₦airaland Forum

Kano State House of Assembly, on Tuesday passed into law the Pensions Rights of Speaker and Deputy Law 2019, which will enable the two principal officers to enjoy life pensions after leaving their respective offices. Consequently, the speaker and the deputy speaker will enjoy foreign medical trips and get new vehicles after every four years.

The law was similar to the one enacted for Kano state governors and their deputies during the reign of the former Governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. According to the new law, “There shall be paid pension to person who held office as Speaker and Deputy Speaker equal to the emoluments of a serving speaker and deputy speaker, provided that either the Speaker or the Deputy do not hold any paid elective or selective appointment.’’

However, the law stated that any speaker or deputy impeached by the members will not benefit from the pension and other packages provided by the law. “Any person duly elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall, on completion of his term be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state, provided that such person was not removed from office through impeachment by members of the House of Assembly.

“Pension shall be payable to the Speaker or Deputy Speaker at the expiration of the tenure of the holder of the office. Where the Speaker or Deputy vacates office before the expiration of the term of his office, not as a result of impeachment, he shall be paid pension pro-rata the number of years he spent in relation to his tenure of office.

“Where the Speaker or Deputy Speaker dies in office before the expiration of the term of his tenure, he shall be paid pension pro-rata the number of years he spent in relation to his tenure of office. “There shall be provided for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker a brand-new vehicle to be bought by the State Government every four years. “There shall be provided for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker medical expenses either home or abroad depending on the nature of the illness.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/breaking-kano-speaker-deputy-to-enjoy-life-pension-foreign-medical-trips-cars-others.html

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, governor of Kano state, has relaunched moves to remove Muhammad Sanusi II as the emir of Kano, TheCable report.

On Monday, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission reopened investigation into the expenditure of the state emirate council under Sanusi II.

Also at Monday’s plenary of the house of assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, the speaker, read a letter from one Ibrahim Salisu and others, seeking the creation of new Kano emirates in Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya.

“The governor is determined to remove the emir, and if this does not succeed, he will break the emirate into pieces to whittle down Sanusi’s power,” an official of the state government, who asked not to be named, told TheCable on Monday evening.

Ironically, Ganjude’s move to break the emirate into smaller units will mirror what Abiola Ajimobi, the outgoing governor of Oyo state, did to the olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, whose authority Ajimobi sought to decimate by approving 21 beaded kings for Ibadan.

Ganjude and Ajimobi are in-laws.

FOREIGN TRIPS

Sanusi II’s problem with Ganduje is usually traced to his critical comments in 2017 on the award of contracts to Chinese companies by state government and the foreign trips of the governor.

Shortly after the comment, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission alleged the misappropriation of N6billion by the Kano emirate council “without the approval of the state government”.

The probe was halted then but it has now been revived.

Sanusi II is believed to have opposed the re-election of Ganjude, who needed a disputed supplementary election to be returned to office in the March 2019 governorship election.

In a letter dated May 2, 2019, the state anti-graft commission invited one Isa Bayero to appear before it to shed more light on the payment vouchers from 2013 to 2017 in his name.

EMIRATE’S FUNDS

Other officers in the emirate council to be quizzed, according to TheCable sources, include Mohammad Sani Kwaru, the accountant, Mannir Sanusi, the chief of staff, Danburan Mujittafa and Falakin Kano.

The letter said the commission was inviting the staff over alleged violation of section 26 of its enabling law in the management of the emirate’s funds.

The letter also stated that the invitation was sequel to the power conferred to it under “section 9 and 15 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).”

Sanusi II was appointed the 14th emir in 2014 after his suspension from office as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by former president Goodluck Jonathan.

Ganduje was the deputy governor to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso when Sanusi II was appointed, but the former governor is no longer on good terms with his successor.

Kwankwaso supported his son-in-law, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, to challenge Ganduje, but the incumbent was returned with a score 1,033,695 — a mere difference of 8,982.

Ganjude lost the Kano municipal heavily, leading to rumours that he would come after the emir after the election.

https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-ganduje-moves-to-remove-sanusi-as-emir-of-kano/

The presidency on Sunday spoke on how President Muhammadu Buhari won another term in office.

This was contained in an article by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

He said Buhari who had in 2015 ended 16 years of continuous rule by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recorded yet another resounding victory to win a second term in office, leading his closest, Atiku Abubakar, rival by a record-setting four million votes in 2019.


He noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC, gained the highest parliamentary majority in the Fourth Republic in the Senate and the House of Representatives, giving the President an ample room to carry out reforms he wished to carry out, but was outmaneuvered and frustrated by the eighth National Assembly.

It reads: “While campaigning for the 2015 general elections, President Buhari’s All APC made promises to end Boko Haram terrorism and secure the country for it to be efficiently managed; to restructure the economy, halt its downward slide and create jobs and to fight corruption because, as the president repeatedly says, “if Nigeria doesn’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”

“His climactic victory against the then incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, his strong message on the three issues as listed above, his practical and serious approach helped to awaken a nation misled by characters who placed self above nation for sixteen years and more.

“The Buhari administration has established for itself an anti-corruption reputation and has been in office nearing four years without a major scandal. The African Union has on account of this, selected the President as the continent’s anti-corruption champion.

“The Buhari administration can pat itself on the back for this achievement when it is viewed against the established culture in which corruption is the norm. To win the war against corruption and institute transparency in the affairs of government, the Buhari administration introduced a number of fiscal reforms and plugged several leakages.

“In the firm belief that the party was not mistaken about the problems facing the country, Candidate Buhari went into the February, 2019 campaign on the same issue platforms. The President and his party looked certain of victory from the sea of crowds that attended his political rallies all over the 36 states of the federation. He was the only candidate to have campaigned at least once in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.

“These rallies attracted large crowds, mostly of the poor who are trusting in his impeccable qualities of honesty and integrity, and have bought into the idea that he will quickly push their country onto the top by lifting up the economy, creating jobs, securing the nation and ending the nightmarish corruption which had become the order of the day. Some of the events were marked by incidents of road accident, podium or building collapse and stampede leading to tragic losses of life.

“At many of those well-attended rallies, the venues fell short of the people gathered. Thousands of supporters outside tried to barge into the inner rings of the venues. Pleas were not heard by surging crowds which resorted sometimes to throwing chairs, sachet water and bottles into the no-man zones in front of the stage.

