40 Reps, 5 Senators parade O’ Level certificate.

40 Reps, 5 Senators parade O’ Level certificate.

28 members in APC, 21 in PDP

 North-West, North-Central, North-East in the Lead

It’s a matter of serious concern - Rafsanjani, others
 We’re still a vibrant assembly - Namdas

A total of 45 federal lawmakers who got elected into the Nigerian parliament during the 2015 general elections to represent their various constituencies across the country were inaugurated into both chambers of the National Assembly with either Secondary School Certificates or Grade-II Teachers’ Certificates as their highest educational qualification, investigations by Daily Trust on Sunday has revealed.

Details of this, which was obtained after a scrutiny of the list of elected National Assembly members in the 2015 general elections as contained on the official website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has left analysts expressing fears over the impact of such on the quality of legislation, especially in view of the fact that most of them are first timers with little or no experience as it relates to debates, initiation of bills and motions.

Nigeria’s National Assembly comprises 109 senators in the Upper Chamber (Senate) and 360 representatives in the Lower Chamber (House of Representatives), but observers say most of them in the current Eighth Assembly are hardly seen taking active part in proceedings. A check of the list from INEC website showed that 40 of the affected federal lawmakers, representing 11 per cent of the members, were elected into the House of Representatives while five got elected into the Senate.

The lists are separately titled: “Independent National Electoral Commission 2015 updated-elected Reps” and “Independent National Electoral Commission 2015 updated-elected Senators.” They are displayed on Microsoft spreadsheet in different columns indicating:  state, constituency, name of candidate, sex, party, age and qualification of each member as at the time of the election.

While 28 of them were elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), 21 others got elected on the tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with their qualification details indicating that they either possessed the West African School Certificate (WASC), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), West African Examination Certificate (WAEC), General Certificate of Education (GCE) or Teachers’ Grade-II Certificate.

Although the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the possession of a School Certificate or its equivalent as the minimum requirement for election into the Senate and the House of Representatives, many critics have called for an upward review, saying the business of lawmaking, especially at the federal level, was a serious one that requires not only experience but a higher level of educational attainment.

Going by the 2015 elected National Assembly members list on the INEC website, an average of two representatives from each of the federal constituency in the country from the various zones got elected with Ordinary Level certificates.

 Low qualification by zones

The list shows that the North-West zone comprising Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Jigawa states, has the highest number of Rep members with low academic qualifications, totaling 11. Three representatives from the zone with the lowest qualifications are from Jigawa State, namely: the member representing Hadeja/Kafin Hausa/Auyo in Jigawa State, Usman Ibrahim Auyo (Grade II), member representing Kazaure federal constituency, Muhammed Gudaji Kazaure (SSCE) and the member representing Miga/Jahun, Hon. Saidu Yusuf Miga (Grade-II).

Three other representatives from the North-West with similar qualifications are from Kaduna State, namely: the member representing Kachia/Kagarko, Jagaba Adams Jagaba (WASC), member representing Kaduna South, Rufai Ahmed Chanchangi (WASC), and the member representing Ikara/Kubau, Yusuf Bala (WAEC).

Also from the North-West are three reps from Sokoto State and one from Kebbi. Those from Sokoto include the member representing Kware/Wammako, Abdullahi M. Wammako (Grade-II), member representing D-Shuni/Bodinga/Tureta, Aliyu Shehu A.A. (WASC) and the member representing Binji Silame, Saadu M. Nabunkari (WASC), while the only member from Kebbi State is Salisu Garba Koko, representing Koko/Besse/Maiyama (Grade-II).

The North-Central has the second highest number, with nine representatives who were elected with lower qualifications during the 2015 elections. Out of this number, three are from Niger State, namely: the member representing Wushishi/Mashe/Gukgora/Miriga, Garba Abdullahi (WAEC), member representing Gbako/Bida/Katcha, Muhammadu Bida Faruq (GCE) and the member representing Mokwa/Lavun/ Edati, Ahmed Abu (SSCE). Two are from Benue State while one each represents Kwara and Plateau states, respectively. Those from Benue include the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, Christian Adaba Abah (GCE) and the member representing Makurdi/Guma, Dickson Dominic T. (GCE), while Plateau and Kwara have the member representing Jos North, Suleiman Yahaya Kwande (WASC), as well as the one representing Ifelodun/Ifa, Olayonu Olarinoye Tope (Grade-II).

The North-East has representatives in this category from Borno, Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe states. The only member from Borno is the one representing Maiduguri Metropolitan, Abdulkadiri Rahis (SSCE). In Bauchi, the member representing Torro federal constituency, Lawal Yahaya Gamau (WASC) also falls in the list. The same is the case of the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa, Haliru Dauda Jika who has a WASC, while Taraba has the member representing Ardo Kola/Lau/Karim Lamido, Baido Danladi Tijos parading WASC and the member representing Bali/Gassol, Garba Hamman-Julde Chede having a Grade-II. Yobe State has the member representing Nangere/Potiskum, Alhaji Sabo Garba with WASC.

The South-West and South-South zones also have five federal lawmakers each that were elected during the 2015 elections with the minimum qualification requirement. Lagos State has five federal lawmakers who make the list in the South-West, namely: the member representing Shomolu, Diya Oyewole (WAEC), member representing Oshodi/Isolo-I, Shadimu Mutiu A. (WASC), member representing Oshodi/Isolo-II, Nwulu Tony Chinelu (WASC) and the member representing Agege, Adaranijo Taofeek Abiodun (WAEC).

The South-South has one member each from Rivers, Edo and Cross Rivers states while two are from Delta State. Rivers State has the member representing Akoku-Toru, Boma Godhead (SSCE), Edo has the member representing Egor Ikpoba, Johnson E. Agbonayinma (SSCE), while Dalta has the member representing Bomadi/Pantani, Nicholas Mutu Egbomo (WAEC), and the member representing Isoko North/Isoko South, Leonard O. Ogor (WAEC).

The South-East has the least in this category with one representative each from Imo and Ebonyi states, namely: the member representing Ahiazu/Mbaise, Raphael Uzodi Igbokwe (WAEC) and the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu, Nwazunku Chukuma (WASC).

The senators found in this category are: the senator representing Adamawa North, Binta Masi Garba (GCE); Adamawa Central, Abdulazeez Murtala Nyako (GCE); Bayelsa West, Ogola Foster (TC-II) and the senator representing Imo West, Uzodinma Good Hope (WAEC).



The flip side

On the flip side, however, Daily Trust on Sunday discovered that about 24 of the federal lawmakers were elected with the highest academic qualification of doctorate degrees (PhD). They are made up of 14 members of the House of Representatives and 10 senators. Out of this number, 15 were elected on the platform of the ruling APC, while nine came through the PDP.

The representatives with PhDs are: the member representing Uyouram/Nsit/ Ebesikpo Usutan in  Akwa Ibom State, Michael Okon; the member representing Ihiala/Anhonu in Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Reginald; the member representing Alkaleri-Kirfi of Bauchi State, Mohammed Sani Abdu; the member representing Gboko/Tarka of Benue State, John Dyeh; the member representing Nkanu East-West, Chukwuemeka Ujam; the member representing Uzo/Uwani/Igbo/Etiti of Enugu State, Stella Uchenna Obiagheli Ngwu; the member representing Zaria in Kaduna State, Abbas Tajudeen and the member representing Kiru Bebeji in Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin (currently under suspension).

