IMSG to help build hostel in University of ibadan

Imo State Government says it will play a prominent role in the proposed construction of a 1,000-bed space hall of residence for post graduate students at the new site of the University of Ibandan, UI.

Governor Rochas Okorocha made the promise when he played host to the National Executive of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA, at the Government House, Owerri.

“I have a very soft spot for education. I am prepared to do anything in support of education. My administration will play a prominent role in realizing the proposed 1,000-bed space hall of residence for post graduate students in the University”, Okorocha promised.

He was particularly happy with the composition of the national leadership of UIAA, stressing that it cuts across the geo-political zones of the country.

“I strongly believe in one Nigeria. I have decided to pick the next members of the State Executive Council from any part of the country”, Okorocha said.
The Governor equally promised to give the needs of the Association serious attention, particularly areas that concern education.

Speaking earlier, the National President of UIAA, Dr. Nathaniel Merenu, said the Association appreciates the monumental achievements recorded in the state’s education sector.

“UIAA is appreciative of the monumental strides on the infrastructure. We are also happy with the extraordinary accomplishments recorded in the education sector in Imo State”, Dr. Merenu said.

He solicited the state government’s assistance in the construction of 1,000-bed space hall of residence at the new site of the University.

I will miss Fashola dad`s jokes, says Victor Olaiya

Sir Victor Olaiya, a high life maestro and childhood friend of the late Pa Ademola Fashola, on Monday said he would miss the deceased a lot.

Fashola, 79, the father of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, died in the early hours of Monday in Lagos. Olaiya, who was among the early callers at the residence of the deceased, told newsmen that he was humorous and loved to make people happy.

“I will miss his jokes and his smile. We were together many years ago when he was at Daily Times. “He was nice, humble and kind and it would be difficult not to miss somebody like that,’’ the music legend said.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Bolaji Fashola, the head of the family, said they were devastated by the news of the death of the septuagenarian.

He told newsmen that members of the family were shattered by the death of the deceased.

The family patriarch described the deceased as a kind man who would do everything to satisfy everybody.

He said that he was with late pa Fashola on Sunday and never knew he would be gone so soon.

“I was with him on Sunday. He was breathing heavily and he said he wanted to sleep and I left for home.

“I was shocked when I got the news today that he had died. It is so sad. Everybody is shattered,’’ the patriarch said.

EFCC ARRESTS ALLEGED FRAUDSTER WITH 30 ATM CARDS, 8 SIGNED CHEQUES

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Kingsley Mudi over alleged ATM fraud. 

“He was picked up at about 11 pm on August 2, 2013 at Fidelity Bank ATM on Airport Road, Warri, Delta State following intelligence report,” a statement by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said.

“At the point of arrest, 30 ATM cards of different banks with which he allegedly withdrew a total sum of five hundred and fifty thousand naira (N550, 000) were found in his possession.
“Eight signed UBA cheques belonging to sundry persons were also found on him.
“Kingsley Mudi, who claimed to be a Disc Jockey and an operator of a barbing saloon, has volunteered useful information.
“He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” the EFCC statement said.

United reject Chelsea’s 2nd bid for Rooney

Manchester United have rejected a second bid from Premier League rivals Chelsea for unsettled England forward Wayne Rooney, United confirmed on Monday.

Chelsea made an offer thought to be around £25 million ($38.5 million) but it was immediately rejected.

A United spokesman said: “A bid was received yesterday and immediately rejected. Our position remains that he is not for sale.”

The second bid and United’s swift response could prompt Rooney to hand in an official transfer request.

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made the 27-year-old his top transfer target, but United have had trouble signing other players this summer and have been frustrated by their pursuit of Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

United’s new manager David Moyes has repeatedly stressed that Rooney is not for sale. Rooney himself is believed to have been unhappy at Moyes’ remarks that he would effectively have to be understudy to main striker Robin van Persie.

United later announced that Rooney would not travel to Sweden for Tuesday’s friendly against AIK Fotboll.

The striker injured his shoulder in Saturday’s behind-closed-doors game against Real Betis, the club said.

Ronaldo signs new £75m mega-deal

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly signed a new five-year deal with Real Madrid worth £75million to keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

The Portugal forward had been linked with an emotional return to Manchester United but seems to have settled his differences with the La Liga giants.