“It was evident from the commencement of the campaign that President Buhari had a a two-pronged election strategy, one to showcase the achievements of his administration in its first term and two, to cash in on his popularity with the lower rungs of the population.

“The party itself doubled down on President Buhari by zeroing in on his image as a diligent, coolheaded and incorruptible leader. In that enduring appeal, the APC saw a trump card going into the election. Nobody can question President Buhari’s achievements. They are there for all to see.

“The administration has significantly curtailed corruption to the point of abolishing what is called “grand corruption.” Given Treasury Single Account,TSA, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Scheme, IPPS, the Bank Verification Number, BVN number and Whistle Blower schemes, it is no longer possible for people in authority to, for instance, request the withdrawal of millions, or sometimes billions of Naira or US Dollars to be shared among party members as was the practice under the past administrations. To boot, the Buhari administration has signed onto the global Open Government Partnership, OGP.

“Reforms are being carried out in the justice sector with a number of domestic legislations and international agreements to facilitate the identification, tracing, freezing, recovery and forfeiture of ill-gotten assets. The administration’s primary sectors of agriculture and solid minerals have experienced growth of 180 and 565 percentage points respectively. Nigeria has today achieved near self-sufficiency in rice production.


“Government has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), inaugurated by President Buhari in August 2016 has resulted in moving Nigeria up 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, and earning a place on the list of 10 most improved economies. In this regard, the administration has issued a number of Executive Orders on improving efficiency in the business environment and promoting local content.

“The Buhari administration has also demonstrated a single-minded commitment to upgrading and developing Nigeria’s transport, power and health infrastructure. Road projects are ongoing across every state of the country, with many of these projects having been abandoned for many years.

“The country’s narrow-gauge rail network of 3,500 Kms is currently being upgraded; Abuja’s light rail system has been completed and commissioned with a link to the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, which has equally been completed and launched. The Ibadan-Lagos standard gauge rail is being test run. Ibadan-Kano has been awarded.

“The administration has successfully reconstructed the Abuja Airport runway, completed and commissioned new terminal buildings in Port Harcourt and Abuja with Lagos, Kano, Enugu and the others soon to be inaugurated.

“Several water supply projects and dam/irrigation projects have been completed and many more on the way to being delivered. About 100 ecological projects have been awarded and completed in the six geopolitical zones.

“The Buhari administration has more than doubled power generation capacity. It has increased generation to 8,100 MW and expanded transmission to more than 7,000 MW capacity, and has successfully deployed thousands of solar power systems to rural and urban households.

“This is an administration that has been investing in people. It has introduced a social Investment Programme (SIP), which so far, has four components. These are the N-power employment scheme that is hitting 500,000 this year, the home grown school feeding program that feeds more than nine million school children across the federation, the Government Enterprise and Empower Program, GEEP giving out interest-free loans to millions of market women, traders, artisans and farmers and the conditional cash transfer, CCT which pays N5,000 monthly to the poorest and most vulnerable households in the country.

“In dealing with security, one of the first major steps by the Buhari administration was the revitalisation of the Multi-national Joint Task force, MNJTF aimed at combating transborder crime and the Boko Haram insurgency. The MNJTF has the support and participation of neighbouring countries Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin, in addition to Nigeria.

“On the day of his inauguration, the President had directed the relocation of the command and control centre of the Boko Haram war to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency. The military has since proclaimed victory over the Boko Haram terrorists, following the capture of their operational and spiritual headquarters, “Camp Zero” in Sambisa Forest.

“So far, more than one million displaced persons have returned to their homes and communities. About 20,000 hostages have been freed. One hundred and six (106) Chibok Girls, abducted in April 2014 and 105 Dapchi Girls abducted in February 2018 have been released and reunited with their families

“In the area of diplomacy and international relations, the Buhari administration has re-established Nigeria’s position and influence in regional and global arena.

“As a political leader, Muhammadu Buhari enjoys three formidable assets– his record as a disciplined former Army General, his reputation as an honest leader who has not allowed corruption to flourish under his watch when he served as a state Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum and Military Head of State and the public perception of his record as one who stands for and by the truth, Mai Gaskiya.

“The main opposition to President Buhari, the Peoples Democratic Party failed to realize how much these qualities meant to ordinary Nigerians; they did not reckon with the disillusionment of the citizens with their perceived acts of commission and omission for the 16 years they were in power.

“They must by now, have realized with a with benefit of hindsight, that demonization and denigration of an individual does not bring in poll dividends. In their campaigns, they chose to demonise and denigrate Muhammadu Buhari as President. It did not pay”.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/05/nigeria-election-presidency-reveals-buhari-defeated-atiku-pdp/

The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Abiola Ajimobi, the outgoing Governor of the State, of syphoning state funds in his last days in office through an alleged contract spree to his friends and family members.

Akeem Olatunji, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, made the accusation in an interview with the New Telegraph.

He also corroborated the allegation of Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor-elect, that Ajimobi has awarded a N30billion contract to create hiccups for the incoming administration


He said: “We don’t make allegations when there are no evidence. In actual fact, we know that government is a continuum and we are not trying to stampede the incumbent government. Nevertheless, due process has to be followed in whatever is done. For the governor to just wake up one day and start to dash out contracts to cronies, is more or less a way of syphoning the funds of the state. About 33 excavators were recently bought with almost N10bn for local governments.

“Aside from this, a situation whereby within two months, more than N50billion projects were awarded by the government calls for worry. Has the government completed the projects on ground? When workers and retirees are being owed, where did they get the funds to execute those projects? If it were an ongoing project that funds were released for, no one will suspect any foul play.

“About N34billion excess crude fund belonging to the local government is in the Heritage Bank. This is not the time to spend such money anyhow, because the incoming government needs to have something to fall back on. When government is winding up like this, the whole thing becomes a bazaar with 10 per cent, 20 per cent being collected as kickbacks. That is why we are warning civil servants not to engage themselves in any transaction that can implicate them after the transition.”

https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/04/gov-ajimobi-fire-allegedly-awarding-contracts-friends-family-members/

Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, pointed out why people of the South-East are being subjected to marginalization in Nigeria.

Omokri disclosed that South-East’s marginalization was God’s way of creating an atmosphere for them to leave Nigeria and conquer the world.

