₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that all successful candidates in the last Physical/Credentials screening stage will sit for Computer Based Test (CBT) to be conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday, 25th May, 2018.

Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement on Thursday, said the exercise will hold across the country.

He said candidates have been notified through text messages.

“However, those who did not receive the message can check for their exam centres through the under-listed websites.
i. www.policerecruitment.ng
ii. www.jamb.gov.ng
iii. www.psc.gov.ng

“The candidates’ exam centres are also displayed at every State Command Headquarters in the Thirty Six (36) States of the Federation and the FCT.

“The Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Training and Development to monitor the conduct of the examination in some selected centres while the Commissioners of Police in State Commands will monitor the conduct of the examination in centres in their Commands.

“Candidates are hereby advised to be of good conduct and not to engage in any examination malpractice, as anyone caught will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

“Candidates and members of the general public who observe any form of improper practice should please call the following phone numbers”


http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/police-recruitment-force-hq-confirms.html

Also see:NUC Releases Names Of Nigerian Universities Approved For Post-graduate Programme



http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/nuc-releases-names-of-nigerian.html

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/nuc-releases-names-of-nigerian.html

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has released a full list of approved post-graduate awarding institutions in Nigeria.

A bulletin from the office of the Executive Secretary dated May 14 contains the list of federal, state and private universities currently allowed to issue such certificates to students in Nigeria.

“The commission has also observed some parastatals and institutes awarding these same postgraduate degrees, either on their own or through unapproved affiliation with Nigerian and foreign universities.

“The commission hereby notifies the general public that only the following universities have approval to offer postgraduate programmes at the Masters’ and Ph.D levels in Nigeria as of July 30,2012,” the bulletin said.

According to the bulletin, Nigeria has 162 universities: 41 are federal, 47 are state owned while 74 are privately owned institutions.

Out of the 41 federal universities across the country, 26 are approved by the commission for post-graduate programmes:

Full list below:

1. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

2. Ahmodu Bello University, Zaria

3. Bayero University, Kano

4. Federal University of Technology, Akure

5. Federal University of Technology, Minna

6. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

7. Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

8. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola

9. National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos

10. Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna

11. Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa

12. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

13. University of Abuja, Gwagwalada

14. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

15. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

16. University of Benin, Benin City

17. University of Calabar, Calabar

18. University of Ibadan, Ibadan

19. University of Ilorin, Ilorin

20. University of Jos, Jos

21. University of Lagos, Akoko

22. University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri

23. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

24. University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt

25. University of Uyo, Uyo

26. Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto

Similarly, only 25 state universities were approved by the commission for post-graduate programmes out of the 47 state owned universities in the country. The approved universities are :

1. Abia State University, Uturu

2. Adamawa State University, Mubi

3. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko

4. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

5. Anambra University, Uli

6. Benue State University, Makurdi

7. Cross River University of Technology, Calabar

8. Delta State University, Abraka

9. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

10. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

11. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu

12. Imo State University, Owerri

13. Kogi State University, Anyigba

14. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso

15. Lagos State University, Ojo

16. Nasarawa State University, Keffi

17. Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island

18. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye

19. Rivers State University of Science and Technology

20. Umar Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina

21. Gombe State University, Gombe

22. Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai

23. Kano State University of Science and Technology

24. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology

25. Kwara State University, Malete

Meanwhile, only 18 universities out of 74 private universities were approved for post-graduate studies. The 18 institutions are:

1. African University of Science and Technology, Abuja

2. American University of Nigeria, Yola

3. Babcock University, Ilishan Remo

4. Benson Idahosa University, Benin City

5. Bowen University, Iwo

6. Covenant University, Ota

7. Igbiniedo University, Okada

8. Pan-African University, Lekki

9. Redeemer’s University, Mowe, Ogun State

10. Caleb University, Lagos

11. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji

12. Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja

13. Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State

14. Lead City University, Ibadan (MSc. Only)

15. University of Mkar, Mkar (MSc. Only)

16. Madona University, Okija

17. Al-hikmah University, Ilorin (MSc. Only)

18. Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike , Enugu state.

“Employers of labour, educational institutions and other stakeholders are to note that only certificates issued by these universities for their approved programmes, are valid for employment, further studies and other purposes,” the commission said.

CC:

lalasticlala

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/apc-picks-tentative-date-for-national.html

The National Convention Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked June 23 tentatively for the Party’s convention in place of June 2 earlier scheduled.

Chairman of the committee and governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating 12 sub-committees comprising 240 members, for the national convention.

Badaru, however, said that the party´s national leadership needed to approve the date.

The committees are media, finance, accreditation, security, transport and logistics, welfare and accommodation, screening appeal, venue and protocol, and medicals.

“It was suggested today that we should have the convention on June 23, but we will have to discuss it with the party’s national secretariat to confirm the date,” he said.

The committee chairman noted that though the party had some challenges in some states flowing from its just-concluded ward, local government and state congresses, such challenges were surmountable.

According to him, the identified challenges will be resolved before the convention date.
He added that sale of forms to aspirants that may want to contest for any of the party´s national executive offices would commence on Tuesday.

The chairman refuted media reports that the party would spend N6 billion on the convention, saying that it would cost less.

“I’m very sure that it is far less than that; tomorrow, we are getting all the budgets from the sub-committees, but I can assure you that it far less.