But he will instead hope to link up with Gareth Bale should the Wales star complete his protracted, world-record move from Tottenham.

Madrid-based newspaper Marca reports that Ronaldo will earn around £900,000 more each season than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, making him the highest-paid player in Spain.

The 28-year-old is believed to have struck a deal with Real to increase his share of his image rights, which previously stood at 60 per cent.

Ronaldo, who cost Madrid £80million in 2009, met with club president Florentino Perez in Los Angeles and the pair ironed out their differences. The former United and Sporting Lisbon player had remained coy on his future at a press conference over the weekend.

‘The situation still hasn’t been resolved and I don’t think now is the right time to talk about it,’ he said.

‘Perhaps we’ll be able to give more concrete news about this further down the line but now the only thing in my remit is to train and work.’

Atiku protests exclusion from PDP convention, NEC, BoT

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has protested what he regarded as plans to run him out of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a letter to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, the former vice-president protested the omission of his name on the list of delegates from Adamawa State chapter of the party for the August 31 Special National Convention.

Atiku also protested that he was not being invited to the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, and Board of Trustees, BoT, meetings.

He said that as former vice-president, he was statutorily guaranteed membership of NEC and BoT.

In the letter dated July 11 and personally signed by the former vice-president, Atiku said: “My attention has been drawn to a news report published… Monday July 8, 2013. In the said report, the delegates list for the Special National Convention submitted by Adamawa State PDP chapter did not contain my name and further inquiries at the PDP National Secretariat also confirmed same.”

Atiku said after waiting in vain for a public response from the party to correct or refute the news report, “I have decided to draw your attention to this mistake”.

He explained that the 53rd NEC meeting of the PDP held on September 15, 2010 gave him a waiver, adding that it was the waiver which allowed him to participate in the 2011 presidential primaries of the party.

The former vice-president noted that his return to PDP predated amendment of the party’s constitution of 2012.

Atiku, therefore, said he considered the omission of his name on the delegates’ list as a mistake, as it contravened Section 32, sub-section 1 (a) of the party’s constitution which stated that the membership of the party’s BoT shall consist of “all past and serving Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who held or hold the respective posts as members of the party and who are still members of the party”.

He said: “I therefore look forward for a correction and restitution of my right to attend the forthcoming Special National Convention of our great party and also membership of the Board of Trustees.”

A source close to the former vice-president said that Atiku felt he was being tactfully de-registered again so that he would not be able to enjoy his rights as a PDP member.

Touts take over YABATECH’s post-UTME registration

As thousands of candidates who applied for admission into the Yaba College of Technology YABATECH, Lagos, are unable to register online on their own for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, screening, touts in and around the college have taken over such responsibility.

National Mirror can authoritatively report that the inability of many candidates to do the online registration even after following the procedure as stated on the institution’s website had indirectly forced them to patronise touts who work as agents for operators of cybercafé in and around the college.

When National Mirror visited the school last Friday, scores of touts at the gate approached our reporter alongside several other visitors at the time for patronage in respect of the online post-UTME screening registration.

Many of the prospective students told National Mirror that the development had caused them to part with N1, 000 in addition to the N1, 800 officially charged by the college for the purpose.

But the school authority denied knowledge of the candidates’ inability to register on their own.

The college’s spokesman, Mr. Adekunle Adams, told National Mirror at the weekend that the procedure for the registration was clearly stated in simple language on the school’s website for candidates to follow with the warning to prospective students to be wary of fraudsters.

He said the college adopted the system to make the registration convenient and easier for candidates who are spread across the country and that a candidate could encounter difficulty in registration only when he or she does not follow the procedure nor have adequate knowledge of the use of the internet.

Adams said candidates might also encounter problem in this respect when they only use ATM card code and not internet pin to be issued by their banks for the purpose of the registration.

He added that the college even ensured it protected its website to prevent unauthorised individuals from hacking into it to defraud unsuspected candidates.

“But at the same time, those who do not have access to internet will definitely have no option than to patronise cybercafé to apply for the exam since the school does not accept paper registration,” he said.

The public relations officer said the school had received about 15, 000 applications so far as at Friday from the over 100, 000 applications expected for the exam which will take place next month.