His stated this in response to the election of an Igbo, Kaycee Madu, as a member of parliament in Canada and his subsequent appointment as minister.


In a tweet, the former presidential aide said the Igbos are meant to leave Nigeria and dominate the world.

“A while back, I said Igbo marginalisation is God creating an atmosphere for them to leave Nigeria to dominate the world.

“Today, I’m further vindicated as I celebrate Kaycee Madu, an Igbo who was elected MP in Canada and has now been appointed a minister #IgboABlessingToNigeria,” he tweeted.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/02/real-reason-god-allows-igbo-marginalized-nigeria-jonathans-ex-aide-omokri/

WORKERS joy knew no bound in some states yesterday as they got assurances of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage from governors.

At rallies to mark the May Day, Edo, Adamawa, Ondo, Cross River, Zamfara, Oyo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Anambra governors said they would pay the wage.

Outgoing Governors Mohammed Bindow (Adamawa), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) pledged to begin implementation of the pay before they go on May 29.

But Governor Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) said they were awaiting the National Income and Wages Commission (NIWC) to release modalities for the wages implementation.

WORKERS joy knew no bound in some states yesterday as they got assurances of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage from governors.

At rallies to mark the May Day, Edo, Adamawa, Ondo, Cross River, Zamfara, Oyo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Anambra governors said they would pay the wage.

Outgoing Governors Mohammed Bindow (Adamawa), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) pledged to begin implementation of the pay before they go on May 29.

But Governor Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) said they were awaiting the National Income and Wages Commission (NIWC) to release modalities for the wages implementation.

https://thenationonlineng.net/governors-approve-payment-of-minimum-wage/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says its server did not crash.

It said results of candidates who participated in its 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME) are intact.

The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Benjamin reacted to speculations in some quarters that the board issued a press statement, explaining that the release of the UTME results was being delayed because its server crashed and that candidates should prepare for another examination.

”We want to distance ourselves from such malicious and wicked rumours by fraudulent persons, as there is no truth in them.

”We did not issue any press statement concerning crashing of server. All these are antics of desperate persons trying to cause panic and confusion among candidates and the general public.


”We are not going to succumb to such rumours as we remain focused in ensuring that we achieve what we have set out to do.

”After the examination, the board embarked on a screening to determine any form of examination malpractice and infractions by both candidates and examination centres. This is what has been delaying the release of the results,” he told NAN.

The official said that the board had almost completed the screening and would soon releaseresults of deserving candidates.


”What we are trying to do is to ensure that innocent persons are not punished, but I can assure you that we are going to punish all those found wanting,” he said.

Benjamin appealed to Nigerians to believe in the board’s ability to rid of what he described as ‘criminal elements’

According to him, Nigerians should appreciate what the board is doing as it is for the benefit of the Nigerian child and the national large.


”We want to correct so many things might have been taken for granted in the past.

”When fraudulent individuals get away with their mischievous acts, it is because the society is in a hurry to run to a conclusion, not mindful of the fact that certain acts should be pursued painstakingly to a logical conclusion.

”I want to let you know that the board has secured conviction of some UTME fraud suspects in Kebbi.


”Therefore, we equally want to seize this opportunity to thank the judiciary for doing a good job, as we urge others to key into what has been achieved in Kebbi in an effort to get rid of fraudulent persons and sanitise the system,” he said.

Benjamin urged candidates to be calm and wait for their results to be released soon.

”I want to urge candidates not to entertain any fear. Their results are intact,” he said.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/01/jamb-speaks-crash-server-release-2019-utme-results/

The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu yesterday alleged that the collapse of Nigeria is imminent as the rise of the nation of Biafra is inevitable following the unfolding events in the country.

Kanu who stated this yesterday in a message to Biafrans in Munich Bavaria Germany, said the group are relentless, resolute and determined, and all enemies within and without shall be put to shame.
He said: “I thank the good people of IPOB for the huge turnout yesterday in Bavaria Munich Germany.
“Not minding the short notice, you proved your determination to restore Biafra so that we can all return to our beloved homeland.‬

“The world is aware that we IPOB are the most organised, peaceful and largest freedom movement on this earth. Biafra shall be free.

“Our victory over the multitude of the forces of darkness is assured. We are relentless, resolute and determined. The collapse of Nigeria is imminent as the rise of the nation of Biafra is inevitable. All enemies within and without shall be put to shame” Kanu stated.

https://www.independent.ng/nigeria-collapse-imminent-as-rise-of-biafra-inevitable-nnamdi-kanu/amp/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured candidates of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) that results would be ready from April 29. The Board’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Bwari.

Benjamin said that screening of the results would soon be over and the result released. “We are still screening but hopefully, anytime next week, the results will be ready,” he said.

Speaking also on the board’s readiness to screen results of UTME candidates from 2009 to 2018, Benjamin said this would begin after the release of the 2019 results. He said this was part of the board’s effort to address the issues of malpractice in the system. The board had stated that it would only release the 2019 UTME results after undergoing thorough screening to identify and apprehend examination cheats. The process would identify those involved in multiple registration through biometric capturing and also address group registration by some elite schools, who end up mixing candidate’s data. The board said: “Normally, results are expected to be out within 24 to 48 hours as obtained in previous examinations held in 2017 and 2018. “However, the board does not want this to be business as usual. “Hence the programmed delay, which is part of its deliberate effort to properly scrutinize, identify and address all forms of examination malpractice. “The board will continue to act decisively with regards to any irregularity discovered even after results are released. “However, the board has made it a point of duty to screen all activities at all centres via CCTV recordings, to ensure that it does not release results of compromised examinations.” The board, while regretting all inconvenience caused in the process, reaffirmed its commitment to providing equal opportunity to all candidates in order to articulate their aspirations. JAMB said that effective from when it would officially release the results, all candidates can simply send RESULT, via SMS, to 55019 using the same number that was used for registration. The result, it said, would be replied as an SMS shortly after. This process, the board explained, was simplified to eliminate exploitation by business centres and cyber cafés who often take advantage of candidates. It also urged candidates to ignore all messages in circulation on how to check the results as they were all products of deceit. The 2019 UTME was conducted from April 11 to April 18 and over 1.8 million candidates registered for it. (NAN)

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/jamb-to-release-2019-utme-results-from-monday.html

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate reversal of the shift duty structure of the Nigeria Police Force.

