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  • UTME: Police warn students against malpractice

    The Ogun Police Command on Tuesday warned students sitting for the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to desist from any form of malpractice and avoid getting into trouble.

    DSP Bimbola Oyeyemi, the Ogun Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Ota, Ogun.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 1.8 million Candidates will be sitting for the UTME Examinations organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), starting across the country on April 11.

    Oyeyemi reminded the students that examination malpractice is an offence and that anyone caught violating the law would be arrested.

    Read Also: Police nab man with ‘human parts‘

    “The police has the power under the laws to prosecute anybody caught in any form of malpractice during the JAMB examination,” he said.

    The PPRO said that the police would be in various centres in the state to monitor and ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order.

  • Flight operations resume at Imo Airport after fire outbreak

    Flight operations have fully resumed at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri, Imo state after a fire outbreak that razed part of the arrival terminal of the Airport.

    When The Nation visited the Airport on Tuesday, passengers were seen queuing to get their boarding pass, even though the number of passengers was minimal compared to what it used to be before the fire incident.

    The Nation findings disclosed that the Executive lounge of the airport was completely razed and has been cordoned off.

    The Airport Manager, Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, said that the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained as investigation is still ongoing.

    Read Also: Fire guts arrival terminal of Imo airport

    According to her, flight operations have fully resumed, adding that the fire incident didn’t affect any critical infrastructure or equipment.

    She said, “we are following Airport contingency plans to make sure that flight operations resume at the airport and it has resumed. We are sorry for what happened, there was no casualty, the fire department was able to contain the inferno”.

    Meanwhile speaking during separate visits to the Airport, Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and the governor-elect, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha commended the Airport management for the proactive measure taken to avert what they say could have been a major disaster.

  • Lagos lawmaker decries state of Badagry road

    Mr Setonji David, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, on Tuesday decried the state of Badagry road, saying the road was too bad, considering challenges it posed to people in the area.

    David, representing Badagry Constituency II,on the platform of the APC , disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to him, Badagry road looks like it is cut off from Lagos state while posing numerous challenges people in the area faced using the road.

    The lawmaker, who also expressed dissatisfaction over shortage of schools in the area, called on Federal and state government to look into the plight of the residents with a view to helping them.

    “Our road network is in shamble. Lagos-Badagry expressway is in total mess. If you take a walk for few hours to come to Badagry you will be amazed with the state of our roads.

    “Although, the contract for the road has been awarded, I am just appealing to the contractor and the government at the federal level to expedite action on the reconstruction of that road.

    “It is as if we are cut off from Lagos state, the state of the road is in shamble that is the truth of the matter.

    “ The raining season is fast approaching; I don’t know what will become of that place when rain starts,’’ David who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said.

    He said that the area also needed more primary and secondary schools to help reduce the kilometres school children trekked, each day, to access school.

    “I know of pupils trekking for 5kms, 3kms and 2kms in my constituency before they can access schools.

    “So we don’t have enough primary schools, we don’t have enough secondary schools. These are issues people can see. Some of these schools are not even in good state. The few ones we have need to be rehabilitated. We are pleading with government at the state and federal levels to do something.’’

    David said that the pains of residents of the area were passing through were better imagined than experienced.

    The law maker, who described good infrastructure as the beginning of progress of any society, noted that commuters spent about three or four hours to get to Badagry from Lagos instead of 30 minutes or 45 minutes.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the incoming administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu would address the plight of the people of Badagry.

    David urged the Federal Government to redouble efforts in addressing inadequate power supply in the country to reduce youth unemployment.

    According to him, the major problem confronting Nigeria is inadequate power supply, adding that so many people cannot work because there is no power.