Others are the member representing Lagos Island-I, Enitan Dolapo Bau; the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo in Osun State, Moyeed Olujinmi; the member representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke in Plateau State, Golu Timothy; the member representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo in Rivers State, Jonathan B. Nbina; the member representing Ilela/ Gwadabawa in Sokoto State, Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and the member representing Jalingo/Yorro/Zing from Taraba State, Aminu Ibrahim Malle.

The senators in this category are Stella Oduah (Anambra North); Samuel Ominyi Egwu (Ebonyi North); Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North); Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim (Kwara South); Robert Ajayi Borofice (Ondo North); Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central); Buhari Abdul Fatai (Oyo North); Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan (Yobe North).

Implications

For Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the possession of only Ordinary Level certificates by a large number of legislators in the current National Assembly is a matter of serious concern, given what he called the character of the current legislature.

“It explains why there is poor legislative experience in terms of procedures and proceedings because if you have this kind of people, it affects not only the quality but individual contributions to legislative business. Although some of them hire competent legislative aides due to their lack of capacity and knowledge, we cannot expect quality from them due to the way and manner they came in,” Rafsanjani said.

Stressing that it was important for voters to know the kind of people they vote for to represent them, especially in the parliament, Rafsanjani, who is also the acting secretary-general, West African Civil Society Forum (WASCOF), said: “If you are elected with only WASC in the legislature, there is a huge gap compared with those in the executive, some of whom have 25 years’ experience.”

While advocating that whoever wants to serve in the National Assembly should have a requisite capacity and knowledge, Rafsanjani said there was low capacity in the current parliament due to the way and manner the elections threw up the candidates.

“About 70 per cent of them are new members who are learning; some are not even interested in the legislative business but seeking for opportunities and privileges,” he said, adding that the best way is to upgrade the minimum requirement for election into the National Assembly to diploma, with at least 10 years working experience.

He said political parties should also help in fielding qualitative candidates with capacity and experience to deliver, as it is by so doing that there could be quality deliberations and debates.

Speaking in the same vein, a former speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Josiah Sabo Kente, said the quality of performance in the current legislature, both at the states and the federal levels, has dwindled, due largely to the low level of education of the lawmakers.

“In modern day democracy, you don’t just stop at School Certificate. This is why we are having low level of participation in the legislature because only a few attend sittings; some do not attend sittings because of their low level of education while some are coming there just to make money. I can even mention names of non-contributors in the National Assembly,” Kente said.

He called for a constitutional amendment that would raise the qualification requirement for election into the legislature.

But for Senator Dansadau, educational qualification is not the issue but voter preference as, according to him, the voters know their people very well. “Someone may have a PhD but may be weak in debates, so only the voter knows who are capable. But so long as the voter is taking money you will continue to have this problem. So, the key issue is to avoid money politics,” he said.

While calling on voters to jettison money and go for credibility, Dansadau said there could be many PhD members who do not have money to dish out. He said the current National Assembly has failed to perform optimally because it is bedeviled with political crisis, especially in the Senate.

Dansadau’s view is corroborated by a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Mark Useni, who said there should be a balance between capacity and educational qualification. “Some people have school certificates but do well and I have come across some of them who speak and deliver well. Those that flaunt academic degrees have questionable capacity to deliver well,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, capacity building is essential in terms of the qualification a lawmaker possesses, while agreeing that it is good to raise the current minimum qualification requirement for election into the legislature.

Umar Ardo, a politician, said what is critical is intellect and wisdom, which he said are lacking in the current National Assembly. “Most of them have low level of exposure and intellectual capacity; most of them go there for a job - something to survive without understanding the basic rudiments. Even for governors, there are those who know next to nothing. So what matters most is not qualification but intellect and wisdom,” he said.

‘No cause for alarm’

But the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas, allayed such fears, saying the 8th National Assembly is vibrant and capable of performing its statutory functions.

Namdas said: “Forty out of 360 shows that the 8th House of Representatives is a vibrant one. We have several lawyers, one of whom was only recently awarded the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). We also have professors and many PhD holders.

“Among all those that ruled Nigeria, only two are graduates (Yar’Adua and Jonathan), yet they performed. The act of lawmaking is not for lawmakers alone, we often conduct public hearings to collate views.”

On whether the current qualification requirement for election into the National Assembly should be reviewed upward, Namdas said it would depend on the views of Nigerians to that effect. “If Nigerians want it that way, so be it,” he said.

On This Day🌄 November29

1549 – After the death of Pope Paul III, a papal conclave with an unprecedented number of cardinal electors convened to determine his successor.

1729 – Natchez Indians suddenly revolted against French colonists near modern-day Natchez, Mississippi, US, killing over 240 people.

1899 – FC Barcelona, one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football, was founded by Swiss football pioneer Joan Gamper.

1929 – American explorer Richard E. Byrd (pictured) and three others completed the first flight over the South Pole.

1963 – Five minutes after takeoff from Montreal, Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 831 crashed, killing all 118 people aboard.

2012 – The United Nations General Assembly voted to accord non-member observer state status to Palestine.

Breaking: NASS aide collapses, dies at N’Assembly entrance

An alleged senior aid of the National Assembly has reportedly collapsed and died at the entrance of the National Assembly. Reports has it that several attempts to resuscitate him by medical team of NASS proved abortive.

Reports has it that several attempts to resuscitate him by medical team of NASS proved abortive. Both the name and the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained the time of filing this report. Details soon….

Vanguard.

AKUNYILI SETS NEW RECORD AT SOTHEBY'S NEW YORK

A new auction record was set for the Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby in New York last week when her art work “Drown” soared to sell for $1,092,500, over three times the high-estimate ($200,000-300,000), in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale. 

No fewer than eleven bidders competed for the work that eventually sold to an anonymous buyer on the telephone.

This was the second time in less than two months that the auction record for Njideka Akunyili Crosby has been broken at Sotheby’s. The previous auction record for the artist was $93,750, set by her “Untitled” work from 2011 at Sotheby’s New York in September 2016.
‘Drown’ is an intimate self-portrait of the artist with her husband, Justin, and demonstrates beautifully how the layers of Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s work reference the layers of her own identity.
In May next year Sotheby’s will launch its first dedicated sales of “African Modern and Contemporary Art” in London, led by Hannah O’Leary, Sotheby’s recently-appointed Head of Modern and Contemporary African Art.
(www.sothebys.com)

Kenya Women 0-4 Nigeria Women: Super Falcons set up South Africa clash

Florence Omagbemi’s ladies are through to the semi-final of the African Women’s Cup of Nations after defeating the Harambee Starlets
Nigeria progressed to the knockout stages of the African Women’s Cup of Nations after flying past Kenya 4-1 on Saturday.
Asisat Oshoala continued her phenomenal form to seal top spot for Super Falcons in Group B, while Ghana’s 3-1 win over Mali in Yaoundé meant they progressed as runners-up.
After playing a disappointing 1-1 draw against Ghana, Florence Omagbemi’s side were in blazing form as they eased past the debutants - thanks to goals from Ngozi Okobi, Faith Ikidi, Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie.
A draw at the Stade Municipal de Limbe would have ensured progression for Nigeria regardless of events in the capital, but fears of the defending champions facing the hosts spurred them to put in their best.
With this result, the Super Falcons must negotiate their way past South Africa on Tuesday to reach the final where they will face the winner between Cameroon or Ghana for the top prize.

