Edification: March 2016

Friday, 25 March 2016

JAMB Used Wrong Software For 2016

The Association of Tutorial School Operators (ATSO) has accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of using the wrong grading software to mark the 2016/2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The group claimed that the error was responsible for the poor and conflicting results that were released by the board for the examination written between February 27 and March 17 in over 500 centres nationwide.

At a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, President of the group, Mr Shodunke Oludotun, alleged that the board erroneously used the software from last year to grade this year’s examination.

He called for the release of the right results, as well as the resignation of the JAMB Registrar, Prof ‘Dibu Ojerinde.

Oludotun said: “We have our evidence to show that virtually all the candidates we have collected results of 2015/2016 and not of 2016/2017.

“This year, Prof Dibu Ojerinde advertised 2016/2017 UTME – we all saw it. During his press conference, he also mentioned 2016/2017. During the exam, the students on their monitor, it displayed 2016/2017. Why is it that the result that was sent to the students showed 2015/2016?

“From our findings from insiders in JAMB, we realized that the software of 2015/2016 interfered with the 2016/2017, which led to the massive failure of the students. If you can see the trend of results from (February) 27 to 29, the students failed; (March) 7-15, the students failed massively.

“But we noticed that the 27-29 were compensated with 40 marks still under the interference of software. We can see that the 2015/2016 software was used to mark, that was why the students were receiving 2015/2016 results. So where is 2016/2017 result? That is what we are asking Prof Dibu Ojerinde…We are saying that Prof Dibu Ojerinde should step aside.”
Though the House of Representatives has told JAMB to revert to the Paper Pencil Test (PPT) mode of the examination since the conduct of the Computer Based Test (CBT) was fraught with irregularities, Oludotun said the group was in support of the CBT because it is better.

“This Association of Tutorial School Operators, we are not against CBT. CBT has really helped to bring more students to tutorial centres. It makes them to be serious; and we have taught them. But for CBT, the whole JAMB exam would have been messed up. Because before CBT, it will only take you N2,000 for Cyber café to send the answers to you. So I want to say that we appreciate the professor for introducing the CBT; and we are in support of CBT,” he said.
However, he called for Ojerinde to step aside so someone else would build on the foundation he has laid to conduct hitch free examinations.
Responding to ATSO’s allegations of software mishap, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Director of Media and Public Relations, said whether 2010 or 2019 software was used, what was important was the programming and not the marking guide.

“I am not a programmer, but I can confirm to you that JAMB does not joke with its template. What happened with the 40 marks issue is because the scripts were marked based on 250 marks because only English Language is 100 while the other three papers carry 50 marks, making a total of 250.

“So when the first results were released, they were calculated based on 250, and after normalization we felt it would not be ideal for us to cheat on the candidates. So we had to quickly send them their real scores,” Benjamin stated.

He refuted claims that the House Committee on Education had ordered the board to revert to PPT. Onl the contrary, he said the committee praised JAMB for introducing the CBT.

“The House never considered ordering the examinationn to revert to PPT; individual members only raised suggestions,” he said.

Ayodele Dada the University of Lagos student turned celebrity after graduating with a 5.0 CGPA was honoured by the members of the House of Representatives yesterday March 23rd.

Speaking during the visit, the Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara advised him to be careful with money alcohol, and women.

His words:

"We don’t have money to give you, but what we are going to do is not only intended to inspire you, but to encourage other students. Now as a role model, you must be very careful with money, women and alcohol. If you allow them get into you, all these things we are saying today would end up as nothing.” he said.

See more photos below:

NWAG Scholarships For Female Undergraduate Nigerian Students 2016

Course(s) Offered: Any field
Course Level: Undergraduate
Provider: NWAG
Country to Study in: Nigeria

Scholarship Description
Every year, the Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG) awards scholarships to female Nigerian undergraduate students in Nigerian universities.

These NWAG scholarships are offered one per state of origin as well as one for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in the amount of fifty thousand Naira per applicant.

Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG)

Eligibility
All applicants must be Nigerian females.

All applicants must be undergraduate students of a recognized Nigerian University.

Eligible groups
Citizens of Nigeria

Participating Institutions
Any recognized Nigerian University / Institution of higher learning

Fields of study
All courses offered by the participating institution / school

Number of awards
Thirty-seven (37) scholarships - one per state of origin as well as one for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Sponsorship duration
Awards are one-time scholarships

Scholarship benefits
The value of the awards is fifty thousand Naira (N50000.00) given to each successful applicant

Method of Application
Application process is free! Do not send money to anyone nor include money in your application. To apply to this scholarship, you should download, print out, complete and submit the 'NWAG Application Form' under 2016 NWAG Scholarships In Nigeria as found on the official web site (link to it is below). This completed form should be submitted together with the materials and documents specified below under Requirements.

Requirements:
An applicant must be a Nigerian female undergraduate student in a Nigerian University. All applications must include the following:

- Proof of State of Origin - Letter of Origination from the university or a letter from your local government office.
- Two Letters of Recommendation from any two of the following: Church Pastor/Mosque Imam, Village Head, Local Government Chairperson or one of your Lecturers.
- One Letter of Recommendation from either the Dean of your Faculty/School or your Head of Department.
- Photocopy of your current university student identification card
- A current photograph of yourself
- An explanation of why you need and should receive the scholarship (not more than one-half typed page).
- A type-written, double –spaced, two-page essay on:
“How has the current inflation and its resultant high cost of living in Nigeria, affected the quality of education in Nigeria?”

PREVIOUS ESSAY TOPICS
2015:
“What is the one system in Nigeria, such as educational, political, health care, financial..., that you feel if changed would have the most beneficial impact on Nigerians, and why?”
2014:
“What are the effects of the frequent Nigerian teachers' strikes on student academic performance and learning?”
2013:
“How could we improve the health system in Nigeria especially for women, youth and children?”
2012:
“The education of our youth is compromised by frequent strikes and school closings. If you were the first female president of Nigeria, how would you handle things differently from President Jonathan or all the past presidents?”

