Ekweremadu, Wife Sue NIMC, Immigration, Demand Biodata Of Organ Donor

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June 28, 2022

Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, have sued the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and two commercial banks in a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The duo filed the suit before Justice Inyang Ekwo amid an allegation of organ harvesting against them by the United Kingdom authorities, involving one David Nwamini.

Ekweremadu and his wife filed an originating summon through their counsel and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adegboyega Awomolo, at the court in Abuja.

They prayed the court for an order directing the NIMC to bring out the Certified True Copy of the biodata of David Ukpo Nwamini.

Awomolo who gave 20 grounds said Nwamini’s National Identification Number, which is in the possession of the NIMC, should be produced for the purpose of facilitating the criminal investigation and tendering same to establish his client’s innocence.

He also sought an order directing the Comptroller General of NIS to provide them with the documents and application form which Nwamini presented to obtain his international passport, for the purpose of assisting the criminal investigation and tendering same before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court in the UK.

The lawyer also prayed the court for an order directing Stanbic IBTC Bank and UBA to provide the Certified True Copy of mandate card and account opening package in their custody.

He informed the court that the application was brought pursuant to Order 3, Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019, Sections 6 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Justice Ekwo has fixed July 1 for the hearing of the matter.

UK Metropolitan police arrested Ekweremadu and his wife over conspiracy to harvest organs of a minor.

Metropolitan police in a statement confirmed that the couple was charged with conspiring to arrange to bring a child to the UK to harvest organs in their home country, Nigeria.

Ekweremadu and Beatrice appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and were denied bail.

The case has been adjourned to July 7th while Ekweremadu and his wife are remanded in prison.

Pollution linked to 10% of Cancer cases –Report

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Cleopatra Okohai

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June 28, 2022

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golden smoke from coal power plant during sunset

Pollution is linked to more than 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe, a report by the European Environment Agency said on Tuesday.

Most of these cases are preventable, it said.

“Exposure to air pollution, carcinogenic chemicals, radon, UV (ultraviolet) radiation and second-hand smoke together may contribute over 10 percent of the cancer burden in Europe,” the agency said in a statement.

But EEA expert Gerardo Sanchez said “all environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced”.

“Environmentally determined cancers due to radiation or chemical carcinogens can be reduced to an almost negligible level,” he told journalists last week before the release of the report, the agency’s first on the link between cancer and the environment.

In the European Union, 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year and 1.3 million die from it.

The continent, which accounts for less than 10 percent of the world’s population, reports almost a quarter of new cases and a fifth of deaths.

Air pollution is linked to around one percent of all cancer cases in Europe, and causes around two percent of all cancer deaths, the agency said.

Indoor exposure to radon is linked to up to two percent of all cancer cases, and one in ten lung cancer cases in Europe.

Natural UV radiation may be responsible for up to four percent of all cancer cases in Europe, the agency said.

Exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the overall risk for all cancers by up to 16 percent for people who have never been smokers, it added.

The agency warned that some chemicals used in European workplaces contribute to causing cancer, including lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, acrylamide, and pesticides.

Asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, is estimated to account for 55 to 88 percent of occupational lung cancers. The EU banned asbestos in 2005, but it is still present in some buildings and workers involved in renovation and demolition work are still exposed, the agency said.

“Environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by cleaning up pollution and changing behaviours,” it added.

“Decreasing these risks will lead to a fall in the numbers of cancer cases and deaths.”

NBS Records 199.5m Active Voice Subscribers In Q1 2022

By

Koko Lawrence

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June 28, 2022

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says a total of 199,558,540 active voice subscribers were recorded in Q1 of 2022.

According to NBS, this is an increase compared to 192,413,613 that it recorded in Q1 of 2021.

This is contained in the NBS Telecoms Data: Active Voice and Internet per State, Porting and Tariff Information report for Q1 2022, released in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report revealed that the figure for Q1 of 2022 represents a 3.71 per cent rise in voice subscriptions on a year-on-year basis.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the report showed growth stood at 2.09 per cent.

Also, the report revealed a total of 145,851,496 active internet subscribers were recorded in Q1 of 2022 compared to 144,949,194 in Q1 of 2021.

