Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB)

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that the decision to reduce the cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions was done by stakeholders in the education sector. The examination body had been criticised for the new cut of mark it released for the 2017/2018 academic session but it revealed that this was done to make the process more flexible.

Vanguard reports that Prof. Ishaq Oloyede who is the registrar of JAMB allayed the fears of Nigerians insinuating that it was a testament to the failure in the sector. He said the board recommendation was to only provide the institutions with a benchmark and that universities could raise their cut off marks above 120 but not more than 180. He said: “With this decision, universities are not to go below the minimum 120 cut-off points adopted by the meeting for admissions.

“What JAMB did was a recommendation, we only determined the minimum, whatever the various institutions determine as their admission cut-off mark is their decisions. The Senate and academic boards of universities should be allowed to determine their cut-off marks.” Chief Afe Babalola in his reaction rejected the new cut-off mark noting that he enjoyed good and quality education and therefore expressed worry over the new direction education was taking in the country. He said: “On June 3, last year, a day after the Federal Government announced the scrapping of the Post-UTME as part of the qualifying procedure for admission into Nigerian universities, I cautioned in a write-up that was published in many Nigerian newspapers that that singular step was nothing but a calamitous mistake. “Good enough, the Federal Government, last week, rescinded that position in favour of the Senate of individual universities exercising its statutory powers of determining who qualifies to be admitted into its university. “The euphoria that greeted the reinstatement of the Post-UTME by protagonists of quality education was still very thick in the air before the air was fouled again yesterday (Tuesday), when JAMB announced the reduction of cut off marks for students angling for admission into Nigerian universities.

“As a stakeholder in the education sector, I enjoyed good and quality primary school education when the pass mark was a minimum of 50 per cent. I am, therefore, worried and curious that this far-reaching decision could be taken without due consideration for its implication on the quality of education on offer in Nigerian tertiary institutions. “My position is that there is an urgent need for education summit to be attended by regulators and operators as well as well-meaning stakeholders in education to diffuse this thick ice of confusion that has engulfed our education landscape.”

President Muhammadu Buhari will work from home after rodents damaged his official office during a more than 100-day overseas medical absence, Garba Shehu says.

The animals damaged furniture and air conditioning fittings in the president’s official Abuja office while he was in London receiving treatment, he further said.

“These are also general works and it is not uncommon for Nigerian presidents to also work from the presidential villa. He has used the residential office for many years,” said Shehu.

“What is important is that the job gets done. Whether he does it from his bedroom or his sitting room or his anteroom — it does not matter. Let the job be done. And the job will be done.”

Shehu was unable to confirm what type of rodent was responsible for the damage, which occurred during the president’s prolonged absence for an undisclosed medical condition.

“I do not have that level of detail,” he said, adding that it was unclear how long the refurbishment would last.

Lols😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂... I guess Nigeria's Government should create their own comedy show because its be coming a dramatic session of Emmanuella and Akpororo In one Comedy skit. If rats have eaten up the president's furniture, am sure it's not a big deal for Nigeria government to place things in order in just few days not months. lets keep watching them with just one eye. 

Diezani Alison-Madueke

Temporary forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.

The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.

The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937,000,000 through Chapel Properties Ltd.

Others seized houses are 16 four-bedroomed terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928,000,000 through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.

The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650,000,000 through Azinga Meadows Ltd.

In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.

The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.

He also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till September 8, 2017 for any party interested in the property to appear before the court to state why the temporary forfeiture order should not be made permanent.]

In an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Sombori Mayana, said the EFCC got winds of the properties in 2016 following the execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of Amamgbo, said be Diezani’s acquaintance.
The investigator averred, “Among the documents recovered from the office of Mr.Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY EOTK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’

“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.

“During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”

Mayana averred that a principal manager and head, business development of FBN Mortgages Ltd, Mrs. Bolanle Onotu, confirmed that the properties were sold by her organisation to Diezani’s alleged four proxy firms for N937m, N928m and N650m and received payment through First Bank account numbers 2004483850 and 2008133531 between September 23, 2011, and June 16, 2015.

“First Bank of Nigeria Plc stated that the source of the money was from Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and that the bank picked up United States dollars from her house at 10, Frederick Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” Mayana added.

He said a total of $16,041,906 was picked up by the bank at Diezani’s house between September 29, 2011, and April 4, 2013, and converted to Naira.

According to Mayana, another firm, Adebern Parks Nigeria Ltd received N802,500,000 in its Zenith Bank account from an Ecobank account for the purchase of some of the properties.

One Mr Adeyemi Edun “received the sum of N840,000,000 from Skye Bank Plc which on his instruction transferred the sum of N805,000,000 to his Eco Bank account from where he paid Adebern Parks for the property.”