Yemen president in surprise visit to Aden

Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi flew into Aden from his base in neighbouring Saudi Arabia Saturday on a surprise visit to the headquarters of his beleaguered government, an aide said.
Hadi is expected to stay for a few days in the southern port city, which is still prey to frequent unrest 18 months after his loyalists drove out Iran-backed rebels with the support of a Saudi-led coalition.
It is the president’s first visit to Aden in a year and comes two months after Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher and seven ministers set up base in the city.
The government had previously operated from exile since October 2015.
The capital Sanaa, like most of the north of the country, remains in the hands of the rebel and their allies.
Hadi’s authority is largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border.
Even within the south, his loyalists have faced repeated attack by jihadists of both Al-Qaeda and its rival, the Islamic State group. Security chiefs in Aden have been a particular target.

ADMAP UNIBEN sensitises community on malaria

Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP), UNIBEN chapter, recently embark on sensitisation programme to enlighten people living around its Ekiadolor campus of the dangers of not keeping their community clean and the cause of malaria.
Speaking with Campusnews, the chairman of ADMAP UNIBEN chapter, Osahenrumwen Edobor, noted that pregnant women are most vulnerable to malaria attack because their immunity is usually low, as a result of their condition, adding that mosquito treated nets have been given to all nursing mothers and pregnant women during the outreach, to keep them safe from mosquito bites.
Addressing nursing mothers, Tochukwu Okonkwo, a 500 level pharmacy student drew their attention to the need to clear their environments of stagnant water and cut overgrown grasses. She stated that these are the usual breeding sites for mosquitoes, which is responsible for causing malaria. He taught the recipients of the treated nets how to use the nets.

ABU students call for UNESCO standard in 2017 budget for education

Worried by the falling standard of education and poor funding of the sector in 2016, students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have called on the Federal Government to allocate more funds to the sector in 2017 fiscal year.
This was disclosed by the Senate President, ABU Students Representatives Council, Adamu Kabir Matazu, during conferment of an award of excellence, tagged Sardauna Leadership Award, to the former Director of School of Management Studies, Kano, Dr Salisu Lawan Indabawa.
According to Matazu, if not for the intervention of Tertiary Education Tax Fund (TETFUND) infrastructural development could have eluded the nation’s tertiary institutions, adding that more attention should also be accorded to TETFUND.

Bowen holds lecture on national economic survival

Bowen University, Iwo, will on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 host a lecture on tackling the current economic challenges facing the country. The university’s Faculty of Social and Management Sciences is therefore holding its maiden Faculty Lecture on the topic: The State of the Nigerian Economy: Strategies for Survival
A financial expert, Deacon Titus Jide Soetan, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) will deliver the lecture, while Professor Segun Ajibola, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) will chair.
Professor John Ayoade, Dean, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences states that the purpose of the lecture is among other things to proffer solutions to the current recession in the country.
The platform will suggest policy options for reflating the economy to the government.

Fresh attack in Kaduna claims four lives

Four persons were killed while several houses including the house of the village head were burnt, when unknown gunmen attacked Mile One Village in Tafan District, Kaduna State on Friday.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kafanchan that the hoodlums launched an attack against the residents between 2 p.m. and 10p.m on Friday.
The Interim Chairman of Jema’a local Government Area, Dr Bege Katuka, confirmed the incident via telephone.
He said: “I just left the affected village barely 30 minutes ago, I was there to assess the extent of damage.’’
However, reports say the residents of the neighbouring villages of Gidan Waya, Ungwuan Ninzo and Ungwuan Kagoro have fled for fear of possible attacks.
NAN reports that the villages, as well as Kaduna State College of Education, have been turned to ghost towns.
NAN also recalls that Pasakori Village which share boundaries with Mile One Village came under similar attack on Thursday.

Foreign planes combat Israel wildfires as arrests made

Foreign firefighting planes on Friday helped Israel tackle a wave of wildfires that have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, as police announced a dozen related arrests.
Faced for the past four days with blazes across the country fed by drought and high winds, Israel received airborne assistance from Russia, Turkey, Greece and Croatia.
The flames in many places appeared to be easing somewhat despite the persistent wind, but a new fire erupted close to Jerusalem on Friday afternoon that the emergency services said was apparently started deliberately.
“Things can change and develop as we speak,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.
Support from France, Spain and others was due while a US Supertanker, considered the largest firefighting aircraft in the world, was expected to arrive Friday night.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had also accepted pledges of support from Arab neighbours Jordan and Egypt, though the two governments declined to comment.
On the ground, Palestinian firefighters on Thursday night joined the Israelis, sending four fire engines to the northern city of Haifa and four more to the village of Beit Meir, near Jerusalem.
In nearby Nataf along the border with the occupied West Bank, a new fire broke out on Friday afternoon, with 20 planes and more than a dozen firecrews including four Palestinians trying to calm the blaze.
Fire department spokesman Kayed Daher said they believed the fire was caused by a Molotov cocktail thrown from a neighbouring Palestinian town.
In the country’s third city Haifa, where tens of thousands had been evacuated Thursday from the path of towering flames which threatened entire neighbourhoods, residents started to assess the damage after police gave them permission to return.
The fires in the mixed Arab and Jewish city were “under control” on Friday, Rosenfeld said, but Daher said dozens of houses were completely destroyed.
The air was still thick with smoke, an AFP correspondent in Haifa said Friday, with the scale of the damage likely to become clear in the coming days.
– Arrests, accusations –
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said some of the foreign planes were in action on Friday.
“We are deeply grateful to the international community,” he said. “Its mobilisation proves that in times of crisis we can count on many friends in this region and beyond.”
The rising number of fires since Tuesday has stretched Israel’s capacity to deal with them, raising questions over lessons learned since a devastating blaze near Haifa killed 44 people in 2010.
The blazes, with dozens of outbreaks a day reported up and down the country Thursday, has fuelled Jewish Israelis’ suspicions of the state’s Arab minority and the Palestinians.
Arab Israelis make up about 17.5 percent of the country’s population.
Descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, they largely identify themselves as Palestinians.
Statements by several Israeli officials have implicated Arabs, with Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan saying that up to half of the blazes had been “arson terror”.
Rosenfeld said they had made 12 arrests in the past 24 hours, without providing details on their identities.
Some are suspected of criminal negligence leading to accidental fires in tinder-dry woodland and undergrowth, while there are also suspicions that some may have been deliberate and related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli army posted an aerial video of two men in a wooded area, saying the airforce had helped police in “apprehending suspects.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday there was “no doubt” some of the fires had been deliberate.
“There is a price to pay for the crimes committed, there is a price to pay for arson terrorism,” he said during a tour of an airbase.
– ‘Fire intifada’? –
Education Minister Naftali Bennett of the far-right Jewish Home party appeared to blame the alleged arson on members of the Arab minority when he said the fires could not have been lit by Jews.
“Only those to whom the land does not belong to are capable of burning it,” he wrote on Twitter.
Some Israeli media joined in, speculating on the possible emergence of a “fire intifada”, or Palestinian uprising, but the Yediot Aharonot newspaper disapproved.
“When the prime minister calls this terror, even if he doesn’t say Arabs, a link is made that is supposed to be understood by everyone, ‘This is a wave of terror, the Arabs are burning down the country,'” its commentator Alex Fishman wrote.
“But it is a long road from that to calling this wave of fires in the last three days a ‘fire Intifada’.”

