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  • Oyo to procure 100 security vehicles, 1.7m books

    The Oyo State government has approved the procurement of 100 units of Kia Rio automatic transmission executive patrol vehicles for security operatives.

    The council, at its maiden State Executive Council Meeting, also approved the distribution of 1.7 million books to 463,801 public school students.

    The cost implication of the vehicles was put at N832,650,000 and that of the books stands at N447,257,384.

    The meeting was chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde and attended by Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, Head of Service Mrs. Amidat Agboola, newly sworn in 17 commissioners.

    It was held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Read Also: Makinde urges men of integrity to join politics

    Briefing reporters after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, who was accompanied by his counterparts at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Professor Raphael Afonja, said the approvals were given in line with Makinde’s campaign promises.

    Olatunbosun noted that the decision to give the free books and other writing materials is to complement the earlier decision to scrap educational levies imposed on students and parents by past administration as a way of reducing out of school pupils.

    According to him, junior school students comprising those from Basic one to nine (formerly primary one to Junior Secondary School three), whose total number was put at 252,644, will get six copies of 60 leaves notebook each. Those in the senior school (senior secondary school one to three), who are 211, 157, will also get six copies of 80 leaves notebook each.

    He explained that the student statistics was according to the enrollment for the 2019/2020 academic session obtained from the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB)

    Olatunbosun added that the decision on the procurement of the vehicles was arrived at after the last security meeting where the need for more security patrol vehicles was identified.

    He assured that since the decisions have gotten the approval of the state executive council, each item will be delivered, adding that the books will be ready for distribution before the schools resume for the next academic session in about two weeks.

    To ensure the functionality and durability of the vehicles to be given the security operatives, Olatunbosun noted that the government has also reached an agreement with the vehicle dealer and supplier to open up a service centre in the state to provide jobs for the people and open a market.

    The vehicles will be supplied by Messrs Dana Motors, the major distributor of KIA products.

    Makinde has also encouraged his exco members to challenge his views when he presents them.

    Makinde said he too will not fail from doing same in a bid to arrive at a robust decision in the interest of the people.

    The governor gave the advice in his remarks at the maiden meeting of the State Executive Council members at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Agodi, Secretariat.

    Makinde urged the cabinet members to be passionate about their contributions, reminding them that they are only privileged to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.

  • Ayade returns schools to catholic mission

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has returned six primary schools to their original owners, the Catholic Church.

    The schools are Sacred Heart Primary School, Calabar; St. Mary’s Primary School and its convent school, Calabar and St. Peter’s Primary School, Ekpene Tete, Akpabuyo.

    Others are St. Benedict’s Primary School, Igoli, Ogoja; St. Joseph’s Primary School Idum, Mbube, Ogoja; St. Eugene’s Primary School, Ochon, Obubra.

    Ayade said the government had no choice but to return the schools to their original owners. He was sure the church would bring standard to bear in running of the schools.

    He said: “With the way you have conducted yourself, the government has no hesitation, in spite of our concern, but to give up the six schools at a go. It is also important that we look at the performance of the schools we are handing over today and see whether they have done well.”

    Read Also: Ganduje urges emirs to report parents who fail to enrol wards in schools

    Justifying the return of the schools, Ayade told the Archbishop of Calabar Archdiocese, Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, that “owing to our spiritual belief in you as a man of honour and a man who God has used to move mountains, who am I to say no when a man of God has made a request, who am I to say no to God?

    “We have, in honour of you and indeed all the churches, say that what belongs to God must be given to God.”

    Archbishop Ekuwem, who thanked Ayade for the gesture, said: “Now that Your Excellency is handing back six of the schools in the three senatorial zones made up of Calabar archdiocese and Ogoja diocese, I know this is still a process and I am looking forward to a day when all the remaining schools will be returned.

    “We plead first for my sister churches, the same church of God beginning with Presbyterian Church whose name I heard today and the request they have made and those that have not asked and requested the government to give us schools…”

  • MultiChoice talent factory announces 2019 class

    MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the 20 students selected for the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy Class of 2019. The students were announced after a two-month selection process in Nigeria and Ghana.