“Knowing me and what I stand for, you will know that it will be the cheapest convention ever,’’ he said.

Badaru added the money for the convention would be raised from donations from party members.

lalasticlala

The three senators representing Kaduna State in the upper chambers of the National Assembly have warmed banks and financial institutions not to extend loan facilities to the Nasir El-Rufai led Government.

This is contained in a statement Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North), Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) and Danjuma La’ah, (Kaduna South), jointly signed and issued in Abuja.

They said the warning became necessary following alleged move by the state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to obtain huge loans through the back door.

The Senate had in April 2018 turned down Kaduna State Government’s request for the approval of a $350million loan

But the senators advised money lenders to approach the Debt Management Office (DMO) for necessary briefing before venturing to grant loan facility to the state government.

The two-page statement read in full: “Caution to chief executives of commercial banks and other fiancé houses, local and abroad, on loan offers beyond the solvency of Kaduna State Government emphasised that the Kaduna State Government recently failed the Legal litmus test in obtaining a World Bank facility to the tune of USD 350,000,000, through the process of the Nigerian Senate.

“Information available to us the three senators representing Kaduna State confirms the resort by the state government to other routes in obtaining loans, local and international.

“The Committee on Foreign and Local Loans/Debts of the Senate is not unaware of efforts by the state government to negotiating with some Finance Houses to procure huge foreign loans to the detriment of state government.

“Such efforts being made through private finance management companies may have to do with the failure of the state government to secure the disapproved USD 350million earlier this year through the Senate.

“The public to note, the extent of desperation the state chief executive went to town on personalising the official disapproval of the loan, which was officially reported by the Senate and backed by the DMO official reports.

“The desperation of the state government has now reached an epoch of reckless dimension as to use private finance companies (Home and Abroad) to negotiate and procure similar facilities through other mediums alternatively circumventing the Senate.

“The Senate committee on Foreign and Local Debts and senators representing Kaduna State are also aware of the efforts of Kaduna State Government to negotiate and collect huge unreasonable sums of local currencies loans through Nigerian local banks.

“It is imperative to mention here that Kaduna State solvency in collecting such loans (in those huge amounts) and obviously, and objectively are incapable of carrying such huge debt burdens.
“The moral causes of a government few months from elections, with no clear identity of requisite public supports and sympathy to be re-elected aside.

“The recklessness with which these loans are being heaped on Kaduna State Government from many commercial banks in such huge sums calls for caution

“The three senators and indeed the committee for foreign and local debt of the Senate use this medium to alert chief executives of the local commercial banks, finance houses, foreign finance managers and finance houses, to take seriously the commercial and ethical responsibilities in doing business with the current leadership of Kaduna State Government under Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

“The banks and finance managers are in their own interest and the wider interest of the l public in the state advised to not only seek approval of Kaduna State legislature (Which has long before now turned to be a rubber stamp of the governor), but also turn to the DMO for correct indices and reports of the current debt status of the state government.

“For the Kaduna State House of Assembly, it is worthy for you to be reminded that you are in those offices to protect the interest and integrity of the people.

“Therefore, the Committee for Finance and Clerk to the state assembly to publish all the requests for local and foreign loans received from the state government, and the various approval and those under consideration of the assembly or its relevant committees.

“The three senators, want to use this medium to also thank the public in our dear state for the understanding and support for us to continue to do our duties no matter the intimidation by the state government.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/dont-give-el-rufai-loans-kaduna.html

Congrats
www.titopeblog.com

Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu has reportedly ended his marriage with his wife, Vera.

The duo have unfollowed themselves on Instagram and also deleted pictures of each other.

Vera has also removed ‘wife’ from her profile and reverted to her maiden name, Akaolisa.

It is believed she has left Israel where Ogu plays his club football and is back in her father’s house in Lagos.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/super-eagles-player-john-ogus-marriage.html

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State, has revealed the area where his administration has “not done well”.

The governor disclosed that his administration has not done well in the area of waste management in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday, Wike revealed that his administration has spent N500 million on waste management without satisfactory result.

He lamented that the funds and efforts so far expended on waste management was yet to yield the desired impact.

According to the governor, “The issue of waste is worrisome even in Nigeria. This is an area I think I have not done well; it is very critical and challenging.

“So far, my administration has ordered more than 20,000 waste bins to enhance proper waste collection and disposal within the metropolis and its environs.

“I am reiterating my administration’s readiness to rid the state capital and its environs of waste.

“We need all residents cooperation to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.

“We will clamp down on street trading to boost sanitation in the Port Harcourt metropolis and environs.

“Street traders from neighboring states who do not contribute revenue to the state come to do business in the morning and litter the city with refuse.

“It is inherent in us to drop waste everywhere and litter the environment.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/wike-reveals-area-he-has-failed-rivers.html

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-inec-mobilises-15000-corps.html

No fewer than 15,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members will participate in the forthcoming July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, disclosed this on Monday while featuring on Ekiti State Television (EKTV) programme, Daybreak Nigeria.

Soyebi said: “the deployment of 15,000 corps members is one of the measures put in place y INEC to ensure fairness to all parties and the credibility of the exercise.”

He also stressed that the electoral agency was collaborating with security agencies to ensure safety of officials, voters and electoral materials to be used for the poll.

