2021 UTME: Why there was poor performance —JAMB registrar by Sodiq Oyeleke

The JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, has blamed the coronavirus pandemic for the poor performance of candidates in the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. While appearing on a live programme on a Nigerian Television Authority’s tagged “Weekend File”, Oloyede confirmed that this year’s UTME results were poorer than those of three years ago. The registrar said the COVID-19 pandemic affected the smooth running of the academic calendar. He said 99.65 per cent scored 120 marks and above out of the possible 400 in 2021as against 99.80 per cent in 2020. Oloyede said, “In 2018, it was 99.99 per cent but in 2019 it dropped to 99.92. “Also, in 2020, 69.82 per cent of the total candidates who sat the UTME scored 160 and above but in 2021, it reduced to 65.62 per cent. “But this is expected. In Nigeria, we think we do not live in a global community. All informed education experts understand why it is so. They knew the point at which we were in the academic calendar before the examination was taken in 2020 and in 2021. “Last year, when they took the examination, they (the students) had gone far in their syllabus. But this year, they suffered incomplete academic sessions; they had to cope with emergency online lessons and even many other disturbances like insecurity.”

PANDEF rejects passed PIB, says it doesn’t meet expectations, insists on restructuring By Emma Amaize

*Warns FG on interim mgt at NDDC *Tells FG on Igboho Manhunt: Call security agencies to order *On Nnamdi Kanu: We want the truth on alleged abduction PAN-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, weekend, knocked the National Assembly over the newly passed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, saying it did not meet the yearnings of the Niger-Delta people. The regional group also warned that conflicts may continue in the oil-rich region if host communities were denied their legitimate rights. PANDEF, at an extraordinary meeting in Abuja, restated its stand on restructuring and cautioned the Federal Government over the abandonment of its 16-point agenda presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, November 1, 2016, in view of recent threats by militants to resume fresh hostilities in the region over unfulfilled promises by government. It frowned at the continuous use of interim management to run the Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The group asked the Federal Government to call security agents to order concerning the midnight invasion of the residence of Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, and tell Nigerians the home truth on the repatriation of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Nnamdi Kanu. National Leader of PANDEF, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark; National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok- Essien; Deputy National Chairman, Chief Hon. T. K. Okorotie; former Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Nduese Essien; former Chairman, NDDC, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw; and former Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, attended the meeting. Others in attendance were PANDEF National Woman Leader, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Igbeyi; former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Edo State, Dr. Mrs. Rose Obuoforibo; former member, House of Representatives, Chief Mrs. Olivia Agbajoh; former Commissioner, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevwi and former National Secretary, Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, Prince Maikpbo Okareme. The group’s resolutions, contained in a communique by Clark and Ibok-Essien, read in part: “That the PIB falls short of the expectations of the Niger Delta people, who bear the brunt of the consequences of the oil and gas industry operations in their lands. “PANDEF recalls and reiterates that host communities of the Niger Delta region had demanded 10 per cent equity participation, as against the percentages just passed by the National Assembly. “And maintains its long-held logical demand that, unless stakeholders of the oil and gas host communities are given sufficient rights in the management and operation of the industry, conflicts in the oil-rich region may persist. “Cautions the Federal Government of Nigeria over the now likely deleterious consequences of ignoring, or treating with contempt, the 16-Point Agenda presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, on 1st November 2016. “Currently, the Youth in the Niger Delta have declared a ‘vote of no confidence’ on PANDEF because it was the leaders of the region that stayed their hand when, in frustration, they had decided to cripple the national economy in 2016. “Condemns the brutal and bloody midnight raid on the residence of a Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, in a Gestapo manner, during which innocent citizens were killed and properties destroyed. “Stands in solidarity with Afenifere, and the South-West people, on this matter and calls on Mr. President to immediately call to order the security agencies and cease all forms of flagrant abuse of power. “Requests the Federal Government to tell Nigerians the truth of the process which led to the abduction of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and his clandestine, forceful repatriation to Nigeria, and hopes that he will be given a fair and open trial. “Cautions that the reported identification of sponsors of Nnamdi Kanu should not be an alibi to witch-hunt and persecute phantom enemies imagined by the government. “Stands, firmly, in solidarity with the people of the Middle Belt, in the face of brutal physical attacks and seeming plans to destroy their every means of livelihood, by suspected Fulani gunmen.” Vanguard News Nigeria

