officer. He wrote from Abuja.

I Can't Be Distracted By Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki, Other Defectors - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Daura said the combined efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from the good work it is doing for the benefit and development of Nigeria.

President Buhari stressed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu.

The President spoke at a lunch with some APC Governors accompanied by some members of the National and State assemblies and commissioners.

‘‘We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus.

‘‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption we have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.

‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support,’’ he said.

On the defections within the major political parties, the President reiterated his earlier message to them: ‘‘for those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.’’

The delegation was led by Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano and Niger States.

The President of the senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other lawmakers elected on the platform of the ruling All progressives Congress, APC defected to the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and African Democratic Congress, ADC, a party associated with former president Olusegun Obasanjo.  The former president said that Buhari has performed poorly and should not to seek a second term in office.

Source:
https://www.tori.ng/news/104553/i-cant-be-distracted-by-obasanjo-atiku-saraki-othe.html

2014 Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement is why Tinubu is fighting me – Saraki

* Says Tinubu is fighting him because he kicked against Muslim- Muslim Ticket in 2014 ahead of 2015 Election
* Says Buhari’s Administration treated the Legislature with contempt, as an appendage and that was not acceptable to him
* Says Tinubu also expressed displeasure with Buhari’s style of Government
* Accuses Tinubu of Engaging in Rhetorics, he vowed to support Buhari for 2019 even on a Stretcher to South West Presidency in 2023
* Reiterates that he left the APC due to certain elements and Forces

Saraki and Tinubu

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Monday took a swipe at All Progressives Congress, APC Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for accusing him that he dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP because he wanted automatic ticket and sharing of the national wealth, saying that the former Lagos State governor was only engaging in rhetorics.

Saraki noted that he left the APC for PDP because the party generally ignored justice, equity and inclusiveness, just as he said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration constantly treated the National Assembly, especially the Senate with contempt and acted as if the law making body should be an appendage of the Executive, which to him, was unacceptable, adding that it became imperative for him to stand by the legislative arm and defend the nation’s democracy.
The Senate President accused Tinubu of fighting him because in 2014, him and other leaders of the party vehemently opposed to plans by the former governor to force the APC to accept the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement which was to be foisted on the party for the 2015 polls, adding that he took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 General Elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones.

He explained that since then, there have been very active, plotting at every point to undermine him, within and outside the National Assembly.

Responding to accusations by Tinubu that he left the APC for personal reasons and his aspiration for the presidency in 2019, Saraki in a statement he personally signed Monrday said that at different fora, he had complained to the former Lagos State governor on the actions of the government which were detrimental to the government, adding that he had also expressed his reservations that the government would find it difficult to convince the people during elections.

According to the Senate President, Tinubu has also expressed displeasure with the style of government, even as he reiterated that his decision to quit the APC was due to the fact that certain elements and forces were within the party.

He said that opportunities to seek redress and correct the anomalies that were expressed by him and others, were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed what he termed, an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”.

Saraki in the statement reminded the APC Chieftain that he( Tinubu) had told him in the course of their discussions that he would support President Buhari for second term in 2019 even on a stretcher because there would be power shift to the South West in 2023.

The Senate President who noted that while his own decision was based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023, adding, “This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency, particularly when one reviews his antecedent over the years.”

Saraki in the statement titled, “the Tinubu Rhetoric – My Response, said, “I have always restrained from joining issues in the media with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is based on my respect for him. However, I will not allow him to create a wrong, false and mischievous impression about the reasons for my decision to exit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and present his prejudices as facts for public consumption.

“I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation. No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the Presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treat the legislature with contempt and act as if the law making body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, that is unacceptable.

“In the same way, I find it very objectionable that many stakeholders who worked strenuously to get the administration into office have now been excluded in the government and not consulted on key decisions as necessary and expected. In fact, some of them are treated as pariah. A party which ignores justice, equity and inclusion as basic pre-condition for peace, unity and stability cannot sustain its membership and leadership.

“Let me redirect the attention of the former Governor of Lagos State to the aspect of my July 31, 2018, statement announcing my exit from APC in which I emphasized that the decision “has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist”.

“In that statement, I further noted that those APC elements “have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded. All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion. The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere”.

“Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the party, I raised all the above issues. I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through in the last three years belong to the past and will definitely not shape my decisions now and in the future.

“However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between me and him is that while I express my worry that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher’ to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west. This Tinubu viewpoint was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.

“It is clear that while my own decision is based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency, particularly when one reviews his antecedent over the years.

“Again, let me reiterate my position that my uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls. It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 General Elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones. Since that time he has been very active, plotting at every point to undermine me, within and outside the National Assembly.

“It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic ticket, oil block and other benefits. I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open.

“It should be known that Democracy is a system which allows people to freely make their choice. It is my choice that I have decided to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections. Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it. As for me, Allah gives power to whom He wishes. Human beings can only aspire and strive to fulfill their aspirations.”

Saraki replies Tinubu, says ‘you lied on why I left APC’

By Anthony Ogbonna

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has replied the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who had, in an analytical piece about the political situation in Nigeria, titled “They go Away because We go the Right Way,” said both Saraki and the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal left the APC because the party could not offer them what they wanted.

Saraki

Tinubu, in the political-philosophical analysis accused the duo of leaving the APC because, they both covet the presidency and, according to him, the APC cannot give them their desires.

He said Saraki wants automatic ticket and resource sharing and seeks undemocratic means of achieving his desires.

He also said that had Saraki remained in APC, he would not have been able to reclaim his senate seat much less senate presidency.

However, in a sharp response, Saraki said the APC’s national leader’s analysis is, according to him, as wrong as it is mischievous.

Saraki said he is surprised that Tinubu is “still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources.”

Saraki said Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits in a newspaper he owns.

