The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Nigerian celebrities stun as ‘GoT’ characters for IK Osakioduwa’s birthday

    Banky W, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Toke Makinwa were among celebrities who turned heads in ‘Game of Thrones’ character costumes on Sunday.

    The celebrities were dressed as their favourite characters from the just-concluded HBO show at the 40th birthday of media personality, Ikpomwomsa (IK) Osakioduwa.

    Ebuka, known for his epic fashion moments, showed up as Job Snow while Toke Makinwa embodied Sansa Stark. Both were termed ‘best-dressed male and female’ by fans.

    Meanwhile, Adesua Etomi-Wellington dressed as Daenerys Targarean with Banky W dressed as Ser Jorah Mormont taking home the ‘Best dressed couple’ tag from fans

    Adesua and Banky W
    Adesua and Banky W as Khaleesi and Ser Jorah Mormont (Source: IG)

    Birthday celebrant, Osakioduwa dressed as the Night King and his wife was Daenerys. Comedian, Bovi also showed up as the Night King. Actress, Jemima Osunde was the Red Woman.

    Also, Linda Ejiofor-Ibrahim was Meissandre while her husband, Suleiman Ibrahim was Grey Worm. Music producer, Cohbams Asuquo dressed as Jon Snow.

    Other celebrities who attended include Waje as the Red Woman, Timi Dakolo and his wife, Busola, Falz is Lord Baelish, Dr Sid as Oberyn Martell and Basketmouth as Jon Snow.

    Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
    Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as Jon Snow (Source: IG)
    Toke Makinwa
    Toke Makinwa as Sansa Stark (Source: IG)
    Bovi and his wife
    Bovi and his wife as Night King and the Red Woman (Source: IG)

  • Why we offered $40,000 scholarship to UTME best, Ekene, by Ghanaian varsity

    ACADEMIC City College, a private university in Accra, Ghana, has offered scholarship worth $40,000 to Ekene Franklin Ezeunala, the candidate who scored 347 – the highest score – in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The College Senior Admissions Manager (Nigeria), Mrs Ogechi Ekpe, said on the sidelines of a workshop organised by the institution for schools and parents at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, at the weekend that the university, which offers programmes in Engineering, Business, Communication Arts and Information Technology, accepts students from 15 years of age because it has a system in place to monitor them.

    Ekene, who turns 15 today (Monday), is below 16, the minimum age benchmark to gain admission into his preferred choice – the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    Read Also: I targeted 370, says Ekene, UTME best candidate

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), also stipulates 16 years as the minimum age for candidates to take the examination during the admission year they apply.  However many private varsities in Nigeria accept students who are less than 16.

    She said: “That is why we want him there.  Nigerian schools won’t give him admission but we will.  We start admitting from 15 which is why we have a very visible Dean of Students’ Affairs. We make sure that they go to class, especially foreign students.  You cannot be in the hostel during learning hours.  Dean Ruth, that is her name, she normally goes round.

    “There are parents that pay for their kids to be off campus but all international students must be on campus because we don’t want them to have immigration issues; we don’t want them to go off track and start doing drugs. We actually insist that in the first year at least they must be on campus.”

    The Ghanaian institution became the second institution to announce a full scholarship to Ekene, who just completed his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Meiran Community Senior High School, Meiran, Lagos.

    The first was Gregory University, Uturu in Abia State.

  • Air Force strikes kill scores of fleeing terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force on Saturday said it has inflicted heavy casualties on scores of Boko Haram Terrorists at the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno state.

    According to the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the insurgents who were fleeing from the bombardments of Niger and Chadian Air Force met their Waterloo with the Nigerian Air Force.

    Daramola said in a statement supported with video clips that the insurgents and their structures were destroyed during air strikes conducted by the air force.

    He said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has inflicted heavy casualties on Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) elements in devastating air strikes conducted at Tumbun Hamma on the fringes of Lake Chad yesterday, 24 May 2019.

    ” The attack was conducted following credible intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists, who had fled the series of air strikes conducted by Nigerian, Nigerien and Chadian Air Forces, around the Malkanori-Tumbun Rego general axis of northern Borno State, had converged in Tumbun Hamma.

    Read Also: Police rescue man abducted by fake soldiers

    ” The attack was preceded by series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which confirmed heavy presence of terrorists in several structures, along with their logistics items, spread across the small settlement. Accordingly, the ATF scrambled an Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location, recording a successful direct hit in the centre of the target area leading to the neutralization of several terrorists as well as the destruction of their structures and logistics.

    ” The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its operations to completely degrade the terrorists in the Northeast. “

  • Herdsmen: Bloody clash averted in Ondo community

    Prompt intervention of the Ondo state government has reportedly rescued a situation that could have caused a bloody clash between herdsmen and Gedegede Akoko community on Friday.

    The Onigedegede of Gedegede in Akoko Northwest local government area of the state, Oba Walidu Sanni said reports of incessant destruction of farm produce from the town forced farmers to report to the police in the area.

    This development, according to the monarch angered nine armed Fulani men who came to harass him in his palace.