Prince Charles appoints Nigerian, Omaghomi, as royal director by Victoria Edeme

Prince Charles has appointed Eva Omaghomi as the director of community engagement, a newly created role aimed at improving diversity in royal households. The role became necessary after the senior Royals decided to improve efforts to champion the rights of minorities, DailyMail reported. Omaghomi is Prince Charles’ most senior black aid and with this position, she’ll help in boosting relations between the royal households and minority groups. The job also requires her to “help take forward Their Royal Highnesses’ work with minority groups in the UK, Commonwealth and globally, building on a legacy stretching back to the 1970s”. The 43-year-old Omaghomi is also a christian minister and one of the trustees of the Big Kid Foundation, a non-governmental organisation fighting against youth violence. A source said, “Eva is an excellent choice for the new role. She’s loyal and discreet and the Prince trusts her judgment.” Prior to this new appointment, the British-Nigerian appointee has been in the service of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for 13 years. She had served at the Clarence House as the deputy communications secretary. She was recently a senior strategic adviser to the Prince’s Trust Group, a position which she held for two years.

Insecurity: FCTA demolishes over 400 illegal buildings along Airport road

The Federal Capital Terriory Administration has confirmed the demolition of over 400 illegal structures that constitutes security threat along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road. The Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Mr Ikharo Attah, led the exercise on Sunday in Abuja. Attah, who led the exercise, said the operation was necessitated by the desire of the administration to enhance security of lives and properties in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the demolition, which affected Lugbe-Across, Lugbe-Berger, Car wash and Lugbe Zone 5, lasted for eight hours with heavy security personnel to avoid breakdown of law and order. The security team comprised men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Air Force, Abuja Environmental Protection Board as well as officials of the FCT Department of Development Control. Attah explained that the FCT Administration had received disturbing reports that some illegal makeshift structures were being erected along the Airport Road despite several demolitions. “Last week we were here and after clearing this place people have rebuilt some structures. And we cleared many structures again today. “This time around we have taken more drastic measures. We also appeal to some of them who are building back after seven days of clearing to stop. ”They said they had approached the Federal Capital Development Authority for it,” he said. On his part, the FCTA Director of Security Services, Mr Adamu Gwary, vowed that the administration would not fold its hands and watch criminals overrun the city. Gwary said that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, was not happy with illegal structures posing security threat on the city. Read Also Passengers stranded in bush as Abuja-Kaduna train breaks down FCTA worries over Airport road, demolishes 349 illegal structures Kidnapped ex-Kogi lawmaker, eight others regain freedom He assured that with the minister’s will to removal of illegal structures would be sustained. “The FCT Minister is not happy with the development along the Airport Road and as such he ordered the removal of all activities that will deface the vicinity and also create security threat to the nation’s capital. “You can see that there are so many nuisances which come along with its own security implications. Recently the minister presented a paper on items vandalised. “We have the support of the security agencies and all the departments in FCT are at work. You can see that we came out in the rain, once there is that go-ahead, there is no going back, we will sustain it. “If we identify where there are nuisance, we will pencil it down for operation. It is not only the Airport road but the Airport road has you know is the eye of the city so, we cannot afford to joke with it,” he said. Also, the Chief Security Officer to the FCT Minister, Mr Ahmed Rashid, disclosed that the administration had identified strategies that the scavengers, criminals and the illegal settlers are adopting. “And where they are hibernating, we are dislodging them. As you can see the security challenges are increasing and we cannot wait until the criminals enter the main city before we deal with them. “We are clearing all the illegal motor parks to reduce the number of one-chance. We also notice that they will strike in the city and go back to their safe haven. ”By the time we clear all their safe haven there will be no hiding place for them,” he said. (NAN)

