The Nation Newspaper

Tag: certificate

  • Certificate verification: 300 NIMC officials may face trial, says DG

    The Director General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Chris Onyemenam in Abuja, yesterday said about 300 officials of the agency had suspicious certificates.

    He said they were not cleared during a verification exercise.

    Onyemenam, who broke the news during a courtesy call on the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, said the law will take its course on those with doubtful certificates.

    Onyemenam said about 600 officials, who submitted their certificates for verification to the Federal Ministry of Education, about 300 were not cleared.

    He expressed regrets that some of the certificates were not genuine despite the fact that the affected members are expected to handle a sensitive assignment like National Identity Card Management System.

    He said: “It was in the process of documenting them, because they were now to be employed as full time senior member of staff. Out of 600 people that submitted, about 280 to 300 were not cleared.

    “We decided to conduct the exercise because of the desire of the management to have quality staff and to ensure that whatever they do conform to the international best practice.

    “As you know in IT related matter, no success can be achieved in garbage in garbage out. So, it became clear to the management that, one of the things that we needed to do was to ensure that we have quality staff.

    “The level of success you can achieve, depend on the quality of your personnel. It was in the course of our trying to ensure we attain international standard that we embark on verification exercise.

    “We need what is internationally regarded as the minimum standard to enable us meet with infrastructure that we have deployed”, NIMC boss explained.

    Replying a question, the DG added: “If you have fake certificates, what is it? It is a criminal offence and the law will take its course”.

    The ICPC boss said identity theft is now a global crime, especially among the youths.

    He said: “Identity is so much critical today that five per cent of theft in US today is done through identity theft, which our young persons are specialised, We are worried about physical kidnapping, but through identity theft, you can be kidnapped and you are still sitting down in your place comfortably, that is electronic form of kidnapping.

    “If we are to stem misfortune of system cloning, you must have strong data base to make it possible to match pictures for proper identification”.

    He urged NIMC to ensure that the present identity card is done in such way that it has strong link with other socio-services like; driver’s licence, electoral processes, national health insurance scheme, the educational services among others.

     

  • NCAA issues certificate to West Link Airlines

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the weekend issued an Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) to West Link Airlines, for general aviation and scheduled operations.

    The issuance of the AOC is a follow up to the airlines’ meeting the prescribed requirements by the NCAA, under the new Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), which became effective last month.

    West Link Airlines is among the new airlines to be granted AOC by the NCAA under a stricter regulatory regime rolled out by the authority.

    Presenting the AOC to the Chairman of West Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, the Director of Airworthiness Standards, NCAA, Mr. Benedict Adeyileka, an engineer, hailed the management of the airlines for waiting for the documents, whose processing began in 2010.

    He urged the airlines’ team to ensure that the standard of safety does not fall below expectation and to maintain good safety records at all times.

    According to him, the entrance of West Link Airlines into the Nigerian aviation industry has opened way for other airlines operators to apply for AOCs.

    The director said NCAA was behind the airlines. He said the rules and regulations guiding the airlines operations must be adhered to.

    Mshelia said his ambition to establish West Link Airlines began in 1999, but it was halted because of the Jos crisis in 2001 as the airlines would have started operations from Jos.

  • ESUT expels 107 for certificate forgery

    ESUT expels 107 for certificate forgery

    ONE hundred and seven students have been expelled from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) for certificate forgery.

    The students, who were at various stages of their studies, were found to have forged the National Diploma (ND) certificates they presented for Direct Entry (DE) admission.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Cyprian Onyeji disclosed this at the 32nd matriculation of the university held at Agbani.

    Onyeji hinted that the university senate approved the expulsion at its 238th regular meeting just ended.

    While warning the fresh students to steer clear of any form of examination malpractice, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that in the last one year, the university senate applied varied degrees of sanctions on up to 150 students for their involvement in the vice.

    He said ESUT was capturing biometric data of all her students with a view to stemming the incidence of impersonation during examinations. Onyeji stressed that as from this academic session, every student would be required to undergo biometric identification in the examination halls.