The INEC chief assured political parties and voters that the electoral umpire would be fair to all parties and would deliver an election in line with global best electoral practices.

He urged political parties taking part in the poll to submit the list of their agents in line with the time allowed by law.

Any party that fails to submit the names of its agents on time, according to him, would lose the privilege of being represented at the poll.

Speaking on possibility of electronic voting in Nigeria, Soyebi said, ”We are not definitely going to have it 2019 but we will get there very soon.”

Responding to a question, Soyebi said it was possible to conduct all elections in a single day rather than having a staggered process for general elections.

His words, “It is doable but we need to increase our level of voter education and awareness. We can have different colours of ballot papers for each of the election.

“It will save the country of lots of expenses, time, money and manpower.

“It is the law that determines the sequence of elections and not INEC.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/why-i-made-apc-chairman-oyegun-cry-wike.html

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has alleged that the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun cried when the Supreme Court affirmed his as governor.

Wike claimed that Oyegun cried because the APC wanted to rule over the affairs of the state “by all means.”

The governor made the claim while fielding questions from Channels Television.

According to Wike, the APC national Chairman said the party had lost the most important state, following his emergence as governor.

He said, “If you put all the states together, for example, they will tell you that they want Rivers state.

“So, you ask yourself; of course, you should know why they want Rivers state. They want it by all means. Oyegun, chairman of APC, cried when they lost at the Supreme Court.


“He said, look, we have lost the most important state. Why did Oyegun cry? Why did he say that, look, we have lost everything. Why would the national chairman of a party make such a statement?”



cc:

lalasticlala

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/apc-crisis-im-special-masquerade-tinubu.html

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described herself as a ‘special masquerade’ while reacting to a question about her scarce appearance before her supporters.

Tinubu, who stated this in an interview with New Telegraph, said that she only comes out when she has something important to say.

“I am glad you say you don’t see me every day. I tell people that Alagemo le mi. Alagemo in Yoruba is a special masquerade; it only comes out once in a while. If I don’t have anything to say I don’t come out; I don’t want to be seen.

“If I have work to do and I want you all to come, I invite you to come. You know in my first term, I did press parleys that none of my colleagues did. That is the way we play politics.

“It is not every time you want to talk. So, when you have something to say; very important and cogent things that you want your constituents to share, you come out as you represent them.”

The senator also spoke on the conduct of the APC Congress in Lagos.


She said, “It was beautiful and we thank God that we had good weather. That will tell you that everything is by the grace of God. And you can see that everybody was happy and we are celebrating the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

“I think the outcome was satisfactory to everybody. Everybody is happy at the event as party members used the opportunity to reacquaint themselves as they were happy to see one another. Leaders of the have shown us the way to go and we are ready to go.”

She added that those who organized a parallel Congress in the state did not know what they were doing, “Those ones didn’t know what they were doing as far as I am concerned. We were at APC secretariat and those who are relevant in the party were there, so who led the parallel congress? That would be the question.


“The party leaders were at the party’s secretariat Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was there. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly was also there. I was equally there as well as many other party leaders.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/police-recruitment-37062-candidates.html



The Police Service Commission, Monday, shortlisted a total of 37,062 candidates for examination in the ongoing Police recruitment exercise out of a total of 133,324 applicants who were earlier shortlisted for screening.
PSC Head, Press and Public Relations Officer, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement stated that, “The examination is scheduled for Friday, May 25th at Computer Based Test Centres all over the country in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The statement further added, “The examination is the next level of the recruitment exercise which began with physical and document screening on the 7th of May 2018.
“6,000 candidates are expected to be recruited at the end of the exercise.”
However, it was also disclosed that successful candidates from the screening exercise have been contacted through sms and emails to attend the computer based examination in various centres.
The statement said that candidates who are yet to receive any invitation are required to check at the State Police Command Headquarters for the date, venue and time for the examination or the Police Service Commission portal, www.psc.org.ng.
The PSC media aide explained that candidates are required to come with their biometric and data capturing slip to the examination centre. He stated that candidates will not be allowed to enter the examination hall with electronic devices such as spy eye glasses, telephone hand set, calculator, wrist watches and camera.
Other parts of the statement read, “Persons not invited for the examination or who do not have the biometric and data capturing slips are advised to stay away from the examination centres.
“The Commission will not tolerate any attempt to subvert this national assignment by anybody no matter how highly placed. It restates its commitment to conduct a successful police recruitment that will meet international standards and the desires of Nigerians.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/dino-melaye-displays-photo-from.html

Dino Melaye, Kogi West Senator, on Monday assured that he would soon return to his feet.

Melaye stated this in an Instagram post on Monday.

He shared a photo from his hospital bed with the caption: “Refuelling for the next level. God pass man any day. They have been baptized with the spirit of ERROR.”

Melaye, who is currently involved in a face-off with the Nigeria Police Force, recently jumped off a police van in Abuja, while being conveyed to Lokoja to face criminal charges.

Consequently, the lawmaker developed health challenges and was admitted at the National Hospital in Abuja.

The police then transported Melaye to Lokoja, where he was arraigned on a stretcher over alleged unlawful possession of arms alongside two others in Kogi State.

Meanwhile, the State High Court sitting in Lokoja, last Wednesday granted him bail on health grounds.

The Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajana admitted Melaye to bail with the sum of N10m with one surety.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/dino-melaye-reveals-what-he-will.html



Dino Melaye, Senator representing Kogi West, on Monday declared that he remains unmoved in his resolve to always speak against, “oppression and injustice” undewr the current administration.

The lawmaker said despite his face-off with the police, he was more resolute and his flesh “hardened” against those who seek to devour and make meat of him in order to shut him down.

In a statement he personally signed, the embattled lawmaker stressed that he had “chosen to speak the truth, dead or alive.”

In the statement titled, “Thank You Nigerians,” Melaye vowed never to “shut-up, not as long as injustice and falsehood continue to reign” under the current administration.

According to Melaye, “as long as I will live, I will not bow to Baal”.

The full statement below…

“THANK YOU NIGERIANS

“Someone once said, that, rock bottom is good solid ground and a dead-end street is just a place to turn around. In the last few weeks, I have been taken to the good solid ground at the rock bottom and they couldn’t go further. I have been brought to the dead-end street but with you standing by my side, I have turned around and bounced back to the chagrin of those who sought to seal my lips from speaking out against tyranny, politics of oppression and blackmail. They, unleashed an endless barrage of physical, psychological, metaphysical and emotional torture and assault on me, but, through the power of the Most High, and you the good people of Nigeria, we have once again, seen the triumph of truth over lies and good over evil.

“It was Edmund Burke who was quoted as saying that when bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, … in a contemptible struggle. I am of all men, a blessed man, to have courageous and dependable people like you as my fellow soldiers in the struggle to free us from the shackles of political strongholds and tyranny. It is to you and my most wonderful and ever knowledgeable people of Kogi State, especially Kogi West, that I owe my deepest gratitude. You stood by me against the state and your own ‘best political self-interest’.

“The state unleashed its raw power on me and released a 200 man-strong fully armed policemen – on a man without a knife nor a bullet. It did this because I called injustice by its name and called for accountability. For this they sought to break my spirit and destroy me permanently. In their moment of reign, I was fully shackled. With my hands tied to my back, and hurled into a dark solitary confinement waiting for the butchers knife, you, my people stood by me. You came against a raging fire and stood up against tyranny, lies, filthy lucre, injustice, persecution and greed. While in the dark and unable to fight for myself, they sought to take my mandate, which you had freely given to me. But you answered back and quenched deceit in its wake. You stood resolute and unflinching and defended your mandate to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In their attempt to break me, they have made me stronger.

“To you my indefatigable leaders; my irremovable President of the Senate, a man of immeasurable vision for Nigeria and true fighter for the enthronement of true democracy and the rule of law, Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki. The fearless Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, I thank you both for your steadfastness in the defence of the Nigerian Constitution and the enthronement of the Rule of Law, justice and equity and the emasculation of anti-democratic forces and tyranny everywhere in Nigeria. I am eternally grateful to you.

“To the entire National Assembly Membership, especially my colleagues in the Senate, I am eternally indebted to you for not playing politics but standing courageously against oppression and terror. You have shown yourself leaders on whom Nigeria’s hope for tomorrow can be assured.

“To you our governors, ministers, my dear Okun people and leaders, the National Chairman and Kogi State Executive of the PDP, leaders of the Diplomatic Corps, opinion leaders, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Chief Ricky Tarfa SAN, human rights lawyers and activists, and all my well-wishers and lovers of democracy in Nigeria; the Christian and Muslim Community, all of you that visited me in the National Hospital, after I was injured and subsequently detained at the hospital. I thank you all for your steadfastness in the defence of due process and the rule of law. I also thank you for your courage and solidarity.

“Our ever foresighted and courageous civil society leadership, the media, leaders of thought across the country, our hard-working youth for whom I will give my last blood, our loving mothers and sisters, I lack words to express to you my profound gratitude for the unbreakable chord of love that binds me to you through thick and thin. You have strengthened my resolve and hardened my flesh against those who seek to devour and make meat of me. You have once again proven to me the axiom in the saying that “in prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.” I am very grateful. For your sake, I remain unbowed.

“I know many of you worry about my safety and life in this new dispensation where life is no longer sacred in Nigeria. But do not be troubled. My bond of love for you, my good people, makes it impossible for me to consider my self-risk, safety, comfort or opportunity in my unflinching commitment to stand up for you, to stand up for truth and if necessary die for the truth and the emancipation of our people from the chains of poverty and oppression. Though they raise spurious allegations against me, bear false witness against me, though they seek to frighten me and lure me into their bounty of evil, I will fear no foe.

“Yes, my traducers and torturers wish that I keep quiet; though they seek to seal my lips, to silence my voice forever, I remain ever more resolute and committed. I am committed to this cause for which I am a politician; the cause of the down trodden, to speak truth to power and stand against oppression and injustice. On these issues there will be no compromise. I owe no apologies and I tender none.

“Like I have always said, you speak the truth, you die, you don’t speak the truth, you die. I have chosen to speak the truth, dead or alive. Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr., once said, “Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? Expediency asks the question – is it politics? Vanity asks the question – is it popular? But conscience asks the question – is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.”

“To my people, I promise you this and this only. I have taken my position, I will not hold back, I will not hold my peace, I will not be shut down, neither will I shut-up, not as long as injustice and falsehood continues to reign, as long as I will live, I will not bow to Baal.

