Tag: 2019

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, APC governors meet over election postponement

    Buhari, Osinbajo, APC governors meet over election postponement

    President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over an emergency meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

    Others at the meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, APC members of the National Assembly, APC State governors from Lagos, Niger, Zamfara, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

  • Check out nominees list for 2019 Grammy Awards

    Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be holding on Sunday in Los Angeles.

    Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with eight, followed by Canada’s Drake at seven.

    Folk rocker Brandi Carlile is the most-nominated female artist with six nods:

    – Album of the Year –

    Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy”

    Brandi Carlile, “By The Way, I Forgive You”

    Drake, “Scorpion”

    H.E.R., “H.E.R.”

    Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”

    Janelle Monae, “Dirty Computer”

    Kacey Musgraves, “Golden Hour”

    Various Artists, “Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By”

    – Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –

    Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”

    Brandi Carlile, “The Joke”

    Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

    Drake, “God’s Plan”

    Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” (from “A Star Is Born”)

    Kendrick Lamar & SZA, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)

    Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”

    Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”

    – Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –

    Kendrick Lamar and SZA, with songwriters Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears and Anthony Tiffith, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)

    Ella Mai with songwriters Larrance Dopson, Joelle James and Dijon McFarlane, “Boo’d Up”

    Drake with songwriters Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels and Noah Shebib, “God’s Plan”

    Shawn Mendes with songwriters Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris and Geoffrey Warburton, “In My Blood”

    Brandi Carlile with songwriters Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, “The Joke”

    Zedd and Grey, with songwriters Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson and Marcus Lomax, “The Middle”

    Lady Gaga with songwriters Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, “Shallow”

    Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Ludwig Goransson, “This Is America”

    – Best New Artist –

    Chloe x Halle

    Luke Combs

    Greta Van Fleet

    H.E.R.

    Dua Lipa

    Margo Price

    Bebe Rexha

    Jorja Smith

    – Best Music Video –

    The Carters, “APES**T”

    Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

    Joyner Lucas, “I’m Not Racist”

    Janelle Monae, “Pynk”

    Tierra Whack, “Mumbo Jumbo”

    – Best Rap Album –

    Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy”

    Mac Miller, “Swimming”

    Nipsey Hussle, “Victory Lap”

    Pusha T, “Daytona”

    Travis Scott, “Astroworld”

    – Best Rock Album –

    Alice in Chains, “Rainier Fog”

    Fall Out Boy, “Mania”

    Ghost, “Prequelle”

    Greta Van Fleet, “From the Fires”

    Weezer, “Pacific Daydream”

    – Best Pop Vocal Album –

    Camila Cabello, “Camila”

    Kelly Clarkson, “Meaning of Life”

    Ariana Grande, “Sweetener”

    Shawn Mendes, “Shawn Mendes”

    P!nk, “Beautiful Trauma”

    Taylor Swift, “Reputation”

    – Best Alternative Music Album –

    Arctic Monkeys, “Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino”

    Beck, “Colors”

    Bjork, “Utopia”

    David Byrne, “American Utopia”

    St. Vincent, “Masseduction”

    – Best World Music Album –

    Bombino, “Deran”

    Fatoumata Diawara, “Fenfo”

    Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, “Black Times”

    Soweto Gospel Choir, “Freedom”

    Yiddish Glory, “The Lost Songs of World War II”

     

  • 2019: Abdulsalami warns politicians over election violence

    A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), on Thursday urged key political actors in Nigeria, particularly those seeking elective positions to do everything possible to ensure peace in the forthcoming general elections because “Nigeria is not a stranger to electoral violence.”

    He threw the challenge at the one-day peace conference organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja, with the theme: “Peaceful elections and national development.”

    Abdulsalami’s caution was also echoed by former President Goodluck Jonathan and other dignitaries.

    The event attracted continental figures including former President of Liberia, Prof. Amos Sawyer; Special Representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas among others.

    Abdulsalami said, “The period of election in the country is often tension-soaked because of the competition involved. Nigeria is not a stranger to electoral violence. Jonathan kept his word that his presidency is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    “He graciously conceded defeat, he saved the country from falling into political crisis. Nigerians and indeed, the world are praying that the election would be peaceful. Without peace, there would be no nation, and without a nation, there would be no election.”

