JUST IN: UNILAG announces date for 2021-2022 post-UTME exercise

October 6, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The institution made this known in a statement, noting that only candidates who scored 200 and above are qualified.

The statement read, “UNILAG online registration for the Post-UTME Screening Exercise for Admission into ALL COURSES/PROGRAMMES for the 2021/2022 Academic Year will commence from Monday, 11th to Friday, 29th October, 2021.

“Candidates who made University of Lagos their first choice in the 2021/2022 UTME, and scored 200 and above, are eligible for screening. In addition, candidates must possess five (5) credit passes at one sitting in relevant O-Level subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Candidates who will not be sixteen (16) years of age by 31st October 2021 are not eligible and need not apply.

“Candidates who do not participate in the Post-UTME Screening will not be considered for admission.

“Former students of the University whose admissions were withdrawn on the basis of poor academic performance or absence status could re-apply on the condition that the new admission shall be for a new programme/course different from the former programme/course. Any student expelled from the University cannot be offered fresh admission.

Punch

NCC disqualifies Nigerians below 18 years from getting SIM

October 6, 2021Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

This is according to the draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website.

In the modified regulations, Nigeria Communications Commission(NCC) limited telecoms subscribers to only include anyone above the age of 18.

“‘Subscriber’ means a person not below the age of 18 years who subscribes to communications services by purchasing a subscription medium or entering into a subscription contract with a licensee.”

The Licensee refers to ‘a provider of communications services that utilises a subscription medium in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner Stakeholders’ Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, gave the opening remark at the event.

He said, “The public inquiry is an avenue that enables the commission develop and review its regulatory instruments by incorporating the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders.”

During the public inquiry, which was held physically and virtually, key stakeholders, including MTN, urged the commission to revise the age limit.

MTN asked the commission to make the age limit 14 years and above.

The NCC, however, insisted on 18 years and above for anyone who wants to own and register a SIM in Nigeria.

#Punch

FG approves stipends for education students in public tertiary institutions

October 5, 2021Posted in Education, National IssueLeave a comment

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, announced this, at the World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja.

Adamu, whose speech was read by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, said his ministry would collaborate with the state governments to ensure automatic employment for the students on graduation.

He said, “Undergraduate students of B.Ed / B.A. Ed/ BSc. Ed in Public institutions are to receive stipends of N75,000.00 per semester while NCE students will get N50,000.00 as stipends per semester.

“Federal Government should find the modality through which respective states’ governments could provide automatic employment for NCE graduates at Basic Education level.”

Ask Nigeria what you want, we are ready to help, Buhari tells South Sudan

October 5, 2021Posted in Foreign News, National IssueLeave a comment

Buhari said this in Addis Ababa during a bilateral meeting with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘We will always extend a helping hand to South Sudan, President Buhari says’.

The President who assured the full support of Nigeria to all efforts to bring long-term stability and prosperity to the continent said, ‘‘Nigeria will contribute its quota as much as possible to the development of South Sudan. Take us into confidence and ask us what we can do.”

Stressing the need for cooperation among developing countries, Buhari said with investments in education, improved economy, and healthcare, things will surely improve.

Punch

Buhari Presents 2022 Budget Thursday, Lays It at FEC Tomorrow

October 5, 2021Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

All things being equal, President Muhammadu Buhari, has been scheduled to present the 2022 budget proposal before the National Assembly this Thursday.

This, however, would be after he would have presented same to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) tomorrow, a source in the presidency told THISDAY last night.

According to the source, finishing touches were being put to the budget ahead of the Thursday presentation at the federal legislature.

According to a source declined to hint at the possible content of the budget as it were, the federal government had sometime in August this year, said the ministries of works and housing; finance, budget and national planning; and defence would get the highest capital allocations in the 2022 budget.

Thisday

JUST IN: Buhari attends Ethiopian PM inauguration Monday

October 2, 2021October 2, 2021Posted in National Issue, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The President, who will depart Abuja for the Ethiopian capital on Sunday, is scheduled to deliver a goodwill message at the inauguration ceremony, after which he will attend a state banquet in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, said in a Press statement.

President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

He is expected back in Abuja on Tuesday.

In his earlier congratulatory message to the Prime Minister, President Buhari had assured that Nigeria will continue to support the unity and territorial well-being of Ethiopia and all African States.

‘‘On behalf of the Nigerian people, I send you and the people of Ethiopia our well wishes for your courage and commitment to the democratic process and urge you to continue with the good policies of your government that endeared you to the people,’’ the President said in his congratulatory message to the Prime Minister.

Punch

I’m healthy, just undergoing therapy, Tinubu speaks out

October 2, 2021Posted in Health, National IssueLeave a comment

All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu said this while addressing members of the House of Representatives northern caucus that visited him in London.

Addressing the gathering, Tinubu who was dressed in kaftan and a red cap said, “Because of God and people like you, I am well. It is just the physio (physiotherapy) that is gruesome.”

Since his departure, Tinubu’s London home has become a Mecca of sorts as he has been visited by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

His prolonged stay abroad has, however, drawn criticism from a section of Nigerians who believe he ought to have stayed in the country to receive treatment.

Punch

JUST IN: OAU shuts down after students’ protest

October 1, 2021Posted in Education, National IssueLeave a comment

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, subsequently announced the immediate closure of the university and asked the students to vacate their hall of residence before 12 pm on Saturday.

The management also put on hold the swearing-in of the newly elected Students’ Union officials, pending review of the situation.

The statement read in parts, “However, management condemns in strong terms the continuous and uncontrolled protests by the students culminating in unbridled brigandage, blocking the Ife/Ibadan and Ife/Ede highways and other adjoining roads that could be used as alternative routes, and engaging in other acts that are detrimental to their health and the safety of the generality of the people.

“Therefore, having exhausted all necessary avenues to call the students to order and allow normalcy to return to the campus and its environs, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, have accordingly closed down the school until further notice. This is to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“In view of this, all students are hereby directed to vacate their halls of residence and the campus latest by 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Consequently, the swearing-in of the newly elected Students’ Union officials has been put on hold, pending a review of the situation. In the meantime, the University management has put in place the machinery to unravel the circumstances surrounding the immediate and remote cause(s) of the crisis.”

Punch

UPDATE: Guinea coup leader Doumbouya sworn in as interim president

October 1, 2021Posted in Foreign NewsLeave a comment

Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who led the overthrow of president Alpha Conde on September 5, was sworn in by Supreme Court head Mamadou Sylla for a transition period of unspecified length.

The new interim president spoke of his “commitment” that neither he nor any member of the junta would stand in any future elections that the military has promised to organise after the transition period.

His administration’s mission, he said, is to “refound the state” by drafting a new constitution, fighting corruption, reforming the electoral system and then organising “free, credible and transparent” elections.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Supreme Court with local personalities and foreign envoys in attendance, including the Chinese and Russian ambassadors, as well as Doumbouya’s wife and mother.

Doumbouya once again said nothing about how long he will remain the interim leader of the impoverished West African nation.

But the new president promised to “respect all the national and international commitments to which the country has subscribed.”

AFP/Punch

JUST IN: VIPs, National Assembly member funding Igboho, Kanu, says Buhari

October 1, 2021Posted in National Issue, SecurityLeave a comment

Buhari disclosed this in his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to mark the nation’s 61st independence.

He said while his regime would continue to work on dialogue-based solutions to address legitimate grievances, it would take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors.

He said, “Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.

“We shall continue to work on dialogue-based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.

“The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly.

“This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youths to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.

“As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.”

He added, “As government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.

Punch