A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Lagos State Government on Friday condemned in strong terms the mob action that led to the death of an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Tajudeen Olatunji Bakare and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.
The Government also denied involvement of LASTMA in an incident which led to the death of a motor boy attached to a Tanker in Apapa area of the State on Thursday.
As a result of the incident, a mob in the area had gathered to attack the said LASTMA Official and stoned him to death.
Bakare, a level 14 officer, was said to have been attacked by the irate mob due to a loose comment by a passerby, while his two eyes were removed and stabbed, after which he was stoned to death.
Addressing a press briefing on the incident on Friday, the State's Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi condemned the brutal murder of the officer, saying that the development was one death too many and most unfortunate, as the victim was killed while performing his lawful duties of making Apapa safe for motorists and commuters.
Elegushi, who addressed the briefing alongside the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Chris Olakpe and the General Manager of the Agency, Bashir Braimoh, said the officer was killed for an incident he knew absolutely nothing about, adding that it was painful that LASTMA officials were being given raw deals either by the people they were meant to serve or security officers, and that such must stop.
"Officer Bakare did not lose his life to an accident. No. His life was taken by persons whose only response to an incident is to resort to "jungle justice" even when they were not sure of the play of event. Our officer was murdered by blood thirsty hounds who parade themselves as purveyors of transportation," Elegushi said.
He said the gallant officer was brought down in a situation where LASTMA was clearly not culpable, and urged the Nigerian Police to do a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to book, saying justice must be served.
Contrary to earlier insinuation, the Commissioner said an eye witness account revealed that LASTMA vehicle did not kill anyone, but that it was the driver of the said Tanker that killed his motor boy who was asleep under the vehicle.
Speaking authoritatively, Elegushi alleged that the mob action was carried out by Tanker Drivers, Okada Riders and other persons who live around them, all of whom he said were persons violating traffic laws, adding that the deceased LASTMA officer was a victim of forceful take-over of roads by a group of people who desire to become a law unto themselves.
He added: "As a government, we have over the years, asked Tank Farms to provide alternatives; we have engaged with the operators and Tanker Drivers yet they remain intransigent. To avoid situations such as this, we have proffered options but we remain undaunted in our resolve.
"The Ministry of Transportation, the supervisor of LASTMA and the management of the agency are irrevocably committed to that singular responsibility of ensuring that Lagos roads remain safe and traffic flows to enable the State's economy to thrive. We do so believing that all residents and visitors to the State obey all our laws and live in tandem with our vision of the community we desire to live in a Lagosians."
While debunking insinuation that enforcement of traffic laws in the State were geared towards revenue generation, Elegushi said the State was not in dire need of cash to warrant such, adding that the commitment of the government was to engender compliance with the traffic laws and enforce the law with civility as directed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Also speaking, Olakpe said the incident was most unfortunate as LASTMA officials are usually trained and retrained on how to be firm, fair and friendly while dealing with members of the public.
Olakpe, who urged the public to desist from mob attack on officers of the agency as it was against the law, said the agency can be reached for complaints through 08129928646.
— Subscribers Say: Suspension is for our own good •Ignore CBN, SEC’s warning
By Ishola Balogun
As anxieties continue to mount over the suspension of the popular Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox, MMM, by its administrators; promoters, consultants and subscribers have assured both the participants and prospective participants that there is no better time to make more money than now.
Some of those who spoke to Saturday Vanguard maintained that the fear of the scheme crashing was misplaced, adding that other activities such as pledging to get help and registering for providing help were ongoing.
An unofficial consultant, analyst and participant in the scheme, Osa Amadi said despite the misconception of the suspension, it is the best time time to make money as all it is required is to pledge to give help of a certain amount of money while the money remains in the pocket pending the lifting of the suspension and maturity date.
According to him, "the fear of MMM crashing is misplaced. I know a lot of people were stampeded into withdrawing their money from the scheme, just like it happens in the conventional banks when there are rumors of distress and people begin to lose confidence. So, the MMM administrators got wind of that fears and moved to stem the impending catastrophe. So, they stopped withdrawal, while all other activities of the scheme are still going on such as the Mavrod growth. As at today, December 15, 2016, people are still getting orders to be matched with participants. By January, the scheme will open up fully and people will start receiving money again. There is no better time to make money in MMM than now.
He explained that: "if you offer to provide help, nobody will receive your money now based on the suspension of withdrawal. Your money will stay in your pocket for 30 days which is incidentally the maturity period in MMM. So, while your money is still in your pocket, it has matured for interest. The day you will be paying, the following day you will be collecting. Unlike before your money will have to be in the system for three weeks or more before you withdraw. It is a rare opportunity and experienced brokers like me will know that there is no better time to make money than now."
The problem was caused by the panic and remember that people are going on holidays, so everybody wanted their money for the Yuletide, and there was this mass withdrawal and the administrators had to stop the trend.
He maintained that some top members of the scheme who are called Guiders have been directed to pump money into the scheme in order to respond promptly to any shortfall in withdrawal request so as to keep the scheme going. "The Guiders are the leaders in MMM and they have received matching orders to move fund into the scheme. They are the highly rich participants in MMM. So, with this order, there will be excess fund to pay people in January.