    “If we can have constant supply of electricity in this country, I want to assure you that, half of our unemployed youths would be engaged in viable jobs. (NAN)

  • Imo: Tribunal orders substituted service on Ihedioha, PDP

    The Imo State governorship and House of Assembly Petitions Tribunal, Thursday granted the application filed by the Counsel to the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Okey Amechi for substituted service on the governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Chairman of the Panel, Justice M.O Adewara, granted the leave to serve the 2nd and 3rd respondents on the wall of their buildings or by delivering same to an agent at the PDP office situated at No 98 Okigwe Road, Owerri.

    The AA governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, had petitioned the Election Tribunal to quash the March 9 governorship election which was won by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ihedioha.

    Read Also: Ihedioha: Imagine the future of Imo

    Nwosu had prayed the Tribunal to among other things “determine and thus declare that Ihedioha did not satisfy the requirement of Section 179(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) having failed to poll not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast in at least two-thirds of the Local Government Areas in Imo State at the governorship election held on 9th March, 2019.

    “An order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a run-off election between the Petitioners and the 2nd & 3rd Respondents into the office of Governor of Imo State forthwith as prescribed under Section 179 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.

  • Umahi congratulates Wike on re-election

    The Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has congratulated his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike on his re-election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Governor Umahi in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the declaration of Wike as the winner of the March 9th Governorship election in Rivers state by INEC as victory for democracy and a pointer to a better democratic norm in the country.

    While congratulating Governor Wike on his re-election, Umahi extolled his dogged spirit in fighting for his rights and to recover the mandate of the people of the state which they demonstrated through their ballots.

    Read Also: Rivers election: INEC declares Wike winner

    He commended INEC for standing firm and doing that which is right, adding that there is still hope that Nigeria will still get it better in terms of conducting free and credible elections in future.

    Umahi called on all the political actors in the state to join hands together to move the state forward, adding that Nigerians should eschew politics of bitterness and see politics as a vehicle to render service to mankind.

  • ‘How I escaped being used for rituals in Oyo’

    A middle-aged sex worker on Wednesday narrated how she managed to escape being used for money rituals by suspected internet fraudsters.

    The lady whose name and identity was preferred to be made anonymous for security reasons narrated her ordeals while been kept in custody by security operatives in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    In a statement during the handing over of two suspected internet fraudsters to the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, the middle-aged woman said she had joined the boys alongside some other friends from a club to pass the night with the boys unaware of their antics and intentions.

    The suspects, Sanusi Azeez Toba and Osho Olalekun Micheal, arrested at Kolapo Ishola, Akobo area of Ibadan were handed over to the Oyo State’s special anti-crime patrol outfit codenamed, “Operation Burst”, after the escaped victims reported the matter to them.

    She added that she had to jump down from a two storey building where she and others were taken hostage and later scale a fence when she noticed the boys were acting funny in the middle of the night.

    She said “We met at the club last night and we all went back to their apartment to sleep over. At some point I noticed some funny movement and saw them with a calabash (a native pot).

    “That was when I knew they were ritualists with the intention to use me for rituals. So I jumped off the two-storey building, and off the fence. I then reported the case to the ‘Operation Burst’”

    Preliminary investigations have also revealed that the suspects have various incriminating documents stored in the laptops and phones recovered from them at the point of arrest.

    The development is coming even as operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission also on Wednesday, arrested another twelve suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’

    While six of the suspects were arrested at 2nd Pipeline, Ologunerun, Ibadan, the other five were picked up at a location in Ijebu-Remo, Ogun State.

    Those from Ibadan are Akinbinu Akinfemi, Wasiu Adeyemi, Idowu Samson, Tijani Usman, Saheed Eniafe and Adeyi Victor.

    Benson Gospel, Abdulazeez Gafar, Agbumabiwon Abiodun, Abayomi Awotedu, and Bukayo Abiodun were apprehended at Ijebu Remo.

    Read Also: Sex education key to ending sex abuse among children – Mothers

    Ranging between the ages of 17 and 29 years, the alleged fraudsters’ arrests were occasioned by petitions from their neighbours, detailing their alleged fraudulent activities.

    The alleged acts include love scam and other forms of internet fraud through which they obtain money from unsuspecting victims.

