ASUU TO HOLD EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN JULY

ASUU TO HOLD EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN JULY

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will organise national education conference in July to address the problems facing the nation’s education system, its National President, Nasir Fagge, has said.

Mr. Fagge made this known in Ibadan on Thursday at a symposium with the theme: “ASUU 2013 Strike and the Lessons’’, organised by the Education Right Campaign, ERC.

He said that presentations at the conference would be forwarded to the National Assembly to form part of national policy on education.

Mr Fagge said that the first challenge confronting Nigeria’s education system was the 1999 Constitution, which he said, was not people- oriented and needed to be changed.

“Our constitution is not people-oriented. We must jettison it. A law that protects a leader who steals public fund is definitely not people- oriented,’’ he said.

He said that the fundamental right in the constitution did not make education the right of Nigerians.

“We must have a right to quality education,” he said.

Recounting the lessons learnt from the strike, which paralysed academic activities in Nigerian Universities for six months, Fagge said the call to proceed on the strike was a difficult decision for the union.

He said that the strike was an `eye opener’ for the union, adding that it helped to expose the deplorable state of higher education in the country.

“The strike was beyond payment of salaries of universities lecturers, it was meant to pressurize the government to address the rot in the nation’s education system.

“If we did not withdraw our services, we would continue to turnout half-baked students who at best are quarter to best.

“I, however, believe that if I do what is just, posterity will judge me,” he said.

The ASUU president assured that the union had put in place appropriate machinery to ensure that the N200 billion released to public universities by the government was utilised for the intended purposes.

PREMIUM TIMES AND AGENCY REPORT

NEW SUG PRO TAKES OVER SUG BLOG, USN

INTERESTING: New UNIZIK SUG PRO Listens, Takes over SUG Blog and USN

Barely a week after the editor of The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Students' Facebook Fan page  Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu wrote an open advice to the new Public Relations Officer, PRO, of The Students' Union Government, SUG, of the institution, the new PRO, Comrade Clinton Nwobu listened and finally agreed to take over from where the Comrade of the year Ezenwa Prince Obiora stopped.

The former PRO made this known on the SUG Blog.

Below are other information released by the former PRO via the blog

*The SUG High court under the auspices of His lordship Moneme Andy  Ifesi, has established a law biding UNIZIK SUG News, USN, any elected PRO of the union
will be guided by these laws;

* The new PRO now takes over SUG blog management.

This is a good development and the Students' Facebook fan page will always put in the best to support the efforts of the new PRO so that he will achieve better than his predecessor.

May God help us all.

UNIZIK SUG Election Petition: Cico Appeals Ruling on Preliminary Objection

Humphrey Onyemesili's Petition: UNIZIK SUG President Cico Appeals Ruling on Preliminary Objection

The respondent to Humphrey Onyemesili's petition against the 2013/2014 Students' Union Government, SUG, Presidential election of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK, who is equally the university's SUG President Comrade Ibe Cico, last week, appealed the SUG High Court Ruling on the preliminary objection challenging the original jurisdiction of the high court to entertain the case.

The SUG high court earlier ruled that the court has the original jurisdiction over the petition.

Due to the appeal filed at the appellate court by the respondents, the hearing on the subtansive suite could not commence Monday as earlier scheduled.

Judges of the appeal court include the Dean of the law faculty who is equally the chairman of the appellate court, The Head Department of Political Science, Dean of Students Affairs and The institution's Guidance and Counsellor.

As at the time of filing this report, no date have been fixed for hearing on the appeal.

Samung Galaxy S5 Set To Be Launched

Great Smartphone Manufacturer Samsung is set to launch the new Samsung Galaxy S5.

Below are the full specifications of the smartphone which is equally weather and dust proof. A key feature that protects the device from all weather conditions even when dropped inside water.

GENERAL
2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

4G Network: LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600

SIM: Nano-SIM

Announced: Announced February 2014

Status: Expected to be released 2014, March

BODY
Dimensions - N/A
Weight - N/A

- Fingerprint sensor

DISPLAY
Type: Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors

Size: 1440 x 2560 pixels, 5.25 inches (~559 ppi pixel density)

Multitouch: Yes

Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 - TouchWiz UI

SOUND
Alert types: Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones

Loudspeaker: Yes

3.5mm jack: Yes

MEMORY
Card slot: microSD, up to 64GB

Internal 32/64 GB storage,

3 GB RAM

DATA
GPRS: Yes

EDGE: Yes

Speed: HSDPA, 42.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps; LTE, Cat4, 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL

WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth: Yes, v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, LE

NFC: Yes

Infrared port: Yes

USB: Yes, microUSB v2.0 (MHL 2), USB On-the-go, USB Host

CAMERA
Primary: 16 MP, 4640 x 3480 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Features Dual Shot, Simultaneous HD video and image recording, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization, HDR

Video: Yes, 2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, dual-video rec.

Secondary: Yes, 3.2 MP,1080p@30fps, dual video call

FEATURES
OS: Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat)

Chipset: Qualcomm
Snapdragon 805

CPU: Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400

Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture
Messaging SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSS

Browser : HTML5

Radio: No

GPS: Yes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS

Java: Yes, via Java MIDP emulator

Colors: Black, White

- Wireless charging (market dependent)

- ANT+ support

- S-Voice natural language commands and dictation

- Smart stay, Smart pause, Smart scroll

- Air gestures

- Dropbox (50 GB cloud storage)

- Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic

- TV-out (via MHL 2 A/V link)

- SNS integration

- MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264/H.263 player

- MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3/FLAC player

- Organizer

- Image/video editor

- Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)

- Google Search, Maps, Gmail,
YouTube, Calendar, Play Store, Google Talk, Picasa, BBM.

- Voice memo/dial/commands

- Predictive text input (Swype)

BATTERY
Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery

On The Suspension of Sanusi by Femi Falana

Very recently, President Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have asked Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to resign as the Governor of the Central Bank . Convinced that he could only be removed by the President with the approval of the Senate Mr Sanusi turned down the request and dared the President to remove him.

Having regard to his irreconcilable differences with the Jonathan Administration on the operation and management of the Federation Account Mr Sanusi ought to have voluntarily resigned his appointment.

But he decided to remain in office while taking the Administration to the cleaners at the tail end of his 5-year tenure.

To that extent, Mr Sanusi has himself to blame for his suspension from office on account of alleged financial recklessness.

