List of some University you can apply for without choosing in Jamb 2014/2015

1 FUOTUOKE

2 BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY


3 DELSU


4AAUA


5 LASU


6 OOU

Boko Haram unleashes terror in Cameroon

• Kills 3, kidnaps vice PM’s wife, Mayor
Boko Haram mili­tants yesterday attacked Kolo­fate, a north­ern town Cameroon and kidnapped the wife of the deputy Prime Minis­ter, Amadou Ali and her house maid.
The militants also kid­napped a local religious lead­er (Lamido), Seini Boukar Lamine in a separate attack on his home. Lamine is also the mayor of the town.
Boko Haram has stepped up cross-border attacks into Cameroon in recent weeks, as the army was deployed to the region. The home of Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali “came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants,” Informa­tion Minister Issa Tchiroma told Reuters yesterday. They also attacked the lamido’s residence and he was also kidnapped,” he said, and at least three people were killed in the attack.
But the deputy Prime Minister, who was at home to break his fast for the Is­lamic holy month of Ra­madan at the time of the at­tack, managed to escape to a neighbouring town, regional commander Col Feliz Nji Formekong, the second com­mander of Cameroon’s third inter-army military region, based in the regional head­quarters Maroua, told the news agency.
Yesterday attack was the third Boko Haram attack into Cameroon since Friday. At least four soldiers were killed in the previous at­tacks. Meanwhile, some 22 suspected Boko Haram mili­tants, who have been held in Maroua since March, were on Friday sentenced to prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. It was unclear whether the events are relat­ed. On Wednesday, Camer­oon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle Boko Haram militants.

4 die in Ebonyi boat mishap

No fewer than four women drowned in a river following a boat mishap in Afikpo North Local Govern­ment Area of Ebonyi State at the weekend.
It was gathered that the de­ceased and four other women, who went to a farm across the river in Cross River State, were returning to Afikpo when their boat capsized in Oziza River due to a windstorm.
According to an eyewitness account, the four other women were rescued by fishermen, who were in the river when the incident occurred. The source stated that one of the four persons that died was rescued alive but died on the way to hospital.
He said only two corpses were recovered, while two other corpses had not been seen at press time.
Checks by Daily Sun re­vealed that two speed boats hired by the villagers to search for the corpses of the women went as far as Itu in Cross Riv­er State but their efforts were futile.
Secretary to Oziza Tradi­tional Council of Elders, Chief Okpani Egwu, confirmed the incident but warned that those who did not know how to swim should not go near the river.
Speaking in the same vein, the Public Relations Officer of Afikpo North Local Gov­ernment Area, Mr. Emmanuel Irem, urged farmers in Cross River State to always use speed boats and avoid over­loading.

Liberia shuts border crossings, restricts gatherings to curb Ebola spreading

The Liberian government on Sunday closed most of the West African nation’s border crossings and introduced stringent health measures to curb the spread of the deadly Ebola virus that has killed at least 660 people across the region.
The new measures announced by the government on Sunday came as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone struggle to contain the worst outbreak yet of the virus.
Speaking at a task force meeting, Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said the government is doing everything to fight the virus including inspecting and testing all outgoing and incoming passengers by Liberia’s airport authority.
“All borders of Liberia will be closed with the exception of major entry points. At these entry points, preventive and testing centres will be established, and stringent preventive measures to be announced will be scrupulously adhered to,” she said.
Ebola can kill up to 90 percent of those who catch it, although the fatality rate of the current outbreak is around 60 percent. Highly contagious, especially in the late stages, its symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea as well as internal and external bleeding.
Under the new measures, public gatherings such as marches, demonstrations and promotional advertisements also will be restricted.
The outbreak has placed a great strain on the health systems of some of Africa’s poorest countries.
“No doubt, the Ebola virus is a national health problem. And as we have also begun to see, it attacks our way of life, with serious economic and social consequences,” Sirleaf said in a statement.
Still, despite efforts to fight the disease, the virus continues to spread. A 33-year-old American doctor working for relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse in Liberia tested positive for the disease on Saturday.
The charity said on Sunday a second American, who was helping a team treating Ebola patients at a case management centre in Monrovia had also tested positive.
Samuel Brisbane, a senior Liberian doctor, who was also treating infected patients has died after contracting the virus, authorities said on Sunday. In Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, a Liberian man who tested positive died in on Friday.

