WASSCE: We can’t decide for private, state schools – FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it cannot decide for state and private schools on whether or not to participate in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, clarified this in Abuja on Monday during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had, last Wednesday, said schools would remain closed until it was certified that the situation was safe, emphasising that this was not the right time to open schools.

He had also said the government would not mind forfeiting the WASSCE earlier scheduled to begin on August 4 to save the lives of students.

But Nwajuiba said on Monday that there was no policy somersault on the government’s decision to stop students in the 104 unity schools nationwide  from writing this year’s WASSCE.

“The PTF never said here that they were reopening any school.

“They only provided that assurance and that guidance.

“After FEC on Wednesday, Malam Adamu Adamu, advised the public that based on information that the PTF and NCDC has proffered, that the unity colleges, because those are only 104 out of 19,129 schools that he will not agree and in fact, it is not advisable.

“He (Adamu) went further to advise that we do not open those institutions for the use of exams.

“And that perhaps he advised since it was WAEC that proposed those dates, we’ll be engaging WAEC to reconsider the dates.

“However, he (Adamu) said he is not in charge of private schools and schools that fall under the concurrent list and therefore, devolve to sub-nationals who can take a decision as to what will happen to their state-owned schools and whether they can participate or not.”

Asked if he meant only unity schools were exempted from writing the WASSCE, Nwajuiba said: “For clarity, Malam (Adamu) said, the 104 schools are not available.

“He does not have control over the governors; it’ll be unconstitutional to say he can tell the governors what to do.

“You’ve heard from the PTF chairman consistently that we try to marry what we do with the governors’ forum.

“What we do at the PTF is to have a national response.

“So, the governors may look at the data which we also have.

“It appears to me that they understand the same things we’re doing, but we do not want to impose anything on them.”

FG has agreed to pay salaries of private school teachers owed during the lockdown- Private School owners association president, Yomi Otubela says

 

The President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Yomi Otubela, says the Federal government has agreed to pay the salaries of private school teachers that are being owed by their school management since the lockdown started in March.

A number of private school teachers have come out to cry for help as they have not been paid by their management since March when schools were shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The school management insists they cannot pay salaries since they have also not made money by way of school fees.

Speaking on TVC on Monday morning, July 13, Otubela said the association forwarded a proposal to the Economic Sustainability Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, for the government to pay the salaries of the private school owners and that an approval has been granted to the proposal by the Federal Executive Council.

 

”We have written to the Federal government to understand that these teachers are teaching Nigerian children and that they need to keep them and their families together during the lockdown. 

So the Federal government has listened to our request. We requested that the teachers salaries in private schools should be taken over by the government during the months of the lockdown. We also requested for a single digit loan for private schools to cushion the effect of the COVID19. We requested for support for schools that have existing loans, that they (FG) should liase on our behalf with the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and CBN will liase with commercial banks and other financial institutions to ensure that they give them soft landing in terms of moratorium to repay and deduction in the interest loan. 

The Federal government has approved that they will take over the payment of teachers salaries.

The proposal was sent to the Economic Sustainability Committee headed by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and it was approved by the Federal Executive Council.

We are already talking to them to know the modalities for the disbursement”.

He however pointed out that it is only private schools registered under its association that will benefit from the Federal government’s bailout.

Nigeria recorded 3,600 rape cases during lockdown — Minister

•Women Affairs Minister, Senator Pauline Tallen

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Pauline Tallen, has condemned the upsurge in rape cases nationwide.

She noted with concern that no fewer than 3,600 cases of rape were recorded during the lockdown.

She said, “Reports that we received from commissioners of women affairs across the 36 states of the federation revealed that each state recorded at least, 100 rape cases during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.”

Tallen stated this when she visited the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on a courtesy call on Monday.

She commended Omo-Agege for sponsoring the sexual harassment bill, which was passed in the Senate last week.

She also applauded the Nigeria Governors Forum for declaring a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

Tallen also called for more legislation to protect the girl-child and women.

 

Omo-Agege told his guest that the approval of the Sexual Harassment Bill was in furtherance of the legislative agenda of the 9th Senate, to protect women’s rights.

