The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Mix reactions trail 2013 UMTE results

    Some people on Friday reacted to the release of result of the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) on Friday.

    The Director, Quality Assurance, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, described the percentage pass in the examination as slightly improving, going by the over 1.6 million candidates who sat for the examination.

    Mafiana spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone on Friday shortly after the release of the results.

    He attributed the large number of candidates found to have engaged in examination malpractices to the lack of preparedness among the students.

    ”I know I had said it before that the large number of candidates that usually enrol for this examination each year are not qualified because what JAMB comes up with during its examination is usually a different ball game from just going to school and copying notes.

    ”Having said this, it is only wise that we get our students well prepared and very qualified before attempting the examination in order to save the country from this malpractice mess.

    ”If we fail to plan for examinations of this nature, then the outcome is obviously what has been released by JAMB today.

    ”In the case of finding 12,110 candidates culpable to various examination malpractices, I feel JAMB had done a good job because compared to various examinations before now, it has reduced, which means JAMB has tightened its noose and I feel they have done a good job,” Mafiana said.

    On his part, Mr Femi Omokungbe, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology chapter, insisted that candidates must have self examination before attempting public examinations as a way of preparing themselves mentally.

    Omokungbe said that majority of the candidates were not keen about going through the right path in achieving success, but would rather want to cut corners to reach the top.

    ”It is regrettable that we still have such huge number of candidates getting involved in examination malpractices despite all the consequences that surrounds it.

    ”This goes to show the kind of youths we are preparing to be our leaders of tomorrow and we pray that God in heaven should guide us aright and show us the way forward.

    ”If we have to compare the number of candidates that made scores of 300 marks and above when compared to the figure that sat for the examination, you will truly discover that we have a long way to go,” he said.

    The ASUP boss emphasised the need for government to be more proactive in enforcing disciplinary actions on candidates found culpable in public examinations to serve as deterrent to others.

    He said there would not be any transformation in the country if government failed to tackle the high rate of corruption which had permeated all strata of the society.

    Abdul-Gaffar Oyeweso, a professor of History in sun State University, said a lot needed to be done at the basic education level in order to correct the anomalies associated with conduct of examinations.

    NAN recalls JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, at a news conference where he announced the release of the results, said 12,110 results  were withheld because the candidates were found culpable of various forms of examination malpractices.

    Ojerinde said that the results were withheld for possible disciplinary action.

    He added that the results of 68,309 candidates from various centres were currently undergoing further screening to ascertain the culpability of the 12,110 candidates’ results.

    Ojerinde said that 10 candidates scored 300 marks and above, while 127,017 candidates scored between one and 159 marks.

    He also said that about 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid due to either multiple shading or no shading at all, adding that after processing all the results, the board also discovered that about 47,974 candidates were absent.

    It would be recalled that a total of 1,629,102 candidates applied to write the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while 15,008 candidates applied for the Dual Based Test, bringing the number of candidates to 1,644,110.

    Meanwhile the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of the examination has been scheduled to take place from May 18 to June 1

  • Ekiti: Fayemi nominates Adelabu as new deputy

    Ekiti: Fayemi nominates Adelabu as new deputy

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has nominated the Chairperson of the State’s Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Professor ( Mrs) Modupe Adelabu as the new deputy governor of the state.

    Fayemi, in a letter dated 3 May 2013, addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Omirin, requested the House to consider Adelabu for the position of deputy governor,  to fill the vacancy  following the death of the former deputy governor, Funmilayo Olayinka  on 6 April 2013.

    Mrs Adelabu, a Professor of Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife, was Head of the Department of Education Administration and Planning of the institution before her appointment as Chairperson of Ekiti State SUBEB in July 2011.

     

  • Ondo: Tribunal upholds Mimiko’s election

    Ondo: Tribunal upholds Mimiko’s election

    The Andoacar Kaka’an-led Election Petition Tribunal in Ondo State has dismissed the prayer of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, the ACN Governorship Candidate, to nullify the Oct. 20, 2012, gubernatorial election in the state Akeredolu had asked the tribunal the court to nullify the declaration of Gov. Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the election by INEC on two grounds.

    According to the ACN candidate, Mimiko was not duly elected by the majority of votes cast in the election.

    He also alleged that the election was fraud with corrupt practices, irregularities and non conformity with electoral laws in almost all the local government areas of the state.

    However, Kaka’an in his judgment, said the petitioner had failed woefully to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

    According to him, evidences of the witnesses called by the petitioner were contradictory and could not be sustained.

    On the issue of 2012 voters register having more names than the 2011 voters register, Kaka’an said that INEC had made available the voters register to all parties concerned a month before the election, as provided by the electoral laws.

    Kaka’an said, ”The party which knew about the injection of new names in the register could not have disagreed.”