Chime, Amosun, others mourn Akunyili

APGA, Afenifere, CD too Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has expressed shock and sadness over the death of former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Chime in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife in Enugu on Saturday described it as “a serious blow to the nation’’. “Professor Akunyili’s death has robbed the nation of one of her finest breed of patriots. “She was a towering Amazon of excellence whose public service record was as exemplary as it was inspiring. “She epitomised the rare values of integrity, diligence, dedication, courage and selflessness in the various capacities that she served the nation,’’ Chime said. The governor noted that even in her last days, Akunyili underscored her undying love for the nation by defying her pains to serve as a delegate to the national conference. He extended his condolences to the family and relations of the deceased assuring them that the people of the state shared their sorrows and grief over the sad development. In Abeokuta, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun described the late former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili as an Amazon. This is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama on Saturday in Abeokuta. Amosun expressed shock and disbelief at the news of the demise of the one time director general of the NAFDAC at the age of 59. He noted that Akunyili deserved a special mention among nation builders in Nigeria. The governor said the death of the foremost Professor of Pharmacy was lamentable, especially when her wealth of experience was mostly needed at the ongoing national conference, where she was a delegate. “Knowing her, she would have done her best, yet again to chart the way forward for Nigeria at the National Conference. She has certainly left her footprints on the sands of time,” the governor said. Amosun commiserated with the family of the deceased, the nation in general and Anambra state in particular, where the late professor hailed from. He prayed to the almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. In her reaction, the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking on Women and Children, Dr Joy Ezeilo said the womenfolk had lost an “extraordinary trail blazer and inspiring woman of courage’’. Ezeilo told NAN that the country would miss her vibrancy, courage and leadership. She extended her sympathy to her husband, Chike who stood by her throughout her period of ill health. The Enugu State President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr Rita Ngwu said the former information minister and director general of NAFDAC spent her life serving humanity. Ngwu described her as a “quintessential personality who inspired a lot of women to greater height.’’ “Dora saved many lives as DG of NAFDAC. She will be greatly missed,’’ she said. NAN reports that Akunyili died on Saturday at the age of 59 after battling with cancer for two years. Similarly, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Saturday said that the death of the former Minister of Information was a great loss to the Party. Also, Socio Cultural and Civil Rights Groups in Nigeria such as the Afenifere, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said that the former minister would be remembered for her exemplary patriotism. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akunyili, a former Minister of Information, and former Director General of NAFDAC, lost the battle to cancer in an Indian Hospital on Saturday morning. The former minister, who contested for a position in the Senate on the platform of APGA died at the age of 59. In a telephone interview with NAN, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Maxi Okwu, described the late Akunyili as a trail blazer trailer, who would be greatly missed by the party and most importantly the nation. “Akunyili was one of APGA’s personalities that raised my hands at APGA’s National Convention in Awka in 2013. “I sincerely hoped she would survive, being a dogged fighter but God knows best. “May her soul rest in peace,’’ Okwu said. In its reaction, the Yoruba socio-cultural political group, Afenifere, described Akunyili as a great woman. The Spokesman of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, told NAN that Akunyili was a brave, assertive and distinguished woman who gave her best to her country. “She even surfaced at the Confab in spite of her failed health. “May her courageous soul rest in the blossom of our Lord,’’ Odumakin said. Also speaking, Dr Joe Odumakin, the President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) lamented the demise of Akunyili, saying that she would always be remembered for her tenacity and courageous pursuit of ideals both as director general of NAFDAC and as a minister of information. “Akunyili displayed exemplary candour in the moment of constitutional crisis in Nigeria in 2010 when she joined patriotic Nigerians to speak boldly against the `cabal’ that wanted to drag the country to the precipice over a succession that ought to have been a cinch. “Her exemplary patriotism was further displayed when she showed up at the National Conference in spite of the toll the illness had taken on her physical appearance. “Now she is free from it all to take her deserved rest. It is our prayer that God grants her soul eternal rest and protect the family she left behind,’’ the CD President said. In his reaction, the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said it would be long before Nigeria could get someone to play the role of Akunyili as the NAFDAC DG. “Before Akunyili came on board, many Nigerians did not know the ills bedeviling the health sector with the manufacture and sale of fake drugs. “Akunyili not only opened the eyes of Nigerians and the international world to it, she fought the fake drug dealers to a standstill. “We missed her when she left and we will continue to miss her,’’ Omokhuale said. (NAN)

Nigeria is sick –Remi Tinubu

…Says, “I may not go back to Senate By RAZAQ BAMIDELE The Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluremi Tinubu has lamented that Nigeria, as a nation, is currently sick, saying unless some proactive decisions are taken in 2015, things may totally get out of hand. Senator Tinubu, who is the wife of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu made the assertion on Sunday at a press parley to mark her third anniversary in the Senate, stating emphatically that, “Nigerians must wake up and prepare a solid future and sound legacy for our children.” In her address entitled: “Making a mark: Three years of people-focussed representation,” the federal lawmaker, after taking a critical look at the state of the nation, declared that, “the whole thing is sickening,” regretting that the way the present leadership of the country was going, there was need for a surgical operation. Citing instances, Mrs. Tinubu criticised the calibre of ministers President Goodluck Jonathan was foisting on the nation especially from Osun and Lagos states, reasoning that “Nigerians should make wise decisions in 2015 by voting in the APC at the centre.” According to her, the need for a broader, inclusive and cohesive platform nationwide led to the formation of the APC, adding that, “since then, our collective quest for genuine change and development has continued to gather impetus across the length and breadth of Nigeria.” When asked about her 2015 ambition, the Senator disclosed that “activities in the Senate are depressing as issues are unnecessarily being manipulated,” saying, “I may not want to go back to the Senate unless I am sure the APC is going to be in the majority.” She seized the opportunity to render account of her stewardship at the Senate in the last three years, saying her social security services were in line with the manifesto of her party. the APC.

