TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023

  • JAMB closes 2023 UTME registration

    JAMB closes 2023 UTME registration

    The registration for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) has ended after a one-week extension announced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    The Head, Public Affairs and Protocol of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the board had granted the extension to accommodate candidates who could not register for the 2023 UTME within the allowable window of Jan. 14 to Feb. 14, due to recent developments in the country.

    Benjamin said that at the close of the registration, about 1.6 million candidates had successfully registered for the 2023 UTME.

    ”This number does not include the Direct Entry component of the exercise which had started on Monday, 20th February 2023 before it was put on hold on Tuesday, 21st February 2023.

    ”The board registrar’s monitoring team which has gone round the country, was in Nasarawa and Delta states on the final day of the exercise to oversee its conclusion.

    ”In Asaba, Delta State, the team visited Trinity Innovation Hub CBT Centre; Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku CBT Centre 1 and 2; Delta State Library CBT and others.

    ”It was however, remarkable that none of these centres have any candidates waiting to be registered, indicating that almost all candidates who desires to register for the exercise have done so,” he said.

    Benjamin further said that same situation was replicated in many centres in Nasarawa State as few candidates were seen at all the centres a day to the closing date and these were cleared before the close of work.

    According to him, from every indication, this year’s exercise is shaping up to be the smoothest the board has ever had.

    ”However, based on reports received from the various monitoring teams across the country, the board will review its SIM number swap policy.

    ”This is because, it will now require the Telcos to confirm that the old SIM being put forward for swapping previously belonged to the applicant but had been issued to another person,” he said.

    The JAMB spokesperson added that this would therefore, preclude the possibility of a `SIM welcome back’ before such swapping would be approved.

  • Keyamo reveals who directed Osinbajo to stay off Tinubu’s presidential campaigns

    Keyamo reveals who directed Osinbajo to stay off Tinubu’s presidential campaigns

    The spokesman of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, Festus Keyamo has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari directed VP Yemi Osinabjo to stay off the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaigns.

    APC flagbearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday drew the curtain on his campaign rally in Lagos State, with Osinbajo not attending any of them.

    According to reports, Osinbajo had endured a frosty relationship with Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries in 2022 after contesting against his political godfather.

    Many said Osinbajo should have backed Tinubu during the party primaries having served as the Attorney General of Lagos State while Tinubu was governor.

    Speaking on Osinbajo’s absence in all of Tinubu’s presidential campaigns across the nation, Keyamo said the Vice President’s absence was due to Buhari’s directive.

    Speaking with DAILY POST, Keyamo recalled issuing a statement where Buhari directed Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, to stay off APC presidential campaigns.

    According to Keyamo: “There was an official statement where the president directed Osinbajo and Boss Mustapha to stay off the campaign and work while he campaigned for APC.

    “We issued a statement to this effect last year.”

  • Nigerian army releases hotlines to public ahead of election

    Nigerian army releases hotlines to public ahead of election

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has approved a list of Hotlines to report any suspicious act of violence by unscrupulous persons during the forthcoming general election.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the hotlines were to afford members of the public, the opportunity to support the efforts of security agencies in ensuring peaceful elections across the country.

    He said the hotlines were also released to report the conduct of troops deployed to provide security during the election.

    This, according to him, is part of Nigerian army’s move to support the police, which is the lead security agency, to ensure  successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

    Recalled that the Nigerian army had earlier produced and circulated Codes of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Operation Safe Conduct to its formations and Units.

    The manual is to provide guidance and ensure that troops operate within the provisions of the law.

    “Members of the general public are please enjoined to call the phone numbers below in their various states including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections:

    ABIA STATE 08031113129

    ADAMAWA STATE 08022750987

    AKWA-IBOM STATE 07034470916

    ANAMBRA STATE 07035891185

    BAUCHI STATE 08128063675

    BAYELSA STATE 08033241005

    BENUE STATE 08080754339

    BORNO STATE 09099616160, 08086987079

    CROSS RIVER STATE 08037084192

    DELTA STATE 07035070797

    EBONYI STATE  08158274048

    EDO STATE  09066325953

    EKITI STATE  08037851448

    ENUGU STATE 09032102212, 08023097458

    GOMBE STATE  07063908779, 08082557782

    IMO STATE  07034907427

    JIGAWA STATE  07017791414, 08100144363

    KADUNA STATE 07031544227, 08028580978, 08035242633

    KANO STATE  08038432656

    KATSINA STATE 08108854061, 09012998054

    KEBBI STATE  09130213661

    KOGI STATE  08033217964

    KWARA STATE  09060001270

    LAGOS STATE 08034025825, 08023190487, 09024409000 08033709434

    NASSARAWA STATE 09051009404

    NIGER STATE  07031346425

    OGUN STATE  09116589494

    ONDO STATE  08036130535

    OSUN STATE  09019683922

    OYO STATE  07047703000

    PLATEAU STATE  08037116395, 07031260622

    RIVERS STATE  08064274222

    SOKOTO STATE  07069084570, 07052693532, 08136913284

    TARABA STATE  08136728969, 08060902363

    YOBE STATE  08061397656

    ZAMFARA STATE  08140075541

    FCT  09114913164, 08186690471, 08079153860, 08034276240, 08164304255, 09159793968.

