Admission crisis worsens as candidates, parents confront UNILAG

High number of candidates forces top universities to adopt very high cut-off marks, reports CHARLES ABAH, who witnessed a stakeholders’ protest at the University of Lagos on Wednesday

The President, Association of Tutorial School Owners of Nigeria, Mr. Sodunke Oludotun, looked agitated on Wednesday morning as he led hundreds of parents and candidates to storm the gate of the University of Lagos.

The expression on his face showed a man who carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. ‘Despondency’ and ‘dejection’ were two of the words that could aptly capture the way he felt.

Even with the cool breezy weather in Lagos on Wednesday morning, the ATSO helmsman still sweated profusely.

Dabbing his face with several handkerchiefs, he declared, “I wonder where this nation is heading for. How can one explain the fact that the Federal Government will make one pronouncement today and the next day, one of its agencies jettisons the directive? How can you explain that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, two weeks ago, rolled out the cut-off marks for the 2015/2016 admission, only for parents and candidates to face rejection in schools?”

Parents and UTME candidates protesting at UNILAG…on Wednesday.

Oludotun is not alone in the community of people who demonstrated this seeming hopelessness. Ekiti State-born Ifeoluwatayo Martins, who wants to study Law at the university, was in a similar dilemma. In fact, the youngster faced a bigger predicament. He could not comprehend how, having scored 233 marks in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, he would not be allowed to sit for the post-UTME at UNILAG.

He lamented, “Uncle, I cannot understand this. Do you know that I visited a cybercafé more than 15 times yesterday (Tuesday) trying to download information from the UNILAG website on my post-UTME status, all to no avail? For the many occasions that I tried it, I could not access the portal. I tell you, it got to a level where I felt that the UNILAG admission link – admissions.unilag.edu.ng – looked like a fake one to me.”

Indeed, the story of Oludotun and Martins are a microcosm of the hopelessness witnessed at the gate of the 53-year-old citadel of learning on Wednesday morning. As early as 7am, many parents and children had converged on the gate of the university to protest against a policy, which they claimed would frustrate many candidates seeking admission to the nation’s universities this year.

According to them, the authorities of JAMB will use UNILAG as well as five other old generation universities to further exploit and frustrate candidates seeking university admission this year.

The other universities are Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State; the University of Ibadan; the University of Benin; the University of Ilorin; and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Oludotun, who led the protest, particularly noted that of the more than 33,000 candidates that applied to study at UNILAG this year, only about 9,000 candidates had been shortlisted to sit for the post-UTME.

However, findings from JAMB’s 2015/2016 admission document showed that 62,473 candidates applied to the university this year.

Oludotun queried, “What is the fate of the remaining 24,000 candidates who applied to study in the university this year? Why has JAMB, all of a sudden, decided to change the directive it released barely two weeks ago? What we hear now is that if a candidate does not score up to 250 marks, s/he cannot sit for the post-UTME at UNILAG.

“I suspect something fishy. I have a feeling that the JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, wants to use this platform to satisfy the whims and caprices of his cohorts, especially those operating private universities in the country.

“You know many of these private universities are not getting enough candidates. So, he wants to force parents and their children to go to these universities. This cannot work. The board cannot force any candidate to attend any univers High number of candidates forces top universities to adopt very high cut-off marks, reports CHARLES ABAH, who witnessed a stakeholders’ protest at the University of Lagos on Wednesday

The President, Association of Tutorial School Owners of Nigeria, Mr. Sodunke Oludotun, looked agitated on Wednesday morning as he led hundreds of parents and candidates to storm the gate of the University of Lagos.

The expression on his face showed a man who carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. ‘Despondency’ and ‘dejection’ were two of the words that could aptly capture the way he felt.

Even with the cool breezy weather in Lagos on Wednesday morning, the ATSO helmsman still sweated profusely.

Dabbing his face with several handkerchiefs, he declared, “I wonder where this nation is heading for. How can one explain the fact that the Federal Government will make one pronouncement today and the next day, one of its agencies jettisons the directive? How can you explain that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, two weeks ago, rolled out the cut-off marks for the 2015/2016 admission, only for parents and candidates to face rejection in schools?”

Parents and UTME candidates protesting at UNILAG…on Wednesday.

Oludotun is not alone in the community of people who demonstrated this seeming hopelessness. Ekiti State-born Ifeoluwatayo Martins, who wants to study Law at the university, was in a similar dilemma. In fact, the youngster faced a bigger predicament. He could not comprehend how, having scored 233 marks in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, he would not be allowed to sit for the post-UTME at UNILAG.

He lamented, “Uncle, I cannot understand this. Do you know that I visited a cybercafé more than 15 times yesterday (Tuesday) trying to download information from the UNILAG website on my post-UTME status, all to no avail? For the many occasions that I tried it, I could not access the portal. I tell you, it got to a level where I felt that the UNILAG admission link – admissions.unilag.edu.ng – looked like a fake one to me.”

Indeed, the story of Oludotun and Martins are a microcosm of the hopelessness witnessed at the gate of the 53-year-old citadel of learning on Wednesday morning. As early as 7am, many parents and children had converged on the gate of the university to protest against a policy, which they claimed would frustrate many candidates seeking admission to the nation’s universities this year.

