The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • FG set to begin giving student loans in September

    FG set to begin giving student loans in September

    The Federal Government says it is working out modalities to begin student loan between September and October 2023.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing newsmen on the bill signed by President Bola Tinubu.

    NAN reports that President Tinubu on Monday signed into law the Student Loan Bill in fulfilment of a promise he made during his campaign.

    The student loan bill sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, provides for interest-free loans to indigent Nigerian students.

    Adejo said the law would provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

    Read Also: Five benefits of applying for a student loan

    The loan, he said, covers the loan students in private and public schools.

    He said that president Tinubu had also approved a committee made up of ministries and agencies to see to the fruition of the loan scheme.

    According to him, the bill is to make sure that every Nigerian has access to higher education through what we called the Higher Education Nigerian Bank.

    “Learning from past mistakes, the bank is not going to be the type that will sit down and be collecting application loans.

    ”It will also perform normal banking functions and make sure loans are given because we had cases of loan recovery in the past.

    “The Act as it is tells us the process, but as I speak with you today, the president has approved the committee made up of the ministries and agencies and their meeting will be coming up on June 20.

    “The president has also directed that by September to October this 2023/2024 academic session, he wants to see recipients of these loans. So it is a very serious march for us so between now and then we have to phantom the process for people to get the loan,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary also said government would create a specialised bank for the operation of the loans, noting that there would be a tracking system for efficient smooth running of the loans scheme.

    He said this would cover both students in Private and public schools, adding that the government would also create a new bank for it.

    “We are not going to use existing banks. We are going to create a new bank that will address this because we can’t use an existing bank.

    “We don’t want to make it that only people who wants to go to public schools will benefit from it, private schools are paying tuition so you have to give them the opportunity.

    “The loan is for you to get an education programme and get employed, then you start paying back. The loan recovery does not start until you get employed.

    While commending president Tinubu for this stride said, ”Our current president today is a job creator from his experience from the private sector and he has given us policy direction and job creation is one of the things he is going to do, even though you cannot create job for every body.”(NAN)

  • PHOTOS: Emirs of Kontagora, Borgu visit Tinubu

    PHOTOS: Emirs of Kontagora, Borgu visit Tinubu

    Emirs of Kontagora, Borgu visit Tinubu

    Read Also: Tinubu signs data protection bill into law

  • Former Chelsea player and manager Hollins dies at 76

    Former Chelsea player and manager Hollins dies at 76

    Former Chelsea player and manager John Hollins has died aged 76, the club has announced.

    Hollins made almost 600 appearances as a player for the club, scoring 64 times during his two spells at Stamford Bridge between 1963 and 1984.

    He was appointed as manager in 1985, a position he held for three years.

    Read Also: Man United may offer Maguire to snare Mount from Chelsea

    “He was a hero to the fans of this club, and very much that to me,” Chelsea board member Daniel Finkelstein said.

    “He was at the heart of one of Chelsea’s greatest teams and, as well as contributing to its trophy success, he expressed its spirit.

    “He lifted up the team with his play and lit up the Bridge with his smile. He gave a life of service to this club, as a player, as a manager and as a matchday ambassador. He was greatly loved and will be much missed.”

  • I’ve slept with 10 out of 30 women advising my wife to leave – Portable

    I’ve slept with 10 out of 30 women advising my wife to leave – Portable

    Controversial singer Portable has boasted about having s3xual relations with an impressive number of women he tagged as his first wife, Bewaji’s advisers.

    Ika of Africa, who recently married his fourth baby mama Ashabi Simple on the christening of their son, claimed he searched his wife’s phone only to realise she has about 30 women advising her to leave him.

    According to him, out of the 30, he had done ‘hookup’ with 10 since and as refused to pick up their calls after he laid with them, they assumed the position of advisers to his wife, urging her to divorce him.

    Portable claimed people usually referred to his wife as a strong woman unaware that he’s been her backbone and strength.

    Read Also: I didn’t plan to marry a celebrity, Portable’s wife

    He ridiculed his wife’s unsolicited advisers, informing them that their secrets were now in the open

    Alternating between Yoruba and Pidgin, the 29-year-old ‘Zazoo Zeh’ singer said: “Ma worry! Those people wey dey advise my wife say make e comot for my house, kosi space no, ile no tu ti kun….(there’s even no more space sef as the house become full). Person wey dey enjoy.

    “Oya now, I come check my wife phone. My wife get like 30 advisers. I don knack 10 based on those that did hookup with us and we refused to pick their calls after the deed was done. They are the same people that turned around to become my wife’s advisers.

