Gombe Releases N417m To Students For WAEC, NABTEB, NBAIS

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May 9, 2023

Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) has approved N417.5m as payment for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NABAIS) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) final examinations for secondary students in the state.

Students, who are benefiting are the 21,988 students who scored 50 per cent and above in the Mock examinations recently conducted by the State Ministry of Education.

In a SEC meeting presided over by the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, he approved the sum of N331m as scholarship to a total of 16,113 students studying in various tertiary institutions across the country.

The disclosure was made by the Commissioner of Education, Aishatu Maigari while briefing Journalists shortly after the 29th Council meeting presided by Governor saying that the 21,988 students is 78.59 per cent of the total number of candidates who had sat for the mock examinations.

She said that those who have scored 50 per cent and above in the mock examinations set by the administration and they formed 78.59 per cent of the total number of candidates who had sat for the mock examination, the Council approved N417.5m for their payment.

She said that the amount will also take care of the online biometric registration, procurement of specimen and reagents for practicals, transportation of examination materials from Bauchi which is the WAEC cent monitoring and supervision of the examination.

She added that the Governor’s gesture since the inception of the administration had improved the rating of students of Gombe.

She further said that the sum of N331.1m has been approved by the Council for payment as an outstanding scholarship to 16,113 students from 2017 to 2022 academic sessions.

Turkish, Syrian Foreign Ministers To Meet In Moscow

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Zoe Maven

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May 9, 2023

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Foreign ministers of Turkey and Syria are due to hold their first official meeting on Wednesday since the start of Syrian civil war more than a decade ago.

According to Turkey’s foreign Ministry in a statement, the talks in Moscow will also involve the top diplomats of Russia and Iran.

The announcement delivers a diplomatic boost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan just days before he faces the toughest general election of his 21-year rule on Sunday.

Erdogan supported early rebel efforts to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, keeping a military presence in northern stretches of the war-torn country that angers Damascus.

But Erdogan reversed course after Turkey plunged into an economic crisis two years ago.

Erdogan has made up with former rivals across the region and is now courting a presidential summit with Assad.

Syria had refused, insisting that Turkey first pull out its troops.

A reconciliation with Syria is also supported by Erdogan’s opponents and plays an important part in Turkey’s election campaign.

Erdogan has pledged to speed up the repatriation of nearly four million Syrian refugees and migrants who fled to Turkey to escape poverty and war.

An agreement with Damascus is seen as a prerequisite for this process.

Iran and Russia have been helping mediate talks between the two sides.

Federal University Dutsin-Ma Katsina Approves Automatic Employment For Students

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Precious Obazee

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May 9, 2023

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The management of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, FUDMA, in Katsina State, says the school’s Senate has approved automatic employment for its students that graduate with First class honours Degrees thereby enticing them to put in their best.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Armaya’u Bichi disclosed this during the 11th matriculation ceremony of the institution.

In a statement by the public relations officer of the institution, Habib Umar, any student that graduates with a First Class honours degree at the end of his/her studies, the university will offer automatic employment by the University Council to such a student.

He further added that students who scored a CGPA of 4.50 and above at the end of any academic year will be crowned the University Scholar and placed on the VC’s honours list of academic excellence with some privileges.

While those who earned a CGPA of 4.00-4.49 at the end of every academic year, will have their names appear on the Dean’s list for the academic year and shall receive a book allowance.

Professor Bichi further added that, to serve as an executive member of any registered society or association whether Academic, religious, Cultural, or Social, a Student must have a minimum CGPA of 3.00.

He also warned the students against involving in antisocial behaviours which will be meted out with stiff penalties.

A total of 6,012 students were admitted into various departments for the 2022/2023 academic session.

NECO Reschedules 2023 National Entrance Examination

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Precious Obazee

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May 9, 2023

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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has rescheduled the 2023 national entrance examination usually conducted for gifted and talented children into Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State.

In a statement issued by NECO Head of Information and Public Relations Division, Azeez Sani, said that the entrance examination which was earlier scheduled for Saturday 13th May, 2023 will now hold on Saturday 10th June, 2023.

NECO stated that the Examination was rescheduled to enable more candidates register based on request by some stakeholders for an extension of the registration period.

It noted that the Federal Government Academy Suleja is a training ground for molding the gifted and talented children of Nigeria, providing enormous opportunities for outstanding gifted students to develop their potentials in the interest of nation building and technological development.

The examination body therefore enjoined all candidates, parents, guardians and other relevant stakeholders to take note of the new date for the examination.

S’African Troops To Deploy Against Rebels In East DRcongo

By

Zoe Maven

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May 9, 2023

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Southern African countries have agreed to deploy forces to help quell violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where armed groups have terrorised civilians for decades.

