As for me, JAMB shouldn't be scraped instead measures should be taken to make the purchase of forms cheaper. If JAMB be scraped, then admissions to tertiary institutions will be a case of "who know who" and students will even go the extra mile to bribe officials for the test questions in their school of choice.

As for NECO, it should have been scrapped a long time ago because its just a replica of WAEC though its easier, students don't pass it

President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, sent a strong message to former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, pleading with him to spearhead the campaign to persuade members of the Boko Haram sect to accept dialogue, as a means of ending the orgy of violence in the North.Similarly, Jonathan asked Buhari to emulate the role he ( Jonathan) played by going to meet militants in their vast hideouts in the Niger Delta to plead with them to lay down their arms and accept the general amnesty granted by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on June 25, 2009.
Jonathan said he expected Buhari to lead the way in persuading the Boko Haram insurgents in the North to stop bombings and enter into dialogue with the Federal Government with a view to ending the violence in the region, which is threatening to disrupt the economy of the region and Nigeria.The President, who sent the message to Buhari through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, accused the former head of state of making false allegations against him during his interview in London last week.

WHAT BUHARI TOLD BBC IN LONDON
During the interview with the BBC, Buhari had said that the Federal Government should be held responsible for the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, accusing the leadership of not taking steps to halt the slide, which has claimed many lives and property in the region.Buhari said: "The problem of terrorism is not confined to the North alone. Insecurity generally should be blamed on the Federal Government."The world is very much concerned about two things - the issue of security and economic wellbeing of a nation. Security is number one. A nation can only be economically viable if there is security. But how did all these crises start? How did the crises begin and assume this dimension?
"Until now, everyday, they abduct people and receive ransoms. How was the problem reduced? How did it start? What method was employed to convince them to mellow down?"Similarly, what we should look at is, how did the Boko Haram start? We know all these. Security is the responsibility of the government."It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to know how this thing started and how to go about it."

JONATHAN TAKES ON BUHARI

But Okupe asked Nigerians to demand from Buhari what he had done as a leader in the North and a former head of state to halt the attacks by the sect.He said: "Nigerians should ask him (Buhari) that as a former Head of state and as someone who wants to be president again, what he has done to end this insurgence in the country."Or is it when he becomes President, he will stop the insurgence? No, it does not work that way. He should emulate President Jonathan who went to the creeks of the Niger Delta canvassing peace and dialogue with the militants of the Niger Delta.

"Everybody knows that it was General Buhari, who vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan if he loses the last presidential election. It was in Minna, that he said that once votes are countered and he loses that people should go for blood. He said in Hausa language. General Buhari is the person who sowed the wind that the nation is now reaping in whirlwind."He is not in any position to apportion blames on the issue of violence in the North or in Nigeria in general. He is a protagonist of violence. The only position he sees for not being the President is to call for violence. This government has tried as much as possible to contain some of Buhari's unguarded statements. I don't think anybody in Nigeria will take Buhari very serious when he makes such comments. "If there is anybody to blame, General Buhari comes number one on that list. Have you ever seen General Buhari visit BornoState or condemn the acts of the Boko Haram or condole whether Christians or Muslims that have been killed?"A man who can traverse the whole length and breadth of Nigeria, yet he cannot use that clout that he has and get leaders together to put an end to the insurgence in the country. And yet he finds it comfortable to blame other people. What has he done as a former Head of State to help Nigeria and Nigerians stop the militancy in the North or in other parts of the country?"

http://m.naij.com/news/29675.html

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has showered encomiums on Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, for winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or four times in a row.The Argentine superstar scored 91 goals for club and country, on his way to being crowned to be the best player on the planet and thee Paris Saint-Germain striker joked it should be named after him."He is the best player in the world right now," Ibrahimovic told reporters at a press conference. "He has won four Ballon d'Ors. They should rename this award and call it Messi.

