BREAKING: After CAMPUS GIST’s report, UNIBEN sets up Panel to probe “Aggressive Malpractice” Student
Following the exclusive report by CAMPUS GIST, Management of University of Benin has set up a special Committee to probe a student of the institution who was captured in a video bragging about how she graduated using ‘malpractice’.
In the viral video, the fresh female graduate had an inscription on her signing out shirt that ascribed her academic success to ‘aggressive malpractice’. “Aggressive malpractice brought me this far”, the inscription read.
CAMPUS GIST had, in the exclusive report, unmasked the lady's identity as Peace Ufuoma, a student of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, with Matriculation Number LSC1605452.
The University Management has now set up a special Committee to probe the fresh graduate including all her exam scripts and results from 100 level to final year and investigate the viral video.
In a memo exclusively obtained by CAMPUS GIST on Thursday, the seven-man Committee is headed by Prof. (Mrs) I.O. Enabulele as Chairman, with Dr. (Mrs) I.B. Idemudia as Secretary and comprises of six females and a male.
The memo which was signed by Prof. S.E. Omonigho, Head of Department, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, gave the Committee one week to submit its report to the Head of Department, Microbiology.
Terms of Reference: (a) to investigate her involvement in any examination malpractice; (b) to investigate what actually transpired about the online publications; (c) to scrutinize all her results till date including all exam scripts etc.; (d) to scrutinize all marking schemes for all her courses; (e) how true is the inscription on her shirt?; (f) did she really do malpractice?; (g) to provide any other useful information on the matter.
Meanwhile, CAMPUS GIST gathered that the Committee which has since been inaugurated, has begun work. A member of the Commitee, who craved anonymity, told CAMPUS GIST that the Committee has begun meeting already and will soon invite Miss Ufuoma.
The Committee member also assured that no stone will be left unturned during the course of investigation, even as the Committee guarantees fair hearing to the affected student to defend herself.
“There is room for the accused student to defend herself, aside we doing our jobs deligently in line with the terms of reference and making necessary recommendations”, the Commmitee member told CAMPUS GIST.
As students and aggrieved alumni of the University of Benin await the final report of the special Committee in the coming weeks, tension is now high as to what the recommendation may look like.
The recommendation of the Committee may be subjected to further approval by the University Senate. Based on its findings, the Committee may recommend sanctions. There are also chances that the student may be exonerated.
But if found wanting or culpable, Miss Ufoma may be recommended for immediate expulsion, extension of academic year(s)/probation, have all her scripts and exam results remarked or have her certificate withheld by the University Management.
BREAKING: After CAMPUS GIST’s report, UNIBEN sets up Panel to probe “Aggressive Malpractice” Student
Following the exclusive report by CAMPUS GIST, Management of University of Benin has set up a special Committee to probe a student of the institution who was captured in a video bragging about how she graduated using ‘malpractice’.
In the viral video, the fresh female graduate had an inscription on her signing out shirt that ascribed her academic success to ‘aggressive malpractice’. “Aggressive malpractice brought me this far”, the inscription read.
CAMPUS GIST had, in the exclusive report, unmasked the lady's identity as Peace Ufuoma, a student of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, with Matriculation Number LSC1605452.
The University Management has now set up a special Committee to probe the fresh graduate including all her exam scripts and results from 100 level to final year and investigate the viral video.
In a memo exclusively obtained by CAMPUS GIST on Thursday, the seven-man Committee is headed by Prof. (Mrs) I.O. Enabulele as Chairman, with Dr. (Mrs) I.B. Idemudia as Secretary and comprises of six females and a male.
The memo which was signed by Prof. S.E. Omonigho, Head of Department, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, gave the Committee one week to submit its report to the Head of Department, Microbiology.
Terms of Reference: (a) to investigate her involvement in any examination malpractice; (b) to investigate what actually transpired about the online publications; (c) to scrutinize all her results till date including all exam scripts etc.; (d) to scrutinize all marking schemes for all her courses; (e) how true is the inscription on her shirt?; (f) did she really do malpractice?; (g) to provide any other useful information on the matter.
Meanwhile, CAMPUS GIST gathered that the Committee which has since been inaugurated, has begun work. A member of the Commitee, who craved anonymity, told CAMPUS GIST that the Committee has begun meeting already and will soon invite Miss Ufuoma.
The Committee member also assured that no stone will be left unturned during the course of investigation, even as the Committee guarantees fair hearing to the affected student to defend herself.
“There is room for the accused student to defend herself, aside we doing our jobs deligently in line with the terms of reference and making necessary recommendations”, the Commmitee member told CAMPUS GIST.
As students and aggrieved alumni of the University of Benin await the final report of the special Committee in the coming weeks, tension is now high as to what the recommendation may look like.
The recommendation of the Committee may be subjected to further approval by the University Senate. Based on its findings, the Committee may recommend sanctions. There are also chances that the student may be exonerated.
But if found wanting or culpable, Miss Ufoma may be recommended for immediate expulsion, extension of academic year(s)/probation, have all her scripts and exam results remarked or have her certificate withheld by the University Management.