He added that while the college admitted only about 5,000 last year, it is expected to admit more candidates this year.

Anambra gov elections: INEC uncovers 93,000 ghost voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said it had uncovered over 93,000 ghost voters in Anambra State, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this in Abuja during a stakeholders’ conference with media professionals and Cicil Society Organizations on voter register optimisation where he also spoke on INEC’s plans to appeal the recent court judgment which nullified the de-registration of some political parties.

According to him, the 93,000 ghost voters figure represents 5.6 percent of the total voting population in Anambra state adding that the commission will soon commence prosecution of those involved in the act.

Eid-el-Fitr: FG declares Thursday, Friday public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Thursday and Friday this week as public holidays in commemoration of this year’s Islamic festival, Eid-el-Fitr.
Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro enjoined “all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which are love, joy, peace, to their daily living and through this, contribute to the development of the nation.”

breaking news: GOV Fashola loses dad

Governor Raji  Fashola of Lagos State just lost his father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola. He would have been 80 years-old next month .

Strike meant to check neglect of public varsities –ASUU

The strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may not end soon as the union vowed to resist any attempt by the Federal Government to cripple public universities for private universities to thrive.

Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the union, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye, who made the declaration yesterday while participating on a radio programme in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described the strike as a nationalistic struggle against the Federal Government’s plan to deny children of the poor university education.

He said the union had declared “Operation Save Public Education Campaign (SPEC)” aimed at mobilising global support against the government’s anti-people policies.

Ajiboye said: “The strategic plan of the powerful in Nigeria is to cripple public education so that their privately-owned universities can thrive.

“What we are defending in this strike is operation safe public education. Let me tell you the truth, Nigerians should be very careful. Some people who have the resources and are well to do, they can afford to send their children to private schools and abroad for university education. Majority of Nigerians cannot do that. These people are intentionally trying to destroy public education so that your own children and my own children will not have access to university education. And if that happens, only their children will be educated.

“This strike is aimed at sensitising Nigerians on the danger that is looming. Some people are trying to destroy what is common patrimony. The intention is to destroy public universities so that private universities could thrive. I tell Nigerians to note that the public primary education and secondary education have been destroyed and people no longer have trust in public primary and secondary schools despite the presence of quality teachers at these schools. Now they are targeting public universities because majority of them own private universities.

“What we are saying is that their intention is to destroy public universities so that their own universities can sell and thrive.

“The intention of every investor is to make gains at the expense of a strong competitor and we are telling Nigerians to stand up and defend what generally belong to all of us.

“People should therefore not see this strike as just a strike, but should rise up to save public education. The call by ASUU is a nationalistic call and people should join forces with ASUU to save public universities. We are concerned with how well we can end the strike and not how quickly. How well is when government has been able to inject substantial fund into the universities. Libraries are dry, laboratories are empty.”

Ajiboye said the character of a good leader should be seen in his ability to fulfill promises, adding that the strike would have been avoided if the government had kept to her side of the bargain.

He said: “Government was pleading with ASUU to go back. The government does not need to apologise to Nigerians on everything. The President apologiSed on the Lagos-Ibadan Road last month. He has apologised for bad healthcare system. He should stop apologising, but put things write. Our strike has passed the level of appeal. Our agreement is sacrosanct and we want our universities to rank at par with others around the globe. They know what is good for their children education. Let them do it for our children’s education too.”

He said the strike would not be called until the government injected substantial funds into the university education to make it worth being called university.

Ajiboye said: “The government promised to inject N100 billion early last year and would increase it to N300 billion before the end of 2012 for the funding of state and federal universities. If that is done consistently for three years, government would have injected N1.2 trillion into education in Nigeria. Our conviction is that if such amount is injected by the end of 2014, university in Nigeria will have been totally revitalised. But the government has not put a kobo on the table.”

Igbo Deportee From Lagos Dies, Five Others in Critical Health Condition

Residents of Onitsha, Anambra State, were greeted with the sight of 67 persons later discovered to have been deported from Lagos, Wednesday, July 24.

The deportees, majority of whom were of Igbo extraction were dumped like helpless refugees at the popular Upper Iweka area of the commercial city.

On enquiry, they disclosed that they were arrested by officials of Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline,KAI from various parts of Lagos. They further stated that they were detained in different prison custody for a period of six months to two years before they were brought into Onitcha at about 3.20am.