    Items recovered from them include laptops, mobile phones and several documents containing false pretences.

    “All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded”, a source within the Ibadan zonal office of the commission noted.

  • Man docked for N.56m fraud

    A 45-year old man, Friday Okodede, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N560, 000 from one Golden Aganimonuyi.

    Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Goru Samuel, informed the court that the offence was committed on July 13, 2018 at Oko Central Road, Benin City.

    Sergeant Samuel said the accused person collected the money to supply windows, protector and iron bars on false representation knowing same to be false.

    Samuel said the offence is punishable under section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State.

    Read Also: Man needs N1.5m to bail wife, triplets from hospital 

    Hearing Friday pleaded not guilty to the one count charge preferred against him.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.U Iluobe, granted the accused bail to the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

    The case was adjourned to April 30, 2019.

  • 115 students enroll for 2018 Mathematics Queen Competition

    No fewer than 115 female students of junior secondary school across the country are participating in the final stage of Junior Mathematics Olympiad Competition training, organised by the National Mathematical Centre (NMC).

    Dr Jekayinfa Olatunji, Desk Officer on Sustainable Development Goals, NMC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that after this final stage the 2018 Mathematics Queen will emerge.

    The participants arrived the Centre on March 31, while the competition ends on April 10.

    “We have done the first and second stages in the state level; in the first stage, 120 students in each of the 36 states and FCT were selected to participate; in the second stage, the best 20 out of the 120 were selected to participate.

    “Then this last stage, the best three from each state converge on the centre in Abuja to undergo a thorough training with professional resource persons for one week.

    “After which they will now sit for the final round of the examination, where the best overall three students will emerge and the number one will now be crowned as Nigerian Mathematics Queen for 2018.

    Olatunji said that the competition was aimed at encouraging and addressing the gap between males and females in the learning and teaching of mathematics in the country.

    According to him, mathematics should be a subject for all, but research has shown that Nigerian girls are disenfranchised or not carried along in the study of mathematics.

    “For instance, if you check students that proceed to higher level of education in mathematics; you will notice that as they go higher the number of girls drop.

    “Again if you check round you will notice that the number of females teaching mathematics in the university are less compare to males; the ratio is about 80:20.

    “So we want to encourage the Nigerian girls in the study of mathematics; that is why we conceive the idea of putting up this sort of examination and competition among female students at junior level,’’ he said.

  • Why we need Security overhaul in Ondo, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said that the state security apparatus needed total overhauling in view of the emerging position of the state in investment and industrialisation.

    He spoke while receiving the report of the first Ondo State Security Summit held in January 2019.

    Akeredolu assured that the report would be looked into by the State Security Council, State Executive Council and Ondo State House of Assembly to have a Security Policy Document for the state.

    The governor who acknowledged that Ondo State was relatively peaceful however said the peace being enjoyed in the state would further be improved when the Security Policy Document comes into operation.

    Akeredolu appreciated the Committee Members, the Resource Persons and the Lead Speaker at the summit, Professor Olufemi Odekunle for efforts put into the assignment.

    The Chairman of the Committee, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration and Policy Planning, Mr. Jones Ogunmusire had informed the governor that the summit had over 500 participants that cut across the entire strata of the society both within and outside with fourteen Resource Persons who led robust deliberations on the summit theme and sub-themes.

    The Chairman said that the report came in two volumes which included the one that distilled the various contributions from the public in form of memoranda and the second being the compilation of the presentations made by Resource Persons.

    While thanking the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee, Ogunmusire expressed optimism that the security architecture of the state would improve considerably in view of the integration of a Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism to constantly measure the performance indicators of the state in terms of sustainable peace and development.

    Some members of the committee present at the Report Presentation Ceremony were: the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr. Deji Akinwalere.

  • Oshiomhole behind my predicament, says Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha on Monday said that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, is fast turning the party to regional minority party.

    If not checked, he said APC might have serious setback in the year 2023.