” This represents a 0.62 per cent increase in active internet subscriptions year-on-year.”

On state analysis, the report showed that Lagos had the highest number of active voice subscribers in Q1 of 2022 with 24,226,878, followed by Kano with 11,666,630 and Ogun with 11,537,006.

The report showed that Bayelsa had the least with 1,445,123, followed by Ekiti with 1,786,160.

The report showed that Lagos state stood top for active internet subscriptions recorded at 17,839,569, followed by Ogun with 8,538,812 and Kano state with 8,364,587.

“On the other hand, Bayelsa had the least with 1,043,059, followed by Ebonyi and Ekiti with 1,230,081 and 1,373,888 respectively.”

The report showed that MTN had the highest share of subscriptions in Q1 of 2022, followed by Glo and Airtel.

Borderless Dev Hub: The beginning of new episode in African tech space

By

Abidemi

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June 28, 2022

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Crypto Smart partners with Comsotech to begin the Borderless Dev Hub cipher developers’ program.

Blockchain technology has become wider than it was when bitcoin was launched in 2009.

The still developing technology is even wider than what it was 10years ago. It is now shaping different aspects of human life.

In the beginning, blockchain technology was expected to change the nature of finance and payment systems but apart from facilitating borderless payment, blockchain technology is changing the narrative including the internet.

There was nothing like web3 before, but driven by decentralization, there is a need to be in control of our data while using the internet.

Decentralized finance is another notable influence of blockchain technology which makes the transfer of wealth decentralized.

Blockchain technology is not only shaping the global economy, it is changing the nature of work and how people think.

With these changes comes a requirement for new skill sets which are in high demand due to the increasing application of blockchain technology in different field,

Who needs blockchain skills and expertise?

The request for blockchain skills and expertise is now beyond individuals and founders. It is now a global request ranging from industries, startups, tech firms including governments.

Industries such as banking industry, real estate, insurance companies, law offices are looking for blockchain expertise to help facilitate transition and involvement in blockchain technology.

As the technology becomes widespread, startups that require blockchain skills and expertise to fully attain its potential are being developed.

Tech firms are also not behind in the search for blockchain expertise as they are affected by the transition from centralization to decentralized systems.

Governments are not left behind in the search for blockchain experts. A good example is the Intellectual property right to be developed by Nigeria using the blockchain infrastructures.

Other African countries are at the forefront in the search for blockchain experts to advise them on how to take advantage of the technology.

Careers opportunities in blockchain

Apart from the traditional careers such as law, accounting, managers, public relations and other managerial careers which are required in blockchain technology, there is a need for specialty.

Careers in blockchain technology include blockchain developers, blockchain solution architect, blockchain quality engineers.

Not only that, product managers, UI/UX designers, legal consultants among others are possible careers in blockchain.

Apart from the knowledge in any field, there is a need for basic knowledge of blockchain which makes it a bit difficult for some professionals.

Newbies in blockchain technology are also looking for ways to fit into the developing technology.

Introducing Borderless Dev Hub

Borderless Dev Hub is a quarterly and biannual developers’ cipher program by Comsotech and Crypto Smart aimed at teaching Africans for free.

Crypto Smart, on its own, has been teaching its community members about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency through its Let’s Talk Sessions organized by the educational team.

Borderless Dev Hub seeks to make this possible by offering free Blockchain education to Africans to become tech developers in the blockchain and general IT space.

Available courses in Borderless Dev Hub

According to Primidac, CTO, Crypto Smart, “Borderless Dev Hub offers everything in blockchain technology”

For clarity purpose, few of the courses are;

Front end development
Back end development
Full stack development
Data processing
Cybersecurity
Networking
UI/UX design
Web development
Cloud computing
Product Management, among others.

Requirements

As much as the aim of Crypto Smart and Comsotech is to equip Africans with the required tech skills, there are requirements to be satisfied.

Applicants must be passionate about technology in general and also passionate about blockchain technology and they must have basic computer knowledge. Other requirements are;

Laptop
Enthusiasm
Notebook
Desire to impact blockchain technology

How can I apply for Borderless Dev Hub?