Since Mr Sanusi has been placed on suspension the law presumes that he is still the substantive Governor of the CBN. Therefore, pending the end of his tenure or removal from office through the Senate there is no basis for the appointment of a new CBN governor.

President Jonathan is advised to suspend the process for the replacement of the CBN governor by withdrawing the new nomination forwarded to the Senate as the nation cannot have a suspended governor and a substantive governor of the CBN at the same time.

In the alternative, the Senate should put off any debate on the fresh nomination pending the end of the tenure of the suspended governor.

However, the diversion of huge public funds from the Federation Account alleged by Mr Sanusi should not be swept under the carpet. At the same time, the allegations of financial recklessness leveled against Mr Sanusi ought to be investigated without any delay.

Once again, I call on the Federal Government to allow the Auditor-General of the Federation to audit the accounts of the CBN and the NNPC by virtue of section 85 of the Constitution.

The reports of such audit should then be submitted to the National Assembly for necessary action in line with the provisions of section 85(4) of the Constitution.

Femi Falana SAN.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Senate Confirms NAPSS Blog Press Crew and Magazine Editorial Norminees

The Senate of The National Association of Political Science Students, NAPSS, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, chapter today confirmed the department blog press crew and magazine editorial board nominees sent by the executive.

Those that addressed the house during the screening include The Editor-in-Chief of The blog Honourable Chukwuemerie C Uduchukwu and Editor-in-Chief of the Magazine Honourable Ifeanyi C Udeze.

The following have been confirmed as members of NAPSS Blog Press Crew:

1. Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu (Editor-in-Chief) Dept: Political Science

2. Ejisioha Johnpaul (member) Dept: Political Science

3.Frank Onwubiko (member) Dept: Mass Communication

4. Ferguson Philip (member) Dept: Mass Communication

5. Emenike Chigbo (member) Dept: Political Science

6. Joy Alama (member) Dept: Political Science

In a related development, the following who are all political science undergraduates have been confirmed as members of NAPSS magazine editorial board:

1. Udeze Ifeanyi (Editor-in-Chief)
2. Ede Joel (member)
3. Nobel Eyisi (member)
4. Onyekaba Samuel (member)
5. Patrick Ozurumba (member)
6. Arinze Daniel (member)
7. Delight Chimdiuto Ebujie (member)

The above are directed to commence their various functions immediately.

Also the senate today passed a motion calling on the authorities of the department to consider  conducting examinations of the Continuous Education Programme, CEP, students that have outstanding results with that of the regular students. The motion was sponsored by Senator Kingsley O. Oriere of the CEP III constituency.

Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau Give Out More Threats

ALERT: Below is the full text of the 28 minute video by Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau, Delivered in Hausa, Translated to English by PREMIUM TIMES and published today:

“My brethren…you should hold on to your weapons and continue fighting. Let them understand that our work is not confined to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa (states).

Make them understand that we are not restricted by emergency rule. They should
understand we are under the canopy of Allah. “This is the beginning. Yes, this is the beginning.

“We Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad are
fighting Christians wherever we meet them and those who believe in democracy, those who pursue Western education wherever we meet them.

By Allah, we will kill whoever practices Democracy.

“And you the infidels of Rivers state, Niger (Delta), the town of Jonathan, Shekau is talking to you (sounds of gunshots). Shekau is talking to you, that small boy that has become the nightmare of
infidels is talking to you.

“Oh you the leader of the Niger Delta, you will soon see your refinery destroyed. You will in the incoming days see your refinery you are boasting about bombed.

Our refinery is Allah. “Niger-Delta you are in trouble.
Jonathan you are in trouble… Banki Moon you are in trouble, Bejamin Natanyahu you are in trouble, Queen Elizabeth you are in trouble, Babangida, Kwankwaso, Shekarau, Kashim, Buhari, you are in trouble.

“Yahaya Jingir…the cleric of Jos, the advocate of ‘Boko Halal’, right? We are Boko
Haram, you are Boko Halal. You will see, bastard.

“We killed Albani of Zaria. We killed Albani of Zaria. Shekau killed Albani of Zaria. Tomorrow he will kill Jingir, the day after tomorrow he will kill Dapchia, the next day he will kill Wapchama, next he will kill Shehu of Borno, Ado Bayero.

We rebel against you, between us and you is enmity and rancour until you believe only in Allah.

“The reason why I will kill you is because you are infidels, you follow Democracy… Whoever follows Democracy is an infidel.

This is Shekau, this is why I’m in enmity with you. “Buhari is an infidel, Babangida is an infidel, Atiku is an infidel, late Yar’adua was an infidel, Shehu of Borno is an infidel.

You are all infidels. What makes you infidels is Democracy and constitution and western education…

I therefore call on brethren in Kano to rise up and replicate the Baga attack. “All these infidels we are the ones killing them. We enjoy shedding their blood.

“The Koran must be supreme, we must establish Islam in this country; Not only in Borno, we will henceforth destroy any schools wherever we see them”.
-----------------------------

SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES

HUMPHREY ONYEMESILI WINS ROUND ONE AT SUG HIGH COURT

Hearing on the Presidential Election Petition filed by Comrade Humphrey Onyemesili challenging the election of Comrade Ibe Cico Michael as the President, Students' Union Government, SUG, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK,  continued today at the UNIZIK SUG High Court.

In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that it has original jurisdiction to entertain the substantive suite and therefore strike out the preliminary objection raised by the Defence Counsel O.O Anyanwu.

In a related development, the court also strike out another objection challenging the relevance of the UNIZIK SUG constitution on the substantive suite.

The Defence Counsel had earlier raised an objection challenging the relevance of UNIZIK SUG Constitution on the substantive suite claiming that the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the only relevant constitution to the case.

The court also strike out another objection raised by the defence counsel which claimed that the petition was filed contrary to the provisions of the UNIZIK SUG Electoral Act. The court ruled that the UNIZIK SUG constitution supersedes the union's electoral act.

In a reaction after today's ruling of the court, the petitioner Comrade Humphrey Onyemesili said that it was a justification of democracy and expressed optimism that justice will prevail at the end.

Comrade Onyemesili also disclosed that he is already making history.

In another reaction, a former Senator of The National Association of Political Science Students, NAPSS, UNIZIK chapter, Senator Benjamin Anyaegbunam, disclosed that the ruling was a justification of the rule of law as all the objections raised by the defence counsel were dismissed and 'thrown into the dustbin'.

Efforts to get the reactions of the respondent who is also the SUG President were fruitless as he said earlier through a telephone call that he was busy with lectures in the classroom. His phone was later switched off.