FG committed to transformation of science, technical education – Minister

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Saturday, said the Federal Government would transform science and technical education to fast track technological development in the country.
Adamu said this in a message to the 12th combined convocation of Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.
The minister, who was represented by Dr Mas’ud Kazaure, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, said the government would also support researches for breakthroughs in all sectors of human endeavour.
Adamu charged polytechnics to breed the necessary professionals required in the country to accellarate development in science and technology.
He said that the polytechnics must also serve as centres for entreprenural education, to prepare the youths for self reliance.
The minister commended the polytechnic for the provision of critical infrastructure which would place the institution in a vantage poistion to serve the country better.
Adamu warned students against indulging in issues inimical to their future, including examination malpractice, cultism and other deviant forms.
In his remarks, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi advised the graduates to embrace agriculture instead of waiting for white collar jobs.
He used the occasion to urge the Academic Staff Union of Universities to amicably resolve all issues it has with government.
Bagudu assured that the state government would continue to settle the tuition and registration fees of indigent students from the state studying in tertiary institutions.
Earlier, Mr Sani Zuru, the Rector of the polytechnic said 6, 351 students graduated, out of which 238 had distinctions, 1, 338 had upper credits, 1, 754 lower credits and 1, 454 obtained pass grades.
He listed some of the challenges facing the polytechnic to include inadequate manpower and funding, and called for support from private organisations.(NAN)

Akeredolu laments malfunctioning card readers, raps INEC

Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, the APC governorship candidate in Saturday’s poll, on Saturday lamented the malfunctioning of some smart card readers deployed for the exercise.
Akeredolu, who spoke at his Owo residence after casting his vote, also said INEC ought to have test run the devices before election day.
He said reports had indicated that some of the devices were malfunctioning.
The APC candidate, however, said that his major concern was the commission ensuring free, credible and fair election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP flagbearer, Eyitayo Jegede and his Alliance for Democracy counterpart, Wole Oke, had also complained about the malfunctioning card readers.
The card reader had also rejected Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s thumbprint when he wanted to vote at his Ward 7, Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo West Local Government Area.
But INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the commission has more than 250 spare smart card readers to replace those malfunctioning.
“I have called the Head of Department of ICT to get smart cards for areas with smart card challenges and very soon they will them.
“ Card reader is not a major challenge because it can be addressed within 10 to 20 minutes; we have over 250 smart card readers for exchange in case of malfunction,’’ Agbaje had said.
No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards were expected to vote in the election out of the 28 contestants.
Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, only 378,606 collected their PVCs.

Chelsea down Spurs as City, Liverpool keep pace

Chelsea fought back for a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that cemented their place on top of the Premier League, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool kept pace with the leaders on Saturday.

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea had been knocked out of pole position by City’s 2-1 win at Burnley and Liverpool’s 2-0 success against Sunderland earlier in the afternoon.

But they regained their one-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who are level on points with third-placed City, thanks to a gritty London derby success at Stamford Bridge that made it seven successive league wins for the Blues.

Chelsea hadn’t conceded a league goal since September 24, but Christian Eriksen fired Tottenham ahead in the 11th minute with a ferocious long-range strike.

Despite being out-played for much of the first half, Chelsea went back to the dressing room on level terms thanks to a sublime curling effort from Pedro just before the interval.

In the 51st minute, Diego Costa picked out Victor Moses at the far post and his shot was deflected into the net off Jan Vertonghen as Chelsea ended Tottenham’s 12-match unbeaten league run.

Earlier, Sergio Aguero scored two scruffy goals as City saw off Burnley and Liverpool followed suit by downing Sunderland with goals from Divock Origi and James Milner after losing Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho to a worrying injury.

“It was an intense game for us and a deserved win at the end,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“It (Coutinho’s injury) is an ankle injury, but we can’t say any more until we see a scan.”

Swansea City claimed an extraordinary 5-4 win over fellow strugglers Crystal Palace, while champions Leicester City narrowly avoided a seventh defeat of the campaign in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

Having seen City prevail at Turf Moor in the early game, Liverpool were under pressure to produce the goods against a Sunderland team who had won their two previous matches.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was in attendance at Anfield, two days after announcing his retirement from football.

But he could only look on with concern as the influential Coutinho was stretchered off with his right ankle in a brace after hurting himself in a challenge by Didier Ndong.

Origi took the Brazil international’s place and he gave Liverpool a reward for their dominance in the 75th minute with his first league goal of the season.

Jordan Henderson picked the Belgian forward out on the left and he cut inside onto his right foot and swept a shot inside the far post.

Milner completed the victory from the penalty spot in the first minute of injury time.

Burnley took a shock 14th-minute lead against City when Dean Marney met Nicolas Otamendi’s headed clearance with a thumping 25-yard volley that nestled in the bottom-left corner.

– Pardew woe –

But Aguero equalised in the 37th minute, stabbing home after Burnley failed to clear a corner, and the hosts’ luck continued to desert them as both Marney and Johann Berg Gudmundsson went off injured.

A defensive mix-up allowed City to net the decisive goal on the hour, with Fernandinho’s cross striking Aguero and going in after Ben Mee and Stephen Ward had got in each other’s way.

“We are so satisfied for the points and the performance, especially two days after the Champions League,” said City manager Pep Guardiola, whose side host Chelsea next weekend.

“All of the players showed huge character and a lot of personality.”

Swansea upped the pressure on Palace manager Alan Pardew by condemning the south London club to a sixth straight defeat in a madcap game that gave Bob Bradley his first win since becoming manager.

Palace led 1-0, fell 3-1 down, fought back to go 4-3 up, but eventually succumbed courtesy of a remarkable brace of injury-time goals from Spanish striker Fernando Llorente.

“Crazy, at 3-1 I thought we were in control. That’s one we won’t forget,” Bradley said.

“I’ve been on the wrong side of those occasionally. I’m going to give the players all the credit today. They fought until the end.”

The victory took Swansea off the foot of the table, where they were replaced by Sunderland, and left Palace above the bottom three on goal difference.

Leicester snatched a draw with Middlesbrough thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Islam Slimani, while Hull City and West Bromwich Albion drew 1-1.

Playful Hamilton on pole, Rosberg disappointed

Lewis Hamilton demonstrated his supremacy and his humour Saturday when he topped the times in qualifying for Sunday’s season-ending title-showdown Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The defending three-time world champion outpaced his Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg by three-tenths of a second with a blistering performance and then enjoyed a joke with Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was third fastest for the Red Bull team.
“So far, this weekend, I have been focused on getting into this position, but now I am hopeful of hearing Daniel saying ‘winner, winner, chicken dinner’ tomorrow – or second chicken dinner anyway!”
As the pair laughed in the post-session news conference, German Rosberg struggled to raise a smile, his disappointment clearly apparent after being comprehensively outpaced by the 31-year-old Briton.
Rosberg had been aiming to complete a hat-trick of poles at the Yas Marina circuit where only once has a driver, who did not start on the front row, won the race.
“I came here to try and be on pole and to try and win the race tomorrow,” said Rosberg, clearly disappointed.
“I am not ecstatic about today… Lewis did a great job and he was a couple of tenths quicker and it was impossible for me to do that time today.
“I had a good balance out there and as qualifying went on, it felt better and better. I got a good lap in the end, but it wasn’t good enough.
“Lewis was just that bit quicker, but there are still opportunities and I’ll go for the win.”
Rosberg added that he was not thinking about the title battle and was only focused on winning the race.
“It is a bit too much thinking… I want to try to win the race tomorrow. Keep it simple. I don’t think of ‘what if’ – that would be the wrong approach.”
Hamilton’s final stunning lap in one minute and 38.755 seconds carried him three-tenths of a second clear of Rosberg and brought him his personal record 12th pole of the season, his third in Abu Dhabi and the 61st of his career.
But he knows that Rosberg can secure his maiden drivers’ title by finishing the race on the podium even if he, Hamilton, reels off a fourth consecutive win from his fourth consecutive pole.
“I didn’t over-cook it into turn one and after that I was in total control,” said Hamilton.
“It’s been a great weekend so far. I’ve got the car in a real sweet spot, with some great work done by my engineers and faultless mechanics who’ve done an incredible job.
“It was strange coming here this weekend as it is the last practices and qualifying with this car. It’s been incredible – such a privilege driving it.
“I couldn’t have had the 61 poles I have now if it wasn’t for everyone at the factory so thanks to them.”
Rosberg added: “Adrenaline is always there in qualifying for sure. I was feeling good out there and had a good balance. As qualifying went on I was feeling better and better and got a good lap but in the end, not quite good enough.”
Ricciardo, who will start the race on the marginally softer ‘super-soft’ tyres instead of the ‘ultras’ chosen by most of his rivals, said: “We’ve got to try something. It seems to be a bit of a trend this year, if we’re in a position to qualify on a different tyre we’ll try — and see if it gives us an opportunity.”
Hamilton, who is now four pole positions behind his childhood hero Ayrton Senna (65), and seven behind record holder Michael Schumacher (68), will hope for better luck Sunday than on the two previous occasions when he started the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position.
In both 2009 and 2012, when he raced for McLaren, he claimed the prime starting spot, but ended up retiring with mechanical failures.