    The 20 aspiring filmmakers representing West Africa will begin their 12-month training at the MTF Academy in Lagos in October.

    The final candidates were selected after a rigorous interview and adjudication process by film and television experts led by Academy Director, Femi Odugbemi.

    Launched in May 2018 as part of MultiChoice’s Corporate Shared Value (CSV) initiative, the MTF Academy is a 12-month fully-funded training programme aimed at upskilling the next generation of film and television professionals.

    Read Also: NCC, Multichoice train manpower on broadcast piracy

    The academy’s curriculum is tailored along that of MultiChoice’s partner institution, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, which will confer the course qualification upon completion of the academy programme.

    In addition, The Henley Business School offers an orientation intervention to the students at the beginning and end of the 12-month programme.

    According Odugbemi, the appetite for training opportunities in West Africa is massive within the creative film and TV industry, which is why the MTF Academy programme was launched.

    He said: “As one of the few industry players that not only tell African stories but also invest in them, the need for a dynamic training programme such as the MTF Academy has been a long time coming. We always ask ourselves: what’s next in the industry, and how can we better prepare for it? The MTF Academy is the answer to that question – giving young Africans the chance to hone their television and film production skills.”

    The class of 2019 is hot on the heels of the inaugural class of 2018, who are ready to graduate and will have their first films screened on M-Net channels and Showmax.

  • Ekiti APC elders congratulate Adebayo

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum has congratulated the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, on his appointment.

    In a statement, the elders were confident that the Minister would discharge his duties creditably following his records of public service which were undaunted.

    Read Also: Fayemi, Afenifere congratulate Adebayo

    “Considering your antecedent as the former governor of Ekiti State and your good performance, we are confident that you will equally perform your duties as Minister much more creditably for the progress of Nigerians.

    “We are happy that your credibility and integrity are in tandem with the character of President Muhammadu Buhari. Ekiti State APC Elders’ Forum believe that this new appointment will usher in more federal positions and presence in Ekiti State.

    “We are assuring you of our support and constant prayers to enable you succeed in the exalted position as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the elders said.

  • INEC to distribute 49,819 PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will distribute 49,819 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Monday Udoh spoke on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum on modalities for collection of PVCs.

    Udoh, represented by the Executive Secretary, Boco Ekong, said the distribution would begin in the eight local governments on September 2.

    He said the distributionwould hold at the Registration Areas (RAs) level from September 2 to 31.

    Read Also: Bayelsa governorship: APC disqualifies ex-Cross River REC Briyai

    A breakdown of PVCs to be distributed shows that 4,452 are for Brass; 4,707 for Ekeremor; and 2,718 for Kolokuma/Opokuma.

    “In Nembe, we have 8,206 cards; 1,682 (Ogbia); 5,091 (Sagbama); 765 (Southern-Ijaw) and 21,601 (Yenagoa).

    “Our workers have been directed to distribute the cards on September 2 by moving from RA to RA, Monday through Friday. I, therefore, urge all eligible persons yet to collect their PVCs to use the opportunity to collect them,” Ekong said.

    Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Mr. Eneyi Zidougha and stressed the need for stakeholders to support INEC to enable it to achieve a credible election.

  • Bayelsa governorship: APC disqualifies ex-Cross River REC Briyai

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election screening commit in Bayelsa State has disqualified the former Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Frankland Briyai, from participating in the August 29 primaries.

    Briyai was reportedly disqualified because he was said not to have been a card-carrying member of APC for up to one year.

    Those cleared for the primaries are Preye Aganaba, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Ms. Diseye Poweigha, Mr. Lyon David, Prof. Ongoebi Etebu and Heineken Lokpobiri.

    A report by the Isa Song-led committee, addressed to the national chairman, said only Briyai was not cleared.

    The report added that the committee conducted its exercise in line with the party’s guidelines.