All application entries must be typewritten and double-spaced.

SUBMISSION:
Completed applications may be submitted to NWAG either by regular mail to:
NWAG
P.O. Box 14542,
Atlanta, GA 30324, USA

OR, electronically via email at nwagscholarship[@]yahoo.com.
SUBJECT LINE OF EMAIL: NAME OF APPLICANT & STATE OF ORIGIN.

It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information.

DEADLINES:
All applications must be POST-MARKED or EMAILED by MAY 31, 2016

PLEASE NOTE:
Late applications will not be accepted. Applications may not be faxed or hand-delivered.

Incomplete applications or applications that show evidence of plagiarism will be disqualified. All incomplete applications will be rejected.

ALL ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS MUST BE IN PDF OR WORD FORMAT.

NWAG is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization funded by generous donations from sponsors and partners who appreciate the associations' Special Projects.

Application Deadline: 31 May 2016
Open to International Applicants: No(ONLY Nigerians)

PHOTOS: Nigerian Lecturer Develops New Hybrid Of Tilapia At Malaysian University

A Nigerian, Nwachi Oster Francis developed a new hybrid of Tilapia.

Nwachi oster, a lecturer at a University in Nigeria, who is currently on a research grant from TETFUND.

produced a fish Malaysian ministry of Agriculture liked so much. The fish was unveiled and introduced to the farmers. The fish was named Putra Red (Prince of red Tilapia)

"How To Know If You Are Among Candidates Scheduled To Re-sit JAMB 2016"

Information earlier stated that JAMB have re-schedule some students that has malfunction during their exam to re-write their exam….

How to check if you are among those to re- write JAMB UTME 2016

1. log on to jamb official website www.jamb.org.ng

2. click on the 2016 UTME e-registration banner
(you can bypass step1 & 2 by clicking this: Jamb UTME e-registration portal )

3. click on reprint slip
4. insert your Reg Number
5. click reprint
6. Check the date on your already reprinted slip
to know if you are re-scheduled

Good luck!

"Why Having A PhD Is A Waste" – Bishop Oyedepo

David Oyedepo, the presiding Bishop and founder of Living Faith Church worldwide, has said that an inability to identify problems and solve them, renders every PhD degree useless.

While addressing few PhD graduates of the Covenant University (CU) in Ota, Ogun state, Oyedepo urged people to come up with innovations that can solve problems plaguing the society.

The Chancellor, told them their inability to do so would mean their research programme was useless.

Bishop Oyedepo promised to make funds available to them to identify problems and find solutions.

Spoke at a meeting with the young scholars, Oyedepo said Nigeria has been unable to address its challenges because of a lack of capacity to get the job done.

He decried situation in which PhD holders seemingly lacked the thinking capacity.

He said: “I have come to provoke your potential. There is more inside you than the earned certificate. If you cannot think out solutions to problems, your PhD is a complete waste.

“When we say Doctor of Philosophy, we are saying master of thinkers; someone committed to finding solution to life’s problems. And until our learning translates to thinking, our PhD is zero.

“All that we have done going through the rigour of PhD is to ignite our thinking capacity. It’s so important that we have what it takes to recreate our country and the world.

” Hinting that Nigeria has more PhDs than four European countries, Oyedepo wondered why Nigeria was not getting similar result as the Europeans.

“The gas turbine (at CU) was not working because Shell was on strike. So why can’t students of Chemical Engineering build reserves? Why do we look at problems as if we are not concerned?”

Oyedepo said the scholars must learn to management themselves, time and task, to be able to provide solutions to problems.

He noted that the scholars must learn to manage themselves, for qualitative production.

Meanwhile, Oyedepo has challenged the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to proffer solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria rather than blaming any political party or individual for the current travails facing the nation.

He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary Nigerians.

Actress Foluke Daramola Visits Queens College Over Sexual Harassment Case

Foluke Daramola-Salako visited Queens College on a fact finding mission over the curious case of Mr. Seni Oshinfala the teacher who was alleged to have sexually harassed female students. Over the weekend, a parent reportedly known as Chinenye Okoye, whose child was a student at the school, wrote to Olorisupergal, the popular Nigerian blogger, accusing Oshifala of assaulting her child and the school authorities for trying to suppress her complaints. Yesterday, some Queens College students reportedly staged a protest in support of the teacher’s innocence. However, the ‘tales’ by some of the school’s alumni, in addition to numerous reports, suggest otherwise.

In her continued quest to curb the incessant rape and abuse in Africa, the Founder of Passion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa (PARA Africa), Foluke Daramola alongside her celebrity sister, Titilayo Oshodi, visited Queens College, as they investigate the case. But the multiple-award winning Actress and Social Activist confirmed that the situation is still Iffy, as the school authorities claimed that the person who threw it open to the social media is still facially anonymous.

PARA Africa is still keen on the case, as a host of top Celebrities are already signing on with the Award Winning Organization as they fight to curb rape and abuse in Africa.

folukedaramolasalako ''So I went on a fact finding visit to Queens College Yaba today. Gathered that investigations are still ongoing. Keeping my ears to the ground. #notosexualharrassment #notosexualabuse #PARAAfrica #zerotolerance''

See photos below.......

Allegation Of Sexual Harassment: Old Girls Of Queens College Speak

Queens College Old Girls Association (QCOGA) have released an update on the findings of their investigation into the claims of sexual harassment leveled against the school's Biology Teacher, Olaseni Osifala.

The report said the allegations on the said teacher are "NOT unfounded" and that the allegations of sexual impropriety and harassment by Oshifala and other male staff were continuously reported.

The Old Girls also called for a Criminal investigation on the case.

See the full report above.