Germany, Portugal avoid each other in Confederations Cup draw

World Cup holders Germany were placed in Group B for the 2017 Confederations Cup alongside Chile, Australia and the winner of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations at Saturday’s draw in Kazan.
Hosts Russia will come up against Euro 2016 winners Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand in Group A in the event billed as a warm-up for the World Cup to be held in Russia in 2018.
The tournament kicks off in Saint Petersburg on June 17 and will end at the same venue on July 2. Matches will also be staged in Kazan, Moscow and Sochi.
Russia will take on Oceania champions New Zealand in the opening game before Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal face CONCACAF champions Mexico in Kazan a day later.
The opening match in Group B will be played in Moscow at the home of Spartak Moscow and will see the Chile of Alexis Sanchez — Copa America winners in the last two years — meet the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Gabon in January and February.
Australia, the 2015 Asian Cup winners, will be the first opponents for Joachim Loew’s Germany in Sochi on Monday, June 19.
With just over six months to go until the tournament begins, Russia is having to deal with numerous challenges ranging from delays in stadium construction to corruption scandals and worries about their own national team.
After a disastrous Euro 2016 in which they were eliminated in the group stage while the country’s football hooligans dominated headlines, Russia are rebuilding under a new coach in Stanislav Cherchesov but they currently languish in 55th place in the world rankings.
A key area of concern is the delayed construction of the venue for the final in Saint Petersburg, where a solution must be found to the retractable pitch at the futuristic 68,000-seater stadium that is unstable and unsuitable for play.
“We are meeting all our obligations. The World Cup is the main sports event worldwide and Russia will do everything to guarantee the highest level,” assured Russia’s deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko, who is also the president of the Russian Football Union, at a press conference ahead of the draw.
“We are finishing preparations for the Confederatons Cup. The Fisht Stadium in Sochi will be finished in November. The venue in Saint Petersburg is to be ready in December. In March and April 2017, we’ll hold test friendlies there.”
Brazil have won the last three editions of the Confederations Cup, most recently as hosts in 2013.
The tournament in its current guise, organised by FIFA, was first played in 1997, when Brazil also lifted the trophy. In total Brazil have won it four times.

Ronaldo double extends Real lead over Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid were thankful to a late missed penalty from Duje Cop to open up a seven-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday.
Madrid looked set for an easy afternoon as Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot before he headed home a second inside 20 minutes.
However, Carlos Carmona halved Sporting’s deficit 10 minutes before half-time and the struggling visitors were handed a huge chance for an unexpected point 12 minutes from time when Nacho brought down Victor Rodriguez.
Yet, Cop sent his penalty high and wide as Real held on amidst a torrential downpour to extend their unbeaten run to 31 games in all competitions.
Barca can cut the gap back to four points when they travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday ahead of the first Clasico of the season between Spanish football’s two giants at the Camp Nou next weekend.
“It is a game for us to forget because things didn’t go as we would have liked,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
“We lacked a little bit of everything, but we are happy to get the three points which is the most important thing.”
Fresh from netting a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid last weekend, Ronaldo continued his return to scoring form with a quickfire double to move ahead of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as La Liga’s top scorer.
Sporting had the first big chance to go in front when Carmona fired wide with just goalkeeper Keylor Navas to beat.
However, they were quickly behind when Lucas Vazquez was naively chopped down by Sergio Alvarez on five minutes and Ronaldo emphatically converted the resulting spot-kick.
The Portuguese’s second finish was even more impressive as he buried Nacho’s cross from the left with a powerful header that left Diego Marino no chance in the Sporting goal.
In between times Ronaldo had also headed wastefully wide when unmarked from a corner, while Marino parried another fierce effort as the three-time World Player of the Year chased his 40th hat-trick for Madrid.
Instead, it was Sporting who halved the arrears before half-time when a rare misplaced pass from Luka Modric allowed Isma Lopez to cross from the left and Carmona’s outstretched leg prodded the ball past Navas.
In deteriorating conditions caused by the torrential rain, Madrid struggled to get going after the break.
Zidane withdrew captain Sergio Ramos with an eye on the Clasico against Barcelona next Saturday with the Spanish international a yellow card away from missing that game through suspension.
However, that decision nearly backfired as Nacho moved into central defence and quickly brought down Sporting substitute Victor Rodriguez inside the area.
Cop pardoned Nacho’s mistake, though, as the Croatian lent back and sent the ball well wide of Navas’s goal much to the relief of thousands inside the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo should have completed his hat-trick late on as he broke clear on goal, but his low shot was too close to Marino as Real had to see out a nervy final few minutes to secure a sixth straight La Liga win.
A 10th straight game without a win leaves Sporting still rooted in the bottom three.

Dozens feared dead in Mogadishu car bomb

A car bomb exploded near a busy market in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday killing at least eight people, police said, as medical sources warned the toll could be far higher.

“We have counted about eight civilians so far who were killed in the blast and more than 10 others wounded but the death toll could be higher because the area is a market and it was so densely populated when the blast occurred, most people who were wounded have serious injuries,” said police official Ibrahim Mohamed.

Medical sources suggested nearly 30 people had been killed, but this was not confirmed by authorities.

“Our ambulances have collected 13 wounded civilians and 28 dead bodies, the toll could be higher because of the density of the location where the blast occurred,” Dr Abdukadir Abdirahman Adem, director of the AMIN ambulance service told AFP.

The blast took place in the densely populated Afisiyone area in southern Mogadishu.

“There was chaos and severed dead bodies strewn around the street, the market was so busy with people shopping when the blast ripped through the area. I saw many dead bodies but I could not count, I have helped collect more than 10 of them,” said Abdulahi Osman, who witnessed the blast.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but immediate suspicion fell on the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group Shabaab, locked in battle against the Somali government and which regularly mounts attacks in the city.

Its most deadly recent attack was in August when a car bomb outside a popular hotel close to the presidential palace left 15 dead.

Despite being driven out of the capital in 2011 by an African Union force deployed in 2007 the group still control vast swathes of outlying rural areas from which they launch guerrilla operations.

