1.7 Million Candidates Expected To Sit For 2017 UTME — JAMB Registrar

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board , Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said 1.7 million candidates are expected to sit for 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in April.He said this on Tuesday in Abeokuta at the sideline of the examination body’s Information and Communication Technology retreat involving civil society groups, students and other major stakeholders.The two -day retreat held within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex in Abeokuta.He said the JAMB also aimed at increasing the capacities of its Computer Based Test Centres in order to make the April examination seamless.He said , “We are expecting 1.7 million candidates to sit for the UTME this year and we want to make sure we satisfy these candidates within a week or thereabout.“That is why we are increasing the capacity of the Computer-Based Test Centres to be able to examine more candidates within a given date.”Oloyede who said the body would not promise a hitch-free examination, noted that there were changes and innovations ongoing which would send some illegal operators who had defrauded candidates in the past, out of business.The JAMB boss, however, said the examination body would not be deterred in its mission to serve its candidates better.

15,000 Youths To Welcome Buhari As He Returns To Nigeria On Sunday

Excerpt for any last minute change of plans, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to return back to Nigeria on Sunday after his 10-day vacation in London, United Kingdom.
The source added that top government officials are expected to receive the President at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
“There are no indications yet that he will not be back on Sunday. If he will not return, he would have communicated that to the National Assembly. Since he has not done that, then he is expected back,” the source said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has mobilised 15,000 youths to welcome the president from London.
The youths would assemble at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, to welcome Buhari, who has been away on vacation.
The President proceeded on a 10-day vacation in London on Jan. 23 and is expected to return to Nigeria on Feb. 6, 2017.
Malam Gambo Jagindi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of NYCN, Murtala Gamji, who unveiled the youths programme in Abuja on Friday said the time had come for youths, who are the future leaders, to show love, solidarity and support for the President.
“ The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has concluded arrangements to mobilise not less than 15,000 of its members to be at Abuja airport on Feb. 6, to welcome President Buhari from vacation
“It is on record that integrity, discipline and honesty are gradually returning to our public life unlike in the past when impunity was the order of the day,’’ the spokesman said.

PROVE OF HOW FAR LIFE HAS BECOME HARD IN NIGERIA

The nation's economy is apparently sick! Here is the prove of how far life has become hard for every Nigerian over the course of 2 years

Nigeria: Military Speaks On Rann Accidental Air Raid, Says 112 Killed, 97 Injured

Maiduguri — The Nigerian military yesterday broke its silence on the number of casualties from the Rann accidental air bombing by the air force, stating that 112 persons died in the incident while 97 others were injured.

The military equally revealed that 26 foreigners were caught who had links with Boko Haram in the last one month.

Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, the head of the counter-insurgency operations in the North-east (Operation Lafiya Dole), Major General Lucky Irabor, said of the foreigners caught, 17 were Chadians and nine Nigeriens.

Added to the 26 foreigners arrested during operations, was a Malian simply identified as Ayuba, arrested in Dikwa who claimed he only speaks French, Irabor said.

Another major arrest made in Shehuri area of Maiduguri, according to Irabor, was a suspected Boko Haram member who specialises in sneaking suicide bombers into Maiduguri.

Irabor disclosed that seven cattle rustlers were arrested in Monguno, and 34 cows were recovered from them.

He said 3,332 suspected Boko Haram members who were arrested in January during operations against the insurgents are currently being screened to ascertain if they are indeed members of the group.

He equally revealed that five Boko Haram members willingly surrendered to the group.

Among the five is one 31-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, who has had his leg and arm amputated by the insurgents for trying to desert.

Abubakar in a brief interview with journalists, revealed how his right arm and left limb got amputated: "I told my friend Hassan Danguduma we have to flee and surrender because our activities are unIslamic, he pretended as if he supported the idea, but leaked the secret to our leader. So they amputated my left leg and right hand from the wrist. But I managed to escape."

He added: "I have been in the group for two years, they abducted me from Wulgo Hausari village, Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area. For fear of being killed, I joined the group. I'm loyal to the Mamman Nur-led faction."

On the Rann misfire, Irabor said after the sad incident of Rann air strike accident, coordinated emergency response was established for rescue and treatment of victims, surgical centre was equally set up.

He equally revealed that a board of inquiry was established by the Theatre Command to investigate the incident which proved it was a mistake and that 112 persons died and 97 others were wounded in the incident.

British Government Releases Official Statement On Ibori's Deportation

The British government this morning issued a statement to the effect that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori was deported to Nigeria following the conclusion of his jail term in Britain.

The statement, however, disclosed that British officials would continue the legal process to confiscate the proceeds of the former governor’s loot, which would then be returned to Nigeria.

The statement, obtained by SaharaReporters, read, “Having been jailed for his crimes in the UK and served his sentence, Mr. Ibori has now been returned to Nigeria. The UK will continue to pursue, vigorously, the legal process to confiscate and return to Nigeria, Ibori's criminal assets.

The UK is determined to lead the way in a coordinated global effort to bring the corrupt to justice.

“That is why it was vital we sent a clear message to the world that James Ibori, a man who stole millions from the Nigerian Government and laundered those proceeds in the UK, has been held to account.

“Mr. Ibori's return will not prevent prosecutors from pursuing confiscation proceedings against him.‎”

Nigerian Army reschedules recruitment exercise

BENIN CITY The zonal screening exercise for The Nigerian Army’s Regular Recruit Intake, which was set to hold at the Headquarters 4 Brigade in Benin, has been postponed. The screening exercise was earlier scheduled to take place from January 22 to February 3, 2017.
Due to the postponement, the new screening exercise will hold from February 5-17, 2017 while the movement of enlisted candidates to Depot Nigeria Army will hold from February 17-19, 2017.
Training for the recruits is also scheduled to commence on the 26th of February 2017.
Meanwhile, the criteria for selecting recruits however remain the same and include physical and mental fitness, being between the ages of 18-22 years for non-tradesmen/women and 18-26 years for tradesmen/women.
In addition, applicants must possess a minimum educational qualification of WASCE/GCE/O Level/NECO/NABTEB with four credits including English.

Politicians At Osubi Airport To Welcome Ibori (Photos)

Prominent politicians in Delta State, indigenes have besieged the Osubi Airstrip in Okpe Local Government Area of the state where ex-Governor James Ibori is expected to land.

According to reports, following the news of Ibori's arrival, markets and shops in Oghara, country home of the former governor, have been shut.

Olorogun Paul Abu told Punch at the airstrip where thousands of persons are awaiting Ibori’s arrival:

“We’re excited our brother is back hale and hearty. Today is a remarkable day and a day of joy.
“Whether you accept it or not, Ibori is a phenomenon and an institution in Nigeria political landscape. Our people need his contributions towards their advancement. Politics in Urhobo Land will surely wear a new look.”

Seen in the crows are: the serving Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Ages; Chief Andy Osawota; Chief Patrick Five; Chief Dennis Emonemu; and Olorogun Paul Abu. Udu council Chairman, Mr Solomon Kpomah, his Sapele, Okpe and Ethiope West counterparts, Chief Ejiafe Odebala, Prince Godwin Edjiyere and Solomon Golley.

The Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief William Makinde, Mr Vincent Uduaghan, Chief John Nani and among others.