A participant in the scheme, who does not want his name in print said: "Don’t panic, it’s all for good. Recently, MMM started a promo called holiday bonus in which they were giving 20% extra on top of the 30%. They instructed that the bonus would only go for new money not money that is already in the system. But participants as stubborn as they are wanted to withdraw money from the system and reinvest it to get the holiday bonus. If this was allowed, the withdrawal level will rise so high that it will surpass the donation level and finally crash the system. The bonus was meant for new money not old money in the MMM system already.
"Remember, PH still continues only that people will be matched by January. Their Mavro will be growing but it won’t be matched till January when GH starts. If this measure wasn’t taken, MMM would have crashed last week. So, as the case is now, money will keep growing till January. Please don’t panic, MMM did this to ensure that the system is sustained and that it doesn’t crash.
A promoter known in the scheme as a Guider, who is believed to have benefited immensely from the scheme rationalised the move on the social media saying that it was meant to strengthen the scheme for continuity.
"I want to say that this new message that seems to be causing panic out there in the hearts of all MMM participants, does not say that nobody will be able to Get Help, GH until January, instead the message is saying that you will not be able to GH until after 30days that you actually made the payment of your PH and the recipient confirms. Meaning that your money must actually spend minimum of 30days outside. So, for example, if you are Providing Help PH of 100K on 5th November, and you are matched to pay on 10th November, assuming that you made the payment but the recipient does not confirm your order until 15th November when he finally confirms receipt of your payment, from that instant (15th November), your Mavros will change status to “confirmed” ( irrespective of colour Blue or Green ), so you will only be able to request for help (GH) on that particular 100k + 30% growth as from 15th December. It is not that you can’t GH before January.
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and other personality at his daughter, Zahara Buhari’s, wedding to the Indimi”s at the National Mosque and the reception was at the Conference hall of the Presidential Villa Abuja.
The ongoing suit filed by a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ondo State, Engr. Olusegun Abraham challenging the election of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the APC's authentic candidate for the November 28 election appears to be a major hurdle that could make or mar Akeredolu's swearing-in as Ondo state governor.
The Abuja Federal High Court ruling today has dismissed the preliminary objections raised by Akeredolu’s legal team of 28 lawyers and 2 SAN, and adjourned the trial to February 2, 2017 ahead of the February 27thinauguration date.
Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN
Abraham had challenged the emergence of Akeredolu SAN as the winner of the party's primaries in court.
Abraham had through an ex parte motion prayed the court to declare the process that produced Akeredolu as governorship candidate of APC as illegal.
This, he said, was on the grounds that the election did not conform to the constitution of the party and guidelines set by the party for the primaries.
Abraham, who came second in the party's primaries had prayed the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from presenting Akeredolu as the party's flag-bearer in the November 26 governorship election in the state.
But Justice Dimgba had insisted that since the matter was sensitive, it would be fair if all parties to the suit were present in court before the order was made.
Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), Counsel to Akeredolu, had argued that counsel to Abraham had not served him with the orders of the court requiring the defendants to come and show cause.
Olujimi told the court that because service was not effected, the hearing could not go on.
Before the election, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had ordered Akeredolu to come and show cause (reason) why an interim order restraining INEC from recognising him as the candidate of APC in the fourth coming election should not be granted, and adjourned the matter till December 16.
It will be recalled that an elected delegate for the APC primaries whose name was omitted, and reportedly loyal to Hon. Bola Ilori, ex-APC chieftain turned-the-campaign coordinator of Alliance for Democracy governorship candidate, petitioned the party Appeal Committee, which recommended the governorship primary cancellation.
The acrimony generated by the padding of the party’s delegates list led to the movement of followers of Olusola Oke and Hon Bola Ilori to the Alliance for Democracy while Dr Segun faced the court.
It is the dissatisfied delegate’s petition Abraham has been leaning on to seek redress.
Worried by the rising cases of Vaccine-preventable diseases, African immunisation experts under the aegis of the African Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (RITAG), have called for concrete action to stem the tide of vaccine-preventable diseases in the WHO African Region.
Making the call at the end of its two-day meeting in Dakar, Senegal, to discuss the state of immunisation in the region, the group noted that while Africa has made tremendous gains towards increasing access to immunisation in the last 15 years, progress has stagnated, leaving 1 in 5 African children without access to life-saving vaccines.
Measles alone, they, noted, accounts for approximately 61,000 preventable deaths in the region every year. The RITAG serves as the principal advisory group to the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, on regional immunisation policies and programmes.
"We know that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and that ensuring universal access can drive real progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. We've made good progress – but now is the time to up our game," said Senegal's Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr Awa Marie Coll-Seck.
In her opening remarks at the RITAG meeting, Coll-Seck stated: "Senegal is proud to have hosted this important meeting, aimed at ensuring that all children across Africa have access to the vaccines they need to survive and thrive."