He said, It was his choice “to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections and that, since democracy is a system that allows people to freely make their choices, then “Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it.”
Below is the full response:

“I have always restrained from joining issues in the media with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is based on my respect for him. However, I will not allow him to create a wrong, false and mischievous impression about the reasons for my decision to exit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and present his prejudice as facts for public consumption.

I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation.

No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the Presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treats the legislature with contempt and acts as if the lawmaking body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, this is unacceptable.

In the same way, I find it very objectionable that many stakeholders who worked strenuously to get the administration into office have now been excluded in the government and not consulted on key decisions as necessary and expected. In fact, some of them are treated as pariahs. A party that ignores justice, equity and inclusion as basic pre-conditions for peace, unity and stability cannot sustain its membership and leadership.

Let me redirect the attention of the former Governor of Lagos State to the aspect of my July 31, 2018, statement announcing my exit from APC in which I emphasized that the decision “has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist”.

In that statement, I further noted that those APC elements “have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded.

All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion.

The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere”.

Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the APC, I raised all the above issues. I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through in the last three years belong to the past and will not shape my decisions now and in the future.

However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between Tinubu and I is that while I expressed my worries that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us to deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher’ to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west. This viewpoint of Tinubu’s was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.
It is clear that while my own decision is based on protecting the collective national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies of the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency — particularly when one reviews his antecedents over the years.

Again, let me reiterate my position that my uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls. It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 General Elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones. Since that time he has been very active; plotting at every point to undermine me, both within and outside the National Assembly.

It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits. I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open.
It should be known that Democracy is a system that allows people to freely make their choices. It is my choice that I have decided to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections. Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it. As for me, Allah gives power to whom He wishes. Human beings can only aspire and strive to fulfill their aspirations.”

World Mosquito Day: U.S. reaches 570m people in 24 countries.

On World Mosquito Day, the U.S. Government says it has reached 570 million people in 24 “malaria endemic” countries with malaria treatment and prevention services.

World Mosquito Day, observed annually on Aug. 20, is a commemoration of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.

Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on its official Twitter handle on Monday, stated that it had been able to reach countries through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
Using the #WorldMosquitoDay, the USAID added that malaria “is the leading cause of death in children under five years old.

“In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is the leading cause of death in children under five years old.

“The PMI and partners have reached 570 million people in 24 malaria endemic countries with malaria treatment and prevention services.”
USAID also noted that, through the PMI, more than 268 million insecticide-treated nets had been distributed in 27 countries since 2005.

The agency added that treated bed nets were responsible for two-thirds of the seven million lives saved between 2000 and 2015 worldwide.

“We look for these numbers to climb as more people get nets and net technology continues to advance.”

Mosquitoes kill about 445,000 people each year, through the transmission of malaria.

The PMI report stated that some estimates showed that eliminating malaria could save 11 million lives and yield an estimated $2 trillion in economic benefits from gains in productivity and health savings.

“The last decade has brought a number of advances in fighting malaria-carrying mosquitoes, including long-lasting insecticide treated nets and new insecticides for indoor residual spraying.

“New uses of technology, such as mobile phones and internet, can enhance timeliness and quality of relevant data and improve decision-making.

“In the coming years, we anticipate innovations in insecticides and a possible malaria vaccine,” the report stated.

Also, in its 12th Annual Report to the US Congress, released in April 2018, it stated that malaria remained a major public health challenge, despite the progress recorded in malaria interventions.
It added that the challenge could slow down progress made.

“Malaria prevention and control remains an important U.S. foreign assistance priority.

“Foreign assistance investments by the U.S. Government empower people, communities, and economies to progress on the path to self-reliance, and malaria interventions are among the most cost-effective.”

The PMI and other global partners have continually supported governments to prevent malaria mortality, morbidity and ensuring its elimination through a five-year strategy.

The strategy, which spans 2015 till 2020, aims at creating a world without malaria.

World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of Sir Ronald Ross’ discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.

Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future. (NAN)

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/world-mosquito-day-u-s-reaches-570m-people-in-24-countries/

NECO June/July SSCE Results 2018 Out

The National Examinations Council (NECO) June /July 2018 SSCE results have been released. This was disclosed by the acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the Council, Alhaji Abubakar M.Gana.

According to him, a total number of 1,041,536 registered for the examination while 1,032,729 sat for the examination.

A Comparative analysis of candidates with 5 credits and above including English language and Mathematics for 2017 and 2018 shows 70.85 percent for 2017 and 71.48 percent for 2018, showing an increase of 0.63 percent in 2018.
He further disclosed that that there is a drastic decrease in this year examination malpractices. It was also gathered that nine thousand of the candidates that registered for the examinations did not sit for the papers.

S’East region initiates platform for OGP

By Luminous Jannamike
Governments of the five states of the Southeast have established a collective platform to drive transparency and development in the region based on the principles of the Open Government Partnership, OGP.

The platform known as “Sorochia” will be chaired by the Anambra state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mark Okoye, for the next two years.

A statement by Agabaidu Jideani, the Director-General of Sorochia says the initiative is a multi-stakeholder effort that aims at challenging South East governments and local societies to improve quality of governance, spread good practices, reform legislations, improve public participation and closely monitor implementation and impact of public programs.

According to him, the initiative which has received the nod of the Nigeria OGP national secretariat will also coordinate the region’s effort towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people.

The statement reads: “The people and governments of the South East zone of the country have established a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative to drive transparency and development around OGP and the SDGs for the zone.

“The Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Mr. Mark Okoye has been tasked with leading the South East efforts at establishing and implementing the Transparency and Development imperatives of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and achieving the set objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Zone.

“The Multi-Stakeholder Initiative is aimed at challenging South East governments and societies to improve governance, spread good practices, reform legislations, improve public participation and closely monitor implementation and impact of public programs.