BENIN CITY — As the controversy over where thousands of artefacts looted from the palace of Benin Kingdom in 1897 by the Europeans should be domiciled rages, a social activist Benjamin Oyemwense, has said the stolen artefacts belong to the palace of the Oba of Benin and should, therefore, be returned there.
Pledging his support for the Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oyemwense said the art forms should be returned to the palace where they were looted from, railing against Governor Godwin Obaseki’s proposal that the artefacts be returned to a state-owned Museum.
Recall that Governor Obaseki, following his recent trip to Germany, had proposed that the 1,130 artefacts which the German government promises to return to Nigeria in 2022, be domiciled in a museum to be built by the state government.
But the proposal was rejected by the Benin monarch at a world press conference in Benin city over the weekend, insisting that the artefacts be returned to the palace, since they were taken away from there in the aftermath of the British invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897.
Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with journalists in Benin City, the Edo state capital, on Monday, Oyemwense said the looted artefacts expected to be returned to the country should be kept in the custody of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.
The Speaker of the University of Benin Students’ Union Government, called on Obaseki to have a sincere dialogue with the Benin monarch with a view to reaching mutual understanding on the best way the artefacts would be of utmost benefit to the royal palace and the Edo people.
Oyemwense said the recent statement by Oba Ewuare II to discerning minds, revealed that some opportunists with parochial interest were trying to bring the state governor and the Oba, on a collision course over the artefacts.
He, therefore, advised that Obaseki should be wary of such persons. The activist said the governor should endeavour to clear the controversy surrounding issues of the Benin Royal Museum and the Edo Museum of African Arts, EMOWAA, in his interface with the Benin monarch.
“Aggressive malpractice brought me this far”, the inscription read. The excited graduand seemed not to care as she showed off the shirt while giving dance moves.
While many Nigerians slammed her shirt inscription, others cautioned that the lady's action may see her certificate withheld by the University.
Identity of the lady have now emerged as the University Management launched a manhunt for the erring fresh graduate, following the outrage that trailed the video.
The lady has been identified as one Peace Ufuoma. An impeccable source told CAMPUS GIST that, Ufoma graduated from Microbiology Department, Faculty of Life Sciences.
Meanwhile, following the outrage that trailed the manner in which the student marked concluding her undergraduate studies, the University Management has commenced investigations into the viral video.
CAMPUS GIST reliably gathered that necessary arrangements have been put in place to summon the graduate to appear before a Disciplinary Panel over the video. If found wanting, she may be dismissed or have her certificate withheld.
Students are usually invited to Panels or Committees on offences bothering on examination malpractices such as the one Ufoma is being investigated for.
A top official of the institution who spoke in an exclusive chat with CAMPUS GIST on Monday, while craving anonymity, lamented that the lady's actions had brought shame to the University.
“The character exhibited by the student is not a true reflection of who we are as an institution of learning – our training, discipline, norms and tradition. We raise and award our certificates to only deserving graduands both in character and learning,” the official told CAMPUS GIST.
Some alumni of the University who commented on the matter, lamented the extent of damage the actions of the graduate may have brought to the institution and other alumni.
“I think if this is allowed to slide, it would set a bad precedent. The worse is yet to come. Some people might feel Uniben doesn't have a standard anymore and we produce jokers as graduates”, said a former Union leader of the school.
“I personally find this shameful and a slap on Uniben as an institution, a top institution at that”, an alumni of the University commented in one of the platforms where the video was reposted.
Another wrote: “The internet never forgets. So if I am seeking for job and now present my CV to a company, my employers will base my status as a Uniben graduate as someone who must have engaged in exam malpractice in school and subject me to further tests and screening.”
UNIBEN VC, Salami hosts first Women Scientists’ Conference in Benin
The University of Benin has zero-tolerance for sexual harassment. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, stated this in Benin City while declaring open the 1st Scientific Conference, organised by Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), UNIBEN Chapter, held at the University of Benin.
Professor Salami lamented the rampant cases of suicide by young persons and sexual harassment of vulnerable persons in the country’s institutions of higher learning. She said although there is reported decline in the twin evils from last year’s occurrences, it was not time yet for concerned citizens to rest on their oars. The Vice Chancellor commended the Women in Science for helping to bring the menaces to the fore and expressed confidence that far-reaching solutions would be adduced by participants at the Conference.
On efforts by the University’s Management to curb sexual harassment on campus, the Vice Chancellor said a policy to check the incidence is in place, while a Dress Code on proper dressing for staff and students has been introduced.
President of the UNIBEN chapter of OWSD, Professor Francisca Okungbowa believes the conference will sufficiently sensitise vulnerable persons in the society and also help policy makers to chart a course of action that will enhance the quest for freedom from depressive tendencies and sexual harassment. A journal of important scientific papers presented, is expected to be published at the end of the Conference .
A fresh graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) simply identified as Joshua, has reportedly drowned at a swimming pool in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
CAMPUS GIST reliably gathered that the student, popularly called ‘TJ’ by his friends, drowned at the pool where they had gone for a post-graduation picnic.
