The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has fixed August 4, 2020, as commencement for this year’s examination, according to Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education.

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, announced this on Monday at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

From the 4th of August to the 5th of September, please take note. Last week the Chairman of the PTF announced that school facilities will be available for those who want to go into revision classes.

“The idea here is that we have a whole month from now till then, those who can and those who are willing; the states who are willing should make their schools available for their children to revise.” Nwajiuba said.

“We have done the most we can with our representatives at WAEC and we have, this afternoon, confirmed that the dates allotted for the exams will be from the 4th of August through to the 5th of September.”

According to him, the ministry will publish the local timings for the examinations after a meeting with authorities of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), among other stakeholders.

Nwajiuba disclosed that as soon as WAEC examinations were concluded, the government would take up the National Examination Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.

The Federal Government is set to shut the Third Mainland Bridge for six months starting from Friday, July 24.

This was confirmed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola.

According to him, consultations are ongoing for another phase of repair works to begin on the 11.8km bridge.

Popoola explained that the work will commence on the outward mainland section of the bridge, and the ministry is working with relevant agencies to perfect traffic during the period.

The bridge has gone through a series of repair works and was last shut in August 2018 for a three-day investigative maintenance check.

There have also been reports of some worn-out expansion joints on the structure, raising concerns over the state of the bridge.

This development will force motorists in Lagos who ply the bridge to begin making arrangements for alternative routes

Justice Jude Okeke of an FCT High Court on Monday fixed Sept. 14 and Sept. 16 for continuation of trial of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and six others in the alleged N544.1 million fraud.

The EFCC charged Lawal, his brother, Hamidu, who is a director of Rholavision Engineering Limited; an employee of the company, Sulaiman Abubakar and the Managing Director of Josmon Technologies Limited, Apeh John.

The judge fixed those dates after the EFCC Counsel, Mr Offem Uket, prayed for an adjournment to enable him file additional proof of evidence after a ruling on the eligibility of their witness.

At last hearing of the case , the prosecution called a Compliance Officer from Eco Bank Plc, Chidi Eboigbe, to testify for it.

Counsel for the former SGF, Akin Olujinmi, SAN, however objected to the witness giving evidence in the case, saying that he was not listed by the prosecution in its proof of evidence before the court.

Justice Okeke held that the witness brought by the prosecution was not eligible because he was not listed in the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution.

He further held that to allow that would be contrary to the provisions of section 36 (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The judge said such could be possible only when section 379 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 which is further proof of evidence was followed.

“Section 379 (1)(3) provides that, the parties must provide list of witnesses and the summary of their statements to the court and counsel in the matter.

“Adequate time and facilities must be provided to the defendants to enable them prepare properly to defend their cases.

“It is a statutory provision that the prosecution must give the defendants all materials they need to prepare for their defence,” he held.

After the ruling, Uket, prayed the court to allow them an adjournment to enable them reset their proof of evidence.

“Given the far reaching ruling by my Lord, we have to go and work on the proof of evidence in order not to have a repeat of what happened earlier.

“The ruling also have affected the witness I brought to the court, we have to tread the road of caution because the same objection will occur,” he said.

Olujinmi, though not objecting said, “I am not happy with this application, the prosecution have a duty to keep its house in order at all times.

” It seems the prosecution is taking the court and the defendants for granted proceeding in this matter this way.

“They have exhausted their number of adjournments, but I know that the court have its discretion to permit any party for an adjournment.

“If the court must grant it, it should be their last adjournment,” he said.

Also, S.I. Ameh, SAN, counsel for the second defendant, aligned with Olujimi but added that adjournment should be merited.

He added that the prosecution ought to have known that the ruling could come in any way and change to that direction for incessant adjournment impedes the provisions in ACJA.

Other counsel also aligned with the submissions of both Olujimi and Ameh.

Uket further told the court that the lockdown made it impossible to have those listed to come which was the reason why the bank permitted another to come.

He assured the court that unfailingly before the next adjourned dates they would have everything humanly possible put in place.

Gunmen, numbering about five reportedly kidnapped the Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the home of  Jibrin Shuaibu Daddare at Daddare town in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State around 9 pm on Sunday.

A resident of the town, Abdullahi Shuaibu Daddare said in my an exclusive interview that, “The five armed men stormed the residence at exactly 9 pm, and shot indiscriminately into the air and gained entrance through the kitchen door and kidnapped Jibrin who is a staff of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board.”

He said that soldiers have visited the residence of the victim.

An investigation by our correspondent revealed that the kidnappers were demanding N10m as ransom.

Confirming the unfortunate incident to our correspondent, the Chairman of Obi Local Government Area, Mr. Mohammed Iyamoga, said that he had summoned an emergency security meeting to ensure that the victim is seen, released without being hut.

He said, “I have already summoned a security meeting to see how the victim can regain his freedom.”

Oyo Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, has insisted the family of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi was aware of his presence at the gate of the residence contrary to its claim.

Olaniyan was denied access to the Oluyole Estate residence of the late Governor on Sunday during the 8th day fidau prayers for Abiola Ajimobi.