  • All you need to know about Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2019

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has started its recruitment for 2019 with Nigerians applying for various positions.

    This recruitment was announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on its recruitment portal

    According to the NIS, the 2019 recruitment is opened to civilians with serving military or paramilitary personnel sponsored by any of the Services of the Nigerian Armed Forces to civil institutions also getting consideration,

    Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment Requirement 2019

    These are the requirements for application into the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment 2019:

    1. You must be a Nigerian citizen by birth or descent;
    2. You must not less than 18 years or more than 35 years of age;
    3. You should not less than 1.7 metres in height for male and 1.64 metres for female;
    4. As an applicant, you must have a fully expanded chest measurement of not less than 0.87 metres;
    4. You must be certified by a Government Medical Officer to be physically and mentally fit for appointment into the Service;
    5. Not suffering from any form of mental or physical disability;
    6. Every applicant must be free from any form of financial embarrassment;
    7. Also, you must be of good character and must not have been found guilty of any criminal offence;

    On the other hand, you should not apply if you have: sight problem; hearing difficulties;
    a past major orthopedic operation; flat foot; fracture, stammering or any other natural disability; pregnant women.

    Nigeria Immigration Recruitment Academic Qualifications

    The following are the academic qualification needed for the application for the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment:

    A:
    West African School Certificate (WASC) or Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC) with Credits in not less than three (3) subjects including English and at least passes in two (2) other subjects;
    Or
    National Examination Council (NECO)/General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level with passes in four (4) subjects obtained at one sitting or five (5) subjects obtained at two sittings including English Language.

    B:
    National Diploma (ND) obtained from a recognized institution. National Certificate of Education (NCE) from a recognized institution; or General Certificate of Education (Advance Level) in two (2) subjects obtained at one sitting or three (3) subjects obtained at two sittings.

    Available Positions For Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2019

    SUPERINTENDENT CADRE:
    Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI”) Qualification/Requirements:

    1. You must possess a minimum of first degree from a recognized institution of higher learning.
    2. An NYSC discharged certificate.
    3. Must be between the ages of 18-30 years.

    INSPECTORATE CADRE:
    Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII) & Assistant Inspector of Immigration (AII) Qualification:

    1. Applicants for Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII) must possess a minimum of Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognized institution.
    2. Applicants for Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII) must be between the ages of 18-30 years.
    3. The NYSC certificate is compulsory for Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII).

    4. Applicants for Assistant Inspector of Immigration (AII) must possess a minimum of NCE /OND from a recognised institution.

    5. Applicants for Assistant Inspector of Immigration(AII) must be between the ages of 18-26 years.

    ASSISTANT CADRE:
    Immigration Assistant III (IA”’) Requirements/Qualification:

    1. You must be a holder of SSCE, NECO, GCE O/Level with a minimum of four(4) credit in not more than 2 sittings, which should include English and Maths.
    2. All applicant must be between the ages of 18-25 years.

    Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment: Application Process:

    (1). Interested candidates are to follow the Online Application” button” on The Nigeria immigration recruitment portal (www.nisrecruitment.com.ng)

    (2). Ensure you read the Qualification Criteria.
    (3). Enter your 10 digits valid e-Voucher Pin bought from this portal’s OPS.
    (4). Register your new account with a functional email account.
    (5). A verification link would be sent to your email.
    (6). Login to your email and click on the verification link. If you can’t see it in your mailbox, also check the ‘
    Spam’ folder.
    (6a). After activating the link, log in to your profile and complete your application.
    (7). Upload & Add your profile (This will require a passport photo and your biodata).
    (8). Upload & Add your qualifications (WASSCE and other certificates are entered here).
    (9). Upload/Edit supporting Documents (Attach your Certificates here). THE NEXT OPTION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL ALL ABOVE STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
    (10). Print your photo cards.
    (11). Watch Out For The Official Shortlist.

    Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment Portal

    The recruitment portal for the Nigeria Immigration Service is this:www.nisrecruitment.com.ng

    Nigeria Immigration Service Recruitment 2019 Closing Date

    All applications must be submitted on or before Wednesday, Feb 06, 2019 11:59 PM.