Party in Miami after Fidel Castro’s death

Cuban-Americans poured onto the streets of Miami early Saturday to cries of “Cuba Libre!” and “Freedom! Freedom!” celebrating the death of their nemesis Fidel Castro.
Revelers — many exiled by Havana’s communist regime — honked car horns, banged on pots and drums, and danced, cried, and waved Cuban flags in a crush of communal euphoria.
Castro died late Friday, his brother Cuban President Raul Castro announced on national television around midnight.
In Miami — home to the largest concentration of Cuban-Americans in the United States — the news spread quickly and with fervor.
“It’s sad that one finds joy in the death of a person — but that person should never have been born,” said Pablo Arencibia, 67, a teacher who fled Cuba 20 years ago.
“Satan is now the one who has to worry,” because “Fidel is heading there and is going to try to get his job,” joked Arencibia amid the loud party-like atmosphere.
Sensing the historic moment, younger revelers streamed the event on Facebook Live, posted pictures on Instagram, and broadcast the celebrations on FaceTime and Skype to friends and relatives on the island.
Little Havana and Hialeah — Miami neighborhoods where many Cuban exiles settled — saw people dance, hug, and exchange comments like “it took so long,” and “now only Raul is missing.”
“Cuba Libre” — Free Cuba — has been a rallying cry for exiles ever since the Castro brothers took over Cuba in 1959. The rum and Coke drink of the same name, however, predates the Castro regime.
Some two million Cubans live in the United States, nearly 70 percent of them in Florida.
– Pajama party –
The late-breaking news roused some out of bed to join the street party in pajamas.
Some sang the Cuban national anthem. Others shook up bottles of champagne and sprayed fizz among the revelers.
People of all ages gathered, mostly of Cuban descent, but also some Americans.
“It’s a major moment for the Cuban community and I’m with them,” said a retired Florida native named Debbie. “I live in Little Havana and this is a big part of our lives. The community always comes together here.”
Debbie and her friend Cuban-American Aymara celebrated outside the Cafe Versailles, where exiles met for decades to plot their return to the island and strategies to protest the Castro regime.
“He should have died a long time ago! He’s a criminal, a murderer and a wretched being!” screamed 78-year-old retiree Hugo Ribas in a voice full of rage mixed with euphoria.
“The brother should have died too — in that family they’re all criminals!” added Ribas, who has been in Miami for four years.
“It took too long,” said Cuban immigrant Analia Rodriguez, 23, who has lived in Miami for a decade.
“There was too much pain and too many broken families, and now — I’m happy!” she laughed as her boyfriend streamed the conversation with AFP on his mobile phone.
Arencibia noted the mix of generations in the crowd, which was unlike the group of elderly Cuban exiles who gathered just weeks ago to hear then-candidate Donald Trump fulminate against the Castro regime.
“Those people who said that the exile community is one of old men, they should see here that… the desire of a democratic and progressive Cuba is a wish of all Cubans,” she said.
– ‘It lasted too long’ –
By noon on Saturday, the party in Little Havana was undiminished, with young and old waving Cuban flags, cheered on by drivers honking horns.
Florida Governor Rick Scott said he was joining Cuban-Americans across the country “who are incredibly hopeful for the future of Cuba.”
“After decades of oppression, the Cuban people deserve freedom, peace and democracy,” the Republican added in a statement.
He was joined by the Cuban-American Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who called Castro an “evil, murderous dictator who inflicted misery and suffering on his own people” and turned Cuba into an “impoverished island prison.”
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, another Republican Cuban-American who represents southern Florida’s 27th district where many Cuban exiles live, also hailed Castro’s death.
“A tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn on the last remaining communist bastion of the Western hemisphere,” she wrote on her website.
But beyond the celebration for the end of an era, many Cubans in Miami were not hugely optimistic about the island’s future.
“It took too long,” Aymara said of Castro’s death, adding, “I don’t think it will change anything.”

Turkey’s Erdogan threatens EU with new migrant influx

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Friday to open Turkey’s borders to allow migrants to reach the EU, in a move that would tear up a landmark deal that has reduced the flow.
Erdogan’s comments, some of his toughest in recent times against the European Union, prompted an immediate warning from Germany which helped broker the deal that such “threats” were unhelpful.
The threat came a day after the European Parliament angered Ankara by backing a freeze in EU accession talks, already hit by alarm over its crackdown in the wake of the July 15 failed coup.
“Listen to me. If you go any further, then the frontiers will be opened, bear that in mind,” Erdogan told the EU during a speech in Istanbul.
He said Brussels had cried out for help in 2015 as tens of thousands of migrants massed at Turkey’s border crossing with EU member Bulgaria.
“You began to ask us ‘what will we do if Turkey opens its borders’?” he asked.
– ‘Promises unfulfilled’ –
On March 18, Ankara and Brussels forged a deal for Turkey to halt the flow of migrants to Europe — an accord that has largely been successful in reducing numbers crossing the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), just over 171,000 have crossed to Greece so far this year, much lower than the comparable figure for 2015 of almost 740,000.
Hundreds of migrants drowned while trying to cross the Aegean in 2015 on unseaworthy boats, including three-year-old Syrian Aylan Kurdi. The images of his lifeless body washed up on a Turkish beach spurred the international community into action.
Turkey agreed to step up maritime and land border controls in exchange for incentives on its long-stalled membership bid, including visa-free travel for its citizens and an acceleration of accession talks.
However with an October target passing, no apparent progress on the visa issue and the accession talks stalled, Ankara has accused Brussels of failing to keep its side of the bargain.
In response to Erdogan’s remarks, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said the deal was in the interest “of all parties” and that “threats on either side are not helpful”.
EU Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said it would not get involved in “statements about hypothetical scenarios” and was still committed to implementing the agreement.
But the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey Kati Piri tweeted that “linking (the) deal on migration with (the) EU accession talks was wrong from the beginning.”
Erdogan said while Turkey itself was looking after three million refugees — mainly 2.7 million Syrians from the civil war, but also Iraqis — but “you (the EU) did not fulfil your promises”.
“You never acted honourably,” he told the bloc.
He has also accused Brussels of failing to fulfil a promise to deliver some six billion euros ($6.3 billion) in aid for refugees.
The EU says the money is to be transferred gradually for individual projects and not in a single payment.
– ‘Not a reality’ –
The European Parliament vote reflected spiralling tensions with Ankara after Brussels repeatedly expressed alarm over the magnitude of Turkey’s crackdown after the coup. Turkey in turn accused Brussels of failing to show solidarity.
The parliamentary vote is non-binding and earlier this month, all EU foreign ministers — with the exception of Austria — said they were in favour of continuing the accession talks.
But analysts say the entire membership process is in deep trouble, with little hope of progress and several risk factors that could lead to its collapse.
“Realistically, moving forward is also nearly impossible… Both Brussels and Ankara remain stuck and are playing for time,” Asli Aydintasbas of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said in a research paper.
She suggested an alternative form of engagement between Turkey and the EU, other than full membership, could be agreed to save face and move forwards.
“In reality, most officials privately concede that full membership is not a possibility at this point,” she said.
Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, a hardliner on Turkey, said Europe should strengthen its own borders after Erdogan’s comments and “must not give into blackmail”.

Fans Slam Mariah Carey For Posting ‘Photoshopped’ Thanksgiving Picture

A picture posted by American singer Mariah Carey on Instagram has been met with backlash.
Fans have accused the 46-year-old of photoshopping a selfie she posted to mark Thanksgiving.
The mother-of-two appeared to have edited the picture of without realizing she made some errors.
In the picture, there appear to be awkward bends in the outline of both the mirror and the cupboard behind her leg.
A chunk of the singer’s upper arm also appears to be missing, with fans calling her out for the editing.