Hearing on the substantive suite have been adjourned to Monday 24th February, 2014.

Hearing of Humphrey Onyemesili's Suit Commences

Hearing on Comrade Humphrey Onyemesili's Suit Adjourned Till Tomorrow As Judge Warned Defence Counsel To Stop Misleading The Court

The first hearing on the substantive suit filed by Comrade Humphrey Onyemesili challenging the election of Comrade Ibe Cico Michael as the 2013/2014 President of The Students' Union Government, SUG, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK, was today stalled following the Defence Counsel's preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the SUG High Court over the case.

The Defense Counsel O.O Anyanwu argued that The SUG High Court of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK), lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

However, Counsel to the complainant R.C Ezechukwu SAL, maintained that the UNIZIK SUG constitution empowered the SUG High Court to entertain the Suit.

However, a drama was witnessed at the court room when the defence counsel told the counsel to the complainant during an argument that he should listen to him as he was there to teach him law. The judge at that point warned the defense counsel to stop misleading the Court.

Ruling on the preliminary objection raised over the jurisdiction of the court by the defence counsel was adjourned to Wednesday 18th February 2014.

Humphrey Onyemesili Drags Cico and University's Electoral Committee to Moot Court

In a historic move, the runner up in the just concluded 2013/2014 SUG Presidential Election of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK) Comrade Onyemesili Humphrey from the Department of Political Science has filed a case challenging the election of Comrade Ibe Cico Michael of the Department of Chemical Engineering as the SUG president at the University's Moot Court.

During an interview, Comrade Humphrey Onyemesili disclosed that he had faith in the process but after the results were announced, he was not satisfied with the outcome especially the results that emerged from the Faculty of Law.

He however, declined to disclose his evidences but said that they will be revealed at the Moot court.

The first hearing of the case will come up tomorrow at the Moot Court by 9am.

President Omaliko Presents N785, 000 Budget

The NAPSS Senate held her 2nd sitting Friday as the President Comrade Emeka Omaliko Presented the executive budget.

At the start of the meeting, the senators debated on their dress code but the debate was suspended after Senator Kos Felix Ekechukwu of the 300 Level regular constituency alerted the distinguished house that it was improper for them to be discussing their private affairs in a sitting attended by some members of the executive.

That prompted the senate president Senator Stanley to call on President Omaliko to present the budget thereby ending the dress code debate.

According to President Omaliko, The grand total of the Appropriation Bill is N785,000.

Major programmes of the budget includes the Luncheon and 3rd Zik's lecture series, expected to hold on 16thMay, 2014; and which will cost roughly N298,000; and the Exchange programme at The University of Calabar. Others are Excursion at Cross River State government house and House of Assembly coupled with picnic at Tinapa, Calabar. All are expected to cost NAPSS  N500,000.

Also in the budget are the production of NAPSS magazine and Political Science Students' Christian Union (POSSCU) events, budgeted at the cost of a hundred thousand naira and a hundred and ten thousand naira respectively.

Expected revenue from NAPSS dues amounts to about N593,500 for the regulars and diplomas; and a total of about N934,500 for the three degree programmes of regulars,diplomas and the CEP.

After the presentation, some senators asked for some clarifications which the president did.

During the senate sitting, A senior professor of the department and director of Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneur Research Prof. E.A Egbo walked in honourably, took a bow and pleaded with the house to conclude the sitting as soon as possible to enable him conduct his lectures for the Continuous Education Programme, CEP students. The Senate accepted the Professor's plea and adjourned.

It is expected that the screening of the NAPSS Press crew and judges submitted by the president will be done during the next sitting of the house.

What Valentine Is All About by Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu

Many people are now talking about Valentine Day but most of them don't even know the Principles of the saint they are celebrating.

St. Valentine was never known for deceit, lust, all night party, sex and nonexisting love. The saint is always celebrated due to his humility, care for the needy and fear of God.

Therefore if you are going contrary to the principles of the saint, you are never his epistle but saboteur.

It is so unfortunate that many people are deceiving themselves claiming to be remembering a man that was known for his fear of God.

Many are deceiving themselves as a result of their lust for material gains. A professor even said that there is nothing like love in Nigeria, rather Nigerians are always reacting to the symptoms that rise due to their desperation to achieve their selfish instead of selfless interests, need to protect their dignity and satisfy their lust for material things especially that of the flesh which are never attributes of love.

Above all, if you claim to be remembering St. Valentine, never engage your self in any activity that is against the principles of the saint and fear of God.

Thanks.

Wonders Shall Never End

*Man arrested for allegedly raping 10-year-old girl

*Girl was raped four times

A man, who claimed to be a journalist, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Ijebu-Ode.

The 47-year-old suspect, Tosin Awotedo, was said to have raped the girl, a ‘fufu’ hawker, four times on Wednesday in his Igbeba apartment.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the suspect was arrested by the police after the victim’s mother, who was alerted by her neighbours, reported to the police.

When the suspect was interrogated by the Divisional Police Officer Igbeba, Halilu Muahawiya, he claimed to be a journalist. This was later found out to be false.

The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the story.

Mr. Adejobi said the victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination and that a case of defilement was established against the suspect who would be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta for prosecution.

Robbery suspect killed

Meanwhile, the anti-crime patrol attached to the Onipanu Division, Ota, Ogun State on Wednesday engaged some armed men in a shootout at Ilasa Road, Iyesi, Ota.

One of the robbers was killed while the others reportedly escaped with bullet wounds.

Mr. Adejobi, in a statement, said the robbery victim recounted that the robbers trailed him from a bank where he withdrew N100, 000 and robbed him at gunpoint in his residence in Iyesi Ota.

“The police detectives, who responded swiftly to a distress call from his neighbours, gave the robbers a hot chase before the gun battle ensued between the police and the robbers.

One browning pistol with its ammunition and N65,000 were recovered from the dead robber. The command wishes to assure the general public in Ogun State of adequate protection of lives and property and urges the good people of the state to always contact the police whenever the needs arise as the Commissioner of Police Ogun State CP Ikemefuna Okoye appreciates those neighbours of the victim who put a distress call across to the police,” the statement said.

PREMIUM TIMES

Why Jonathan fired Stella Oduah, Orubebe, two others

**Some of the ministers sacked Wednesday have corruption allegations hanging on their necks

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday summoned uncommon courage, firing four of his ministers – three of which have been enmeshed in controversies and corruption allegations.