    He said that this could have been a pre-election matter over which the tribunal had no jurisdiction.

    “In view of these, the tribunal has dismissed the petition for lack of merit,” the judge said

     

     

  • Turai Yar’Adua wins Abuja land battle

    An Abuja court on Thursday declared that revocation of the disputed land between former first lady, Hajia Turai Yar’adua’s Non Governmental Organisation,  Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WAYEF)  and the Federal Capital Territory did not follow due process.

    Presiding Justice Peter Affen ruled that the revocation issued by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, was invalid, null and void’.

    Affen said that the plaintiff’s right of occupancy over the 1.84 hectares of land remained valid and subsisting.

    “There is no regular and proper overriding public interest to warrant the purported revocation.

    “The plot belongs to WAYEF, a site for the building of the head office of the plaintiff’s pet project and so the dispute does not amount to overriding public interest,’’ the judge said.

    Affen said that the claim by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) that the plot had earlier been allocated for the building of the African First Lady Peace Mission was wrong.

    Reacting to the judgement,  First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan  distanced herself from the court case  stating that she was not joined in the court case.
    She maintained that the land in question which was previously allocated to the African First Ladies Peace Mission was erroneously allocated to Hajia Turai Yar’Adua’s NGO, (WAYEF).
    In a statement issued yesterday by her Special Assistant (Media), Ayo Osinlu, the First Lady said the matter has been taken out of context to give the impression that she wanted to take over the land previously allocated to Hajia Turai.
  • Ibori fails to get 13-year jail term reduced

    Ibori fails to get 13-year jail term reduced

    Jailed former Delta State governor, James Ibori, has lost an appeal against his 13-year prison sentence for embezzling 50 million pounds.

    Reuters reports that Judge Antony Edwards-Stuart on Thursday in London rejected Ibori’s appeal for a reduction of his sentence and said that money laundering should attract close to the maximum 14-year sentence.

    Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fraud and money-laundering in February 2012.

  • Goldie’s costume for Unilag Art Department

    Goldie’s costume for Unilag Art Department

    The belongings of late hip hop star and Big Brother Africa Housemate was yesterday, May 1, auctioned at her residence, 30B, Ologunkutere Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The property of the singer, who passed on February 14, 2013 shortly after returning from the last Grammy Award, was displayed for sale and some of the items include her house fittings, a 72” Pioneer flat screen television set, camera, glass cups, personal effects some of which had not been worn such as clothes, shoes, jewelries among other things.

    However, Goldie’s costume, as ordered by her husband, Mr. Andrew Harvey, is to be sent to the University of Lagos Creative Arts Department. Also, Engineering Text books belonging to her husband are to be sent Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech). Other items for sale which are still left unsold include her 500 ML Mercedes Benz. Proceeds from the auction, according to information released by late Goldie’s family, will be sent to Project Alert, a charity organisation she was associated with when she was alive. To action the property for the family was Mrs. Akinkuotu and Deji Adetayo.

    Mrs. Akinkuotu gave reason for giving the proceeds to the NGO. She said the family are not interested in the proceeds are they are comfortable and do not the money.

    Among those who came to buy from the items is Engineer Isaac who showed interest in the artiste’s concrete hanger. Although, he wasn’t seen bargaining for the item, it wasn’t certain if he eventually left with it. Others present were not willing to talk to the press.

    Mr. Raymond Bola-Brown, Head of Highgroove Radio, a friend to Mr. Harvey who granted this reporter audience, also used the opportunity to clear the air on the late singer’s marriage. According to him, Mr. Harvey, the late singer husband was married but was divorced before he married the singer.

    On the story that the woman in question happens to be Goldie’s friend, Mr. Raymond dismissed the story. He said, “It’s not true that they are friends.”

  • ABU will admit 50,000 students in the next 10 years, says VC

    ABU will admit 50,000 students in the next 10 years, says VC

    The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, plans to raise the number of students being admitted into the institution from 6,000 to 50,000 over the next 10 years, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has said. A statement issued by the university signed by Alhaji Garba Kumo, Principal Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna state, on Thursday, said part of the plan was the introduction of distance learning programme. It stated that the vice chancellor disclosed this during the Annual Public Lecture of the Faculty of Education held at the Samaru main campus of the university. “The only solution to the limited admission spaces in ABU is through embarking on distance learning programme,” the statement quoted the vice-chancellor as saying. It also listed other measures to include the provision of infrastructure and ICT facilities. “In the next five to ten years, ABU will be able to increase its admission space from 6,000 to 50,000 students annually,” it added. The statement also said that the Guest Speaker at the lecture, Prof. Aminu Mohammed-Dorayi, had in a paper titled “Open and Distance Education in Nigeria : An overview and prospects,” the Guest Speaker, enumerated the successes recorded in distance learning programmes in developed countries. According to him, it has brought about speedy development in various counties, adding that it will provide practical solution to the problem of accessing quality tertiary education in the country.