“May the Almighty continue to keep you all and be your bulwark until victory is assured. Once again, I thank you all so much.

“God bless you.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/olisa-metuh-collapses-in-court.html

A former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh on Monday morning collapsed in court.

The incident happened just as he was making his way to the dock for his resumed trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Metuh, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the N400m he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014, fell down shortly after the case was called on Monday.

The incident happened about 9:01 am in the courtroom.

The presiding judge, Okon Abang, had to stand down the matter to enable the former PDP spokesman receive medical attention.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/finance-minister-says-corruption-can-be.html

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Finance Minister, Terrence Mukupe, stunned guests during a round-table discussion in Harare, that nation’s capital, when he said corruption could be positive for the country.

The Deputy Finance Minister referenced an article which he read highlighting that the scourge of corruption would benefit the country.

“I read an article to the effect that corruption can be also positive for the country. After going through that article, I can actually give you some life lessons I had. I remember when I was advisor to ESSAR (An Indian company that wanted to invest in Ziscosteel) and ESSAR wanted to come into Zimbabwe, someone approached me and said the fundamental mistake you are making with ESSAR is that you don’t have a local partner.

“Make sure that you have a local partner if your things are going to work well. And I remember the Indian investor said to me; but the government is my partner and I would like to believe that everything would work well.

“And the response that this guy made was that government is not a person and it does not eat, it does not breath, it is not motivated to make the transaction work well. So by you giving away part of your transaction to someone else, that person is going to make sure that they wake up every day because they are motivated to make sure that the transaction works. So that is a case of positive corruption,” New Zimbabwe quoted him as saying.

Mukupe said at one point, a minister in former President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet, who was accused of massive corruption, turned out to be the one who contributed more than any other person to the national purse.

“So how do you then explain that? So I guess it’s an issue that if we were to assume that he was corrupt, then I guess his goals were aligned with the goals of government and everything else was moving on well and it became positive corruption for the country,” he said.

Mukupe said legislation could only do so much to address the issue of corruption as it was deep-rooted in the society whose moral fibre had decayed so much that people were now normalizing the abnormal.

“It’s the moral fibre of our society and what I always say is that as Zimbabweans we are generally corrupt people and the reason why I say we are generally a corrupt people is that if we were to do a quick survey privately, anonymously in this room here probably over 90 percent of the people here have bribed some police officer sometime,” he said.

Mukupe was recently accused of assaulting a senior accounts officer in the ministry of finance for giving him what he thought was small travel allowance.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/neurologist-reveals-why-ig-of-police.html

A neurologist with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Dr. Nura Alkali, has opined that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ struggle during his ‘infamous’ speech at an event in Kano could be as a result of ‘brain block’.

TITOPE BLOG recalls that in the footage trending online, the IGP, who visited Kano on Monday to commission the Police Technical Intelligence unit in the state, struggled consistently to pronounce some of the words in his text.

The clip stirred up reactions online as some Nigerians described the development as ’embarrassing and a shame to the Nigeria Police Force.

However, reacting Dr. Nura Alkali, in a Facebook post explained that contrary to opinions that the IG may be ‘dyslexic, the police boss might be suffering from Severe emotional stress, a non-motor seizure, or transient global amnesia.

He wrote, “Having watched the IGP Idris speech video, I can only conclude that he had a brain block. What caused it I cannot tell, since I lack his medical history. But I suspect one of three possibilities: Severe emotional stress, a non-motor seizure, or transient global amnesia.

“He is certainly not dyslexic, after all, he has read public speeches flawlessly in the past. And from available evidence, the video was not doctored. I advise the IGP to see an experienced neurologist or psychiatrist, who should also watch the video.”

“Some of us find it hard to believe that a medical condition can make a speech sound like a “broken record”. Well, one of such causes is transient global amnesia (TGA)

“The main sign of TGA is being temporarily unable to form new memories. This is called prominent anterograde amnesia. During the episode of TGA, the person will seem disoriented in time and often ask questions about the date or their environment over and over again. This may be described as the person sounding like a “broken record.”

Meanwhile, the force is yet to issue a statement regarding the controversial video.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/us-seeks-interest-in-ekiti-guber.html

The United States Government has said it expects nothing less than credible and fair exercise in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

This was stated in Ado-Ekiti by the Political/Economic Chief, United States Consulate, Mr. Osman Tat, during a courtesy visit to Governor Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday, in Ado Ekiti.

Tat stated that the interest of U.S was to ensure that a free and fair election is being conducted in order to set a higher standard in organisation of election in the country.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Thursday, the envoy was quoted as saying, “We are here for the monitoring of events leading to the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

“We are here to see the governor, to assess the situation of things and to dialogue with him on preparations for the election. America is interested in the election.

“We are to monitor purposely to ensure free, fair, transparent election. We are to ensure that there is no violence or intimidation of voters during the election.

” To ensure that the election is credible. Ekiti is controlled by the opposition party and that is why the US is interested in the election,” Tat said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-election-what-buhari-told.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged South West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to bring back Ekiti into the fold of progressive states.

The president gave the charge during a dinner meeting with the caucus on Wednesday in Abuja.

Among those at the dinner were: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of the party, Chief Bola Tinubu and National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

He said that the people could achieve the target by ensuring electoral victory for the APC gubernatorial candidate, Kayode Fayemi, in the July 14 governorship election in the state.