The shift structure, which is currently a 12-hour, 2-shifts system has been changed to the traditional 8-hours, 3-shifts duty standard.

He said this while declaring open the conference of heads of Police Medical Facilities at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Details Later….

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-igp-orders-reversal-of-shift-duty-structure-in-police/

The Nigerian Army has advised residents of south-eastern states to remain calm as it moves troops for its annual Range Classification for 2019.

Speaking on Thursday, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division, urge the public to go about their daily routine without panic.

“The 82 Division, Nigerian Army, will be conducting the 2019 Range Classification Exercise; in line with the Nigerian Army 2019 training scheduled from Tuesday, April 23 to Saturday, April 27 at 34 Brigade Shooting Range, Owerri, Imo State," he said.

“The exercise, which is an annual routine training activity, aims at testing personnel effectiveness in weapon handling and firing efficiency, thereby providing the required platform for better professional competence."

http://saharareporters.com/2019/04/25/gunshots-rock-imo-five-days-—-there-no-cause-alarm

…Akpabio, Ita Enang in contention as Udoma wants to quit public service

Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

With barely a month to the end of the current administration, Presidency Muhammadu Buhari appears to be in a dilemma on who to fill the ministerial slot meant for Akwa Ibom State.

Buhari, Vanguard learnt, is favourably disposed to retaining the current Minister of Budget and National Planning and son of Nigerian eminent jurist, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, but the prominent lawyer and bureaucrat is said to have pleaded to be allowed to quit public service after many years of outing.

It was gathered that Buhari had taken more than a passing interest in Udoma since he successfully deployed his business and financial acumen in bailing Nigeria out of recession last year and enabled the country to experience some level of growth and economic stability, as confirmed by international rating agencies.

Buhari is also said to have been impressed by the minister’s level-headedness and for serving as a bridge-builder between the federal and Akwa Ibom State government since coming on board and helping to create stability and harmony among the two tiers of government. A presidential source said however that despite Buhari’s admiration of Udoma’s towering leadership and administrative credentials, the minister has made it clear that he would serve only one term and retire from public service, having put in many years serving Nigeria and its people in different spheres.

The decision by Udoma not to serve again in the new cabinet leaves Buhari with the option of choosing his cabinet member from Akwa Ibom State from the duo of former Governor Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ita Enang, who currently serves as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).

Although Akpabio would eminently fit the bill because of his position as a former governor and the strong support he mobilised for the All Progressives Congress, which enabled the party to score over 40 per cent in the just concluded presidential election in the state.

However, the state government, which is supposed to recommend a ministerial candidate to the Presidency, is said to be frontally opposed to the candidature of the former governor and would not do so under any condition.

Top backers of Governor Emmanuel Udom and the Peoples Democratic Party in Uyo have made it clear that Akpabio should not be given such top position so soon having embarrassed them by defecting from their fold and joining forces with the opposition to work against them. A power broker in the state told Vanguard that they would rather stay without a minister than recommending Akpabio to become one, a post that would automatically elevate him to the APC political leader in the state.

The choice of Ita Enang, which appears to be more appealing to the PDP and APC folds in the state, however hangs in the balance since some of the political leaders feel that he has been in government since 1999, first, as member of the House of Representatives for 12 years and later as Senator for four years before being appointed presidential aide in 2015 by Buhari.

Many of the PDP leaders who work with Governor Udom are said to prefer Mr Enang, a lawyer and long-standing PDP member before 2015, to Akpabio apparently because of his calm political and conciliatory disposition.

Many of those who are opposed to Akpabio, argued that although Enang also defected to the APC in 2015, he did not do anything to cause disaffection between the state and the federal government on one hand and between his former party and the new one. As at last night, there was no indication that the uncertainty over the ministerial slot for the state had been settled and there were indications that fresh names might be considered by the Presidency.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/new-cabinet-buhari-in-dilemma-over-akwa-iboms-slot/

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

Heads are set to roll across the country as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has launched a probe into the credentials of applicants dating back to 2009.

This implies that persons who cheated the system to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to get into school and may have even graduated and participated in the National Youth Service Corps will be arrested and their certificates withdrawn.

The Head, Media and Information of JAMB, Fabian Benjamin, said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Monday.

Benjamin said the probe had begun and it would be completed in record time as JAMB has acquired software which would be able to identify fake biometric data.

Speaking in a separate interview on 95.1 Nigeria Info FM Abuja, the JAMB spokesman said, “We want to do what we call biometric verification dating back to 10 years.

“Even if you are now working and we discovered that someone wrote exams for you, we will publish your name and the law agencies will do the needful.

“We have the biometrics from 10 years ago. We will compare the photos with thumbprints and names.

“We discovered that a candidate could have written exams with 30 different names.”


Explaining how impersonation takes place, Benjamin added, “This is how they operate: My name is Fabian Benjamin, but I will register as Abdullahi Musa and write exams for Abdullahi Musa; but I will use Fabian Benjamin’s picture and biometric data; only the name will be different.

“I will register as John David, as Austin Steven. I will register in the name of anyone that pays me, write exams for that person, but I will use my picture.

“We will give the institution the photo and it must match. In fact, only our picture must be accepted by the institution.”

Speaking with our correspondent during a separate interview, the JAMB spokesman said it had become important to expose exam cheats to serve as a deterrent to others.

He said the photos of those found culpable would be published for all to see, even if they have since started working.

Benjamin said, “If you graduated from university and you did not write UTME, it means the foundation is faulty and the building cannot stand.

“We have already started the probe, but we will go deeper after the exams.

“It will not take too long. We are using software, so it will just check the biometric data of candidates and if the biometric data of someone shows about six different names, then it will notify us.

“So, if one person’s photo brings up different names and we have spotted this, we will find out where the person is and then we will pick them up.”

He said the exam body had been able to arrest over 100 persons nationwide for malpractice in the ongoing examinations.

Benjamin said JAMB had written a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation for advice on their prosecution.


“Even if they are not punished, let the public know that Mr. A who is a doctor became so after someone wrote exams for him.