From their looks, it was discovered that majority of them were not beggars after all.Some of them were discovered to be hawkers whose goods were reportedly seized by KIA officials.But owing to the trauma, they looked pale, malnurished and sick.

When news of the deportation spread across the state, officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society led by its South East zonal chairman, Dr. Peter Emeka Katcy, arrived the scene at about 6am,where they began a section of interview with the deportees apparently to ascertain their claims.

By noon, relatives of the some of the deportees surged Onitsha, where a total of 41 of them were taken to their different family houses while the Red Cross team whisked the remaining 18 to Onitsha South Local government township Stadium, where they were given first aid treatment and food.

At the stadium, more relatives of the remaining deportees arrived on daily basis, from outside the state, identified their own and took them home. Some of them who were certified medically fit and could find their ways home, were given transport fare .

We were treated like criminals in our own country--deportees

Speaking with Crime Guard, the deportees expressed regrets that a thing like this was happening in a country they were citizens. They accused KIA officials of carrying out indiscriminate arrests of non-indigenes of Lagos, adding that majority of those detained in various local government cells in Lagos State were Igbos.

According to one of the deportees who gave her name as Rosemary Nathaniel, a native of Ubakala in Umuahia, Abia State, "I was neither a beggar nor a hawker for the past five years I lived in Lagos. I was working at a T-shirt weaving centre at Mile 2, Lagos and I lived with my sister. But in January this year, KAI officials and some policemen arrested me and my friend while we were standing and discussing on the road. We were dragged into their waiting vehicle and taken to a prison at Alausa area of Lagos.

$450m needed from Islamic bank to generate 20,000mw of electricity – Sambo

Vice-President Namadi Sambo says that Nigeria needs about 450 million dollars from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to expand its electricity generation capacity to reach 20,000 megawatts.

A statement issued in Abuja by Malam Umar Sani, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media, said that Sambo said this on Sunday when he received the President of the IDB, Dr Ahmed Mohammed Ali, in Makkah.

Sambo, who is in Saudia Arabia to perform this year’s lesser Hajj, expressed appreciation for the continued support of the IDB to Nigeria.

He stated that all the approvals granted by the bank over the years had been ratified by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The vice-president urged the bank to consider the construction of a road linking Lagos to Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.

He also requested bank to extend its support to the Nigerian private sector, particularly in the areas of education, aviation and agriculture.

Sambo called on the bank to partner with states in executing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in some priority projects.

Responding, the IDB chief said that he wanted to use Sambo’s visit as a platform to boost Nigeria-IDB cooperation.

Ali disclosed that the bank had approved three out of the five projects submitted by Nigeria.

“They include construction of four new science secondary schools in Kaduna State, worth 17.9 million dollars; construction of 300-bed specialist hospital in Kaduna State at 43.15 million dollars; and the Zaria water supply project worth 81 million dollars,” he said.

Ali said that the Jigawa State Rural Development project put at 32. 4 million dollars and the bilingual education programme for Borno, Gombe and Niger states, worth 30.5million dollars, were also under consideration.

He said that the bank was currently working on the construction of a trans-Saharan road that would connect several countries including Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria.

According to him, the project will provide a platform for road travels between Africa and Europe.

Ali also said that the bank had almost concluded arrangements to finance the Lekki seaport project in Lagos State with 150 million dollars.

'I earned the same as Beckham, at 16'

Fame & Fortune: Premier league footballer Robbie Savage, 38, retired in 2011 to become a media pundit and co-presents BBC Radio 5 live's 606 football phone-in.

How did your childhood influence your work ethic and attitude towards money?

Dad had to work every hour he possibly could to help provide for Mum, my brother and I, even for basic things like my first pair of football boots. He used to go to work at 6am.

I certainly didn’t have a silver spoon in my mouth. While a lot of the other boys locally were going around in the newest clothes and adidas trainers, I certainly wasn’t. When we’d play footie in the local park, I wasn’t allowed to play if it was muddy – because mum didn’t want me to get dirty. Dirty clothes meant more cleaning and that meant more expense. Mum used to give me money to go the shop for her – and I knew it was tight.