“It will provide a platform for peer learning and shared experiences and utilize economies of scale to reduce costs in the introduction and implementation of the OGP principles and SDGs in the South East Zone. This will be cascaded to the local governments and communities utilizing existing formal and informal platforms whilst ensuring inclusivity."

CD demands improved infrastructure in Onitsha

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called on Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra to improve the state of public infrastructure in Onitsha, the state’s commercial hub.

Gov Obiano
The National Publicity Secretary of CD, Mr Dede Uzor, via a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Sunday, said most of the contractors executing road projects were not doing good jobs.
“We call on the governor and his commissioner for works to rise up to their responsibilities to address failed roads in Onitsha and environs.

“Some of the roads le Modebe Avenue, Niger Street were 60 per cent rehabilitated and poorly done with sub-standard materials.

“These roads should be revisited for the poor rehabilitation work done on them.
“Other roads affected are Miss Elems/Port Harcourt Road, Zik Avenue/Ochanja junction, Bida Road, Mbonu Ojike Street, Iweka Road to Main Market, Creek Road, Obodo-Ukwu Road and Nwaziki Avenue,” Uzor said.

He said Orlu Street/Aro-Ndizogu, upper-part of Oguta Road and other strategic roads in Fegge, Iyiowa-Odekpe, Awada, Omagba and Nkpor areas near Onitsha, also require standard rehabilitation.
According to him, these roads are in dire need of attention because motorists are having night mares plying them.

“Government should also extend the installation of lights to all these streets,” he stressed.
The group also asked the state government to construct new water schemes in the area to meet the water needs of the people as most residents rely on private boreholes for potable water.

“There has been collapse of public water system even before this current administration, while dependence on boreholes in Onitsha and environs has resulted in unknown sicknesses among the residents.

“The state government as a matter of urgency should revive the Greater Onitsha Water scheme.
“The state government should also help to improve power supply by providing transformers to Fegge, Odoakpu, Okpoko, Awada and others areas, he said.

Rethinking The Nation Nigeria: The Hard Way, The Only Way!

By Olu ‘Gboye
A cursory look at most economically and politically developed nations reveals an almost common denominator – they were at some point driven by near-apocalyptic experiences to chart a beneficial course for themselves. Beleaguered by catastrophes ranging from economic turbulences, wars, resource-starvation, multiracialism, invasions, population explosions to natural disasters, these countries found creative ways to pull themselves out of the dust heap. No country started out great; the great ones marshaled themselves to high standing.

It is obvious even to the casual observer that Nigeria is not living up to its existential potentials. Despite a teeming population and resource-laden land space, the so-called giant of Africa has taken only baby steps in its developmental trajectory. 104 and 58 years post-amalgamation and independence respectively, the country is still under the spell of extreme poverty, ethnic and religious conflicts, gross infrastructural deficit, high maternal and infant mortality rates, internal disharmony etc. These and recent events in the country influence my opinion that only drastic measures can rescue Nigeria from the abyss which she is currently flirting with. Many commentators have tagged Nigeria a failed or failing State but I hold on to the belief that all hope is not lost.

I am however under no illusions that the tide can turn overnight. Nigeria will not become great by some sudden mystical or magical occurrence. The people love to leave it all in the hands of God. They say ‘e go better,’ but this is not underpinned by any real plans. Hope is good for consolation, but is is not a strategy; prayers are good for inspiration, but insufficient if we do nothing. We will not accidentally become a revered nation. Actions must be taken, plans made and executed, and work must be done!

Over time, what we have merely done is apply cosmetics to the issues bedeviling us. We need to face reality and embrace the hard facts we are confronted with. Acknowledgment of truth is the root of real change. Further to this, we must realize that there is no easy path to progress for Nigeria. Far reaching decisions would need to be brokered and very radical steps taken. Anything short of this will leave us in this never ending state of quasi-development.

There have been recent calls and agitations for the restructuring of Nigeria with assorted perspectives as to exactly what that means, and how it should be implemented – from the placatory to the outrightly ludicrous. It is however gratifying to note that a growing number of compatriots identify that there are fundamental issues in the construct called Nigeria that need to be confronted. I aver that the structural defects of the Nigerian Nation State are largely foundational. This is why we have been slow in moving forward and why the patchwork attempted by different government administrations since independence have had minimal effects even when the motives behind them were virtuous.

In civil construction, when a beam is cast and it is realized that it has taken the wrong form after the concrete has set, harder measures (regrettably costly and painful) need to be taken to correct the defect than if the discovery was made before it set. Nigeria over time has taken a shape and form which has pretty much set. Again, when our phones or laptops begin to malfunction, the manufacturers often suggest a hard reset when all else fails. Nigeria is in urgent need of a hard reset. The clamour for restructuring is a good start, but we need more than that; we need a total reset.

THE SOFT
I will get to the point of our political structures, but my first port of visit is our values and orientation as a people. The first thing Nigeria needs is social restructuring. It precedes all else. Restructuring as proposed will be garnished with intrigues, sentiments, and primitive aspirations, and greeted with mutual suspicion, cynicism and disgruntlement, if we do not begin by restructuring our minds.

There are basic human decencies which we have long abandoned for less noble virtues. Simple things like the discipline of keeping to time an excellent example. The cliche ‘Nigerian time’ is an absurdity borne out of a collective predisposition towards tardiness that has done more injury to our corporate existence than we can imagine. It has affected our productivity and credibility. Any person that does not keep to time will not be taken seriously by someone who knows the value of time. Disregard for time is the birthplace of corruption. It starts by being late, then being absent, then evolves into a belief that you can get something having done nothing. Highly industrialized countries are propelled by exceptionally industrious people – Japan, Germany, South Korea, China are shinning examples. The work ethic of a people is sine qua non in their pilgrimage towards progress.

We must relearn how to stand in line and wait our turn. Many times, in Lagos especially, hours are spent in traffic logjams only to get to the head and realize that ‘nothing caused it.’ Of course something did! Lane-hugging and lane-jumping, shunting and animalistic impatience are the joint culprits.