NDLEA arrests mother of three with 100 wraps of cocaine tucked in her private part, handbag By Odita Sunday

*Intercepts drugs going to US, Australia; seizes 410kg opioids in Plateau, Kwara Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a Nigerian woman based in Brazil, Mrs. Anita Ugochinyere Ogbonna, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, with 100 pellets of cocaine concealed in her private part and handbag. The mother of three according to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, was arrested on Friday night on arrival in Abuja via Qatar Air from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha. “Upon a proper search, 12 wraps of cocaine inserted in her private part were extracted while another 88 pellets stuffed in socks were discovered hidden in her handbag. During interrogation, Mrs. Ogbonna who is a mother of three children, all resident in Brazil, claimed she lost her husband three years ago. “She confessed she decided to traffick the illicit drug to raise money for the burial of her father scheduled for July 23, in Imo State. She said one Emeka, alias KC also based in Brazil gave her the drug to deliver in Nigeria for a fee of $3,000. She said she pushed the wraps of cocaine into her private part after her attempts to swallow the pellets failed. “The suspect who owns a shop where she sells African foodstuffs in Brazil further claimed she had to drop her three young children with a Kenyan lady who is her neighbour in Brazil before she embarked on the quick-money-journey.” In a related development, narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos have intercepted 500grams of ketamine concealed in the walls of a wooden box filled with bitter kola that originated from Douala, Cameroon and heading to the United States of America, while another 500grams of methamphetamine hidden in automobile parts going to Australia were also seized at the firm. Meanwhile, over 410 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs have been intercepted and seized by NDLEA operatives in Plateau and Kwara states. A commercial bus with registration number EKY 184 CQ Lagos was intercepted in Plateau with Diazepam weighing 39kg; Exol-5 tablets weighing 35kg and 1.7kg of Flumtrazepam tablets discovered in the vehicle. A follow up operation led to the arrest of a drug dealer, Livinus Nnadi at Bauchi motorpark on June 26, 2021 while on the same day, a blue Sharon minibus with registration number FKG 539 GR, going to Bauchi from Jos was also intercepted and 7.9kg of pentazocine injection recovered from it. In the same vein, operatives of the Kwara state command of the Agency have recovered 67.2kg of Tramadol heading to Benin republic at a checkpoint close to Ilesha in Osun state while a 53-year-old drug trafficker, Zakiru Abdullahi has been arrested on Ilorin-Jebba highway on Thursday, July 1, with 260kilograms of pentazocine injection meant for Kaduna. Reacting to all the successful operations, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended officers and men of Abuja airport, Plateau, Kwara commands of the Agency as well as those in the Directorate of Investigations and Operations, DOGI, attached to the courier firms for their diligence and commitment to work. “Let me again commend all the gallant and vigilant officers and men in these commands and DOGI for their resilience and commitment to the mandate President Muhammadu Buhari has given us in the Agency to rid our towns, communities and even forests of illicit drugs and the criminal elements profitting from the unconscionable trade. With the recent launch of the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, we must all aim for the ultimate goal of winning this battle sooner than expected. We can and we must”, Gen. Marwa charged on Sunday.