"But I do not know if he is the best player of all time. it is difficult to say. We'll see when he has finished his career."The 31-year-old also stated that he thinks Barca play the best football in the world."They're best team of all time. We will try to find solutions. I'll try to do my best, then we'll see what happens."Ibra himself has been in remarkable form for the Ligue 1 leaders, but says it is his team mates who should take the praise.
"It is thanks to my team-mates that I was able to play that well. We are a team. Being No.1, this is not important," he said.PSG host the Catalans today in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.

http://m.naij.com/news/29557.html

The Vice President Namadi Sambo has said the Federal Government will establish 100 Almajiri special schools across the nation as part of its efforts to prevent street begging.He stated this in Gusau, Zamfara State, Sunday, at the end of the week-long National Qur'an Recitation Competition. Sambo said when the schools become functional, they would promote both Islamic and western education among school-age children, who are roaming the streets.He said although the schools would be built across the country, a larger number would be established in the northern part of the country.Sambo said the Federal Government had procured 96 million text books in core subjects of English, Mathematics, sciences and social studies to improve teaching and learning at the junior secondary school level.

He said the text books, which would soon be distributed, were purchased through the Text Books Initiative of the Universal Basic Education Commission.Sambo commended the organisers of the competition as a good initiative towards discovering hidden talents which would assist oneness, unity and brotherhood among the Muslim Umma and their relationship with others.He also noted that the initiative would also be a mechanism for the attainment of lasting peace. The Vice President commended Zamfara State government and the Centre for Islamic Research of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, for organising the event.Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, urged participants to use the event in praying for peace and well being of the nation.At the end of the competition, 60 winners in six categories of the competition, made up of males and females, were given one car each, Hajj seats, lap tops and digital Qur'an.

http://m.naij.com/news/29482.html

President Goodluck Jonathan says he is committed to bringing transformation to the country by sanitising the electoral process through free and fair elections.Mr. Jonathan made the promise in Enugu on Monday at the dedication/hand-over ceremony of the All Saints Anglican Church, Mpu, in Aninri Local Government Area, built by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Mr. Jonathan explained that good governance was anchored on free, fair and credible elections, adding that political leadership was transient. "We should think more of our country, think more of building a society that our children will be happy about. I believe that no leader can do everything for the society but you think about some key things and do those ones very well."In this political dispensation, my feeling is to have free and fair elections. You cannot talk about good governance where election of people are manipulated. "If your coming to power from counsellorship to presidency is based on manipulation, then there is no good thing you can do there.
"My belief first and foremost is to make sure that our electoral processes are sanitised and that the votes of Nigerians count. "What I can promise Nigerians is that with their prayers, we will succeed and we are committed to making those little changes that will make a difference,''Mr. Jonathan said. In a sermon, the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Nicholas Okoh, commended Ekweremadu for the bold step toward ensuring the growth of the Church. The primate urged well to do Nigerians to emulate the good investment made by the deputy president of the Senate. "The building of this church is a commendable effort.

We want to encourage Nigerians to give to the glory of God. This is a place to build human beings for God. "We must approach God in humility and meekness into the house of God,'' Mr. Okoh said. In his goodwill message, Mr. Ekweremadu said the decision to build the Church was born out of his promise and covenant with God."Today is the happiest day of my life because I have fulfilled my long time promise and covenant with God. "I promised to build a Church for God if He makes me successful in life and since that day, it has been from one blessing to another.

I have never lacked since then,'' he said. Mr. Ekweremadu called on the people, especially Christians, to always fulfil their promises to their Creator.

http://m.naij.com/news/29570.html

BBC
Kenya's Supreme Court has upheld Uhuru Kenyatta's presidential election victory, rejecting several petitions challenging the vote.Chief Justice Willy Mutunga announced the decision, saying the poll was free and fair, reports the BBC.

The appeal was lodged by PM Raila Odinga, Kenyatta's main rival in the presidential poll this month.Official results said Kenyatta beat Odingaby 50.07% to 43.28%, avoiding a run-off by just 8,100 votes.There is tight security at the Supreme Court. Violence after a disputed election in 2007 left more than 1,200 people dead.

