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Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has decorated newly promoted senior officers at Force Headquarters, Abuja with a disclosure that failure by organizations in recognizing potentials of its personnel and rewarding them with promotions as eligible stands the risks of demotivating such officers to become less dedicated

The IGP made this known just as he noted that a total of 41, 863 officers and men have been promoted to their deserving next ranks across various cadres since January 2019 when he took office.

Emphasizing that promotions were guided by the principles of seniority and merit, which is reflective of their record of discipline and invaluable experience, IGP Adamu said the capacity of the human assets of any organization; particularly at strategic management level is fundamental to the attainment of the goals and mandates of such institution.

“No organization can advance beyond the competence and dedication of its strategic leaders, and neither can any organizational goals and plans be attained without a crop of highly committed personnel to drive the implementation process” he said.

“This position is even more critical for a law enforcement agency that is as strategic to internal security as the Nigeria Police Force. This is because the rapidly changing dynamic of crime and the attendant increasing threat to security requires quality police managers that have the requisite professional knowledge, experience and competency to effectively provide leadership directed at managing such internal security realities” he added.

Furthermore, he said, “It is in cognizance of this that I have since my appointment as Inspector General of Police, been collaborating effectively with the Police Service Commission in ensuring that appropriate processes are placed to identify and promptly elevate deserving officers with unblemished service records for promotion”.

He charged the promoted officers to support the Nigeria Police in the attainment of its mandate, be civil to the citizens and be guided by the need to respect extant laws.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha who was guest of honour commended the IGP for the innovative and revolutionary style he has introduced since his appointment.

Mustapha said the IGP, as head of the lead agency for internal security has improved the coordination and synergy between security agencies so people would enjoy the safety they deserve as citizens.

While advising the newly promoted officers that the country is in difficult times and needs complete commitment, cooperation, new vigor and resilience, the SGF said, “We are dealing with multifaceted challenges that have permeated their entire fabric of the society. What is demanded of you is that you must step up your actions because crime is dynamic”.

He gave the assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari will always be there for the Police because he knows the entire responsibility as the lead agency for internal security is at their doorstep.

The SGF said the President also demands for complete open and committed engagement with the civilian population even as he expressed satisfaction with the progress on community policing saying it is the duty of every individual to be a watchdog to the community.

The Officers decorated include: DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, who until his promotion to the enviable rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, was a directing staff at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS).

He has been deployed as the DIG in charge of the Department of Research and Planning.

Also, in line with geo-political balancing considerations, he doubles as the DIG in-charge of the South-West geo-political zone of the country, a void created by the recent retirement of DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo.

Others decorated are: AIG Amba A.A Asuquo, AIG Nkereuwem A. Akpan, AIG Olafimihan Adeniran Adeoye, AIG Aishatu Abubakar, PhD, CP Jonathan Towuru, CP Sikiru Kayode Akande, DCP Johnson Oluwole Adenola and DCP Grema Jibir Isa.

It would be recalled that the Police Service Commission recently approved the promotion of 6,618 senior Police Officers. They included four Commissioners of Police including one specialist, were promoted to the rank of AIG.

Vanguard

Minister for Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has told the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, that before he took office, the commission had over 300 bank accounts.

The Minister made the disclosure, which he was fielding questions before the Committee investigating corruption allegations at the Commission.

When asked about his fracas with Nunieh , the minister said , “The former Managing Director of the NDDC was relieved of her appointment when I received a letter from the then Chief of Staff ( may his soul rest in peace ) that she did not possess the requisite qualifications to be there.

“ For instance , we have written twice to the National Youth Service Corps and twice they have insisted that she never served and that she does not have an NYSC certificate or an exception . ”

Akpabio added that among other reasons, Nunieh was sacked due to insubordination .

Punch/Vanguard

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,JAMB,has drawn guidelines to the heads of the nation’s higher institutions on the 2020 admission.

This came as it directed institutions to begin admissions for candidates for first and second choices on August 21,2020.

“The 1st and 2nd Choices Admission-Exercise be conducted for all institutions from 21st August 2020 to a later date that would be determined by the Federal Ministry of Education and communicated to all the institutions,” it said, adding: “The uncertainties of the Covid-19 make it impossible to fix a terminal date.”

In the guidelines dated July 9,2020 to the vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, respectively, JAMB, warned against flouting decisions of its 2020 policy meeting, held on Tuesday, June 16,2020,insisting that all admissions must be carried out in honest and transparent manners.