When Dad arrived home from work in the evening, I’d jump in the car and he’d take me to football training. We wouldn’t get back until 10pm, so it was a long day for him. The first thing I did when I went professional was to look after my parents after all they’d done for me. Dad was only 64 when he died earlier this year from Alzheimer’s and Mum’s not long had a stroke, so it’s really hit home how much they’ve sacrificed for us boys.

You left school at 16 after doing your GCSEs. Did you worry about how you were going to manage financially?

I joined Manchester United as a trainee striker straight out of school. I was with 13 other boys, including David Beckham, on £29.50 a week on a YTS scheme. Everything like digs was paid for, so we could just concentrate on football. Just to be given money to play football was amazing because we’d been doing it all our lives for nothing until then.

Do footballers deserve such big salaries?

Footballers get to a level now where they can earn £150,000 a week and I agree with that. This is an entertainment business and footballers are earning every penny.

But I disagree with young players getting paid huge salaries. They’re expecting too much, and getting too much too young.

Are you a saver or a spender?

Definitely a spender. I saw my dad suffer in his later years, and I know you can’t take money with you. He and Mum had scrimped and saved all their lives so Dad could retire and take the grandchildren on the odd holiday, but that money means nothing to her now because she doesn’t feel right enjoying it without her husband around.

For me if I’ve got it, I spend it. If I’m broke in five years, I’ll have had a great time. It’s the most difficult lesson I’ve had to learn about money: you can’t take it with you.

I like spending on cars, clothes, food and wine – the nice things in life. Even though I’m a spender, I’m also a grafter and I work exceptionally hard to keep it coming in. I’ve had people have a go at me for this, but I’ve had some unforgettable experiences because of my work ethic.

What’s the most difficult lesson you’ve learnt about money?

Just that: you cannot take it with you.

What do you hate about dealing with money?

Other people being jealous. I used to take my team-mates on holiday with me every year because I like to look after people, but the last thing on my mind is making others look bad if I’m paying. Having money can break up friendships so you have to be careful and diplomatic as to how you go about spending it. I’d never do it to show off; I’m doing it because I care.

What has been your best business decision?

Retiring from football when I did at the end of the 2011 season. I could have gone on – I was captain of Derby, we had 30,000 fans out cheering us on every week, I was still fit and I was on decent money. But having done Strictly Come Dancing, it made me realise there were other things out there for me and it would be better for my future to go out on a high.

The biggest thing for a footballer or any professional sportsman is that you don’t want to retire with regrets. Retiring when I did has turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

A lot of players get depressed when their playing career is over because they are no longer put on a pedestal. I would say I’ve been very lucky with the opportunities I’ve had since I’ve quit. Just because I used to play doesn’t mean I get special treatment now that I’m commentating for the BBC. I realise I’ve got to pay my dues, whether it’s doing smaller clubs on a Tuesday night or working on my birthday.

Getting onto Five Live is any pundit’s goal, so it was a real honour to win the Sony Radio Academy Rising Star Award in 2011 – I knew I was on the right track. I’m enjoying working for the BBC and elsewhere. I just want to get better at it.

Are you a cash, credit or debit person?

Debit – I don’t even own a credit card, it just causes problems. I think it’s too easy to overspend with one.

Are you a good tipper?

I make my wife pay. From the outside, you’d think I’m quite a confident person, but I’m actually quite nervous and insecure.

If we’re in a restaurant and the wine is corked or the chips are cold, I won’t send them back. I’ll just deal with it because I don’t like to make a fuss.

When the bill comes, I just let Sarah deal with it and I disappear to the toilet.

Do you invest in stocks and shares?

My wife’s uncle lives in Canada after they emigrated when she was a young girl, so I did get into mines. I broke even from Agnico-Eagle’s Goldex mine. I don’t invest much, though, so if it goes wrong, I don’t lose much.

Do you bank online?

No, I’m too old-school for that. I’m with Lloyds TSB and have been since I was a 17-year-old trainee and luckily I have had the same manager all that time, so I like to stick to the human contact.

What are your financial priorities right now after shifting career?

I just want to look after my family and put my kids through school. I’m working much harder now than I did as a footballer. Being a footballer is the best job in the world but you’ve got to fill the void. I’ve moved to a whole new career as a journalist with no training and it’s hard work. It’s far harder than it looks.