Then respect for the rule of law. This is not limited to just obeying court rulings and judgments. How about simple things like renewing your car papers, or settling your bills, or delivering excellently on your job, not bribing your lecturers, not sleeping with your students; not peeing by the roadside or throwing trash out your car window? The red on the traffic light means stop, it is not a signal to zoom past as fast as you can. How about we agree to start rewarding the quality of people’s work (merit) and not the names of their villages (nepotism)?
All it takes is changing our basic everyday attitudes and actions. In reality, it is as simple as doing the right things all the time. The Nigeria we all wish for, pray for, and ask for is inside of all of us. This may sound like a call to morality but, in truth, only reformed people can produce a reformed society. This is the starting point of a restructured Nigeria. This is the real job of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), not heralding the intrigues of the political class! We must promote and imbibe these values at all levels – from State House to school halls; cascading across urban municipalities and rural courtyards.

Ideally, societal order ought to be administered by relevant agencies of state, but regrettably a lot of them are caught somewhere on the spectrum between compromise and political misuse. I strongly desire that those who hold such positions and responsibilities would bear this charge but a lot of them see their posts as mere ‘settlement (political compensation) andor a platform for advancing their ‘rankadedeism.’

I have met and interacted with some Nigerians who exhibit a love for country and yearn for a Nigeria where things work. I see their commentaries on Social Media. Some here at home, others in diaspora not because they dislike their origins, but simply because they have gone in search of an orderly existence. One of them told me that “the creative solutions that caused countries to develop were results of passionate compatriots who fought to penetrate relevant spheres of influence to become architects of effective social and political structures that lead the populace towards desired change.” So I call on compatriots of the Nigerian estate to champion, exemplify and drive positive behavioral and attitudinal changes wherever they find themselves. Rise up where you are! This country needs us! This is but the beginning.

THE HARD
Let’s move on to more radical prescriptions – the sub-divisions – into States and a Federal Capital Territory. The brutal truth is that Nigeria has too many States and is consequently over-governed! The more states we have, the more the multiplication of all the apparatus and machinery of government – governors, ministries, personnel, aides, parliaments, secretariats, supposed-to-be-official vehicles etc. The sheer cost of governance is mind boggling. Most of the states have been reduced to salary payment agencies for civil servants or ATMs for politicians. Frankly, a good number of them are non-viable and are no more than glorified Local Government Areas. They can only do so much with their allocations which they come to collect, bowl in hand, from the center every month.

Brazil (land mass – 8,515,767 sq.km; population – estimated at 209 million) is 9 times the size of Nigeria (land mass – 923,768 sq.km). It is made up of only 27 Federative Units, some of them larger (Amazonas and Para) than the whole of Nigeria! It is arguable that Nigeria was better governed when we had fewer States, or maybe when we had the Regions.

It is my opinion that the manner in which we created our States (mainly around ethnic configurations) has exacerbated the divisions between us. The way we view and agitate for even more states tends to suggest a lack of understanding of what they are or should be. The argument for more of them is counter-intuitive. Do we ceaselessly continue to decimate our composite units until every hamlet becomes a state?

It is pertinent to mention here that States are artificial creations of man for the purpose of effective administration. As opposed to ethnicities, they are not people groups with a shared ancestry, language or culture. They exist strictly for administrative convenience. The concept of State of Origin is therefore a misnomer. For younger Nigerians, there was no state in Nigeria before 1967, when Gen. Yakubu Gowon created 12. We then moved to 19 and the FCT (by Gen. Murtala Mohammed in 1976), then Gen. IB Babangida expanded them to 21 (1987), then 30 (1991) and finally Gen. Sani Abacha increased them to 36 in 1996.

All our existing States were creations of military fiat, not natural distribution. So when we say we are Jigawites, or Deltans etc., we deceive ourselves for there is no such thing really. Let us take Abia as an example. The name itself is an acronym representing the four major densely populated regions in that pocket of space -Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato & Afikpo (A-B-I-A). So what then or who then is an Abian? The identifier is nothing but a myth. In reality, there is nothing like an Abia origin, unless we want to allude that IBB created a new race or tribe with his proclamation in 1991. The present day Abia State is comprised of multiple Igbo subgroups which are spread across the Eastern States and beyond. For example, the Aro people have a mixed Akpa and Ibibio ancestry originating from Arochukwu, but are today found across Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers States, in all of which they are considered indigent. What then is the purpose or meaning of a State of Origin seeing that all Aro people have a common origin which is not linked to any one State?
As a result of demographic evolution and migrations, the historical possession of territories by ethnicities is impracticable in a modern and pluralistic society, more so in one as diverse as Nigeria. To truly have a united Nation, we must come to terms with the fact that the entire territory belongs to the Nigerian State and that though we have locational origins, they should impose no bearing on administrative governance. We can and should indeed preserve our cultures by retaining our traditional institutions. However, the partitions of governance should be for the intendment of strategic national benefits.

What do we then do? I am of the opinion that we reduce the number of federating units to no more than 12, and then realign and strengthen Local Governments so that every Nigeria feels the impact of government at the minutest level. We then adopt State of Abode or Residence, but retain Ethnic Groupings as a demographic index aimed at preserving our cultural heritage.

The 12 states (would help if called something else – Provinces maybe) can be determined and distributed based on size (for instance most of the Sates on the Western US Coast were demarcated this way using longitude and latitude); population spread (so as to have numerical balance); resource distribution; or a combination of all or any of these. We can then follow with proper devolution of powers, state policing, strategic planning etc. For sure, we will need to convene some sort of sovereign conference to accommodate and debate varying opinions, and of course amend the constitution accordingly. There is no easy path to sustainable advancement.

