The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • JAMB to consider use of personal devices for UTME — Registrar

    JAMB to consider use of personal devices for UTME — Registrar

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it is contemplating a new policy to allow the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates write the examinations with their personal phones and other devices.

    The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday at the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions.

    He said this proposed policy was based on the rising cost of logistics in taking the UTME nationwide.

    According to him, it cost the JAMB over N1.2billion to equip a Computer Based Test (CBT) centre in Kaduna state, particularly in procuring computers which candidates use to take the examination.

    Read Also: TRCN, JAMB strengthen partnership to boost service delivery

    ”The policy which falls under the “Bring Your Own Device” may require candidates wishing to take UTME in the future to bring their own devices to the examination hall,” he said.

    At the policy meeting, the registrar expressed concern over the crave for university education among candidates at the detriment of polytechnics and colleges of education.

    While condemning the wide disparity in admission quotas in the country, he advised aspiring candidates to explore other options within the tertiary education sector for admission. (NAN)

  • Tribunal refuses Edeoga’s application to interrogate Mbah

    Tribunal refuses Edeoga’s application to interrogate Mbah

    The Enugu Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday refused an application for interrogation filed by the governorship candidate of Labour Party(LP), Chijioke Edeoga against Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

    Edeoga filed the application in the petition he filed before the tribunal seeking to interrogate Mbah, over the documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the governorship election. 

    The application was when the matter came up on Thursday after which it was adjourned to June 24 for ruling.

    While delivering its ruling on Saturday, the three-man panel, led by Justice Kudirat Akano rejected Edeoga’s application and adjourned hearing till July 7.

    The Tribunal held that the particulars Edeoga was seeking could be obtained either during cross examination or through the petitioners during evidence.

    While giving the report of the pre-trial, the tribunal gave the petitioners seven days to prove their case, while the INEC, has two days to call their witnesses with Mbah and his party, the PDP given four days each.

    Read Also: Enugu guber: Mbah shuns tribunal’s subpoena

    Addressing journalists after the Tribunal’s session, one of the counsels to the LP, Barr Ifeanyi Ogenyi said the party was ready to present its witnesses. 

    He said: “The petition came up today for ruling and issuance of the pre-hearing report.

    “The ruling was in respect of application for interrogatories brought by the petitioners, seeking for some answers from the 2nd respondent, Peter Mbah, that he should answer some questions regarding when he was appointed as Chief of Staff, when he was appointed commissioner for finance in Enugu State, when he was called to the NIgerian Bar and the institutions he attended, based on his replies to the petition.

    “But the court in its considered ruling this morning, stated that those questions can be elicited during cross examination or through the petitioner during evidence; therefore, the application for interrogatory was refused by the court.

    “Then, the report of the tribunal on the pre-hearing session was delivered today, which has brought the pre-hearing session to a close.

    “In their report, they outlined issues the parties raised, both the petitioners and the respondents.”

  • Why I ended my banking job, by singer Ric Hassani

    Why I ended my banking job, by singer Ric Hassani

    Sensational romantic singer, Ric Hassani has narrated how he ended his banking job the same day he resumed. 

    The ‘Gentleman’ crooner said he got a job offer from one of the commercial banks in the State but abandoned the offer after he received a call to perform at a wedding in Lagos.

    He said he was preparing to resume at his new job when the call came from a show promoter that he had been booked to perform at a lavish wedding in Lagos.

    “He said Reekado Banks was already mistakenly booked for the wedding because he has a song titled ‘Ladies And Gentlemen’ but the bride spotted out the error that she requested for the person that sang ‘Gentleman’ and not ‘Ladies And Gentlemen.’

    Read Also: Tosin Music: I’m fulfilled sharing the stage with Ric Hassani

    The Port Harcourt-born singer stated this while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of Echo Room audiovisual podcast hosted by Quincy Jonze.

    Ric Hassani said: “I got a bank job. I don’t think I can name the bank now. The day I wanted to resume that very day, Shody The Turnup King called me for a show in Lagos. He was the first person that gave me a show in Lagos for ‘Gentleman’. I was in Port Harcourt at that time.