The board,in the guidelines signed and released by its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that “the guidelines for 2020 Admission Exercise, which are expected to guide all the participants in admission process.”

“The guidelines explain the nitty-gritty of the processes of admission of candidates into the Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.

“All heads of institutions and admission officers are advised to carefully study and understand the content of the document with a view to implementing it fully for a seamless and transparent admission exercise,” it said.

“The decisions as well as the policy directives as contained in the address of the Honourable Minister of Education at the Policy Meeting shall serve as the guidelines for the 2020 Admissions Exercise.

“All Heads of Tertiary Institutions are to ensure total compliance with the guidelines.

” Sanctions shall be applied to institutions that violate the decisions,”it warned.

JAMB which insisted that:”The Admission-Exercise for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would be conducted on Central Admission Processing System (CAPS)”,tasked the three higher institutions’ regulatory bodies-The National Universities Commission, NUC;the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE to collaborate with it to ensure full compliance” of the guidelines.

The board said it has stopped illegal or irregular admission in any form,saying all admissions must pass through it.

It said:”All applications for admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education into Full Time, Distance Learning, Part Time, Outreach, Sandwich, etc, must be processed ONLY through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

“Institutions which are still involved in advertising or selling application forms for admissions into the programmes should stop henceforth.

“Institutions should advise candidates to apply to them through Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Duplication of application forms is NOT allowed.

“Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the three Regulatory Agencies (National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE)) will ensure that all Tertiary Institutions comply with this policy directive.”

“The duration of all Non-Full Time Studies must be maintained as approved by the Regulatory Agencies. This is generally not less than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the equivalence of Full Time.”

On advertorials, JAMB said:”Institutions that desire to place advertisement can do so by advising candidates who applied for the current UTME to change to their institution as First (1st) Choice rather than requesting the candidates to purchase another application form or apply”,adding:” This is to prevent the issue of double registration which is a violation of the JAMB mandate.”

It explained that the mode of,” The Admission-Exercise for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would be conducted on Central Admission Processing System (CAPS)”,adding that:” No Institution is allowed to publish,
announce, exhibit or paste any name(s) of admitted candidate without prior approval of the name on CAPS.”

Insisting that the exercise would only be fully conducted on CAPS,JAMB explained that the,”The principal participants are the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as
Chairman;Heads of Tertiary Institutions; Director of Admissions (JAMB) Admission Officers of Tertiary Institutions;JAMB Desk Officers; and Candidates.”

Among the procedures for admission,according to
JAMB,include:”Recommendations and Approval Institutions are to recommend candidates for admission after having presented to the Board the following information through CAPS:The approved general quota for each institution and the distribution to the various programmes;Minimum UTME score for each programme;Minimum DE qualification grades for Direct Entry Candidates;Components of Cut-off marks and the allotted score for each component;the cut-off date for the 1st and 2nd Choice admissions after which no result upload nor change of Institution as 1st Choice would be allowed; supplementary admission can be allowed but fresh candidates cannot have right to being on merit list but through other criteria to fill existing vacancies; and other admissions criteria (if any).”

JAMB said:”No institution will be allowed to recommend or admit any candidate whose UTME score is below the following threshold:Degree — 160;ND — 120;NCE — 100;NID — 100.”

” Institutions cannot reduce their submitted minimum UTME score on the basis of National minimum score in (H2) above. Only institutions with minimum UTME score lower than the National minimum UTME score are obliged to upgrade to meet or surpass the National Minimum score.

” In the same vein, no institution can graduate a candidate who has not been a full time student of that institution for at least 2 consecutive years.

“Affiliated institutions are to adopt the same minimum UTME scores as the mother institutions,” it added.

Vanguard

The Nigerian Air Force has revealed the identity of the killer of the late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile .

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information , Ibikunle Daramola , made this known at a just – ended briefing in Abuja .

Daramola gave the name of Arotile ’ s ex – classmate who drove the vehicle that hit Nigeria ’ s first female combat helicopter pilot as “ Mr Nehemiah Adejoh ”.

The NAF spokesperson also said the matter would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force being a civil case .

He said the details of the 24 – year- old pilot have been communicated to her family who is still mourning their daughter and sister .

Giving a report of a preliminary investigation carried out , the NAF spokesperson said the late Arotile met three of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School now Air Force Comprehensive School ) Kaduna on the day of the unfortunate incident .

He said , “ Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun , drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA . It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh , Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna , but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu , wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu , who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base .