According to an impeccable source who spoke to CAMPUS GIST on Friday, the incident happened on Thursday in the Edo state capital.
“He(TJ) doesn't know how to swim, I was told he left the children's pool for the deepest part of the adults’ session where he drowned,” the source claimed.
But another source, who craved anonymity, gave a different narrative. “I was told TJ hit his head on something inside the deep pool where he was found dead.”
The deceased who ‘signed out’ barely four days ago as part of final year rituals, was a Microbiology student in the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Friends and course mates of the deceased have taken to social media to mourn the late graduate of Microbiology.
Meanwhile, CAMPUS GIST gathered that colleagues of the deceased who went to the station to report the matter have been detained by the Police authority.
A two-day examination for the visually-impaired, seeking University admissions through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, 2021, has concluded succsessfully at the University of Benin which served as the Centre for Candidates in Benin City and neighbouring towns and states, including Delta State.
This was disclosed by Public Relations Officer of the University of Benin, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, in a statement issued on Thursday, in Benin City, the Edo state capital and made available to journalists.
The Equal Opportunity Examination, introduced by the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, was co-ordinated in the Benin City Centre by the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Professor Oluwafemi Balogun who commended JAMB for the initiative which is expected to help physically disadvantaged persons actualise the quest for higher education.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin and Host, Professor Lilian Salami, in her goodwill message, said Management of the University was pleased to play its role in complementing the committment of JAMB to the progress of physically challenged Nigerian children.
Subjects for which candidates in the UNIBEN centre were examined were Use of English, Literature in English, Government, and Christian Religious Knowledge. The candidates were accommodated for the duration of the examination and also provided braille materials, laptop computers and typewriters based on need and preference.
The former coordinator of the now-defunct Nigeria Chapter of a pro-choice civil society organisation based in Washington, United States, the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning (IYAFP), Offor Hope Jeremiah, has reacted to the allegation of fraudulently receiving funding from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) through the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF).
An online Newspaper had reported that, Mr Jeremiah Offor, 25, approached the IPPF, a London-based International NGO, for a $78,748 fund to help adolescent girls in Borno State access safe abortion.
According to the report, Offor proposed an all-year-round programme with activities ranging from training of medicals who would provide safe medical abortion services, to recruitment of girls and women educators, and then the facilitation of classes and community meetings among others, all in the Damboa and Magumeri local government areas of Borno State.
IPPF approved the proposal and in December 2019 released about $40,000 (N16million) initial tranche from its Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), where changemakers around the world source finances for health-related actions.
Mr Offor had requested for the fund on behalf of the organization and had featured some members in the proposal without their consent, the journalist claimed.
The report claimed Offor did not execute the project. He manufactured a narrative report for the first half of the year 2020. Although SAAF played in and released the second tranche, which was over $30,000, it would learn of possible fraud, confirmed in an investigation by the international body of IYAFP which linked Offor to a string of fraudulent activities.
Reacting to the report, Offor who clarified his age as 23, said that the claim that he collected 16 million Naira and that he did not execute the project were both false.
Mr Offor said the investigation was malicious and not based on true events. He also urged the public to disregard the report as it is false.
He said; “I am Offor Hope Jeremiah and my attention has been drawn to an article published on the FIJ website that alleged that I have fraudulently received funding from the IPPF through the Safe Abortion Action Fund and I am writing to correct this misrepresentation that has been all over social media.
“First, I have been working as an activist in the sexual and reproductive health and rights space since 2014 during my 2nd Year at the University of Benin, where I started as a youth volunteer with the Edo State Office of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria. This was based on my passion for ensuring that young people particularly adolescent girls and young women do not die from preventable causes like unplanned pregnancies and lack of comprehensive sexuality education and my hard work in the space over the years has been rewarded by notable international bodies including the European Commission for International Development and Cooperation, the Harvard University Ministerial Leadership Program and Civicus to mention a few.
“My stay of time in this space has gone to show my work was passion-driven and never financially motivated.
“In 2019, as the then Country Coordinator for the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning-Nigeria, we were invited to submit a full funding proposal to the Safe Abortion Action Fund and after a proposal technical workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, the proposed funding was increased from 40,000 USD to 79,708 USD after the funders saw how important the work I was proposing was. The Youth Spotlight Initiative (YSI) was accepted by the donor to act as IYAFP-Nigeria fiscal holder.
“On the 29th of December 2019, Mr Isaac of YSI informed me that his organization had received the first tranche of SAAF funding of 39,855 USD which was 14,347,800 in Nigerian Naira.
“In early January, I received a Representative of the donor organization who was sent to conduct a monitoring visit on 3 organizations they were funding in Nigeria including IYAFP-Nigeria. He went through the proposed activities and for 4 days provided us expert advice on how to implement the project activities in line with the Donor's requirements.
“That same weekend he left Abuja for Lagos to visit the other organizations, I embarked on a trip to Maiduguri to join the PPMVs training. For the first 3 months of the project, we were on track, meeting our KPIs until the Pandemic and the pandemic restrictions struck and we had to adapt our activities to the Covid-19 realities, budget was amended and activities were adapted.