According to them, the authorities of JAMB will use UNILAG as well as five other old generation universities to further exploit and frustrate candidates seeking university admission this year.

The other universities are Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State; the University of Ibadan; the University of Benin; the University of Ilorin; and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Oludotun, who led the protest, particularly noted that of the more than 33,000 candidates that applied to study at UNILAG this year, only about 9,000 candidates had been shortlisted to sit for the post-UTME.

However, findings from JAMB’s 2015/2016 admission document showed that 62,473 candidates applied to the university this year.

Oludotun queried, “What is the fate of the remaining 24,000 candidates who applied to study in the university this year? Why has JAMB, all of a sudden, decided to change the directive it released barely two weeks ago? What we hear now is that if a candidate does not score up to 250 marks, s/he cannot sit for the post-UTME at UNILAG.

“I suspect something fishy. I have a feeling that the JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, wants to use this platform to satisfy the whims and caprices of his cohorts, especially those operating private universities in the country.

You know many of these private universities are not getting enough candidates. So, he wants to force parents and their children to go to these universities. This cannot work. The board cannot force any candidate to attend any university that he/she does not want. The issue of admission borders on choice and I believe, and strongly too, that individuals should be allowed to make their choices.”

In fact, the tone of the protest at UNILAG, which lasted for almost four hours, conveyed this sense of disillusionment. It also mirrored their “feeling” about the Ojerinde-led admission body. While many of the protesters sang anti-JAMB songs and lyrics, others displayed placards that painted the nation’s admission ombudsman as a man that has no feeling for candidates.

Some of the placards read, “Why is JAMB posting candidates from six federal universities to private universities without the candidates’ consent?” and “No PDP policy again, Buhari save us.”

Others include “UNILAG VC, save us from Dibu”, ‘’Wow! With 250, we cannot sit for post-UTME, incredible’’; “Dibu must go” and “Dibu, don’t toy with our destiny.”

But even as the protest and the songs of solidarity went on, some of the candidates who had surfed the Internet gathered adjacent the UNILAG gate bemoaning their fate. For instance, while Abigail Oluwadamilola and Edu-Uthman Adeniyi, who scored 203 and 204 respectively, were at a corner weeping and narrating the uncertainty that befell them, a parent, Mr. Idowu Adewale, drew the attention of our correspondent to other candidates who scored above 250 but could not access the UNILAG’s qualifying form.

In fact, Oluwadamilola applied to study Accountancy, while Adeniyi applied to study Insurance.

For Adewale, there is no justification for this arbitrariness. Questioning the rationale for upping the cut-off marks from 180 to 250, Adewale urged the Buhari-led administration to intervene urgently in the matter.

According to him, JAMB’s recent policies are not only destructive but also inimical to the growth of university education in the country.

Adewale alleged that his relations who visited UNILAG on Tuesday to download and print their “payment advice” could not do so, as JAMB reportedly did not forward their names to the university.

He added, “Many candidates could not print their payment advice from the bank to access the UNILAG post-UTME form. Without this form, they cannot do anything, as it empowers them to sit for the qualifying examination.

“Again, the implication is that such candidates will have to stay at home for another year due to no fault of theirs. We, therefore, demand equality in this matter. There is need to give all candidates equal playing ground to test their abilities. JAMB announced 150 cut-off marks for polytechnics and colleges of education and 180 for intending university candidates. Why change the goal post mid-way into the game?

“UNILAG needs to throw open the opportunity. Otherwise, no less than 24, 000 candidates will be unable to sit for this post-UTME in the university.”

Adewale, who also accused the examining body of making candidates to buy change of institutions form for N4, 500 two months ago, noted that parents and the leadership of ATSO were planning to drag JAMB to court.

Don’t blame UNILAG – Registrar

However, the UNILAG Registrar, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, told our correspondent that the university should not be blamed for the development.

UNILAG VC, Prof. Rahamon Bello

According to her, JAMB determines the eligibility of post-UTME screening to the nation’s universities, including UNILAG, and so the university can only work with data from the body. Ipaye, who confirmed that many candidates applied to study in the university this year, noted that the examining body had forwarded the details of 9,000 candidates for the post-UTME exercise.

Beyond the registrar’s clarification, authorities of the university, in a statement on Wednesday, absolved themselves of blame.

Part of the statement entitled, ‘Important Notice on New Policy on Eligibility of Candidates for the 2015/2016 Admission Exercise’ read, “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board at its Combined Policy Meeting held on July 14, 2015 in Abuja, announced the adoption of a policy whereby candidates of universities with surplus applicants for the Unified Matriculation Examinations are reassigned to other universities with lower numbers of candidates than their capacities.

“According to the Registrar/CEO of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, the policy portends two benefits: (1) It will be beneficial to ‘needy universities’, that is universities with lower numbers of candidates, than their capacities, as this will ensure that these universities will have more candidates to admit. (2) Candidates will have better chances for admission in the universities they are re-assigned to, contrary to situations where they would await admission in the universities of their first choices until the admission exercise closes and they forfeit admission in that session.

“This policy has been implemented with immediate effect. Consequently, the eligibility for post-UTME screening in the University of Lagos, like other universities in Nigeria, has been determined by JAMB. In effect, only candidates whose names were forwarded to the university by JAMB are eligible for the 2015/2016 post-UTME screening.