  • Sambo’s visit to Canada

    Sambo’s visit to Canada

  • Sambo urges Canada to support Nigeria’s economic initiatives

    Sambo urges Canada to support Nigeria’s economic initiatives

    Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday in Ottawa urged the Canadian Government to support Nigeria’s drive for economic prosperity.

    Malam Umar, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice President Namadi Sambo, said this in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vice President is in Canada for the Canada-Nigeria Investment Conference holding in Toronto from May 2 to May 4.

    According to the statement, the Vice President made the appeal at a meeting he held with the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Mr Ed Fast, at the Canadian Parliamentary building in Ottawa.

    The Vice President also reportedly used the opportunity to inform the Canadian minister of details of “Nigeria’s journey to prosperity.”

    “He noted the expertise of Canada in hydro power and briefed the Minister of the progress recorded on Zungeru with the signing of the 1.3 billion dollars contract … to generate 700 megawatts of electricity,” the statement said.

    According to the statement, Sambo also intimated the minister about the progress of work at the Mambilla Power project.

    He said the power project would cost 6.4 billion dollars and would generate 3,050 megawatts when completed.

    Earlier, Ed Fast had expressed Canada’s gratitude over the manner the issues surrounding Manitoba Hydro was resolved.

    He promised to address the request by Nigeria over fumigation of her wheat imports.

    As regards provision of profitable loans, he promised to take a second look at Nigeria’s request.

    During the meeting, Nigeria and Canada signed the Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA).

    At the occasion Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Hon. Ed Fast, his Canadian counterpart, signed for their respective countries.

    Earlier on arrival at the Canadian Parliamentary Building, the Vice President held a closed door meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

    The statement said the meeting centered on a Bi-national Commission and other sundry matters.

    NAN reports that Canada-Nigeria Investment Conference is aimed at showcasing Nigeria’s investment potential as well as promoting interaction between the Nigerian business community and the Canadian counterparts.

    Those on the Vice President’s entourage include the Governor of Akwa Ibom and Gombe States, Dr Godswill Akpabio and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, respectively.

    Others are the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru.

    The rest are the Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, Sen. Iyiola Omishore and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Amb. Ojo Madueke.

  • EFCC arraigns Kebbi director for N64million fraud

    EFCC arraigns Kebbi director for N64million fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on Thursday arraigned a Director with the Kebbi state, Ministry of Finance Yahyah Saidu Andarai and one  Farouk Abubarka Uduli before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly stealing N64million belonging to Coscharis Motors Ltd.

    The suspects and others at large   were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    The EFCC arraigned the first defendant, Yahyah Saidu Andarai on a 27 count charge of conspiracy , fraud and stealing while the second defendant was arraigned only on a two count charge.

    The second defendant who does not understand English had the charges preferred against him translated to him by a law student.

    The EFCC, counsel Oluwabumi Abosede, said that the defendants had committed the said offence between  August 26, 2009 and August, 2, 2012, in MazaMaza area of Lagos.

    She said that sometime on August 2010, the first defendant allegedly stole 20 units of Ax Motorcycle valued at N2.2million

    The commission further alleged  that on August 26, 2009, with intent to defraud, Andarai, converted into personnal use the sum of N17million,  entrusted to him by the  National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Jega Local Government,  Kebbi state.

    According to  the EFCC, the offence committed is contrary to section 309 Cap 2 laws of Lagos state.

    The EFCC alleged that the defendants  converted the said sum into their personal use.

    It said that the amount represented the proceed of AX motorcycles, property of Coscharis Motors entrusted to them on behalf of Jega National Union Local Government Employees of Kebbi state.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

    Counsel to the first defendant, Odu Hycinth, in oral application pleaded with the court  that the first defendant  be remanded in EFCC’s custody because of ill health, pending when he will meet his bail conditions.

    He claimed that Andarai, is an hypertensive patient and has always been to the Military hospital at Ikoyi, very close to the EFCC office.

    He also said that the first defendant is a very responsible man and also a serving director with the ministry of finance in Kebbi state adding that he would be available for trial any time the matter comes up.

    Hyacinth, further assured the court that  the first defendant  is  credible and will be in court on all adjourned date.

    But the prosecution opposed the plea saying  “I know that the proper place after arraignment is prison custody.”

    “I will allow the court to use its discretion because am not aware of his health issues.” She said.

    However Justice Onigbanjo ruled in favour of the first defendant.

    He said that he doesn’t see any reason why the first defendant should be taken back to the EFCC’s custody.

    Onigbanjo, however granted the two defendants bail in the sum of N2million, with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the matter to November 20, 2013, for trial.