The sack of the four ministers is the second major overhaul of the lacklustre federal cabinet undertaken by President Jonathan in the last seven months.

The ministers relieved of their appointments are Stella Oduah (Aviation), Godsday Orubebe (Niger
Delta Affairs), Caleb Olubolade (Police Affairs) and Yerima Ngama (Finance).

Briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, said the
president announced the removal of the ministers during the meeting.

“The President announced further changes in the Federal Executive Council,” Mr. Maku said. “He
said a number of ministers had been asked to step out from the council to pursue their own interests, some in politics and others in their own private focus.

Mainly what the President did today was to allow the Ministers that have indicated interest in pursuing further growth in the economy to be allowed to go.”

Mr. Maku said the Aviation ministry would now be supervised by the Minister of State for Trade and
Investment, Samuel Ortom. While the Ministry of Niger Delta would be supervised by its Minister of State, Gauis Ishaku , the Ministry of Police Affairs would be supervised by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Olajumoke
Akinjide.

The Ministry of Finance would continue to be manned by its minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Showing them the door

While Ms. Oduah was sacked in absentia as she was not at the cabinet meeting, the other affected
ministers were in attendance at what turned out their last FEC meeting.

The ministers of police affairs and Niger Delta affairs however left before the end of the meeting.

The sack of the cabinet members came barely seven months after nine of their colleagues were dropped and two weeks after the president sent 12 ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The ministers sacked last September were Shamsuddeen Usman (Minister of National Planning), Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs), Hadiza Mailiafia (Environment), Ruqqayat Ahmed
(Education), Ita Ewa (Science and Technology) and Ama Pepple (Housing and Urban Development).

Others were Bukar Tijani (Minister of State for Agriculture), Zainab Kuchi (Power), and Olusola Obada (Defence).

The new ministerial nominees the president sent to the Senate on January 21 for confirmation are
Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Akon Eyakeni (Akwa Ibom), Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Lawrencia Mallam (Kaduna), Aminu Wali (Kano) and Jumilia Salim  (Kano).

Asabe Ahmed (Niger), Abduljelili Oyewale (Osun), T.W. Danagogo (Rivers) and Khaliru Alhassan
(Sokoto) were also nominated.

Before the removal of the nine ministers nine months ago, two others — Haliru Mohammed (Defence), and Inuwa Abdul-kadir (Youth Affairs) — were dropped while Ali Pate (Minister of State for Health) resigned to take up a teaching appointment in the United States.

PREMIUM TIMES

Former UNIZIK SUG Speaker Etiaba Dies

He Graduated from the Department of Philosophy in 2009, returned for second degree through direct entry to Study Law, whilst he was
studying law he was working with UBA Bank, Unizik branch.

He died of tetanus infection.

May his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.

Source: UNIZIK SUG Blog

PDP is “Pharaoh-like organisation” God has rejected, Tinubu says

A leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC,
Bola Tinubu, has described Nigeria’s ruling
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a ‘Pharaoh-like
organization,’ from which God has liberated
Nigerians. Mr. Tinubu said the current implosion in
the PDP was as a result of the arrow of confusion
God threw into the ruling party.
Pharaoh was the title of the King of Egypt, who,
according to the Bible, refused to allow the
Israelites go to the Land of Canaan promised by
God.
Mr. Tinubu, who spoke at the weekend through an
aide, Idowu Ajanaku, at a ceremony to unveil the
APC logo in the United States, said God had finally
decided to liberate Nigerians from the ruling party
with the formation of the APC.
The PDP has been entangled in crises leading to
the defection of some of its notable members to
the APC. Five of its governors and many members
in the National and some state Houses of
Assembly decamped to the APC in the last three
months.
“The implosion currently going on in the PDP is
also as a result of the arrow of confusion thrown
into it by God for this monstrous, gigantic,
visionless and directionless octopus cannot be
allowed by God to continue to lead the people to
utter destruction,” Mr. Tinubu said.
“In fact, God has decided to liberate the Nigerian
people from the hands of this Pharaoh-like
organization, hardened in impunity and corruption
by afflicting them with the loss of every capacity to
listen to the voice of reason or repentance.
“APC is not just a party but a mass movement
where people of different ethnic groups, language,
class, religion are welcome without any form of
discrimination. It is the Peoples’ Party; it is the
voice of God.”
Mr. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said
the formation of the APC was both divine and
human, to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.
He said the collapse of the country was imminent
due to the alleged ineptitude displayed in
governance by the PDP in the last 15 years, which
he said had taken a toll on Nigeria and Nigerians
without leaving out any sector.
APC was registered as a political party by the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
last July following the successful merger talks
between the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All
Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Congress for
Progressives Change, CPC, and a section of All
Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
According to the former governor, the way and
manner Nigerians were embracing the opposition
party and responding to its clarion call to save the
country were an indication that its formation was
divine.
He said the formation of the APC was ‘a fulfillment
of the prediction of the late sage, Chief Obafemi
Awolowo, a globally accepted icon of progressive
leadership in Africa, in one of his books, ‘The
Hero,’ that ‘the best of the conservative and the
best of the progressive will one day rule Nigeria.’
“The APC has come to fulfill this prediction and will
surely give Nigeria the much desired new lease of
life.”
On the claim by some opponents of the APC that it
had no ideology, Mr. Tinubu explained that its
ideology was to provide massive infrastructure,
employment of the youth, restructuring of the
nation, electricity and power generation and
supply, which the PDP has failed to do.
He called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to join their
kith and kin in the country to save Nigeria and to
look forward to the party forming the government
at the federal level in 2015.
A senator, representing the Ondo North Senatorial
District, Ajayi Boroffice, who was the guest of
honour at the event, saluted the courage of Mr.
Tinubu and other chieftains of the APC including
Bisi Akande, Muhamadu Buhari and Ogbonnaya
Onu for sinking their differences to float the party.
Mr. Boroffice, who defected to the APC from the
Labour Party, LP, two years ago, extolled the
leaders for sacrificing personal gains in order to
banish poverty, impunity and lawlessness in
Nigeria.
He described them as “great men with great minds
for this great season.”
He described the PDP as “a party without vision”
and that as long as the party kept ruling Nigeria,
the country would not move forward.

PREMIUM TIMES

ASUU Accuses Nigerian Government of Violating New Agreement

*The union said the government has failed to release funds as agreed

The Nigerian Government has breached a section of an agreement it signed last year to end a five-month old strike by university lecturers on December 17, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has alleged.