“This means that only candidates whose details have been forwarded to the university by JAMB and published on admission.unilag.edu.ng are eligible for the 2015/2016 post-UTME screening.

“Ineligible candidates would have been re-assigned by JAMB to other universities. Such candidates should contact JAMB for assistance.”

We can’t take 180 as cut-off mark – OAU

The Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, has said that the institution cannot adopt the JAMB’s cut-off mark of 180.

Olanrewaju told our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday that adopting the 180 peg would lower the standards that define the institution.

OAU VC, Prof. Bamitale Omole

Although he said the OAU had not decided the cut-off marks for the current admission process, he said 180 could only apply to institutions that were ‘looking for candidates.”

Olanrewaju said, “The OAU has a particular standard of excellence below which we cannot drop. We have to maintain that standard so that when they see our graduates anywhere, all the marks of excellence that define us will be there.”

While the PRO said that the university would determine its cut-off marks only after it would have conducted the post-UME, he explained that about 50,000 candidates applied for admission to OAU this year, out of which it would take 6,000.

Also, the JAMB 2015/2016 admission document indicated that 60,402 candidates applied to the university this year.

‘UI yet to decide’

Candidates who applied to the University of Ibadan will, however, have to wait for some time before they can know its cut-off marks.

According to the university’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Tunji Oladejo, relevant authorities had not deliberated on the matter.

He, however, said that the average cut-off mark in the school was usually 200.

180 is the national benchmark – JAMB

Reacting to the allegations preferred against the body, the JAMB Head of Public Relations, Dr. Benjamin Fabian, said what the board did on July 14 was just to fix the national benchmark cut-off, which is 180 marks for universities.

According to him, agreed that universities are at liberty to fix their cut-off marks, none is to allow any candidate with a score below the national benchmark.

Prof. Dibu Ojerinde

Fabian, who also dismissed insinuations that the board was liaising with private universities to shore up their enrolment figure, denied the posting of candidates outside their places of origin.

He said, “By next week, the national distribution list for the candidates will be out and they will find out that we did not move candidates out of their zones. We are also focusing on private universities as well as state universities. We are just trying to ensure that as many candidates as possible are accommodated in the process. The true situation is that many high-flyer universities, such as UNILAG, ABU, and OAU, have many candidates, while some do not.”

Few candidates applied to private universities

Meanwhile, despite the stable academic calendar in private universities, they still do not fascinate the majority of the Nigerian students and their sponsors.

As recently reported by our correspondent, for the second year running, information from the same JAMB document shows that only about two per cent of candidates seeking university education in the country prefer private ivory towers.

In fact, findings show that of the 1.4 million candidates, less than 20, 000 candidates – representing two per cent – chose to study in the more than 60 private universities in the country.

In other words, 98 per cent others prefer the public universities.

Of the candidates seeking admission to private universities, the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has the highest number of applicants with 3,042 candidates. Last year, the school belonging to the Living Faith Church, led by Bishop David Oyedepo, had 3,315 candidates.

The three oldest private universities – Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo; Madonna University, Okija and the Igbinedion University Okada – have 2, 101; 686 and 426 in that order. In 2014 UTME, the trio had 2,139, 1,021 and 658 applicants respectively.

The Bells University, Ota, Ogun State, owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has only 173 candidates; while the American University of Nigeria, Yola, belonging to a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has 198 candidates.

With only five candidates, the Kwarafa University, Wukari, occupied the last position in getting patronage from potential candidates seeking admission to private universities in the country this year. The Obong University, Obong, Ntak, Akwa Ibom State and the Southwestern University, Okun-Owa, Ogun State, occupied this position in 2014. They had only four candidates seeking placement in each of the institutions.

Again, whereas Obong University, Ntak, has increased its profile by having 16 candidates this year, Southwestern University, Okun-Owa, upped its ranking by having two more candidates. The Wellspring University, Ogbaneki, Benin, Edo State, has seven candidates while each of Renaissance University, Ojiagu-Agbani, Enugu and Rhena University, Obeama, Rivers State, has eight and 10 candidates respectively.

With 107,491 candidates, the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, again topped the chart, dusting the nation’s premier university, the University of Ibadan, to a distant seventh position. UNILORIN also topped the slot in 2014.

The University of Benin, Edo State, is occupying the second position this year with 71,497 candidates; Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, is third with 70,609 candidates, while the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is fourth with 66,791 candidates.

The University of Lagos has 62,473 candidates, placing it in the fifth position; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has 60,254 candidates to occupy the sixth position, while UI has 47, 501 candidates. The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, which had 60,402 applicants in 2014, attracted only 43,967 candidates this year.

The University of Maiduguri, which used to attract a high number of students before the invasion of the North East by Boko Haram, appealed to only 20, 322 candidates.

How to retain your strength

Are you ready to find out what your body is capable of? If the same old exercise routine doesn’t seem to be making a difference, it’s time to make some changes that will help you build muscles, get stronger and healthier.

It is important to challenge yourself with new workout routines, train every muscle group, and fuel your body with healthy calories if you want to see improvements in your strength and ability.

Exercising daily with a workout routine that will help improve your muscle size and ability will enable you to get stronger and healthier in a few weeks. Below are some tips that will help you build muscles, get rid of unwanted fats and improve your strength and abilities.