“We were even invited by the Donor to apply for additional funding that could help us adapt our activities to the Covid-19 realities which I refused as our original budget had allowances that could allow us to adapt our activities in the light of Covid-19.
“For the next three months April through June, the project team struggled with project implementation and this impressed the donor who wanted us to write a blogpost on how youth-led organizations like ours were adapting their work to the Covid-19 restrictions. That was how much hard work we invested in activities implementation despite the pandemic.
“By June Ending, we submitted the first report, which included financials, Monitoring and Evaluation and narrative, It took up to a month to get this approved by the donor as the approval team were very thorough, they needed evidence for every data and metric we were reporting for/against.
“After a whole month of back and forth the first report was approved and the second tranche of 12,115, 920 Naira was disbursed to the same YSI account this time the owner of the corporate account; Mr Isaac Ejekhagbe refused to send across the money and as such myself and the team at Maiduguri couldn't continue further with the project implementation.
“I tried micromanaging but he still wouldn't yield and nothing the sensitivity of the project subject matter (safe abortion) we couldn't make much noise about it.
“The Donor became aware and to prevent further drama asked we suspend all activities and close out on the project to prevent our work from going public. As part of the project contract agreement, an external audit would be carried out at the end of the project cycle and this took place.
“In September 2020, I got contacted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, they had received funding from a large anonymous Donor for another Safe Abortion Project for 5 African Countries with Nigeria being one of them.
“They needed my expertise in helping them understand the abortion programming landscape in Nigeria and how I could support them in implementing the project in-country, they offered me their membership as an Associate of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
“They asked I recommend safe abortion champions to them and share with them the call for application and I shared it widely with allies in the safe abortion space in Nigeria including with Enitan Sophie Oluwa and Nwabuma Omola Daniel who both got into the RCOG program and they were also promised the Associate of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists membership by their induction in 2021.
“But problem broke again, December a team member by the name of Micheal Ihenacho wrote a proposal to the UKPHS and added RCOG as a partner due to the partnership we were developing already with the RCOG and copied RCOG contact mail in the proposal submission, the UKPHS contacted RCOG and they weren't pleased with all with this, they got on a call with me about this and on the IYAFP-Nigeria mailbox there wasn't a mail to that effect, it was already deleted by Mr Micheal.
“I requested a copy of the proposal from the RCOG and in that document, Enitan and Daniel Omola were mentioned as implementing team. This led to the RCOG taking both myself, Daniel and Enitan off the project.
“IYAFP Global carried out an investigation into this and couldn't hold any one individual liable for that mail (until this article) and decided to suspend their operations in Nigeria.
“I would also want to use this statement to formally apologize to Olaoluwa Abagun and Idehen Melanie, 2 ladies in the SRHR space I have built meaningful relationships with for years. In the pre-proposal, I added their names as proposed team members without their knowledge nor consent.
“As I have had conversation about working with them but never sought their consent to be included in the proposal. I deeply apologise for this human error to both ladies and state that in no way were they involved during the project from conceptualization through implementation. I had to reconstitute the team upon contract signing to capture persons based at project location. I am deeply sorry about this human error on my part and I have personally dropped apologies to both ladies. And also my apologies to Enitan and Daniel, the UKPHS issue happened under my leadership and I have worked so hard pulling strings to restore her and Daniel to the RCOG associateship.
“Right from my days as a student politician at the University of Benin never was I involved in a scandal, worst still, a financial scandal. I have worked in this space even when there was no whisper of profit but my passion has kept me put allowing me to carry out some amazing work that has empowered more women and girls with agency over their bodies and their health and this has gotten me both local and international recognition.
“The FIJ article claimed I received 16m which was wrong and I never implemented the project which was wrong again which goes to show that the reporter was not keen on getting the truth but to tarnish my reputation and my name which I had painstakingly worked to build in a very controversial space, even Mr Kenneth reached out to me that even the quote that was alluded to him on that blogpost was false as he never said that to the reporter (how far they would go to create a sensational story)
“I am only a 23-year-old man who is working to create an impact especially for the millions of underserved women and girls to who I have dedicated my life to their service and also make a living for myself and this untrue scandal won't deter me rather it has only made me more resilient. I call on anyone who still insists I have kept the first tranche of the grant to please come forward with evidences.
“I wish to appeal to friends and partners both in the local and international sphere of influence to please disregard the false publication of the FIJ as the investigation was malicious and not based on true events.”
Nwabuma Daniel, a close friend of Jeremiah Offor, fingered in an alleged N16m fraud that reportedly led to the closure of the Nigerian chapter of a Global Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has finally broken silence on his alleged involvement.
Damilola Ayeni, an investigative journalist at a top Nigerian news platform, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), had in a report dated June 26, 2021, accused Nwabuma of aiding Mr. Offor in defrauding the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) of the sum of $40,000.
According to the report, the money totaling N16million in Naira led to the closure of the Offor-led Nigerian chapter of the London-based International NGO.