• Success in halting the spread of the wild polio virus through immunisation is one of the significant milestones in Nigeria's health history since independence.
Over the course of the meeting, RITAG members explored a range of pressing issues, including the recent yellow fever epidemic in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; progress towards eliminating measles, rubella and maternal and neonatal tetanus; as well as polio eradication efforts, including planning for adequate, uninterrupted financing of immunisation services once eradication programs ramp down.
Among its deliberations, the RITAG members noted the need to better understand drivers of stagnating progress in immunisation coverage trends, integration of immunization services into the broader health systems strengthening agenda and the importance of increasing community-level engagement.
"The conversations showed that we have all the tools to make sure every child in our countries has a healthy start in life," said WHO Country Representative for Senegal, Dr Deo Nshimirimana.
"If we continue our work in earnest, I am sure we will be able to make greater progress in the upcoming years."
At the end of the two-day meeting, RITAG Chair Professor Helen Rees presented the committee's draft recommendations to advance the immunisation agenda in the region for the WHO Regional Director's consideration.
"RITAG has discussed some of the biggest challenges – and opportunities – facing immunisation programs across Africa, and we have developed a game plan that can take our collective efforts to the next level. I am confident that, together, we can make tremendous progress toward ensuring universal access to immunization in the coming years," said Rees.
The RITAG members will reconvene in six months to evaluate progress and reassess their recommendations.
In February 2016, ministers from 49 African countries signed the Addis Declaration on immunisation, which includes 10 commitments aimed at ensuring all children in Africa receive the full benefits of immunisation. WHO, in collaboration with key partners, is currently developing a road map to guide the implementation of this Declaration.
Bothered by the seemingly dearth of data and inappropriate data management which has hitherto bedeviled developmental planning in Nigeria and Africa, Indian-based think tank, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), has partnered with the Lagos State University, School of Communication (LASUSOC), on Data Development and Management.
L-R: Mr. Jeariogbe Olaniyi, Information & Public Relations Officer, LASU; Sub-Dean, LASUSOC, Dr. Suraj Olunifesi Adekunle; Rajit Sengupta, of CSE’s Down to Earth Magazine, India; Director, CSE’s India Environmental Portal and Assistant Director, Centre for General Nigeria Studies, LASU, Dr. Pius Akhimien, at the 3-day Skills Development workshop, in LASU.
Against this backdrop, the university and the CSE collaborated to organise a 3-day Skills Development Workshop tagged: “African Workshop on How to Use Data for Strategic Communication in Development.”
The event which held between December 13-15, 2016, at the university’s School of Transport, saw no fewer than 60 participants from across diverse professional backgrounds, including journalists, members of the civil society, academics, Non-Governmental Organisations, corporate organisations, media trainers, civil servants, as well as government functionaries, trained on data management.
This is even as LASU and the CSE agreed to exchange expertise and experiences in the fields of development communication, journalism and data science.
In his opening remarks at the 3-day workshop, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, identified lack of appropriate data as the bane of development in Africa, stating that it often impedes effective development planning in the continent.
Professor Fagbohun, who expressed delight in the theme of the workshop noted that its focus on Africa addresses the peculiarities of data gathering and dissemination within the African context.
Also speaking at the event, Dean, LASU School of Communication, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji reiterated the importance of data to the “formulation and execution of development programmes.”
Olatunji noted that the availability of appropriate and reliable data often “provide the bases for creative solutions to societal challenges.”
While commending the CSE for its collaboration with the School, the don expressed optimism that the “partnership will continue to positively impact both scholarship and development efforts in the two countries.”
“The Memorandum of Understanding is the first step towards a meaningful association between the two countries and lays the foundation for a data revolution which will mutually benefit them to develop in every sphere,” said the Director, CSE’s Indian Environment Portal, Kiran Pandey.
On the benefits of the agreement, Pandey said, “The potential is immense. Both India and Nigeria face similar challenges and this is one of the first attempts to provide a platform for the people who are engaged in the important role of nation building in the two countries.
“The reason we wanted to partner LASU is because the university is the right place to reach out with the young minds who will play a major role in the nation building in the future.”
“The success of the first workshop shows the great potential in the field of data. We hope to establish a community of data divers who work together to make the government more transparent and accountable,” she added.
On his part, Rajit Sengupta of CSE’s Down to Earth magazine and a trainer at the workshop said: “Our magazine, Down to Earth, has been using data and stories to highlight challenges and successes in the fields of environment and development for the past 25years in India. The workshop is an attempt to share our learnings and experiences.”
However, speaking to journalists at the end of the workshop, yesterday, the Sub-Dean, LASU School of Communication, Dr. Suraj Olunifesi Adekunle said: “We have seen that Africa is backward for a number of reasons and most of the reasons are due to data.
“We have come to an age where if you don’t have a tab on your data you can’t actually advance in developmental projects. We have seen the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Africa was not able to meet up.
“Now, we are talking about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Africa may not meet up. The reason is because Africa does not keep data. We don’t keep data. We rely on foreign data. Whatever foreign organisations tell us is what we accept. That’s why most of the advice by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank among others are not applicable to Africa because it’s not based on data generation.