“ Upon recognising their schoolmate , Arotile , after passing her , Mr Adejoh , who was driving , reversed the vehicle , ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased , who was walking in the opposite direction . In the process , the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement . The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement , causing her further injuries. ”

Daramola said Arotile was rushed to NAF hospital in the base but was confirmed dead at 04 : 45 pm.

He explained that the three ex -classmates were immediately detained and subjected to alcohol test but no such substance was found in their systems.

“ It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle , Mr Nehemiah Adejo , did not have a valid driver ’ s license .

“ Being a civil case , the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws, ” he added .

Punch

Minister of Foreign Affairs , Geoffrey Onyeama , has contracted COVID- 19 , according to reports .

The minister , who made this known via his verified Twitter handle , said his fourth Covid – 19 test returned positive on Saturday.

Narrating the experience , Onyeama said he had felt slight itching in his throat and had had his samples collected for Covid – 19 test .

He noted that he was headed to an isolation centre for treatment while he hopes for quick recovery.

He wrote , “( I ) did my fourth Covid – 19 test yesterday at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive. That is life ! (You ) win some, lose some. ( I ’ m ) heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best . ”

As a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 , Onyeama is one of those driving the fight against the pandemic , especially regarding the repatriation of stranded citizens abroad .

Punch

The Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo’s northwest is growing, according to health officials, sounding the alarm weeks after the country officially declared an end to a separate Ebola epidemic which claimed over 2,000 lives.

There have been 54 confirmed cases since June 1 in Mbandaka, a transport hub in Equateur province, including 22 deaths, according to figures released by the country’s health ministry on Friday.

There were four additional suspected cases.

The outbreak is DR Congo’s 11th since Ebola was identified in 1976.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said it supported the decision of the Federal Government to stop Senior Secondary School 3 pupils from partaking in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination earlier scheduled to commence on August 4 .

The union advised the government to shut down schools until 2021 to ensure adequate preparations , citing the case in some countries such as Kenya.

News correspondents had reported that the Federal Ministry of Education met with officials of the West African Examination Council in Abuja and resolved to announce a new date for the examination.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, had also said the government would consult with the four other countries under WAEC to set a new date , while announcing COVID- 19 mandatory guidelines for schools which must be kept before July 29 .

The ASUU President , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi , who made the recommendations in an interview with newsmen , said no reasonable government would take such chances unless parents would be told to sign an undertaking .

Ogunyemi said , “ Look , Kenya has said they have closed all their schools till next year ( 2021 ); they too have exams to write. Safety first . If it means closing the schools until next year to safeguard the lives of Nigerian children and safeguard the health of all Nigerians , so be it.

“ So , if that will help us to address cases that can lead to increase in mortality, I think Nigerians should go that way and all of us should see reason for it. If they need to cancel admission for the year , it is good for them. Life matters first , people must have life first before they can go to university. Are the universities ready to work now?

“ Our position is that they should not experiment with the lives of our children . Nobody can tell ; the situation may soon normalise and they can do their exams and there is another opportunity for external candidates around November . So , it’ s not as if the door is totally closed . “

The ASUU president added that the union had not seen any evidence to show that schools were secured for students to go back .

He said , “ The first thing that should be tackled is whether schools are safe . And if the schools are not safe , why do you want to carry out an experiment with the lives of our children ? An attempt to send back the children to school at a time there is a spike in COVID – 19 cases in Nigeria is like experimenting with the lives of our children .

“ If they put all the things in place, including social and physical distancing , sanitisers , kitting the children as we see in other places , decontamination with water flowing in the schools and all the gadgets, why not ? So , if government can meet all these conditions, then they can reopen the schools . But if they cannot meet all these conditions , they should not experiment with even 10 students in any school . ”

Punch

The organised labour in Ekiti State has issued a 14 – day ultimatum effective from Monday , July 20 to the state government within which to meet its demands on workers ’ welfare issues or risk strike action .

The organised labour , comprising Nigeria Labour Congress ; Trade Union Congress ; and Joint Negotiating Council , rising from their meeting in Ado Ekiti , accused the Dr Kayode Fayemi administration of turning blind eyes to workers ’ welfare.

Labour stated its position in a letter to the governor entitled, “ 14 days ultimatum to implement matters affecting workers ’ welfare in Ekiti State to avoid three days warning strike ” signed by the chairmen of NLC , Kolapo Olatunde ; TUC, Sola Adigun ; and JNC , Kayode Fatomiluyi ; and secretaries of JNC , Gbenga Olowoyo; TUC, Kuloogun Lawrence ; and NLC Taiwo Akinyemi .