Buhari said that members of the party must work together in the state to ensure that the will of the people was not subverted.

“I know Ekiti fairly well and Ekiti people are well known for their forthrightness, candour and integrity.

“All of these values seem to have been lost and we must restore these values and return Ekiti to its pride of place in the comity of states.

“As we approach the 2019 elections, the return of Ekiti into the fold of progressive states is important as the election of July 14 is going to be a key pointer to subsequent elections,’’ he said.

Buhari reiterated his determination never to interfere in the internal affairs of the party at any level, and commended the Minister of Solid Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi, for reaching out to his co-contestants who lost in Saturday primary.

He urged all members and supporters of APC in Ekiti and beyond to see the July 14 governorship poll as a collective mission to rescue Ekiti and promote development.


A leader of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting, assured that the caucus would do all it could to secure victory for the APC candidate in the election.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/tinubu-ambode-react-to-death-of-bode.html

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu and Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, have commiserated with ex-Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olabode George over the death of his son, Dipo.

Dipo died last Thursday in a Lagos Hospital after a brief illness.

Tinubu, in his condolence letter, urged George to accept their condolences and sympathy.

Tinubu said: “It is for us to keep in remembrance the good person that your son was and to honour him by living up to ideals of charity and love towards all.

“I pray that God bestows on you and your family a special grace to strengthen and carry on through this moment.”

On his part, Ambode, in a condolence letter sympathised with George and prayed that Almighty who knows best should give him the fortitude to bear the huge loss.


“May you find the courage and strength to move forward knowing that he lived a good life”, he said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/kwara-assembly-confirms-19.html

Kwara House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of 19 commissioners nominees sent to it by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The nominees were confirmed after a screening, which lasted for about five hours.

Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmad, said that all the 19 nominees were qualified to become commissioners in the state.

The new commissioners were: Ademola Banu, Eleja Taiwo, Ahmed Alhassan, Uhman Rifun, Amos Justus, Sabi Baba and Bamidele Olamide.

The nominees also included Olaniyi Alalade, Kamadeen Ajibade, Aro Yahaya, Surajudeen Akanbi and Taiba Ahmed.

Others were Saidu Habeeb, Agboola Babatunde, Dr Ahmed Aminat, Abdullah Alikinla, Wasiu Odewale and Yusuf Abdulqodir.

The speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina to communicate Governor Ahmed on the confirmation of the nominees.

Ahmed had dissolved of the former State Executive Council in December 2017.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/what-pope-francis-said-about-gaza.html

Pope Francis has condemned the killing of Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border.


TITOPE BLOG recalls that Israeli forces had on Monday killed 60 Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border. The incident occured during demonstrations against the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, in the bloodiest day in Gaza in years.

However, reacting Pope Francis told thousands at St. Peter’s Square that the deaths would only lead to more violence. He therefore appealed for dialogue to bring justice and peace to the Middle East.

He said “I express my great pain for the dead and wounded and I am close in prayer and affection to all those who are suffering.

“I repeat that the use of violence never lead to peace. War begets war and violence begets violence.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-buhari-cannot-help-fayemi.html



Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has warned former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to stop boasting about the use of federal might to win the July 14 governorship election.

Fayose stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, when the Muslim Community in the state held a gathering to appreciate the appointment of one of them, Kazeem Deji Ogunsakin, as the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, he quoted Fayose as saying that the choice of Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka as the PDP governorship candidate and Ogunsakin as his deputy, was divine.

“I know that this is God’s project and cannot fail. Those bragging about one might or the other are only deceiving themselves. We are firmly on a solid ground with God.

“I have done my part and I want the Muslim Community to go all about and spread the news. He is a vibrant young man and with the support of the people we are coasting home to victory come July 14,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Ekiti State, who is also the Chairman, League of Imams in Yorubaland including Delta and Edo States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, said: “The governor made four promises to the Muslim Community and he has fulfilled three.

“The third one is what we are witnessing and appreciating today and we know he will fulfil the last one. We said we will support whoever picks a Muslim as his deputy and we thank God that Governor Fayose has done us proud. We are happy that the governor values us.


“You will succeed in this enterprise. We still have much to do and we will not disappoint in that respect,” Bello said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-we-wont-compromise.html

As the July 14 2018 governorship election in Ekiti state draws nearer, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Olayinka Raji, has reassured Ekiti voters that the electoral umpire “is not prepared to compromise core values of autonomy, transparency, integrity and excellence among others”.

Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by Democracy Vanguard, a civil society organisation working on good governance and democracy, the INEC chief, who was represented by Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, the INEC Public Relations Officer, said the agency is “committed to conduct a free, fair and credible election for sustainable democracy in Ekiti State”.

The REC identified poverty, voter apathy and illiteracy, greed and thirst for power at all costs, corruption as factors that hinder free, fair and credible elections. He therefore recommended strongly that “erring officials and security operatives found wanting on election duties should be severely punished according to the dictates of the law while other civil society groups in Ekiti State should tow the path of Democracy Vanguard in sensitizing the electorates”.

The town hall session had Dr. Dare Ayeni, a lecturer of Democratic Studies and Public Policy represented by a public policy analyst, Demola Olarewaju, and a Chief Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ekiti State, Mr. Yusuff Odunayo as discussants.