The union said the government has failed to release the N20 billion it pledged, amongst other
commitments, to universities at the beginning of each quarter of the year.

Speaking to journalists at the University of Ibadan, Friday evening, ASUU National Treasurer, Ademola Aremu, said part of the agreement reached with Federal Government was that the government would pay N20 billion at the start of each quarter to cater for areas of needs identified in the needs
assessment carried on universities.

“This is February and the government is yet to release the money for the quarter,” Mr. Aremu said.

Mr. Aremu, who spoke on behalf of ASUU president, Nasir Fagge, said the union had to start raising the alarm now to avoid the embarrassment the last strike caused the nation and its education system.

Last year’s strike by the union paralysed academic activities in all public universities in the country for
nearly six months, over ASUU’s insistence that Federal Government fulfil an agreement reached the union in 2009.

Describing the strike as needless but inevitable, Mr. Aremu recalled that if the government had been sincere, academic activities will not be disrupted as is often the case when lecturers go on strike.

“All the strike ASUU had embarked upon in this country were basically because the Federal Government has failed to honour agreements freely entered to with us.

It is also sad that before we
begin each of those strike, we would give the government enough warnings and grace to make them retrace their steps. But they always fail,” Mr Aremu said.

“We don’t know why the government is always unwilling to implement the documents signed by their representatives.

However, we will continue to
fight for the system because if the system collapse we will collapse with it.”

Earlier, the ASUU chairman at the University of Ibadan, Olusegun Ajiboye, said it was unfortunate that successive governments in Nigeria don’t learn from history as they always wait till major standoff with their members before doing the needful.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian media for standing by ASUU during the struggle, adding that the support was not really for the members, but for a better Nigeria.

According to Mr. Ajiboye, the strike would not have recorded the level of success it did if the press did not stand by the lecturers.

He, however, said the struggles was not over yet, saying journalists must see it as duty to monitor proper disbursement of monies promised to be injected into the university system.

“You must ensure that every money is used for the purpose it is meant for. You must also challenge us to justify the fruit of the fight.

When we are going astray, please do not keep quiet. That is your mandate as the fourth estate of the realm,” he
said.

The ASUU boss also charged journalists to take deeper interest in the crisis rocking the Ibadan-based Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, where he said the management was treating the staff in unfair manner.

Bayo Okunade, a professor of political science, who represented the UI Vice Chancellor, Isaac Adewole, said if the press had not communicated the demands of ASUU to Nigerians effectively, it would not get the public appeal it got, and may not have been a success.

PREMIUM TIMES

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi Donates N100 Million to UNIZIK

*The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has received yet another assistance from the Anambra State Government.

Peter Obi, the Anambra State governor, during a visit to the school on Friday, donated N100 million to the institution.

The governor asked the university to use the money to rehabilitate roads within the institution.

Mr. Obi also donated a 50KVA electricity generator and four buses to the institution.

In addition to these, the governor promised to reward all first class graduates from the university with N1millon each.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Boniface Egboka, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Greg Nwakoby, thanked the governor, saying his gesture further underlined the fact that he has the interest of the education sector at heart.

Speaking at the occasion, the director of the University’s Ekwueme Centre for Multidisciplinary Research, Israel Okoye, noted that the governor had laid a good foundation for future leaders
through his assistance to various institutions including the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

The President of the University’s Students’ union, Ibe Cico, while receiving one of the keys to the new buses donated to the SUG by the
governor, pledged to provide effective leadership for students of the university.

Also on Friday, the department of political science of the institution inducted new students and
inaugurated her newly elected students’ executive and legislative members.

Ignatius Ngini, the past President of the National
Association of Political Science Students, NAPSS,
in his handover speech, urged the new government to live up to expectation.

He also expressed his appreciation to the head of
department, lecturers and members of his administration for the wonderful support they gave
him and urged them to extend same to his successor.

He however lamented that the legislature failed to pass a single bill during his regime and urged the new legislative members to cooperate with the executive and live up to expectation.

In his inaugural speech, the new NAPSS President, Emeka Omaliko, promised to live up to expectation and move the association to a higher level.

The Head of Department, Makodi Nnabugwu, urged the new students as well as the executive and legislative members to deliver on their promises to their association.

PREMIUM TIMES

PDP-led Nigerian government ‘has turned NNPC to ATM’ – Tinubu

Perhaps alarmed by the ceaseless
allegations of sleaze and corruption
against the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, on Friday said the Corporation had been converted by
the Federal Government to an Automated Teller Machine, ATM.

Mr. Tinubu, a national leader of the
opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, blamed the Goodluck Jonathan-led federal administration as one spinning recklessly out of control in terms of spending and
corruption in the oil sector and other
slush funds channelled through
government programs to fill the pockets of party loyalists.

He specifically lamented that Nigerians were yet to get a satisfactory explanation on the 400,000 barrels stolen daily.

The governor stated this at a dinner
organised by a group, NG, in Lagos on Friday.

Apart from the alleged stolen barrels of crude, the NNPC had been accused by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Lamido Sanusi, of not remitting $20 billion to the Federation Account.

The Corporation has since denied the allegation.

Mr. Tinubu also alleged that the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, was a drain pipe used for political patronage.

According to him, N253.5 billion allegedly expended on projects by the government as at December was not reflective in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He said, “Like I have maintained
previously, the Sure-P project is a drain pipe, a slush fund for political patronage.

For instance, the N253.5 billion alleged to have being spent on projects by the Federal government as at December 2013 is not reflective in the lives of ordinary
Nigerians.

In 2012, about N180 Billion accrued to the Federal Government in
Sure-P alone”.

“Under the heavy weight of corruption, heavy dose of insecurity, the ticking time bomb of youth unemployment and a near total absence of institutional rationalization, Nigeria under President Jonathan clutches on like a battered engine in need of a complete overhaul, in fact, a change of engine.”

The APC leader, who spoke in a very
conversational tone at the dinner, used his experience as the governor of Lagos as a tool to examine what was wrong with Nigeria today both politically and economically.

“The AFDB, in its African Economic
Outlook report of 2013 revealed that
poverty has worsened since 1996 and through 11 years of the PDP rule.

The efforts of President Jonathan’s
government at combating poverty were also faulted,” he said.

He said under the current economic
environment, it was almost impossible for Nigeria to meet any of the predictions about its prosperity.

“The projection that Nigeria will soon emerge, at least in the next 30 years alongside three other countries as an economic giant by the British Economist, Jim O’Neil will for long be a mirage,” Mr. Tinubu said.