  • NiMet predicts more chances of flight delays, cancellations

    NiMet predicts more chances of flight delays, cancellations

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted increased chances of flight delays and cancellations due to the attendant poor horizontal visibility.

    This is contained in a 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released by the agency.

    According to NiMet, there will be more disruptions to flight operations because of more convective activities (wind shear, microburst and poor visibility due to heavy rain).

    “The projected rainfall pattern in 2023 implies that there would be frequent heavy rains during the long rainy season. The convective rains accompanied by strong winds will lead to more cases of flight disruption.

    “The projected high temperatures will increase the prospects of wind shear and air turbulence.

    “The prospects of increased mid latitude wave activity will also increase the spate of raised dust and dust conditions which can increase chances of flight delays and cancellations due to the attendant poor horizontal visibility.”

    According to NiMet, air transport is known to be the safest, fastest and most preferred means of transport over both short and long distances.

    The agency said the air transport safety and speed, however, being affected by weather.

    It advised airline operators to adhere strictly to safety guidelines for flight operations in poor weather conditions.

    “Pilots are strongly advised to ensure they go for preflight briefing at NiMet’s forecast offices and flight briefing rooms at the airports across the nation.

    “Flight operators should put safety of their passengers ahead of profit maximisation. Continuous monitoring and clearing the runway of runoffs and other debris.

    “Provision of remote sensing equipment to ensure the provision of early warning and real time observation of the weather,” it stated.

  • Shutting down all Nigeria Varsities over elections illegal, inappropriate – Afe Babalola

    Shutting down all Nigeria Varsities over elections illegal, inappropriate – Afe Babalola

    Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has condemned the closure of all universities in Nigeria by the Federal Government over the general elections.

    Babalola made the remarks on Monday in Ado-Ekiti at the 5th Induction of 123 medical doctors, who just graduated from ABUAD.

    The former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, said the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu’s directive, through the Executive Secretary, of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, was not only illegal, but also needless and most inappropriate.

    He noted that the education Minister had no statutory power to direct the NUC to close down the nation’s universities, especially without consultations with stakeholders.

    Babalola said the forceful closure of the Nigeria’s universities by the Minister and the NUC, had done incalculable damage to students of Nigerian universities.

    “Under the NUC Act of 1974 and the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985, the Minister has no statutory power to issue a directive to NUC to close down universities. I refer in particular to section 4(2) of the 1974 (NUC) Act”.

    “The problems have been worsened by scarcity of money by banks and automated teller machines, ATM, all of which ordinarily make transportation back home, more dangerous than ever before.

    “If you want to destroy a nation, you don’t need bayonets, bombs or nuclear warheads. All you need is to destroy the education of the nation.

    “The illegal closure has adversely affected the curriculum, particularly in respect of private universities which are reputed for their predictable academic calendar and absence of strike actions,” Babalola said.

    According to him, Nigeria has criminal code, while other legislations have provisions which the government and law enforcement agents can evoke to deal with any person, whatever his class, as against, deliberately putting security of staff, students and properties of respective institutions in jeopardy.

    On new Constitution, Babalola pointed out that the problem that is causing apprehension among the transactional politicians is the 1999 Constitution.

    “It is this constitution that has made politics the only lucrative business in Nigeria today. This is responsible for the orgy of “do or die” politics,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier on the occasion, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, Dr. T.A.B. Sanusi,  inducted the 123 medical doctors of the institution into the medical profession.

    The induction ceremony is for the 2022 graduating set and the 5th Induction ceremony of the MBBS programme of the institution.

    In her speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, said this year’s induction was particularly significant, as 100 percent pass was recorded for the new brand medical doctors.

    She noted that 22 of the doctors had distinctions at various levels of the professional examinations.

    “I must sincerely commend Miss Ginika Stephanie Okafor, for her outstanding performance with eight distinctions, out of the available 11, and Miss Ikuabe Mary-Ann with seven distinctions.

    “Others were Izunobi Somtochukwu, Modilum Kenechukwu and Okafor Chinaza led their male counterpart with four and two distinctions respectively”.

    The VC charged the new doctors to constantly remember that they were ambassadors of the institution, and always uphold the code of conduct of the medical and dental council of Nigeria.