The report said Offor, who claimed IYAFP-Nigeria was partnering the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) to support "health professionals providing young people with sexual and reproductive health services" in Borno State, had added Daniel Nwabama, his close friend, to apply for £9,780 grant from UK Partnerships for Health Systems (UKPHS).
Mr. Nwabuma's name was added as IYAFP's contact person and medical doctor who had worked in a Nigerian hospital during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
"Having worked as a Medical Doctor in a hospital setting during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, I understand how important every minute is to a health professional responding to a disease outbreak and as such our intervention has taken time management into cognizance and our trainings which would take place virtually would only last for 70 mins per session, and it would be conducted during the weekends and healthcare professionals who would participate in this trainings would be reimbursed for their internet subscription."
"This is to ensure that Precious time they would have spent attending to patients would not be spent on the training and 20mins during every training would be used to provide psycho-social support through a trained psychologist for those undergoing burnout due to the excess workload," Nwabuma was reported to have said in the application.
However, the £9,780 grant application was intercepted by RCOG, who informed the international body of IYAFP.
The journalist also claimed Nwabama took none of his calls when ringed. An SMS sent to his phone was said to have gotten no response as of the time of the report.
However, on Monday, June 28, a statement personally signed by Mr. Nwabuma described the allegation as false and an act to tarnish his name and integrity.
Mr. Nwabuma also accused the journalist of being hell-bent on making him guilty of the document. According to him, he knew nothing even though there was no linkage between him and the content of the document during the investigation.
He said, "My attention has been drawn to a publication by one Damilola Ayeni from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) making rounds in the social media space. I wish to make it clear that the investigation as alleged by the unprofessional body was carried out with an intent to tarnish the name and integrity I upheld over the years.
"I had no prior conversation with the investigator who had outsourced my bio data and photograph from an ally of the defunct IYAFP-NIGERIA. I am stating categorically that I had no prior information to the application making rounds on social media.
"I was an applicant of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology programme in the UK of which my application was later suspended due to the investigation leveled on the IYAFP-NIGERIA country chapter in late 2020. I took my time to x-ray how the article was hell-bent on making me guilty on a document I knew nothing about even during the investigation there was no linkage between myself and the content of the document.
"Let it be known this day June 27, 2021 that I had no idea of the UKPHS application that was stated in the article as follows;
"Offor had added Daniel Nwabama, his close friend, to the application as IYAFP's contact person and medical doctor who had worked in a Nigerian hospital during the 2014 Ebola outbreak"
"Being added doesn't make me informed or aware of the application. I wish to also crave the indulgence of FIJ, to be professional with their investigation rather than the display of a paid article.
"I wish to also state categorically and for the purpose of clarity that I was just a member of the defunct IYAFP-NIGERIA. In no time was I made a signatory to the account or social media accounts as documents published on the FIJ website had nothing to do with me.
"The picture of me with Mr. Offor Hope Jeremiah on that article wasn't a project picture but was taken in late 2019 during the IYAFP global evaluation focus group discussion where I was remunerated for reporting a 40 page document of the proceedings of the focus group discussion that held in Lagos.
"For the 3 years I was a member at IYAFP-Nigeria I have given her all my best without any financial motivation even representing her at local and international fora and it is painful to see my image battered this way in public after all of my hard work.
"I want to use this medium to appeal to all my friends, colleagues and distinguished personalities who have known me in transparency, fairness, and discipline to continue to regard me in that light and further disregard any attempt by unscrupulous individuals in the name of investigation to drag my name to the mud," Nwabuma added.
• ask Obaseki to fulfil 60 per cent youth representation in Cabinet promise
Youths of Edo state under the aegis of Edo Youth Parliament, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convoke a National Dialogue Conference amid secession calls and growing tension in the country.
The youths made the call on Saturday June 12 in a statement to mark this year's Democracy Day celebration, in Benin city. The statement was signed by Speaker of the Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Osawe Uwagboe.
EYP said the call became necessary owing to the growing tension in the country. According to the Youth Parliament, the National Conference would allow stakeholders profer solution to the rising tension.
Uwagboe said with the current situation plaguing the country, the youths must sit and reflect on the gains of the Nation and jettison the “infinitesimal disagreement” that threatens to tear her apart.
“I appeal to our youths not to be easy tools in the hands of destructive elements in our country”, he said, revealing plans by EYP to convey town hall meetings to x-ray the legion of problems confronting the youths with the aim of providing solutions to address them.
The Speaker commended the efforts of the Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in “infrastructural development” while congratulating him on his recent victory at the Supreme Court.
“I call on him to live up to his promise of 60% inclusion of Youths in his cabinet. I am confident that there are a lot of youths who can contribute greatly and positively to the development and advancement of Edo state.”
Rt. Hon. Uwagboe urged Edo youths to remain peaceful and law-abiding, with an assurance that the Edo Youth Parliament under his watch would touch their lives positively with the youths feeling the impact.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has called on Nigerian youths to use the Democracy Day to remember the sacrifices that “our Heroes Past” made for today's Democracy, adding that such sacrifices were made for the growth of Nigeria and not regional or sub-regional growth.
