ASUU: FG Full Of Deceit, Not Ready To End Strike - Fagge

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday came to the conclusion that the government was not ready to end the 8-week-old strike, after both parties failed to reach an agreement in ten meetings, lamenting that government displayed dishonesty and lack of integrity during negotiations. ASUU’s President, Dr. Isa Faggae, who spoke at a briefing in Lagos claimed that government had declared it would not implement the agreed injection of funds to revitalise the public universities, but was only making a dubious statement of supporting some universities with N100 billion. “Government had also declared that it will not pay university academics their earned allowances which accumulated from 2009 to 2013. Rather, it is talking about providing N30 billion to assist various Governing Councils of Federal Universities to defray the arrears of N92 billion owed to all categories of staff in the university system.” Speaking on how the last meeting with the Government held on Monday went, Faggae said ASUU was “shocked by the level of deceit, dishonesty, and lack of integrity displayed by the Government. Never in the history of ASUU-Government relations have we, as a union, ever experienced the kind of volte-face exhibited by Government. At one stage in the interaction, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation ridiculed the agreement, the MoU and the Needs Assessment Report, mocking the Minister of Education to “go and give them N400 billion,” at which members of the government scornfully laughed.” He argued that the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Implementation Committee was being used as smokescreen to “deceive ASUU, Nigerian students and their parents, as well as other unsuspecting members of the public on the purportedly released N100 billion for the implementation of the Needs Assessment Report. First, he said, “government plans to divert the regular yearly allocations to universities by Tertiary Education Trust, TETFund, to make at least 70% of the N100 billion. This is unacceptable to ASUU. It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul, since the idea of revitalization took full cognizance of the intervention role TETFund ab-initio. “Again, contrary to subsisting operational procedures, about 75% of the money meant for revitalizing universities would not be released to them as the Suswam Committee plans to hand over construction of the hostel projects to the Federal Ministry of Education and/or the National Universities Commission, for implementation. This is illegal; neither the ministry nor NUC is backed by laws of Nigerian Public Universities to divert monies meant for the development of these institutions into centrally executed projects.” Faggae also questioned the committee’s motives for proposing to commit N1.6 million to a bed space, instead of N200, 000 to N400, 000, saying, “We see a continuation of outrageous contract regimes in the plan to centrally coordinate the construction of student hostels as done in the case of the 12 newly established Federal Universities with TETFund resources. The NUC has transmuted itself into a “Tenders’ board” which awarded contracts for the construction of 560 bed spaces hostel for each university at a whooping sum of 1.2 bn. This contract sum translates into N2.143 million per bed space.”

Five Students Arraigned Over Cultism In Ogun

Five university students were, yesterday, arraigned before an Abeokuta magistrate’s court for allegedly belonging to a secret cult after they were arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command, while gathering in a bush for a meeting. Fifteen other members of the group were said to have escaped. The accused who were not represented by any counsel, are facing a four-count charge bordering on membership of an unlawful secret society and breach of peace. Police prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 4 at 11.05 a.m. at Ijaiye-Obirinti area of Abeokuta. He alleged that the students with others still at large caused a breach of peace as members of a secret society, Eye Fraternity. “The accused and 15 others at large assembled in a bush at Obiritin area, singing, drumming and making noise. They were arrested by the police following a tip-off,” Ozimini said. The accused are Opeyemi Fakeye, 28; Samuel Popoola, 28; Oladejo Musiliu, 20; Christian Dada, 25; and Mustapha Disu, 28, who are from various higher institutions of learning. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. The magistrate, Emmanuel Adekunte, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum, while he adjourned further hearing to October 4.

 