Though the family, on Saturday in a statement by Bolaji Tunji, who was the spokesman for the late governor, explained the fidau was going to be a private affair, Oyo State Government took out newspaper pages to console with the family on Sunday.

The Deputy Governor was, however, denied entry to the building when he visited to join the prayer. He waited for between 10 and 15 minutes at the gate before leaving. He was told that the key to the gate was with Mrs. Ajimobi, who was attending the fidau prayer held in the compound.

Tunji, in a statement, had denied that Olaniyan was deliberately denied entry because the family was not aware of his planned visit and arrival at the gate.

He added that that on making efforts to facilitate access for him later, they discovered that he had left. The family offered apologies for the incident.

But in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Omolere Omoetan, Olaniyan countered the explanation that the family was unawares he was waiting at the gate.

He said it was another act of rebuffing hands of fellowship being extended to the family of Ajimobi by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The statement reads in part: “Again, some members and aides of the former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi continue to rebuff the hand of fellowship extended to the family of the late governor by the government of Oyo State led by His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

“Today at the 8th day Fidau Prayers of the former Governor Oyo State Isaika Ajimobi, the Deputy Governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan, was denied access to the venue of the event.

“The Deputy Governor, who led the government delegation comprising himself and some commissioners, on the approval of the governor, was kept waiting at the gate for over 15 minutes. Even when security men at the gate went in to tell them he was at the gate, no directive came back to grant his Excellency access.

“At a point, the security personnel in uniform and mufti at the gates became very hostile and the ADC to the Deputy Governor was manhandled by men of the police force. It was at this point that the Deputy Governor decided to leave the scene that was becoming tense while waiting in his car.

“Having waited for a while to see if the situation would change to no avail, he proceeded to take his leave.

“It should be noted that the Deputy Governor put a call through to Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Chairman of Oyo State Muslim Council, who was among the officiating ministers, that he was at the gate and was being denied entrance. Alhaji Sanni responded that his hands were tied. This is clear indication that what transpired was premeditated.

“There was no truth in the family saying they were not aware that the state government delegation was at the gate because Mr Bolaji Tunji was severally called by men of Civil Defence at the gate.

“Even if the Deputy Governor arrived when the prayers had started, it is a well known fact in Islam that when prayers are on-going and a male walks in, it’s an indication that the prayers have received Allah’s acceptance.

“However, Engr Raufu Olaniyan wishes to re-iterate that the visit of the government delegation to the 8th day Fidau Prayers of His Excellency Senator Isaika Ajimobi was a clear demonstration on the part of His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, that the late governor is held in high regard. He stated that it was only fitting for the state government to show respect to the late governor at the Fidau prayers held in his honour.

“The Deputy Governor also wishes to put it on record that despite the way he was treated by the Ajimobi family, which he refuses to hold personal, he has displayed maturity as required of the public office at this level. He holds no grudges and he will continue to pray that Allah grants the departed former Governor Al-Jana Firdaus.

Miss Deborah from Benue state, 300level microbiology student of Benue state university base in Jos. slumps and dies on her birthday celebration in Makurdi

As her Facebook friends posted and share the sad news

Ikenna, who is a PhD student at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and also a teaching assistant in the same university, said he was on his way home when he found the wallet.

”On the 19th of June, 2020, as I was coming home at about 7pm, I wanted to buy kebab for my wife, when I approached the shop in the centre I saw a purse and I picked it up. When I opened it, it contained [a] huge sum of money, queen’s cards and other valuables. I was sure that the owner was looking for the money, I was sure the owner was heartbroken then I took the money to the police station.

On getting to the police station, the police officer asked why I did not take the money, I told him that I was raised by a decent family and that my faith as a Christian forbade me from taking anything. Then I handed over everything to him and he took my information and everything about me and then told me about my rights as somebody who has found something that was missing.

He told me that I was entitled to 10 percent of the money and that if the owner of the money does not come to pick the money after three months, that the whole money will be mine.

Both offers were rejected by me. I rejected those offers because I am a Christian, I rejected those offers because I was raised by a very decent family. I rejected those offers because I’m a Nigerian.

Here is a message for every Nigerian that should maintain, protect the image of our nation wherever we are. Especially those in diaspora, we are the Nigerian people know. When we do something bad abroad it reflects on the image of the nation.

This is a message for non-Nigerians who think that every Nigerian is a criminal. That is not true. Nigeria is a country of about 200 million people. Two hundred million wonderful people.

There are some criminal elements in Nigeria, I must admit, and these criminal elements are found in every part of the world. These criminal elements are just a tiny fraction, they do not represent who we are, they do not speak for us. They are not a true reflection of who Nigerians are.”Nweke said

In a statement released today July 4 by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, President Buhari applauded Nweke for projecting the values of honesty, integrity, and contentment. The statement reads

”President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm greetings and commendation to a Nigerian doctorate student in University of Tsukuba, Japan, Mr Ikenna Nweke, who returned a missing wallet with huge sums of money to the police, and also turned down offer of a percentage by the authorities.

President Buhari salutes Nweke for projecting the values of honesty, integrity and contentment that should be the hallmark of a people, noting that good virtues and propriety are the hallmark of every culture in Nigeria, while crimes and criminalities are exceptions.