A top official of the Federal Ministry of Education, who pleaded anonymity has told the Daily Times in an exclusive chat that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, had scolded the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the shoddy conduct of this years’ examination and the myriad of controversies that have been trailing the exercise.

The official also disclosed that the Minister is preparing to make appropriate representations to the Federal Executive Council to effect a leadership change at the agency.

‘’Ojerinde’s time appears to be running out fast at JAMB, not with the controversies this time including failure in the technology, late upload of released results, wrong posting of scores with some candidates being awarded greater than what they actually scored while others had their scores downgraded,’’ the official said.

As if corroborating the above concerns, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, admitted that challenges associated with Computer Based Test were partly technical which in time will be addressed.

Addressing journalists on the conduct of the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, the JAMB Registrar urged Nigerians to embrace the Computer Based test as a benefit to the Nigerian child and also work with the board to ensure its success.

Prof. Ojerinde, who said it is becoming a war conducting examinations in Nigeria following the activities of owners of special centers, accused proprietors of tutorial schools of being behind the protests which was recently carried out by candidates of the last UTME, who stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly recently to protest alleged maltreatment by JAMB in the examination.

A lawyer undergoing the one-year National Youth Service Corps scheme in Calabar, Godbless Nnaji, has allegedly stabbed his boss, Donald Archibong, for refusing to sign his monthly clearance form.

Nnaji had reportedly tried to persuade his boss in his private chambers in the Calabar-South axis of the Cross River State capital to sign his letter, but resorted to violence after his persuasion failed.

Archibong alleged that Nnaji broke the centre table in his office and used one of the pieces of glass to stab him on his right arm.

A doctor’s report issued by the Police Hospital in Calabar, dated March 9, 2016 indicated that the cut on his right forearm was as a result of a physical assault.

Southern City News learnt on Tuesday that a petition dated March 9, 2016, had already been written to the Director-General of NYSC through the state coordinator calling for necessary actions against Nnaji.

Narrating his ordeal, Archibong said he absorbed Nnaji to work in his chambers in December 2015 and within the short period observed that the young barrister, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2015, had poor attitude towards work.

He narrates, “I decided to write to the Cross River State NYSC secretariat via their zonal coordinator seeking for his recall.

“I decided to give a week of grace whether there would be show of repentance and when none was forthcoming, I sent out the letter on March 9.

“An hour later, Barrister Nnaji barged into my office, demanding for his clearance for the month of March. I informed him that that would be quite impossible as I would not want to contradict myself, having asked for his recall on one hand.

“He demanded that I withdraw the recall letter I sent to NYSC. At that point I asked him to leave my office. This infuriated him and he started using uncouth and extremely abusive words on my person.

“He became extremely violent, threatening my life, saying ‘you cannot destroy my future; I will kill you before you destroy my future’.”

Apart from stabbing him in the process, Archibong alleged that Nnaji took N68, 000 in an envelope in his office that was meant for an arrangement for his late mother’s burial and a GSM phone, which he later dropped.

When contacted, an official in the office of the Head of Rewards and Discipline, NYSC Secretariat, Calabar, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that the unit was in receipt of the petition written by Archibong and was currently investigating the matter.

Nnaji also confirmed in a telephone conversation that the matter was being investigated and would not want to comment on it.

“Do not publish any story because the matter is under investigation. If you want to write on it, wait for the outcome of the investigation. It is not my duty to respond to the allegation,” he said.

PHOTOS: Solomon Dalung Inaugurates NYSC New Operational Vehicles

The Minister of Youth Development Barrister Solomon Dalung inaugurated thirteen brand new vehicles acquired by the National Youth Service Corps for the purpose of attending to needs of Corps members.

FUTO Elects Prof. Francis C. Eze As New Vice Chancellor

The entire university community was agog yesterday, March 17, 2016 following the declaration of the winner of the just concluded Vice Chancellor's election. Information reaching us suggests that Prof. Francis C. Eze of Physics department, has been declared the winner and will most likely assume duties as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri on the 19th of June, 2016.

A brief profile of Prof. Francis C. Eze, KSJI
B.Sc(Nig), M.Sc, (Dundee) Ph.D.(Nig) FSESN, FNIP, FIIAN.

Prof F.C. Eze was a two time HOD of Physics department. He became the Dean, School of Science(SOSC) and also the Director of Nuclear Energy And Research centre prior to his appointment as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration in 2013.
Prof. F.C Eze is an alumnus of University of Nigerian, Nsukka. He worked in a bank after his first degree before traveling abroad to further his education. Upon coming back, he ventured into lecturing in FUTO. He has authored so many journals and publications.

He is a very strict, serious but humble and passionate man. He is a Christian and a member of the Knights of St. John International. He is married and blessed with about four kids.

Today, by dint of hard work and by Divine providence, he has been elected as the next Vice Chancellor of the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State.

Lagos State Government Probes Pupil’s Flogging By Principal And Teachers

The Lagos State Government has launched an investigation into an alleged case of child brutality at the Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary School in the Bariga area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a 14-year-old pupil of the school, Ogechi Anyalewechi, was hospitalised after being flogged by the principal of the school and over five other teachers.

The victim was said to have been punished after a prefect of the school, identified only as Zainab, complained to the principal that Ogechi returned a slap she gave her for “being rude”.

It was learnt that the principal and the teachers also took turns to slap the Senior Secondary School 2 student and also asked the prefect to slap her.

A teacher of the school, identified as Mr. Bello, was alleged to have told her to removed her tight (drawers) and flogged her on the buttocks.

Ogechi was said to have been treated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, after the floggings.

She told PUNCH Metro that her ordeal started after the prefect challenged her for not carrying a chair.

She said, “Last Wednesday, I got to school around 8am. I was asked to take some chairs from a class to a hall where a programme for principals and school teachers would hold later in the day.

“The prefect challenged me for not participating, but I explained that I was waiting for my turn to carry the chairs.