The squat, dead lift, bench press, and shoulder press are the best strength-building exercises. The chin up and row are great moves too, but don’t make them the focus of your workout – they can be assistance lifts to complement the bench and shoulder press, keeping your pulling muscles in balance with the pressing ones.
Forget all the fad equipment. The barbell is king, the dumbbell is queen, and everything else is a court jester – it may have its place, but it’s not essential. Start your workouts with barbell exercises, such as the “big four,” as described above. Barbells let you load a lot of weight, and lifting heavy is the first step toward getting stronger. Once your heaviest strength exercises are out of the way, you can move on to dumbbell and bodyweight training.
Write down your exercises, sets, reps, and the fate of each workout. Keep track of your best lifts and the most reps you’ve done with a certain weight on an exercise. Constantly strive to improve on those numbers.

Messi’s dressing sparks anger in Gabon

The Gabonese government have denied claims that Barcelona’s  Lionel Messi  was paid €3.5m (£2.5m) to visit the country to take part in a ceremony at one of the venues for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Messi, who has yet to link up with his  Barcelona team-mates on their US tour, was pictured at the weekend in the country’s second largest city, Port-Gentil, where he helped to lay one of the first stones for the planned 40,000-capacity venue.
France Football had claimed that he and his former Barça team-mate Deco received €3.5m for the trip but a statement from the  Gabon  embassy has denied that was the case. “The Republic of Gabon strongly denies having transferred or having promised to transfer any sum of money to the Argentine international football player Lionel Messi, who was in Gabon from 17 to 18 July 2015 on the invitation of Ali Bongo,” it read.
The four-times Ballon d’Or winner was also criticised for showing his support for Bongo, the controversial Gabonese leader, who has been accused of committing electoral fraud to remain in power and various human rights abuses. Messi later appeared at one of the president’s restaurants in the city, with Bongo explaining how the meeting had come about.
“When I was in  Barcelona  a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville,” he said. “It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.” Meanwhile, Gabon’s opposition party have accused Messi of showing a “lack of respect for standards and principles” after he turned up wearing denim shorts and a T-shirt.
A statement from the Union du Peuple Gabonais (UPG) party read: “The messiah of football arrived in Gabon like he were going to a zoo: dirty, unshaven and his hands in his pockets, looking for peanuts to throw to them! “When you’re called Lionel Messi and you’re a multi-billionaire, you don’t have the right to present yourself to officials of a republic, even a banana one, with your hands in the pockets of a ripped, tattered pair of shorts.
“Gabon isn’t a zoo. We don’t know what the Argentine came to Gabon for, but we at least have the right to denounce his negligence and his lack of respect for standards and principles. We are uneasy with Messi’s attitude and his attire. Only for these reasons, linked to respect for the host country, do we condemn the footballer’s indelicateness, to say the least!”

Crude used for swap, proceeds remitted to Federation Account – NNPC

Out of a total of 162.425 million barrels of crude oil allocated to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for the country’s four refineries in 2014, the refineries only received 25.84 million barrels of crude oil leaving 135.85 million barrels of crude oil, valued at about N2.62 trillion appropriated for other uses not disclosed by the NNPC.
The NNPC, in its Annual Statistics Bulletin for 2014, stated that the refineries were only able to refine 23.36 million barrels of crude oil, meaning that Nigeria’s refining capacity in 2014 dropped to 14.4 per cent from 22 per cent in 2013.
The amount of crude oil processed by the refineries, according to the NNPC, translates to an average daily production capacity of 64,001 barrels per day.
Using OPEC’s Reference Basket which puts the average price of crude oil for 2014 at $96.29 per barrel and current exchange rate realities, the unaccounted 135.85 million barrels of crude oil by the NNPC, amounts to N2.616 trillion.
The amount is about half of the Federal Government budget for 2015, and is almost four times the N556.9 billion earmarked for capital expenditure in the budget and is slightly higher than the N2.607 trillion budgeted for recurrent expenditure.
The NNPC disclosed that the refineries received a total of 25.84 million barrels (3.5 million metric tonnes) of (dry) crude oil, condensate and slops in the year under review. This translates to 70,793 barrels of crude oil, condensates and slops per day.
The amount of crude oil supplied to the refineries on a daily basis was 374,207 barrels less than the 445,000 barrels per day of crude oil allocated to the NNPC for the refineries in the country. With the amount allocated to the NNPC, the refineries were supposed to receive 162.425 million in 2014.
The daily supply to the refineries represents 15.91 per cent of the total crude oil allocation of 445,000 barrels per day. The balance of 135.85 million barrels was, however, not accounted for by the NNPC.
This means that 135.85 million barrels of crude oil might have been appropriated for other unexplained reasons, or used for the controversial Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) or for the Crude oil for product SWAP arrangements entered into by the NNPC.
The closest explanation given on the crude swap and offshore arrangements by the NNPC in the report was the fact that products valued at N6.76 billion were received by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC.
Specifically, the NNPC said, “PPMC evacuated 3.208 million metric tonnes of petroleum products from the refineries and it also imported 7.038 million metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Household kerosene (HHK) for distribution valued at N6.76 billion on Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) and Crude oil for product SWAP arrangements.”
Crude paid for, swapped, proceeds remitted — NNPC
However, responding to queries for explanation on the unaccounted barrels of crude oil, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, ‎Group General Manager, ‎Group Public Affairs Division‎, NNPC, told Vanguard that crude oil that are not utilised by the refineries is sent abroad for the product-for-Crude exchange programme (crude swap) and the offshore processing agreement scheme, while refined products from the scheme are brought back into the country, sold and proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.
He further allayed fears of any missing money, as he stated that the NNPC pays for the 445,000 barrels per day of crude at the prevailing international market price.
He said, ‎”The term `allocation’ of crude to NNPC does not arise as the Corporation is required to pay for this crude at prevailing international market price. This practice has been in place since 2003.
“‎Thus NNPC receives 445, 000 bpd of crude for domestic refining, but because of the state of the refineries (which as you know are receiving massive attention) the refineries are unable to utilize the entire volume of crude.
“‎Consequently, the balance of what is left unutilized