    “I was getting ready to go for my first day in the bank work, then this guy called me to come do a job and I was like, oh wow!

    “And I just didn’t pick the bank’s call anymore and I have been in Lagos since then”.

  • I had my last surgery in January – Victony

    I had my last surgery in January – Victony

    Sensational singer Anthony Victor, aka Victony has revealed that he had his last surgery to regain his mobility in January this year.

    In 2021, Victony narrowly escaped death in a car accident that left one dead and three injured. 

    The accident kept him in a wheelchair for about a year.

    In a recent chat with reality star, Tacha on Cool FM, Lagos, the singer who is back on his feet, said he is perfectly okay after his last surgery. 

    The ‘Soweto’ crooner said: “I recently just had my last surgery. I did that in January. And thanks be to God, everything has been good since then”.

    Read Also: Lloyiso joins Victony, Lojay as Africa Rising recipient

    Victony said his love for music started when he was a baby.

    “I guess, it has been natural. Ever since I was a kid, mum would tell me what used to make me stop crying is she would play me BlackStreet Boyz.

    “I can’t even tell you a timestamp when I started music or when that inspiration clicked. I just always loved music”.

    The singer said he intends to incorporate old school music and fashion into modern afrobeats.

  • Tinubu heads to London on private visit

    Tinubu heads to London on private visit

    President Bola Tinubu, after participating in the just-concluded summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ in Paris, France, is heading to London, the United Kingdom (UK), on a private visit.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, President Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to return to Abuja after the Paris events, will be arriving London on Saturday. 

    The statement assured the President would be back in Nigeria in time for the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    Read Also: Nigerians in UK rate Tinubu’s performance high

    “President Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to be back in Abuja on Saturday, will now proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit. 

    “The President will be back in the country in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival,” the statement reads . 

    On the President’s outing in Paris, the statement said: “President Bola Tinubu on

    Friday concluded his official trip to Paris, France, during which he had an outstanding participation in the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.  

    “Aside his participation at the event where he represented Nigeria well, President Tinubu also held high-profile sideline meetings with fellow heads of state and government, global business leaders and chief executives of leading multilateral and development finance institutions from around the world. 

    “The summit afforded the President the opportunity of projecting, on a global stage, his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.”

  • I regret walking down the aisle in 2008 – Ini Edo

    I regret walking down the aisle in 2008 – Ini Edo

    Actress Iniobong Edo has said she a mistake walking down the aisle.

    Ini Edo, who got married to American-based businessman, Philip Ehiagwina on November 29, 2008, regretted her choice.

    The marriage lasted for five years until they finally divorced in 2013.

    Speaking on a recent interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the actress said she got married in the first place because of “family pressure.”

    She said: “I regretted my decision to get married because it wasn’t just the right move to make.”

    Read Also: Jim Iyke: Ini Edo is soft emotionally

    The thespian, however, said she would get married again “if the right person comes.”

    She said opted for surrogacy because she suffered lot of miscarriages. 

    She said: “I chose surrogacy because I had couples of miscarriages. And I just got tired of trying.

    “I don’t have a husband. So, I’m like, I want a child for myself whether I have a husband or not. So, what other options would I have? And I wanted it to be my child. My eggs. Thankfully, my eggs are good. So I did that.”

    In 2021, Ini Edo announced the arrival of her first child, a girl through surrogacy.

  • Anambra indigene emerges UTME best with 360 score

    Anambra indigene emerges UTME best with 360 score

    An indigene of Anambra State, Umeh Nkechinyere, has emerged top scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) with a cumulative mark of 360.

    Registrar of JAMB, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this in a presentation he made at the ongoing 2023 policy meeting taking place in Abuja.

    Heads of institutions at the policy meeting are expected to peg the minimum cut – off marks for 2023 admissions.

    They are also expected to set admission guidelines, among other policy decisions at the meeting.