He said the proposed law, would not only send a strong signal to those who may want to abuse women but ensure that students are not at the mercy of ‘sexual predators’.

The Bill is meant to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions, 2020.

It was passed by the Senate at its sitting on July 7, 2020.

It prohibits sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions and prescribes jail term ranging from two to 14 years for various degrees of offences.

The proposed legislation also prescribes N5m fine for offenders. 

Source: The PUNCH

Irate youths destroy 150 buildings in Anambra State

•Governor Obiano

No fewer than 150 uncompleted buildings in Oba, ldemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State belonging to members of the Uzodimma Estate Landlords Association were allegedly pulled down by irate youths.

It was gathered that the destruction was caused by a land dispute.

President General of the Udodimma Landlords Association, Mr Frederick Chukwu, who addressed journalists said the land in contention was bought from the original owners by members of the group.

He said: “Nobody told us that the land was in contention or any kind of dispute, neither did anybody come to disturb us since seven years ago when we bought it and started building.

“We were surprised that some people from Okuzu Mbana community, particularly a very rich man from the community, sponsored the destruction of our houses, making us incur losses of over N1bn on the over 150 ongoing building  construction.”

Chukwu urged the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to intervene.

In his reaction, the Chairman of Okuzu Mbana village, Mr Chino Anachuna, denied knowledge of the association.

He recalled that they opposed the sale of the land when it was being sold, saying that the group rather connived with the sellers to beat and use the weapon on them.

He said: “The people claiming to be members of the association knew they were in the wrong hands but were assured of protection by the people who were illegally selling land to them.

“We were shouting that time, but they connived with the people selling land to them to beat and use weapons on our people because they compromised all security agents that could come for them.”

A Man of 60 years old in police custody for defiling 9-year-old girl

•Anambra PPRO, SP Haruna Mohammed

Police operatives attached 3-3 Division, Onitsha, Anambra State have arrested one Okafor Ndubuisi of Sunrise Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State for allegedly defiling a minor.

The 60-year-old suspect was said to have defiled the 9-year-old girl in his room on different occasions.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said: “On the 12/7/2020 at about 2:30: pm following a tip-off, police operatives attached to 3-3 Division, arrested a 60years of Sun Rise Estates Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi LGA of Anambra State.

“Suspect had on the same date and on different occasions allegedly defiled a 9 years old girl in his room. The scene was visited by police detectives and the victim taken to the hospital for medical examination.”

Mohammed said that the Police Commissioner in the state, CP John B.Abang, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for discreet investigation after which suspect would be charged to court for prosecution.

BBNaija Season 5 winner to get N85m

As continent-wide viewers and fans await the premiere of the Season 5 of Big Brother Naija, Africa’s popular reality TV show, on July 19, 2020, MultiChoice Nigeria, the organiser of the show, has revealed that this season’s winner will walk away with a whopping N85m grand prize.

The grand prize, which includes a N30m cash prize, makes this season’s winnings the biggest since its debut in 2006 and the highest prize for reality TV shows on the continent.

Speaking on the grand prize, John Ugbe, chief executive officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “The fifth season of BBNaija marks a major milestone in the reality TV series. We are making this season significant by not only increasing the winnings, but by also implementing other creative and innovative ways to ensure the show lives up to premium entertainment, especially during the current pandemic.”

The breakdown of the grand prize for BBNaija season five includes a N30m cash prize; a two-bedroom apartment courtesy Revolution Plus; a top of the range SUV from Nigerian automaker, Innoson Motors; a trip to Dublin courtesy Guinness; home appliances courtesy Scanfrost; a trip to Dubai packaged by Travelbeta; a year’s supply of Indomie noodles, Munch it and Colgate toothpaste; a year’s supply of Pepsi, a branded chiller and a trip to watch the UEFA Champions League finale; and a brand new Oppo mobile smartphone.

Meanwhile, MultiChoice will in the coming days reveal other surprises for viewers and fans of the show.

BBNaija season 5 will be broadcast live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv Max and Jolli packages on channel 29. DStv viewers can also follow the drama this season with the DStv Now app on a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

However, DStv customers who would like to opt-out of viewing the show can do so by sending “Smart card number [space] BBOUT” to 30333. While GOtv customers can do same by sending “IUC Number [space] BBOUT” to 30333. Additionally, customers can activate the parental control option on their DStv and GOtv decoders for viewers younger than 18 years.

