DSS Arraigns INEC Staff for alleged sale of 3,097 PVCs

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned three persons, two staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), and another, before a Chief Magistrate court in Portharcourt, Rivers state, for allegedly selling 3,097 permanent voters cards, report say.

The alleged persons, namely; Bersorsorle(39) and Monday Rowland Ifesimama(52), both INEC staff as well as Darlington Ogolo(42), were arraigned on an eight-count charge of conspiracy and stealing

ASUU calls Off 3 months old strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called off its three months old strike.

The announcement came after ASUU signed all agreements with the Federal Government.

Represented by the Union's President, Biodun Ogunyemi, said: "while announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our union made it categorically clear that ASUU will not hesitate to renew its position should government reneged on the signed Memorandum of Action."

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who represented the federal government said both parties resolved the eight contentious issues that had prolonged the strike.

Job Openings

A Biology Teacher needed in a private secondary school in Calabar. Minimum Qualifications: NCE, BSC.

- A French Teacher needed in a private secondary school in Calabar. Minimum Qualification:
B.A in French/Foreign Languages

- A Cashier needed in a company in Uyo. Minimum qualification: OND


A marketer needed in radio stations in Calabar, Uyo & Umuahia. A Receptionist needed in a laundry shop in Calabar.

For more details call: Tony Bassey: +234 813 036 1896

Federal Government issues Licences to Four Private Universities.

The Federal government has issued provisional licences to four private universities in the country.

The universities are: Westland University; Iwo-Osun state, Trinity University; Ogun state, Dominion University; Ibadan-Oyo state and Green field University;Kaduna state. 

Presenting the licences to the newly approved universities at the NUC headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said access to university education continues to pose serious challenge and seeks for collaborative and continuous efforts to address the challenge. 

Represented by the Registrar of UTME, Ishaq Oloyede, the Education Minister said substantive licences will be issued to the universities after three years but only if they are adjudged to be governed well. 

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Abubakar Rasheed said the four universities had gone through thorough assessment before the final approval by the Federal Executive Council in January.

Bill Clinton: To visit Nigeria ahead of presidential election

Former United States President, Bill Clinton, is planning to visit Nigeria ahead of the presidential election on February 16, report say.

During his visit, the former US President will hold talks with Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic  Party in this year's presidential election.

The report further reveals that it will be only a day's visit to allow the two hopefuls return to their respective states to cast their votes on the election day.

I LOVE THE IGBOS

The Igbos for me, are the most calculative and cleverest people in the world. Unlike some of us who forget our senses or deliberately leave them behind, the Igbos walk and work with their senses everywhere, every time. That explains the reason you can hardly cheat them especially, in the market places of life.

Whatever that does not translate to something profitable is bad market for them. The Igbos that I know and I have lived with, are good managers of everything. I have visited all the five Igbo states in the Eastern part of Nigeria. That is how much I know them.

For the Igbos, everything,every time, counts! Otherwise, it is bad market. Their youths believe and exemplify hardwork. Their Elders bequeath legacies of hardwork and honesty. I know many will cast a doubt here. Those who say the Igbos are not honest people never met or read about Chinua Achebe, Dora Akinyuli, Charles Soludo, Genevieve Nnaji, Kanu Nwankwo, J.J.okocha, et al. Those names flew our country's flag higher and higher
in their respective endeavours and made us real proud. None of them and many more not mentioned here, never ever had a badge of dishonesty cast on them or the country's image. They made so much fortune from their sweats and stamped successes everywhere they went. Interestingly, they do not associate with failure.

Having read that you do not need to further ask why the Owerri stadium was scanty yesterday when the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari was there for a fairy tale. Having known the Igbos like I know the back of my palm, need I wonder why the Enyimba Stadium, Aba was so deserted? The people knew that the visit was vain. Had nothing to offer. The Igbos are gifted Psychologists.

No sane man can call youths of the Igbo extraction "lazy." While their counterparts like the ones in my part of the country stagger and stumble over "peanuts" at campaign grounds, the Igbo-youths are always in their market places. Look for them in shops, factories, warehouses, industries, etc. What can you offer them that they cannot work for?

For the Igbos every time, treasure or talent must yield dividends, gains, profits, rewards in multiple folds. You see why Politicians cannot buy their time! The Igbos are some of the intelligent people in the world.

Honestly, I love the Igbos!

BAD CHOICES; BAD LEADERS

The world is full of surprises. More so, when such surprises are sprung by the majority. Until the end of my days on earth, it remains my mystery and am sure many scripturally meditative Christians too: What could have made the people chose Barrabas and despised Jesus Christ? The

Jesus who fed the hungry? who healed the sick? Restored sight to the blind? Caused the lame to walk? And even raised the dead back to life?

Yet at the passover feast in Jerusalem, the people preferred the naughty Barrabas freed and had Jesus detained as a Prisoner. Cruel people, cruel world!

The same people live with and among us.

The motto of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, where I did my first degree, reads: "Communicate or perish." What on earth could make any sane person elect a leader who cannot speak, write, formulate policies and programmes that can better the lots of the people?

In our local communities, schools and wherever we belong, during elections, we deliberately choose mediocrity over meritocracy. This is sheer wickedness!

At such times, we lock up our consciences. We become blind to the realities that stare at us. We know leader A is better than leader B but because of trivial and watery reasons of ethnicity, religiosity, fraternity or other affiliations, we lock up and make the wrong choice.

There are those whose consciences can be bought with only a bottle of beer and paper-wrapped suya, put together, would not exceed #1,000/#1,500. Cheaply, we sow seeds our children and grandchildren will come and reap. Some Elders worsen matters. They stay back and drum evil into the minds through the ears of their children.
Wait! Tomorrow, you shall be the first recipient of your evil actions.

It is election time in our country. The constitution empowers us with the freedom to choose. The freedom to vote for candidates of our choice. Much as this freedom
is exercised, let us not forget the words of John Kennedy: " The ignorant of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all."

We forsake those who mean well and favour those who might mean evil.

Among the parade of presidential candidates, how many Nigerians look the way of the highly technocratic Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party, the dynamic Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party or the promising Omoyele Sowore of African Action Congress?

Must you be in the number of the analogue Noahic generation?

Bad choices; bad leaders!