The ideas I have advanced here are intended to stimulate us to venture into new thought frontiers concerning Nigeria. They may come across as extreme or even border on the eccentric to some, but if the soft approach hasn’t worked, it appears the hard way has become inevitable.

Olu Gboye is a business executive, and an advocate for better governance and patriotic citizenship.

2019 election won and lost, APC boasts to PDP

By Omeiza Ajayi

The predictions of a high-stakes political battle ahead of 2019 election, appear to have been corroborated yesterday by the All Progressives Congress, APC, declaration that the poll had been won and lost. A stateument by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using propaganda to attract votes.

In addition, APC said the party was being obsessed with the amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act which had not been signed.

The statement reads: “The PDP has realised that the 2019 election has been won and lost. If the election is held today, it is clear that the APC will win by a landslide, judging by visible and landmark achievements recorded by the President Buhari administration. This is an apparent fact that gives the PDP sleepless nights. Hence its daily lies and propaganda in its desperate early campaign to attract non- existent votes

“PDP’s attempt to hide under the yet to be assented Electoral Act Amendment Bill is an attempt to draw attention away from the treasonable actions of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has refused to convene the National Assembly to consider at plenary the crucial 2019 Election Budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.

“The Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly is alive and awaiting assent. However, assent to bills in all democratic governments reflects the prudence and discretion of the president in balancing the powers of key constitutional bodies and understanding the concerns of the executive.

“While we strongly condemn the abuse of office by the Senate President backed by his PDP cohorts in sabotaging the executive, specifically INEC, all well-meaning Nigerians have a duty to speak up and ensure that the National Assembly performs its constitutional role and not serve an individual’s personal interest.

“We call on all Nigerians, civil society and indeed the international community to resist the ongoing travesty and legislative rascality being perpetuated by the Senate President and the PDP. The sanctity of our electoral system is being threatened by this orchestrated sabotage and deliberate attempt to weaken INEC as we prepare for the general elections in 2019. The National Assembly must be convened immediately.’

Source:  https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/2019-election-won-and-lost-apc-boasts-to-pdp/

Anambra PPA leader Defect to PDP

One of the outstanding Anambra State leader of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, who was the party’s governorship candidate in last year’s election in the state, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, has dumped the party and and join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ezeemo however said he gave a conditional nod to join the party when Anambra State officials of PDP led by its state chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu visited him at Umuchu, his home town.

Ezeemo said he took the decision because he had seen over the years that Nigerian electorate were still moved by big names, instead of political ideology of parties.

According to him, the reason towards joining PDP was conditional because he could not fully go into PDP if his followers in PPA were not taken care of.
He said: “We are only interested in big names here and not in the material that is vying for any post. I have tried for a long time to convince them that coming from a smaller party would even give me better opportunity to work, but they seem not to understand. So, I had to oblige them.”

Speaking on the issue of having to scale the hurdle of primaries in the course of pursuing his gubernatorial ambition under PDP, Ezeemo said: “There must be primary elections in any party if we want internal party democratic process to take its course, so I embrace it.”

INEC extends voters registration exercise by 2 weeks.

…Registers 23 new political parties

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA —Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the ongoing voter registration exercise by two weeks.

This came as the commission said it has registered 23 new political parties, bringing the number of registered political parties in the country to 91.

The commission had sent letters of invitation to the affected chairmen of the new parties to pick their certificates of registration from the commission tomorrow.

The development presents huge logistical challenge for the electoral umpire, with the ballot paper set to be expanded to accommodate more parties.

Among the newly political parties registered by INEC, yesterday, were African Action Congress, AAC; Alliance for a United Nigeria, AUN; Alliance National Party, ANP; Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, among others.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/inec-extends-voters-registration-exercise-by-2-weeks/

Dogma of the Assumption, all you need to know.

The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady, but we don't know how it first came to be celebrated.

Its origin is lost in those days when Jerusalem was restored as a sacred city, at the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (c. 285-337). By then it had been a pagan city for two centuries, ever since Emperor Hadrian (76-138) had leveled it around the year 135 and rebuilt it as Aelia Capitolina in honor of Jupiter.

For 200 years, every memory of Jesus was obliterated from the city, and the sites made holy by His life, death and Resurrection became pagan temples.

After the building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 336, the sacred sites began to be restored and memories of the life of Our Lord began to be celebrated by the people of Jerusalem. One of the memories about his mother centered around the "Tomb of Mary," close to Mount Zion, where the early Christian community had lived.
On the hill itself was the "Place of Dormition," the spot of Mary's "falling asleep," where she had died. The "Tomb of Mary" was where she was buried.
At this time, the "Memory of Mary" was being celebrated. Later it was to become our feast of the Assumption.

For a time, the "Memory of Mary" was marked only in Palestine, but then it was extended by the emperor to all the churches of the East. In the seventh century, it began to be celebrated in Rome under the title of the "Falling Asleep" ("Dormitio") of the Mother of God.

Soon the name was changed to the "Assumption of Mary," since there was more to the feast than her dying. It also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven.

That belief was ancient, dating back to the apostles themselves. What was clear from the beginning was that there were no relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of Jerusalem near the site of her death. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.)
At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, when bishops from throughout the Mediterranean world gathered in Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be enshrined in the capitol. The patriarch explained to the emperor that there were no relics of Mary in Jerusalem, that "Mary had died in the presence of the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later was found empty and so the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into heaven."

In the eighth century, St. John Damascene was known for giving sermons at the holy places in Jerusalem. At the Tomb of Mary, he expressed the belief of the Church on the meaning of the feast: "Although the body was duly buried, it did not remain in the state of death, neither was it dissolved by decay. You were transferred to your heavenly home, O Lady, Queen and Mother of God in truth."

All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her part in the work of redemption. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood, celebrated both at Christmas and a week later (Jan. 1) on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) marks the preparation for that motherhood, so that she had the fullness of grace from the first moment of her existence, completely untouched by sin. Her whole being throbbed with divine life from the very beginning, readying her for the exalted role of mother of the Savior.

