Good news as Senate orders JAMB results to valid for three years

The Senate, yesterday, directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to begin to extend the validity of its results to a period of three years.

This was even as it ordered the board to immediately stop its policy of re-assigning candidates to schools they never applied to, saying such policy was contrary to the act establishing the board.

To this end, results obtained from the board by candidates seeking admission into universities are expected to last for three years.

The chamber, which order came following a motion entitled: ”JAMB’s New Admission Policy, “ sponsored by Senator  Joshua  Lidani, APC, Gombe South, which was debated during plenary, also urged JAMB to consult widely with Parents Teachers Association, ASUU and all other stakeholders in the education sector with a view to coming out with a friendlier holistic, comprehensive and sustainable admissions policy.

It also directed its Committee on Education to enquire into circumstances surrounding the JAMB policy, including all allegations of favouritism and generally review the power of JAMB vis-a-vis administration and submit findings within one week.

Earlier, in his motion, Senator Lidani frowned at the JAMB’s policy of posting candidates to schools, including private universities whose fees, he noted, were beyond the means of the candidates’ parents  or guardians, saying in some cases, candidate were posted to universities located far away from their places of abode thus placing additional financial burden on their parents.

Enough is enough GOC warns Biafra agitators

The Acting General Officer Commander (GOC) Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has warned agitators for Biafra that they are now crossing the red line and that its officers and men are battle-ready.

He told newsmen in Enugu that the army would not fold its hands while such persons destroyed lives and property in the country.

“The warning to the agitators is to tell them that enough is enough,’’ Attahiru said, adding that it was inexcusable for troops to stand aside and watch the security situation deteriorate, leading to loss of lives or damage to peoperty.

“The Nigerian Army would like to send an unequivocal warning to all and sundry, more specifically to all those threatening and agitating for the dismemberment of the country, committing treasonable felony and arson.

“Once deployed, the Nigerian Army shall apply the rules of engagement to the letter in order for peace to prevail,’’ he said.

He noted that the agitators had recorded cases of lawlessness in Aba, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Abakaliki and Enugu.

Attahiru stressed that the army took its time to adopt the present stand, saying that it was the primary duty of the police to maintain certain levels of security in the country.

Chck this out

Found this disturbing picture of the former Nigeria's petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, going viral online....

She is known to be an elegant woman with her dynamic style...

I did not steal any money - Diezani

A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said she did not use her position to steal Nigeria’s money.

Alison-Maduekwe, who looked frail told the Publisher of Ovation Magazine and TheBoss Newspaper, Dele Momodu, said she performed her duties to the best of her knowledge and abilities.

I'm not in a relationship but selectively available - Di'ja

Fast rising singer, Di’ja, is no doubt the cynosure of all eyes. In a chat with Saturday Beats, the fair-skinned damsel revealed she is not in a relationship and would not settle for just any kind of man.

She said, “I am not in a relationship but I am selectively available. If a guy should do the right thing, be himself, if he is kind and nice, then we are good to go.”

Talking about her record label and while attributing her success to hard work, the singer said she would never leave Mavin Records because they are her adopted family.

Star Wars superfan turns his £150,000 shrine into a £35-a-night geek hotel paradise

Postman Dave Oldbury, 46, has spent around £150,000 on his Star Wars collection, including toys, posters, action figures, books and life-size Storm Troopers. 

According to Mirror A Star Wars superfan is offering people the chance to stay at his house which he has turned into a shrine to the sci-fi films.

Postman Dave Oldbury, 46, has spent around £150,000 on his Star Wars collection, including toys, posters, action figures, books and life-size Storm Troopers.

He has amassed almost 9,000 cast and crew autographs after roaming the world searching for the film franchise's biggest stars, including Sir Alec Guinness.

Tottenham have completed the signing of Nigerian youngster Victor Osimhen, according to reports posted in London’s Metro. Osimhen, 16, was the star of Nigeria’s recent Under-17 World Cup triumph, with the forward scoring ten goals in seven games at the tournament, including one in the final against Mali.
Tottenham were reported to have opened talks with the player’s representatives during the competition, and according to AS he will now join Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Osimhen’s compatriot Kelechi Nwakali – who was voted player of the tournament – is also understood to be on his way to the Premier League with Manchester City

Benefits of Facebook to the Senators

As released by Special Assistant on New Media to the President of 8th Senate, Bamikole Omishore.

Social media is an integral part of governance and leaders worldwide have accepted the need to maintain a social presence in one or more of the media platform to engage the electorate and further increase the conversations about governance.

Few weeks ago, Head of Public Policy for Facebook in Africa reached out to Senate President, Senator ABubakar Bukola Saraki A New Media Savvy individual to offer to help train Nigerian Senators and their aides on the effective use of the platform to build the communication gap between Nigerians and their legislators.

lt is interesting to note that since the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, Nigerian Senate has actively maintained social media platforms majorly, Facebook and Twitter. (www.facebook.com/Nigeriansenate) and (@NGRSENATE) on twitter in order to bring leģislature closer to Nigerians.
As a step in joining the global community in using the Social media platforms the right way, Head of Public Policy for facebook in Africa will be coming to Nigeria with some of her collagues to Train Nigerians Senators and their aides on EFFECTIVE use of the platform to engage Nigerians on formation of POLICIES and to get undiluted feedback from their constituents.