“She said I was rude to her and ordered me to kneel down. I refused and told her I was sick. She said if I didn’t obey her, she would slap me. I said I didn’t do anything wrong and she couldn’t slap me. She said if I repeated that she would do it, and I repeated it.

“She slapped me and out of annoyance, I returned the slap. She then went to report to the principal.”

It was learnt that the principal, identified as Mrs. Coker, summoned Ogechi and ordered her to kneel down.

The victim alleged that after the principal slapped her four times, other teachers present took turns to assault her as well.

“They called the prefect and asked her to slap me in their presence and she did that four times. A teacher, Mr. Balogun, ordered me to remove my tight and he flogged me on the buttocks.

“After this, I was asked to sit for my exam in the vice principal’s office. When I was done, the principal gave the VP a letter, saying I should be made to cut some grass afterwards.”

It was gathered that although school closed officially at 3pm, the 14-year-old did not return home till 5pm.

She was said to have been taken to LASUTH, where she was treated and placed on medication.

Ogechi said, “I could not sleep at night. I was in pain and had to lie down on my stomach.”

Her mother, Mrs. Esther Anyalewechi, said she reported the matter at the Bariga Police Station, adding that she was disappointed with the reaction of the principal.

“She said my child would not become somebody in the future. I asked if she were a mother, would she allow anybody to treat her child that way. All I wanted was just an apology for the assault which landed my daughter in the hospital, but she refused,” she added.

The principal and vice principal of the school later went to the station. A police source at the station explained that a group of seven soldiers, led by a brigadier, who claimed to be the husband of the principal, stormed the station.

The source said, “All of them were in uniform. They went to see the Divisional Police Officer. The IPO was later forced to abandon the case.”

The elder brother of the victim, Joseph, said the family was prepared to sue the government to enforce the fundamental rights of his sister.

When the vice principal of the school was contacted for comment, she quickly switched off her phone after our correspondent introduce himself as a journalist from The PUNCH.

The principal could not be reached.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the case had been brought to the attention of a non-governmental organisation, Project Alert on Violence against Women.

The Executive Director of the group, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said a petition had been written to the deputy governor of the state, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and the tutor general of the zone.

Effah-Chukwuma said Ogechi suffered both sexual and physical abuse, urging the state government to mete out appropriate punishments to the culprits.

She said, “It is sexual abuse because the report from the girl family says the teacher asked her to remove her tight before the flogging, why didn’t they flog her with her uniform on? We are told that the tight is still with the teacher.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fela Bank-Olemoh, said the state had started an investigation into the allegeation.

He said, “We place value on the dignity of all students in our schools and I want to assure you that we are handling this case with due diligence.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the permanent secretary of the ministry of education had already taken over the case.

"The Injustice Buhari Did To The Genius Of UNILAG" - Azuka Onwuka

A big opportunity came to President Muhammadu Buhari to shine some weeks ago but he let it waste. A graduate of the University of Lagos, Mr Ayodele Daniel Dada, made history by being the first graduate of the university to make the maximum cumulative grade point average (CPGA) of 5.00 point out of 5.00. Even though it was not said that he was the first graduate from any Nigerian university to make such a result, I have never heard that a graduate made such a result in any other Nigerian university.

What it meant was that Dada made an A in all the courses he took. That includes courses from other departments and faculties, which were not related to his course of study. For example, imagine an arts student who hates computations and scientific theories being made to take a subject in the natural sciences as well as computer. Many of such people would just pray to get the minimum score in those non-related but compulsory courses. Their dream will be to just pass those courses so as to be free to focus on the directly related courses that made them come to the university in the first place.

In the case of Dada, he made an A in all these courses right from his first year to his final. If he had made anything less than an A in any of his university courses, it would have dented his CGPA and he would not have made a 5.00. Reports from UNILAG indicate that when the university authorities heard of the unbelievable result, they called for his papers. After a thorough scrutiny, they found out that Dada deservedly got an A in all his courses. The CGPA was subsequently awarded to him.

However, he did not get the same opportunity in 2011 when he sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board seized his result that year “for cheating”. JAMB must have been too shocked with his result that it believed that there was no way Dada could have made such a score except by cheating. Sadly, JAMB has not come up with any mechanism to identify exceptionally brilliant candidates. Dada eventually decided to take the option of doing a diploma programme at the University of Lagos. That disappointment of having his result seized for being too brilliant could have dampened the spirit of some people and made them derail. But happily, Dada persevered in spite of his unenviable family financial status.

The announcement of Dada’s university result on February 25 was therefore a heaven-sent opportunity for Buhari to shore up his rating among the people. It was the type of opportunity many presidents would pray for but never get. The reason is simple. This is not something that happens regularly. It can never even be predicted. Having a first class is a regular occurrence in universities. Each university graduates many first class students every year. But having a graduate with 5.00 CGPA out of 5.00 is a rarity. It is said that perfection is not possible among humans, but this is something akin to perfection. So, anybody who has achieved this feat is nothing but a genius.

Why did President Buhari not celebrate this exceptional student? Was it because he did not know about it? Was it because it did not carry much weight with him? Did his media aides like Mr Femi Adesina and Mr Garba Shehu not know about it? Did the ministers of education not hear about it? What about the minister of youths and sports? Did they hear about it and briefed the President on the need to tap into and celebrate the achiever but were ignored by the President?

At a time entertainment (like music, acting, comedy, dancing, etc) is taking the attention of many youths away from education and academic excellence, celebrating the academic feat of Dada would have done a lot for education in Nigeria. Immediately the news broke, the President should have sent a letter of congratulation to Dada and then invited him to Aso Rock for a handshake. At such a meeting, the President should have used that opportunity to stress his administration’s commitment to excellence in all human endeavours, especially in academic pursuit. He should have used that opportunity to inform the nation of his belief that the youths are the hope of the nation and should be supported and encouraged to excel. Then, he should have given the young man a scholarship and whatever other incentives he could.