  • Buhari plotting with APC, INEC to rig 2019 election – Obasanjo

    Buhari plotting with APC, INEC to rig 2019 election – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC of hiring collation officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC with an aim to alter results of the 2019 Presidential Election.

    Obasanjo’s comments were contained in a statement issued at a press conference in his Abeokuta residence on Sunday.

    The statement reads: “From available intelligence, we have heard of how Buhari and his party are going about his own self-succession project. They have started recruiting collation officers who are already awarding results based on their projects to actualise the perpetuation agenda in which the people will not matter and the votes will not count. It is the sole reason he has blatantly refused to sign the revised Electoral Reform Bill into law.

    His henchmen are working round the clock in cahoots with security and election officials to perfect their plan by computing results right from the ward to local government, state and national levels to allot him what will look like a landslide victory irrespective of the true situation for a candidate who might have carried out by proxy presidential debate and campaigns.
    The current plan is to drape the pre-determined results with a toga of credibility. It is also planned that violence of unimaginable proportion will be unleashed in high voting population areas across the country to precipitate re-run elections and where he will be returned duly elected after concentration of security officials as it happened in Osun State.

    We are monitoring them and we call on all democrats across the world to keep an eye on the unfolding anti-democratic agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is the time for preventive measures to be taken otherwise Nigeria may be presented with a fait accompli with impunity and total disregard of all pleas.”

  • UBA appreciates customers, promises enhanced service delivery in 2019

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has promised its customers that it will continually strive through innovative ways to enhance its service delivery.

    The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said this in a new year message to customers of the bank yesterday.

    Uzoka said: “It is another year and a new year always brings new opportunities for us to show how much we appreciate you for being a part of the UBA family.

    On behalf of the Executive Management and over 15,000 staff of the United Bank for Africa Group in all our 23 countries of operations, I’d like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you throughout the years and 2018 in particular.”

    The bank chief executive added: “Your patronage and support have been the reason for our Bank’s progress and success. We are honoured that you have selected us to be your financial partner over the period.

    It is our desire to always meet your needs with our services and products which are developed from your standpoint as a valued customer, indeed, Our Employer. We promise to continually strive to make our products available to you, 24/7 and to seek innovative ways to enhance our service delivery in a manner that will always surpass your expectations.

    We look forward to our continued partnership in 2019 and beyond, as we position ourselves to serve you even better. We wish you a happy and prosperous 2019.”

  • We will not be distracted by 2019 general election – ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday, declared that it would not be distracted by the 2019 elections in its struggle to revitalise public varsities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof. Yakub Mahmood, had said that the planned ASUU strike might affect the 2019 general election.

    The Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan (UI), Dr Deji Omole, stated this on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

    Omole said that the union was ready to pursue the strike to a logical conclusion irrespective of whether there would be election or not.

    He added that INEC could recruit ad-hoc staff from eligible Nigerians “who are in their millions’’.

    “We are not part of INEC, therefore, INEC can look elsewhere for ad-hoc staff to conduct the election.

    “What Nigerians are only interested in is credible election and not participation of lecturers.

    “Even when we were not on strike, not all our members are interested in participating in the elections, because it is a voluntary thing.

    “Whoever that feels like participating in the elections can go ahead to participate.

    “If you check in the letter addressed to individuals that have participated in the election in the past, the letter is addressed to individuals and not to ASUU,” UI ASUU Chairman said.

    He said that the demand of the union that the MoU of 2017 be implemented was sacrosanct.

    Omole said that once the union saw the commitment of government, the leadership would bring it back to them at chapters, where it would be taken to their congresses and redirect to national for necessary action.

    The UI ASUU chairman urged Nigerians to continue to put pressure on government to do the needful by investing more in funding education.

    He said that private education was not an alternative to public schools and called on all Nigerians to support the strike to salvage the university system in Nigeria.

  • 2019: All PVCs ready for collection – INEC

    2019: All PVCs ready for collection – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for all new registered voters between 2017 and 2018 and they are ready for collection.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja after the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

    Yakubu also said that all the PVCs of those who requested for replacement and relocation of their cards ahead of 2019 general elections, had also been printed and ready for collections.

