Category: Breaking News

  • JAMB bars Mmesoma for 3 years, insists her result is fake

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result being paraded by Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma “is patently fake.”

    It has also barred Mmesoma from sitting for its examination for the next three years.

    The board made this known in a statement signed by Dr Fabian Benjamin, Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol on Tuesday in Abuja.

    ”In the meantime, the management of the board, after considering the weighty infraction committed by Ms. Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, in line with its established procedures, has withdrawn her 2023 UTME result.

    ”It has also barred her from sitting for the board’s examination for the next three years.”

    The board had on Sunday withdrawn the UTME result of the candidate while accusing the candidate for allegedly manipulating and falsifying her scores.

    However, the candidate had on Monday in a new viral video, denied manipulating her result while saying that there might have been a possible technical malfunction in the board’s system.

    Mmesoma insisted that what she has, was an original printout from the board’s portal.

    JAMB said: ”Consequently, the board would like to reassure Nigerians that its system was neither tampered with nor compromised.

    ”The candidate simply falsified a copy of a result slip of a candidate named Asimiyu Mariam Omobolanle, who sat the UTME in 2021 and scored 138.

    ”It is also instructive to note that the candidate, in her statement, has inadvertently revealed the rightful owner of the result she is parading.

    ”This she did when she pointed out that the QR code on the result slip showed the actual owner of the said result before she peddled a lie in an attempt to obfuscate the truth.

    ”To witness the unassailable position of the board regarding this obvious falsehood, the general public is, therefore, urged to endeavour to scan the QR code on the result slip to see its actual owner before it was mutilated.

    ”It is to be noted that the QR code encapsulates the UTME result of each candidate, hence, what is on the result sheet is nothing other than the interpretation of the information on this QR code.” 

    The board further explained that it stopped issuing Notifications of Result slips in 2021.

    This, JAMB said was for the same reason, that candidates kept falsifying their results through the slips.

    JAMB said it has been issuing actual UTME RESULT Slips (not notification of results) since 2022, complete with the photograph of each candidate.

    “Similarly, the public is also invited to ponder on the fact that out of all the candidates that sat the 2023 UTME, only Ms. Ejikeme Mmesoma parades the obsolete ‘Notification of Result.’

    JAMB said that it has remained unperturbed by the unfortunate development as this was not the first time such fraudulent claims had been made.

    It said: ”This case has, therefore, been rightly handed over to relevant security agencies for a thorough investigation to unravel the masterminds of yet another unfortunate scam.

    ”The board is not averse to public scrutiny and hereby suggests a public session with relevant security agencies, representatives of Ms. Ejikeme, and civil society organisations in attendance without delay.

    ”This is on account of the board’s experience over the years, which showed that these wily candidates confessed to their ignoble acts only when confronted with incontestable facts.”

    The board said that the candidate was set to be honored by the Anambra State Government when one of its top officials called the attention of the board to confirm her claim.

    It further disclosed that the call prompted the board to verify and reveal that Mmesoma had actually scored 249 and not 362, as she claimed, to fraudulently obtain scholarships and other recognitions. 

  • Many trapped as four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    Many trapped as four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    A four-storey building under construction in the Life Camp area of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday reportedly collapsed, with many feared trapped under its rubble.

    The incident occurred at about 4pm while workers were on the construction site in the swampy Dape Area near the Berger Clinic.

    Officials of the FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are reportedly at the site of the collapse to rescue victims from the collapsed building.

    Meanwhile, the Head of Operations of the FCT Fire Service, Amiola Adebayo, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said rescue operations were still ongoing and could not yet confirm any casualties from the incident

    More details later…

  • Blow for Arsenal as Man City enter Rice transfer race

    Blow for Arsenal as Man City enter Rice transfer race

    Arsenal have been dealt another blow by Manchester City, with the Premier League champions reportedly entering the transfer race for Declan Rice.

    • Gunners keen on Hammers midfielder
    • Have seen two bids knocked back
    • City ready to splash out on England star

    More details later…

  • Federation Cup: Bendel Insurance pip Rangers 1-0 to lift trophy

    Federation Cup: Bendel Insurance pip Rangers 1-0 to lift trophy

    *Team wins first title in 28 years

    Bendel Insurance FC of Benin has won the 2023 Federation Cup with a lone-goal victory over Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    The match was played at the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Wednesday.

    The only goal of the encounter came in the last minute of added time of the first half through a penalty converted by Insurance’s Imade Osarenkhoe.

    Speaking after the match, the Coach of Insurance FC, Monday Odigie expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the encounter, which he described as a tough game.

    “We give glory to God who made it possible. It is a thing of joy that we won the federation cup today.

    “I am highly elated and just like the players, we all give glory to God for this victory. You will agree with me that the game was a tough one.

    “We will go back home and work harder, most especially as we will be going continental next season. We will definitely get busy for a better outing”, Odigie said.