The presidential, legislative and municipal elections held on 4 March were the first since the 2007 poll.Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, are facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly fuelling unrest after that election. They deny the charges.Plea for calm. There was tight security for the court decision, with all roads leading to the building closed.Police chief David Kimaiyo warned on Friday that unrest would not be tolerated.

He said: "We have reports indicating that some parties have organised their supporters to converge outside the Supreme Court during delivery of the ruling, and we will not allow any such gatherings."There will be tight security in all parts of the country, we will not tolerate any form of violence." Outgoing President Mwai Kibaki has urged people to stay calm and accept the result, but much will depend on Kenyans' faith in their newly reformed judiciary, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Nairobi.Lawyers for Odinga said their petition tothe Supreme Court included allegations of vote manipulation, as well as problems with the registration of voters and an electronic vote counting mechanism.On Friday, the Supreme Court reviewed recounts from 22 polling stations. Both sides claimed that the recounts vindicated their position.Kenyatta has called the election, which was largely conducted peacefully, a"triumph of democracy".The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has insisted that the vote was credible, despite technical failures with an electronic voter ID system and the vote counting mechanism.International observers said the poll which was largely free, fair and credible, and that the electoral commission had conducted its business in an open and transparent manner.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/kenya-supreme-court-upholds-kenyatta-election-victory/143614/

President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the use of religion to justify violence against Nigerians saying that to consolidate growth and prosperity as a nation, there is need for dialogue, understanding as well as appreciation of our differences. Jonathan spoke in Sokoto yesterday at an international conference on "Islam and Fundamentals of Peaceful Co-existence in Nigeria,"jointly organised by the Sokoto State Government and World Muslim League.Jonathan who was represented on the occasion by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, spoke against the backdrop of the violent campaign by the Boko Haram Islamic sect to impose Islam on the country and introduce Sharia as a way of life for the people.This was just as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar 111 lamented that, the problem in the country was not because we were different set of people but because we had deviated from the true paths of such religions.

Jonathan said, "We must do everything in our powers to ensure that religion is neither misused nor abused to justify violence. Our young people must be shielded from teachings which will take them down the path of violence and hatred."We have grown to respect and appreciate our faith and beliefs. We have also grown to acknowledge that our strength as individuals and as a nation lies in understanding and appreciating our differences. We cannot now relent. We must also guard against individuals who use faith as an excuse to emphasise our differences. Fundamental to this objective is the conduct and teachings of clerics and Imams at the grass root levels. Wherever misguided doctrines and sectarian bias may be introduced deliberately or in error, there should exist a monitoring or peer review mechanism by senior clerics, established organisations or well-meaning individuals to rectify such deviations in time without rancour."This is very important because the local clerics exert influence, especially on our children and the youth."

He also said that the Federal government had continued to promote religious harmony "by constantly engaging the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, jointly chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and by taking their advice seriously."Through pragmatic ventures, such as the fast expanding indigent children programme, also known as the Almajiri Integrated Education Programme, the Federal Government, in partnership with state governments and Islamic organisations, is making progress in providing quality education at the grass-root and giving opportunity to every Nigerian to have good education. "I call on all believers to reject religious-motivated violence, advance tolerance and promote mutual understanding. We must emphasise on the imperatives of dialogue as the bedrock of our efforts to sustain peace and advance development. Religion can and should be a fountain of solutions rather than a source of conflict," he added.Jonathan further stressed that Nigerians as individuals should not relent in understanding and appreciating their differences, pointing out that as a ,Nigerians had overcome several challenges in the past and moved forward with joint commitment for a better future, adding that, to consolidate growth and prosperity as a nation, dialogue, religious understanding and tolerance, rather than confrontation, must continue to guide citizens' collective and corporate existence.

