More candidates In IDP Camps Enrol For Common Entrance exam – Minister

Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Minister of State for Education, says more students enrol for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) in the north-eastern part of the country as insurgency eases off.

He said 169 candidates at Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDPs) in the region wrote the 2016 NCEE into unity colleges.

Anwukah spoke while monitoring the conduct of NCEE on Saturday in Abuja, noting that the total number of registered candidates for 2016 NCEE was 90, 786 with Lagos State having highest number of 25, 963 candidates.

He observed that Zamfara had the least with 103 candidates, insisting that the number of candidates from IDPs was impressive due to effective war against insurgency that liberated communities.

“Adamawa has 313 regular students; those in IDPs camps; 34, total for Adamawa is 347.

Borno has 187 regular students; those in IDPs camps; 120, total for Borno is 307; Yobe has 387 regular students; those in IDPs camps; 15, total for Yobe is 402.

Last year, Lagos had the highest registration with 25,437; the lowest last year was Borno understandably with 35; the total number of candidates for last year examination was 86, 365.

As the insurgency problem is easing off, more of our students are registering for NCEE and affording themselves the opportunity to enter Federal Government Colleges,’’ he said.

According to him, there is a remarkable increase in the number of students from Borno and Yobe in 2016 examination.

The minister said that in 2015, Borno had 35 candidates as against 387 in 2016 while, Yobe had 68 in 2015 as against 402 in 2016.

He said that available spaces for the candidates across the 104 unity schools in the country was 26, 000.

Anwukah said that improving the quality of teachers was the main concern of the Federal Ministry of Education as it worked towards producing the best qualified teachers for the students.

On his part, NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Abdulrasheed Garba, said that adequate security measures had been put in place in states having security challenges.

“The results are expected to be released by NECO to the Federal Ministry of Education on April 20 after which the ministry will direct NECO to make t public.

Candidates are to check the status of their qualification for the interview test both at the various unity colleges and on-line via NECO website www.mynecoexams.com as soon as the release of results in announced.

Candidates that quality after writing this examination will be invited for final selection interview coming up on a date to be announced after the release of this results,” he said.

He said that Computer Based Test (CBT) was the latest innovation in examinations across the world, adding that the council would migrate to CBT when adequate facilities were put in place.

NAN reports that Anwukah and Garba, including officials of the ministry and NECO, monitored the examination at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone 4 and Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3. (NAN)

Footballer John Ogu Dedicates His Goal To Wife And Unborn Child With Funny Picture

The Nigerian professional footballer with Israel club Hapoel Beer Sheva celebrated the club's victory yesterday by dedicating the goal to his wife and unborn child.
"Thank God for d win and for the goal. Goal dedicated to my wife and unborn princess. Now focus on Cup semi on Wednesday" he captioned the photo

Dwayne 'The Rock' Wrote Sweet Message To His Daughter As She Turns 4 Months

The Rock's daughter Jasmine turned four months yesterday, April 16 and the dotting father took to Instagram to wish her a a happy 4 month birthday with a sweet, heart-melting message.
 "I'm always asked-What inspires you?" the actor captioned the adorable photo of himself and Jasmine "My answer's easy and honest.. what inspires me the most is always waitin' for me to walk thru my front door when I come home. Happy 4 month birthday Jasmine!
One day you'll know just how happy, proud, lucky and blessed you, your sister and your mama make me. You'll also thank me one day for your toughness and your mama's everything else. #HappyBrithdayJas #DaddysLilToughGirl #GratefulMan Ohana"
The 43-year-old former WWE wrestler and girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, welcomed Jasmine, their first child together, in December last year.

Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo Recounts His Miraculous Escape From Armed Robbers In Nigeria

John Dumelo took to his Instagram page on Saturday to recount a robbery encounter in Nigeria on his way back to a hotel. According to the actor who is currently shooting a movie somewhere in the country, the armed robbers blocked his car, but they managed to escape by speeding off. He shared a stock photo of a man with his hands raised in praise and wrote:
"Yesterday we were attacked by armed robbers on our way back to the hotel from filming in Nigeria. The robbers wearing black, blocked the car we were in, got down with their guns and walked towards our car.
It was God who took over the wheel. Our driver swerved and sped off. They just stood there watching. As if to say "these are not the people we have to rob". Anything could have happened to us. My brothers and sisters, there is God! Believe in Him and He shall protect you. I thank God for my life and the lives of my fellow actresses in the car. #Jesustookthewheel #praiseGod

Yoruba Actress Kemi Afolabi Denies Dating Actor Odunlade Adekola, Says Odunlade Is Her Husband's Friend

Last month  rumor was carried that popular Yoruba actress Kemi Afolabi and Odunlade Adekola are dating but Kemi has now come out publicly to deny the allegation saying she's not dating Odun, only that her husband and Odun are best friends.
See her words below:

Zimbabwean Lady Beaten And Stripped By Her Married Lover's Wife & Her Friends

According to H-Metro who shared photos of the beating which they obtained from an eyewitness, Mai in company of three of her friends, stormed her husband's office, confronted Sandra and demanded to know her relationship with Gerald who is the Transport Manager at a local transport firm near Highfields in Zimbabwe.

According to the story, Mai was very angry after finding out Sandra was sleeping with her husband because it was her mother who helped Sandra get a job at the same company where her husband works.

Armed with a pair of scissors and two bottles of beer, Mai and her Friends, entered the company and descended on Sandra. She initially denied that she was having an affair with Gerald but after much beating, Sandra confessed she has been dating Gerald for over a year and asked for forgiveness

While beating her, Mai said to Sandra
"Was it not my mother who helped you secure a job here? And this is how you pay her back by bedding her daughter’s husband.You made me bake cakes for your children using my hubby’s money making me appear a fool. Today I want to teach you a lesson. I want all the things that my husband bought you.”

The angry women cut Sandra's hair while her clothes were ripped apart. They fought with a male colleague who challenged them for stripping Sandra naked. Mai's husband who is the cause of the problem, was not at work when all the fighting took place.

Mai Jerry and her friends were later arrested and charged to court. While in court, Sandra confirmed she dated Gerald knowing he was a married man. Mai and her friends where mandated to pay US$50 fine each by April 22nd or face a 10 days jail term.

Woman Kidnapped Her Two Children to get Ransom From Husband - Rivers State Police

On Tuesday April 12, Rivers State Police Command released photos of captured suspected criminals in the state. Among the suspects paraded was a woman id

entified as Mrs. Abigail Brown who kidnapped her two children to get ransom from her husband.

According to a statement issued by the Command on Wednesday, April 13, Mrs Brown and husband’s former driver, identified as ThankGod, connived to kidnap her two children, aged 2 and 10. The suspects then called the husband to pay a ransom in order to secure their release. Brown who had earlier denied the allegation against her, later but later confessed to the crime claiming she that "it was frustration that made her to commit the crime as she had no means of survival."

She claimed that her husband had abandoned her and the two children to suffer, adding that the kidnap was the only means of making some money from her husband. She had abducted her two children, and hid them in her sister’s place and was awaiting the ransom from the husband before she was apprehended by the police.

"I did it because of frustration. My husband abandoned me and my children. Since he left us and went away, I have been suffering with my children, and I know that he has money. I only did it to make him bring money for me to take care of the children we had together." she said.

Below is the full statement by the Command:

"The Rivers State Police Command has smashed a kidnapping gang that terrorizes Ohigha town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government. CP. Musa Kimo, the Rivers State Police Commissioner said this while addressing pressmen in Port Harcourt showcasing the achievements recorded by the command in crime fighting. The Commissioner of Police Who spoke through DSP. Ahmad Muhammad, the Command's police public relations officer said the suspects confessed to kidnapping of many innocent citizens in the area.

"Numerous raids carried out on suspected criminals' hideout across the state with many suspects arrested, while offensive weapons and other incriminating items recovered from them. One which is the recent arrest of Henry Ajie 'm' age 23 years, Bright Ajie 'm' age 22 years, Dadison Ogadima 'm' 22 years and Sampson Dibia 'm' 30 years all of Ohigha village in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government. On interrogation, the suspects confessed being the gang that kidnapped Mrs. Igila Sunday after which they raped, strangulated and bury her corpse in a shallow grave."
"This same gang also confessed to have sometime kidnapped Pastor Chukwu Eke of the same Ohigha town and killed him for the simple reason that the victim disturbed them with preaching to repent an shun criminal activities."