    Notable among the dignitaries who watched the final, are the governor of Delta, Mr Sherrif Oborevwori and the deputy governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shuaibu.

    Others are ex-internationals, Christian Chukwu, Austine Eguavoen and Victor Ikpeba among others. 

  • Tinubu dissolves Boards of parastatals, agencies, institutions

    Just moments after sacking Service Chiefs and other heads of security and paramilitary outfits, President Bola Tinubu on Monday approved the immediate dissolution of boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies, institutions, and government-owned companies.

    In a statement signed by Director Information, Willie Bassey, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the dissolution does not affect Boards, Commissions, and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    Titled: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Approves Dissolution of Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-Owned Companies”, the statement reads:

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.

    “The dissolution does not, however, affect Boards, Commissions and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    “In view of this development and until such a time new boards are constituted, the Chief Executive Officers of the Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies are directed to refer matters requiring the attention of their Boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their respective supervisory Ministries and Offices.

    “Permanent Secretaries are directed, also, to route such correspondences to Mr President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Consequently, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to ensure compliance to the provision of this directive which took effect from Friday 16th June, 2023.

    “Permanent Secretaries are particularly directed to inform the Chief Executive Officers of the affected Agencies under the supervision of their respective Ministries/Offices for immediate compliance.

  • President Tinubu sacks all Service Chiefs

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday removed all service chiefs in Nigeria.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect,” said Willie Bassey, the Director of Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

    See statement below:

    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION
    PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

    June 19, 2023

    PRESS RELEASE
    PRESIDENT TINUBU RETIRES ALL SERVICE CHIEFS, ADVISERS, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF CUSTOMS, APPOINTS NEW ONES

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect.

    The newly appointed Officers are:
    S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
    1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser
    2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff
    3 Maj. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff
    4 Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff
    5 AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
    6 DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police
    7 Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence

    Mr President has also approved the following appointments:
    S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
    1 Col. Adebisi Onasanya Brigade of Guards Commander
    2 Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja
    3 Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State
    4 Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger
    5 Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja

    Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows:
    S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
    1 Maj. Isa Farouk Audu
    (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery
    2 Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
    3 Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
    4 Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament
    5 Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament

    Mr. President has also approved the appointments of two (2) additional Special Advisers, and two (2) Senior Assistants, namely:

    S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
    1 Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
    2 Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
    3 Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)
    4 Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

    Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.

    It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Willie Bassey
    Director, Information
    For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation

  • Just in: Tinubu, Sanusi in closed-door meeting

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamidi Sanusi, is currently meeting with President Bola Tinubu. 

    The meeting, which is ongoing at the Aso Rock Villa with the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the State House, is not unconnected with the current vacant position at the Apex Bank.

    Though the agenda of the meeting is not known, there are speculations that it could be connected to the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as CBN Governor. 

    Sanusi served as CBN boss between June 2009 and June 2024. 

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last Friday, suspended Godwin Emefiele as CBN Governor, ordering him to hand over to deputy governor operators, Folashodun Shonubi till investigation into his activities are concluded. 

    More details later…

  • Tinubu appoints 8 new Special Advisers

    *Dele Alake, Nuhu Ribadu get appointments

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dele Alake as Special Adviser Special Duties, Communications and Strategy.

    According to a statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director Information, State House on Thursday, seven others also got appointments in the new government of President Bola Tinubu.

    The statement reads: President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following as Special Advisers: Mr. Dele Alake
    (Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy); Mr. Yau Darazo (Special Adviser, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs); Mr. Wale Edun (Special Adviser, Monetary Policies) and Mrs. Olu Verheijen(Special Adviser, Energy).

    Others are: Mr. Zachaeus Adedeji (Special Adviser, Revenue); Mr. Nuhu Ribadu (Special Adviser, Security); Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu
    (Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment) and Dr (Mrs.) Salma Ibrahim Anas as
    (Special Adviser, Health).

  • Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 22.41% in May

    Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 22.41% in May

    Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 22.41 per cent in May 2023, relative to April 2023 headline inflation rate which was 22.22 per cent.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics in its CPI and Inflation Report May 2023, it represents a 0.19% point when compared to April 2023 headline inflation rate.

    Similarly, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 4.70% points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2022, which was (17.71%).

    More details later…

  • Alleged Abuse of Office: Tinubu suspends EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    Barely five days after he suspended the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, President Bola Tinubu has yet again indefinitely suspended the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa, to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    According to a statement by the Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Willie Bassey, the action follows “weighty” allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

    “Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.

    Earlier in the day, the EFCC chairman was at the State House for a meeting with the President where the decision to suspend him may have been taken.

    See the full statement below:

    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

    14th June, 2023

    PRESS RELEASE
    PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU SUSPENDS BAWA INDEFINITELY FROM OFFICE AS CHAIRMAN ECONOMIC & FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the indefinite suspension from office of Mr. AbdulRasheed Bawa, CON, as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    2. This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

    3. Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    Willie Bassey
    Director, Information