INEC-Attahiru-Jega Jega laments politics behind election funding

…Assures of credible polls in 2015 FROM IHEANACHO NWOSU, ABUJAChairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, said yesterday that funding of elections in Nigeria is politicised, contrary to what obtains elsewhere. He said the politicisation of funding could be seen in the huge gap between the period of election and the time funds are released by the authorities The INEC boss spoke during a two-day stakeholders’ forum on, “Transparent, credible, free and fair 2015 elections with INEC, the media, civil society, political party chairmen”, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reforms and Institutions in Abuja. He said “there’s a huge funding gap between the period of election and the time funds are released for election.” Making a comparison with other counties where he said funds are released long before elections are held, Jega observed that in Nigeria, once funds are released, people only talk about the quantum of the money. “Let me give an example. We discovered that we had more than 2,000 offices in various local governments, but most of these offices were on rent. So, we decided to build offices and subsequently asked for funds, but what happened was that in the first year, we got approval to build 75 offices. “But subsequent requests continued to dwindle from 25 approved offices to 10 and even there’s no appropriation for that again in our budget,” he said. Telling Nigerians on what to expect next year, the INEC boss said: “We give assurance that preparations by INEC for the 2015 general elections are proceeding in earnest. “As far as INEC is concerned, the 2015 general elections will see Nigeria take its rightful place in the Comity of Nations where electoral democracy is being consolidated,” he stated. He noted that the commission has learnt from the experiences of 2011 elections and undertaken a fundamental restructuring of its bureaucracy to guide operations. However, he cautioned that conducting credible and fair elections in 2015 would require the collaboration of all stakeholders. According to him, “bringing this about and ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful elections is not a task that INEC alone can deliver”. Jega pleaded with politicians to stop making unguarded comments even as he implored them to play by the rules of the game. He said: “Our politicians should guide their utterances and play according to the rules of the game.” The INEC boss alleged that there were a lot of breaches of both the electoral and political parties’ rules by politicians. He said that there would be minimal problems arising from the outcome of elections in the country, if politicians comply with the election laws. In his address, the Speaker, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by the Minority Whip, Hon. Samson Osagie, said, “although INEC, under Jega has recorded remarkable successes in the handling of elections, there was still room for improvement.” For instance, he said the budget for 2011 general elections was acknowledged to be adequate; the introduction of Direct Data Capturing. Machine for voters registers’ update of eligible voters, timely release of election time-table, recruitment and training of adhoc staff and governments pledge to provide level playing ground for contestants remain some of these achievements by the INEC.

1402402489767_wps_3_Mothers_of_some_of_the_mo Boko Haram kidnap up to 40 young mothers

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped at least 20 young mothers near a town in northeast of Nigeria where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted nearly two months ago. News of the abduction came after gunmen from the militant group slaughtered hundreds of villagers in the north-east of the country. There were conflicting reports of how many women were abducted from the nomadic settlement near Chibok in Borno state, with one local leader putting the number as high as 40, according to AFP. The latest kidnappings, which happened on Saturday in and around the village of Garkin Fulani, five miles from Chibok, were the latest in a spate in the area. ‘Available information revealed that the gunmen came around noon and abducted 20 women and three young men left to keep watch on the village,’ said Alhaji Tar, of a local vigilante group. ‘All the males in the settlement were away in the bush with their herd (of cattle) for grazing when the abductors came to the village.’ There was no immediate indication of where the women were taken and there had been no contact from the kidnappers. A local official of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said 40 young mothers were singled out and put into vehicles before being driven to an unknown location. MACBAN is the umbrella organisation of the nomadic Fulani cattle herders in Nigeria. Similar kidnappings for ransom have been going on in the area for some time but locals were too afraid to speak out in fear of reprisals from the Islamist militants, the official said. ‘This is not the first time women are being kidnapped in this area and only released when we pay cattle ransom to the kidnappers. It has happened several times,’ said the official. ‘They come and go door-to-door bringing women outside and select young women and take them away in their vehicles and demand between 30 and 40 cows for their release’, he explained. Locals always paid the ransom but do not inform the authorities, he said. A Borno state government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the authorities were aware of the kidnapping of women from the village but denied knowledge of previous abductions. ‘This is the first time we are hearing abduction of Fulani women and we are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and necessary action to take,’ he added. On Thursday Boko Haram gunmen slaughtered hundreds of villagers in the far northeast corner of Nigeria, after arriving disguised as soldiers and promising to protect them. Altogether, Boko Haram militants slaughtered hundreds of people in three villages. A community leader who witnessed the killings on Monday said residents had pleaded for the military to send soldiers to protect the area after they heard that militants were about to attack. The militants arrived in Toyota HiLux pickup trucks – commonly used by the military – and told the civilians they were soldiers and that they had come ‘to protect you all’, the same tactic used by the group when they kidnapped the Chibok schoolgirls. ‘We all thought they were the soldiers whom we earlier reported to that the insurgents might attack us,’ said the community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared for his life. After the militants forced everyone into the village centers, ‘they began to shout “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar,” then they started to fire at the people continuously for a very long time until all who had gathered were dead,’ he said. Allahu akbar means God is great. The killings took place in the villages of Danjara, Agapalwa, and Antagara, part of Gwoza district in Borno state. The community leader said he fled to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, adding that some who escaped the massacre crossed into the neighboring country of Cameroon while others remain trapped in the mountainous region. ‘They still see the gunmen going about attacking villages and hamlets by setting them on fire,’ he said. He said managed to survive because ‘I was going around to inform people that the soldiers had come and they wanted to address us.’ As people were fleeing, other gunmen lurked outside the villages on motorcycles and mowed them down. The slaughter was confirmed by Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno whose hometown is Gwoza, and by a top security official in Maiduguri who insisted on anonymity because he isn’t allowed to speak to the media. (Daily Mail)

SANUSI: Why Opposition Party APC is Jubilating... How he may have got the 'job'

