Author: The Nation

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

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

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has paid a total sum of N1,478,416,000.00 to owners of  Non-JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide for  services they  rendered during the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Protocol of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

    Benjamin said the figure was less N59,585,000, which was  part of the approved sum meant for JAMB- owned CBT centres.

    He said that it was only proper to promptly settle obligations as and when due so as to promote and sustain a cordial working relationship with partners who discharged their duties creditably.

    Read Also: JAMB director arraigned for allegedly threatening Oloyede’s wife to blackmail her husband

    ”It is to be noted that most of the centres used for the examination are not JAMB-owned while some are ICT facilities of tertiary institutions.

    ”This symbiotic relationship between the Board and the privately-owned CBT centres and others is collaborative in nature and is designed to ensure better quality service delivery and inclusiveness.

    ”Hence, the Board is proud to announce that all centres owners who rendered quality service during the just-concluded examination had been appropriately commended for a job well done and paid accordingly,” he said.

    He further said that, as a responsive organisation, the board would continue to ensure that every candidate was guaranteed unfettered access to higher education through the provision of a level playing field for all.

    He, therefore,  reiterated the board’s commitment to continue to leverage on state-of-the-art technology, not only to deliver quality assessment but also to protect the integrity of its examinations. (NAN)

  • Reps reject motion seeking to ban “Japa” syndrome

    Reps reject motion seeking to ban “Japa” syndrome

    The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a motion seeking to declare emigration of young Nigerians abroad, known as “Japa” syndrome as a national emergency.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Philip Agbese(APC-Benue) who was based in United Kingdom before becoming a lawmaker in Nigeria during plenary.

    Presenting the motion, Agbese said statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, showed that a growing number of young Nigerians were relocating abroad.

    He said the recent reports by African Polling Institute indicated that 69 per cent of young people would opt to relocate if given the chance.

    Read Also: How Reps saved telecoms sector

    He said there was a 40 per cent increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation compared to the number captured in 2019, as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) reported.

    He said the UN DESA stated that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 total 1.7 million, which was a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.

    He said the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the UK, the USA, and Canada portends a grave danger for the country from Economic to intellectual and Social aspects.

    When the Speaker of the House, Reps Abbas subjected the motion to a vote, it was unanimously rejected by the lawmakers.

    (NAN)

  • Obi Cubana, wife celebrate 15th wedding anniversary

    Obi Cubana, wife celebrate 15th wedding anniversary

    Businessman Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana, and his wife, Ebele Iyiegbu, celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

    The couple renewed their vows at a lavish wedding ball in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

    Highlights were gigantic castle cake and the moment their eldest son walked his mother down the aisle, where Obi Cubana was already waiting to exchange their vows.

    Read Also: Obi Cubana toasts wife on 15th traditional marriage anniversary

    He wrote: “15yrs!

    See how God has blessed and multiplied us in everything! God has been good to us, so good!

    Happy wedding anniversary my baby @lush_eby. You said you wanted a 15th wedding anniversary ball, tonight you get one, the best! I love you, forever”.

  • VIDEO: Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar visits President Tinubu

    VIDEO: Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar visits President Tinubu

    Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar visits President Tinubu

    Read Also: Can Tinubu deliver Nigeria from poverty and iniquity?

  • Why I gave up college for music, by Crayon

    Why I gave up college for music, by Crayon

    Singer Charles Chukwu aka Crayon has talked about how he gave up going to College to focus on music.

    In a recent interview with Hip TV, the Mavin signee disclosed that he gave up on obtaining a university degree after taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) five times.

    The singer claimed that on his fifth attempt, he met a music friend Baby Fresh, who motivated him to make significant career sacrifices.

    According to him: “On the fifth try, I had already met Baby Fresh, who used to work at Mavin. Juggling school and music simultaneously is quite stressful in Nigeria. Music alone is demanding.

    Read Also: Come to Man Utd after winning Serie A, singer Crayon begs Osimhen

    “So I sat down with my parents and told them, ‘Mom and Dad, I want to pursue music.’ I explained that it felt like my heart was leading me in that direction. My dad suggested that I give the fifth try a chance, and if it didn’t work out, I could pursue music.”

    Crayon added that during the Post-UTME exams at the University of Lagos, he made the decision to leave the hall halfway through because he didn’t want to prioritise passing the exam over his passion for music.

    It was during this period that he met music executive Don Jazzy, who subsequently signed him to the Mavin record label.