The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eyes in that direction, where we will follow when our earthly life is over.

The feast days of the Church are not just the commemoration of historical events; they do not look only to the past. They look to the present and to the future and give us an insight into our own relationship with God. The Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

In 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution
Munificentissimus Deus , Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in these words: "The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven."

With that, an ancient belief became Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God.

Odili finds new love at 70

For Peter Otunuya Odili, it is remarkable that the day he was born, August 15, was the same day the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ was assumed into Heaven, body and soul. As an ardent Catholic, for whom that day is a holy day of obligation, just like a Sunday, the significance of the coincidental event is not lost on him as it actually reinforces his faith which was given a shine at two Catholic schoaols- Sacred Heart School, Odoakpu, Onitsha and later at the famous Christ the King College, (CKC) Onitsha both in the present day Anambra State. It was at CKC that his leadership qualities manifested that early in life.
Peter Odili
He was the Senior Prefect and College Captain of the school. In his own words, Odili said, “From cradle, through primary school, and admission into one of the best secondary schools of our time, I can say without any shred of doubt that the foundational impact of secondary school education is the fulcrum of anyone’s life later.
That’s what CKC did for me. I won’t be who I am if I did not pass through the walls of CKC.” It is in recognition of his religious piety that the Pope recognised and honoured him with the prestigious title of Knight Commander of the Order of St Sylvester which made him a member of the Front Row in the Order of Catholic Knights. For those who know, that was a rare and hugely sought after recognition by the Vatican.
Search of the proverbial fleece
Like most adventurous and ambitious young men of his age, he was about to move on to a tertiary institution in search of the proverbial fleece when the civil war broke out and temporarily truncated that ambition. He was, first, a refugee as the war progressed with its tendency to dislocate and disjoint life and living. That brought its difficulties and challenges which compelled him to submit to being recruited as a soldier. Here, again, his brilliance shone through. As in CKC where leadership position was on merit, his performance in the army course during which he took top position, guaranteed for the young man assignment that put him in a place where characters are moulded and minds trained. The young Peter was deployed as an instructor in the school of infantry instead of being sent to the warfront. The life of discipline that military training imbues smoothened the diamond in the rough that he was seen to be by his mentors and set him on an upward leadership trajectory that he sustained till date.
The war over, his academic zeal was reignited and he began schoolwork as an indigent medical student at the country’s foremost tertiary institution, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He later embarked on the holiday trade of travelling abroad to earn some money which immediately turned him into a campus big boy. On graduation from the Medical School of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he pursued a post-graduate work in Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Like one with the fabled Midas’ touch, Peter Odili has proved to be a quintessential family man who has tenaciously clung to his first love and charming campus ‘bus’, Mary Ukaego, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with whom he has sired children and grandchildren. As a titled chief, it is an abomination to count the products of his fertile and productive loins. In appreciation for the role Mary had played and is still playing in his life, he is, till date, still paying her bride price to her people of Mbaise clan in Imo State. He said so himself.
Mary is his first love. I stand to be corrected. And Medicine follows in that order. He put into practice his training as a medical doctor and won his spurs in that field. Regardless, he is determined to leave a more enduring legacy for posterity. He may have scaled down his practice, still he has found new love and is striving to give something back to that profession that made him what he is as well as to society for its benevolence. The establishment of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, the first privately owned university of Medical Sciences, not only in Nigeria but in West Africa as a whole, is part of a heartfelt desire in that direction. It is an institution designed strictly for the training of professionals in the field of medicine. It is a place he set up to mentor the younger generation who will raise the banner further aloft when he must have played his part and moved on. The University is starting with five faculties – Allied and Health Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical sciences. The university will strive to achieve global excellence in terms of teaching, research and community services. It is set to produce graduates in different fields of medicine who are not only competent in their profession but also entrepreneurial, ICT driven and that are worthy in character and learning. He has vowed to leave it as an enduring testimony to the humanity in appreciation for the benefits he derived from serving mankind and a worthy one at that.
It is not possible to discuss the nation’s democratic resurgence after years of military interregnum without reserving a place of honour for the man Peter Odili. For him, participation in politics was more of a call to service as he can be rightly said to be an accomplished man while functioning as a medical doctor in the state of his birth. He was elected and sworn in as the third Governor of Rivers State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on May 29, 1999. He served two terms which terminated on May 29, 2007. Years after, his developmental strides have remained a measuring rod for those who took over the mantle of leadership from him in that state that is, to all intents, Nigeria’s treasure trove.
Odili has packed much action into his life in 70 years to actually influence the course of history. My family, therefore, join his family in wishing him a resounding happy birthday and many more years of fruitful and enduring service to Nigeria in particular and mankind in general.

By James Ume
Ume wrote in from Abuja.

4 Students Dead, Others Injured at University of Agriculture, Makurdi

It has been a sorrowful day in the Federal University Of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, as four students have been reported dead following an accident that occurred this morning involving the School's shuttle bus and a Motorcycle.

Two students allegedly died on the spot, while another two died at the sick bay as others are struggling for survival.

There is tension in the School and it's Environs as the students have embark on a massive protest following the incidence.

Source: https://myschool.ng/news/accident-kills-students-of-university-of-agriculture-makurdi

FUTO Post-UTME Results, 2018/2019 Released

FUTO Post-UTME Result for the 2018/2019 academic session is out. Candidates who particpated in the Post-UTME screening can proceed to check their result.

The online portal for checking of the Post-UTME result has been enabled. Candidates are to follow the procedure as stated below to check their results.

How To Check FUTO Post-UTME Result
Visit: http://portal.futo.edu.ng/CheckPostUTMEResults.aspx
Enter your JAMB Registration Number in the space provided and click "Submit"
Generate an invoice and make payment of N1000 for result checking using a Credit/Debit card.
After payment, revisit the link above
Enter you JAMB Registration Number in the space provided
Click "Submit" and proceed to check your result.