“Take Nigeria for instance, how much crude oil are we taking out of the country over the years? Nobody could tell you. We rely so much on the statistics reeled out by foreign oil experts. There was a time in this country the Inspector General of Police was asked about the total number of policemen in the country, he could not state the exact number.
“So, we have seen that we can’t run effectively without data, we have seen that we can’t have a good policy for development without data. We can’t continue this way. Even this current biting recession could be tackled with adequate data as it would help curtail the waste in the system.”
He added that “We need to close this gap because the world is moving, but Africa is left behind. The only way to get it right is to start with data management. Once we are able to know where to source for data, how to get data and how to keep data, then, we can be able to plan effectively. We can be able to plan our resources, human expertise, and get development on the agenda.
“Having said this, we said let us look for people who are in the vanguard of doing this, so, we settled for an NGO in India, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The CSE is not government owned and they are not externally influenced. The CSE has this developmental approach and they have been doing it over time. Having seen their works in Africa, over the years, we said these are the best people to partner with.”
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the country's unemployment rate has risen from 13.3 per cent in the 2nd quarter to 13.9 per cent in the 3rd quarter of 2016.
This is contained in the Unemployment/Under-employment Report for 3rd Quarter of 2016, released by the NBS on Friday in Abuja.
The report stated that the number of unemployed in the labour force increased by 555,311 persons.
According to the report, the underemployment rate rose from 19.3 per cent in second quarter to 19.7 per cent in the third quarter.
The report said that unemployment covered persons (aged 15–64) who during the reference period were currently available for work, actively seeking for work but were without work.
Underemployment, however, occurs when a person works less than full time hours, which is 40 hours, but work at least 20 hours on average a week.
It explained that underemployment could also happen if a person works full time but are engaged in an activity that underutilises his skills, time and educational qualifications.
The report, however, stated that the economically active population or working age population (persons within ages 15 and 64) increased from 106.69 million in second quarter to 108.03 million in the third quarter.
"This represents a 1.26 per cent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.57 per cent increase when compared to the third quarter 2015.''
In 3rd quarter, the labour force population (i.e those within the working age population willing, able and actively looking for work) increased to 80.67 million from 79.9 million in second quarter.
"This represents an increase of 0.98 per cent in the labour force during the quarter.
"This means about 782,886 persons from the economically active population entered the labour force, that is individuals that were able, willing and actively looking for work.
"This magnitude of increase between second and third quarter is smaller when compared to first and second quarter, which was an increase of 1.39m in the Labour force population.
"Within the reference period, the total number of persons in full time employment who (did any form of work for at least 40 hours) decreased by 272,499 or 0.51 per cent.
"This figure decreased when compared to the previous quarter, and decreased by 1.66 million or 3.01 per cent when compared to third quarter of 2015.''
The report stated that with an economically active or working age population (108.03 million) and labour force population (80.67 million), 27.36million persons within the economically active or working age population decided not to work.
It said that the population decided not to work for one reason or the other in the third quarter, hence they were not part of the labour force and could not be considered unemployed.
According to the report, there is eight consecutive rise in the unemployment rate since 4th quarter of 2014.
The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has been elected as the Chairman of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM).
CBN's acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
The statement stated that by the development, Emefiele had also become the Head of the General Assembly of the financial body, comprising nine countries and Islamic Development Bank.
IILM was established by central banks, monetary authorities and multilateral organisations to create and issue short-term Shari'ah-compliant financial instruments to facilitate effective cross-border Islamic liquidity management.
By creating more liquid Shari'ah-compliant financial markets for institutions offering Islamic financial services (IIFS), the IILM aims to enhance cross-border investment flows, international linkages and financial stability.
Its current shareholders comprised central banks and monetary authorities of Indonesia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Development Bank.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson has challenged U.S. officials on Friday to prove their accusations that Russia was involved in cyber attacks to influence the U.S. presidential election.
"They should either stop talking about that or produce some proof at least. Otherwise it all begins to look unseemly,'' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Putin and Obama
Peskov earlier described the allegations as groundless, "ludicrous nonsense,'' following a report by American broadcaster NBC that alleged Putin was personally involved in Russian hacking to influence the U.S. poll.
The NBC report said unnamed U.S. officials alleged that Putin had personally directed how hacked material from Democrats was leaked and otherwise used.
The unnamed officials said the intelligence on the matter had come from diplomatic sources and spies, the report said.
The Naira on Friday fell at the parallel market as dollar scarcity worsened ahead of the Christmas season.
The Nigerian currency exchanged at N487 to a dollar, from N485 it had maintained for close to two weeks, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N605 and N510 respectively.
Naira-Dollar
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the Naira closed at N399 to a dollar, CBN controlled rate, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro traded at N606 and N515 respectively.
The Naira remained stable at the inter-bank market, trading at N305 to a dollar.
Traders said that the demand for dollars was putting pressure on the Naira.