    Read Also: I’ve not been disqualified from Bayelsa guber race, says ex-Cross River REC

    It said the guideline stipulated that aspirants must have been card-carrying members for one year; must show their original credentials, and in the case of multiple declaration of age, harmonise same.

    The report reads: “Each aspirant was questioned in relation to qualifications and conduct in line with both party constitution and election guidelines. We also asked them to produce evidence of their membership of the party, voters’ card and payment of the prescribed fees, as well as the original copy of their credentials for sighting.

    “Therefore, Dr. Frankland Briyai was not cleared and disqualified on the grounds of Section 3 paragraph ‘L’ of the guideline for nomination of candidates.”

    But Briyai has denied being disqualified from the governorship race, saying his waiver to contest the election was being processed.

    He said: “How did you know I was not cleared? Don’t forget that my waiver is being processed. That I am not cleared doesn’t mean that I have been disqualified. The NWC is looking into the waiver issue; it is being processed. There is an online report that says that I have been disqualified, it is only NWV that can disqualify anybody.

    “What the screening and appeal panel do is to recommend to the NWC their findings; disqualification comes from the NWC. So, I have not been disqualified.”

  • Yobe okays N365m for council retirees

    Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the release of N365 million for payment of accumulated pension arrears and gratuities to 279 local government retirees.

    Director-General, Media Affairs to the governor Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, in a statement, said the  approval followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Payment of Local Government Staff Pensions Arrears, Death Benefits and Gratuities headed by the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

    Read Also: Yobe’s push for quality education

    “Of the 279 beneficiaries, 71 are deceased and their benefits, amounting to N110 million, will be paid to their next-of-kin through the probate division of the State High Court.

    “The remaining N254 million will be electronically paid directly to the remaining 208 living retirees.”

    Buni in July, also approved N228 million for the payment of the benefits of  l98 other local government retirees.

  • NECO releases May/June 2019 exam results

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of 2019 June/July examinations with 829,787 candidates, representing 71.59 per cent, making five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

    Its Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Abubakar Mohammed Gana, added that the number of candidates, who made five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics, is 1,041,986 – representing 89.90 per cent.

    Gana, who announced the release at the NECO Headquarters in Minna, adjudged the 2019 June/July SSCE as a huge success, stating that NECO has “once again delivered on its mandate”.

    He recommended three schools in Kastina, Kebbi and Oyo states for de-recognition from conducting its Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) for two years.

    According to him, the schools were de-recognised for their involvements in mass cheating and being special centres.

    Gana said 17 supervisors were also blacklisted for various offences ranging from poor supervision, aiding and abetting and connivance with non-candidates to write answers on the chalkboard.

    He added that 40,630, representing 3.53 per cent of the candidates who sat for the examination, were involved in various forms of malpractice. The number of malpractice cases when compared to 2019 increased with over 50 per cent, the Acting Registrar said.

    Read Also: WAEC releases May/June WASSCE results, withholds 180,205

    He explained that the reason for the higher figure of malpractice cases in 2019 was not unconnected with the deployment of the new biometric verification device used in the 2019 SSCE, “more robust monitoring by staff and external monitors also contributed to more sensitivity in detecting malpractices”.

    Gana said some members of NECO staff alleged to have been involved in malpractice cases have been recommended to face the appropriate disciplinary measures, stressing that once they fail to satisfactorily defend themselves, they would be dismissed or punished appropriately.

    Giving an analysis of the performance of the candidates, the acting registrar said 1,151,016 candidates, including 146 blind candidates, sat for the 2019 June/July SSCE examination.

    He said 984,152, representing 85.50 per cent of the candidates, made credit and above in English Language while 954,399, representing 83.03 per cent of candidates, made credit and above in mathematics.

    The registrar also debunked an online publication which urged candidates to log on to a different website to assess their results even when the results were not yet released by purchasing scratch cards.

    Gana emphasised: “NECO has abolished the use of card in all its operations as everything is now 100 per cent online.