Court rejects NERC’s prayer to hike electricity tariff

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday rejected the prayer by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to give effect to its proposed hike in electricity tariff.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, had, at a press briefing in May, disclosed the plan by the commission to embark on an upward review of electricity tariff across the country effective from June 1.

But pursuant to an ex parte application filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Toluwani Adebiyi, Justice Mohammed Idris, on May 28, restrained NERC from going ahead with the proposed hike.

The commission, however, filed an application seeking to discharge the restraining order, as it claimed that Adebiyi misrepresented facts before the court and misled the court to grant same.

Counsel for the NERC, Mr. George Uwechue (SAN), also argued that the applicant failed to explore and exhaust all available remedies before rushing to court.

But in a ruling on Thursday, Idris discountenanced Uwechue’s arguments and dismissed the application, as he held that the application was not filed within seven days as stipulated by Order 26 Rule 11 and the applicant did not seek extension of time.

This failure, according to the judge, had rendered the defendant’s application, seeking to discharge the restraining order, incompetent.

“The ex-parte order of this court restraining hike in electricity tariff is valid and still subsisting,” the judge held.

Earlier, the judge had struck out the preliminary objection filed by NERC, challenging the applicant’s locus standi to institute the action.

The judge held that the defendant breached the provisions of Order 29, Rule 4 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules by failing to file its preliminary objection within 21 days of being served  with the applicant’s originating summons.

He held, “The learned Senior Advocate for the defendant holds the view that the provision is discretionary. I honestly and sincerely disagree with that view.

“In the circumstances, I hold that the preliminary objection was filed in breach of the rules of the court.

“The objection filed  is therefore, in my view,  incompetent and is hereby struck out.”

The matter was thereafter adjourned till September 23, 2015 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

Adebiyi is contending that the move by NERC to increase electricity tariff in the country would “foist further hardship on Nigerians.”

According to the lawyer, any such increment in electricity tariff was unjustifiable in the face of poor or erratic supply of electricity by the distributing companies.

He prayed the court to stop any hike in electricity tariff until there has been a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply to at least 18 hours in a day in most Nigerian communities.

Among other things, Adebiyi is also asking the court to mandate the NERC to make available to all Nigerians, prepaid meters within a maximum time frame of two years.

This, he said, would curb “the throat-cutting, indiscriminate estimated bill, which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumers.”

In his affidavit supporting the suit, Adebiyi lamented,  “Businesses have collapsed, industries have closed down, and residents cannot sleep comfortably at night due to inefficiency of our power industry.

“Companies and commercial houses are groaning under throat-cutting power bill which they are paying for, yet not getting the benefit for such payment.

“Bringing further increase amidst this tangled web of hardship and without any improvement in power supply will be highly unjustifiable and will be an economic burden on the Nigerian populace.

“It is totally absurd and not for the good of the people, and therefore must be stopped.”

Ford develops camera-based lighting system

Ford Motor Company says in continuation of its role as a leading innovator in lighting technology, it is developing advanced lighting system that will enable drivers to easily see potential hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists and animals when driving at night.

The camera-based advanced front lighting system, it says, uses the Global Positioning System and a video camera in the rear-view mirror housing to move the adaptive headlights with the road terrain.

According to Ford, when the car detects a roundabout or an intersection, for instance, the light beam widens to offer a bigger view of what is coming from the side. If the GPS detects the intersection, the location is tagged so that the beam automatically widens when it is encountered again.

It explains in a statement obtained online on Tuesday that the spot lighting system uses an infrared camera behind the grille, and is similar to but less complex than systems employed by Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

Giving a description of how it works, the automaker says when the infrared camera detects a potential hazard like a person or an animal in or near the road up to 390 feet ahead, it can shine one of two LED spotlights on the danger. A display in the dash cluster will highlight the object with a yellow or a red box, depending on the how close it is and how dangerous it might be. Even though there are only two spotlights, mounted next to the fog lights on the lower front bumper, the system can detect up to eight objects at a time.

Former SGF, Saleh, dies at 86

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman, Aminu Saleh, died on Wednesday at the age of 87.

He died at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State after a brief illness.

A family source, who spoke in confidence, said Saleh would be buried  on Wednesday evening according to Islamic rites.

He is survived by one wife, 13 children and many grandchildren, among  whom is the immediate past Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh.