Also paraded was a woman, Mrs. Abigail Brown, for kidnapping her two children to get ransom from her husband.

Brown and her husband’s former driver, identified simply as ThankGod, were said to have kidnapped Abigail’s two children and called the husband to pay a ransom to secure their release.

Brown initially denied the allegation against her, but later said the act was not intentional.
She said that it was frustration that made her to commit the crime, adding that she had no means of survival.

She claimed that her husband had abandoned her and the two children to suffer, adding that the kidnap was the only means of making some money from her husband.
It was gathered that the suspect had abducted her two children, aged two and 10 respectively, and hide them in her sister’s place.

She was said to be awaiting the ransom from the husband before she was apprehended by the police.
She said, “I did it because of frustration. My husband abandoned me and my children.
“Since he left us and went away, I have been suffering with my children, and I know that he has money.

“I only did it to make him bring money for me to take care of the children we had together.”
They confessed to have demanded N6m as ransom to secure the release of the two children.
She said, “I did not demand up to that amount, but I demanded money from my husband.”
ThankGod, the former driver to the woman’s husband, who accepted taking part in the act, said his former boss’ wife contacted him.

ThankGod said, “She called me to help her. She told me to take the two children to her sister’s place. That is how I got involved.
"She used me to act as the kidnapper of the two children before we were arrested. She lured me into it.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police said the command during the period under review has arrested 146 suspected kidnappers, cultist and armed robbers, adding that twenty six AK 47 rifles, other fifty assorted firearms and 537 different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police further sought for continued support of the members of the public to enable the police secure the state. He said I will never relent to continue to appeal to members of the public for a sustained partnership with the police to stamp out criminals from the state. Our doors shall always remain open to all. Keep calling the following police distress lines 08032003514, 08028915460, 08028915462 and 08160723892 to give timely and actionable information.

Kogi State: SDP Backs Governor Yahaya Bello

The  Kogi State C‎hapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has passed a vote of confidence on the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his performance in the two months since his assumption of office.





State Chairman ‎of the party, Engr. Indah Abdulrahman stated this in Lokoja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor. The SDP Chairman, who was sighted with other executive members of his party, said there had never been an accidental leader adding that every leader had been prepared by God to lead


 He said that what happened in the Kogi state governorship election is enough to remind people that God rules the affairs of men.

God is on a  mission in "Kogi state and let us not close our eyes and pretend that we didn't see it," Engr. Abdulrahman said.

‎He commended the governor  for handling the serious  infrastructural challenges which has been competing for attention.

"You can see that work is going on the drainages and some major roads in the state, which were abandoned by the previous administration after their poor outing in the polls," He explained.


The SDP chairman, said his party has decided to support the governor because of the level of achievements he has recorded within a very short period, which has surpassed his predecessor's record for same period he was in the office.

CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation Aisha Oyebode's Trip To Chibok

This is an article written by Aisha Muhammed Oyebode CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation..
Monday April 11th  I visited the  Government Girls Secondary School  in Chibok to meet with the parents;  mothers and fathers of our Chibok daughters ahead of the  2nd anniversary of the  abduction of our Chibok daughters. Last month the parents had indicated that they would prefer that the anniversary be hosted in their school, they wished to be in their own surrounding to reflect  and pray for their daughters and commune on what they wish and want in their continued loss.

We approached the Ministry of Women Affairs on behalf of the Families and they accepted to work with us to make this reality. My preceding visit was to work with their parents in reviewing their plans, logistics  for the visit and to prepare for such an important occasion, which will take to them a strong government delegation  and give them the opportunity to be heard and ask for the continued government support they needed.

Arriving at the GGSS Chibok was a bitter sweet moment. Though I have met large numbers of the mothers of our daughters, I met many fathers as well. I could hug the mums and convey directly to all the parents that there are many of us out there in the world crying for their daughters to be released  and I  could sense that gave them so much comfort. Being physically in the school however  really brought home  the stark reality of the abduction of our girls.
The message I bring back is that of gratitude to and prayers for every one who has supported the cry for their daughters' return.