“That shame alone will serve as a deterrence to others. We must start from 10 years ago, so that others will learn,” he said.

https://punchng.com/well-get-those-who-cheated-to-get-admission-jamb-says-launches-10-year-probe-of-utme/

The Federal Government says it will be unfair for Nigerians to measure its achievements in the fight against corruption by the number of convictions it has secured.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this on Monday when he featured on a live TVC News Programme, “This Morning” monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that the administration has succeeded in laying enduring foundation for the fight against corruption through sustainable policies including the Single Treasury Account (TSA), Whistle Blower Policy.

Mohammed said with the solid foundation, the fight against corruption will remain the bedrock of the administration in the next four years.

“Under this administration, we insisted and have succeeded in ensuring that all payments and revenues are paid into the TSA

“Before we came in, the federal government had over 2000 different accounts in various banks which resulted in paying several billions on Naira in charges.

“The government then also never had an idea of how much it had as revenue

“Today, over N9.3 trillion has gone into the TSA and that is why it is possible for us to invest especially in the area of infrastructure and social investment programmes,” he said.

The minister said with the TSA savings, the government spent unprecedented N2.7 trillion on the development of infrastructure in 2017 and 2018 and also introduced accountability in spending of government resources.


He said the Whistle Blower policy has helped in blocking corruption and recovery of looted funds.

Mohammed disclosed that the government has, so far, recovered several billions of Naira and about 53 million USD through the policy alone.

He said the administration’s fight against corruption has been recognised abroad with the AU’s recognition of President Muhammadu Buhari as the champion of anti-corruption.


The minister said that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also recognised the efforts of the administration in fighting corruption.

“When we say the fight against corruption is successful is because we have laid the foundation that would make it difficult for people to engage in the evil act.

“For us success of the fight against corruption is the fact that we have driven corruption under the table and make it unattractive as it was before.


“Those who are corrupt are doing so with the fear of the law. It will be progressive,y become more and more difficult in Nigeria for corruption to be attractive,” he said.

On the allegation that the government’s anti corruption fight was against perceived enemies and opposition, the minister said it was a misconception.

“We had 16 years of unbroken rule by the PDP so the likely people who will be accused of misuse of resources should be the people who were in charge .


“We also have some former governors who decamped to APC who have also been convicted,” he said.

The minister reiterated that the anti-corruption fight would be frontal in the next four years of the administration of President Buhari.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/04/22/buhari-govt-far-fought-corruption-lai-mohammed/

The Benue Government on Monday imposed a 24 hours curfew on Katsina-Ala town in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor Mr Ede Ogaba and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi.

Ogaba said the curfew which is with immediate effect would be reviewed as the situation demands.

"The Benue State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Katsina-Ala with effect from today, Monday, April 22, as part of efforts to restore peace and ensure the security of lives and property in that part of the state,” he said.

Ogaba quoted the acting governor as urging the people of the area to cooperate with security operatives by obeying the curfew.

“Government warns that anyone found fomenting trouble in the area or in other parts of the state will be apprehended and punished according to law.

“Government reassures the people that more security personnel have been deployed to Katsina-Ala to end the crisis, and it will continue to give security agencies every needed support to succeed,” he said.

(NAN)

https://punchng.com/benue-govt-imposes-curfew-on-katsina-ala/

The National Judicial Council (NJC), has approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to extend the tenure of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad.

The council in a statement by its Director Information, Soji Oye, stated that the approval followed several deliberations during a meeting which was held last week Thursday.

Mr Oye noted that contrary to reports that the NJC was going to meet next week on the extension of Justice Muhammad’s tenure, the council, however, meet on April 18, 2019, which resolved to the approval of his extension.

“The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to an online newspaper and daily newspaper Report stating that the Council would meet next week to deliberate on the extension of the Acting Appointment of Honourable Dr Justice I. T. Muhammad CFR, as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“Contrary to the above, the Council actually met on Thursday 18th April 2019 and at the 88thMeeting considered and approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the extension of the Appointment of Hon. Dr Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria for another three (3) months and Council has since forwarded its approval to the President”.

https://www.channelstv.com/2019/04/20/njc-approves-buharis-request-to-extend-tenure-of-acting-cjn/

The Oyo State Government and Fresh FM are at loggerheads over the recent fire incident that occurred at Iwo road, Ibadan.

It will be recalled that a tanker laden with petrol on Thursday fell and caught fire claiming two lives and burning four vehicles at Iwo road area of Ibadan around 3:00 pm on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday, the Oyo State Government scolded Fresh FM.

A statement by O.M. Adewuyi, Deputy Director Oyo State Fire Service read: “The statement read: The attention of the Ministry of Works and Transport has been drawn to the lies peddled by the commentators in the Freshly Pressed programme on Fresh FM of Friday, 19th April, 2019 on the inferno at ile marun Iwo road Ibadan.

“The commentators, who were not on ground until the fire was completely put off and who did not know the efforts of the State Fire Service at putting off the inferno heaped the blame of the incident on the State Fire Service claiming that the State Fire Service said there was no water and chemical resulting into a conflagration.

“The moderator and analysts even went as far as castigating the person of the Governor of Oyo State for not indicting the Fire Service.

“The questions are; with what did the State Fire Service put out the fire if there was no water and chemical? Did any of the analysts and pressmen confront the State Fire Service with the information before coming to damning conclusions and rushing to press?. The truth is that as soon as the information got to us about a tanker’s explosion at ile Marun, Iwo road, the officers from Gbagi Fire Station were deployed to the scene because of the closeness to the place. They were to be complemented by officers from the State Fire Headquarters.

The two Fire Stations went to the scene with 52,500 litres of water with which the effect of the inferno was mitigated. On getting to the scene, the State Fire Service rolled out some rules of protection which some of the victims found too difficult to comply with but instead took to their own initiatives which eventually were counter productive.

“People around were so uncontrollable, seing it as an opportunity for cheap benefits provided by the tanker which was fully loaded. Against the advice of the Firemen on ground, the driver of the Micra drove across the petrol spillage. The issue of lack or inadequate chemical and water did not feature in the exercise. The Ministry while sympathising with the victims of the incident, wishes to implore the entire citizenry of the state to be security conscious; make timely calls to the State Fire Service through any of its hot lines, 08067439223 08054353501, always on display on because screen and desist from propagating lies.