Punch

JAMB STUDENTS

_ JAMB New Cut-Off Mark

_ JAMB Reduces New Cut-Off To 180

After the record of over 3 million 2017 JAMB Candidates scored below 200 was published, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has finally come to a conclusion to make it more easier for the student who partook in last JAMB examination to get into school by reducing the cut-off marks of Universities,polytechnics and college of Educations 

Years back, the most set cut-off marks were laid on 180 and above but the Ministry have slashed the marks to 120. All universities in Nigeria would not exceed the cut-off of 120, polytechnics and college of Educations are staked on 100 while that of innovative enterprising institutes was pegged at 110. 

Frankly speaking, this idea is of a good value but yet some students who partook in the last JAMB exams are yet to see their results. If the ministry cannot have a justified issue of result to every student, they should just stop the use of Computer Based Test and return to Paper and Pencil use. In a situation where by students are not giving the best of what they require to get into their future, I don't see a reason while the ministry should twist the plans of any individual by using a system which we are not capable of providing the facilities for it.

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians on Monday morning, two days after he returned from London.

The president had been away for medical treatment for 103 days.

Read the text of the president’s full speech below.

My dear citizens, I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.

2. In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.

3. In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.

4. Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.

5. Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

6. I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

7. This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.

8. The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

9. The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.

10. Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

11. Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.

12. Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets · kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.

13. Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of; economic security, political evolution and Integration, as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.

14. I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.

15. Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Now the able president of Nigeria is back from his health vacation after over 100 days and have returned to the best of his works.

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it known the federal government would not tolerate separatist movements and inflammatory statements that threaten Nigeria unity and stability.In a nationwide broadcast to the nation Monday morning, President Buhari said:

“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.” 

Read Also_ Nigerians Reacts To CNN's Mockery Of Buhari's Health  

The President had been in London for 103 days to treat undisclosed ailment, before returning to Nigeria on Saturday.

In his broadcast, he said his government would not “allow irresponsible elements” to threaten Nigeria’s unity and stability.

The Lagos State Government on Sunday ordered the immediate closure of an illegal plank market in Oko-Baba Extension by Wright Street in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the State.

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami, said the decision to shut down the market was based on the fact that it had become a security threat as well as a hide out for hoodlums who attack innocent citizens and commuters in the area.

He said the State Government, under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, was passionately and irrevocably committed to the safety of lives and property of residents in the State and would not allow any potential security threat to thrive.

Therefore, Folami urged traders in the affected market to comply with the directive, just as he warned that those who flout the order would face the wrath of the law.

Besides, the Commissioner said the State Government would not hesitate to also close down any of such illegal market in any part of the State in the overall interest of the people.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said he “confidently looks forward” to President Muhammadu Buhari’s “imminent return home”.

In series of tweets on Thursday night after meeting Buhari in London, along with Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Saraki said

“We must give thanks to God for this highly welcomed recovery. It is clear that Mr. President’s insistence on following his doctors’ advice has yielded the desired results”, he tweeted.
“Mr. President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent.
“It was a meeting of substance where we discussed important matters of state. We also discussed the 2017 budget.
“In particular, we talked about the Virement request by the Presidency which is before the National Assembly.
“We then considered the steps to be taken in the preparation of the 2018 budget to ensure its early passage.
“International issues were also discussed and Mr. President informed us that he has conveyed his sympathies to the people of Sierra Leone”, Saraki said.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has also remarked about President Buhari’s remarkable improvement, healthwise.

“Today we visited His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. I am glad that he is doing well”, Dogara Tweeted.
“His health has improved tremendously. I urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and offer thanks to God for answered prayers and for the safe return of Mr President,” he added.

Nigeria's Former Federal capital Lagos state has been allegedly mapped as the dirtiest city in the world for a being to live in.

Earlier last year, Punch reported that Lagos was ranked 3rd liveable city in the year 2016 and then this year it has been mapped out as the 2nd dirtiest liveable city. It has grown from worst to decay. 

Read More:_ NDLEA In Search Of Female Lagos Socialite Over Cocaine trafficking

As recorded by The Economist in an annual, Lagos was ranked only higher that Damascus, the Syrian capital. For the seventh year running, the Australian city of Melbourne has been ranked as the world’s most liveable city. According to the report by The Economist which was released on Wednesday, August 16, global living conditions are being eroded by terrorism and diplomatic tensions. The various criteria’s on which the report was premised are stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. 

Brought from detailed reports, Lagos’s overall rating was pegged at 36 percent, and this was broken down as follows: stability, 10 percent; health care, 37.5 percent; culture and environment, 53.5 percent; education, 33.3 percent and infrastructure, 46.4 percent. Of the top 5 cities in the 140 listed cities ranked, was Melbourne, Australia; Vienna, Austria; and then the Canadian cities of Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary rounded out the remaining top spots.

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria have advised the youth to democratically take leadership from the old politicians  since they are unwilling to quit the stage.

The ex – President, who has spoken on Saturday in Abeokuta, at the Youth Governance Dialogue organised to mark this year’s  International Youth Day,urged the youth to stop complaining, “moaning and agonising”.  He advised them to get ready to fit into  elective offices as there were moves now to lower the age for President, Governor and National Assembly.