When I asked if they wanted to articulate other requests from the Federal Government, their initial response was that they wanted nothing except that their daughters be returned. However I told the parents that the schools  destroyed by Boko Haram should be rebuilt.  I told them that rebuilding Government Girls' Secondary School will be a symbol that the  community remains resilient in the face of  adversity, I also  that it is important for the younger children to resume school as soon as possible so "WE HAVE TO BRING BACK OUR GIRLS AND BRING BACK OUR SCHOOLS"

There was a high level of security and relative calm. As  emphasised by the chairman of the Missing Girls' Movement  Mr Yakubu Nkeki,  despite what happened their community was never fully occupied by Boko Haram and those that were occupied had largely been liberated.

It was evident that much of our territory has been taken back by the Nigerian . As we drove from Yola to Chibok, we could see even in Adamawa State, buildings that had been blown up,, with many riddled with bullet holes which showed how far Boko Haram  incursion  into our territory had gone. However we could see significant rebuilding efforts  both on the  road including the shiny new roofs of many new buildings in the villages.

I

really cannot end this report  without truly thanking our  Nigerian military for their valour and patriotism. As I interacted with the different brigades that kindly escorted us from Yola to Chibok and back, a journey that took 13 hours plus, I saw young Nigerian soldiers  that were drawn from all parts of our great country  working hard to defend our territorial integrity.  I am truly proud to be a Nigerian.

Amsterdam Airport And Hotel Partially Evacuated Due To Security Fears

Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and the Sheraton Hotel adjacent to it were partially evacuated late Tuesday night and one person arrested amid an unspecified suspicious security alert, an airport spokeswoman,  Danielle Timmer told AFP. She said she didn't have further info on the incident.

Television images showed heavily armed special border patrol policemen patrolling outside areas of the airport.

Olajumoke Orisaguna And Her Family In The Apartment Promised By Sujimoto

Sujimoto Construction shared these photos of model and media sensation - Olajumoke Orisaguna and her family inside the luxury apartment promised. More photos below...

FG Backs Amaechi, Says Lagos-Calabar Railway Project Was Included In Budget

The Federal Government has rebutted claims by the National Assembly that the controversial Lagos-Calabar Railway project was never included in the 2016 Budget.

A statement issued by James Akpandem, Media Adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the federal government insisted that the budget that was defended by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi contained the said Lagos-Calabar Railway project.

The statement read:

In view of the recent controversies surrounding the 2016 budget, it has become necessary to state the following so as to set the facts straight:
The details of the 2016 budget were received by the President on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

Immediately this was received the President, desirous of signing the document into law as soon as possible, directed that copies should be made available to Heads of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
“Ministers were asked to go through the details and give their reactions as it affects their respective Ministries so as to guide the President and enable him sign the Appropriation Bill into law.

That process is still on-going and no statement has been issued by the Executive on the matter, apart from the one by the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamnmed, to confirm that details of the budget are being examined. No final decision has been taken by the President and no other statement whatsoever has been issued on the matter.

With reference to the specific issue of the Calabar – Lagos rail project, we will like to state that the two railway projects, Lagos – Kano and the Calabar – Lagos, are very important projects of the present administration; and it was always the intention of the Executive to have both projects reflected in the budget submitted to the National Assembly.

However, it will be recalled that the Budget Office made a number of errors in the initial proposals of a number of ministries. These errors were all corrected by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the corrected versions were submitted to the relevant committees of the National Assembly. This included that of the Ministry of Transportation.

The amended Ministry of Transportation budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transportation and his team.

It must be emphasized that the two rail projects are part of those for which the President is currently negotiating funding with the Chinese government. The N60b provided in the budget for the Lagos – Kano and Calabar – Lagos rail lines, respectively, is counterpart funding, to support the Chinese financing for the projects.

These projects are part of the Strategic Implementation Plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council Retreat in March 2016, in the presence of state governors. They were also mentioned by the Vice President last week in Lagos at The Nation Newspaper’s First National Economic Forum.

It is hoped that with this clarification, the raging controversy over the Calabar – Lagos rail project will be put to rest.