The conference theme, he added, was not only relevant but represented the reinforcement of government's consistent efforts to promote inter-religious dialogue and harmony."It also greatly underscores our unwavering commitment to the stability and unity of our nation in the face of difficult security challenges in some parts of our country, perpetrated mostly under religious guise," he added, and commended Sokoto State government and the World Muslim League for the joint initiative.

http://m.naij.com/news/29315.html

Maiduguri, also called Yerwa by its locals, is the capital and largest city of Borno state, northeastern Nigeria. The economy of this ancient city, with an estimated population of one million as of 2007, is largely based on services and trade with a small share of manufacturing. It is the principal trading hub for northeastern Nigeria.

The city, popularly called "Home of Peace", has one of the best layouts in Nigeria' and values of land and property here are high. A survey of property markets in Nigeria (2009) positioned Maiduguri as the third most expensive for buying and renting in the country, next to Abuja and Lagos.

Academically, Maiduguri has one of the best-equipped universities in Nigeria- the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). Its College of Medical Sciences is among the top five best medical schools in Nigeria.

Today, this city, regrettably, is a direct opposite of virtually all it used to be following the loss of its vibrancy to the terrorist activities that have not only desecrated its cultural values and shattered its social harmony, but also ambushed its economy, stunting its growth and development. Due largely to its loss of appeal and, to a little extent, because of the "facelessness" of the terrorists, the city has garnered the sobriquet "a ghost city". What is happening in that ancient city, whatever the intents, gives cause for concern.

What happens to Maiduguri at the moment is a vivid reflection of the picture painted by John Pepper Clark in his poem "the casualties", a product of early post-civil war literary activism. According to the poet, the casualties of the civil war were not just those who lost thier lives in the war, but also those who lost limbs, wives, husbands, and children as well as those who suffered social dislocations as a result of loss of their homes, etc.

In the case of Maiduguri, the victims or casualties of the raging terrorist activities, to us, are not just those who have been killed by sporadic bombings. We see casualties in the people who are in a state of siege with heavy and menacing security presence, people who are daily traumatised by unprovoked bombings that claim lives and destroy property. We also see victims in the education system which is frequently disrupted, and above all, in the economy which has been battered, shut-in and laid prostate.

As an enterprise that values sectoral and regional contributions to the growth of the national economy, we are as concerned as we are pained by the situation in Maiduguri. A visit to the ancient city bespeaks of a comatose economy epitomised by an almost sleeping international airport, loscked shops, suspended construction activities and scanty human and vehicular traffic on smooth and well-paved roads.

We take exception to the popular belief thate the terrorists are "ghosts" or faceless individuals because these persons live in areas known to the natives or residents of the city and these areas are not exclusively inhabited by the terrorists. We align with superior arguments that there could be an end to the carnage that has become a common feature of most part of the North. We are of the opinion that the easiest and surest way to end this terror lies in the capacity of the natives to rise in one accord and denounce the group, by whatever name called, that has turned an otherwise "Home of Peace" into a theatre of war.

We also urge the Federal Government to employ all reasonable means possible to put an end to this and, indeed, other anti-social activities going on in any other part of the country. It is our firm belief that beyond the pecuniary gains of today lies a bright future with possibilities and opportunities.

Culled from Businessday Newspaper, Tuesday 26 March 2013, page 11

Ijaw Leader and former Information Minister,Chief Edwin Clark remarried last week SundayMarch 17th at the age of 86. Today is actually is 86th birthday. Happy birthday, sir! Back to the story. Chief Clark married well known medical doctor, Dr Abisola Sodipe Akindeko. The wedding ceremony took placeat his home in Apapa and another one at thebride’shome at Okupe Estate in Maryland.Dr Abisola Akindeko is the former best friend of Iyabo Obasanjo who lost two of her children in an assassination attempt on IyaboObasanjo’s life.Dr Abisola’s children were riding in Iyabo’s car when it was attacked by hired assassins in 2003. The gunmen, thinking Iyabo was in the car, shot into the car killing the two children instantly. Iyabo and DrAbisola had been riding in the doctors car, while the children rode in Iyabo’s car. It was a huge story back then. Glad to know she’s doing well now.

http://informationnaija.com/photo-ijaw-leader-chief-edwin-clark-remarries-at-86-to-dr-bisola-sodipo/?nomobile

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday celebrations.The Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, who announced the holidays in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, congratulated Christians on the joyous occasion.The statement signed by Mr Adetayo Sode, Director, Citizens and Business in the Ministry of Interior, urged Christians to remain committed to the exemplary attributes of love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence which Jesus Christ exhibited during his life on earth.