Recall that over the past few years, Senator Saraki as a Senator was able to get direct unfiltered feedback from his constituents and Nigerians at large on issues that directly affect their lives. I remember vividly a few instances such as the Save Bagega Campaign, which was the issue of lead poisoning in Zamfara and also #SaveAlice in Lagos who was attacked by her foreign employers, just to name a few occasions where people on social media have been able to get in touch directly with him as a Senator to get him to champion issues.
Unfortunately, Some elements have used the platform to defraud Nigerians by creating fake accounts that looks just like that of Senators and other public office holders to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. This training will allow for verification by Facebook and also how training on effective use of this platform can help in delivering more people oriented bills to Nigerians and urgent interventions where necessary.

One of the impact I’m optimisic this innovation will have on the 8th Senate is that more Senators will be able to get direct feedback on what Bills and Motions their constituents want to see. As you know what we need in Ife East Local Government in Osun will be different from what you need IN Wammako local government in Sokoto.

For instance, last week Senate President released a message on Facebook on need for Nigerians to send recommendations of Bills and Motions they will like to see Senators introduced. We received thousands of emails which we are going through now to see which of the Bills we can develop. if we can have more Senators make proper use of this platform, I believe it will help to build the information gap and take the legislature back to the people.

The Senate President being a technology savvy individual himself does plan to run a more technology inclined chamber. We hope to introduce E-parliament platform where Nigerians can track what will be discussed in the Senate, contributions of each Senator, A Bill Tracker to know where each bills currently stand and details of Bills and more engagement from the citizens which will help with their oversight functions.
The impact it will have on Plenary Sessions, as you are aware not all 109 Senators will always be able to put forward their position on every issue on the floor, As was the practise during the 7th Assembly where Senator Saraki will go on Facebook and other social media platforms to table his positions on issues, we hope more Senators will be able to do this so their constituents will know where they stand on issues.

This training is absolutely free as part of Facebook’s Corporate Social Responsibility – CSR of the sponsors. Facebook will already be in Nigeria for a separate business and offered to do the training for free, I believe that extending such gesture to the Naional Assembly is a laudable CSR and they should be commended for this. Nigerians make up a large percentage of Facebook users in the continent and only proper for it to be used to change our country.

The Training has been scheduled for Monday 16th November 2016 at the National Assembly Complex from 12 noon to 5pm.

Bamikole Omishore is the Special Assistant on New Media to the President of 8th Senate.

Court orders DSS to allow Dasuki travel for medical

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS), to allow former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), to travel out of the country for medical treatment.

The immediate-past NSA, had approached the court praying for the enforcement of its earlier order of November 3 that he could travel for three weeks to seek medical assistance for his ailment.

In his verdict, Justice A‎demola Adeniyi, insisted that Sambo must be allowed to travel without delay.

Ademola ruled: “Court order must be obeyed. What is wrong in the defendant travelling and coming back to face trial?

“Only a fit person can stand for trial and investigation. My own orders will not be flouted.”

ECOWAS to start radio and television broadcast channels

The Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) has said that its sub-regional radio and television channels will come on stream in 2017.

Dr Isaias Barreto da Rosa, the ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Telecommunication and Information Technologies, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

Acccording to him, the setting up of the station will promote integration in the sub-region and help project the identity of its people.

“Back in year 2000, the Heads of State of our 50 member states decided on the establishment of a radio and television channel for the community.

“The idea behind this is to promote the West African identity.

“We have free movement of goods and people, a common passport for the entire sub-region.

“We are about to launch a biometric ID card that would allow people to move and settle in any ECOWAS member state without resident permit.

“We have been making tremendous progress as far as regional integration is concerned.

“Setting up a television channel is a very expensive project."

“We are at the initial stage and we are reaching out to partners so we can move ahead with this project for our sub-region.

“We are aiming at 2017 for the launching of this radio and television channel."

He further stated that...

“The promotion of the West African identity, values, the plural characteristics of the member states and the aspects that unite the 300 million people that live within the sub-region, are the core objectives of this radio and television channel.

“Since this will be a West African radio and television channel, we will work to make this channel reach all West African citizens with the language issues taken into consideration.

“One of the core aspects of this channel is that we will not be competing with any local radio and television station within the sub-region.

“We will be partnering with them because we believe that through exchange of content, we could indeed broadcast content from other media organisations to the most remote areas of the sub-region.”

Barreto da Rosa also stated that the commission will cooperate with the different partners as the project unfolds.

He hinted that the ECOWAS Heads of States and Government will decide the most suitable location for the radio/television channel.