Dr. Junaidu Mohammed, yesterday, berated the trio of Mohammed Abba-Gana, Ameh Ebute and Lawrence Onoja for asking the North to tarry till 2019 before angling for power shift to the region, calling them political mercenaries. The Second Republic lawmaker also stated that there will be mayhem in Nigeria should the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, win the 2015 election, as he noted that the only way they can win is by rigging the elections. In a telephone chat with Vanguard, Mohammed, who is also the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, said Gana, Ebute and Onoja were not speaking for the north but serving their own self-interests to earn themselves a place in Jonathan’s Presidency. Mohammed took a swipe at Onoja, calling him a political mercenary and sheer minority from the Middle North. He expressed his regret that Onoja, who had a commendable career in the military and presided over the affairs of two northern states; Plateau and Katsina, could now stoop so low to playing politics of tribes and religion. According to Mohammed, Onoja lacked the temerity to speak for the north, having been a serial loser of elections since he debuted into politics. “First of all, I have some respect for Onoja, he is a soldier and now trying to be a politician. But I think it’s an insult for people with similar background, opportunity, soldiers who play like mercenaries, as a former Governor of Plateau and Katsina states, who are now rediscovering politics like a business and who can pose or could claim to speak for any part of the country”. “It is on record that Onaja has contested elections in the past, including the last election we had in 2011 and he lost. In fact, he lost to Senator David Mark, the President of the Senate. So, if Onaja and his likes were to claim to speak for the whole Middle Belt, that in my view is questionable, uncharitable and utter shamelessness. “For one, even in Benue, the tribes he comes from, the Idomas are minority. The majority ethnic group in Benue is the Tivs who are about 55 percent of the population of Benue State and within the remaining 45 percent, his own tribe constitutes less than 20 percent. “Even within that, the Idomas are a constellation of so many tribal groups. There are about seven or eight identified tribal groups of the Idomas. So for a man with that background both personally and a group background to claim to speak for the Middle Belt is sheer nonsense. “What he was referring to, I don’t even have the courage to say it, is the claim by some of the politically ambitious and opportunistic people in the Middle Belt who claim that every northern minority is automatically a Middle Belter. “They include people from Kebbi, Adamawa and Yobe states, including Borno. So, in effect, what they are saying is that any northerner who is a Christian must be a member of the Middle Belt Forum. And that is sheer nonsense. “They claim that anybody who is so, so, and so, automatically is so, so, and so, is sheer nonsense. The ACF who is Arewa Consultative Forum claims that every Northerner is automatically a member of ACF. “If that were to be the case, then, there is no body who is a member of ACF. If everybody is a member of any group, then nobody is a member of that group. “The most valued claim in being a member, it must be done openly. People must go and identify themselves in the group rather than stay on the sideline and talk rubbish.” In like manner, Mohammed lampooned Gana and Ebute, noting that they were just looking for recognition in Jonathan’s government. “The fact of the matter is that they are northerners by accident of geography but define their economic interests now, that has been served by identifying and doing their dirty job in the Jonathan Presidency.” Still irked by the way he said election was rigged in 2011, Mohammed said a repeat would be an invitation to trouble. “Let me say this, if without the consent of the law, they rig the election the way they rigged 2011 election, there will be mayhem in Nigeria. “The only way he can be President against the law explicitly is to connive with the way he did with Jega’s INEC to rig the election and that has been the pattern since 1999 when Obasanjo came. It hasn’t changed. “The only way PDP will win election anywhere is by rigging the election. If they do that in 2015, there will be mayhem in Nigeria,” he warned.

Man, Wife Docked For Raping Neighbour

A 36-year old man, Chigbo Ebo and his wife, Charity Ebo, 26, have been arrested and arraigned in court by the police for allegedly engaging their neighbour, Nneka Onwuatuegwu, in both oral and real sex in their home in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria. The 25-year old Nneka alleged that she  was sexually assaulted by the couple whom she alleged fondled her breasts and inserted their fingers into her private part without her consent. The victim admitted in the open court that the couple lured her to their house where they gave her alcohol to drink and started fondling and sucking her breasts and private part and thereafter the man penetrated her. She said she  woke up w hile they were carrying out the act and discovered that she was naked and her private part was wet with semen from the man. Nneka said she went to Agboju Police Division and reported that she was raped and the police arrested the man and his wife. She allegedly told the police that Charity inserted her finger into her private part and sucked  her breasts as well, while Chigbo, her husband, not only sucked her breasts and fingered her private part, but also  raped her. The incident happened in their  Abule-Ado home where both the complainant and defendants reside. The suspects were charged before Apapa Magistrate’s Court presided over by Magistrate H. O. A. Amos, for allegedly engaging the victim in a sexual  act  without her consent. Part of the charge reads: “That you Chigbo Ebo and Charity Ebo on the same date, time and place did sexually touch Nneka Onwuatuegwu on her breasts and private part without her consent. The second count also said the defendants lured the complainant into sexual activity withoout her consent. They pleaded not guilty and the court granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each in like sum. The matter was adjourned till when the court would resume from  vacation.

Nigerian Gay Arrested In Ogun Community

There was commotion this morning at Kotodayo community in Ota, Ogun State, western Nigeria, as a young man, simply identified as Sadiq was beaten to a pulp for allegedly being gay. The incident happened at 1 Kotodayo in the Iyana-Iyesi area of Ota after Sadiq’s friend, Ibrahim (surname withheld), allegedly raised the alarm declaring that his male organ had disappeared. The alleged gay, Sadiq, being whisked away from the scene. According to Ibrahim, who was seen naked before some men, Sadiq had paid him a visit last night and deep into the night, he began to have sex with him. When P.M.NEWS visited the scene, Ibrahim’s penis was of normal size, but he was making efforts to make it turgid as a proof that it was fully restored. Ibrahim, who is also a squatter in the house, alleged that it was the first time Sadiq would be visiting him. Though they have been friends for some time now, Ibrahim said he never knew his friend was gay until last night. Sadiq, in a confessional statement to local vigilantes at the scene of the incident, said he has been homosexual for the past three years. He denied snatching his friend’s male organ, but said he had engaged only men in sex since then and further indicted a prophet whose white garment church is within the community as the one who prepared the concoction with which he engages in the act. However, the prophet, who was invited by the vigilantes, denied the allegation. He said he had known Sadiq as one who never chased after women and did not know that the man was gay. Neighbours told P.M.NEWS that the owner of the one-room apartment where the incident occurred lives and works in Lagos and only visits the place at weekends. Sadiq was later whisked away by the vigilantes after much plea to stop beating him was rebuffed by the people of the area.