According to SADC in a statement from the Namibian capital Windhoek, it was a special summit of the 16-bloc Southern African Development Community, which includes South Africa, Angola and Tanzania, backed the deployment “to restore peace and security in eastern DRC”,

The meeting did not give the numbers of troops to be deployed nor a timeline for the deployment.

The decision was reached at talks attended by several heads of states, including DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi, his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and ministers from the regional group.

Armed groups have plagued much of mineral-rich eastern DRC for three decades, a legacy of regional wars that flared in the 1990s and 2000s.The rebel campaign has displaced over one million people, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Some troops from three SADC countries — South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi — have already been operating in eastern DRC since 2013 under the umbrella of the major a UN peacekeeping force MONUSCO.

President Ramaphosa said in a statement South Africa stands ready to contribute to the development of effective regional instruments that could assist to stabilise the current security situation prevailing in the eastern DRC.

The deployment will also add to an East African regional military force that has taken over some areas previously occupied by the M23 since December but has so far failed to thwart the insurgency.

The East African Community (EAC) force draws on troops from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.

Ex-Burundian Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni Indicted

By

Zoe Maven

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May 9, 2023

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Former Prime Minister of Burundi, Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, has appeared in court, accused of undermining national security and insulting the president.

A witness on condition of anonymity, said everyone was surprised to see him specifying that the accused wore the green uniform of prisoners in Burundi.

A judicial source during the hearing said his pre-trial detention in Ngozi prison, in the north of the country, was extended.

The former prime minister, arrested last month in the capital Bujumbura, was formally charged on Friday by three high court judges sitting behind closed doors.

He is accused of undermining the internal security of the state, undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, and personal enrichment.

Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni , who had served as Prime Minister since June 2020, was removed from office on September 7 by President Evariste Ndayishimiye and replaced by Interior Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca.

Five days earlier, the Head of State had denounced in a speech the desire for a “coup d’etat” on the part of those who believe themselves “almighty” and are trying to “sabotage” his action.

Bunyoni had long been seen as the regime’s true number two since the political crisis of 2015 and the leader of the hardliners among the generals working behind the scenes of power.

Since the end of a civil war which ravaged the country between 1993 and 2006 and claimed 300,000 lives, the country has been held in an iron grip by the regime, thanks to the Imbonerakure, the ruling party’s youth league, the CNDD-FDD, and the National Intelligence Service.

Since its independence in 1962, Burundi has been the scene of numerous massacres and conflicts between the Hutu and Tutsi communities, respectively estimated at 85% and 14% of its population.

Burundi, landlocked in the Great Lakes region, is the poorest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita according to the World Bank, which estimates that 75% of its 12 million inhabitants live below the poverty line.

All Set For U17 AFCON Quarter-Finals In Algeria

By

Emenike Agu

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May 9, 2023

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The quarter-final line up for the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is complete after the completion of the group phase on Sunday and a new champion will be crowned after holders Cameroon crashed out at the group phase.

THE Indomitable Cubs finished bottom of Group C with no point, and were slightly edged off the second best placed number three team by South Africa on the account of goals scored.

Focus now shifts to the last eight and what makes the quarter final duels more exciting is the fact that winners will be assured of earning a ticket to this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The biggest fixture in the last eight will be in Constantine on Wednesday, when hosts Algeria take on Morocco in what is anticipated to be a closely contested North African derby.

Algeria finished second in Group A while Morocco topped Group B, which was based in Constantine.

The first of the four quarter final fixtures will however be at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, where Senegal who topped Group A with a 100 per cent record will take on South Africa who were one of the best two third placed teams.

On Thursday, Annaba will play host to the third quarter final where two-time champions Mali continue their hunt for a third title, when they take on Congo, the other of the best two third placed teams.

Mali had a perfect record in Group C where they topped with a maximum two wins.

In Algiers, the last quarter final duel features Group B runners up Nigeriaagainst their fellow second placed finishers from Group C, Burkina Faso.

Quarter Final fixtures

May 10

Senegal vs South Africa – Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, 17h00 local time
Morocco vs Algeria – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 20h00 local time

May 11

Mali vs Congo – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 17h00 local time
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, 20h00 local time

Semi Finals – 14 May, 2023

QF1 winner vs QF4 winner – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 17h000 local time
QF2 winner vs QF3 winner – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 20h00 local time

Death Toll From East DR Congo Floods Reach 400

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Zoe Maven

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May 9, 2023

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The death toll from floods that devastated two villages in east Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 401.

Provincial governor, Theo Kasi said the flood had become one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s recent history.

At least 176 people were reported dead on Friday as humanitarian workers dug through the remains of the flattened villages to recover mud-caked bodies from the debris with hundreds of people still missing.

The villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province, were inundated on Thursday after days of torrential rain triggered landslides and caused rivers to break their banks.

Local civil society sources said more bodies were being recovered on Monday, adding to the scores of others that were wrapped in bags and piled into mass graves over the weekend.

The central government in Kinshasa has not yet communicated a death toll but has sent a delegation to Kalehe and declared Monday a day of national mourning.

The United Nations’ humanitarian agency OCHA said on Sunday that at least 270 deaths had been confirmed so far with more than 300 people still unaccounted for, while around 3,000 families have lost their homes.

According to United Nations climate experts warming temperatures due to climate change are increasing the intensity and frequency of Africa’s rains, adding this could increase the destruction wrought by the floods and landslides that were already common in South Kivu.

They say added to that, poor urban planning and weak infrastructure also make it more vulnerable to such events.

More than 8,800 people have been affected by the floods in Congo, according to the Congolese Red Cross that said of the 274 people buried so far, 98 were women and 82 were children.

NPFL Roundup: Bendel Insurance Seal Super-Six Slot As Kwara United Escape Relegation

By

Emenike Agu

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May 9, 2023

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While some teams have lost their elite status and are now relegated to NNL, a few others are on course to compete for the title in the season-ending Super Six.

There was plenty of drama in the penultimate games of the regular season in the Nigerian Premier Football League on Sunday.

While some teams have lost their elite status and are now relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL), a few others are on course to compete for the title in the season-ending Super Six.

Enyimba and Wikki Tourists secured the biggest wins on Sunday but Remo Stars recorded one of the most stunning results in Jos against Plateau United.

The People’s Elephant set the tone for the day with a mouth-watering 5-0 win over Gombe United with the league’s top scorer Emeka Obioma scoring a hat trick.

Ikenna Cooper and Sadiq Abubakar were the other goal scorers in the game as Enyimba moved closer to securing one of the tickets for the Super Six.

In Jos, Remo Stars stunned their host Plateau United in a fiercely contested encounter at the New City Stadium.

After a barren first half, Saidu Salisu finally put Plateau United in front in the 70th minute but Adams Olalekan equalised for the visitors 10 minutes after.

Olalekan Adebayo sealed the game for the Sky Blue Boys in the 88th minute to earn them a vital 1-2 win which puts them in good stead to qualify for the season-ending Super Six

In Benin, Sikiru Alimi pulled Shooting Stars’ level in the 85th minute after Ismael Sarki shot Bendel Insurance ahead in the 62nd minute as the game ended 1-1.

Despite another draw, Bendel Insurance have qualified for the Super Six with 33 points.

Crucial results

Elsewhere, Ibrahim Yahaya netted the only goal of the game as Kwara United defeated Nasarawa United by a lone goal at the Akure Township stadium.

The victory was crucial for Kabiru Dogo’s side as the Harmony Boys have officially escaped relegation this season.

Unfortunately for Nasarawa United, they will be going down to the NNL with Sunday’s defeat.

In Bauchi, goals from Ahmed Abubakar, Aliyu Abubakar, Samuel Stone, and an own goal ensured that Wikki Tourists thrashed the visiting Abia Warriors 4-0.

Rivers United also bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Bayelsa United in Port-Harcourt while Ubong Friday scored twice as Akwa United defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Uyo.

The defeat suffered by El-Kanemi Warriors also meant they have been relegated back to the NNL after another unsuccessful campaign in the elite cadre.

Supreme Court Affirms Adeleke As Winner Of Osun Election

By

Zoe Maven

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May 9, 2023

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the election of Ademola Adeleke as the governor of Osun State.

The apex court said Gboyega Oyetola and All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to prove its case of improper accreditation of voters and over-voting against Adeleke.

The judgment was affirmed and adopted by the entire five members of the apex court panel who held that the court of appeal correctly reinstated Adeleke as governor.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke as the winner of the Osun governorship election in July 2022.

INEC Returning Officer for Osun, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat his closest challenger Oyetola who polled 375,027 votes.

However, a three-member panel of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Terste Kume set aside Mr Adeleke’s victory in its verdict delivered on 27 January.

In a two-to-one split judgment, the majority decision of the tribunal declared Oyetola the winner of the election.

But in late March, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Mohammed Shuaibu unanimously overturned the earlier decision of the election petition tribunal which nullified the governor’s victory in January.

The immediate-past governor Oyetola, who came second in the 16 July 2022 election, had filed a petition challenging Adeleke’s victory.

The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo, which upheld the allegation of over-voting in the areas won by Adeleke, had declared Oyetola the winner of the poll after deducting what were described as unlawful votes from the PDP’s scores.