The Ministry equally wishes to implore the pressmen and analysts to cross check their facts before rushing to the press. (See today’s The Nation Newspaper’s accurate report)Misleading the public and propagating falsehood would not improve society. Finally as agenda setters, it is imperative that we engage in constructive criticism all the time and be accurate with reports and analysis.”

https://www.independent.ng/again-yinka-ayefeles-fresh-fm-clashes-with-oyo-govt/amp/

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the National New Minimum Wage bill, Daily Trust has reliably gathered.

Sources in the State House told our correspondent that the president assented to the bill today

Presidential adviser on National Assembly (Senate), Sen Ita Enang is being expected to brief the State House Correspondents on the development.

Detail soon

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/exclusive-buhari-signs-new-minimum-wage-bill.html

Barely a week after the start of the first semester examinations in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), the students in the Minna Study Center have decried having to pay to safeguard their bags when they write examination.

The students also lamented over the attitude of some of the staff in the study center who have made it a point of duty to exploit the students in order to safeguard their bags.

The Nation learnt that for each session, examinations are written three times daily, the students are asked to pay N50 to leave their bags in the open hall.

Complaining bitterly, a student who brought the attention of The Nation to the situation, Georgina Paul said it has not been the trend before adding that the staff do not hide the fact that one have to pay.

security to look over the bags? Are they even supposed to be looking after our bags or invigilating?”

Curious over this allegation, The Nation paid a visit to the Minna Study Center to ascertain and when the Reporter got there, she met two staff quarreling a lady over the payment of N50.

“Do you think we are begging you for the money? We are doing you a favor. Madam, you have to pay the money o! Because others have been paying”, a staff learnt to be called Zainab said.

Another staff identified as Halima said, “What is N50? Is that what you think we use to eat? It is a law that has been set here and you must abide by it.”

“I will not say, do your worse. Why did you not write it and post it on the notice board if it is legal? I have said for my examination and you do not even have the power to stop me from writing it”, the student who have her name as Helen retorted.

When The Nation inquired what the N50 was used for and why it was being demanded, she was told that it was to safeguard their bags and phones.

A male staff who spoke but did not give his name explained that during last semester examinations, students belongings were stolen and it was decided that a staff will watch over the bags while examinations are being written and the students will pay N50 as a sign of appreciate for watching over their bags and phones.

“We are not asking for much, we know of other Study centers where they demand for more. Like in Obalende center, to park your car, you will have to pay N1, 000, do what they are making noise over N50. We did not ask for much”, he claimed.

Most of the students frowned over the manner students who refuse to pay the money are being treated.

Yusuf Abdullahi, another student said, “if you refuse to pay, the staff will frustrate your life. They will pick on you during the examinations, looking over your shoulders, changing your seats and doing other frustrating things. You will know it is because you did not pay the N50. They had no business with me before but on Monday, I refused to pay and since then, I have not had peace in writing my examination.”

Hadiza Kagara said, “On Wednesday I had two papers, 8 am and 2 pm, I had to pay for my bags those two times. It is not fair.”

Efforts to see the Director to ascertain if he was aware of the N50 bag-keeping fee was not possible as he was not to be on seat when the Reporter checked the office.

The Nation also noticed that there was no security in the open hall, the only security in the Center was a Civil Defence officer who was at the gate.

https://thenationonlineng.net/students-decry-paying-n50-to-safeguard-their-bags-in-noun/

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Justice Walter Onnoghen, who is being prosecuted on charges of assets declaration breaches, has been shifted from 9am, the original scheduled time, till noon on Thursday.

Onnoghen had arrived the premises of the tribunal at about 8.40am ahead of the judgment.

Only two of his lawyers and a handful of his aides were seated in the courtroom when a court official announced the postponement at about 9am.

No member of the prosecution team was in court when the postponement was announced

None of them arrived as of the time of filing this report at about 9.11am.

Onnoghen had yet to step out ‎of his vehicle as of the time the postponement was announced.

His convoy left the premises as soon as the information about the new development reached him.

The Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, after the prosecution and the defence made closing arguments on Monday, specifically fixed judgment for 9am on Thursday‎, a departure from the usual 10am sitting time of the tribunal.

Onnoghen reportedly resigned on April 4, he was charged with alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers before the CCT on January 11, 2019, as a sitting CJN.

Specifically, the Federal Government, acting through the Code of Conduct Bureau, had on January 11, filed against Onnoghen, six counts, accusing him in the first count of failure to declare his assets to the bureau between June 2005 and December 14, 2016.

In the rest of the five counts, the defendant was alleged to have falsely declared his assets on December 14, 2016, by allegedly omitting to declare his domiciliary dollar, euro and pound sterling accounts as well as his two naira accounts, all maintained with Standard Chattered Bank (Nig.) Ltd.

https://punchng.com/breaking-cct-judgment-on-onnog%e2%80%8ehen-shifted-from-9am-till-noon/

Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has faulted Nigeria’s electoral system which he says has been under assault.

Jega also alleged politicians used university lecturers to commit irregularities during the elections, particularly in Kano state.

According to Guardian, the former INEC chairman spoke at the annual conference of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

He said the BUK lecturers who worked with politicians to perpetrate “all sorts of irregularities” betrayed the confidence reposed on them by compromising the electoral process.

A former vice-chancellor of BUK, Jega oversaw the 2015 election which was widely described free and fair.

“I think the major crisis in Nigeria’s democracy is that our electoral integrity has been under assault, compromised and undermined by those who have control over the process,” he said.

“Look at what happened during the last elections, and the story of irregularities being spread even in the four walls of BUK.

“The politicians, through crooked means, got alliances with lecturers in the university to compromise the system and they perpetrated all sort of irregularities, which pave way for a faulty process for the continued entrenchment of bad people in governance.

“Maybe, I am preaching to the converted or I am talking nonsense but frankly speaking, I am beginning to think that we are not taking the obligations of scholarship and intellectual engagement with the seriousness it deserves.”

https://www.thecable.ng/jega-some-lecturers-in-kano-conspired-with-politicians-during-the-elections/amp

President Donald Trump is considering imposing travel restrictions on countries whose citizens overstay short-term visitor visa, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The American president and some of his aides are reportedly considering the move as a means of curbing immigration.

The journal listed Nigeria, Chad, Eritrea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as some of the countries whose immigrants overstay their visas at relatively high rates.