SANUSI: Why Opposition Party APC is Jubilating... How he may have got the 'job' ''In July 2012, the Emir of Kano fell ill and travelled to London for treatment . There were rumors that he was in Coma. A certain governor of central bank and Islamic Scholar from the University of Sudan, was dishing out billions all over Kano in populist gestures . He allegedly gave 1 billion naira each to all those that mattered in the emirate . It's instructive to note that this CBN governor was rumored to have been detained by Sani Abacha on accusation of mobilizing fundamentalist who beheaded Gideon Akaluka, put his head on a pole and went round Kano, killing defenseless Igbos in December 1994. This fellow is a teacher of the Hadith as espoused by the Wahabbists. Wahhabism is an extremist Pseudo- Sunni movement. A radical movement among fundamentalist with an aspiration to return to the fundamental Islamic sources, Qur`an, Hadeeth and Scholarly consensus (Ijma)) Islamic believers. Wahhabism is a fundamentalist movement instigated by an eighteenth century theologian, Muhammad ibn Abdal-Wahhab (1703–1792) from Najd, Saudi Arabia. In July 2013, the European Parliament identified Wahhabism as the major source of global terrorist activities in the world and a threat to traditional Muslim cultures Fast forward to18th January 2013. The late emir of kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero's convoy was attacked and riddled with bullets. Two of the emir’s sons, Ciroman Kano Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero and Turakin Kano Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who were on the convoy, sustained gunshot injuries in the hand and leg, respectively. It was a targeted assassination attempt to wipe out the Emir and his sons . A few months later in April , three suicide bombers stormed the Emirs palace with Keke na pep on the day the Emir and his sons were meeting at the palace. One of the bombers died instantly as his bomb exploded close to the palace gate , while soldiers shot the other one dead. The third was mobbed to death by Kano youths .It was a second attempt to wipe out the Emir and all his sons . Who wanted the Emir dead in a hurry? Why is the APC, whom their ex member FFK described as the Muslim brotherhood,celebrating as if they just won the Presidential election ? Why is El Rufai taunting Jonathan as if the Emir of Kano is now the Emir of the world . Is the APC saying they are the direct beneficiaries of the death of Ado Bayero? Why are there riots in Kano just because of the turbarning of a mere traditional ruler whom a governor appoints and can depose easily ? But Im happy that this appointment has made the APC members happy. Congratulations APC!!! Thanks for letting us know that your member seats on the emirate throne in Kano. So I can choose to treat and perceive him like a political emir. Why should any other party member visit an APC Emir. So when next Jonathan visits Kano, he can choose not visit your throne . It's not compulsory !!!'' Ken Agala Do You Agree?

BOKO HARAM NAMES BUHARI, 5 OTHERS AS MEDIATORS

MAIDUGURI— Leadership of Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also called Boko Haram, has named the former Head of State and presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), among six prominent northerners, to mediate between the group and the Federal Government. The Federal Government in a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Presidential Spokesman, Thursday, welcomed the move. Boko Haram, however, said that for the group to observe ceasefire, the Federal Government must heed its demand by arresting and prosecuting the former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Gen. Buhari Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State also, Thursday, said security agencies should be allowed to do their job on those they suspect are sponsors or sympathisers of the Boko Haram sect. Shettima told state house correspondents after a meeting of the National Economic Council that the security challenge in the country required the efforts of all Nigerians to overcome. Meanwhile, spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, who doubles as the Second-in-Command (Amir) to their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau, made the group’s intention known in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri, Thursday. Mediators Abdulazeez said other people, who could mediate with the government if its conditions were met, include Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, former Yobe State governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Hajia Aisha Wakil and her husband, Alkali Wakil. #Dialogue venue He insisted, however, that such #dialogue_must_not_take_place_in Nigeria, but Saudi Arabia. According to him, the choice of Saudi Arabia was informed by the insincerity of the Nigeria government for dialogue and its betrayal in the past. Abdulazeez insisted that for the group to ceasefire completely, the government must not only apprehend, but prosecute #Senator_Modu-Sheriff according to the laws of the land as well as #compensate members of the group and #rebuild_their_places_of_worship_destroyed_during 2009 uprising, which led to the alleged murder of their leader, #Mohammed-Yusuf. Conditions for ceasefire The Boko Haram spokesman further stressed that, all their members, who were arrested and are under the custody of security agencies must be #released_immediately, just as their #wives and #children who were displaced following the crises should be rehabilitated into the society to allow room for the much talked about dialogue with the Federal Government. Commenting on the series of recent killings and destruction of property in Maiduguri, Abu Abdulazeez dissociated Boko Haram from the action, saying such attacks were not only politically-motivated, but carried out by those seeking power in the Borno Emirate council or in government. He stressed that recent killings and destructions in Maiduguri were against the ideology of the sect, which he said was fighting the #cause_of_Allah. Abdulazeez also said the burning of old and newly-constructed primary schools witnessed across the state were not carried out by the sect, insisting that they were perpetrated by aggrieved politicians who were denied contracts by the state government. Last February, the group had also nominated #Monguno_ Bukar Ibrahim, #Aisha_Wakil and #Jinadu- Idris as part of a team to mediate between it and the Federal Government, but the negotiation never got off. Buhari reacts Thursday, was, however, the first time the group would be proposing Gen. Buhari as part of a mediation team between it and the Federal Government. Buhari, who returned to Kaduna from Daura, Katsina State, yesterday evening, said he was yet to be formally contacted on the development. Buba Galadima, an associate of the former Head of State speaking on behalf of the General said: “His first reaction is that he has not heard about this news and nobody has contacted him. “He said he wouldn’t want to say anything on this matter that has not yet been authenticated, but he remains prayerful that peace and tranquility will return to this country.” Sheriff’s words Meanwhile, Sheriff, who spoke in Abuja on the issue of the involvement of politicians with Boko Haram, said: “I think it is within the realm and the responsibility of the security agencies to unearth the truth. “I am more of a developmental politician and I am more interested in addressing the core issues that make our society vulnerable to the antics of religious bigots and all sorts of misfits that are indoctrinating our young ones to these things. “I don’t want to #dabble into the realm of the security agencies #neither do I want to respond to allegations and accusations from any quarter. “But it is the responsibility of security agencies to unearth those behind Boko Haram.” A veteran journalist Dele Giwa said an evil done by man to man will be rewarded if not now then later, if not by man then certainly by God. But the day of evil over good is only temporary. “I think the problem at hand goes beyond politics. The underlying factor is poverty. The most important thing is how we can resolve this problem and #restore_harmony, #peace and how to eradicate endemic #poverty which is the underlying factor of the whole crisis. “I want to solicit for the media not to dwell on sensationalism but proper conflict resolution and move our society forward. Its pains me if a single person is killed by Boko Haram, when innocent souls are lost. “Its sheer hooliganism. Its sheer madness for anybody to burn a place of worship. These are the issue agitating my mind and I don’t want to dwell on politics for now.”