    Okorocha spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Asked to speak on the mistake of 2015 and the emergence of new leadership for the National Assembly, Okorocha said “I have been watching carefully what is happening in the National Assembly, it’s a very interesting drama. But all I ask them is that they should consider the South East in their calculations.

    “This nation will not be properly balanced if South East is not carried along properly in the affairs of the National Assembly. Nobody seems to be talking about the South East, it looks like the South East doesn’t have a place anymore, that is wrong, politically speaking and that is not good for APC.

    “Because there is going to be a bigger APC after President Muhammadu Buhari must have left the seat. My fear now is that APC might have a serious setback in 2023 because the Oshiomhole’s led executive is actually turning APC into a regional minority party which shouldn’t be because of his mistakes.

    “Right now in the whole South East, we don’t have an APC governor. So if there is any discussion in Nigeria now within the APC governors and President Muhammadu Buhari, there would be nobody from the South East.

    “This is what the APC Chairman has done in the South East. I think it’s a capital attempt to frustrate the efforts of the South East. But I appeal to every Nigerian to support the cause of the South East.

    “They shouldn’t think about giving South East, whatever position for giving sake. You can’t just wake up and give them any position. South East is a key primary zone in this country and if we don’t get the number one seat, we should get the number two seat.” he said

    He also pointed out that Oshiomhole was behind his predicament.

    According to him, INEC has no right to withhold his certificate of return.

    Asked why his party is not making any case for his certificate of return, he said “I won’t be surprise because, of course, you know the imposition we suffered in the party. When you say the party, you talk about the leadership of that party. I don’t have problem with the Working Committee of that party, I only have problem with the chairman of that party as he took it upon himself to do the wrong thing against me for just no cause and to fight a battle that he can never win.

    “No, he is the one that is behind all these impositions, can you imagine, as I speak to you the APC candidate in Imo State did not win a seat, APC does not have a councilor in Imo State now, it does not even have a House Member.

    “But the AA party has eight seats in the Imo State House of Assembly, two Federal House and they have one senator about to come to the Senate. This is why internal democracy must be respected, let the will of the people prevail rather than this imposition.

    “It is unfortunate what has happened in Imo State. At least, I have been vindicated for the fact that I said the APC candidate they are imposing on Imo people is not popular, he came from the opposition. When I was the leader of that party, when I was running the affairs of that party, we won 24 seats in the House of Assembly, we have governor, federal house members but today APC does not have because of imposition,” he said

    On the true position regarding his certificate of return, he said “As it stands today, I am just waiting patiently for the release of my certificate of return for election that I duly won, and I am hoping that INEC will release my certificate of return.

    “I have not contravened any section of the constitution and I have not done anything wrong not to be given my certificate. I pray and hope INEC would do what is just and what is right.”

    Asked if he discussed the issue with the President, Okorocha said “I don’t think that would have been necessary to do because, it’s a straight forward matter. INEC conducted election, results were declared – the returning officer declared the results and I won. Only, one week later to hear that somebody wrote a petition that he issued that declaration under duress. I say where? Was it in his private house or was it in the collation Centre?

    “If it is the collation, SSS were there, police were there, international observers, INEC officials and many others. So who actually put him under duress?” he queried

    “The man has not been able to say that. Nobody has ever sent a statement about that. But I think INEC would want to do the right thing very soon.

    “Now in the same way, the governorship candidate of PDP never won that election because the election flouted section 179 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says that you must have the highest votes and you must have 25 percent in two third of the local governments.

    “Now, this gentleman who was declared the winner by the same INEC, had 135,000 votes from 24 local government but had over 130,000 votes from his three local governments. Of course you know, he didn’t win that election. But even at that, we had the highest mark, the Returning Officer of INEC was never patient to even calculate to know that it was 200,000 votes cancelled and there is supposed to be a rerun.

    “Also flouting that basic constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which says you must have 25 percent in two-third, he doesn’t have it.

    He was confident that there would be