The President believes Nweke’s behaviour, coming at a period that the country needs a positive spotlight and close-up on its real values, clearly signposts what should hold the nation together, inspired by solid foundations laid by most families, religious bodies and communities for success in life.

President Buhari wishes Nweke all the best in his studies and work as a teaching assistant in same university, urging all Nigerians, home and abroad, to keep celebrating the age-old, irreplaceable attributes of honesty and decorum, and shun the microwaved, get-rich-quick tendencies that bring individual and collective shame.”

35 primary pupils and secondary school students have been arrested in a raid carried out by the Kenyan police in a rental house at Sango Estate in Homa Bay town on Friday.

While 6 others escaped, 20 girls and 15 boys aged between 13 and 17 were found drunk and naked.  Used condoms were also found in the 2-bedroom apartment in the raid led by Arujo Location Chief Robert Lango, Homa Bay Township Assistant Chief Duncan Odhiambo and his Arujo Sub-location counterpart Jackton Olielo.

Lango said a parent rented the house for her two daughters, but neighbours raised the alarm after hearing loud music. The owner of the apartment, Patrick Ayieko was also arrested. 

He said; 

“We found used condoms which we believe the children used to engage in sex. Six managed to escape when we arrived. 

“Some of the minors were dressing up when we got to the house. They had turned the house into a brothel.

“I mobilised my team and went to the house. We locked the door and called police officers who came in a vehicle and arrested the children. The owner of the house, Patrick Ayieko was also arrested  for allowing children to conduct immoral activities within his compound.”

They were all taken to Homa Bay Police Station but were later released because of lack of space.

Homa Bay Sub County Police Commander Sammy Koskey who also confirmed the incident, said that they have summoned the parents and guardians of the children to report to the police station on Monday July 6.

A delegation from the Oyo State government were prevented from entering the Oluyole residence of late former Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi, venue of the 8th day Fidau prayer for the deceased.

The delegation led by Oyo state deputy governor, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, Barristers Abiodun Abdul-Raheem and Seun Ashamu, commissioners for land and energy respectively, were turned back at the venue by security operatives and it almost resulted in a confrontation.

According to The Nation, Engr. Olaniyan arrived the residence at about 11:20 am in a convoy of five vehicles. On getting to the gate of the road leading to Ajimobi’s residence, the convoy was stopped by policemen and members of other security agencies manning the gate. They insisted that only the deputy governor’s vehicle could be allowed into the street to join the prayer.

The publication added that deputy governor’s security details initially rebuffed the idea but when their argument was degenerating, a senior policeman intervened and they eventually agreed that only the deputy governor’s vehicle should go in.

But on getting to Ajimobi’s house, the gate was also locked. The deputy governor’s aides introduced their principal but they were told that the gate had been locked, and that Mrs Ajimobi was in possession of the key. Olaniyan waited, believing that the issue would be sorted in no time.

After waiting for about 15 minutes, however, without any positive development, Olaniyan left the residence.

Reacting, a spokesman for Ajimobi’s family said they were not informed that the deputy governor was coming.

The press statement, signed by Bolaji Tunji on behalf of the Ajimobi family, reads: “There is the need to clarify the believed presence of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan at the 8th day prayer of HE Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past Governor of Oyo State.

“1. The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started. The event was strictly a family affair.

“2. There was a need to comply with the Covid-19 protocol as established by NCDC- Social distancing, not more than 30 people in a place and seats arranged, accordingly. After which the gate was shut.

“3. No one was aware that the Deputy Governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.

“4. By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a spate of 10mins.

“5. Through a serving Senator and a former Attorney General we tried to get in touch with him that it was not to slight him and he could sit in a private sitting room provided by the family. Unfortunately, he had left. We however apologise to his Excellency.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has described as ‘dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics’ a statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and signed on its behalf by party spokesman Yekini Nabena in which he was linked with a cybercrime suspect, Ramon Abbas (the popular social media influencer commonly known as ‘Hushpuppi’) who was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States.

Saraki in a statement issued in Abuja denied that he has any association with the criminal suspect.

The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community. This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities. Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities.

‘Also, since the arrest of those cybercrime suspects and the subsequent damage to the image and the economy of Nigeria as well as the crisis it created for Nigerians engaged in lawful businesses across the world, the ruling party had been muted. The only time the APC deemed it necessary to make a statement was when it thought it should play dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics.

‘Dr Saraki was the only political leader who has publicly made a statement through an Op-Ed article published in the Daily Trust newspaper of July 1, 2020, titled “Cyber Criminals: Confronting The Few Who Dent Many” and this opinion article had been widely circulated online and on other platforms. In that article, he strongly condemned the activities of these cybercriminals and called on the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to make decisive interventions to checkmate their activities. He has also got a research institution, the Politeia Institute, whose board he chairs to commence research on the best ways to tackle the menace.

Such a noble intervention in tackling a menace is what Dr Saraki believes in, not mudslinging and playing politics at the expense of the nation’s image. At this point, we call on the APC leadership to rein in the so-called Yekini Nabena and compel him to desist from making and circulating such malicious, odious and offensive claims,’ the statement concluded.