Senior Lecturer, son rape 13-year-old maid

A 51-year-old Senior Lecturer in the Department of Catering and Hotel Management, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Andrew Ogbuja, has been nabbed and dragged to court for allegedly raping his 13 years old housemaid.

Mr. Ogbuja’s teenage son, Victor, was also alleged to have been part of the sexual molestation of the victim, but is now at large.

Andrew Ogbuja, who was arraigned before a Makurdi Upper Area Court on Monday, was arrested last Friday after the victim’s family raised the alarm.
When the case came up, the accused pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy, asking to be granted bail so he can go back home to have the matter resolved amicably, considering his status, especially as he was caught in the act.

The accused, who spoke through his counsel, David Ojile, equally promised to take full responsibility for the treatment of the victim, saying it was a family matter.

His plea was, however, rejected by the trial judge, Mr. Sam Kwen, who ordered the lecturer remanded at Makurdi Federal Prisons.

The case
Earlier the Police prosecutor, Inspector Patrick Sunday, told the court that on August 8, at about 12 noon, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Benue State chapter, in company of one Rose Abah of Ogene Amadu Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, reported the matter at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, of the state police command.

According to the prosecutor, “from the First Information Report, FIR, before the court, Mrs. Abah claimed that sometime in February, when her 13-year-old daughter was sick and admitted at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, she told her that when she was staying with her cousin-sister, Felicia Ogbuja in Ugbokolo town between 2013 and 2015, her son, Victor Ogbuja, raped her.

“She further said that her cousin’s husband, Andrew Ogbuja, also had canal knowledge of her.”
He said during police investigation, the said Andrew Ogbuja was arrested, while the said Victor Ogbuja was at large, noting that “the offence is punishable under Sections 97 and 284 of the Penal Code of Benue State 2004.”
However, no plea was taken because the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, while the judge, Mr. Kwen, adjourned the case to September 24.

Sodomised, too
Speaking to newsmen after the court sitting, a caregiver and Founder of Restorer of PathCare Foundation, Evangelist Enewa Soo, stated that sometime in June, the case was reported to her through the International Federation of Women Lawyers and she has since been making sure that the victim’s health was restored.

Soo said: “At the time they brought the girl, she was very sick and when we began to make our findings, we discovered that she was actually raped and the doctors confirmed that she was allegedly sexually abused through the virgina and the anus by one Victor Ogbuja, her guardian’s son.

“Since then we have been trying to see how we can restore her health. We took her to a teaching hospital where series of tests were carried out and she has also been booked for Vesicovaginal Fistula, VVF, operation in Jos, Plateau State, from September 16 to 17.”

Soo lamented that the girl had been emotionally and mentally depressed as a result of her situation and called on parents to beware of who they leave their children with.

The son started in 2013, says victim
Narrating her ordeal, the victim, a JSS 1 student of Federal Government College, Gboko, said her guardian’s son first raped her in 2013 and warned her never to disclose it to anyone.

Her story: “It all started in 2013 when I came to live with my mother’s sister in Ugbokolo because there was no school in my village.

“When I was eight years old, the son started sleeping with me and when his sister caught him, she reported him to their father and the father scolded him.

“From there, the father also started sleeping with me and I told my mother. My mother told my elder sister, who later took me to Makurdi for check up. Last year September, when I went to school and started feeling sick, I was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, where I spent two months and five days before I was discharged.

“In the hospital, they discovered that what my aunty’ son and his father did to me was responsible for my condition. My mother went to confront my aunty and the husband, but they did not take the matter serious, that is why we brought the case here. I want my health back.”

FUT Minna
Meanwhile, the management of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, has sacked one of its lecturers, Omananyi Yunusa, over his involvement in sexual harassment of a female student of the institution.

The university’s Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Lydia Legbo, said the dismissal of Mr. Yunusa, a lecturer in the Department of Geology, followed the outcome of investigation into alleged sexual assault of a female student in the department over marks.

The dismissal was approved during the University Council’s 131st meeting after an investigative panel constituted by Vice Chancellor, Abdullahi Bala, found Yunusa guilty of inappropriate relationship with the student.

Students react
According to a student of the institution, “the news was kept away from media to avoid distraction. In fact, most other departments were not aware.”
A colleague of the victim, who does not want his name mentioned for fear of victimisation, claimed that Yunusa’s dismissal would “bring peace to the department. My Class Governor is a lady, but feels very reluctant when we want to have anything to do with Mr. Yunusa.

“It got to a time, we felt like impeaching her, only to realise that she was avoiding the lecturer because of harassment. We all got the notice about his dismissal; he disappointed himself.”

The institution’s Vice Chancellor said the dismissal of the lecturer would serve as lesson to others to ensure total elimination of sexual harassment in the university community.
The lecturer’s dismissal follows a similar one in another university.

…other institutions
On June 20, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, dismissed a lecturer, Richard Akindele, after he was found guilty of misconduct with a female student of the school.

Also, on July 12, Lagos State University, LASU, issued a query to Sunkanmi Odubunmi, another lecturer involved in a scandal with a student. The case is before a Joint Action Disciplinary Committee.

By Peter Duru

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/senior-lecturer-son-rape-13-year-old-maid/

Awka Prison Inmate Registers for Masters Degree Programme at Open University.

AN inmate of the Awka Prisons in Anambra State, Mr. Jude Onwuzulike has registered for a Master’s degree programme in Information Technology at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN.

The 39-year old Onwuzulike, a father of four, was inducted at the 7th matriculation ceremony of the institution held recently at the prison premises. Authorities of NOUN and the Nigeria Prison Service, however decided to organize a special ceremony for the inmates.