It was also surprising that neither the governor of his state of origin (Ekiti State) nor state of residence (Lagos) keyed into the excellent performance of Dada. It was as if it was nothing special.

Similarly, except for the few comments within the two days of the breaking of the story, most Nigerians did not see the news item as something of great importance to talk about. Compare that to last month’s story of the transformation of Mrs Jumoke Orisaguna from a bread hawker to a model. Almost every person made a comment about her in the social media and private discussions for weeks. Even columnists wrote about her. Companies and brands fell over themselves to make donations to her and her children as well as make her advertise their brands. Pastors used her to preach and pray in churches.

It says a lot about our focus and values as a nation. Even though most Nigerians want the nation to become a superpower and a super economy, the government and citizens don’t celebrate academic excellence. How can a country become one of the leading countries of the world if excellence – especially academic excellence – is not celebrated? It is for the same reason that teachers, lecturers and researchers are poorly remunerated, while creative minds and their creations are ignored. It is for the same reason that winners of entertainment contests get prizes that run into millions of naira, while winners of academic and scholarly contests get rewarded with plaques. But then one may not blame corporate organisations because they are not charities. They need to support programmes that will give them visibility and patronage. But that the government joins in not giving priority to academic excellence is not excusable.

Entertainment is good and needs to be promoted. But a country does not grow by giving all attention to entertainment to the detriment of educational excellence and scientific breakthroughs.

It may not be easy for a government to turn the economy around within a year. It may not be easy for the government to defeat the Boko Haram as promised. It may not be easy to solve the electricity supply problem within a year. But there are quick wins that a government can achieve. There are also opportunities that a government can exploit immediately they present themselves. These opportunities will always present themselves in the life of every administration. Whatever an administration makes of such opportunities depends on that administration. Sometimes even a bad situation can be quickly turned around by a government that thinks on its feet.

The tempo may have died down on the issue of Dada, but it is not too late for the government to celebrate him. It is said that it is better late than never. When excellence is rewarded and celebrated by the government, people are encouraged to seek excellence. As David W. Johnson said: “There are no speed limits on the road to excellence.”

Sokoto To Pay Parents N5,000 Monthly For Sending Their Daughters To School

Sokoto government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), is training 830 female teachers in a pioneer scheme to provide enough role models for female students, especially in rural communities in different parts of the state.

The Female Train the Trainee scheme is being executed under UNICEF’s Girls Education Project (GEP3). It’s main aim is to train female teachers from rural areas who would in turn go back to their communities and teach.

Giving an insight into the project when she led a team on a sensitisation visit to the wife of the state Governor, Hajiya Mariya Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a Consultant overseeing the implementation of the project, Maryam Usman Na’ibi, said the GEP3 project also aims to get out of school rural children back to school without further delay.

“We have discovered that among the reasons behind girls dropping out of school children are poverty, religious misconception, ignorance, cultural beliefs and insecurity. Parents are afraid of sending their girl children to school because of fear that they may be molested by male teachers.

“So in order to reassure communities holding such misconceptions, we decided to train female teachers from among themselves who will in turn take the lead in teaching children from their localities,” she added.

Naibi said in order to take care of poverty issues, the Sokoto state government and UNICEF introduced a cash transfer programme where mothers or care givers get 5000 Naira monthly for sending a girl child to school to assist them buy books and other things for the girls.

In addition to the payment to mothers and care givers, the trainee female teachers also get paid to aid their education while at the end of their studies, they are absorbed into the state civil service as teachers in their localities.

So far, the GEP3 is implemented in six local government areas namely Binji, Bodinga, Gudu, Goronyo, Kebbe and Wurno.

NOUN Admits 20,000, Pledges Quality Education

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has said it has admitted more than 20,000 fresh undergraduate and postgraduate students across its 72 centres nationwide, promising to pursue quality assurance excellence through the National University Commission’s Benchmark for Academic Standards (BMAS).

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, who took part in the matriculation ceremony at the institution’s Mushin Centre in Lagos at the weekend, said the initiative would be achieved by reviewing the university’s curricular and streamlining them with approved guidelines in every discipline. Adamu noted that it would take into consideration, new academic narratives that were more accessible through institutional sharing and collaboration around the globe.
Adamu added that the initiative would also introduce and enhance more student-based input on the study centres as well as decentralise examination processing to reduce incidences of missing results and others.
According to him, despite the challenges NOUN was facing, many of them highly exaggerated, it had not deterred young Nigerians who year for quality education from making the bold decision of making the institution their choice.

House Of Reps Set To Honour UNILAG 5.0 CGPA Graduate, Ayodele Dada

The House of Representatives is to recognise the exceptional academic performance of a graduate of the University of Lagos, Mr. Ayodele Dada, at its session soon, The PUNCH has learnt.

The event had been scheduled for March 22 but the House shifted it because it would not be sitting.

Dada, who studied Psychology, graduated with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average.

The feat is first in the history of the university and has been a big topic of discussion, particularly in the academic community in the country in the past weeks.

Findings show that the House views the achievement of Dada as “inspirational” and should be celebrated to encourage other students.

The PUNCH learnt that Dada would be ushered into the House to sit among members for a special recognition.

A senior legislative official told our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, “He will be ushered in and a motion will be moved to honour the young man, during which members will speak on Dada’s achievement.”

Meanwhile, the Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has written to inform the lawmakers about the need to honour Dada.

A copy of the letter, which The PUNCH obtained on Monday, urged members to applaud Dada’s dedication at a time of national “despondency”.

It read in part, “In the last two weeks, Nigeria and Nigerians have been inundated with the news of the incredible performance of Mr. Ayodele Dada, a student of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, who set a new academic record by graduating with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average. The first time ever in the university and perhaps Nigeria’s history.

“I believe, as leaders and as a country, it is time we started celebrating our successes, particularly in a period of great national despondency that has enveloped us for years now.