Eagles get bonuses

As Mark leads FG delegation BY JOHN JOSHUA- AKANJI When the 2014 World Cup kicks off , the Super Eagles will be highly motivated to perform well as the federal government has released to the NFF all bonuses for the group stage. Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye said all arrangements have been made for the match bonus of the Super Eagles for the duration of the competition. “In fact, they have everything they need to do well. We don’t want the players to be distracted by anything at the World Cup.” He affirmed that once plans are in place, he does not need to be in Brazil. “ I don’t need to be in Brazil since we have done what we need to do. But I want to remain at home and plan for the camping of our athletes for the Commonwealth Games” Meanwhile, as part of efforts to drum support for the Super Eagles, Senate President David Mark is to lead the federal government delegation to Brazil on Wednesday. According to the chairman of the house committee on sports Godfrey Gaiya the federal government is committed to ensuring that the Eagles perform well in the Brazil 2014 World Cup. So a powerful delegation led by Senate president David Mark will depart the country on Wednesday and return on the 17th after watching the Eagles opening game. The delegation will also include Cross Rivers state governor Senator Liyel Imoke, law makers among others. “We want the Eagles to do well in the World Cup, so everything will be done to motivate them.” Gaiya assured.

FG, ASUP Talks Record Progress Towards Ending Strike

The Supervising Minister of Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the government and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have made progress towards resolving the over eight months strike. Addressing reporters in Abuja on Friday, Mr Wike asked polytechnic students to remain optimistic, as talks between the Federal Government and Vice- Chancellors to end the strike. He however criticised some heads of public institutions over the internal appointments of vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts in tertiary institutions which might impede on the growth of the sector in future. It has been nine ‘long’ months for polytechnic students and about a year for students in colleges of education who have waited anxiously for schools to re-open, pending the resolution of outstanding issues with their academic union. ASUP had gone on a warning strike in April 2013 to demand a better salary scale from the Federal Government, among other pressing issues. The government has apparently taken its time to resolve the lingering issues at the heart of the strike. Above all that took prominence at the broad-based meeting is the issue of security. The Federal Government has taken steps to straighten out major grey areas and Nigerians would now be expecting to see a paradigm shift in the nation’s tertiary institutions to aid development.

Bomb scare in Jos

There was palpable tension in Jos, the Plateau State capital yesterday as the major streets came under heavy security following speculations that Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were deposited in some places around the city centre. The entire Terminus area where trading had not resumed since the bomb blast of last month, as well as Murtala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Beach Road, Bank Road, and most of Central Bank Road, was closed as security agents moved to sniff out the explosives. The action, which led to a gridlock also recorded the closure of some bank branches for the day while branches located at the British America Junction and Katako area offered skeletal services and closed to customers by noon. Expectedly, the action of the security agents stirred rumours while some people attributed the shutdown of the terminus in the neighbourhood to the resolve of the Plateau State Government to ban street trading in Terminus and its environs. Others said the security agents took the action to pave the way for the visit to the area by Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor Jonah Jang. However, the Special Task Force (STF), Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, later punctured the rumours in a statement, explaining that the task force had been conducting operations around the affected areas since about 1a.m. yesterday. He said some areas were blocked to make sure that innocent citizens were not caught in the line of fire. The statement read in part: “The attention of the general public by this release is drawn to an ongoing military operation in the heart of Jos city. The operation which began at about 0145 hrs this morning, is aimed at preventing any loss of lives and property of the good people of Plateau State. “To this end, the following roads are temporarily shut down to prevent innocent members of the public from being caught in the line of fire. These include Yantaya Junction, ECWA Goodnews Road, Old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction, Rwang Pam Street, Kashim Ibrahim Junction by Ahmadu Bello Way, Ahmadu Bello Way (including Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction), Murtala Mohammed Way (University of Jos old campus), and Beach Road by Zenith Bank.” The STF advised members of the public to keep off the closed streets and go about their normal businesses elsewhere, assuring that adequate security arrangements were in place to protect them.

Can university accept 179 or less ? Find out here

I have seen some candidate asking different question on this website and I am here to share little light about university cut- off mark. Regardless of the university,please be informed that any score below 180 will not be accepted. Only candidate with 180 or above are qualified for university admission If you score below 180,I advise you to focus on polytechnic and fight for your admission this year.

Release of abducted kids: Speakers congratulate Kogi colleague

The Conference of Speakers has expressed happiness over release of the kidnapped children of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Lawal Jimoh. The abducted children regained their freedom at the weekend. In a statement signed by the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Sam Ikon, the forum commended the professionalism of the security agencies for working round the clock to ensure the safe release of the children. The forum, which also thanked the government and the people of Kogi State for their support, solicited the support and cooperation of Nigerians for President Goodluck Jonathan in the task of fighting insurgency and kidnapping bedevilling the nation. It pledged its support and indeed, the support of the state lawmakers in the country to Mr. President in his fight against the menace.