Ondo Election: INEC has prepared result sheets in favour of Akeredolu – Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has already prepared result sheets for tomorrow’s governorship election in Ondo State.
This is as the outspoken governor frowned at INEC’s selection of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, FUOYE, Prof Kayode Soremekun as the Resident Electoral Officer, REC, for the Saturday’s governorship poll.
In a statement he personally signed, Fayose called on the electorates of Ondo State to protect their votes during and after casting their ballots.
The statement reads, “At the early hours of today, information came in that the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Kayode Soremekun, who was the INEC Returning Officer in the recently concluded Edo State governorship election that is still a subject of litigation, will also serve as the Returning Officer for the Ondo State election.
“The questions that came to my mind were; is Prof Kayode Soremekun the only Vice Chancellor in Nigeria? Is FUOYE the only federal university in Nigeria? Is Ekiti the only State where INEC can find Returning Officers?
“Definitely, INEC is up to a sinister game on the Ondo State election and it is obvious that the electoral commission is working with the All Progressives Congress (APC). This belief was further made manifest by the response of Prof Soremekun to an SMS and a call, saying that he was only being used as decoy by INEC.
“This was further corroborated by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, who said on television that identities of those to be used as Returning Officers are being kept secret.
“Obviously, it is clear beyond any doubt that INEC is only trying to make a volte-face, after its sinister motive of using the same people it used to rig the Edo State election was exposed.
“Electoral process should be an open book that anyone can read. Sadly, less than 24 hours to the Ondo State election, INEC is telling Nigerians and the entire world that identities of those to serve as Returning Officers are being kept secret.
“Why should those that will conduct election be hidden from Nigerians? Is election now a secret affair?
“The sad reality confronting the electoral process in Nigeria today is that apart from the APC, other political parties are now contesting elections against INEC.
“It is clear that the Returning Officers already have fake results that they will announce to Nigerians as they did in Edo State.
“Evidently, democracy in Nigeria has suffered a serious setback and it will take the insistence and resistance of the people of Ondo State for their votes to count tomorrow.
“Furthermore, to sustain the planned rigging, names of some judges seen as trusted enough to give the APC favourable judgment have been compiled to be used as members of the Election Petition Tribunal. In other words, the election tribunal has been constituted even before the election is held.
“I therefore urge the people of Ondo State to be extremely vigilant. When they go out tomorrow to cast their votes, they must stand by their votes. They must follow their votes from the polling stations to the ward collation centres, local government collation centres and the State collation centre.
“My dear people of Ondo State, if they tell you to leave the State collation centre at any time that collation will be suspended as they did in Edo State, resist it. Stay awake all night on Saturday till final result is announced.
“INEC must be reminded that it has a duty to Nigerians and not APC. The people of Ondo State must be the one to elect their own governor, not INEC. Therefore, tomorrow’s election must be free, fair and credible.
“Nigerians must remember there is no alternative to democracy, we must salvage it together.”

Conte tells Moses to shun Barcelona move

Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte, has told Nigeria forward, Victor Moses to shun reports linking him with a move to Spanish giants, Barcelona.
He told Moses to focus on his football with Chelsea after being scouted by Barcelona since his move to right wing-back.
The Nigerian winger has been in a great form for the London outfit this season after the Italian switched to a 3-4-3 formation, but that has prompted rival clubs to show an interest in his services.
Conte wouldn’t be drawn on whether Chelsea would be ready to offer Moses a new deal to ward off interest, but he was emphatic about his desire for his players not to lose focus during their impressive six-match winning run.
“For everything [regarding contracts], there is the right time to speak,” Conte told a press conference at Cobham Training Centre. “About Victor, I repeat, it’s important to be focused on the present. It’s important to be focused game by game.
“Now we are doing very well. But, for me, I don’t want to think that my players see ‘so long’ (into the future). I like to think my players are focused on the present, not the future so long-term.
“We have just started in this league and, after a period, two bad defeats, we won six games in a row. This is important, now, to continue this. To be focused to work for the present. Not to look at the future.”

How Nigeria can come out of recession – UNILAG VC

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello has disclosed that the only way for Nigeria to recover from its present economic recession was by sustaining appropriate research into economic activities.
He gave this hint recently while declaring open the 11th Unilag Annual Research Conference and Fair with the theme “Diversification in a Developing Economy: Promoting Academia-Industry collaboration” held at the institution’s main campus.
A report from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, released early this week indicated that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, shrunk by 2.24 percent in the third quarter of 2016, pointing out that the depreciation has worsened the country’s chances of getting out of recession in 2016.
But Bello maintained that with Nigeria in recession, there is need to re-engineer the fabrics of nation’s economic activities to ensure a solid and virile base need of the citizenry, especially looking inward into agriculture.
“Nigeria can achieve greatness; if she has a productive economy where the larger chunk of its material needs are produced locally with the attendant optimal use of our agricultural and natural resources.
“The only way to cushion this and sustain it, is through appropriate research into our economic activities, and use of our raw agricultural and natural resources with the aim of establishing novel and viable processes for their uses and applications and by extension export to other users outside of the nation,” he added.
The academic stated that the theme of this year’s conference “Diversification in a Developing Economy: Promoting Academia-Industry collaboration” was most appropriate and in consonance with the mood of the nation, stressing that the Conference sought to bring up avenue for exposure to industrialists and entrepreneurs research results that should be taken advantage of, while industrialists and other economic operators could challenge the researchers and open up collaborations on issues with their operations or businesses.
He asserted that this is the only way Nigerians’ collective efforts can yield fruits to the University, the Industry and the National economic development.

Vice Chancellor, two others arraigned over alleged N800 million fraud

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, as well as the school’s Pro-Chancellor, Adeseye Ogunlewe, have been arraigned in court on an 18-count charge of financial misappropriation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday arraigned the two officials, alongside the bursar of FUNAAB, Moses Ilesanmi.
The three suspects, who were driven to the court by EFCC operatives in a Nissan Urvan bus, entered the dock at High Court 6 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for alleged misappropriation of N800 million.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge, O.O Majekodunmi, stepped down the matter briefly for the counsels to resolve their differences over service.
Recall that members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, in the institution had earlier in November shut down the university in protest, calling on the Federal Government to probe the activities of the institution under the leadership of Oyewole.

US embassy warns of possible Boko Haram attack in Abuja

The United States, US, Embassy in Nigeria has warned of an imminent Boko haram attack in Abuja.
The US embassy in an emergency message urged its citizen’s resident or doing business in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to be security cautious.
The mission said information available at its disposal points in the direction of Boko Haram as the possible attackers.
According to the embassy, the attackers’ likely targets would be hotels frequently visited by Westerners.
It, however, disclosed that there is no additional information about the exact timing of the planned attacks.
The embassy said, “We advise all U.S. citizens to review their personal security plans, remain aware of their surroundings, including local events, monitor local news stations for updates, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos.”