“As a House, I believe we should recognise, celebrate and commend Mr. Ayodele so as to encourage him and give hope and inspiration to many others.

“To this end, I wish you join me as we suspend the House rules to invite Mr. Ayodele Dada to the floor of the House on March 22 to honour the young man and his remarkable achievement.

“His story is compelling and inspirational to the youth and he represents and mirrors the hope of our tomorrow.”

"5 Steps To Beat The Admission Cut-Off Of Any Nigerian University"

STEP ONE: BACKGROUND CHECK

A lot of candidates we have encountered always have poor information about how the exams they are going to write will play out; they have no clue of how many questions they will be asked, or what form of examination they will be subjected to, this is why background check is paramount.

You should know beforehand whether you are writing a paper based test or a computer based examination, your background check will help you know how much time is allocated to your paper, this will help you in your studies as you can time yourself as you practice questions you come across and hence give you an edge over thousands of candidates who only find out about the time allocated for the paper just minutes before the exam commences.

Also you should check to know the terrain of the school, if possible travel to the school and ask around, where are you going to lodge before the exam? ensure you have somewhere to lodge a day or two before your examination, many students take this for granted but it affects them negatively and their result non the better, if you did not sleep and rest well before going for an important exam such as your post-utme you could find yourself stressed and uncomfortable prior to the start of your examination and you might not get to give your best or get the best result.
Ask yourself this; did I do well in JAMB because I was more at home while writing the examination? If your answer is yes then you should do your background check and make yourself more at home prior to writing your post-utme.
Finally try to find and lay your hands on any information you can about your school and department of choice because a simple piece of information e.g knowing required subject combination, could prove the difference between you and the next naïve candidate out there.

STEP TWO: SET YOUR TARGET

Your background check should tell you what the cut-off mark of your department of choice is, hence your action point; You have to set a target for yourself and determine in your heart that you can achieve it, then work towards it and believe me you will achieve it and even surpass it if you follow these steps. Make sure the only thing that removes sleep from your eye is how to successfully meet your target score, study! Study!! Study!!!

Ensure that whatever target you set is above what you scored in JAMB because you will need to better your performance in JAMB to ensure that you make the merit list of your department and school.
Make Sure You Read This Facts You Should Know About UI Post UTME 2016 & Admission

STEP THREE: STUDY WITH PAST-QUESTIONS

My dear candidate please do not deceive yourself, no one is an island of knowledge, don’t expect to pass your post-utme in flying colors; like we said in the background check if you do not have a clear understanding of the questions you are going to face and what likely areas your questions might come from then you might just not meet your target.

So please do your best to lay your hands on relevant past-questions that apply to your school and department and study with them. As you do the sky will be your stepping stone.

STEP FOUR: FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!!

I have seen students who prepared hard for post-utme but didn’t get the chance of writing their examination simply because they just didn’t follow a simple instruction; imagine a case where a candidate was sent out of an examination hall because he was caught using a calculator where the instructions clearly abhors such, or another case where a female student was sent home from the post-utme exam venue for indecent dressing.

The list is endless, so dear candidate we advise that you follow every instruction given by your school of choice before, during and after the examination.

Read every question carefully before you attempt to answer and DO NOT spend too much time on one question. Make sure you read the instruction on the question paper and answer each question accordingly.

STEP FIVE: INVOLVE GOD

No matter your target in this world if God does not approve of it you are definitely heading nowhere, on that note we urge you to pray fervently to your God regarding your post-utme and your admission in general, no matter your religion do not underestimate the divine power of your maker, involve your maker and I promise you are on your way to success.

With these steps, success isn't assured but it is close to you, good luck with your Admission-seeking endeavours.

Choosing Between ACCA And ICAN

You need to put the following factors into consideration before opting for either one

1. Prestige/Recognition: ACCA is recognised all over the world except in a few countries like canada and the US. ICAN is more recognised than ACCA in Nigeria. ICAN is preferred in the Nigerian setting. You could settle for ICAN if you do not pan to work outside Nigeria, most especially if you have plans of setting up your own consultancy firm. Only people that qualified with ICAN are allowed by law to practise in Nigeria.

2. Cost: ACCA is far more expensive than ICAN. The current exchange rate is not helping matters. Each ACCA paper now goes for about 32K!!!. ICAN is relatively cheaper. The annual subscription for ACCA is now about 30K for students and 70K for members. ICAN is definitely preferable in terms of cost.

3.Flexibility/Results: ACCA exams are more flexible. They have increased the number of sittings in a year to 4(March, June, September and December). ICAN exams are written in only May and November. ACCA students already know the date results would be released even before writing the exams, while ICAN students need to speculate. ACCA is far more organised in this regard.

4. Entry Point: Non accounting graduates start ACCA from the scratch. Accounting graduates are given exemptions in four papers. Non-accounting students also start ICAN from the scratch except for some courses that get exemption in paper A1(Quantitative techniques in business). People that qualified under ICAN need to write 5 papers under ACCA, while ACCA peeps need to write only advanced taxation, business law and PSAF.

5. Venue for Exams: ACCA is written in only major cities in Nigeria while ICAN is written in almost every state. The venues for ACCA exams are more conducive than those of ICAN. ACCA students write their exams under tight AC in event centres and hotels, unlike ICAN.

6. Toughness/Difficulty: Many ICAN students think ACCA is very easy. They are wrong! ACCA syllabuses are more robust. Their exams are extremely time pressured. Many people get stuck at some stages. Nevertheless, ACCA exams are easier to pass. This is because the examiners are more lenient. They do not penalise candidates for doing the wrong thing more than once. If a wrong figure is used consistently and correctly in further analysis, the candidate would not be penalised further for the earlier mistake made. I think this is where ICAN is missing it. Passing ICAN is more about luck and grace and not just about the level of preparation or brilliancy. ACCA exams on the other hand are passed by brilliant and diligent students that cover every inch of the syllabus.