“O’Neil predicted that Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey are to become what he refers to as “MINT’.

“We all know that this is another Vision 2020 gimmick, a very distant hope with no chance of coming to fruition. Let us not for once, delude ourselves that this is possible.

“A country that is yet to export the
smallest plastic product or one that
generates a miserable 12 per cent of the total energy needs of the country can never be a candidate for “MINT”,
“BRICS” (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and as we now know, Vision 2020. Our energy woes abide”.

Offering an insight into the vision and mission of the APC, the former governor said “We formed this party to improve the lot and the lives of those who don’t have.

We formed it to bring dignity, hope,
justice and the reality of prosperity to those Nigerians who seek these things.

The PDP has never been a friend of the people and each year it becomes less of one.

They have turned their backs on the
people. Now it is time the people turn their backs against the PDP.

“The PDP claims we don’t have an
ideology. We have an ideology but it is one PDP can’t understand. What the arrogant and mean don’t understand, they pretend does not exist.”

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

PHOTO NEWS: NAPSS Inaugurates New Executive and Legislature, Inducts New Students

It was a great day at The Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka as the department Friday, inducted her new students and also inaugurated the 2013/2014 elected executive and legislative members.

During the occasion, The Head of Department Dr. Makodi Biereenu Nnabugwu while welcoming the newly admitted students, urged them to be serious with their studies because that was their major aim of admission into the university.

Dr. Nnabugwu also used the opportunity to highlight the successes of his administration so far which includes the establishment of P.N Chikendu Library, establishment of an air conditioned legislative chambers for the NAPSS legislature. He also informed the postgraduate students of the department that they shall no longer use the classrooms for their lectures as adequate preparations are been concluded to secure the air conditioned chambers for them since there is no conflict between their lecture timetable and that of the legislative sittings.

The HOD also clarified why the library is yet to be functional. He disclosed that the department cannot move any documents or properties from there without the approval of the university authorities. He however stated that the department has since written the authorities over the issue and that within a short period, the library will be functional. He also stated that efforts are on to speed up the computation of results and that he has appointed Mr. Alex Agbaenyi to head the committee that was mandated to effect the decision.

During his handover remarks, the past NAPSS President Hon Ignatius Ngini urged the new administration to work harder than his government.

The Occasion witnessed the swearing in of the new executive and legislature. The executive is headed by Hon. Emeka Omaliko of the 400 level Regular Constituency. Hon. Omaliko in his inaugural speech thanked the students for the mandate they bestowed on him and promised to put in his best for the betterment of the department.

The occasion was attended by the Head of Department, Lecturers and Students.

Pics: Women looking for husbands storm Winners Chapel Enugu in wedding dresses

This has got to be the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. There are women looking for husbands and some of them will do almost anything to get one. Lol.

So here's what happened. The pastor of a branch of Winners Chapel in Enugu during a church
service asked all the single women to wear wedding dresses to church if they want to get married this year.

The following week, single women stormed the church service in wedding dresses.

A LIB reader who attended the service said it was the funniest thing she'd ever seen and many people had a good laugh.

The women were asked to sit in front
and receive special prayers with seed sowing involved.

Bridal houses came to church that day and rented wedding dresses to women.

Source: Linda Ikeji Blog

Jonathan appoints new heads for SURE-P, NTA, NAN, others

President Goodluck Jonathan on
Thursday appointed his former spokesperson, Ima Niboro, as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

NAN is the Nigerian government’s official news agency.

The appointment was confirmed by Mr. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a statement.

In the statement, Mr. Abati also stated that the president appointed heads of some other government agencies.

One of such is the appointment of Martin Luther Agwai, a retired Army General, as the new Chairman for the Subsidy Re-investment Programme, SURE-P, a position formerly held by
Christopher Kolade, who resigned last year. 

Mr. Agwai was the former Deputy Chairman of the agency, a position to now be held by Tanwa Olusi.

The President also appointed former aviation minister and current Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, Fidelia Njeze, as his Special Adviser on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD.

He also appointed Suleiman Ajadi, a former senator, as his special adviser on National Assembly to fill the vacancy that was created after
he relieved Joy Emordi of her position.

Mr. Jonathan also appointed Sola Omole as the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and Ladan Salihu as Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN.

The statement said the appointments were “in furtherance of efforts to continually strengthen this administration on all fronts.”

It said all the appointments are with immediate effect.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

Anambra Governor to visit UNIZIK Tomorrow

He will donate three buses to Unizik, 1 for the Security department, 2 for the SUG and 3 for works department.

Time: 9:00am
Venue: Admin Block

The governor said "I want to see all students, I have something for them."

BE THERE!!!

Source: SUG Website

Faculty of Social Sciences Students' Association Inaugurates Officials Tomorrow

The inaugural ceremony of the new elected officers of the Faculty of Social Sciences Students' Association, (FOSSSA) is scheduled to hold tomorrow, on Thursday 6th, February 2014 at Prof. Uzoka Students' centre.

Time is 10am prompt.

Albeit, initially there was rumours and speculations that the event might be postponed to Monday,10th of February, sequel to the fact that the Dean, Prof. A.U Nonyelu is most likely not to be around; but it has been confirmed that the occasion will still hold tomorrow.

2013/2014 NAPSS Inauguration and Induction Fixed

The inauguration of the new Executives and Senators of NAPSS, and the induction of year one students have been scheduled to hold on Friday, 7th February, 2014.

All stakeholders are hereby notified, the past Executives and Senators are invited for presentation of their certificates of excellence.

The new students are expected to appear on the departmental uniform; the ox-blood and black trouser or skirt attire.

Documents hand-over and swearing in of the 2013/2014 NAPSS President and his EXCOs by the Chief Judge will be witnessed.

The EXCOs have promised to make the event a robust and memorable one. All students of the department and lecturers are humbly invited.

Official photos from Flavour's visit to his Alma Mater

Yesterday Monday Feb. 3rd Flavour visited his Alma Mater, College of the Immaculate Conception, CIC, Enugu to inspire and give back to the students.

Source: Linda Ikeji

Nigeria2015: Police trains 160,000 personnel for polls – IG

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the police has commenced training of 160,000 personnel at its institutions nationwide in preparation for the forthcoming elections.

This is contained a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations
Officer.

According to the statement, the police personnel are receiving relevant training on election duties
for Ekiti and Osun governorship, and for the 2015 general elections.

The statement said the I-G disclosed this when the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, paid him a visit.