To apply for Borderless Dev Hub;

Visit
Fill the application form

PS: Applicants can also send mail to borderlesshub@cryptosmartnow.io

Blockchain technology in Africa is taking a different shape and there is a need to match this with the required blockchain expertise.

About Crypto Smart

Crypto Smart is a B2B Crypto Asset Management company founded in January 2021 by Karla Obakpolor, a blockchain business developer and Algorand ambassador in 2020.

Crypto Smart offers fast and secure services which are based on a well encrypted system with 24/7 customer support services. Cryptosmart has grown from offering its services to individuals to companies and major enterprises as well as providing crypto education through various crypto courses.

Crypto Smart upscaled to the Algorand blockchain and offer blockchain products which includes SmartChange, a crosschain P2P marketplace, Bitsave Protocol, a SaveFi protocol that combines savings with DeFi.

About Comsotech

Comsotech is a tech company founded by Prince Michael Dalafi, aka Primidac, that builds software solutions for businesses and organizations.

Due to his love for tech and humanity, Primidac has trained individuals in tech and he hopes to use his tech skill to innovate Africa and the world at large.

He has an intentional mission and ensures that anything he is given to handle is brought to the smart side, boosting productivity and growth using the power of tech.

NNPP Adopt Ex Uni-Ilorin VC As Kwara State Gubernatorial Candidate

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 27, 2022

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, has adopted the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election.

The state Chairman of NNPP, AbdulRazaq Abdulsalam, announced this in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday shortly after the party stakeholders’ meeting with AbdulRaheem.

According to him, the party picked Professor Oba Abdulraheem as its governorship candidate, stressing that he is now a full-fledged member of the NNPP.

Abdulsalam disclosed that AbdulRaheem would attend the meeting of all the NNPP gubernatorial candidates in Abuja on Tuesday this week.

In his reaction, the endorsed gubernatorial candidate, AbdulRaheem, confirmed he has wholly joined the NNPP.

He expressed his preparedness to join with other eminent Nigerians and Kwarans to take the party to a greater height.

He added that the leadership of the party, particularly Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate, is a politician with a high level of integrity that one can reckon with.

Abduraheem, who is the Talba of Ilorin, disclosed he has moved around most political parties after he retired from public service and realised that the NNPP is the only party that has people with integrity and genuine love of the people at heart. Not politicians that are greedy, self-centered, and opportunistic.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to embrace the party and vote for its candidates massively during the 2023 general elections, boosting that the Kwarans have already accepted the party and his candidacy.

In his remarks, the Kwara North Senatorial candidate of the NNPP, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, said the party will form government in Kwara State come 2023, describing it as a credible party that the electorate should join.

He expressed confidence in the ability of AbdulRaheem to lead the party to victory in the forthcoming elections and return Kwara to the path of progress and greatness.

Kolo added that they would soon hold a more elaborate event where the party’s gubernatorial candidate would be presented to the public.

Another party member in the state, Ope Saraki, described the coming and endorsement of Professor Oba Abdulraheem as a significant assertion to the party.

According to him, the former Vice-Chancellor and Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, had touched many lives positively when he held those positions and therefore enjoined Kwarans to support him in his gubernatorial ambition.

2023: Nigeria Begins Trial Population, Housing Census

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 27, 2022

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The National Population Commission in Nigeria has commenced the Trial Census in six Local Government Areas in the country, in preparation for the 2023 Population and Housing Census which will be the first digital census in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission Isa Kwarra said that “the Commission has intensified preparatory activities deploying technological innovations on a massive scale to conduct a truly scientific census that will not only be accurate and reliable but also transparent and acceptable to all Nigerians” in April 2023.

The Chairman commended President Muhammad Buhari, for acting on the advice of the Nigerian National Council of State and “approved the conduct of the Trial Census for June 2022 and the next Population and Housing Census in April 2023.”

Kwarra said the “approval underscores the President’s commitment towards planned and sustainable development of the country.” And that the President has by this singular action demonstrated his desire to place the welfare of the Nigerian people at the centre of governance in Nigeria.”