Of all the government agencies and parastatals, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) ranks among those that have been responsive to innovating to meeting the changes and challenges that evolved with time. Arguably, the larger part of this responsiveness took place under the watch of Professor Dibu Ojerinde as the Registrar of the examination body.

There was a time when the brochure that accompanied the application forms was large enough to constitute a course of study on its own. In those days, one would have to go through the tedious process of completing the forms with the least amount of errors as possible – too many errors and you have a form that cannot be used and the window for the sale of forms might have closed. Eraser and correcting fluid were good companions to have at hand while completing the forms at that time.

Then JAMB introduced online application. It was resisted. It was condemned. It was poorly understood. People wanted to continue applying for the examination the old way. Fears were expressed as to the risk of applicants completing the online form and still not have their names on the list of those to write the examination. Of course, there were hitches that were resolved as there was better understanding of the system over time. It must be noted that what some called hitches were errors made on the part of some applicants as they complete the online application. Today, applying online is taken for granted.

Then there was notification of result. Those who wrote JAMB in the nineties can attest to those many trips to the local post office to check for the arrival of their result slips or their none-arrival. Those were painful years when one could score high marks in the examination and lose out on admission because it took forever to know about the score. This was after it would have taken JAMB the better part of three months to release results. But in the mould of Professor Ojerinde’s penchant for innovation, advancement in technology was deployed to make it possible for candidates to get access their result using interactive platforms like SMS short codes. Again, there were hues and cries. People questioned the cost. We queried the authenticity of the results. But ultimately came to realise that it was one innovation tertiary institution applicants needed.

Talking about saving costs, we used to write Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) after buying the form for the particular examination. As a sort of insurance, prospective tertiary students will hedge their option with the Monotechnic, Polytechnic, and Colleges of Education Examination (MPCE) and also pay for another round of forms. Candidates then read for both examinations with slightly varied syllabi and possibly travel to two different locations on different dates for the tests. It takes the innovativeness of an Ojerinde to replace both tests with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and save all stakeholders the hassles. But as usual, people kicked against the innovation that ensured candidates write one single examination and have shots at institutions across board.
The most recent is the Computer Based Test (CBT) that became universal for all UTME candidates after pilot phases of it being optional. Even at the pilot phase, people had tried to shoot down this innovation, which was no surprise given our history as a people who dread change. As Andrew Smith aptly put it, “People fear what they don't understand and hate what they can't conquer.”

Similar to the previous turning points, the CBT for 2016 had its hitches and one expects that JAMB would act on all reported cases of glitches since it has shown the needed responsiveness under other circumstances before. While JAMB as an institution is responding to these issues, Professor Ojerinde must make sure he remains unbowed as he should be used to the kind of hullabaloo that follow in the wake of the series of innovations he has brought to JAMB.

The advice became necessary given the scale of coordinated protests that have been organised to cast aspersion on the recently concluded examination in efforts to see the use of CBT dropped. When there is room for refining the process and system for efficiency it would be counterproductive to bow to the wishes of owners of miracles centres, who have been identified as being the brain behind the protests. The CBT means JAMB has in addition to other benefits been able to break the circle of cheating that the miracle centres typified.

Those who understand Professor Ojerinde’s innovative leadership at JAMB would appreciate the need to ensure that his landmark achievements are national assets that must be maintained and possibly modified for adaptation by agencies to which it will be beneficial. His true worth as a leader is thus his role as a pathfinder for other agencies that are in need of innovation. This is what those who have genuine interest in the quality of education available in Nigeria must find ways of tapping into. His creativity in managing how people get into tertiary schools could be explored for improving how students learn in our ivory towers. Then we would have put this understanding of this man’s innovative leadership to good use.

Agbese is an international affairs analyst based in the United Kingdom.

Word of the Day: Farraginous

Definition

: consisting of a confused mixture : formed of various materials in no fixed order or arrangement

Examples

The large box at the hotel's lost and found desk contained a farraginous assortment of hats, umbrellas, cell phones, and other personal items.

"The next noise was the resonant but farraginous sound of twisted metal; a nightmarish squeal followed by eerie silence, as if the night held its breath with me." — Patti Callahan Henry, Coming up for Air, 2011

VANGUARD

*Re-run polls: Shootings continue in Rivers

*Stop exploiting Nigerians, electricity workers tell stakeholders

*Anambra govt to sanction hospitals

charging money for immunization

*APC: A difficult week ahead

*Unemployment: NEPC to create 1.5m jobs

*Dangote borrows Brazilian model to boost local rice production

*Easter: Passenger traffic increases at Lagos airport

*Enyimba vow to defend Nigeria's pride in Africa

*Siasia sulks as Balogun joins Omeruo on injury list

DAILY SUN

*Confessions of a centenarian:Why I'm healthy, agile at 100

*Amaechi, Wike in near bloody clash

*Uneasy Calm in Saraki's Camp Over Criminal Trial

*APC govt setting Nigeria on path of anarchy, says Fayose

*Rivers rerun: APC chieftain, Rivers commissioner kidnapped

*Full-blown Sharia law imminent, CAN raises alarm

*Ekiti: SSG, commissioners go into hiding

*Judiciary has crumbled under Buhari's threats 'Adegboruwa

*Alleged N400m fraud: Metuh wants judge replaced

*CAF Champions League: Enyimba through to second round

*EPL: Leicester remains crystal at Palace

*I regret being a Boxer 'White Horse

*FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: Falconets draw Spain, Japan, Canada