    To encourage hard work, the Vice-Chancellor said the university’s scholarship awaits students who make cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.50.

    4,200 fresh students matriculated at the event.

     

  • Certificate forgery: Challenger drags Suswam to Supreme Court

    Certificate forgery: Challenger drags Suswam to Supreme Court

    There is no respite yet for Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, over his alleged certificate forgery case.

    His main opponent in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, Hon Terver Kakih, has headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal Makurdi, which struck out the case last week.

    Kakih contested the PDP governorship primaries against Governor Suswam and lost.

    He later dragged the governor to court over alleged certificate forgery.

    He also alleged that apart from certificate forgery, Suswam lied on oath in his INEC form CF 100.

    The Federal High Court in Makurdi presided by Justice Marcel Awokulehim struck out the case.

    Kakih proceeded to the Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal.

    Justice John Okolo in his lead judgement also dismissed the matter and awarded N50, 000 cost in favour of Suswam and PDP.

    Speaking to newsmen in Markurdi, Kakih revealed he was on his way to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the lower court.

    He insisted there is substantial evidence that Suswam forged his certificate, alleging the Court of Appeal denied him justice.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Guinness gets certificate for World’s largest football jersey

    Guinness gets certificate for World’s largest football jersey

    MAKER of premium brand, Guinness Nigeria Plc have officially received certificate from Guinness World Records for creating the largest football jersey in the world.

    The framed certificate made available to Sport Extra reads: The largest football shirt measures 73.55m (241ft 3 in) wide and 89.67m (294ft 2in) long and was created Guinness Nigeria Plc (Nigeria) in Surulere, Lagos Nigeria, on 25 January, 2013.

    The largest jersey was unveiled at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos and the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt in a bid to galvanize the support of millions of fans for the Super Eagles in their quest for victory at the city of Madiba.

    According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, it is a case for double joy for the nation.

    “We are elated as a company to have greatly contributed to these successes, putting Nigeria on the world map once again with this feat. Initially, there were doubts as to whether we had broken the world record when we started out. However, today, I am proud to present to you the Guinness World Record Certificate for the largest football shirt in the world proving that we actually did break the world record” Adetu announced.

    While the jersey was laid out during the AFCON tournament, over 40,000 fans inscribed their goodwill messages, wishing the Super Eagles victory at every stage of the tournament and Adetu believes it was a great motivating factor for the team.

    “As the Super Eagles played at the tournament in South Africa, they were spurred on by the goodwill messages inscribed on the largest jersey by thousands of fans back home in Nigeria. It also raised the team’s morale and they realised they are made of more with the support of their fans back home. Here we are after 19 years of exploit, the Super Eagles are once again, African champions” Adetu enthused.

    The Marketing and Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Austin Ufomba in his remark appreciated the support of the government for this achievement.

  • ABSU withdraws Kalu’s degree certificate

    The Senate of the Abia State University, Uturu, has withdrawn the degree certificate it had earlier awarded the former Governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, while he was a sitting governor of the state.

    The decision to withdraw the certificate was contained in statement released and signed by the registrar and secretary of the Senate of the university, Mr. Earnest Onuoha, after the senate meeting, where it was approved that the certificate be withdrawn and cancelled.

    The statement reads in parts, “On the strength of the findings and recommendations of an investigative panel into allegations of breach of the extant Academic Regulations of Abia State University in the admission process of the admission and graduation of Kalu Orji Uzor in the discipline of Government and Public Administration , of matriculation number 00/42226, the Senate of Abia State University at its resumed 69th Extra-Ordinary meeting of Friday, 1st March 2013 and by a vote of eighty-eight (88) against three (3) dissenting voices only, approved the cancellation and withdrawal of the degree result and certificate awarded to him.”

    “The decision of Senate was based on the following grounds among others:

    *The violation of the Academic Regulations of the university on Admission-by-Transfer, which rendered the offer irregular, ab initio.

    *The non-completion of the mandatory six (6) semesters (i.e. three academic years of study), before he was awarded a degree of the university. He spent only two semesters in all.