The guest discussants reviewed previous governorship elections in Ekiti state between 1999 and 2014 and drew up lessons for INEC and Security agencies ahead of the 14th July 2018 governorship election.

In her words, the State Coordinator of the group, Mrs Yetunde Adeoluwa said
“Never again shall political killings, financial inducements, do-or-die politics, violence, ballot snatching, and political hallelujahs be heard in Ekiti State.

“We shall embark on aggressive community sensitization in all the 177wards with our One Man- One Vote Campaign message. Our Votes must count.

Democracy Vanguard’s National Coordinator, Comrade Adeola Soetan assured the voters that all resources shall be deployed to ensure that the choice of the people come 14th July is sworn-in by 16th October 2018.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/why-osinbajo-is-one-of-most-hated.html

Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode has explained why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is gradually becoming one of the most hated Christians in Nigeria.

Fano-Kayode in an article released on Monday, claimed that Christains in Nigeria now hate Osinabjo because he has betrayed his brothers and sisters, his faith and his God and that he constantly seeks to defend and rationalise the actions of an administration that kills believers at will and treats them like vermin

He wrote, “And these are the people that a cowardly turncoat, servile quisling, ranking slowpoke, reprehensible reprobate, useful idiot and accursed slave like Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, who, apart from being physically challenged, is intellectually, morally, spiritually and morally bankrupt, would have us believe are saints?

“The truth is that the Vice President is fast becoming one of the most hated and despised Christians in the country today simply because he has betrayed his Christian brothers and sisters, his faith and his God and he constantly seeks to defend and rationalise the actions of an administration that kills believers at will and treats them like vermin.

“He is indeed the Cain of our time. This is a man that claims to be a “pastor” but whose Lord and Saviour is not Jesus Christ but Muhammadu Buhari.

“Worse still this is a man who is supposedly a respected lawyer, a Professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who takes pleasure in describing others as “looters” even when a court of law has not found them guilty of any wrongdoing.

“Quite apart from all that do you know how many people the Buhari administration have slaughtered and murdered in cold blood? It is an ocean of blood.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/messi-set-to-beat-salah-to-golden-shoe.html

Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, looks set to retain the European Golden Shoe, beating off competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Salah was the firm favourite to outscore all of his rivals across Europe a month ago, but he has just three Premier League goals to his name since the end of March.

Messi has netted eight times in LaLiga within that period.

It means Messi (34) leads Salah (31) by three goals and the Egyptian has one match, at home to Brighton, left in which to close the gap.

Messi still has two games to play, as Barcelona travel to Levante before finishing the season at home to Real Sociedad.

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich and Ciro Immobile of Lazio are two goals further back on 29.


Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain, Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane are all on 28.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-pdp-flag-bearer-emerges.html

The immediate past chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, has been announced as the running mate to the People’s Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

TITOPE BLOG recalls that Prof Kolapo Olusola, on Tuesday emerged winner of the PDP governorship primary held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. He polled 1,191 votes to defeat PDP’s former national spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who garnered 770 votes from the primaries.

Deji Ogunsakin was announced as the running mate by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose on Twitter wrote, ”Immediate past Chairman of Ado Local Government, Deji Ogunsakin will be the running mate to our Governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/police-recruitment-cross-river-cp-lists.html

The recruitment of 6,000 police constables into the Nigeria Police Force has commenced in Cross River State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Inuwa Hafiz told us in Calabar on Thursday that the exercise would produce credible policemen and women.

“The Federal Government has given approval for Nigeria Police to recruits 6, 000 constables and the people who are to conduct the exercise have arrived from Abuja.

“They are representatives from Federal Character Commission, Police Service Commission, Police Force Headquarters and other agencies of government

”The committee is expected to be transparent, credible and unbiased. All necessary assistance needed, both from the state government and the Police have been provided.

He said only those who saw their names in the internet and who have been screened and qualified will undergo another round of documentation including screening of credentials.

“During the process, whosoever found not worthy will of course not be allow to go further and after this screening exercise, anybody who is underage or over age will not be considered.

“If somebody has any physical deformity will not be considered so likewise, if you are found with other persons’ credentials, such person will not be considered, these are some of the grounds of dropping candidates whose names appeared.

“After this, there will be another screening at the zonal levels, this one, Medical Doctors, Psychiatrists; are coming to participate in the screening.

According to him, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was bent on seeing that only credible people are recruited into Nigeria police because the Police is a very responsible, credible organization.

“All these shorts cut will not be there and the usual let my person go will not be there. Everything will be done by merit.

“Amongst those who are doing the screening, each of them is monitoring the activities of the other, so there is checks and balances even among the members.

He said that after the screening, the candidate will write examinations, all these are steps by steps arrangement in order to get credible people in the Police.

“Of what use, somebody probably carried his relations certificates but scale through the physical screening process, but could not read or write, at the examination, such fellow would be screened out.

“All these are avenue created to checkmate and make sure that only credible people join the force.

“I have told the committee categorically clear that I have no candidates other than the ones they are found worthy and credible, if the person is physically deformed or is overage or the person is too short or the person get quince eyes or cannot hear well such persons cannot be allow to be in Police.