”I joined politics from the top. The only position I contested for is President, but I had a track record of achievements, which led to that.
”Nobody will choose you; you have to choose yourself. Why should you have to become president at the age of 40? “Why can’t you become president at the age of 35? Why can’t you become president at the age of 30?
”General Gowon became Head of State at 33. I became Head of State at 39. And it is because of my track record, and thanks to Abacha (the late Gen. Sani Abacha)for putting me in jail.


”Those were the reasons why I had the opportunity to come back as elected President. The point is this -how are you prepared? Are you really prepared?”You should engage in things that will bring about unity and integration. You see yourselves as Nigerians and one family instead of pursuing things that could divide the country,” Obasanjo said.

The Nation 

On Sunday, 14th day of August, another church in Anambra state was attacked . Gunmen stormed an Assemblies of God Church on Oguta road Onitsha leaving one policeman and a civilian dead. 

An eyewitness who disclosed this made it known that the gunmen had momentarily stopped at the Assemblies of God Church, on sighting some policemen at the church, they opened fire on them. 

"When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their patrol vehicle and ran away for safety.
The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging to the policeman they killed." Another eyewitness said: "Gunmen on Okada (motorcycle ) shot a policeman and collected his rifle. .
.
They also killed an Okada man who was just passing by while trying to escape, and then his passenger sustained an injury as soon as the okada man dropped off dead from the bike. The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues ; they were providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar confirmed the incident. He said it was not an attack on the church, adding “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. It was not an attack on the church, in the real sense of it."

Some former Heads of State are allegedly searching for President Buhari's replacement ahead of 2019 election. Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar are said to have considered 4 candidates and these

 candidates under consideration include a former governor of Kano and now a serving Senator, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; current governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Cross River governor, Donald Duke and the immediate past governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole (65)They also agreed that the next Nigerian president must be below 70 years of age

The fireworks of 2019 general election have began. Political alignment and realignment are quietly ongoing and will gradually unfold to the shock, surprise, annoyance, joy of many Nigerians depending on affiliations.

Though Nigeria's ailing president, Muhammadu Buhari has not made his stand about running for the second time in office in 2019 or not early feelers, however, indicated that the country’s power brokers and kingmakers are already in search of his successor.

According to The Sun, President Buhari who has been in London for over 50 days on medical vacation may have lost interest in the second term in office and consequently has forced the power brokers out to shop for a new leader to succeed him.

The outcome of the meeting was not disclosed but it was believed then that they met to discuss matters affecting the country in the face of agitations and significantly, health of the president.

However, in a new development, the Sun is now reporting that the discussion of the meeting which was not made public was dominated by President Buhari's successor.

Consequently, the generals had agreed that the next Nigerian president must be below 70 in age but may come from any tribe or region.

A source close to the leaders told the Sun that: “It was agreed that the next president must be under 70, must be a pan-Nigeria personality from any part of the country. Ethnicity and religion must also not be a barrier.”

The source also claimed that "they considered some top politicians who have indicated interest, even though quietly, in the race and they zeroed in on a few they could identify on the spot, who also met their set criteria.
1. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (60)

A former governor of Kano and now a serving Senator. He is 60 years old.

2. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (51)

The current governor of Sokoto state. He is 51 years old.

3. Donald Duke (55)

A former Cross River state governor. He is 55 years old.

4. Adams Oshiomhole (65)

Yesterday, the Federal government passed a new bill on the age of contestants for the presidential seat, Governor, House of Assembly and House of Representatives .

Previously,  the age was rated 45 but we kept on seeing people who were aged 50 and above as contestant. Can this really be a break-through for the Youths to take over? Of course yes. The senate house has passed the bill for the youths to que in.

Can the youths handle this post? Definitely they will as the age was considrate. 

It's a chance for the youth to take over....President_ 35 years, Governors_ 30 years, House of Assembly _ 25 years, House of Representatives_ 25 years.

We are pleased to announced this to Nigerians. This is the best change the Federal government have ever considered.

The council of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board of Nigeria(JAMB) released the fees of the upcoming 2017 JAMB Examination.

The price was deducted N500 which literally makes the fee N6000. Candidates who seek to get into Universities this year 2017 should apply for the Upcoming JAMB Examination. 

Last year, some got the news that the JAMB results would be extended to last for 3 years. Well, it was debated by the senates but was not concluded. The result still last for the usual One(1) year it does. 

Earlier last year, some Nigerian Universities got dis-accreditation on some major courses they offer. While applying for the JAMB Examinations, make a proper review on your school of choice to verify if the school offers the courses You would like to go for.

These forms were made available in some banks like Skye Bank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank and First Bank.

Registration started on the 20th December of 2016 and would probably end on the 9th day of February.

Applicants would have to study the subjects related to the course they applied and also read the novel provided by Jamb(Last Days In Forcardo High School) for the Examinations.

I will provide you with the list of schools and courses that was dis-accreditated last year to aid you fill out your school of choice and Courses.