Meanwhile, the immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has described the death of the elder statesman as a great loss to the country considering his wealth of experience.

Yuguda, while reacting to the news of the death of the former SGF, described the death as a monumental loss not only to his immediate and extended families, Katagum Emirate and Bauchi State, but the entire country, considering the late Saleh’s contributions to the socio-political and economic development of the country over the years.

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Adeyemi, the ex-governor recalled that he enjoyed fatherly advice from the late Saleh during his eight years tenure as the Governor of the State.

He added that the ex-SGF was always frank and straight forward on matters that bordered on good governance and leadership.

Photos: See Tiwa Savage’s cute baby boy, other Mavins babies

MAVIN First Lady, Tiwa Savage  and her husband, Tunji Balogun aka Teebillz  welcomed a baby boy at St. Mary’s hospital in London on Wednesday.
Dr Sid posted images of Mavins babies on his handle, including Tiwa’s baby.

Mavins babies
On 23 November 2013, Savage and Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun held their traditional marriage at the Ark in Lekki.
Nigerian businessmen and celebrities who attended the wedding include Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote, Don Jazzy, Banky W., Rita Dominic, Davido, Lola Okoye (wife of Peter Okoye), Toolz, Eniola Badmus, Omawumi, Iyanya, King Sunny Ade, Agbani Darego, Dr SID, Toke Makinwa, and Karen Igho, among others.
On 26 April 2014, the couple held their white wedding at the Armani Hotel in Dubai. On 1 January 2015, Savage and her husband, Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, announced that they are expecting their first child together

Liverpool sign Benteke

Liverpool Football Club has confirmed the signing of Belgium international striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

Benteke
The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds Wednesday after successfully completing a medical in London.
Benteke has built a reputation as one of the Barclays Premier League’s most clinical forwards since joining Villa from Genk in 2012, having scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the Midlands side.
During that time he has also become a regular fixture for the Belgium national team and has netted seven goals in 24 outings for his country

Sagay, others back Ambode’s decision to prosecute Synagogue, builders

Eminent lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, has expressed support for the Lagos State Government on its decision to prosecute the Synagogue Church of All Nations and the engineers that built the Guest House of the church that collapsed on September 12, 2014.

Also, a former Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Ubani, and Lagos lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, have hailed the resolve of the state government to implement the Coroner’s report on the collapsed building, which recommended the prosecution of the church and the builders.

Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, had, in its report on the collapse of the building  on July 7, recommended the investigation and prosecution of the church for failing to secure necessary approval before building.

Komolafe also recommended the prosecution of the contractors for negligence that led to the collapse of the six-storey guest house, where 116 persons, mostly South Africans, died.

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had promised to implement the verdict to the letter.

Sagay, in an interview on Wednesday, described the incident as a criminal offence, saying the governor’s effort was commendable given the fact that the church authorities and the contractors failed to obtain necessary approval before embarking on the project.

He added, “The statement from the Lagos State Government is a commendable one. This is because the whole tragedy not only involved human lives, it also involved the lives of non-Nigerians, creating what I will call a diplomatic incidence between Nigeria and South Africa.

“It is a major tragic development and it has become clear from the findings of the Coroner that the building was not professionally constructed and they did not receive the imprimatur of the Ministry of Physical Planning before constructing it.

“The engineers, who took part in the exercise, ought to have demanded approval before commencing construction based on the plan given to them. It is a criminal offence and they should be punished and investigated.

“Also, the church authorities, who actually engaged them to do the work without first obtaining physical plan permit, should also be prosecuted for breaching the physical planning laws of Lagos State.”

Ubani said the verdict, if implemented, would give Nigerians a sense of hope that true change had come to the country.

he added, “That is a good one from the governor. It is heartwarming when a government official says that he will carry out the judgment of the court. Nigerians will be happy to see government follow up on its vow and promise to do the right thing.

“If the Coroner has made a recommendation and the government has vowed to implement it, that is a healthy development because most times, judgments of the court are usually not being followed up by government officials.

“Let us begin to follow our law. And the change we have voted for, let it now start from every angle. Those who have been implicated by the Coroner should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

Ogunye said Lagosians were not expecting anything less than implementing the Coroner’s recommendations from the state government.

According to him, the governor is right and deserves commendation for insisting on diligent prosecution given the outright disregard for relevant laws by the church authorities and the contractor who handled the failed project.

He stated, “Now that statement by the Lagos State Government is a welcome one. We do not expect anything less. After the incident, especially during the coroner inquest, we said the Synagogue Church of All Nations didn’t exhibit the expected response.

“We are saying this not because we are jumpy about condemning a place of worship but because of the monumental disaster, one incident in which 116 persons perished, many of them non-Nigerians, coupled with the international implications. We certainly did not expect the church to be instigating laughable protests; people carrying placards; insinuating o

US law hinders anti-Boko Haram fight – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said the application of the Leahy law amendment by the United States government has aided and abetted the violent activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country.

He said while he believed that this was not the spirit of the law, its blanket application by the US on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against Nigerian forces has denied the country access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

Buhari spoke at the United States Institute for Peace shortly before leaving US at the end of his four-day official visit to the country.

According to Wikipedia, the Leahy Law, or Leahy amendment, is a US human rights law that prohibits the US Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violate human rights with impunity.