As the popular ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mudial Moneybox, MMM, has seemed to induct many Nigerians into its fold, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, the Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), on Friday said the commission and CBN had set up a committee to look into the trending "digital currency, 'bitcoin'.
Ibrahim said this at the ongoing 2016 Workshop for Financial Correspondents in Kaduna.
The theme of the workshop is " Economic Recession and the Nigerians Banking Sector: Opportunities,Challenges and the way Forward".
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele
"On our part, we have constituted a committee together with the central bank to have an in debt study of this phenomenal bitcoin.
"We will look at it's advantages and disadvantages, what it means for the payment system and what it means for safety and security of customers.
"We will also look at what it means for money laundering, anti curruption, crime and measurement of money /near money instrument for the economy.
"But we need a lot of education to do this and I'm calling on you (media) to educate yourselves about all of this so you can educate the public," he said.
Ibrahim said 'bitcoin' included what is being called block chain technology based products in the market.
He said that a lot of Nigerians had already started patronising bitcoin, stressing that 'it had started to creep in and nobody could stop it.
He said that in Europe and the United States, it had gained currency and some of the leading banks in Europe had also adopted their own versions of bitcoins.
"Some of the central banks have also adopted it and are seriously doing everything possible to bring in the emergence of this invisible products.
"The owners do not need any central bank; they do not need any physical bank.
"If you are a subscriber, you only know yourselves and they give you a bit of the bitcoin and in some countries you can convert it to cash.
"You can make payments with it because it has been recognised and one of the famous ex-chief executive of Barclays PLC, Antony Jenkins, have joined the groups board of directors,"Ibrahim said.
He explained that the financial service industry is not spared in all of this.
On the issue of "MMM", he said it had been pronounced that it was not recognised and was illegal.
"It is a very serious matter and all hands must be on deck to educate the public against things like this.
On the current problems regarding the emergence of wonder banks, Ibrahim said NDIC would not relent in calling on Nigerians, educating and sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of patronising wonder banks.
He urged the media to help and continue to educate the public not to in anyway patronise institutions that were not licenced by the Central Bank or insured by the NDIC.
On financial inclusion, he said although the success recorded was not much but there had been improvement in the area of financial inclusion in the country.
"The successes recorded is not much, but it is a good start given the prevailing number if Nigerians excluded financially,
"I think if you check the statistics that has been rolled out you will appreciate that we have recorded tremendous successes in the last three years.
"This is since the introduction of cashless policy and mobile banking to the extent that more Nigerians are getting involved.
"But we have a very long way to go and it is your responsibility, as journalists, to continue to help educate Nigerians on the advantages of not keeping their money under their pillows and matrasses or in some cases in soak aways and ceilings.
"We know that people fear electronic fraud, but I can assure you that CBN and the banking community are doing everything possible to block all loop holes associated with mobile banking.
"And the advantages far out ways the disadvantages," he said.
The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has, in its released 2016 Nov/Dec West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, results said that it withheld the results of 13,488 (Thirteen Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty Eight) candidates, representing 7.81% over various cases of examination malpractices.
Announcing the results yesterday (Friday) in Lagos, the Head of National Office, Nigeria, Mr Olu Adenipekun also said that 38.50 per cent had credit pass in Mathematics and English Language.
WASSEC candidate
He said that candidates results of this year have remarkable improvement to that of 2015 and 2014. According to him, the percentage of candidates that obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics in the WASSCE for Private Candidates in 2014 and 2015 was 29.37 percent and 20.59 percent respectively.
In the breakdown of the results, he said: “A total of 66,497 (Sixty Six Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety Seven) candidates, representing 38.50%, obtained credits in five (5) subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics." “The percentage of candidates that obtained five (5) credits and above including English Language and Mathematics in the WASSCE for Private Candidates in 2014 and 2015 was 29.37% and 20.59% respectively."
“19 (Nineteen) visually challenged candidates registered for and sat the examination in Nigeria. From this figure, 4 (Four) candidates, representing 21.05% obtained credit in five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics."
“Of the total number of 172,699 (One Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety Nine) candidates that sat for the examination, 149,651 (One Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty One) candidates, representing 86.65% obtained credits and above in two (2) subjects; 134,152 (One Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Two) candidates, representing 77.67% obtained credits and above in three (3) subjects, while 116,133 (One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand One Hundred and Thirty Three) candidates, representing 67.25% obtained credits and above in four (4) subjects. "
"95,294 (Ninety Five Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Four) candidates, representing 55.18% obtained credits and above in five (5) subjects, while 72,229 (Seventy Two Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty Nine) candidates, representing 41.82% obtained credits and above in six (6) subjects.”
He, however said that candidates who sat the examination will be able to check the details of their performance on the Council's website: www.waecdirect.org within the next twenty-four hours.
Many Nigerians consider December to be the most wonderful time of the year to plan a wedding. Over the years, a majority of couples pick the month as they believe it to be the best time to get hitched without any disturbance from the rain. Unfortunately, while December weddings can be romantic and scenic, the harmattan which is usually experienced during the period in a way ensures that everyone involved does not stop sweating. Also, considering it's the end of the year, basic services, as well as a lot of items needed to set up the wedding, will be given at a much higher cost than normal.