    According to the royal father, he reported the case to the police after he seized some dangerous weapons from them

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was said to have immediately directed his Special Assistant (SA)on security matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo to summon a stakeholders meeting to douse tension in the area.

    It was learnt that the meeting was well attended with all security chiefs in the local government.

    Dojumo said carrying arms and ammunition had been prohibited while grazing should be between 6am and 6pm,stressing that under aged children should not engage in cattle grazing.

    Dojumo urged Fulanis to live peacefully with their host community.

    Read Also: Police rescue man abducted by fake soldiers

    He noted that the governor would soon invite the stakeholders for discussion and put a lasting solution to the perennial problem facing them.

    Earlier, the Miyetti Allah Chairman in Ondo state,Alhaj sule Bello said fulani vigilante groups had helped to reduce kidnapping in the state.

    He urged fulanis to maintain peace and cooperate with their landlords and host communities to aid peaceful coexistence.

    The council chairman, Samson Akande lauded the mediatory roles played by Akeredolu and the Council of Traditional rulers in the area for their support

    Dignitaries at the parley included Zaki of Arigidi,Owa of Ogbagi, Akala of Ikaram, Elese of Ese and a community leader, Alhaji Kilani Ibrahim.

  • We’re yet to see FG’s N25bn allowance – ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it was yet to receive the N25billion approved by the federal government for allowances for the university lecturers.

    The president of the body, Prof Biola Ogunyemi, made the disclosure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State during the valedictory lecture and book presentation by the former Vice Chancellor of Micheal Okpara University, Umudike, Prof Ikenna Onyido.

    The minister of education, Adamu Adamu had during a valedictory press conference in Abuja, said Federal Government had approved an additional N25 billion allowance for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    He said the newly approved fund was different from the N20 billion earlier released in 2018, assuring that the beneficiary institutions would get the money directly.

    But the ASUU helmsman expressed worry over the delay, accused the federal government of reneging on its promises.

    He, however, debunked the reports of plans by the body to embark on another industrial action.

    He said, “ASUU has not said it is going on strike. What we said was the reported N25billion the federal government said they have approved, we’ve not seen it.

    Read Also; ASUU worried over non-implementation of agreement by Fed Govt

    “That N25billion was supposed to be part payment for the salaried lecturers owed arrears of under academic allowances.

    “When we signed a memorandum of action with the government on 7th February, we agreed that by 28th February, the N25billion will be released, and govt signed it. We’re yet to see it three months after.

    “That’s why we’re saying that government has defaulted and if our members come up with any decision because government has defaulted, the leadership can’t stop them. That’s the challenge we have.

    “We’re only calling on Nigerians to prevail on government to make good its promises and not just to tell us about paper release. Let’s see the actual release.”

  • Four things your laptop can do better than your smartphone

    Smartphones have become very popular that many think that they can do anything and everything. This is not true. Before you give away or sell that old laptop without replacing it consider these things your laptop can do better than your smartphone.

    Managing email

    A lot of us now check our emails on our smartphones and tap out responses when needed, but is this really such a good idea? Try turning off notifications from your mobile email client for a while and see if you actually miss it. What’s certain is you can’t manage your email on a phone the same way you can on a computer. Take Gmail on the desktop web and Gmail on mobile, for instance. Here’s just some of the stuff you can do on the web but not your phone: Drag emails between categories, email groups of contacts, quickly switch between plain text and rich text, and send money with a message.

    Getting online

    Every modern browser comes with a mobile equivalent that will happily sync across browsing histories and passwords and bookmarks—but spend any extended time on the web and it’s clear the mobile experience just doesn’t stand up to what you can get through the browser on your desktop. Most sites are suitably optimized for online viewing, and so flicking through stories is straightforward enough.

    Editing photos

    Smartphone apps are good for adding filters on top of photos and that’s about it. If you’re doing anything more than uploading something to Instagram then you need to really consider whether a laptop or desktop is better for the job. First, you’ve got a much bigger screen to work with, and that means getting a better view of your pictures and the edits you’re making. Second, you’ve got the benefit of a keyboard and mouse—much more precise tools when you’re trying to cut out pixels or blend shapes or crop a particular area.

    Read Also: Five ways to turn your hobby into a full-time job

    Writing and editing anything

    Obviously, you can’t tap out your next great novel on a smartphone screen as easily as you can on a keyboard. But the benefits of writing on a computer rather than a mobile go way beyond the convenience of the input device. There’s the ease with which you can highlight, copy and paste, for example—the keyboard shortcuts come in handy here—which means you’re not hampered as soon as you want to do anything other than just type. Let’s not forget how simple a computer makes it get up multiple windows on macOS or Windows, making referencing and cross-referencing substantially easier than it is through the multitasking available on Android and iOS.

  • Court restrains INEC from issuing Certificate of Return to Okorocha

    An Owerri High Court has issued an Order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from reversing its decision not to issue a certificate of return in respect of Imo west senatorial election.

    The Suit with NO HOW/596/2019 was filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate for Imo West Hon Jones Onyeriri against the INEC.