In order not to miss a moment of the entertainment on BBNaija season 5, fans are encouraged to sign up on DStv today via www.dstvafrica.com or get GOtv Max or Jolli on www.gotvafrica.com, and download the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps from the app store for more self-service options.

Betway is the headline sponsor of BBNaija season 5 and the gold sponsor is Guinness.

Given the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, MultiChoice Nigeria has assured viewers that global best practices, precautions and preventive measures will be followed throughout the show. 

Source: Business Day

602 Boko Haram members throw in the towel

•Repentant Boko Haram members

Some 602 repentant Boko Haram members, on Monday, denounced their membership of the group and swore Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ex-insurgents who have completed a de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme, denounced their membership of the insurgent group at the Malam Sidi Camp in Kwami Local Government area of Gombe State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they denounced their membership of Boko Haram before an 11-man Quasi Judicial Panel headed by Justice Nehizena Afolabi, of the Federal High Court, Gombe.

Speaking during the exercise, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Shafa, the Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, said the appearance of the repentant insurgents before the judicial panel was a major requirement, before their reintegration into the society.

“The panel is for the clients to appear before it to confess their pasts and denounce their membership of Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) as the case maybe.

“And swear Oath of Allegiance to be loyal, discipline and obedient citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and then make commitment.

“The commitment is that at the end of the programme, where they commit any offence, they stand to forfeit all privileges that they have acquired today and will be liable of offence against the State.”

Shafa revealed that since the operationalisation of the DRR programme in 2016, it had admitted 893 clients into camp while 280 including two Chadians had been transferred to their various national and state authorities.

The Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, said there was already a structure on ground in Borno to continue from where the DRR programme stopped.

 

“We will provide them with psycho-social supports, continue with religious admonition in order to make them good citizens of the country.

“We will also give them starter packs to help them practice the skills that had been acquired in the camp here,” she said.

The commissioner said that those earlier released to the Borno Government from the camp had been assimilated into the society and were doing well.

She disclosed that one of them makes N250, 000 from barbing on monthly basis and had employed several youths.

In an interview with newsmen, Mr Jasper Ukachukwu, Senior Programme Officer, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) said the idea of setting up the panel was to ensure some level of accountability in the DRR programme.

“So that even when they step out of here they will also be held accountable to any offence they may commit,” he said.

Ukachukwu said that the programme was sending the right message to those insurgents who are still fighting for the Boko Haram group, adding that there had been success stories from the programme.

“When you are in the group and you are tired and want to come out of the bush, you need to see what is happening to others; so the DRR programme is sending the right message,” he said. (NAN)

Eight-year-old girl leads anti-rape protest in Lagos

An eight-year-old girl, Gift Ezichi, has rallied women in Lagos to protest against incessant rape and violence against women across the country

The protest march took place at the weekend with Ezichi, a Basic Two pupil, leading the procession through Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos.

The Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (APEF), a non-government organisation, organised the protest.

She said “I joined this campaign because I want to help stop rape at all cost. I am afraid for my life.”

The National Assembly has passed a Bill criminalising rape and sexual harassment, but the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) said it was designed to portray lecturers as potential sexual predators and criminals.

ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said in Jos, “We don’t want a situation, where male lecturers will say they won’t teach or supervise female students…”

Magu Counters Presidential Panel, Says Recovered Funds Don’t Generate Interest

The suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has refuted allegations that he re-looted interests on recovered funds, saying such claims are false.

Magu also dispelled the allegation that he placed N550 billion recovered loot in a deposit account, stressing that the alleged transaction never featured in the proceedings before the panel headed by former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.

The presidential committee on audit of recovered assets (PCARA) allegedly indicted the EFCC under Magu of re-looting recovered loot.

The panel had probed the federal government assets recovered by the EFCC from May 2015 to May 2020.

The presidential panel had accused Magu of re-looting the interest on the N550 billion recovered by the EFCC.

But Magu’s counsel, Wahab Shittu in a statement described the claim as blatant falsehood, stressing that the recovered funds are lodged in the treasury single account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He further stressed that the funds in the TSA do not generate interests.