To implement the law which is named after its principal sponsor, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, US embassies and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour and the appropriate regional bureau of the US Department of State vet potential recipients of security assistance.

If a unit is found to have been credibly implicated in a serious abuse of human rights, assistance is denied until the host nation government takes effective steps to bring the responsible persons within the unit to justice.

While the US Government does not publicly report on foreign armed force units it has cut off from receiving assistance, press reports have indicated that security force units in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico,  Nigeria, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan have been denied assistance due to the Leahy Law.

Buhari said Nigerian forces have remained largely impotent in the face of the onslaught being launched by terrorists because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, because of the application of the US law.

He regretted that the allegations of human rights violations levelled against Nigerian forces upon which the law is being applied had remained unproven.

The President said, “In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours but other international friends and partners.

“Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

“In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.

“Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the US Government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes.

“I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.”

Buhari therefore appealed to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide Nigeria with more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings.

He said the longer the delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram sect gets.

At all events, the President said his administration had re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.

He said as the administration ramps up efforts to defeat Boko Haram, he knows that winning the battle

President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech at the US Institute for Peace

I am delighted to be here this morning, and I wish to thank the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) for providing me with this platform to share with this distinguished audience of eminent personalities, my hopes and thoughts about my country, Nigeria.

2.​The think tanks that came together to organize today’s event are by no means new to Nigeria. Several of them and a good number of individuals have, over the years, organized meetings and symposia to shed light on diverse issues pertaining to Nigeria. Others, like the NDI, IRI, and IFES have for a long period been partners in Nigeria’s electoral processes.

3.​The contributions of the IRI, NDI and IFES to the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria are well documented. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them for their partnership and support to the democratization process in Nigeria. Your doggedness, in calling a spade a spade in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been greatly appreciated by us Nigerians who are dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in our country. My appreciation also goes to the CSIS, USIP, and the Atlantic Council for their continued engagement and interest in Nigeria. The unique perspectives and clarity you bring to bear on your analyses of contemporary issues in Nigeria are of profound importance to my country.  Thank you for the interest you have consistently shown on elections in our country.

4.​Naturally, being far removed from the arena of action, and not being participants in the events you analyze on a regular basis, has its own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair analysts.  Let me illustrate with just one example.  In the months leading up to the recent general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass media and the policy community here in Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a chance to pull through.  All over this city, the common view held and frequently expressed was of Nigeria on the brink.

5.​As far as the critics and doomsday merchants were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015 general elections.  Nigeria was not expected to make it. The general perception was that Nigeria would be undone by violent and disputed elections riven with deep ethnic and religious divisions.

6.​You all know what happened. Nigeria confounded the pessimists and its critics. All those who predicted the worst possible post-election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark by very wide margins, because the premises upon which their narratives were based were simply wrong.

7.​The peaceful conduct and outcome of the 2015 general elections attest to the fact that elections in Africa can be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, just like in any other part of the world. Those elections were different from previous ones, not only because citizens were allowed to vote, but more importantly, because their votes counted. I must therefore, salute the patriotism and commitment of the Nigerian people who conducted themselves peacefully and responsibly during and after the elections. Similarly, I must also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the civil society organizations, and other non-state actors for their various efforts at improving the electoral process and entrenching the democratic culture.

8.​I would like to seize this opportunity also, to once again, pay tribute to my predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his uncommon display of statesmanship in setting the pace for Africa. His conduct and outlook in the aftermath of the elections have further proven that the African electoral system is gaining strength and maturity.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
9.​Important lessons are being learned from the successful conduct of those elections. Our electoral processes are evolving. Nigerians of all political leanings recognize that there is much work to be done to improve electoral transparency and the integrity of elections.  I feel confident that, going forward, our electoral body will apply lessons learned to improve its processes, including the use of appropriate technologies in the conduct of elections, and innovative approaches to voter education. To this end, I intend to raise the cost of impunity by working with the National Assembly to strengthen our electoral laws in ways that would provide stiffer penalties against all forms of electoral malpractices. The enforcement of the laws would equally be given greater impetus. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

10.​On the issue of terrorism, Nigerians have lived with fear and insecurity for far too long.  The human and material costs of the insurgency in my country and to my people are staggering and unacceptable.

11.​Defeating Boko Haram and finding a durable solution to the underlying causes of the insecurity in Nigeria are therefore a major priority of the new administration. Nigerians understand that terrorism stifles development and undermines the stability of society. The Government that I lead is committed, and will do whatever it takes, to free Nigeria from the menace of terrorism. No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim every inch of Nigerian territory that is under the control of Boko Haram. We shall continue to do these within the framework of the rule of law and in compliance with our international and domestic human rights obligations.

12.​Let me emphasize that, as a Government, we have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the challenges ahead of us.  We know that it will be a long and bruising struggle, but this is a fight we are in to win. Failure is not an option for us. We do not contemplate it.

13.​In the first week of my presidency, I visited Chad and Niger to strengthen cooperation within the Lake Chad Basin Commission Members, the primary region of the Boko Haram insurgency. Upon my return to Nigeria from the US, I shall visit Cameroon on the 29th of July to further strengthen our sub-regional efforts at countering terrorism. Already, I have released twenty-one million US Dollars ($21 million) for the rapid take-off of the Multi-National Joint Task Force. This is the force set up by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria plus Benin to jointly combat the insurgency.