    The presiding Judge, Justice E.F. Njemanze, ordered that the status quo be maintained until the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

    The motion on notice was adjourned to 5th of June 2019 for hearing.

  • Bauchi: Tribunal fixes Monday for pre-hearing conference into petitions

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Bauchi State has fixed Monday, for its inaugural and commencement of pre-hearing conference into petitions filed before it.

    In a statement, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, Secretary to the tribunal, said that three petitions would be heard by the tribunal.

    The petitions include those separately filed by three political parties challenging the election of Sen. Bala Mohammed of the People’s democratic Party (PDP), as governor-elect.

    The parties are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and All Progressives Congress (PDP).

    Bala Mohammed had polled 515,113 votes to defeat his closest rivals the outgoing Governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar of the (APC) who scored 500,325 votes.

    Read Also; Zamfara: INEC meets on Supreme Court judgment

    The three parties are seeking the nullification of Mohammed’s declaration as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to alleged noncompliance with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    The APP in its petition, alleged that it fielded Alhaji Gumi Umaru and Sani Umaru as Governorship and deputy Governorship candidates respectively, but discovered on election day that the two candidates were excluded in the ballot papers.

    APP explained that it had initially submitted the name of one Kabiru Isiyaku as its governorship candidate, who later turned down the nomination and was substituted with Gumi, but said the electoral body unlawfully excluded him as its candidate.

    The party is, therefore, urged the tribunal to nullify the entire election and order for a fresh one to enable their candidates be accommodated.

    The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) in its petition said the electoral body excluded names of its candidates, logo of the party in the ballot papers, including other election materials and all other documents used during the governorship election in the State.

    It also called for the nullification of the entire election and sought for fresh exercise to enable its candidate, Ahmed Iliyasu, whom it said met all requirements participate.

    The outgoing State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar and APC in their petition, refused to concede defeat, alleging widespread irregularities and saying he hoped the checks on disputed ballots of Bogoro, Bauchi and Tafawa Balewa Councils would overturn the results in their favour.

    Abubakar complained about other aspects of the elections including how results in the three councils were tallied which culminated in the final scores in forms EC8E where Mohammed was declared winner as incorrect.

    He, therefore, want the tribunal to declare him as winner of the election or order for conduct of a fresh election in the affected areas.

    In another related development, another panel for Bauchi National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal code-named “Penal II” has been set up and inaugurated.

    The second panel which has commenced sitting at court three, new Bauchi State High Courts Complex, is being chaired by Justice B. H. Tukur and assisted by Justice Bennett Ilaumo and Justice Toyin Adegoke.

    The tribunal has been allocated 13 petitions out of which 10 are at prehearing stage, while three are at hearing stage.

  • Breaking: Deaths averted as petrol tanker, truck collide on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    The Ogun Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said loss of lives was averted on Saturday after a tanker loaded with petrol collided with a truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    This was made known in a statement by the Corps’ Route Commander, Florence Okpe, in Ota, Ogun.
    Okpe explained that the accident which occurred at about 2:51a.m, involved four persons with two injured and no death recorded.

    “A tanker with registration number LND-437 XC conveying PMS collided with a truck marked LRN-981 ZA around the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s youth center gate, Mowe, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, blocking the entire carriageway into Lagos.

    “The tanker has spilled its contents on the expressway and both trucks blocked the entire access road.

    “The RCCG and Sagamu fire services have been contacted, as standard practice, before transloading and removal of the fuel tanker were embarked upon.

    Read Also: ’93 million Nigerians now living in extreme poverty’

    “Also, Julius Berger Plc has been contacted to open the blocked section around the area, where they are currently rehabilitating, to allow vehicles have access as the gridlock has spread towards Kara near Sagamu,” she said.
    She advised motorists to cooperate with traffic and emergency agencies working to restore traffic on the road to alleviate the frustration of road users.

    Okpe urged motorists to use the Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta, Epe-Ajah-Ijebu Ode, and Ikorodu-Sagamu roads as alternative corridors pending when the two vehicles would be removed to avoid being trapped in the gridlock.
    He said that traffic emergencies should be reported on FRSC toll free number 122.

  • ICYMI: Five escape death as another building collapses in Onitsha

    Five persons on Friday sustained severe injuries in another building collapse in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The decked attachment of the building located at No. 44 Modebe avenue, Odoakpu in the commercial city of the state, reportedly caved in around 2.30pm.

    The incident is coming less than 24-hours after a three- storey building collapsed in the same area, leaving five persons dead and three others rescued with varying degrees of injury.

    Read Also: Onitsha building collapse: Death toll rises to five

    Although no life was lost in Friday’s incident five females were said to have sustained injuries.

    Confirming the incident, the Chairman, Red Cross Society in Anambra State, Prof. Peter Katchy said the casualties have been moved to Leeds hospital for intensive care.

    “There is no death recorded. Five casualties, all females are now admitted at Leeds Hospital at Modebe avenue Onitsha for intensive care.

    “The conditions of the casualties are stable.”