The statement said, “It is falsehood that Magu placed N550 billion recovered loot into a deposit account.

“The alleged transaction never featured in the proceedings before the Salami panel. Magu was never confronted with any such allegation by the panel and the news is blatant falsehood.

“To the best of Magu’s knowledge, no such amount is in any such account and he remains aghast at such outrageous figures. No one has confronted Magu with such allegations.

“All recovered funds are lodged in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Such recovered funds do not generate interest. This is elementary and can be verified from the CBN and the federal ministry of finance.

“This can also be confirmed from other government revenue generating agencies. Funds kept in TSA account do not generate interest,” the statement added.

Magu who was arrested on July 6 by a combined team of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and 10 force criminal investigation department (FCID), Abuja, is currently being interrogated by the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel.

Meanwhile, the EFCC secretary, Olanipekun Olukoyede, and directors of the commission, were invited for another round of interrogation by the panel just as the investigation over alleged mismanagement of recovered loot and selling of seized assets to associates under Magu’s tenure entered it’s sixth day.

The EFCC secretary and the directors were last week invited by the panel to provide information on the handling of the recovered loot.

However, Olanipekun and the directors, who were said to have worked closely with Magu, were grilled for hours by the presidential panel yesterday.

Magu who was suspended by President Buhari last week, was also quizzed by the panel sitting in the villa.

Allegations against Magu included alleged discrepancies in the reconciliation records of the EFCC and the Federal Ministry of Finance on recovered funds, declaration of N504b as recovered funds instead of N543b found in the CBN recovery account.

 

He was also accused of insubordination to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF).

Magu was accused of not providing enough evidences for the extradition of Diezani Alison-Madueke and alleged late action on the investigation of P&ID leading to legal dispute.

These are some of the allegations listed in the memo sent to President Muhammadu Buhari by the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Meanwhile, the general overseer of Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministries International, Abuja, Prophet Emmanuel Omale has sued the News

Omale, in a letter written by his lawyer, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), and obtained by LEADERSHIP, is demanding for one billion naira as compensation, a retraction and apology.

Part of the letter read, “Our client’s attention has been drawn to the extremely malicious, derogatory and libellous publication with the caption – “How Magu Used ‘pastor’ To Launder Re-looted Funds Abroad – Report” by your Reporter, one Isamaila Chafe, posted on your website – www.nannews.ng on the 11th day of July 2020.

“We, however, wish to make the following clarifications to put the public records straight: That our client is the General Overseer of an Inter-denominational/Multi-religious Prayer Ministry, which Mr Ibrahim Magu attends; Our client, only visited Mr. Ibrahim Magu in a Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, sometime in March 2020; Our client

never laundered any funds whatsoever for Mr. Ibrahim Magu, nor for anybody whatsoever; Our client does not own any foreign bank account anywhere in the world.

“There are no funds whatsoever traceable from Mr. Ibrahim Magu to our client’s Bank accounts whatsoever neither has our client received any funds whatsoever from Mr. Ibrahim Magu. Our client has never received any funds whatsoever from anybody on behalf of Mr. Ibrahim Magu; Our client does not own any property in Dubai.

“His name was never used to purchase any property whatsoever in Dubai, United Arab Emirate or anywhere else in any part of the world, neither has he purchased any property or properties for Mr. Ibrahim Magu in any part of the world whatsoever.”

The letter also added “we wish to state that by reason of the said libellous publication which was read by millions of persons all over the world, our client has been severely injured in his reputation,

character and calling. Our client has thereby been brought into ridicule, public scandal, hatred, denigration, odium and contempt, and lowered in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society.

“We, therefore, demand the immediate retraction of the libellous publication by way of an unequivocal apology to our client prominently published in at least three National Newspapers not later than seven days from the date of your receipt of this letter and that you restrain from further defamation of our client forthwith otherwise, a libel suit against NAN will commence you, your Organization, claiming the sum of N1, 000,0000,000.00 as exemplary, aggravated, general damages for defamation, and for an injunction if you fail to comply.

“Further take notice that this letter constitutes our formal notice of intention to sue.”