Set Date for National Convention Now, Group Tell Buni, calls for his Sack immediately

We will resist attempts to perpetuate the Caretaker Committee in Office Many would have not believed that the current caretaker committee of the APC led by Gov. Mai Buni of Yobe State would still be in existence after it was constituted in June 2020 to organize a tentative National convention that would resolve the leadership squabbles within the APC, all with the aim to restore a fully democratized internal leadership framework within the party. Despite calls by the All Progressives Congress Governors Forum (PGF) to roll out a date for a National Convention and possibly a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the Buni led Caretaker/Extraordinary Planning Committee (CECPC) has surreptitiously obtained another 6 months extension on their tenure from the Presidency on the 25th of June 2021, making this caretaker committee, an aberration in itself, stay in office illegitimately for a year and half The illegality of the prolonged existence of this caretaker committee breaches public trust and the Constitution of the All Progressive Congress Party, hence the call to every concerned individual, group, and stakeholders that an extension of the Buni-led caretaker committee tenure is unacceptable, and a date for the National Convention should be announced immediately. It is observed that Gov. Buni seeks to play on public emotions and sympathy by using the series of defections facilitated from the opposition party as an alibi to perpetuate himself in office, ignoring the legal conundrum that his continued stay in office might cause the party. For instance, not a few legal luminaries believe that the Caretaker Committee lacks powers to conduct primaries – a legal booby trap for the APC in the case of the Anambra gubernatorial primaries. The fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is without a democratically elected Chairman and National Working Committee (NWC) for over a year makes a mockery of our position as a ruling party, questions our adherence to the rule of law, and makes us a laughing stock globally. How can Africa’s largest political party be run by a caretaker committee which implicates itself in its legality of purpose and morality of existence? A pronouncement lately made by the Supreme Court stated that they found the leadership of our party as “irresponsible and reckless”, owing to the fact that a political party could not possibly contravene its constitution by having a Governor serving as a party interim leader at the same time. Some politically related legal cases also hinge on this weakness in our party’s structure to question the legality of a candidate as not being duly signed by the rightful Chairman of their party, because by law APC currently has none. There is a strong impression heating the polity currently which can be confirmed by every well-meaning Nigerian and party members. A Notable APC leader from the North Central who begs anonymity believes that Gov. Buni’s “Giant Strides” is slowly endearing him to many party members whilst shadowing the propensity and influence of the President and true Leader of The All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari. Many would have normally ignored these claims as normal hearsays and attempts to discredit Gov Buni and his Caretaker committee, but strong speculations and suggestions point to the fact that if Gov. Buni’s extra six months extension concludes by the end of December 2021, he would make another smart attempt to play on the intelligence, sincerity and favours of the Presidency in seeking more continuity for his committee. This can be highly regarded as an utter insult to our sensibilities as party men and a disgrace to our intelligence. We must see the signs written on the walls and perceive the hijack to our political ideology of inclusiveness and democratization. APC will be truly repositioned and our winnings consolidated for a greater future if a date for the National Convention is speedily announced and the Gov. Buni l-Led Caretaker Committee is dissolved. As we speak, no nomination and interest form are presently on sale for the congresses, therefore informing Mr President of a supposed commencement of congresses this July, whereas nothing is on the ground to justify that claim can be best be described as a fallacy, in its entirety. Let’s build a stronger party with sincere hearts and a mindset. Thanks and God Bless APC.

Constitution requires Buhari to crush Kanu, Igboho, says NBA Vice President By Robert Egbe