  • I attempted suicide in 2018 -Comedian Real Warri Pikin

    I attempted suicide in 2018 -Comedian Real Warri Pikin

    Popular comedian Real Warri Pikin has recalled how she attempted suicide in 2018. 

    In an interview with media personality, Chude, the actress revealed that in 2017 and 2018, she and her husband Ikechukwu were in debt and she attempted to take her life but did not succeed. 

    Warri pikin was taken to about three different hospitals, and on waking up at the third, she wondered why she was still alive. 

    “In 2017/2018 my husband and I had financial issues. We were in debt and everything, so when I attempted suicide I’m June 6, 2018, I didn’t die.

    Read Also: It’d be catastrophic raising kids like our parents did – Real Warri Pikin 

    “They took me to about three different hospitals but in the last hospital when I woke up, I wondered why I didn’t die. I said God, you see his my story, I will use it to help others.
    “It means if God didn’t allow me die then, he wanted me to use the story to help others around me and not keep it to myself. The fastest way I could do that was online and I had a Itel small phone that wasn’t clear enough.”If you see my face ehnn, I be like Goat wey burn”, she said.

    The comedian, who had a her dream wedding recently, added that she came to the conclusion that God wanted to use her story to inspire people around her, which explained why he spared her life.

  • VIDEO: President Tinubu inaugurates National Economic Council (NEC)

    VIDEO: President Tinubu inaugurates National Economic Council (NEC)

    President Tinubu inaugurates National Economic Council (NEC)

    Read Also: Can Tinubu deliver Nigeria from poverty and iniquity?

  • Saheed Osupa hails Burna Boy, christened ‘Yoruba Wutang’

    Saheed Osupa hails Burna Boy, christened ‘Yoruba Wutang’

    Fuji maestro Saheed Osupa has expressed love for Grammy-winning singer, Burna Boy appreciating him for speaking highly of his crafts and giving him a nickname.

    In a viral video, while he was his crew, Burna Boy showered encomiums on Osupa, stating how the Fuji star doles out classics with his impressive craft.

    ‘Odogwu’ in the video, revealed he understood the Yoruba language as well as Osupa’s music while referring to Hip Fuji creator as the OG before IG.

    Explaining the vastness of Saheed Osupa to one of his crew, Burna stated Saheed Osupa was a ‘Yoruba Wutang’ and ‘Wutang Ibile’ emphasising the depth of the riches of his lyrics, noting it’s very deep and hard.

    Read Also: Burna Boy: no evidence you tried your best in life if…

    Acknowledging Burna Boy’s complimentary remarks about his craft, Osupa reposted the video via his Instagram page with the caption: “As a legendary musician that is lyrically fabulous… Awon Temi koni’gbo, won fi mi buga gan, won ni my musical dexterity is too much, Mi o ke’re ninu aye, Mo ni sia gan. “Extracted from the album titled POWER OF MUSIC”.

    “People that listen and understand the depth of my music are of high IQ and are very intelligent, I don’t make music for fun alone, I do Fuji music to teach morals and touch people’s life in different ways…

    “Thanks to all my great fans all of over the world. I can’t love u less and to @burnaboygram thank you for the compliment and the jibe, you guys should keep pushing afrobeats to the world. I love you, guys.”

    The nickname ‘Wutang’  given by Burna to Osupa is adopted from the Wu-Tang Clan. A highly influential hip hop group from New York City that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. 

    They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group.

    They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island referred to by members as “Shaolin”.

  • Marriage highest happiness on earth – Teebillz

    Marriage highest happiness on earth – Teebillz

    US-based talent manager Tunji Balogun aka Teebillz has ticked matrimony as the highest happiness on earth.

    Formerly married to ‘Afrobeats queen’ Tiwa Savage, the music executive made the assertion while captioning a video shared via his Instagram page which captured the nuptial ceremony of his beloved friend.

    The shared video displayed an indoor traditional wedding event with several guests celebrating with the groom as he and his groomsmen, including Teebilz as they danced into the hall.

    To accompany the celebratory clip, the music executive wrote: “The highest happiness on earth is marriage!”

    Read Also: Asake’s debut album better than Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid’s – TeeBillz

    In a previous post, the father of five shared an alluring photo with his partner and captioned it, “Mi amor………”

    Savage and Teebillz got married in 2013 in one of the most well-attended celebrity weddings of the decade.

    However, things took a different turn in 2016 after the couple went on social media to call each other out over infidelity.

    At midnight, sometime in April 2016, the “Somebody’s Son” granted an interview in which she declared that her less than two years marriage with former manager, TeeBillz, was over.