If the thought of getting hitched during this time of the year is intimidating, don’t fret. Where there is a will there is a way. Jumia Travel, Africa's No.1 online hotel booking site shares 5 tips for the perfect December wedding in Nigeria
Have An Outdoor Wedding Having an outdoor wedding in December is a no-brainer as it is sunny and gorgeous. Again, it may even be cheaper than renting a hall or event center. From a garden to the beach or even the outside of bride's home, there are so many options. You have to keep in mind, though, the high temperature and make provisions to protect guests and stop them from sweltering. Ensure you put up canopies and provide parasols or hand fans. You can even print your ceremony programs on the fans; they would make a cute accessory.
Put A Drink In Their Hand
The weather is hot and the food most likely would be too. It only makes sense to ensure your menu includes a lot of cold dishes and chilly treats like mini milkshakes and smoothies for dessert, and also ensure the guests have chilled drinks served to them at intervals. In fact, you may want to consider offering guests a refreshing drink to sip on before the ceremony begins.
Have Just One Venue
It's December; people are always on the road moving from one place to the other and attending various ceremonies. It is a safe bet to have your entire wedding in one place; that way you avoid delays and stress from the heat and traffic jams. If you must have your ceremony & reception in separate venues, ensure the venues are very near to each other. This will make transport easier.
Do Not Pick the 25th For Your Wedding With December comes Christmas and usually, the 25th is set apart for not just Christian families to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with their families, but also people around the world to enjoy the gift of Santa. Unless you are of a religion that does not observe this holiday, do not make the mistake of setting your wedding date on the 25th. Doing so will ensure your invitation is denied by so many and your wedding is not well attended.
Plan Your Pictures Thanks to the weather condition that is prevalent in Nigeria during the month of December, the sun is usually at its peak from early in the day and as such, it is advisable that you plan your wedding pictures in such a way that you get the best possible result (especially if you are planning an outdoor wedding). Plan your photography such that you do not have to take pictures at noon or too close to noon as the sun will be directly overhead and will cause unflattering shadows. Aim to take your pictures in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the commission recorded at least, 70 incidences of obstruction of election electoral processes in Dec.10, re-run legislative elections in Rivers.
Yakubu disclosed this while addressing a world conference at the opening ceremony of a two-day Capacity Development for INEC Press Corps on Friday in Abuja.
The INEC boss said that the violent incidence included harassment, abduction and physical assaults of election duty personnel during the election.
He decried the high level of violence and thuggery witnessed in the exercise, adding that "on the eve of the election, thugs disrupted the delivery of election materials.
Registration Area Centres (RACs), a situation that prevented early deployment to the Polling Units (PUs)on election day.
Yaukubu said, "Indeed, in many instances, we had to deploy directly from the local government areas to PUs, contrary to our plans.
"Amidst heavy shooting by political thugs, vehicles transporting materials and personnel to PUs were hijacked.
"Voter registers, ballot papers, result sheets and Smart Card Readers (SCR) were brazenly snatched at gun point."
He said that the commission had documented all the instances of violence adding that
"The INEC shall carefully scrutinize them and take appropriate action under the law and its guidelines and regulations.
He, however, pledged that INEC would work with security agencies to uncover and punish people who disrupted the distribution of election materials and electoral processes in the Rivers rerun elections.
He cited violenc in Okrika and Gokana Local Government and the heavy shooting reported in Biata and Bodo.
"We are confident that the security agencies will investigate all violations of the nation's laws before, during and after the last re-run elections in Rivers.''
This he said include the alleged unsavory roles played by actors in uniform.
"INEC will work with the security agencies to uncover and punish those who disrupted the distribution of election materials
"To uncover the hijacking of election materials in Andoni, Oyibo and Ogu-Bolu, the hostage taking in Akoku Toru, the physical attack and kidnapping of election personnel.
He said that the hijack resulted in the loss of ballot paper consignment for Ward 16 in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
"Also the unmasking of the identity of the thugs that threatened to burn down our personnel inside the vehicles conveying them to pulling Units (Pus) in Etche.
"The process which resulted in the massive disruption that made it impossible for elections to be conducted in a substantial part of the Federal and State Constituencies in the LGA.''
According to him the INEC is also in contact with the security agencies to secure the release of its three Collation Officers detained in a security facility in Port Harcourt for almost a week.
He said that the commission was also aware of reports of infractions by some of INEC staff, ranging from absence from duty posts to partisanship in the discharge of their duties.
"We also acknowledge that in Ahoada East and West, a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) unsuccessfully tried to abscond with ballot papers and result sheets.
"We are also investigating the allegation of bribery involving other staff, particularly those deployed to Etche and Ikwerre.
"We wish to assure all Nigerians that the Commission is instituting an administrative inquiry as part of a comprehensive review of the Rivers re-run elections.
"Needless to say that any INEC staff found to have disobeyed clear rules and regulations will be appropriately sanctioned.''