He expressed the appreciation of the Commission to journalists “for the robust and professional manner they have consistently disseminated information and educated the general public on the next census.”

He added that the “incisive reporting of census preparatory activities so far has placed the 2023 Census at the centre of national discourse thereby mobilizing Nigerians for its successful conduct.”

Kwarra however said “the Commission takes the next crucial steps towards the 2023 Census; the Commission will continue to count on the collaboration and partnership of the Nigerian media.”

JAMB Set To Sanction CBT Centres Over Extortion

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 27, 2022

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Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, JAMB warned on Monday that operators of accredited Computer Based Tests (CBT) centres must desist from extorting candidates or face severe sanctions.

It stated in its weekly bulletin that its attention had been drawn to reports that some operators charged higher than the N700 fee stipulated for services rendered to candidates.

It reiterated that it would not condone any form of exploitation and would impose a N100,000 fine on culprits after they had been made to refund money collected.

“Centre owners are warned that failure to desist from the nefarious act would attract a fine of N100, 000 and possible revocation of licence issued by JAMB.

“Candidates are advised to report any CBT centre charging above the board’s stipulated fee for any of its services,’’ it stated.

The board also stated the hope that centres it granted licence to perform certain functions would behave up to expectation.

In February, JAMB accredited CBT centres to register candidates, applying for part-time studies, Sandwich programmes, National Open University of Nigeria programmes, and distance learning programmes.

JAMB stated that the licencing, at the request of the CBT centres, was a measure to decongest its offices nationwide, following usually crowded exercises during the process.

NECO Commences 2022 School-Based SSCE

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 27, 2022

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The National Examination Council (NECO) began its 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for school-based candidates today as scheduled.

The clarification by the examination body came the heels of the rumour that it had shifted the internal examinations for 2022.

A statement by the head of information and public relations Azeez Sani said, “State Ministries of Education, Principals, Commandants and all stakeholders are enjoined to disregard any speculation on the alleged postponement of the examination,” the statement read.

The head of information also stated that measures to ensure a seamless conduct of the examination has been put in place.

“The Council has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a seamless conduct of the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination.”

The statement further revealed that the school-based examination ends on the August 12, 2022.

Candidates are to be examined in 76 subjects during the examination in all accredited schools across the country.

For more information visit: www.neco.gov.ng

Queen Elizabeth II In Scotland To Open Week Of Traditional Events

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 27, 2022

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Queen Elizabeth II traveled to her official residence in Scotland on Monday to open a week of traditional events, starting with an ancient ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The 96-year-old monarch, who has cut back on public appearances in recent months because of ongoing problems in moving around, took part in the “Ceremony of the Keys” in Edinburgh.

She was symbolically offered the keys to the city and welcomed to her “ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland.” Tradition dictates that she returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to the city’s elected officials.

A smiling Elizabeth stood in the forecourt at the palace, with a member of her entourage holding an umbrella over her head.

The monarch was joined by her youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie.

The queen is expected to attend a military ceremony in the palace gardens on Tuesday.

The military parade will pay tribute to her role as head of the U.K. armed forces.

The visit comes three weeks after the Platinum Jubilee, which marked the monarch’s 70 years on the throne.

She only made a few appearances during the four-day holiday weekend, with officials saying she experienced some “discomfort” during those events.

Bola Tinubu Graduated With Honours- Chicago State University

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 27, 2022

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Chicago State University has once again confirmed that Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) indeed attended the university.

A viral article had claimed that all the schools Tinubu claimed to have attended had disowned him.

However, Caleb Westberg, who is in charge of the office of Records and Registration of Chicago State University, confirmed Tinubu’s attendance in a terse email response on Monday.

Westberg also confirmed that Tinubu was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with Honours.

The response from the University reads:

“To whom it may concern

“Please be advised that Bola. A. Tinubu attended Chicago State University from August 1977 – June 1979. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with Honours on June 22, 1979. His major was accounting.”

Tinubu and Chicago State University
Tinubu and Chicago State University
Bola Tinubu Enrollment Verification – 6-27-22