War against Boko Haram: Jonathan, army have vindicated Shettima –Lawmaker

From Ismail Omipidan, Kaduna A federal lawmaker has said President Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian Army have by their recent remarks vindicated Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, who was vilified by the Presidency for raising the alarm that the military lacked the right equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East. The lawmaker, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Monguno, Marte and Nganzai Federal Constituency of Borno State, in a statement yesterday said with what had transpired, he expected presidential spokesmen, like Dr. Doyin Okupe, to be humble and courageous enough to tender an open apology to the governor. Monguno said: “My attention was particularly drawn to the lead story of the Daily Trust Newspaper of Friday, June 6, 2014, with the caption, ‘Military wares issues being handled, ‎Jonathan says’. The story had reported the president as saying he was tackling the problems of inadequate equipment for the military, which to every Nigerian, was a clear admittance of the first alarm raised by Governor Kashim Shettima sometime ago and which led to unwarranted attacks on the governor by spokesmen from the Presidency and indeed the president himself at his media chat around that period. “The fact that the Presidency did not deny the Daily Trust report since Friday means there is no question about it. But even before the president admitted the true situation on Friday, the head of the Nigerian Army’s Account and Budget, Major General Abdullahi Muraina, was quoted by the media on May 22, 2014 at a press conference in Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, lamenting the fact that the army was being poorly funded by the Federal Government, saying the allocations being made in successive budgetary allocations were not enough to equip troops deployed to the North-East to fight insurgency. “To quote General Muraina he said: ‘Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army is enmeshed in the bureaucratic bottlenecks for the funding approvals for military operations. This calls for a review as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflict appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge commanders’.” Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army is enmeshed in the bureaucratic bottlenecks for the funding approvals for military operations. This calls for a review as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflict appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge commanders. For instance, the army budget for this year is just N4.8 billion. Assuming we committed 20,000 troops to the North-East operations, the jacket and helmet are in the average of about $1,000. If you change that to naira, it is about N150, 000. If you now have about 20,000 troops, this means that they are going to spend about $20 million and that is about N3 billion. ‎N3 billion as a percentage of N4.8 billion which is the capital budget for this year is more than 50 per cent and that is just one item. We are not talking about uniforms, boots or structures where they will stay. We are not talking about training, because training is key to enhancing the capability of the force.’ “This was what the general said and that again is admittance of the fact that the army is poorly equipped to fight the insurgents, since funds are what is needed to get the right equipment,” Monguno noted.

Life and times of a great ruler

The late Emir of Kano,Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, CFR, who passed away early yesterday was one of the foremost traditional rul­ers in the country. Born on July 25, 1930, he ascended the throne on October 15,1963 as the 13th Emir of Kano. Prior to his ascension, Bayero the highly revered monarch had served Kano state and the nation as a public official. The late royal father who reigned for 51 years started life as a public official when he secured appointment with the defunct Bank of British West-Africa as a clerk in 1947. He was with the bank until 1949 when he joined Kano Native Authority. Bayero was regarded as not only being one of the strongest and most powerful emirs in the history of the Hausa land, but was also re­nowned for his abundant wealth which he ac­quired through stock market investments and large-scale agricultural entrepreneurship both at home and abroad. Born to Abdullahi Bayero, a former emir, who reigned for 27 years, the late Emir took over the throne following the dethronement of his half brother, Muhammadu Inuwa in 1963. Bayero is one of the longest-serving emirs in the emirate’s history. Widely hailed as one of the architects of modern city state of Kano,it was during his tenure that the emirate not only transformed from a powerful native authority into a custo­dian of Hausa language and Islamic traditions, but also gradually transformed into an urban­ized industrial centre. A former Ambassador of Nigeria to Sen­egal, Bayero during his lifetime played host to official visits by many government personnel and foreigners. However in 1981, Bayero had a face-off with the then Kano state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi following irreconcilable differences between the two. A fall-out of that disagreement was the re­striction placed on the traditional homage paid by village heads to the Emir.The governor fur­ther excised some domains from his emirate. Another trying moment for the late royal fa­ther was in 1984 when , a travel ban was placed on him ,and his friend, the Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade by Major-Gen. Muham­madu Buhari led military regime. Known for his forthrightness, Bayero had on different occasions spoke out on some is­sues that are of national importance.Before his convoy was attacked by people suspected to be Boko Haram militants on 19th January 2013, Bayero spoke on the need for religious toler­ance. He also condemned insurgency describ­ing it as an act capable of threatening the na­tion’s peace. However during the deadly attack on his convoy by the gunmen, his two sons narrowly escaped death, while his driver and bodyguard lost their lives. Bayero had to be flown abroad for further treatment. The late Emir also spoke on the epileptic state of the nation’s mpower sector. Worried by the ugly development in the sector, Bayero ex­pressed concern that he problem of power sup­ply may cripple the nation’s economy, despite all efforts being made to re-invigorate it. While lamenting that many industries had closed down, he expressed dismay that the ugly development might stifle the nation’s quest for industrial and technological growth and devel­opment. Comparing the situation in Nigeria with South-Africa,the Emir recalled an occasion when he was in South-Africa for two weeks and didn’t experience power outage even for a second, but sadly noted that the same day he arrived Nigeria via Murtala Muhammed Inter­national Airport that the whole place was in darkness for over an hour as a result of power failure. Bayero was also vocal in his appeal to par­ents especially in the Northern parts of the country that they should allow their wards to acquire qualitative education so as to help them move along with the trends in the contemporary modern society, noting that both Islamic and Western education not only have their values but also was a right of very child. A former chancellor of the University of Ni­geria, Nsukka, Bayero was until his death the chancellor of the University of Ibadan. The eleventh child of his father and the sec­ond of his mother, Bayero started his education in Kano studying Is­lam, after which he attended Kano Middle School. He graduated from the School of Arabic Studies in 1947. He also attended Zaria Clerical College in 1952. In 1954, he won a seat to the Northern regional House of Assembly. He was head of the Kano Native Authority police division from 1957 until 1962, during which he tried to minimize the practice of brief­ly detaining individuals and political opponents on the orders of powerful individuals in Kano. Bayero became emir at a time when Nige­ria was going through rapid social and political changes. As emir, he became a patron of Islamic scholarship and embraced Western education as a means to succeed in a modern Nigeria. Al­though the constitutional powers of the emir were whittled down by the military regimes be­tween 1966 and 1979,Bayero however was able to keep up with his reforms without antagonism. Again, while The Native Authority Police and Prisons Department was abolished, and the emir’s judicial council was supplanted by another body, and local government reforms which reduced the power of emirs were carried out in 1968, 1972, and 1976, Bayero’s influence didn’t wane as he remained popular among the people. Described as a moderate, Bayero was also a bridge builder who developed close relationship with fellow traditional rulers in other parts of the country.His was also renowned for his open door policy.His palace was a place of succour for the needy,and the down trodden. A multi- linguist,the late Emir was fluent both in English-language and French.He be­came fluent in French after enrolling in a lan­guage school while serving as Nigeria’s ambas­sador to Senegal between 1962 and 1963.