Source: Today.ng

Press Statement On The Alleged Manslaughter Of A Bike Rider In Abuja

Below is a press statement from friends of the deceased.
On Friday, 1st of April, 2016, along the Yoruba mosque axis of the Maitama district, a biker, Mr. Somar Ain Al Shaibeh was on an afternoon ride, kitted with his helmet. Unknown to the rider, a woman driving a Toyota Matrix car with Plate Number BW 227 RSH out of impatience was carelessly driving against traffic as to avoid the traffic gridlock caused by a mosque on her rightful lane, and decided to drive one-way through the very dangerous bend.

Before the rider could sight the oncoming vehicle, it was too late and a head-on collision became unavoidable. He was hit by the woman, unconscious and was rushed to the hospital, and a case was lodged with the police.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, brother Somar passed on. After his death, the Abuja Riders Community tried to reach the woman through the IPO, Abah Emmanuel, of the Maitama police station, and so many shocking details was revealed to them by the IPO.

According to the IPO;
1. The woman who caused the accident was neither arrested for wrong driving nor made to leave a statement with the police. She was allowed to leave for her home directly from the hospital where the rider was rushed to.

2. The whereabouts of the woman and her car is unknown as it was not taken to the police station. IPO claims they have orders to lodge accidents cars at the VIO, this is apparently not true as efforts to compel the officer to let the Abuja bikers team to sight the vehicle with the supposed VIO was resisted by the police. The bikers were threatened with arrest if they kept insisting on sighting the vehicle. They also do not have in possession her car papers as well as driver’s license.

3. Asides the woman’s phone number, the police have no other information about her, and all efforts to reach her on phone have been abortive as she refused to answer calls.

4. The car, a TOYOTA MATRIX with plate number BW 227 RSH is suspected to be carrying an illegal plate number. Investigations carried out by the Riders comunity revealed the woman's Identity as they discovered that her name is Victoria Christopher Umoren and she is a lawyer who works with the National Boundary Commision.

The Riders Community is appealing to well-meaning Nigerians and media outlets not to let this matter be covered up in any form as it indicates, something sinister is already happening. A young man's life has just been wasted.

The Bikers are law abiding members of the society and are ready to release video evidences if the police insist on not taking appropriate action. There are testimonies from eye witnesses at the scene of the accident and picture evidences of events that occurred throughout this period.

If the police refuses to bring this woman to book, the biking community insist that they shall rise up to resist this with all legal means possible so as to ensure their free right to movement and association is not infringed upon. They passionately appeal to the public to join hands with them in this noble cause.

They also wish to let the general public to know that they shall call an international press conference within 48hours if the police refuse to do what is legitimate by producing the woman and prosecute the case.

The Bikers wishes to let the general public understand that;
1. Bikers are fun loving hard working Nigerians, you can’t own a bike if you are not hardworking and productive, the notion that bikers are irresponsible and jobless is false and inappropriate.
2. Last week the NTA tried to cook up a story that a reckless biker had caused an accident without prior investigation. However, on investigation, the story was found to be untrue. This is how we are daily treated by car users and the media.
3. We shall continue to enlighten the community that biking like every other sport has its own lovers and they should therefore be treated fairly. Power bikes are a means of and users are covered within the ambits of the law to use it as so.
4. The biking community in Abuja and Nigeria wish to call the attention of all media houses, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to the series of negative actions daily meted by car users and the FCT administration on Bikers living in Abuja.

The Passionate Appeal is from the Nigeria Biking Community.

Return Government Cars Or Get Arrested – Gov Bello Warns Ex Govt Officials

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has warned former political office holders in the state to return official vehicles they made away with while leaving office or risk being arrested. A statement issued by the state government released today reads;
“The refusal of the former political office holders ‎involved in this act to return the vehicles despite several appeals made to them has led to the constitution of the Vehicles Recovery Committee by the State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello,”
The Committee, which was inaugurated yesterday, April 11th, was mandated to go after the vehicles and recover same in order to accelerate the smooth running of the current government and its programmes. The committee which is chaired by the ‎Adaidu Akoh, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, says it has so far recovered 7 cars.

Cynthia Morgan's Stolen White Range Rover Found By Lagos Police

Lagos state command operatives has recovered Dancehall star Cynthia Morgan's stolen white Range Rover SUV. It was recovered yesterday night April 11th from a mechanic's workshop in Ojodu area of Lagos. The vehicle was stolen on 12th of March. The police said the SUV will be released back to Cynthia shortly...