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 1st Vice President, John Aikpokpo-Martins, Saturday said any President of Nigeria is constitutionally bound to crush secessionists like Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho. Mr Aikpokpo-Martins said under Nigerian law, self-determination agitations are “simply unconstitutional”. He faulted secessionists’ claim that agitation for self-determination is a fundamental right, noting that Chapter 4 (fundamental human rights guaranteed provisions) of the 1999 Constitution does not include the right to expressions seeking to divide the country. The NBA official stated this in his personal capacity in a post on his Facebook page titled, STIRRING THE HORNET’S NEST; THE MENS REA. He began his post by differentiating between the agitations of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo on the one hand, and that by Boko Haram, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and Igboho, on the other. Mr Kanu, the leader of IPOB that is calling for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria, was presented before a federal high court in Abuja last Tuesday, days after his arrest at an undisclosed location abroad. A team of joint security operatives invaded Mr Igboho’s house in Soka, Ibadan, capital of Oyo State around 1an last Thursday, barely 72 hours to his plan to hold a rally in Lagos to further canvas for the Yoruba nation. Defending the government’s actions “strictly based on the law”, Aikpokpo-Martins said: “Let it be known that there is a major difference in the agitation of the Niger Delta militants as led by Tompolo etc to the agitations of Boko Haram, IPOB and Sunday Igboho. “Tompolo never agitated for a different country; this is very very significant and must reflect on how he is treated. “Whereas Boko Haram, IPOB and Sunday Igboho are agitating to carve different countries out of Nigeria, Tompolo never did that; he is a Nigerian and advocates for justice and equity albeit as a Nigerian and in Nigeria. “Constitutionally, no President (whether he is a Buhari, Nnamdi, Babatunde, Ahmed, Osahon, Wike, Aper etc) worth his job will treat those agitating for self-determination with kid’s gloves; he is constitutionally and legally mandated and obliged to crush such people. “You may mouth fundamental human rights to self-determination etc, but the fact is, the Nigerian constitution described Nigeria as one indivisible country; see section 2(1) of the 1999 constitution.” He explained that Buhari took an oath to defend the constitution, “so how can a President who swore to defend the constitution which contained a clause providing for the indivisibility of the country turn around to condone agitations for self-determination whether by peaceful and or violent agitations, when such agitations are directed at the core of the validity/legitimacy of the constitution he swore to defend?” According to him, such agitations are “simply unconstitutional and the President is constitutionally bound to crush same.” He contended further that Chapter 4 (fundamental human rights guaranteed provisions) of the constitution that many rely on to defend protests, agitations and rallies to demand for a division of Nigeria into different countries “did not guarantee such expressions when such expressions or assemblages are directed at the validity and/or legitimacy of the constitution itself ie seeking a divisible Nigeria! “It is a legal, ideological and philosophical absurdity to rely on a constitution to which you seek to destroy to protect a right to destroy the same constitution! “The constitution must inherently and naturally protect and defend itself by denying any person or agitator any right that is inimical to its existence. “So, those agitating to divide Nigeria cannot seek the protection of the constitution; it will not avail them. They can only seek to actualized their demands outside the purview and protection of the 1999 constitution by whatever means that they deem fit. “The constitution and all organs and authorities that take legitimacy from the constitution will automatically be biased against such agitators, so they should not expect to be granted any benefits as of right. “They must brace up to receive any indignity hurled at them by the system with stoic equanimity. Any right granted them by the system is simply magnanimous except such rights can be founded in international statutes.” Aikpokpo-Martins advised that for the agitators to enjoy the benefits of the constitution and be free from the biases of those in authorities vide the constitution, they must first “renounce their claims to the unconstitutional calls for the divisibility of Nigeria ie calls to be carved out of Nigeria. “Except and until the constitution provides for the right to self-determination, any expression or assemblage where such agitations are made are not only unconstitutional but also treasonable. “So, I urge the agitators for different countries to be carved out of Nigeria to first agitate for the right to self-determination and referendum be included in the constitution. “Then and only then will a President who seeks to crush such agitations be said to be acting unlawfully, illegally and unconstitutionally and only then too can agitations for Boko Haram Caliphate, Odua Republic and the Biafra Republic be lawful and constitutional. He described those who disagree with his argument as blind. According to him; “Many persons may not agree with me, but then such people may be blinded by sentiments, ignorance or both. My analysis is strictly based on the law as I know it, and the law is not sentimental. “Lastly, Tompolo was asking for a better deal for his people WITHIN the country called Nigeria as a Nigerian, he never professed any other nationality nor sought for the break up of Nigeria. “This fundamental is the ideological difference between him and the others. His methods may have been unlawful, but certainly not unconstitutional, so he deserves different treatment to Sunday Igboho, Nnamdi Kanu, Shekau and all Boko Haramists. “The actus reus may be the same, but the mens rea is not.”