Nigeria frowns at gay practice and recently passed a law that stipulates a 14-year jail term for offenders.

The former managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc, Fola Adeola has debunked speculations that he is interested in contesting for the governorship of the western Nigerian state of Ogun. Posters and banners of the former vice Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the 2011 election were yesterday seen in many strategic locations in Abeokuta. But in a telephone interview today, Adeola vehemently denied ever nursing such ambition to challenge Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the seat. The former banker said: “I knew nothing about the campaign and to let you know,I have not been to Abeokuta in the last three months.I have no problems with Governor Ibikunle Amosun and if there is any, I will personally discuss it with him and not challenging his seat with him. “I am not interested in the governorship race. On the posters, I don’t know, I haven’t reached Abeokuta in three months. I am not, if I am interested I will know what to do and I will publicly admit, I am not”,Adeola said.

On why he was absent at the official launch of APC in Ogun State on Monday, Adeola said,: “I wasn’t in the Country during the hoisting of APC flag. I know we have an existing Governor and I have no problem with him whatsoever. If I have anything against him, I will tell him.” On the speculation that Adeola’s ambition has damaged the relationship between Ogun State government and GTB, leading to the bank stopping a N16.2 billion facility given the state, Adeola said he has no hand in whatever happened in the bank since he left 11 years ago. “I don’t work in GTB. I left 11 years ago. I don’t sit on its board. I don’t work in its management, so I don’t even know there’s any facility from GTB. I left GTB in 2002 and this is 2013. So I can’t answer a question on what GTB has done or what they hadn’t done or what the government has done with a bank. They have a management, they have a board”,he declared. The state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu described the posters as the handiwork of mischievous people He described Adeola as a man of good quality and high taste who relates with Governor Amosun and people in government very well. In his view, Adeola would have settled for posters which do not even befit a councillor. According to the Information Comissioner, “Has Mr Fola confirmed he authored the posters and banners? I am sure those are works of mischievous people. That is why those banners are that cheap. Not even a councillor will do such banners.I know Mr. Adeola is a man of good quality and high taste and he relates very well with the governor and most of us in the government”.

FUTMINNA Post UTME 2013 Cut Off Marks, Form.

FUTMINNA  has scheduled the exams for candidates who chose her as first or second choice as well as for Direct entry (DE) candidates.

Candidates coming for the screening should hereby note that the 2013 FUTMINNA POST UTME will be conducted using the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

For a candidate to be eligible to participate in the Post UTME of FUTMINNA, he/she must have scored at least the required UTME cut-off mark for the course chosen.

See List of FUTMINNA Courses and Corresponding Cut-off Marks!

FUTMINNA 2013 POST UTME DATE AND VENUE:

2nd – 3rd August: First Choice post UTME Exam.
5th – 6th August : 2nd choice post UTME Exam.
11th – 12th September: Direct Entry Screening.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCREENING EXERCISE

Candidates/applicants coming for the 2013 FUTMINNA Post UTME should come with the following:

1. A copy of the 2013/2014 UTME result slip affixed with a recent coloured passport photograph and with the title of the course/programme of choice boldly written on top of the result slip.
2. The printed 2013/2014 University Pre-Admission Screening Exercise  scheduling slip.
3. A writing material.
4. A simple calculator (not scientific) without cover.

FUTMINNA POST UTME AND DIRECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

•Candidates/Applicants must meet the minimum UTME scores for their chosen courses, have the correct JAMB subject combinations as prescribed in the JAMB Brochure and the requisite ‘O’ Level subjects at credit level.

• Candidates/Applicants who did not meet any of the above requirements will be allowed a final change to any other course whose requirements are met by the candidates, change of Course will attract a processing fee of N1,000 payable at the screening venue.

• All candidates/Applicants  must possess a minimum of five ‘O’ Level credits including Mathematics and English Language at not more than two sittings in subjects relevant to their proposed course of study.

• Only ‘O’ Level result print-outs downloaded directly from the website of the national examining bodies (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB) or photocopies of the original certificate(s) will be accepted for verification.

•Candidates/Applicants awaiting result at any level will be allowed to participate in the Post-UTME exercise but MUST submit such results not later than 15th August, 2013. For submission of such results, candidates are to go back to their registration page on the University website to update their records.

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE FUTMINNA POST UTME SCHEDULE:

17th July  - Registration starts for post UTME.
31st July  - Deadline for Post UTME registration.

29th August  - Registration starts for Direct Entry.
7th September : Deadline for Direct Entry Registration.