Nigeria needs Atiku to make life more meaningful – Tinubu

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has asserted that Nigeria needs people like former vice president, Atiku Abubakar to make life more meaningful for Nigerians.
In a letter to felicitate with the former vice president on his 70th birthday, Tinubu described the Turakin Adamawa as a man of faith, saying faith has kept him going and waxing strong.
In the letter he personally signed, the former Lagos governor urged Atiku to accept that “there is a tide in the affairs of men”.
Tinubu wrote: “I write to felicitate with you on the attainment of the proverbial age of three scores and ten, 70. Your life has been a life of service to your people, your country and the causes you believe in. Nigeria has been well-served by your stewardship and leadership.
“Your steadfastness in walking the democratic path sets you apart as a leader with substance.
“Your passion for education has seen you invest your time and resources in education, knowing full well that when you educate people, you educate a nation.
“You are a man of faith. Your faith has kept you going and kept you strong. I urge you to accept that there is a tide in the affairs of men. You must continue to serve Nigeria well even as a private citizen and a notable leader.
“Do not relent because Nigeria needs you and others like you to continue to make life more meaningful. We must continue to explore common grounds towards promoting the common good.
“I pray for a long life and continued good health for Turaki Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar”.
Recall that reports recently had it that both men are allegedly plotting to float a new political party ahead of the 2019 elections.

iPhone theft: How Seun Egbeegbe’s charms failed him at Computer Village

As the news of Toyin Aimakhu’s ex-boyfriend, Seun Egbegbe’s iPhones theft saga continues to trend on the social media, fresh reports have emerged that the filmmaker uses charms.
The Yoruba movie producer was attacked for allegedly trying to steal nine iPhones, from a store.
A phone trader, Segun Akinola, at the computer village in Ikeja, Lagos State where the incident occurred, had disclosed that Egbegbe was known all over the famous computer village market for his alleged theft attitude.
Egbegbe, who was arraigned by the police before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and granted bail on Thursday, had refuted claims he was arrested or beaten up for stealing iPhones in Lagos State. .
A source privy to the theft incident exclusively told NAIJA GISTS that his (Egbegbe) charm failed him on the said day.
According to him, “How do you think Egbeegbe would walk into the mall accompanied by a young man, his voodoo accomplice, maybe, requesting 9 iPhones.
“What does he need 9 iPhones for? Is he a phone dealer? His charm would have made him invincible, that was why he took them (phones) to his car parked many metres away without prior notice to the phone attendant. Or maybe the sales person would have become dumb or blind or something like that until he was off the environment. As if to say he hypnotize the sales person.
“The reason he walked away was because he uses charm.
“When the sales boy ran after him to demand for the money, Egbegbe claimed he had paid; that he should be left alone. He entered his vehicle and was zooming off when the sales boy shouted, held on to him, while both exchanged blows.
“His accomplice escaped, maybe to go back to the babalawo that the charm failed. This is how all these celebrities and public figures so to speak, go around seeking for spiritual powers. They flaunt their wealth but do you ever wonder how they get it?” our source quizzed.
Meanwhile, UK trained journalist, Kemi Olunloyo told NAIJA GISTS Egbegbe uses charms.
She said he steals to impress women with gadgets gifts “according to his current girlfriend who spoke to me exclusively.”

UEFA League : Iwobi own goal denies Arsenal win; Barca , City reach last 16

Arsenal squandered their lead and missed out on a chance to secure top spot in Group A in the penultimate game of the Champions League group stages as Paris St-Germain came from behind to draw.
The visitors, much the better side in the first half, took the lead when Edinson Cavani finished a superb 21-pass move.
Arsenal equalised before the break when Grzegorz Krychowiak fouled Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud equalised from the spot in what was the Gunners’ first attempt on target.
The hosts improved after the break and took the lead in scrappy circumstances when Aaron Ramsey’s shot deflected in off the helpless Marco Verratti.
Victory would have ensured Arsene Wenger’s men would have qualified for the knockout stages as group leaders with one game remaining, but PSG levelled through a Lucas header, which came off Alex Iwobi who was standing on the line, to take top spot on goal difference.
And David Silva’s deft equaliser ensured Manchester City reached the Champions League knockout stage for a fourth consecutive season with a draw at Borussia Monchengladbach.
City trailed when Raffael netted a rising 15-yard drive past Claudio Bravo from a central position.
But Silva slid in at the near post to convert Kevin de Bruyne’s low cross before the break.
City improved after half-time, helped by the dismissal of home skipper Lars Stindl for two yellow cards.
However, the visitors were also reduced to 10 men when Fernandinho was booked for a second time for a needless tug on Raffael’s shirt inside the Monchengladbach half, reports the BBC.
Despite more space for both sides to exploit, the game failed to open up in the final half-hour.
But the point, coupled with Celtic’s home defeat by leaders Barcelona, clinches second place in Group C for Pep Guardiola’s men.
The Blues cannot catch the Spanish champions, who are four points clear with one round of matches to play.
UEFA LEAGUE RESULTS
Besiktas 3 – 3 Benfica
FC Rostov 3 – 2 Bayern Mun
Arsenal 2 – 2 Paris St G
Ludo Razgd 0 – 0 Basel
Napoli 0 – 0 Dynamo Kiev
B Gladbach 1 – 1 Man City
Celtic 0 – 2 Barcelona
Atl Madrid 2 – 0 PSV Eindhoven

Obasanjo blasts Buhari over poor economy

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday attacked President Muhammadu Buhari over his plan to borrow $30 billion to solve short-term challenges. Speaking at the first Akintola Williams Lecture in Lagos, Obasanjo said it did not indicate deep thinking, noting that rather it was a reflection of a desire to solve short-term issues to the detriment of medium and long-term goals. He also lampooned Buhari for continually blaming his predecessors for the nation’s woes, noting that the time had come for him to take full charge of the economy and correct its dwindling fortunes. “Now that we have had change because the actors and the situation needed to be changed, let us move forward to have progress through a comprehensive economic policy and programme that is intellectually, strategically and philosophically based,” Obasanjo said. “It is easier to win an election than to right the wrongs of a badly fouled situation. When you are outside, what you see and know are nothing compared with the reality. “And yet once you are on seat, you have to clear the mess and put the nation on the path of rectitude, development and progress leaving no group or section out of your plan, programme and policy and efforts. The longer it takes, the more intractable the problem may become.” He also praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and ICPC for fighting corruption but urged them to work harder. He also called for the prosecution of federal lawmakers accused of padding the 2016 budget.

AWCON: Ghana’s Black Queens hold back Super Falcons

Defending champions Nigeria on Wednesday in Limbe could only draw 1-1 with rivals Ghana at the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon.
The result left both sides with four points each after two Match Day Two, but it also brightened their chances of semi-finals qualification.
It was however a setback to the Super Falcons who had been expected to advance to the semi-finals with a win, no matter how close.
The Falcons are tournament favourites with seven title wins from the competition’s past nine editions, and had started their campaign with a 6-0 mauling of Mali on Sunday.
With Ghana having struggled to beat Kenya 3-1 on Sunday, the Falcons expectedly took the lead after 22 minutes through competition’s leading goal scorer Asisat Oshoala.
But the Black Queens stood up to them to draw level in the 44th minute, and then went on to dominate the second half.
Nigeria will now meet Kenya on Saturday in their final group phase game, while Ghana take on Mali, with both Nigeria and Ghana needing only draws to advance.
If both sides draw their matches on Saturday, group leaders Nigeria will top to face Group A runners-up in the semi-finals.

FG scraps unified cut-off mark for varsities, others

The Federal Government has approved the scrapping of the unified cut-off mark hitherto used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as a criterion for admission into tertiary institutions.
This means that the board has been given permission to approve discriminatory cut-off marks for different institutions, believing that such would promote fairness and equity to all interested candidates.
A statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Deputy Director (Press) in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben Goong, noted that the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, announced the development after his meeting with chief executive officers under the ministry.
The minister, however, asked JAMB to consult widely with stakeholders to develop separate cut-off marks for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education admissions that would take effect from 2017/2018.
Part of the statement read: “It makes no sense subjecting candidates who are seeking admission into various tertiary institutions to the same cut-off marks when the durations and contents of their courses are radically different.”
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyode, had initiated the argument that the unified cut-off mark hitherto adopted by the Federal Government had outlived its relevance, particularly when colleges of education and polytechnics admit for NCE and diplomas, while universities admit for degrees.