The INEC boss, therefore, appealed to perpetrators of violence during elections to regard politics and competition for office as monumental responsibilities that called for civility and candor, "not aggression and blood-letting.''
Yakubu, however, expressed the commission's condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the violence in the rerun elections in Rivers.
He, however,commended Prof. Oji Ekumankama, the Returning Officer for Rivers East Senatorial District, allegedly assaulted by unknown persons in uniform and threatened to arrest him.
"Election materials, including result sheets and his personal belongings were taken away at gun point, yet he stood his ground, supported by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for the area who offered to be arrested along with Ekumankama.
"In the same vein, Ms. Mary Tunkuyo, Mr Agona Isaac, Mr Ademola Toba, NYSC members that served as electoral officers were physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries, yet theystood their grounds and discharged their responsibilities.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers on Friday presented petitions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria Police on its reservations over the conduct of the re-run elections.
Mr Honourable Asita, APC's Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2015 election, made this known during a protest march to INEC office in Port Harcourt.
APC
Asita, with other leaders and members of the party, said that they were at the INEC office to formally present a petition on the conduct of the election.
"We are protesting the conduct of the elections especially in Rivers East Senatorial District, where election results were yet to be collated in three local government areas, when INEC went ahead to declare result and present certificate to the candidate of the PDP.''
According to Asita, the action of INEC confirmed the content of a tape in which Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers threatened to kill officials of the electoral umpire if they failed to do his bidding.
"In the audio tape we presented to INEC and police, Wike was threatening to kill some INEC officials if they don't do what he had paid them money for.
"We have written several petitions to security agencies but because Wike is controlling Rivers money to bribe, he has continuously bribed people to have his way."
The leader of the APC protest called for the redeployment of Mr Aniedi Ikoiwaik, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) out of the state for not being able conduct a credible election.
Collecting the petition, Mr Adeyemi Olufemi, Head of the Legal Department, INEC in Rivers, thanked the APC members for being peaceful and assured them that the letter and tape would be transmitted to its headquarters in Abuja.
Earlier at the Police Headquarters, Rivers Command, Asita said the killings during the 2015 electioneering campaign and the election had not abated.
He said the violence was not only against APC members because a security officer was affected.
"DSP Mohammed Alkali was killed and beheaded with other police officers but nothing has been done; no arrest has been made.
"We are here to present a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Abubakar, demanding an investigation into all politically motivated killings in the state," he said.
Asita further alleged that Wike had been on air scandalising and intimidating some gallant police officers who refused to take bribe.
He urged the police in Rivers not to be intimidated by the unguarded actions of the state governor.
Meanwhile, Mr Cyril Okoro, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), promised to forward the petition and tape to the I-G.
Okoro enjoined the APC leaders to control their members and remain peaceful.
However, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Dan Awunah, had earlier in Abuja paraded five suspects in connection with the mayhem recorded during the Rivers re-run polls.
Awunah assured that the suspects would be prosecuted at the end of investigation.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday gave out his daughter, Zahra Muhammadu Buhari, in marriage to Ahmed Indimi.
The wedding Fatiha took place after the Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Makari, performed the two Jumma'at Prayer.
Zahra Buhari and Mohammed Indimi
A representative of the Indimi family whose name was not disclosed, paid 12 gold coins which was converted and valued at N250,000, the amount for the dowry.
The Sarkin Fulanin Daura, Alhaji Yusuf Sani, gave out Zahra on behalf of the Buhari family.
Dignitaries who attended the wedding included former Lagos State Gov. Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chief Bisi Akande.
The dignitaries also included Govs. Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-rufai, Gov. Umaru Almakura, Yahaya Bello and Aminu Masari, among others.
Zahra is the seventh of Buhari's children. She runs an NGO called ACE which primarily offers free medical care for sickle cell sufferers, while the Husband is a businessman.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has raised alarm over alleged secret recruitment of workers by the outgoing government of Gov. Olusegun Mimiko into various ministries and parastatals in the state.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of APC in Ondo Sstate, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, made this known to newsmen on Friday in Akure.
The statement alleged that the move was to ambush the incoming APC government.
Mimiko
According to the statement, letters of appointment issued are being back-dated while Gov. Mimiko is also selling government properties to cronies.
"We have been adequately informed of the unholy and unpatriotic dealings of the outgoing Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, by secretly employing over 10,000 people into all the ministries, parastatals and agencies in the state, especially Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA).
"This is in a bid to create problems and complexity for the incoming administration of APC when his eight years tenancy in Alagbaka Government House, ends in Feb. 2017.
"Mr Mimiko has been recruiting massively into the Health Sector, Local Governments, Education Ministry, among others.
"Properties of the State Oil Palm Plantation at Okitipupa, Irele, Araromi-Obu are being sold at give-away prices to the governor's allies.
"Specifically, we are aware that one Mercedes Benz lorry, popularly called 9/11, was sold for just one hundred thousand Naira only (N100,000),'' the statement alleged.
The statement further alleged that government landed properties were also being sold and shared among some politicians without due process.