The excited Onwuzulike told reporters during the ceremony that he had earlier obtained the Bachelor’s degree and Post Graduate Diploma from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, respectively before he was sentenced to prison.

He said: “My first degree was in Accounting, which I obtained in 2005, while the second degree was in Mathematics. When I came here, I did a Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology and I am now pursuing Masters degree in the same discipline.”.

He explained that he had to go into another discipline from his first degree course of study due to what he described as unsatisfactory manner the case that led to his imprisonment was investigated by security operatives, particularly the Department of State Services, DSS. He, however did not give details of what brought him to the prison.

Describing the prison as not conducive for learning, Onwuzulike who is serving life imprisonment, said it would require only a focused person to maximize the opportunity provided by the NOUN.

“Here you see all kinds of people, the uneducated, those who lack parental upbringing and those who were brought up in the motor park.

“As you are reading, they will be distracting you, including asking you to switch off the lights for them to sleep,” he said.

The representative of the Vice chancellor of NOUN, Dr. Scholastica Ezeribe, expressed delight at the inmate’s enthusiasm towards academics.
Ezeribe urged other inmates to utilize the opportunity provided by the government to better the lots of prison inmates, adding that the knowledge they acquired in prison would be of great benefit when they regained their freedom.
According to her, the vice-chancellor of NOUN, Professor Abdalla Adamu was passionate about the programme, which was why he graciously offered it to the inmates free of charge in order to encourage them and to give them hope in life.

The officer in charge of Awka Prisons, DSP Ezenam Andrew said the programme was one of the reformative packages of the Nigeria Prison Service to make the inmates useful and productive so as not to be threats to the society after their discharge from prison.

By Vincent Ujumadu.

MASSOB condemns proposed traditional title for Ganduje

MOVEMENT for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday condemned the proposed traditional chieftaincy title to be given to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State by HRH, Eze Eberechi Dick in Aba, Abia State.

Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State.

The group which described the proposal as a slap on Ndigbo wondered at the rationale for such eloquent honour on a man alleged to have always exhibited ethnical hatred for Ndigbo.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki by the National Director of Information of MASSOB, Comrade Edeson Samuel, the group threatened that it will never allow Governor Ganduje to step his foot in Aba or the palace of HRM, Eberechi Dick, describing the conferrer as a major Biafra saboteur if he decides to go ahead with the conferment of the traditional title on the governor.

“The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has condemned the proposed traditional chieftaincy title on Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor of Kano State by HRM, Eze Eberechi Dick.
“Mere proclamation of such installation is a traditional slap on Ndigbo. What is the rationale for such eloquent honour to a man who grossly and disrespectfully dishonoured and exhibited venoms of ethnical hatred for Ndigbo.

“There are many alleged atrocities and evils committed against Ndigbo by Governor Ganduje. In the case of the alleged murder of an Igbo woman named Mrs Bridget Agbahime in Kano state by sponsored Islamic fundamentalists, Governor Ganduje did nothing in the prosecution of the prime suspects.

“MASSOB recalled that on June 2, the 74-year-old kitchen utensils trader from Imo State was brutally attacked and killed at Kofar Wambai market in Kano by a Muslim mob who accused her of blasphemy. According to Biafra Intelligence Agency’s report, she was pounced upon and murdered after she refused to allow a Muslim man perform ablution in front of her shop.

“And five months into the incident, more than enough time for Governor Ganduje and the Kano State government to have arrived at a closure on that act of bestiality, what did the family get? Just when they were bracing up for a firm prosecution that will lead to conviction, they were treated to the familiar abracadabra that is peculiar to the country’s legal system.

“In what must go down as a classic judicial swindle, the chief magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, acting on the advice of the Attorney General of Kano State through Governor Ganduje discharged the suspects and terminated the case.”

By Peter Okutu.

Nigerian Men Should Impregnate Us Else We Will Hit The Street To Demostrate

Some group of military women reported to be Nigerian have hinted to hit the street soon if men do not approach them for marriage proposals.

According to the information picked by NAIJweb.ng, these female soldiers are in dire need of men who they can also call their husbands.

The most intriguing aspect of all is that, these women want to have babies of their own after making so much money now.

Sadly, the Nigerian men are scared to approach them for marriage leaving them frustrated and devastated.

The information didn’t stated the date and time for their intended protest.

Do you think Nigerian men are fear for which reason they can’t propose to military women?

Burial Arrangement Of Unizik Lecturer

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The University community will tomorrow Wednesday, August 15, 2018 bid farewell to late Dr. Andrew Obiajulu, a Senior lecturer of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Dr. Obiajulu, until his death was from Nza-Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Be patriotic, Obiano urges Corps members

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has called on corps members posted to the state to discharge their duties during their service year with the spirit of patriotism, and to work as teams.

Chief Willie Obiano
Obiano gave the admonition at the closing of the Orientation Camp at the Temporary Orientation Site, Umunya in Oyi Council Area on Monday.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Bonaventure Enemali, Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, charged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state, using their intellect, resourcefulness, energy and positive attitude.

He said Anambra was happy to have the corps members posted to the state and assured them of hospitality of the people, to enable them excel during the service year.

“You are advised to approach the rural populace with open mind and be ready to complement their efforts with your skills and talent, so that you will leave an indelible and enduring mark in the hearts of the members of your host communities,” he said.
In his speech, Mr Kehinde Aremu, Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra, congratulated Corps members for successful camping exercise.

Aremu said a total of 2,200 members of the 2018 Batch B Stream One had been successfully posted to their places of primary assignment.

He urged them to see themselves as catalysts of positive change, good ambassadors of the NYSC and shining examples for other youths to emulate.
“I implore all Corps employers to assign them challenging responsibilities commensurate with their qualifications and status,” the coordinator said.

He thanked Rt Rev Owen Nwaokolo, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger and the host communities for accommodating the scheme, while expressing hope that work at the permanent site would be completed soon, for them to relocate.