    Prof. Olarinde noted that medicine and surgery in the institution, were the most subscribed medical school in the entire country, that it could hardly admit 10 per cent of the applicants who wanted to study medicine in ABUAD annually.

    In the Induction lecture, Prof. A.B.O Omotosho, a Consultant Cardiologist, urged the new doctors to enhance the dignity and nobility of the medical profession.

    Omotosho urged the new doctors to be guided by the principles of conscious medical practice

  • APC is a big house, where small squabbles are possible, says Umahi

    APC is a big house, where small squabbles are possible, says Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a big house where small squabbles cannot be completely ruled out.

    Umahi made the remark on Monday during an interactive session with newsmen, while inspecting the ongoing work at the Ebonyi International Airport, Onueke.

    Umahi said he was not worried over any squabbles in the party, adding that APC was still poised to win overwhelmingly in the upcoming elections.

    He said: “In every big house, there are vessels of honour and dishonour and all of them work to the glory of God.

    “When there are no small squabbles, how do we tell the stories of our triumph.

    “God has set His table before those who want to destroy us so that
    His glory will be magnified.

    “I watched the APC rally in Borno and has never seen such a crowd.”

    The governor said that if it was God’s will, Sen. Bola Tinubu will be Nigeria’s next president.

    “I don’t know what God wants to do with him but he is set to answer the prayers of his people.

    “God is set to descend in His majesty on Nigeria because enough is enough,” he said.

    Umahi advised Nigerians not be deceived by the Muslim/Muslim ticket because God is for Christians and Muslims.

    “We have a Christian/Christian ticket in Ebonyi and in other places you have Muslim/Christian, Christian/Muslim tickets among others.

    “It is not the ticket that matters but the performance.

    “The contention on the same-faith ticket was just a way to deceive the people,” he said.

  • ADC disowns alleged endorsement of other parties, candidates for 2023

    ADC disowns alleged endorsement of other parties, candidates for 2023

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday, dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of other political parties and their candidates for 2023 by a faction of the party.

    This is contained in a statement by Sen. Patricia Akwashiki, the ADC Board of Trustees Chairman in Abuja.

    Akwashiki described the alleged endorsements as fraudulent, void and of no effect, since they were being carried by a faction of the party not known to law for pecuniary gains.

    She blamed a faction of the party, led by its immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu for the anti-party activity.

    According to her, Nwosu’s faction has allegedly divided itself into three groups which are now illegally engaged in endorsing parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) for 2023 general elections all in a bid to make quick money.

    Akwashiki warned those involved in the act to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

    She insisted that its Presidential Candidate for 2023, Dumebi Kachikwu, had “long warned about criminals in ADC who sell the party to the bigger parties.

    “They have divided themselves into three groups and collected money from APC, PDP and Labour. One party, three endorsements within the space of four days. Shameful.”

    Akwashiki said that those who did the endorsements were “impostors”and “impersonators” who were no longer members of the party and therefore has nothing to do with the authentic ADC recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “We are appalled that renegades who are no longer known to the ADC can constitute themselves into a criminal gang to perpetuate illegalities all in the name of making quick money.

    “This condemnable action will not stop our party or its presidential candidate from running the race to the very end.

    “We are determined to ensure that the bright chances of all ADC candidates in the forthcoming general elections are not sold or
    mortgaged as was the practice in the past.

    “The arm of the law will soon catch up with all those responsible for these criminal and shameful activities.”

  • 2023: Kano PDP faction joins NNPP

    2023: Kano PDP faction joins NNPP

    A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has dumped the party for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    This is contained in a statement by Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, Spokesman of the NNPP Campaign Council, on Sunday in Kano.

    The statement said the decampees were received into the fold of the NNPP by its National Chairman,  Prof. Rufa’i Alkali, and the party’s presidential candidate running mate, Isaac Idahosa, at a ceremony held in Kano.

    It quoted the PDP factional leader, Shehu Sagagi as saying that they dumped the party due to lack of internal democracy and nepotism by its national leadership.

    Sagagi said that he defected alongside 36 state executive members, over 700 local government executives, 8,000 ward executives, 44 national delegates and 1,452 ward delegates.

    “Politics is a game of numbers, we are optimistic that the NNPP Presidential Candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will take us to victory at both national and state level.

    “The PDP sabotaged itself in states like Kano by allowing the likes of Sen. Kwankwaso to defect in spite of his massive followership not only in the state but the nation at large.

    “To us this is a home coming, we are real politicians and we have joined a political party that plays real politics.

    “I am happy to rejoin Sen. Kwankwaso once again a year after our departure,” Sagagi was quoted as saying in the statement.

    The statement also quoted Alkali as congratulating the decampees for the wise decision to join the NNPP.

    It further quoted Idahosa as saying that the NNPP with its massive support and historic defection would emerged victorious at the polls.