Bayero’s final resting place: A mausoleum for kings

It was 1.00pm, yesterday in the ancient city of Kano and the whole town was gripped with pains, sorrow and grief. Along State Road, just a walk down to the vicinity of Kano Government House, there lies a quiet, simply abode called Gidan Sarkin Nassarawa. It is a plain, simple compound, adorned with simple designs, rarely remem­bered in normal times. It feeds freely from the traffic that flows across and around it. But on this day, there was sorrow written all over its architectural design. It had an abiding grief that ran through its walls to its very foun­dations. It was shocked by the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Much of its pains can be gleaned through the human characters moving around and about its premises. They already knew what had hap­pened – that a great tragedy had befallen the land. They waddled around in emptiness and in total submission to the will of Allah. A few children were sighted walking around casually, without vigor or energy. The women stayed in-doors sorrowing, while a few elderly men sat on a couple of mats by the gates, under the shady dongoyara tree, discussing the loss of their King. On the far side, the policemen had started ar­riving in their blue and black uniforms, station­ing themselves at different points of the large compound, which is situated in an intercession of other roads. Their most senior police officer was sighted issuing instructions. Indeed, at about 4.00pm, the compound was expected again to come to terms with its enor­mous historical responsibility as the graveyard of kings. It has been a terminal point. It is here that, after an eventful life on the throne, kings of Kano are laid to rest and it is here that the 56th ruler of the king, His Royal Highness, Al­haji Ado Abdullahi Bayero would be laid rest forever. According to insights from the Emirate Council, after prayers would have been said for the deceased in his palace, his remains would be conveyed to Gidan Sarkin Nassarawa and com­mitted to mother earth. Speaking to Saturday Sun on the develop­ment, Sarkin Fada Turaki, Alhaji Gwadebe In­uwa, said the late Emir would be buried inside the compound, saying this precedent has been observed by traditional institute of Kano in the last 150 years or more. According to him, a total of four late Emirs were buried at Gidan Sarkin Nasssarawa, add­ing that the late monarch will be the fifth to be so buried. He listed the previous emirs of the Fulani dynasty, who were buried in the compound to include Sarkin Abbas, Sarkin Abdullahi Bay­ero, Sarkin Mohammadu Inuwa and Sarkin Al­haji Mohammadu Sanusi Historically, he recalled that the palace in Nassarawa was built by Sarkin Abbas about 150 years ago, adding that in his life time, he had left a wish that upon death, he should be returned to his palace inside Nassarawa to be buried. Ever since his death and burial, it has become a tradition that after the reign of the monarchs in their palace inside the city, they are returned to this peaceful abode and laid to rest alongside their forebears, he added. Speaking on the death of the late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, he maintained that it would take a very long time for the people of Kano to be privileged to have a leader like Alhaji Ado Bayero. He said the Late Bayero was patient, god-fearing and kind to his people. He understood them and they understood him, he added. Speaking in a similarly glorious manner, an­other elder, Alhaji Dahiru Uuris, remarked that another good side of the highly respected tra­ditional ruler was his determination to promote good in all the things that he did, adding that he was hardworking and would always insist that the right things were done at all times.