According to the statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti , the organised labour , which reached the decision at its meeting on July 16 , said it “felt dazed and betrayed by the state government for not acceding to any of workers ’ demand since the beginning of the lifespan of the present administration which is now close to two years . This is painful . ”

While calling on the state government to implement all the listed items within 14 days effective from Monday , July 20 , labour stated that if the government fails to meet its demands, “ workers shall embark on three days warning strike commencing in the midnight of Monday 3 rd August 2020 without fail ” .

The items , according to the statement included “non – implementation of financial benefits arising from the letters of promotion given to all deserving workers from years 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 and 2019 and advancement and government ’ s decision to petition the outstanding promotions for the years 2015 , 2016 and 2017 and contemplating the implementation of 2018 and 2019 only .

“ Non – payment of Leave Bonus for the years 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 and 2020 to all deserving workers in the state ; non – payment of special hazard allowance for health workers ; and non – payment of deductions such as cooperative societies deductions , bank loan repayment , union check – off dues among other deductions in recent time by the present state government under the guise of the introduction of net salary payment ” .

They also sought “ with immediate effect , payment of three months gross salary arrears and five months deductions for state workers and secondary school teachers ; six months gross salaries and six months deductions for local government workers and primary school teachers ” .

The workers also rejected “ the speculated percentage salary payment to workers ” and as well “ failure to inject more funds into Car and Housing loans to enable the fund to reach out to a higher number of applicants that are yet to be attended to ”.

The organised labour also resolved to support any popular decision taken by the pensioners on their pensions and gratuities and as well called on the state government to , “with immediate effect , allow final agreement to be signed for implementation” of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment .

Punch

Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital , Sagamu, Ogun State who are working at the Covid – 19 treatment and isolation centre in the state have joined their colleagues in the ongoing industrial action .

The doctors reportedly left the isolation centre following the directive by the Association of Resident Doctors, OOUTH, Sagamu directing them to leave their duty posts at the isolation centre and joined the indefinite strike .

The association confirmed the development , in a statement jointly signed by its president , Dr Popoola Mutiu and the secretary, Dr Osundara Tope .

The ARD which comprises Resident Doctors, Medical Officers and House Officers under the national body of NARD had begun an indefinite strike since July 1 , but exempted its members at the isolation centre from the strike .

However , the association in the statement said it changed its decision and asked the members to leave the isolation centre in protest against the alleged maltreatment of its members by the government .

The statement partly read , “ Since the government has chosen to simply rub the issues without any form of real commitment , our members working at the COVID – 19 Isolation Centre will henceforth join the Industrial action .

“ We expect the government not to dethrone reasoning or shirk from responsibility expected of a considerate , sincere and truthful government . We call on Ogun State government not to leave us up a creek without a paddle .

“ Our service to the people should not be abridged by the ineptitude of the government . We work for the common good and sound health of the people of Ogun State .

“ Insouciance on the part of government shows gaucherie and a faux pas which does not befit the principle of justice, equity and transparency expected of Ogun State Government. ”

Punch

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has told the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu that the police have no hand in his detention.

Magu is currently being interrogated by a presidential investigation committee headed by Justice Ayo Salami following corruption allegation against him from the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Magu has been detained for about 10 days at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID.

Following the detention, the former anti-graft boss’ lawyer Tosin Ojoamo, had written to the IGP requesting for his bail.

But in a response to the request, the police boss denied a hand in Magu’s detention, attributing it to the presidential panel.

In a letter addressed to the lawyer with reference number: CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.489/171, dated 14th July 2020 and cited by newsmen, IGP Adamu explained that Magu was not being detained by the police but by the panel investigating the activities of the EFCC.

The IGP response read in part: “Your letter 00C/TOL/89A/07/2020 of 10th July 2020 on the above-underlined subject refers.

“The Inspector-General of Police directs that your attention be drawn to the fact that the Nigeria Police Force is not investigating C.P. Ibrahim Magu (your client) and he is not accordingly, not being detained by the police but by the presidential panel that is investigating the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, advises that you consider re-directing your request to the Chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention.

“I am to convey the assurances of the warmest regards of the Inspector of Police, please.”

The IGP letter was signed by DCP Owohunwa, Principal Staff Officer for the Inspector General of Police.

Meanwhile, Magu arrived at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with his lawyer for the ongoing investigation.

Vanguard