“The officers are receiving specialised training on electoral laws, election security, crowd control
skills, anti-riot operations, covert intelligence operations and general principles of democratic policing’’, it said.

Mr. Abubakar said the measure was to ensure hitch-free elections in those states later in the year as well as in the 2015 general elections.

Mr. Entwistle promised U.S. increased collaboration with the Nigeria Police in the area of capacity building and other security related
matters.

He said the U.S. government was committed to the growth and success of Nigeria’s democracy and economy.

(NAN) With PREMIUM TIMES

Nigerian military clarifies April deadline for terrorism

The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said that the April deadline declared by the Chief of Defence
Staff, Alex Badeh, to end terrorism was only a motivation to soldiers to restore normalcy across Nigeria.

Mr. Badeh, an Air Marshal, during the handing over ceremony by his predecessor, had said that the Nigeria military will end terrorism by April 2014.

In a statement, Tuesday, the Defence
spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, said different interpretations of the statement “necessitated a
clarification in the interest of the general public and for record purposes”.

Mr. Olukolade said that the statement was only to motivate the soldiers to work harder towards
restoring calm in Nigeria especially in the states under emergency rule.

The states under emergency rule are Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, where the military is battling Boko Haram insurgents.

“The remarks by the CDS was meant to motivate commanders and troops to work harder towards restoration of normalcy as envisaged in the states under emergency rule.

Unfortunately, the charge has been taken too literally to mean definite
promise to end terrorism by April,” he said Mr. Olukolade said that the CDS, being optimistic, declared that April is crucial in the task against
terrorism.

“Accordingly, he declared that, April is very crucial in this task especially as a way of avoiding possible constitutional stalemate.

“All things being equal, it is envisaged that normalcy would have been restored substantially enough to guarantee restoration of normal socio-economic and political activities in these states in no distant future,” he said Mr. Olukolade noted that while Mr. Badeh discussed the menace of terrorism in parts of the country, he also implored the Service Chiefs to take steps towards bringing the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East to an end.

He, however, said that the DHQ is concerned about the implications of the varying interpretations to the remarks of the defence chief which was essentially directed to the new service chiefs’ saying that the CDS’s statement should not be mistaken for a mere grandstanding or false hope to Nigerians.

Mr. Olukolade also said that the security agencies are working hard to ensure the safety of Nigerians
as more resources and troops are being deployed to beef up the operations.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

ASUU National Leadership Blasts Mimiko For Attack On University Lecturers

The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has vowed to resist all forms of intimidation and assaults on its members across all universities in Nigeria.

ASUU President, Nasir Isa Fagge, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He said his union would not tolerate any form of hatred and
character assassination and militaristic intimidation of its members by any university sole administrator.

Mr. Fagge spoke against the backdrop of recent intimidation, assaults and attacks on its members at Adekunle Ajasin
University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) by agents of the university’s security outfit called “Sheriff Deputies.”

The ASUU leader accused the university’s Vice Chancellor, Femi Mimiko, of adopting an anti-union
posture, adding that ASUU would not
succumb to such tactics.

He described Mr. Mimiko’s order to the security outfit to attack ASUU members and thwart their effort to hold a meeting within the university as disturbing.

“It is unimaginable that a Vice Chancellor of a state-owned university in a Labor Party-controlled state would unashamedly
canvass for the castration of labor
activists,” said the ASUU leader.

“Viewed from both angles, therefore, the possibility of deliberate mischief on the part of the VC cannot be ruled out.”

He added that Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA), which is now headed by Mr. Mimiko, has benefited strongly in the aftermath of ASUU’s legendary struggle for a globally competitive university education in Nigeria.

“He pretends not to know that about 70 percent of [the] physical structures on the AAUA campus today, including the VC’s office, were financed with the ETF/TET Funds grant [of] which the 1992 ASUU
nationwide strike action sowed the seed.

“Again, Professor Mimiko appears not to recognize that the 2013 national struggle of the union fetched his university an initial N1.05 billion with the promise of an
additional significant sum in the second tranche of the 2013 revitalization fund,” the ASUU leader added.

The union decried the violation of the constitutional rights of the ASUU
members as well as members of other trade unions on the AAUA campus as inhuman.

He recalled the attacks on a delegation of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, led by the union’s Vice President, Biodun Oguyemi, at the Adekunle Ajasin
University Akungba Akoko (AAUA).

Mr. Fagge said the union strongly objected to any vice chancellor attempting to ‘surreptitiously’ curtail freedom of movement in a public space like the university.

“We condemn in strong terms Professor Mimiko’s alleged directives against the presence of ASUU vehicles on the campus of AAUA and will use all legal means
available to the union to resist it,” he
stated.

“The vice chancellor of AAUA’s declared war to crush ASUU is not new. The military waged it and failed. A civilian president tried it and failed. Professor Mimiko will also fail because [the] union will defend itself, its branch at AAUA and
its members,” said Mr. Fagge.

The union called on Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, who is an elder brother to the vice chancellor, to intervene and ensure that a competent University Governing Council was constituted.

“The absence of a properly constituted Governing Council for more than seven months has given Professor Mimiko the leverage to assume a larger than life posture in the university,” the ASUU leader alleged.

He pledged unceasing support to ASUU members at AAUA, vowing to take all legitimate steps to prevent whatever “sinister motives [were] behind Professor Mimiko’s unbridled arrogance and administrative malfeasance.”

He asked the people of the state, who are the true owners of the university, to prevail on the VC to respect democratic principles.

ASUU leaders from other universities, including Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye (OOUA), Federal University of
Technology Akure (FUTA), Ekiti State
University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU), University of Ibadan (UI), attended the press conference.

They offered support to their
embattled colleagues at AAUA.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Elections Must Be Free And Fair, Says Buhari

Three time Presidential candidate, and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari, today said that elections must be free and fair as part of deepening democracy in
Nigeria.

Buhari, in a live stream interview with Liberty Radio SaharaReporters, followed in New York, also said that Nigerians deserve credible and responsible leadership.

He said, “Elections must be free and fair.

We have been to court three times in
2003, 2007 and 2011, not because we were convinced that we were going to win. We went because we want to make sure that this multi-party democracy takes a firm grip on Nigerians.

“If we can come and go, the system will be strong enough to guarantee security for this country and guarantee prosperity for this country.

This is our objective. All we are fighting for is to have proper democracy. What I mean is that whatever people say, whether they reflect briefly on it or not, Nigerians are now well aware of their right and what they expect from government.