It alleged that several government vehicles had been driven away and were kept in various mechanics' workshops across the state and neighbouring states, with registration number removed.
The party, therefore, urged senior civil servants in all the ministries and departments not to get involved in any sharp practice, adding that incoming government would deal with any corrupt act.
"The party also cautions the heads of ministries and parastatals, especially permanent secretaries and directors, not to be part of these untoward acts, as full investigations and probe will be launched.
"Appropriate action would be taken when APC government takes over the reins of power by February, 2017,'' the statement said.
Reacting, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said the allegation was a "total falsehood aim at misinforming the public''.
"For political consideration, government did not reduce the workforce.
"We have done everything to reduce wages due to the economic situation in the country.
"Anybody who is talking about secret recruitment and selling of government properties is alien to the structure of government; moreover not at the wee hours of this administration,'' Akinmade said.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by ex- governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, seeking reinstatement to complete his tenure of office.
Nyako was on July 15, 2014, impeached as governor of the state after spending three of the four years in office.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Tanko Muhammad led the seven-man panel to hold that the appeal was lacking in merit.
"This court agrees with the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal that declared Nyako's removal from office as illegal.
"We also hold onto the decision of the lower court that fails to reinstate the appellant because of the special facts of the case,'' he said.
Muhammad said the appeal had to fail because Nyako's counsel compromised the case at the lower court when he withdrew the prayer seeking the ex-governor's reinstatement.
"There could be no ground of appeal when a litigant's case was compromised by his or her counsel and on that score alone the appeal has to fail.
"However, the remedy by the appeal of court ordering the payment of salaries and other entitlements accruable to the appellant for the period he was illegally removed from office, was in order,'' he said.
"There will never be a forum again where that issue of reinstatement would be raised again, and to that extent, that informs my dismissal of the appeal in its entirety,'' Muhammad held.
Nyako had through his counsel, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court, Yola, challenging his removal from office by the state's House of Assembly.
Delivering judgment on suit on May 21, 2015, Justice Balkisu Aliyu went ahead to strike out the case.
The judge held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the proceeding at the trial court, Nyako approached the Court of Appeal in Yola to challenge the decision of the court.
Nyako, after the filing of the appeal went on to brief another lawyer, Mr Ibrahim Isiaku (SAN), to lead his legal team.
The confusion ensued at the point of adoption of written addresses when it was held that Isiaku had withdrawn the prayer seeking the ex-governor's reinstatement.
Justice Jummai Sankey delivering the decision of the Court of Appeal, Yola, on Feb. 11 held that the court set aside the decision of the trial court to hear the suit on its merit.
The appeal court had gone ahead to declare Nyako's removal as unconstitutional as the impeachment proceedings were conducted in breach of his rights to fair hearing.
Sankey therefore ordered the Adamawa Government to pay all salaries, allowances and other entitlements to Nyako for the period he was illegally removed from office.
Nigerians love the social media, most especially Instagram. Many celebrities including Bobrisky and many more have emerged from massive recognition on Instagram. So, almost everyone wants to become famous on Instagram or be recognized as an Instagram celebrity. Attaining the status of Instagram celebrity, however, is not that easy. You would need to have thousands or even millions of followers and be so popular and influential that brands would pay you to tastefully promote their products within your feed. Basically, you would be fighting to achieve a professional social media mogul.
If you are among the many Nigerians nursing this dream and have no idea how to turn it into reality, do not be perturbed. Jumia Travel shares 4 helpful tips to become an Instagram celebrity.
Choose A Striking Instagram Name. Becoming an Instagram celebrity is not just about pictures and how the person looks. There are so many other things that come to play. One of such things is the Instagram name of the aspiring celebrity. Ensure you choose something that is instantly appealing as it will arouse curiosity in the minds of other Instagram users and get them trailing your account.
Get Creative With Hashtagging. Hashtags are everything when it comes to Instagram. Make your #hashtags unique and creative. Use funny, ironic, or outrageous hashtags to tell part of your story. Ensure you mix it up and avoid looking desperate by using too many hashtags. Also, have a dedicated hashtag which you can cross-promote on your different social media platforms, on your website, and in your email blasts. Make sure it’s in your profile, and if you’re on radio and TV, direct people to use your hashtag. Tap into previously used hashtags for places and objects you've photographed.
Start Local. Do not start too big. Target a local group maybe your neighborhood, a city you are targeting in ads or even an event in a certain location. Do good research, find out what is going on in a specific area and discover the major influencers in the area. Visit the profiles of each influencer you discover and “Turn On Post Notifications” to be notified every time they share new content. This will give you all the ideas you need to become relevant to the group as well
Engage In Massively Popular Conversations. You must spread your 'social wings' if you intend to be an Instagram model. Participate in popular conversation, especially controversial topics, and make sure you are noticed. You have to make sure, however, that you get the background knowledge you need to sound reasonable while in the conversation. Also, respond to posts by celebrities and socialites and make a strong comment, tagging them each time. Again, shout outs come a long way.
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