Uwagboe describes Democracy Day as a day that holds great memory and significance in our National epoch. “June 12 reminds us of the sweet and bitter taste of democracy, it also reminds us of the struggle that led to our Independence as a Nation, end to military participation in politics and their eventual return to the barracks. June 12 symbolises blood sacrifices for the planting of evolving democracy,” he concluded.
• The post, ‘Democracy Day: Convoke National Conference, Edo Youths tell Buhari’, first appeared on CAMPUS GIST.
Hon Mas’ud Musa Bashir, Managing Director, Al-Mas’ud Oli and Gas has again been urged to contest for Governor in the 2023 Governorship election in Sokoto state.
Bashir, who was recently honoured at the 9th edition of the Peace Achievers International Conference and Award, is a man who has greatly contributed to Africa’s and Nigeria’s peace and stability.
He is currently a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State. The oil magnate is being asked by the youths to run for governorship under the Party in the state.
According to some residents who spoke to newsmen, under the Party can Bashir realise his ambition as his visions for the state aligns with that of the political party.
Some of the supporters of Hon. Bashir are also insisting that their principal should contest the 2023 Governorship election as he represents the youths and have a strong voice.
One of the supporters, who gave his name simply as Musa, said Bashir has all it takes to move Sokoto forward and being a youth, he enjoys large support from the people.
“I personally would love to see him (Hon Bashir) run and win the Office of Sokoto Governor in the 2023 gubernatorial election. Here is a man with great vision for the state, I sincerely wish him well”, he said.
As the momentum for the Sokoto 2023 continues to gather in full force, Hon. Bashir is believed to be a man to beat. He is brilliant and highly educated.
Among the aspirants who are believed to have shown interest, he is the most formidable among them with a clear-cut vision for Sokoto, if he emerges governor, said a resident who craved anonymity.
A team of Nigerian youths have called on former Nigerian vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to contest for president in the 2023 presidential election.
The team led by its leader, Comrade Idris Ibrahim Kalgo, made the call on Thursday when it paid a courtesy visit to the nation's former Number two man.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, vice president of Nigeria from 1999-2007, was the country's main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections.
Kalgo said Atiku has no option but to contest in the 2023 poll as the youths are not appealing or urging him to run but mandating the ex-VP to vie for presidency.
He likened the former Vice President to former African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe.
“Your excellency, you have seen great leaders like the likes of Nelson Mandela, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa during your time.
“You (Atiku Abubakar) are our own Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Tafawa Balewa and the likes of them.
“We are not begging you to run for president; it is a must for you to contest. So we await for you to run [again] in 2023,” Kalgo added.
...Urges the Senate Chief Whip to run for President in 2023
The Executive Director of IGBERE TV, Emeh James Anyalekwa, has felicitated with Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator (Dr) Orji Uzor Kalu, MON, on the occasion of his 61st birthday anniversary.
The felicitations of the IGBERE TV boss to the former Governor of Abia State was contained in a personally signed goodwill message, on Wednesday, a copy of which was made available to journalists.
In the goodwill message, Anyalekwa, who doubles as National President, Online Medium Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), wished the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator more years to celebrate.
He described the celebrant as a political leader with inestimable value, patriotic statesman, renowned businessman and philanthropist par excellence, while applauding his contributions to nation building and the society at large.
Stressing that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is a strong advocate of a united, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria, Anyalekwa urged the Igbere born politician to sustain his good deeds.
He called on the former Governor to run for President in 2023, stressing that the best way Kalu can reciprocate the immense goodwill, respect and honour given to him by Nigerians is to heed to calls to contest the presidential election.
“Your Excellency, on this occasion of your 61st birthday anniversary, I felicitate with you, on behalf of my family and entire members of staff of Igbere Television,” Anyalekwa said.
“I further celebrate you, distinguished, on your special day and rejoice with the good people of Abia State, particularly Abia North Senatorial District and progressive Nigerians at large.
“Over the years, you have sustained your pedigree in business, social and political circles across the globe, owing to your boldness, selflessness, patriotism and large heart.
“Despite your high profile status in the society, you are connected not only to the high and mighty but the downtrodden, many of whom, are beneficiaries of your humanitarian gestures.
“It has, therefore, become imperative to urge his Excellency to contest for the 2023 Presidential election having displayed the leadership acumen, capacity, dexterity and contacts to govern a complex nation like Nigeria.
“His personality, foresight, leadership style and experience will bring lots of development and prosperity to millions of Nigerians, and chart a new course for our nation through purposeful and selfless leadership.
“It is a well known and established fact to many Nigerians that the goodwill, respect, honour and popularity enjoyed by Senator Kalu across the nation is because of his undying influence and love for the unity and development of Nigeria.
“It will only be an honour to have the Senate Chief Whip run for President in 2023 as it is believed that honour is reciprocal and if a man is honoured by his people, it will only be right for such a man of honour to also honour those that honoured him.”
The IGBERE TV boss wished, however, the Abia North Senator and former Abia governor a joyous birthday celebration, adding, “I wish you more glory and pray God's grace will continue to sustain you on the lanes of favour and sound health.”