    “The university Senate maintained that its action, aforesaid, derived from the exercise of its onerous statutory responsibility to guard and maintain, at all times, the Academic Regulations of the University, its hard-earned reputation and the credibility of the certificates it awards.”

    In a related development, the chief press secretary to Abia State governor, Ugochukwu Emezue, has described as untrue the allegation by the former governor of the state, Oji Uzor Kalu that Governor Theodore Orji is behind the revocation of his degree certificate.

    Emezue said that the former governor is not a graduate of Abia State University, as investigations have revealed and made public by the Senate of the university after looking into the findings of the investigative panel set up the university authorities.

    He said that there was a petition against the former governor alleging that he was not properly admitted into ABSU, which the university authorities mandated the Senate to look into after setting up the investigative panel.

    The CPS said that the petitioner claimed that Kalu arm twisted the school authorities to admit him while he was the governor following public outcry then that the state governor was not a graduate, adding that Kalu as the then governor only came to school for two semesters.

    Emezue said, “Following this allegation, the Senate set up a panel which found out that the transcript Kalu sent to ABSU from the University of Maiduguri did not bear the letterhead of that institution.

    “Secondly, Kalu did not matriculate according to the rules and guidelines of the institution which makes it mandatory for a student to matriculate having dropped out from another university.

    “Thirdly, Kalu only came to school for two semesters and never graduated.”

    The chief press secretary stated that ab initio, Kalu was not a graduate of the institution and advised the former governor to go to court to challenge the outcome of the panel’s report if he so desires.

     

  • Insurers seek compliance certificate to enforce MDRI

    Stakeholders in the industry have called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to introduce compliance certificate in its review of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) to ensure full enforcement of compulsory insurance.

    They said the introduction of the certificate would make the public bidding for government’s businesses comply with the law on compulsory insurance.

    President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Dr. Wole Adetimehin, said the MDRI needs law enforcement to thrive. He said the presentation of compliance certificates by individuals bidding for government’s businesses, have helped in adherence to group life policy of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

    He noted that for the public to comply with the compulsory insurance, NAICOM should ensure there is a law.

    President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs Laide Osijo, called for collaboration with the government in the enforcement of the compulsory insurances in the MDRI.

    She noted that though NAICOM has helped make some insurance compulsory, effort should be intensified on the enforcement of the laws.

    She said: “I think the government has a lot to do. Some of the compulsory insurance are not enforced. NAICOM has tried in supporting the industry, by making some businesses to be compulsory under the MDRI. But the implementation and enforcement lie with the government at state and federal levels.”

    The Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, has said NAICOM will review the guidelines of the MDRI to align it, for better performance. He said the review is one of the commission’s programmes for the year

    He however declined to give the time table for the review and release of the guidelines.

     

  • House of Reps member in certificate scandal

    House of Reps member in certificate scandal

    CONCERNED citizens of Ningi/Warji constituency of Bauchi State have called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to investigate allegation of certificate forgery against a member, Abdulrazak Nuhu Bature, by the University of Jos.

    In a petition dated November 12th, and addressed to the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal,124 constituents of Bature said; “we are particularly worried by the seeming insensitivity of the House of Representatives leadership to constitute a committee to investigate the damaging allegations which to our mind cast aspersion on the ethical reorientation and/ or transformation agenda of the federal government and the consequential effect of not having men and women of honour and proven integrity in positions of responsibility.” The petition was submitted at the office of the Speaker on Wednesday.

    The University of Jos through its Registrar, Jilli-Dandam, Danjuma had in a letter dated September 7, 2012 urged the National Assembly to disregard Bature’s claim of attending the institution.

    “While we draw your attention to this dishonourable act of one of your members, we wish to put you on notice that we have also lodged complaint to relevant government agencies for necessary action,” the university stressed.

    Danjuma made good his threat by writing the Director-General, State Security Service, Inspector-General of Police Chairman, EFCC Chairman, ICPC Chairman, INEC and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    According to Danjuma, the embattled member presented as part of his credentials, a testimonial and a certificate for Advance Diploma in Public Administration purported to have been issued by the Senate of the University of Jos at an election tribunal before it was referred to the university for verification.