The Trump administration wants “to reduce overstay rates for visas and the visa waiver program — and it’s well known that the administration is working to ensure faithful implementation of immigration welfare rules to protect American taxpayers,” WSJ quoted Hogan Gidley, White House spokesman, as saying.

It added that the US, as part of the new rule, “would tell the countries’ governments that if rates don’t reverse, then future visas could be shorter or harder to get, according to an administration official who described the move as putting those countries “on notice.”

“Ultimately, nationals from countries with high overstay rates could be barred entirely, though the official said no ban is now under consideration,” the report read.

The White House is also said to be considering a number of other rule changes that would make it more difficult to obtain student and investor visas, as well as visas for spouses of highly skilled H-1B-visa holders.

The United States embassy in Nigeria had on Monday, said its visa officers do not enjoy denying Nigerians visa.

It explained that some questions often misunderstood by applicants which earn them a rejection, while announcing a Facebook Live session to talk about some of the commonly misunderstood questions on Wednesday.

https://www.thecable.ng/nigerians-to-be-affected-as-trump-mulls-clampdown-on-those-abusing-us-visa/amp

The Coalition of Minority Tribes in Nigeria has called on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to apologise to Nigerians and return to his ‘country’ Cameroon or seek naturalization.

The group was reacting to the recent claim by the All Progressives Congress that Atiku is a nationality of Cameroon and not a Nigerian.

The APC had since filed a motion at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja by its lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, faulting the candidacy of Atiku in the election, adding that the former Vice President is a Cameroonian and not a Nigerian citizen.

According to the group, what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has done by allegedly concealing his identity is tantamount to crimes against humanity and must tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, Abdulmuminu Hassan, Secretary-General to the group said former head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida must have realized the true nationality of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, hence, the reason he refused to appoint him as the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service.

It, therefore, gave him a 21-day ultimatum to Cameroon to reunite with his family members.

Full text of his speech below.

This same scenario could also be the reason why former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to allow him to succeed him as President of Nigeria in 2007. This much was stated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his autobiography “My Watch” where he stated in unequivocal terms that the paternity of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was “shadowy.”

We are, therefore, constrained to state that it is such a shame that the Nigerian authorities have allowed such a sham fester for decades without detecting, and thereby causing Nigeria and Nigerians the opportunity to develop her country the way Nigerians would do.

The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria is indeed alarmed that the paternity of Alhaji Atiku was unlet undetected and he aspired and held the number two position of Vice President in Nigeria.

His relationship with Simon Ateba, a Nigerian based Cameroonian journalist that was arrested in Cameroon for being a spy is also suspect and leaves more to be imagined.

Consequently, the Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria wishes to use this medium to issue a 21-day ultimatum to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar return to Cameroon to reunite with his family members. This is important to save Nigerians the trauma of having to deal with his nationality.

The Conference of Minority also wishes to advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to in an alternative solution seek naturalization as a Nigerian by applying to the Federal Ministry of Interior in Nigeria. This way Nigerians would forgive him for his sins and show him understanding since he has lived the better part of his life in Nigeria. Though at great disservice to Nigeria.

The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria shall not hesitate to mobilize its members across the nook and crannies in Nigeria to a street protest should Alhaji Atiku Abubakar fail to tender unreserved apologies to Nigerians, and also return to Cameroon or seek naturalisation in Nigeria.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/04/16/2019-election-atiku-asked-return-cameroon-within-21-days-apologise-nigerians/

A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, has granted an order for interim forfeiture of the property traced to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

This development was at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which is presently prosecuting Diezani, Donald Chidi Amangbo and Sequoyah Properties Limited.

EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement, said the property was located at Plot 9, Azikiwe Road, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


He added, “The order was pursuant to a motion ex-parte dated March 4, 2019 brought by the EFCC.

“Ruling on the motion ex-parte, Justice Obiozor held that: “An interim forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby granted, forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the property which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

“The court further ordered the EFCC to publish the order in any national daily in circulation in Nigeria “and particularly in circulation in Port Harcourt and Lagos, and all persons interested in the said property are further put on notice to show cause why the final order of forfeiture of the affected property ought not to be made by this court.”

Meanwhile, Orilade also disclosed that the court presided over by Justice Chuka Obiozor was expected to give a further ruling on May 9.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/04/14/court-orders-forfeiture-property-traced-diezani/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it was satisfied by the academic documents submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari while running for office.

Mr Buhari’s early school certificate was one of the major grounds of a petition filed against his victory by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr Abubakar’s legal team said Mr Buhari claimed, in INEC filings, to have attended a school that could not be traced. He also said Mr Buhari claimed to bear a certificate that was not in existence at the time he claimed to have obtained it.

But in its response to Mr Abubakar’s grounds at the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, INEC said it had no objections about Mr Buhari’s academic documents.
The commission said it was “satisfied with the educational qualification presented” by Mr Buhari to contest for office, according to excerpts of its submission seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

It argued that Mr Abubakar’s petition was “incompetent”, “lacking in merit” and “frivolous”. It also prayed the court to dismiss it.


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/325231-inec-satisfied-by-buharis-academic-qualification.html

Yobe Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno-APC), to respect the supremacy of the party and avoid placing personal interest above collective interest.

Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe, the state’s secretary of the party, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Damaturu.

“The interest of the party supersedes all other interests,” Bakabe said.

He cautioned the lawmaker against working with the opposition to ridicule the party.

“Ndume should avoid the pitfalls of the Bukola Saraki’s Senate presidency, this must not be repeated in the interest of the party, Nigeria and democracy,” he said.

Bakabe commended returning and newly elected senators for identifying with the position of the party and presidency on the proposed leadership of the National Assembly.

“The state chapter of APC expresses optimism that the Borno senator will remain loyal to the party, its leadership and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As a party, we can not afford to accommodate any sabotage and a divided house after the bitter experience of the last four years.

“The endorsement of Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, for Senate President will provide the required leadership and coordination for the APC led administration to effectively execute its policies and programmes for the benefit of Nigerians.

“Lawan will run an inclusive leadership that will give every Nigerian a true sense of belonging and fulfillment, he has the required experience, knowledge and administrative skills for the senate to reclaim its glory as a progressive arm of government,” he said.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/04/12/senate-presidency-apc-issues-stern-warning-ndume/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday charged security agencies to put their acts together and deal ruthlessly with bandits, kidnappers and other security challenges in the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, briefed State House correspondents at the end of about two hours meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the President said that no stone should be left unturned towards securing every part of the country.