    “The approved website of NECO remains www.neco. gov.ng and has not changed. We advise parents, schools and candidates to disregard that publication and to visit only the approved site to check their results as well as to get information on our operations.”

  • AbdulRazaq sends N135b supplementary budget to Assembly

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has forwarded 2019 revised supplementary budget estimate of N135.2 billion to the House of Assembly for approval.

    This is against N157.8 billion earlier approved by the 8th legislature as the state’s 2019 budget.

    The new budget estimate represents 15 per cent decrease.

    The supplementary estimate was contained in the governor’s letter to the house, dated August 21, and read on the floor of the House by the Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

    According to the message, the new recurrent revenue is N97.2 billion as against N121.8 billion earlier approved, representing 21 per cent decrease.

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq sends anti-poverty bill to Kwara Assembly 

    Revised capital estimate is also now N62.8 billion against N79.6 billion, representing 21 per cent reduction.

    The recurrent expenditure is N72.3 billion with  N24.9 billion  as transfer to capital development fund against N78,207,986,550 with N43,638,537,912 as transfer capital development fund earlier approved, representing  eight percent decrease.

    The Speaker called on the House Leader Abubakar Olawoyin Mogaji to lay the estimate on the table, directing the House Committee on Rules and Business to slate the supplementary estimate for second reading.

    The House equally received a bill for a law to establish the State Social Investment Programme to tackle poverty, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and economic growth.

    The bill was contained in a message by the governor to the Speaker, dated August 19, urging the House to pass the bill into law to further enhance the wellbeing of the people.

  • ‘I killed my landlady out of provocation’

    The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a 39-year-old man, Tunmise Abraham, who allegedly raped and strangled his landlady, Mrs. Bukola Olanrewaju, in Ado-Ekiti.

    The deceased, a 39-year-old tailor and mother of three, was killed last Thursday in her home at Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti by Tunmise, who hailed from Ikole-Ekiti.

    Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba said Tunmise was arrested at a church in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after linking up with the family.

    “The suspect, after committing the offence, ran to Akure. He hid in a church and that was where he was arrested.

    “He had called his family and told them why he did not come to their place. He said he had killed somebody in Ado-Ekiti.

    “We have already done our homework and gathered that her sister is selling chemicals. Detectives had to trick her that they wanted to buy something from her. It was her sister who later led us to where he was,” Amba said.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted to act as a deterrent to others.

    Read Also: My landlady sent me packing for greeting her `enemy’ – tenant tells court

    Confessing that he actually committed the crime, Tunmise said he did it out of provocation.

    He said the deceased had allegedly provoked him over a disagreement on rent with the husband of the woman, Mr. Raphael Olanrewaju, an indigene of Igogo- Ekiti from Moba Local Government.

    He denied the accusation that he raped the landlady to death, explaining that he only hit her on the head with a big stick before making efforts to tie her hands to make her weak during a fisticuff.

    “I called her that day that I wanted to leave the house after paying N23,000 in June and this will last till next year May for one year rent and I said  that the husband needed to refund part of my money to get another apartment, but the woman said that would never happen.

    “We started the argument and she called me names. She abused me by calling me derogatory names, which angered me. She later held my clothes and I slapped her and pushed her away from me.

    “The woman then came with a stick and I overpowered her and collected the stick, which I used to hit her on the head and she fell.

    “When I realised that she had died, I became worried and escaped to a church in Akure.”

    The deceased’s husband, Raphael, said the disagreement he had with the suspect was resolved when his family paid N23,000 rent, comprising the new and backlog of debt he owed.

    “He had a misunderstanding with my wife, but it was settled. I never knew he had the intention to kill her. He killed my wife around 11am when everybody had left home.

    “It was my daughter who discovered that he was the one who did it. When the police came to search his room, we saw a lot of incriminating goods that suggested that he was an armed robbery. I never knew I was harbouring a robber.

    “All I want is justice,” Raphael said.