    According to the Registrar, the University’s Senate set up a committee which investigated the case and reported that the Bature did not attend the university and could therefore not lay claim to its certificates. The university immediately placed a disclaimer on him in a national newspaper.

    He has also been invited by the State Commissioner of Police over alleged forgery but he is yet to honour the invitation.

    One of the leaders of the constituency who spoke to The Nation from Bauchi yesterday said, Mr. Yunana Katanga said they are determined to make the member explain the forgery and if culpable, face the law.

    Contacted for comments Bature said;”Let them forge ahead. They took me to court several times and failed. Let them go ahead with the recall process. I wish them well.”

    The National Assembly has had a history of members with questionable credentials. The first Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, was forced to step down when it was discovered that his Toronto University degree was forged. Another member of the National Assembly, Senator Evans Enwerem was also disgraced out of the nation’s highest legislative house.

     

  • Ministry, SSS burst NECO certificate forgery syndicate

    The Federal Ministry of Education and the State Security Service (SSS) have burst a syndicate which specialises in forging the National Examination Council (NECO) certificates.

    Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike spoke yesterday in Abuja at a parade of the members of the group.

    Wike, according to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Simeon Nwakaudu, said the ministry has established a relationship with relevant security agencies to ensure that those who have developed a structure to fake NECO certificates are tracked down and made to face the law.

    He said: “The arrest of a syndicate that specializes in the forgery of NECO certificates by the State Security Service, one of our security partners, is an indication that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the integrity of our public examinations is guaranteed and protected.

    “We are happy that the State Security Service has used its extensive capacity to track down these suspects, among who are three NECO staff who work in the computer department. These arrests bring to the fore the real reason behind the protests by some NECO staff that resisted legitimate transfers from their comfort zones. The process of fishing out criminals in the public examination system has just begun and we will ensure that every single suspect faces the wrath of the law.”

    The minister noted that going forward the NECO management will be encouraged to take measures that would make it more difficult for syndicates to attempt forging its certificates.

    The SSS, Niger State office after series of operations tracked down a 10-man syndicate led by Kashim Danladi Tahid. The syndicates comprises three staff of NECO who supply the leadership and membership of the syndicate with past candidates numbers, corresponding names and data base to forge the results.

    NECO Registrar, Prof. Promise Okpala expressed satisfaction that the members of the syndicate have been arrested. He said the extensive security features on the NECO certificate make it difficult for the certificate to be successfully forged. He said NECO would continue to cooperate with the ministry and the security agencies to frustrate criminals in the system.

    The Niger State Director of the SSS, Dr Larry Obiagwu, said members of the syndicate admitted to committing the crime. He noted that during the raids that led to the arrests of the suspects, the SSS recovered computers containing NECO data-base, fake NECO seals, fake NECO blank certificate slips, phones containing text messages requesting certificates and grades.

    Tahid admitted being the head of the ring. He said he connived with the three NECO staff to produce the fake NECO certificates. He confessed that each forged certificate was sold for N10,000.

  • Minister signs performance certificate with parastatals, agencies

    Minister signs performance certificate with parastatals, agencies

    The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, at the weekend signed a performance certificate with Heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the ministry.
    He described the pact as an evaluation tool for measuring their performances.
    The Minister disclosed that the performance agreement signed with President Goodluck Jonathan last August was part of efforts to foster purposeful and meaningful leadership in the country.
    He informed that the ability to actualise the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the ministry and its agencies will serve as proof of quality service delivery to Nigerians.
    Key objectives the ministry must achieve, he stated, include resuscitation and revitalisation of the railway system for haulage of goods and carriages of passengers; repositioning of the nation’s port system in line with global best practices; increasing use of inland waterways to stimulate economic activities as well as enhancing maritime safety and security.
    Others are improving inter modality of the transport system; enhancing private sector participation in the sector; and provision of policy, regulatory and administrative services.
    While insisting the performance agreement was non-negotiable, the Minister directed “all matters coming from the agencies must be attended to and disposed off within a maximum of two weeks from the date of receipt of such matters.”