    “Please, they don’t want wife to enjoy her stay in her hubby’s house. They said she married a man but it’s the same mad man that’s been taking care of her, bought her a car and everything else.

    “I make my woman strong, you understand. Dem dey call my woman strong woman. Who do you think is her backbone? It’s me!

    “Thank you o! Eyin fake advisers (group of fake advisers). E ti cast, ma worry (you secrets have been exposed, don’t worry). Una wan enjoy wetin she dey enjoy because the one una get no reach una. One man for one woman, one woman for one man.”

  • LASU admits 10,301 students out of over 40,000

    LASU admits 10,301 students out of over 40,000

    Vice Chancellor Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has said the institution could only grant admission to 10,301 students out of over 40,0200 applicants that subscribed to the university. 

    “You must count yourselves very lucky to be among the very few that applied. It is on this note that I will advise you to face your studies so as not to lose the huge opportunity of getting a university education,” she said.

    Olatunji-Bello made this known on Tuesday at the institution’s 2022/2023 matriculation ceremony on campus in Ojo, Lagos.

    The VC also reiterated the university’s commitment to its policy that guarantees 50 per cent refund of tuition fees to students who consistently maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 every session.

    Read Also: TETFUND Boss to deliver LASU’s 26th convocation lecture

    The don also noted the university under her watch has zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, which informed the decision to establish the Directorate of Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender- based violence. 

    She urged students not to keep silent in the face of harassment.

    She stated that the objective at LASU is to produce graduates who will be catalysts to the process of transformation of the state to a Greater Lagos.The VC enjoined the students to strive for academic excellence and shun social vice.

    “Avoid examination malpractices, do away with corruption and hooliganism and other vices that can expose you to danger as those found culpable will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary mechanisms,” she said.

  • Seven things to know about cardiac arrest

    Seven things to know about cardiac arrest

    Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating properly. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

    Read Also: FIFA/CAF Doping Control Officer died of cardiac arrest – NFF

    Here are seven facts about cardiac arrest:

    1. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, regardless of age or overall health.
    2. The most common cause of cardiac arrest is a heart attack.
    3. Other causes include heart disease, electrocution, drowning, drug overdose and trauma to the chest.
    4. Symptoms of cardiac arrest include sudden loss of consciousness, no pulse and difficulty in breathing.
    5. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are the most effective treatments for cardiac arrest.
    6. Survival rates vary depending on the response time, location, and quality of care provided.
    7. Early recognition and intervention are crucial in improving the chances of survival.

    It is important to know the risk factors and warning signs of cardiac arrest and to seek immediate medical attention if they occur. Health is wealth, stay safe always. 

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

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

    Grammy-winning act Burna Boy has spoken on the importance of ‘making it in life’.

    The ‘Afro-fusion’ giant argued success attained is the only proof anyone has to show that they indeed worked hard.

    Captured in a room with his crew, Burna said that fuels his drive to strive hard daily in achieving success because it should never be said when he’s gone that he tried his best when there’s nothing to show that he truly did.

    Read Also: I’m sitting on top of the world, says Burna Boy

    Expressing himself in Pidgin while smoking, the Port-Harcourt-born music star said: “For this life ehn, if you no make am, no evidence say you try your best o! You go dey explain taya!

    “You go dey explain.. explain.. explain.. because no evidence say you try your best if you no make am for this life.

    “Naim make we dey paa! You understand? No be the one wey we go kpai now, dem go say, ‘Oh, he tried his best’. How you take know?”

  • Reactions as Elon Musk jokes about hiring VP Witchcraft & Propaganda

    Reactions as Elon Musk jokes about hiring VP Witchcraft & Propaganda

    Billionaire business magnate and investor, Elon Musk has set the Nigerian online community abuzz with a recent job opening he announced.

    On his microblogging app, the world’s wealthiest person teased said he plans to employ the services of a Vice President of Witchcraft and Propaganda

    Among the American Twitter community, it’s presumed Musk was making a jest of Megan Fox, an American actress after she referred to herself as a “witch” during a nasty social media spat with conservative influencer, Robby Starbuck.

    Musk, the 51-year-old owner of Twitter, joked he was “Looking to hire a VP of Witchcraft & Propaganda.”

    Read Also: BREAKING: Elon Musk reclaims world richest man’s slot

    However, Nigerians shared ideas with the Tesla boss on the best fit for the job and where to find them.