“Like I have said, we have to properly secure and manage this country.

You cannot deny citizens their rights to express their own opinion or you allow some people to brazenly threaten the cooperate existence of the country, and instead of inviting them and asking them to explain themselves to the nation, they are given a ride in a Presidential jet.”

General Buhari also lamented over a
recent spate of harassment of citizens over freedom of expression:

“When others do it, you go and lock them up or you harass them. That is not the way to do things. For example, when the seven governors decided to break out from the PDP and we went and visited them; five of the governors took the risk.

“One of the governors still have problem with the police, his children were arrested, and the bank officials that transacted business with his children were locked up. Those are children of governors. You can imagine what will then happen to
children of ordinary Nigerians.”

Source: Sahara Reporters

Nigerian Police arrests officer caught on camera demanding bribe

The Nigerian Police Force on Monday said it has arrested an officer who was caught on camera
demanding bribe from three men in Lagos.

The officer identified as Aniyem Chiyem, a Corporal with service number: F/No. 374171, was attached to Isheri Division, Lagos State Police Command.

The video, which was leaked on social media, showed Mr. Chiyem demanding money in dollars
from a Nigerian-American and his two friends.

Mr. Chiyem  had apparently detained them for alleged traffic related offences.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in a statement said Mr. Chiyem’s arrest was sequel to a marching order by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to the Lagos State
Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, to ensure prompt arrest and investigation of the matter.

Mr. Mba said that Mr. Chiyem, who is currently in police custody, was undergoing Orderly Room trials and if found guilty would face appropriate disciplinary actions.

The spokesperson also said that the IGP had commended the unidentified whistleblower for his
efforts in exposing what would have been a hidden crime. He added that Mr. Mohammed enjoined other members of the public to emulate the action, which would certainly go a long way in checkmating crime in the country.

This is the latest in a recent spate of exposed recordings of corrupt police officers, who demand bribe while in uniform and on duty.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

Undergraduate in EFCC net over $90,000 romance scam

An undergraduate of the University of Ibadan, 28-year old Orowo Jesse Omokoh, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission [EFCC] for allegedly obtaining $90,000 (Ninety Thousand Dollars) from one Jette Jacob, an Australian woman based in Johannesburg, South Africa, in what is suspected to be romance scam.

A statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect allegedly met the Aussie on a dating site and struck a sizzling
romantic affair that necessitated him moving to Johannesburg in 2013 to link up with his lover.

Mr. Omokoh allegedly arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 4, 2013, to meet with Ms.
Jacob who had been in Johannesburg since November 2012.

Five days after the undergraduate arrived and took up residence with her, Ms. Jacob was found dead in her apartment with some of her valuables missing.

After the incident, Mr. Omokoh reportedly fled South Africa and returned to Nigeria.

The South African Police, which is investigating the mysterious death, are suspicious that Mr. Omokoh has a hand in the demise of Ms. Jacob.

On March 15, 2013, the EFCC received a petition from Richard Stanford of Australian Federal Police, asking for help to track Mr. Omokoh, alleging that the Nigerian defrauded Ms. Jacob to the tune of
$90,000 in a dating scam.

The Commission swung into action almost immediately but the suspected fraudster had been elusive until a few days ago when he was nabbed.

He has already made useful statement while efforts are on to track his accomplices.

The suspect would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

Drama as man declares for presidency at Ogun APC meeting

A mild drama occurred on Monday at a stakeholders meeting of the Ogun All Progressives Congress, APC, when a member of the audience announced his intention to contest for the presidency in 2015 and sought for the party’s support.

The meeting, which took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, was presided over by the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

In attendance were leaders of the party as well as members across all the 20 local government areas.

The presidential aspirant, Tajudeen Diamonds, declared his ambition during the question and answer session.

The moderator had asked participants who had questions to ask to raise their hands. Mr. Diamonds did, and he was called
to speak. Handed the microphone, Mr. Diamonds stated that he had come all the way from Kano State to attend the stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta and to seek for the party’s support ahead of the 2015 elections.

“I am from Kano. I love APC. I love Amosun and I want to say this publicly that I want to contest the
presidential election under the banner of APC, our party.

How do I go about this because I need your support?” he asked.

His frank declaration was greeted with laughter by the baffled gathering.

At this point, the Master of Ceremony, perhaps presuming that all was not right with the potential presidential aspirant, discreetly took the microphone from Mr. Diamonds.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES after the event, Mr. Diamonds rolled out his 19-point agenda which included 18 hours of power supply
nationwide, the establishment of 36 Federal Universities of Agriculture, the creation of 300,000 jobs for each state, camera on every street across
Nigeria, more barracks, several National Film Institutes, N16,000 monthly salary for youth between the ages of 18 and 25 as well as the
construction of six refineries, among others.

Mr. Diamonds also made a case for a tenure of five years for political office holders and stated that he
would fix minimum wage at N25,000.

He also disclosed that he had already printed over one million posters, which would be distributed
across Nigeria in due course.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES

Biometric capture of banks’ customers begins Feb 14 —CBN

THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said
that biometric capturing of banks’ customers
across the country will commence on February 14.
The project is expected to start with the CBN and
two branches each from 10 banks go live on the
biometric project portal.
The apex bank also said that the Bankers’
Committee is working in collaboration with the
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
on the integration of the biometric data to be
acquired from Bank customers.
Director, Corporate Communications Department,
CBN, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor and his
counterpart in the Banking and Payment Systems,
T.O. Fatokun, said this while fielding questions
from journalists in Abuja. The duo dispelled claims
that the biometric project, which was a collective
decision of the Bankers’ Committee, contradicted
directives of the Federal Government on the
proliferation of data bases in the country.
Okoroafor said, “The Bankers’ body is working
assiduously with the NIMC to integrate both
systems for the overall good of the country in her
quest to rank among the top economies of the
world within the current decade.”
On the allegation that Dermalog, the company to
which the biometric capture contract was awarded,
is bankrupt, Fatokun reiterated that the German
firm was not bankrupt. He explained that the Bank
that advised the Committee gave a Due Diligence
Report, which did not identify any encumbrance in
the financials of the company.
He wondered why such a report could be
published on a matter of crucial national
importance; even after the reporter had been
shown evidence that Dermalog was an active and
capable company with proven competence in the
relevant area.
He also emphasized that the presence of the
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Dorathee
Janeteke-Wenzkel at the contract signing
ceremony lent credence and weight to the
credibility of the company.

Source: Vanguard News