Kenneth Udeh, the Special Assistant on Media to the Chief Whip of the Senate and Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is a year older today.
Born and bred in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria on April 21st, Kenneth Cole as he is popularly known is a journalist and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics/Education from the Prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. He is also a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association (USA) and holds a Cyber Professional Development Certificate from the Association.
In recognition of his effort at the success of its maiden "Open House Lagos Event", Kenneth was awarded a certificate of recognition from the British Council in 2016. The media guru also obtained a certificate in Performing and Media Arts from Pencils and Film Training Institute (PEFTI), Lagos, Nigeria.
The influential Aide to the Abia North Senator shared the good news to followers and fans on his official twitter handle, @iamkennethcole, with some dazzling photos.
He wrote: "Yay!!! It's that special April 21 day again! In God's eyes I blossom and in his arms I flourish. On this day I have a lot to be thankful for , no regrets just lessons to be learnt. Happy Birthday to me !!!".
The Students' Union executive of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has been suspended and a care-taker committee is to be put in place.
This was disclosed by Public Relations Officer of the University, Benedicta Ehanire, Ph.D, in a statement made available to CAMPUS GIST on Tuesday.
She said the Institution’s Senate took the action to forestall a breakdown of law and order following the planned instigated protest by the Students Union body in reaction to the shift in the school’s academic calendar.
CAMPUS GIST recalls that there has been series of agitation amongst students following a shift in the Academic Calendar to accommodate the National Sports Festival taking place in Edo State from April 2, which the Institution is camping the athletes.
Meanwhile, the University management accused the suspended Union of persistently engaging in “subversive activities including incitement of other students to disobey lawful instructions by the school authorities.”
“This is in spite of concerted efforts by the Management, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami, to provide their basic needs of water and electricity as well as enhanced infrastructure for learning.
“Consequently, the account of the Union has been suspended and their Secretariat, sealed,” the statement added.
Ehanire said all members of the erstwhile students' Union executives are to hand over their Students' Union Identity Cards to the Chief Security Officer of the University immediately.
“They are also to vacate the privileged hostel accommodations accorded them latest 6:00pm today, Tuesday 30th March, 2021.”
The National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast Zone, Chief Ali Odefa has raised an alarm over plot by the Governor David Umahi led Government of Ebonyi State to plant incriminating items including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and other unauthorized weapons around him.
In a statement made available to 9NEWS NIGERIA, Odefa also revealed plot by Governor Umahi to accuse him of sponsoring the Eastern Nigeria Security Network (ESN), thereby pitting him against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He noted that it has become necessary to alert the good people of Ebonyi State and the general public of the unrelenting efforts of Governor Umahi and his agents to muzzle dissenting voices in Ebonyi State through any means possible including fabrication of lies, intimidation and outright violence.
The statement reads,
PLAN TO PLANT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ON THE NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, PDP SOUTHEAST ZONE EXPOSED
The attention of the National Vice Chairman (NVC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast Zone, Chief Ali Odefa has been drawn to a sinister grand plan by the Governor David Umahi led Government of Ebonyi State to plant incriminating items including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and other unauthorized weapons around him (the NVC) as part of a larger devious plans to tag Chief Ali Odefa as the sponsor of the Eastern Nigeria Security Network (ESN), thereby pitting him against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
It has become necessary to alert the good people of Ebonyi State and the general public of the unrelenting efforts of Governor Umahi and his agents to muzzle dissenting voices in Ebonyi State through any means possible including fabrication of lies, intimidation and outright violence.
The examples of Mr. Charles Otu, Edward Nnachi (Punch) and Chijioke Agwu (Daily Sun) who were brutally attacked for doing their journalistic jobs in the State and many other Ebonyians who have been violently attacked for holding opinions seen as being different from that of Governor Umahi abound. The public will recall that in November 2020 when governor Umahi embarked on his lone defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC) from the PDP, he made wild accusations against Chief Ali Odefa and other leaders of Ebonyi State, including the former President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Governor of Ebonyi State and the Senator representing Ebonyi North in the Senate, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu and the lawmaker representing Ebonyi Central, Senator Obinna Ogba.
In that wild accusations, Governor Umahi had accused the afore mentioned leaders of the PDP of being sponsors of cultists and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), all in a bid to pit them against security agencies and the Federal Government of Nigeria- of course, the lies failed like the pack of cards that they really were.
The latest evil plan of the Government of Ebonyi State and its agent to yet again make an attempt to damage the reputation of Chief Ali Odefa through the planting of incriminating IEDs and other prohibited items on him will also fail.