Nsukka protests missing voters register

The recent declara­tion by the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commis­sion of the missing voters register of Nsukka Local government Area is brew­ing tensiongenerating some heat in the area. According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Enugu State, Dr Law­rence Azubuike, the vot­ers registers of 230 polling units out of 280 in Nsukka were declared missing as they were erased from the data bank of INEC. The Concerned Nuskka Professionals, through its lawyer, Victor Opara, is protesting what it termed the de-registration of its people, which it says is ‘totally unacceptable.” In this direction, the electoral body is calling for re-registration, which the group is opposed to, because it says, law does not back it up. It queried why no officials have been summoned for question­ing and noted political undertone over the issue. In a petition to the Resi­dent Electoral Commission­er, Enugu State, entitled, “Alleged Disappearance of Voters Register: Re-registra­tion of Voters Exercise; Ille­gality Thereof.” the profes­sional group, noted that the missing/ erased voters regis­ter “shows crass negligence, unpardonable careless and excruciating administrative recklessness, which should not be cordoned at all par­ticularly in view of the fact that the INEC has a legal and moral duty to keep re­cords of voters register safe. “The re-registration, which INEC is proposing might be juicy ingredi­ent or recipe for the chal­lenge of the legality or otherwise of any election conducted on the threshold of the erased voters register. “ We will not stand hands in akimbo and watch help­less as our rights are be­ing infringed upon with perhaps reckless impunity. “Consequently, we urge you to most respectfully to take proactive steps aimed at recovering the missing vot­ers register or be prepared for unsettling legal battles.” The group noted that the disappearance of the voters register gives room for seri­ous suspicion and might cre­ate restiveness in the area. It queried, “ In this age of technological advance­ment… how voters registers in 230 polling units myste­riously disappeared from the system it was stored; why no back up for the voters register; how come only voters registers of some areas are missing and not the entire voters regis­ter, and what happened to the printed voters cards?”

Chime, Amosun, others mourn Akunyili

APGA, Afenifere, CD too Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has expressed shock and sadness over the death of former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Chime in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife in Enugu on Saturday described it as “a serious blow to the nation’’. “Professor Akunyili’s death has robbed the nation of one of her finest breed of patriots. “She was a towering Amazon of excellence whose public service record was as exemplary as it was inspiring. “She epitomised the rare values of integrity, diligence, dedication, courage and selflessness in the various capacities that she served the nation,’’ Chime said. The governor noted that even in her last days, Akunyili underscored her undying love for the nation by defying her pains to serve as a delegate to the national conference. He extended his condolences to the family and relations of the deceased assuring them that the people of the state shared their sorrows and grief over the sad development. In Abeokuta, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun described the late former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili as an Amazon. This is contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama on Saturday in Abeokuta. Amosun expressed shock and disbelief at the news of the demise of the one time director general of the NAFDAC at the age of 59. He noted that Akunyili deserved a special mention among nation builders in Nigeria. The governor said the death of the foremost Professor of Pharmacy was lamentable, especially when her wealth of experience was mostly needed at the ongoing national conference, where she was a delegate. “Knowing her, she would have done her best, yet again to chart the way forward for Nigeria at the National Conference. She has certainly left her footprints on the sands of time,” the governor said. Amosun commiserated with the family of the deceased, the nation in general and Anambra state in particular, where the late professor hailed from. He prayed to the almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. In her reaction, the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking on Women and Children, Dr Joy Ezeilo said the womenfolk had lost an “extraordinary trail blazer and inspiring woman of courage’’. Ezeilo told NAN that the country would miss her vibrancy, courage and leadership. She extended her sympathy to her husband, Chike who stood by her throughout her period of ill health. The Enugu State President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr Rita Ngwu said the former information minister and director general of NAFDAC spent her life serving humanity. Ngwu described her as a “quintessential personality who inspired a lot of women to greater height.’’ “Dora saved many lives as DG of NAFDAC. She will be greatly missed,’’ she said. NAN reports that Akunyili died on Saturday at the age of 59 after battling with cancer for two years. Similarly, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Saturday said that the death of the former Minister of Information was a great loss to the Party. Also, Socio Cultural and Civil Rights Groups in Nigeria such as the Afenifere, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said that the former minister would be remembered for her exemplary patriotism. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akunyili, a former Minister of Information, and former Director General of NAFDAC, lost the battle to cancer in an Indian Hospital on Saturday morning. The former minister, who contested for a position in the Senate on the platform of APGA died at the age of 59. In a telephone interview with NAN, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Maxi Okwu, described the late Akunyili as a trail blazer trailer, who would be greatly missed by the party and most importantly the nation. “Akunyili was one of APGA’s personalities that raised my hands at APGA’s National Convention in Awka in 2013. “I sincerely hoped she would survive, being a dogged fighter but God knows best. “May her soul rest in peace,’’ Okwu said. In its reaction, the Yoruba socio-cultural political group, Afenifere, described Akunyili as a great woman. The Spokesman of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, told NAN that Akunyili was a brave, assertive and distinguished woman who gave her best to her country. “She even surfaced at the Confab in spite of her failed health. “May her courageous soul rest in the blossom of our Lord,’’ Odumakin said. Also speaking, Dr Joe Odumakin, the President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) lamented the demise of Akunyili, saying that she would always be remembered for her tenacity and courageous pursuit of ideals both as director general of NAFDAC and as a minister of information. “Akunyili displayed exemplary candour in the moment of constitutional crisis in Nigeria in 2010 when she joined patriotic Nigerians to speak boldly against the `cabal’ that wanted to drag the country to the precipice over a succession that ought to have been a cinch. “Her exemplary patriotism was further displayed when she showed up at the National Conference in spite of the toll the illness had taken on her physical appearance. “Now she is free from it all to take her deserved rest. It is our prayer that God grants her soul eternal rest and protect the family she left behind,’’ the CD President said. In his reaction, the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said it would be long before Nigeria could get someone to play the role of Akunyili as the NAFDAC DG. “Before Akunyili came on board, many Nigerians did not know the ills bedeviling the health sector with the manufacture and sale of fake drugs. “Akunyili not only opened the eyes of Nigerians and the international world to it, she fought the fake drug dealers to a standstill. “We missed her when she left and we will continue to miss her,’’ Omokhuale said. (NAN)