“What we are doing is for the interest of the Police and Nigeria so that tomorrow we can look back and say yes we have credible people in the Police”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-primary-apc-disqualifies.html

Oyetunde Ojo, son-in-law to Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been barred from serving as one of the agents in the rescheduled governorship primary election in Ekiti.

Ojo is a former member of the House of Representatives.

The primary election was disrupted when it first held on Saturday. Some delegates and agents of aspirants had alleged that the exercise was fraudulent.

Ojo and six others were identified by the national body of the party as those who disrupted the exercise which took place at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.

“All identified unruly agents that participated in the suspended primary election of 5th May 2018 are disqualified from participating in the rescheduled primary as agents,” Bolaji Abdullahi, the party spokesperson, said in a press conference.

“Accordingly, the following individuals are hereby disqualified from participating as agents or partaking in the rescheduled primary in whatever capacity; Ayodeji Omowaye, Rotimi Faleye, Kayode Afolabi, Oladele Ademola Samuel, Oyetunde Ojo, Akintade Olayisade and Temitope Adewumi.”

For the fresh primary election fixed for Saturday, May 12, Abdullahi said agents’ tags must bear the names of the aspirants they represent.

“All aspirants would be held vicariously liable for the conduct of their agents,” he said.

He is married to Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the iyaloja of Lagos. He represented Ekiti west, Ijero and Efon federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/jamb-speaks-on-nigeria-police.html

The Jigawa office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has expressed its readiness to conduct aptitude test for successful candidates in the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

Malam Ibrahim Labaran, the JAMB Coordinator in the state, gave the assurance during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.


TITOPE BLOG reports that successful applicants are to sit for an aptitude test that will be prepared and conducted by JAMB on behalf of the Police Commission.

“The Jigawa JAMB office is fully prepared to conduct the aptitude test for the successful candidates of the police recruitment.

“And we have concluded all arrangements to do that transparently and inline with our rules, regulations and guidelines.

“We have the facilities, manpower and all that is required to conduct the exercise,” Labaran said.

The Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG) in charge of North-West zone, Mr Maigari Dikko, who inspected the recruitment exercise at police headquarters in Dutse, stressed that JAMB’s involvement was to ensure transparency in the conduct of the test.

“JAMB will conduct the aptitude test on our behalf, and it will announce the results on the spot so that nobody will say that the test is conducted in some place and the results brought from somewhere else,” he said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/ekiti-guber-man-arraigned-for.html

The police have arraigned a 50-year-old man, ‎Ojo Olakunle, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly disrupting the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.

Olakunle, whose address was not provided, is facing three counts bordering on destruction of ballot box and acting in disorderly manner.

The Police Prosecutor, SP. Femi Falade, told the court that the defendant committed the offences with some other persons still at large on May 5 at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, in Ado-Ekiti.

Falade alleged that the defendant attempted to destroy the ballot box and ballot papers used at the APC Primary Election for the purpose of nominating its governorship candidate.

Falade said the accused, without authority, interfered with and threw down the ballot box at the election centre.

“He conducted himself in disorderly manner to prevent the election from taking place,’’ he said.

The offences contravened sections 118 (5), 118 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Odunayo Okunade, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, promising that he would not jump bail.

‎The Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Adegboye said one of the sureties should be a senior civil servant.

The case was adjourned until June 13 for mention.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2018/05/police-finally-identify-those-who-stole.html

The Divisional Police Officer in the National Assembly, CSP Sulu-Gambari Abdul, has blamed the April 18 invasion of the Senate and removal of its mace by hoodlums on internal conspiracy.

Abdul made this claim during an investigative hearing into the incident by joint ad hoc committee investigating the incident.

According to him, what happened at the National Assembly was an act of internal conspiracy among some security agencies and some lawmakers.

“There should be cooperation between security agencies and the lawmakers but, in this case, the attack came from the roof as the senators are not helping security matters.

“On April 16, there was hint that a group planned to invade the National Assembly and disrupt activities, which called for a build-up of security with two units of mobile police mobilised to the complex.

“However, on April 18, at about 11am, my attention was drawn to a group protesting at the gate, and, while I moved to address the group, I was informed that some people were running away with the mace.

“I signalled all the entry points that nobody drives in or out but three men approached me identifying themselves as security operatives and requested to be allowed to go.

“The strain of blood on their clothes made me suspicious and I ordered their arrest.

“In all, six people were arrested same day and handed over to the Force Headquarters alongside charms recovered from them.

“In addition, an unmarked Prado jeep and a Toyota Hilux were impounded and they are with the police.

“It was later that I observed that the protest was a diversionary attention to move me out and that the protesters were same group with those who attacked,’’ Abdul said.

He said there was no communication from the National Assembly’s Sergeant-At-Arms during the invasion by the thugs.

Earlier, the Sergeant-At-Arms, Mr Brighton Danwalex, had said that reports from investigation after the incident revealed that Senator Ali Ndume instructed men assigned to protect the mace not to touch it during the invasion.

According to him, it was wrong for them to take orders from Ndume.

“Security men are having challenges with some legislators because they don’t want to follow checks,’’ he added.

Danwalex said security men were overpowered due to lack of security gadgets to enhance operational capacity.

“There is no functional walkie-talkie; we would have alerted all the exit points.

“The CCTV is not functioning and there is only one operational patrol vehicle and the entrance into the White House requires biometric doors,’’ he said.