    Most fingered natives of Benin City, Edo State as the best fit for the job.

    wholesalefabricshop said: “Say no more sir, just come Benin at least their village people can rest.”

    __ujay__ wrote: “Mr Elon Musk, Benin is your sure plug.”

    yakin_wande stated: “Any LP supporter is eligible for this position. No one knows propaganda better than them.”

    __stacywilliams said: “Edo State people gather here pls, let choose a candidate.”

    ace_tlg wrote: “Bros, enter my village for Edo State, you go dey choiceless.”

    kheamiesmile stated: “They plenty for Nigeria especially my papa family come pack them.”

    sisieko_foodservices said: “Haaaa, small thing. I’m pleased to introduce my village people to you Sir.”

    __sweet_annie wrote: “Nigeria is your best bet! Especially Edo state people. They plenty.”

    ewalagos_fh stated: “Elon is calling now so they can make money, they will not go and Apply.. na Only to dey chase people for dream dem go sabi.”

    thefoodnetworknig2 said: “Have you met my village people? Every grade of witchcraft and propaganda is available for you sir…”

    airvans__ wrote: “My landlady don finally see work.”

    soberdrunk8 stated: “My Aunty Kemi get PhD in Witchcraft, she over qualify…”

  • JUST IN: CBN floats naira at I&E window

    JUST IN: CBN floats naira at I&E window

    After many years of resisting pressure from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to float the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears to have capitulated.

    Forex traders- commercial banks and forex dealers- were on Wednesday allowed to trade the Naira freely without a cap on the rate.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed Forex traders at the Investors and Export (I&E) window were only allowed to buy and sell Forex only at N1 difference.

    A dealer confirmed there were no restrictions at the market on Wednesday morning.

    The dealer stated that as of 12 noon on Wednesday, the Naira was already exchanging at N750 to the dollar.

    Read Also: Labour Party faults suspension of Emefiele as CBN Governor

    However, the final rate will be determined at the close of trading by 4 pm.

    The trader hinted that the free-floating of the Naira may not be unconnected with a recent statement credited to. Wale Edun, a close associate of President Bola Tinubu, that the exchange rate will soon be unified.

    Edun told Bloomberg a few days ago that “there are other sorts of things that need be put in place” before full exchange rate unification.

    He added: “It’s quite imminent, no date has been set, but as I said, I think it’s already moved, there’s already movement in that direction but it’s very difficult to put the date on it and I don’t think it would be long at all”.

    President Bola Tinubu at his inaugural speech vowed to unify the exchange rates to bring about stability and in the Forex market.

  • Institute recognises Ude, awards doctorate degree

    Institute recognises Ude, awards doctorate degree

    The Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development (ILMMD), an APHA University licensed under Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (LFN) has awarded the Doctorate of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Organisational Management Development (Honoris Causa) on Dr. Ijeoma Ude.

    ILMMD is a professional body revered for administrative and leadership prestige competencies with membership made up of top, middle and lower-level executives and administrators, as well as leadership in power and management development experts, specialists, coaches, consultants, trainers and spokespersons.

    The ILMMD is fully accredited by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Education and licensed by the Corporate Affairs Commission as a professional body of leadership, manpower (Human Resources) and management development.

    Read Also: Mercy Chinwo’s husband bags honorary doctorate degree

     Ude, who is the Chief Marketing and Sales officer (CMSO) at BusinessDay, was recognised for her myriad leadership competencies and organisational management across Nigeria.

    Her admirable contribution to leadership, manpower, human resource and management development in the society, and her academic attainment both from Nigerian and other international Universities, contributed to the reason for this noble recognition.

    Dr Theophilus Cornerstone, the Dean of membership, (Director of membership for the institute), charged the awardees to show their leadership proficiency and honesty wherever they find themselves.

    He also charged them to show outstanding professionalism in their areas of leadership responsibilities, to be the most sort after visionary-leaders in the society, be exemplary leaders in accountability, transparency and innovation, and be progressive minded leaders that ask questions on how to make positive lasting impact on others wherever they find themselves.

    Ude expressed appreciation to God and the Pan African Institution for endowing her with such a great recognition.

    She commended the institute for shaping the lives of distinguished fellows and its impact in developing leaders through various leadership trainings in Africa.

    “This institute is commended for its great impact in influencing people to be useful in their organisations and the society. I see this honour as another call to serve. It has further encouraged me to consistently lead the pace for good leadership in my organisation and by extension, the global community,” she said.