14.​We are confident that we will defeat terrorism in our country and region, because we have the will to win this fight. We will win because we have the support of the Nigerian people who voted us into office to do things differently in order to secure them from harm and provide for their prosperity and well being. We will win because the United States and indeed, the International Community have pledged to stand with us in solidarity.

15.​But winning the battle against terrorism means we have to do things differently; after all, the race for the future will never be won by going backward or standing still. Winning means we must change our strategy in a manner that will prioritize the mobilization of maximum capacity to fight terrorism, while ensuring the safety and protection of local communities in the frontline of the fight against terrorism. We are also improving cooperation and coordination with our neighbours and other international partners to add depth and muscle to our overall strategy.

16.​In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new Government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours other international friends and partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations level

Saleh, an exemplary public officer – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday described the late former Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Alhaji Aminu Saleh, as an exemplary public officer, who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country.

Saraki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, expressed sadness over Saleh’s demise.

He said, “Late Saleh  was one public officer who was very diligent and patriotic in the discharge of his duties to his fatherland.”

He commiserated with the government, immediate family and people of Bauchi State, and prayed the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest.

Implement National Conference report, cleric urges Buhari

THE Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu, has called on President Mohammadu Buhari to implement the recommendations of the National Conference held in Abuja under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Rev. Ordu explained that the implementation of the recommendations of the National Conference was imperative irrespective of the difference in government and political party.
The cleric spoke on Wednesday during a news conference ahead of the diocese third session of the second Synod to begin from July 29 to August 2, 2015 at the Chapel of Grace and Knowledge in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
He said, “I strongly want to urge this government, its biases notwithstanding, to please, implement the provisions or the recommendations of the National Conference that held in Abuja just before the elections.
“The conference was more like the gathering of wise men and women in this country and at the end of the day, all of them were in agreement about what they recommended.
“So, this government holds it as a duty to the rest of Nigerians to implement what has been recommended, not minding the fact that the conference took place under a different government, a different political party. We are talking about Nigeria here; we are not talking about PDP or APC.
We are not talking about the Labour Party.”
Rev. Ordu observed that government, from the military to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo second era, had always had cause to convene National Conference or dialogue, adding that such action was the leadership’s way of calming frayed nerves.
He pointed out that successive leadership in the country had been taking Nigerians for a ride and maintained that there appeared to be something about most persons in government that make them to believe that the rest of Nigerians were fools.
“Leadership in Nigeria is taking the people for a ride. They are taking us for a ride. There is something about most persons in government that make them believe that the rest of Nigerians are fools.
“If we push them this way and dangle a carrot before them, we will calm them down so that we will continue with our mischief. That appears to be the picture we are seeing around the corridors of power and it is a very sad development for us,” the cleric said.
Describing the approval of gay marriage as evil, the Anglican Bishop explained that the scripture and even the African culture condemned homosexuality and gay marriage.
“A few years ago, we discovered that some sections of the Church, particularly, in the Western world began to toy with some sensitive aspects as regard the spirituality and doctrine of the Church; and the Church of Nigeria, you know, took their position on those issues, particularly the issue of human sexuality.
“The position of the Anglican Church, for instance, on this matter of homosexuality, lesbianism and the rest of them is that it is against scripture. Any arm or part of the Church worldwide that advocates it is breaching the provisions and tenets of the scripture.
“We cannot be in any form of relationship with such an arm of the body of Christ until proper positions are taken or reversed by those who advocate such,” he added.

Truck crushes butcher in Ekiti

A commercial truck on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, crushed a butcher to death in an early morning accident.

The accident, which happened at Mojere Market area of Adebayo, caused a gridlock as passers-by rushed to the scene.

Many of them wept uncontrollably as the remains of the victim was being taken to the morgue.

Eyewitness said the driver of the commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as Okada, conveying the butcher lost control while trying to overtake the truck.

The skull of the victim was completely shattered by the impact of the accident.

The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, while confirming the accident, said the truck had been towed to the nearest police station.

He added that the driver of the truck had been arrested by the Police and was undergoing interrogation.

He also confirmed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the

Photos: SA rapper Cassper Nyovest publicly asks TV presenter Boity Thulo to be his girlfriend

Popular SA rapper Cassper Nyovest took a camera crew and flowers to the set of where his stunning 25 year old South African television presenter/model and recording artist girlfriend Boity Boitumelo Thulo was yesterday and asked her to be his girlfriend
"You know, we've been like seeing each other and you always say 'I'm not really your girlfriend', so I wanted to ask you out!" Boity said yes, that she'd be his girlfriend.
Quite different from what we see. Usually when a man does this, he proposes marriage.

The couple later trended on SA twitter after Drum Magazine released a magazine cover featuring the couple. The totally besotted star posted the magazine cover and wrote "I just want the world to know how much I'm madly in love with you!!! You're perfection!!! #AnDeyLove'es"

2face, Banky, Darey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, others, fly together to Durban

2face Idibia, Banky W, Darey Art Alade, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Tunde Demuren, Sean Tizzle, Kcee and others all pictured aboard a flight from J'bourg to Durban yesterday for the MAMAs happening this Saturday in South Africa. Another photo after the cut..