    ”The commission has printed all PVCs for new registrants between April 27, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018.

    ”We have also printed all the requests for replacement of lost cards, all requests for transfer and relocations.

    ”The last batch that we printed were for those who applied for transfer and relocation, and those who applied for replacement of damaged and defaced cards.

    ”This will be delivered immediately after the Christmas break. So we are happy to say that all 14.5 million or so new registered voters have their cards printed and delivered to the states. So we are good to go on that,” Yakubu said.

    Yakubu, who also spoke on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its implications on the 2019 general elections, said that the commission would meet with union leaders in tertiary institutions for a way forward.

    The INEC Chairman said that the ongoing strike was worrisome as the commission also sourced some of its election ad hoc staff from the tertiary institutions.

    ”The bulk of the ad hoc staff will be drawn from the National Youth Service Corps members but where there is shortfall, and obviously there would be shortfall, we rely on the universities.

    ”Remember we also rely on the universities to draw our collation and returning officers.

    ”So the ongoing strike is worrisome in case some of them say because of the ongoing strike they will not participate in the elections.

    ”But the ASUU has been good friend of the commission and we intend to meet with the President of the ASUU next week so that we can discuss and iron this out.

    ”We will also extend it to the lecturers of polytechnics and colleges of education so that we will meet with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and all other unions in the tertiary education sub-sectors,” the chairman said.

  • 2019: PDP has no alternative governance agenda – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is amazing that two months into the 2019 general elections,the Peoples Democratic Patty (PDP) is still not presenting any alternative governance agenda to Nigerians.

    Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, made the observation in a statement in Abuja.

    “Sadly, the main opposition party appears at a loss as to how to face Nigerians, knowing it would have to explain why it so badly mismanaged this country at a period of surplus.

    “Rather than focus on its campaign, the only apparent concern of PDP is whether APC has inaugurated its campaigns or not,”Issa-Onilu said.

    He, however, disclosed that APC would soon begin strategic engagements with Nigerians.

    According to him, APC.as the ruling party began its campaign immediately President Muhamnadu Buhari resumed office.

    He said the party had spent the last three and half years carrying out massive infrastructure projects in all the 36 states of the federation.

    Issa-Onilu stated that the APC-led Federal Government had also invested heavily in social intervention programmes targeted at ordinary Nigerians.

    He noted that the effort of APC government in developing the nation was at a scale never seen before in the country’s history.

    Issa-Onilu also said the government had launched an onslaught against corruption, putting in place lasting solutions to ensure peace and security across the country.

    He said that the transformation in the agricultural and the solid minerals sectors were the real campaigns the APC government had embarked on since June 2015.

    “We understand that PDP cannot campaign on issues as it.has note to present.”

    According to him, this is especially so as it becomes obvious that PDP based its projections and analyses on questionable data.

  • No diaspora or out-of-country voting in 2019 – INEC

    No diaspora or out-of-country voting in 2019 – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there will be no Diaspora or Out-of-Country voting for Nigerians in the 2019 general election.

    INEC gave the clarification in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Okoye said that INEC attention had been drawn to a report by a section of the media which gave false impression that the Commission has “made special provisions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) outside Nigeria to vote in the 2019 General Elections.”

    “The Commission wishes to state unequivocally that there will be no Diaspora or Out-of-Country voting for any Nigerian, in accordance with extant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).

    “Only duly registered IDPs within Nigeria will be allowed to vote.

    “The Framework and Regulations for IDP Voting was presented and validated by stakeholders at a conference held in Abuja on Dec. 12.

    “However, there was no reference whatsoever in the remarks made by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu or during deliberations at the validation meeting that special provisions will be made for IDPs outside Nigeria to vote in the forthcoming general elections, contrary to the said media reports,” he said.

    Okoye added:“It should however, be noted that while IDPs currently residing in states where they registered can vote in all elections, those displaced from their states and are currently Iiving in states other than where they were registered can only vote in the Presidential Election.”

    He said that the framework validated by stakeholders at the conference is in consonance with the provisions of Section 26 (1) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2015.

    The section according to Okoye provides that “in the event of an emergency affecting an election, the Commission shall as far as possible ensure that persons displaced as a result of emergency are not disenfranchised.”