Moro further urged Nigerians, irrespective of their religious leaning, to use the occasion for sober reflection and pray for the continued prosperity and progress of the nation.

http://m.naij.com/news/28687.html

Nigerian high-life musician and a new Glo Ambassador, Bisade Ologunde aka Lagbaja is without doubt the best in his game. Since he started his career, he has never revealed his real face (identity) to the outsideworld. Many have wondered on who the real man behind the mask is. A source revealed to 247 Naija Gossip the reason why lagbaja has never unmasked his face.

A source revealed to 247 Naija Gossip the reason why Lagbaja never unmask his face.According to the source: “This is not Lagbaja,Iknow him. Why are you even trying to unmaskhim? He has his reasons for wearing the mask.He used to be in the choir in one Baptist Church in Ilorin and his parents are prominent Baptist members. His family opposed his decision to sing that kind of music because of their position in the church.That was why he put the mask”. The Ologundes are from Ijagbo near Offa in Kwara State.

http://informationnaija.com/revealed-why-lagbaja-covers-his-real-face-with-mask/?nomobile

My friends and I hav been debating on this issue ever since Waje and Omawunmi both made their prescence felt in the Nigeria music industry.

Please, who do you think is a better vocalist between Waje and Omawunmi and back your choice up with a song you feel she did an excellent job on. Thank you

As for me, his performance was above average in addtion to the smooth run of the past semester and his administration's infrastructural development.

Greetings to all my fellow FUTOITES. As we're through with our first semester's examinations, I pray God see us all through.

Great Futoites, please rate the current prof. Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka led administration in this past 2012/2013 harmattan semester. Thanks

The Student Union Government (SUG) is a body of students formed in tertiary institutions that seek to address the basic needs and yearnings of Nigerian students and also serve as a mouth-piece of students to the VC in a university, rector in a ploytecnic and provost as in the case of a college of education.
These needs may be conducive hostels, convinient lecture venues, security on campus, provision of portable water, better transport system, power supply to lecture halls and the hostels, etc.
A closer look at our various universities will reveal that these basic things that are essential to students are not available, even if they are, they're not in abundance. Just recently, some Nigerian students in one of Nigeria's universities were killed while staging a peaceful protest seeking to address the limited supply of water on their campus, just last year students in another university protested against poor power supply in their hostel and the list is endless.
What i'm saying is this: does this mean that the SUG excos in these schools aren't doing what they ought to do or they're just they for the money? OR is the university administration responsible for these insufficiencies?
In addition, please tell us one significant project that the current SUG excos of your school have carried out or what they've proposed that the university has refused to adhere to. Thank you

Hope d #6 abi #4 is per minute cos if its not, what good hav they done?

Okay

Prohibition list my foot! 99.9% of the above mentioned commodities still find their way into Nigeria. How?

Chemical Engineering in FUTO again? No o me no want 2nd torture. I'll love to do chemical engineering again bt outside Nigeria.

Okay. Bt if he travels out for treatment we'll complian nd if he doesn't we'll also complain .

Interesting sha. Bt its been quite long

I think d bill has already been passed in England. Nd Swaziland has produced Africa's first Bishop. But i dnt think this is right o.

Your step sister bt........ ''he will drag me to his room''. Which one we go come believe?

I support!

Wetin u want make i do? Mtcheeeeew

*whistling: some have eyes but can not see*. Oga this one resemble D' banj for ur eyes? Mtcheeeeeeew

Nonsense! If an aeroplane is #64m, then people like Demeji Bankole nd James Ibori will have fleets of airplanes all over. #64m can't buy an aeroplane!