Intelligence reports indicate that the planned planting of IEDs around Chief Ali Odefa is intended to also include Chief Odefa’s business concerns in Ebonyi State and those of his supporters and other prominent members of the PDP. A case in mind is a similar plan that was hatched against the Caretaker Publicity Secretary of the PDP Ebonyi State chapter, Barr. Silas Onu whom Governor Umahi has been consistently harassing and eventually declared wanted on the trump of charge of being the instigator of the ongoing communal crises in Effiom community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. Whereas, Mr. Onu’s is neither from Ohaukwu Local Government Area nor resident of Effiom community, the government went ahead to place a bounty on him in order to run him out of the state in a bid to stifle information flow within the members of the PDP in Ebonyi State. It has become very urgently necessary to call the attention of Security agencies including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to intensify surveillance on the agents of Ebonyi State government as well as Governor Umahi’s hatchet men to forestall any intended violence they may have planned to foist on the people of Ebonyi State through the detonation of IEDs in any part of the state.
As a law abiding political party, promoter of democracy and the freedom that comes with it, the PDP Southeast zone wishes to admonish Governor Umahi to play politics in line with the sacrosanct provisions of the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended which guarantees the freedoms of speech, association as well as the freedom to aspire for various leadership positions in Nigeria.
The PDP will never be cowed, blackmailed or intimidated. The PDP established and nurtured the democracy Nigeria is enjoying today which Governor Umahi is a major beneficiary, we shall therefore, not keep quiet and allow undemocratic forces to truncate our hard-earned democracy for their selfish interests.
Nigeria security agencies must be alive to their responsibilities, uphold the law which they are constitutionally empowered to protect and save the people of Ebonyi State from the government of Governor David Umahi.
All seven passengers aboard the military Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft that crashed earlier today in Abuja have lost their lives.
This was disclosed in a statement obtained by Igbere TV issued by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF's Director of Public Relations and Information.
Igbere TV recalls that the crash took place close to the runway of the Abuja airport after the jet which was on its way to Minna, Niger State reported engine failure.
Meanwhile, the NAF authorities have ordered an immediate investigation into the air crash, according to the statement.
Air Commodore Daramola said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal IO Amao, ordered an immediate probe of the accident.
Daramola said, “This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal IO Amao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
“While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.”
The Executive Director of Igbere TV, Emeh James Anyalekwa, on Saturday February 20, felicitated with Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.
Hon. Mascot Kalu is a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Abia, a former chief of staff to the Abia state government and younger brother to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
The felicitations of Igbere TV boss to the 2019 APC Aba North/South House of Reps candidate was contained in a personally signed goodwill message made available to journalists, in Uyo.
In the goodwill message, Anyalekwa who doubles as National President, Online Medium Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), wished the APC chieftain God’s blessings and more years to celebrate.
Describing the celebrant as a political leader of inestimable value, the Igbere TV boss called on his(Kalu's) friends, family and associates to rejoice with Hon. Mascot Kalu.
“On behalf of my family and members of staff of Igbere TV, I wish you more glory and pray God’s grace will continue to sustain you on the lanes of favour and sound health,” Anyalekwa added.
Executive Governor of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike is currently on a project tour around the state capital with the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Igbere TV reports that Wike is expected to lead the Senate Chief Whip to inspect on-going and completed major projects embarked upon in his administration.
This online medium had reported how the Senate Chief Whip on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers Governor, Wike.
Kalu was warmly received at the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt after which they proceeded for an indoor meeting.
The presence of the duo at the newly constructed Rumokoro flyover bridge elicited jubilation among the passerbys who gathered in their numbers to express joy.
Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, has been reported dead.
Igbere TV gathered that the appointee of the Edo state government died in the early hours of Thursday, February 18.
He reportedly battled an undisclosed ailment — which he is believed to have died from — and has been in and out of the hospital.
Although no formal statement from the family, a friend of the deceased who announced his passing, described the late Imuekemhe as loving.
Dr Simon Imuekemhe was a former Edo Head of Service. He was appointed as Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) by the then Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2011.
Imuekemhe was appointed a permanent secretary in 1999 during the Lucky Igbinedion administration. He was deployed to Government House and later moved to the Board of Internal Revenue, where he served as Permanent Secretary/Chairman of the board from 2000 to 2005.
Imuekemhe, aged 66, was appointed the Edo Head of Service in 2005 from where he retired in February before becoming Oshiomhole's SSG in 2011 until the end of tenure in 2012.
He was in 2014 remanded in prison by a court order alongside three others on eight count charges of diversion of funds allegedly committed in 2012, among others.
The particulars of the offense said Imuekemhe, being the the then SSG had conspired with the three to divert a total sum of N113m, being the state UBE fund to another project not covered by the intervention funds.
Meanwhile, friends and political associates have taken to social media to mourn the deceased Imuekemhe, describing him as an incredible person.
Among the early mourners was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Edo 2020 governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
He described the development as a sad one, noting that the deceased was a principled, reliable and hardworking person.
Ize-Iyamu wrote; "Very sad. He was a great man who devoted himself to the service of the state and his community. He was brilliant, hardworking, accessible, compassionate and humane.
"He was a reliable and principled person. We will certainly miss him. Adieu and may his soul rest in perfect peace," Pastor Ize-Iyamu concluded.
Crime › Re: UNIBEN Student Probed For Malpractice Ordered To Rewrite All Exams From 200level by BleedingPen: 11:33am On Jul 21, 2021