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said that the frequent kidnapping on the Abuja-Kaduna road have been tackled.

He said that the route is now very safe.

Details shortly…

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-deal-ruthlessly-with-bandits-kidnappers-others-buhari-orders-security-chiefs/

Professor Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola, a former head of the Department of Mathematics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, has explained why Aminu Othman Zubairu, a former lecturer of the university who died last week under circumstances suspected to be suicide, spent more than two decades on his PhD programme without completing it.

According to Ayoola, when the PhD work of Zubairu dragged on for many years, the postgraduate committee asked him questions. He said Zubairu exonerated his supervisor, putting the blame on himself for his dissatisfaction with the level of results he had obtained

He also described Zubairu as “a kind of perfectionist who possibly was eyeing some mathematics laureate at the doctoral level”.

Ayoola made the comments on Monday after Samuel Edet, an alumnus of the department, put up a Facebook post blaming the institution for Zubairu’s PhD travails.

“I knew Aminu Othman Zubairu, he was my algebraic topology lecturer. There is no question as to the depth of his understanding of his field. He was an astounding teacher, a good examiner, a good-hearted easy-going man, and one you can reliably have a conversation with,” Edet had written.

“I remember at some point during my undergraduate thesis, he was very supportive, always meeting during early hours of the day in his office to talk about possible areas of my thesis I could explore, despite not being my supervisor. I hope his children grow up with the understanding that their father was a genius. A genius with an unwavering principle, that could not be dwarfed by a shameful system, an inept institution and a culture of mediocrity.

“A genius who did not believe in the subjugating mantra of untoward ‘Patient, Humility and 'Dobale' in exchange for PHD." Let the University of Ibadan know that an institution that glorifies itself in mediocrity is a danger not just to itself but also to the society. Spending 22 years or any other insane number of years working towards a doctorate degree is not a marker of a sane intellectual community.”

In response, Ayoola wrote:

“I feel so sad reading this post by one of our former mathematics students describing our university as a shameful system, an inept institution with a culture of mediocrity. So, so sad. Never in all the 70 years that UI has been in existence even with Mathematics department being a foundation department of the university had someone described our institution that way. The statement is full of contradictions itself.

“An institution full of mediocre as alleged will not harbour academic staff whose recommendation would be accepted in support of admission of her former students outside the country. I know Samuel Edet must have been a beneficiary of such recommendations. It was so unfortunate that Mr. Zubairu died that way.

“He came to the department sometime in the year 1992 for a Master’s degree from Bayero University and did well in our programme in Ibadan. That qualified him to be appointed an Assistant Lecturer. We believe so much in merit and openness that he was appointed without any culture of DOBALE as Edet put it. He was subsequently recommended for ICTP diploma programme in Italy, which he completed in 1995 and came back to resume his job and his PhD studies. He was attached to one of the best African professors of Algebraic Topology, an Oxford-trained unbiased professor who would not hurt a fly, the professor that had produced many PhD holders who are themselves professors in many universities in Nigeria and abroad.

“However, the PhD work of Mr. Zubairu dragged on for many years, leading to the postgraduate committee asking questions at some point. Mr. Zubairu exonerated the supervisor, putting the blame on himself for not being satisfied with the level of results he had obtained. I was the Head of Department at that time. I am a Christian and a pastor, I will never lie against the dead. Of course, the supervisor could not be forcing the student to write up when the student himself was not ready. So he had to re-apply for admission at the PG school on many occasions, having failed to satisfy the maximum years to be on the programme on many occasions.

“Some of us intervened on many occasions without success. Zubairu was a kind of a perfectionist who possibly was eyeing some mathematics laureate at the doctoral level. There was nothing any one can do on that occasion. The university was even magnanimous by allowing him to stay on the programme for that long. There were many opportunities for doctoral studies abroad which he did not take advantage of. His case was strange.

“Then the issue of his family dispute cropped in. He eventually resigned his appointment in protest against the deduction of his salary as ordered by a competent court for his children and family care in May 2017. The department again intervened by persuading him to have a second thought. The legal department and the highest administration in the university intervened without success. So sad. He kept on living in the university apartment for almost two years after his resignation. The cause of the strange fire is still subject to university enquiry.”

Zubairu's body was discovered at his staff quarters located on Phillipson Road last Tuesday, with his body covered with thick smoke from a fire. He was rushed to 'Jaja', as the university's clinic is widely known, and subsequently transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, where he died the following morning.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/04/09/former-head-department-explains-why-late-university-ibadan-lecturer-spent-22-years-phd

The senate has confirmed Paul Tarfa, a retired major-general, as the chairman governing board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

Tarfa and other members of the board were confirmed after a report was presented by Abdulaziz Nyako, chairman of the committee on special duties, on Tuesday.

The chairman of the committee while presenting his report said all the nominees met the necessary requirements and urged his colleagues to confirm them.

“That the senate do confirm the underlisted names as chairman and board members of the commission,” Nyako said.

Before the nominees were confirmed, Binta Garba, senator representing Adamawa north, wondered why Mohammed Alkali was nominated as managing director since he is from Borno and the commission is domiciled in the state.

Garba further argued that the nomination did not follow any known precedence.

“The UN is domiciled in the US, the general-secretary is never from there,” she said.

In his reaction to this, Bala Na’Allah, senate leader, argued that there are exceptions and the case of the north-east commission is one.

Thereafter, the senate confirmed the nominees after a voice vote.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill establishing the commission in October 2017 but did not send nominees till January 2019.

Here are the names of the other confirmed nominees.

Mohammed Alkali, MD/CEO of the commission
Musa Yashi, executive director of humanitarian affairs
Muhammad Jawa, executive director, administration and finance
Omar Mohammed, executive director of operation
David Kente, member representing north-east zone
Asmau Mohammed, member representing north-west
Benjamin Adanyi, member representing north-central
Olawale Oshun, member representing south-west
T. E. O Ekechi, member representing south-east
Obasuke McDonald, member representing south-south
The commission was setup to respond to the humanitarian crisis owing to the insurgency.

https://www.thecable.ng/senate-confirms-paul-tarfa-as-chairman-of-north-east-development-commission/amp