  • Stop joke about interim government, election will hold – Presidency

    Stop joke about interim government, election will hold – Presidency

    Presidency says there is no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or the truncation of democracy, saying elections will hold as scheduled.

    A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman on Friday in Abuja, said the president would never be a party to the truncation of democracy that he had helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa but throughout the continent.

    According to him, talk of interim government and truncation of democracy is way off the mark and those peddling it stand to gain nothing- ”nothing at all -but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the federal government.”

    The statement read in part: ”Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda Chief of Adolf Hitler said ‘‘Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth’’. This was in the 1930s, before the internet was birthed.

    ”Let us clearly, specifically and emphatically state that there is absolutely no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy- democracy that he has helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa but throughout the continent.

    ”The talk of interim government and truncation of democracy is way off the mark. Those who peddle it stand to gain nothing- nothing at all -but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the federal government.

    ”It is another dangerous dimension by people who are afraid that they may lose their elections.

    ”Everybody is aware that there is a lot of pressure on everyone-all of us- the party, its elected officials, its candidates and law enforcement agencies following the way the currency swap has gone but the way to go is not to panic.”

    The presidential aide acknowledged that the country was facing socio-economic challenges occasioned by the ongoing currency swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    He, however, maintained that the solution to the problem was not sending the citizens into confusion as the president had since opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country.

    ”There is indeed a problem and nobody will pretend that it doesn’t exist.

    ”It is precisely because the President is concerned with this problem that he opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups across the country, culminating in his broadcast to the nation on Thursday morning.

    ”In line with the speech, his clear and unequivocal directive is that the problem of cash supply must be addressed without delay.

    ”While this is being done, there is no need to panic. We need to work together as leaders; as a people and as one nation. When panic hits, people go into overdrive. Shouting helps no one because no one can listen.

    ”The solution to the problem is not in sending Nigerians into confusion.”

    He said elections, just a week ahead, would hold and Nigerians will vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and any others if they so wish, on the basis of their choice.

    According to him, people want progress, good governance, law and order and will not be swayed by the negative energy that is being expended against a well-meaning currency change.

    Shehu also dismissed the assertion in some quarters that the CBN currency swap policy was targeted at the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

    He said: ”Finally, to state that: the President clearly has a favoured successor in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not in doubt.

    ”The fact that Tinubu has been opposed to the speed and timing of the Naira swap timetable does not mean he is against the idea of Nigeria becoming a cashless society.

    ”Of course, Tinubu does support a cashless society: for he is a man of the future.

    ”What should be made crystal clear to the doubters and the speculators and the untruth-tellers is that in no way was the naira swap “engineered” to keep the President in office beyond May 29. Nothing could be further from the truth.

    ”The President looks forward to handing over the reins of power to his elected successor. This will happen on May 29 as the Constitution requires it.

    ”The days of unelected Nigerian leaders, and those who outstay their welcome by unconstitutionally extending it, have gone.”

  • Tinubu never asked governors to disregard Buhari – APC

    Tinubu never asked governors to disregard Buhari – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as fake, a media report that Sen. Bola Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate asked party governors to disregard President Muhammadu Buhari’s orders on the new naira note re-design.

    Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) gave the clarification in a statement he issued on Friday in Abuja.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the fake viral news, claiming that Tinubu has asked APC governors to ignore President Buhari’s broadcast and enforce the Supreme Court ruling on the re-circulation of old naira notes.

    “The publication by the Peoples Gazette is fake; Tnubu never issued such an order.

    “Mr. Dele Alake, the APC-PCC Adviser on Media and Communications never issued such advisory on behalf of Tinubu,’’ Onanuga stated.

    He added that the message quoted by the platform was being randomly shared on WhatsApp, stressing that Alake was not the author.

    He stated also that since the naira note re-design crisis started, Tinubu had been calling for calm as the authorities tried to find out a solution to the crisis.

    “He has offered a six-point suggestion to lessen the anguish our people are facing in trying to get money from the banks.

    “He has also held several meetings with President Buhari, his leader over the matter.

    “It is thus inconceivable and unthinkable that he would instruct APC governors to disregard President Buhari’s order on the currency matter.

    “Governors who have so far declared this line of action said clearly that they were acting on the ruling of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land,’’ Onanuga stressed.

    According to the Director Media and Publicity, APC-PCC, Tinubu has no influence in the decision.

    He added that journalists, unless acting on the dictates of political opponents or prosecuting some agenda, should endeavour to confirm authorship of their materials from the APC-PCC Media and Publicity Directorate.

    Onanuga stated also that journalists could also seek confirmation from the Tinubu Media Office or Mr. Alake before going to press.

    “The Gazette should recant the story with immediate effect,’’ Onanuga advised.