    Nkechinyere was followed by Aguele Stephen who scored 358; Ositade Oluwafemi, 358; Gbolahan Ayinde, 357; John Fulfilment, 356; Chimdubem Ugonna, 355, among others.

    Read Also: 2023 UTME: JAMB pays N1.5bn to CBT centres

    Oloyede also said the University of Ilorin (first) Nigeria and the University of Lagos (2nd) top were most sought after universities for the 2023 UTME. 

    The JAMB registrar said the top 10 institutions were recognised due to the attraction of a high number of applicants during the 2023 UTME application period.

    Others on the top ten most sought after universities in the country are: Lagos State University in third place, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti in fourth place.

    Others are University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Nigerian Defence Academy and the University of Ibadan.

  • Nigerians in UK rate Tinubu’s performance high

    Nigerians in UK rate Tinubu’s performance high

    The first three weeks of President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been rated high by Nigerians living in the United Kingdom.

    Coming under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Professionals in United Kingdom, they lauded the President’s decision of subsidy removal and steps taken to resuscitate the economy.

    In a statement by its Coordinator, Comrade Innocent Udoidiong, the group saluted Tinubu for the courage to get rid of the ‘obnoxious’ fuel subsidy regime.

    It said noted subsidy had remained a “channel for perpetration of fraud by some criminal elements.”

    Read Also: Appoint competent, loyal party men into government, APC group tell Tinubu

    The professionals urged the President not to rest on his oars, “given the urgent need to revitalize and resuscitate the economy of the nation’s ailing economy.”

    On the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), the group said the President took the right path to strengthen the nation’s financial sector.

    It also commended the decision of the President to rejig the security architecture by appointing new service chiefs.

    In the statement titled: “Mr. President, keep the tempo”, the group also tasked the President on the need to carefully select his cabinet members and other appointees in order to pick capable hands who would work meticulously to improve the nation’s economy.

    The group further prayed God to grant President Tinubu excellent health to enable him serve Nigeria to the best of his ability.

  • BBNaija: Why I wouldn’t go for BBL surgery – Doyin

    BBNaija: Why I wouldn’t go for BBL surgery – Doyin

    Former BBNaija housemate Doyin has said she’s not under pressure to undergo BBL surgery as her brand is based on her intellect.

    She said this while speaking with Punch Saturday Beats.

    According to the reality star, she hasn’t faced any humiliation for being a slim lady and has, as a result, never felt any pressure to enhance or upgrade her body.

    The dark-skinned podcaster stated that her brand doesn’t depend on how she looks but her intellect.

    Read Also: BBNaija Reunion: Groovy confused, manipulative, Phyna blasts

    “I have not faced any pressure or discrimination as a slim lady. Looks do not really matter, because my brain does everything. In my opinion, the BBL trend is fading out.

    ” My brand is not based on how I look; it is based on my intellect and what value I have to bring to the table,” she said.

    Revisiting her stay in the BBNaija house, she also spoke on what she would do differently, she said: “I would be more confrontational because I have now realised that it is best to confront issues at the moment so that people don’t think one is a pushover.”

    Doyin also clarified a recent remark she made during one episode of her podcasts, where she said that educated and uneducated people shouldn’t date:

    “The chance that it will work is very slim. I think they will have communication issues. Also, educated and uneducated people do not have the same priorities. I believe education shapes how one reason, communicates, and one’s approach life”.

  • Wizkid first to headline UK’s biggest music festival

    Wizkid first to headline UK’s biggest music festival

    Grammy award-winning music star Wizkid on Friday night made history and set record as the first African musician to headline the United Kingdom, UK’s biggest music festival, Glastonbury.

    The ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner headlined the “Other Side Stage” of the festival in Somerset, England.

    Read Also: Fatherhood world’s biggest blessing – Wizkid

    The festival had over 210,000 attendees.

    Wizkid performed a medley of his hit songs; ‘Essence’, ‘One Dance’, ‘Ojuelegba’, ‘Soco’, ‘True Love’, etc.

    In recent time,  Burna Boy also performed at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival last year but not as a headliner.