*Buhari lists Dangote, GE, Samsung among strategic investors in Africa

*Nigeria's economy on life support as infrastructure crises worsen

*Fuel importation: Labour calls for Kachikwu's resignation

*FG urges African nations to develop efficient transport sector

*High jobless rate,others put economy in distress

*Oil: 25 new refineries to add 1,429,000bpd

*British politician raises alarm over deaths of Nigerians in UK

*40 stolen vehicles recovered from car-snatching kingpin

*Two die, scores injured as rival cult groups clash in Ondo

*Dakuku Peterside narrowly escapes assassination in Rivers, orderly shot

CNN

*Why is Brazil in such a mess

*Missing 14-year-old found dead

*Suddenly, Scott Baio is trending

*Hulk Hogan verdict body-slams Gawker

*Obama touches down in Cuba

*Suicide bomber had ISIS links, says Turkish official

*Actress: Penn misled me on 'El Chapo

*Egyptian police die in mortar attack

*Indonesian military helicopter crashes

*14 die when bus carrying international students crashes

*Ahead of Obama's visit, Cuban diplomat OK with hearing criticism

*Lots of weapons found after Abdeslam's arrest, offical says

*Fourth time in recent weeks a lion has escaped in Nairobi

*89 Boko Haram militants sentenced to death

*Egyptian police die in mortar attack

*Deadly Yellow fever outbreak in Angola

*Scott Baio trends after endorsing Trump

*Teenager Rashford settles 171st Manchester derby

*Rosberg wins F1 opener after Alonso horror crash

*Students' bus crashes in Spain; 14 dead

*Paris terror suspect Salah Abdeslam 'had support network

*Kasich responds to anti-Trump 'split the map' strategy

*Trump campaign manager in altercation

*Trump protester punched, kicked

*What is U.S. military up to in Arctic

ENTERTAINMENT

*2Face, Annie Idibia: Photographer sues singer, wife for N120m - Pulse

*2shotz apologizes to Nigerians, says he married the wrong woman

*Aaron Carter Won't Vote After Being 'Bullied' for Supporting Donald Trump - Gawker

*All set for The Real Face of an African Child show - The Sun

*Bruce Springsteen Proves He's 'The Boss' By Signing Boy's Tardy Note - Huffington Post

*China punishes 'Ip Man 3' distributor for box office fraud - Associated Press

*Churchill Offsets Hospital Bills Of Alexreports Editor - Leadership

*Congo's Mujila wins Etisalat Prize for Literature - New Telegraph

*Dina Lohan Speaks Her Truth in "Family Therapy" - Huffington Post

*Ciara & Russell Wilson Make First Public Appearance as Engaged Pair~E

*Reese Witherspoon Sings ''Sweet Home Alabama'' at Birthday Party~E

*Caitlyn Jenner Reveals How Kim K. & Kendall Jenner Influence Her Style~E

*Blac Chyna Shares Throwback Photo~E

*Drake & Rihanna surprise Cancer patient Fan in Miami

*Former Arsenal Defender Stars in Porn Scene in Racy French Film

*Genevieve Nnaji, RMD, Rita Dominic... Thisday Style magazine unveils Nollywood best dressed list - Pulse

*Ghanaian singer CK Morgan to collaborate with Lil Kim - Nigerian Pilot

*Caitlyn Thinks It Would Be ''Tougher'' on Her Kids if She Dated a Man~E

*Ben Affleck Praises ''Superhero Mom'' Jennifer Garner~E

*Alex Pettyfer and Marloes Horst Announce Their Break Up~E

*Kim Kardashian Shares Cute Videos of North and Kanye at Rob's Party~E

*Beyoncé & Blue Ivy, 4, Celebrate Easter Early~E

*Chrissy Teigen Shows Bare Baby Bump While Shopping With John & Mom~E

Today In History [21st March, 2016]

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.
March 21

630		Heraclius restores the True Cross, which he has recaptured from the Persians.
1556		Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is burned at the stake at Oxford after retracting the last of seven recantations that same day.
1617		Pocahontas (Rebecca Rolfe) dies of either small pox or pneumonia while in England with her husband, John Rolfe.
1788		Almost the entire city of New Orleans, Louisiana, is destroyed by fire.
1806		Lewis and Clark begin their trip home after an 8,000 mile trek of the Mississippi basin and the Pacific Coast.
1865		The Battle of Bentonville, N.C. ends, marking the last Confederate attempt to stop Union General William Sherman.
1851		Emperor Tu Duc orders that Christian priests are to put to death.
1858		British forces in India lift the siege of Lucknow, ending the Indian Mutiny.
1906		Ohio passes a law that prohibits hazing by fraternities.
1908		Frenchman Henri Farman carries a passenger in a bi-plane for the first time.
1910		The U.S. Senate grants ex-President Teddy Roosevelt an annual pension of $10,000.
1918		The Germans launch the ‘Michael’ offensive, better remembered as the First Battle of the Somme.
1928		President Calvin Coolidge presents the Congressional Medal of Honor to Charles Lindbergh, a captain in the US Army Air Corps Reserve, for making the first solo trans-Atlantic flight. On June 11, 1927, Lindbergh had received the first Distinguished Flying Cross ever awarded.
1939		Singer Kate Smith records “God Bless America” for Victor Records.
1941		The last Italian post in East Libya, North Africa, falls to the British.
1951		Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall reports that the U.S. military has doubled to 2.9 million since the start of the Korean War.
1963		Alcatraz Island, the federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, California, closes.
1965		The United States launches Ranger 9, last in a series of unmanned lunar explorations.
1971		Two U.S. platoons in Vietnam refuse their orders to advance.
1975		As North Vietnamese forces advance, Hue and other northern towns in South Vietnam are evacuated.
1980		President Jimmy Carter announces to the U.S. Olympic Team that they will not participate in the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow as a boycott against Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.
1984		A Soviet submarine crashes into the USS Kitty Hawk off the coast of Japan.
Born on March 21
1685		Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer.
1806		Benito Juarez, President of Mexico.
1869		Albert Kahn, architect who originated modern factory design.
1869		Florenz Ziegfeld, producer, creator of Ziegfeld Follies.
1885		Raoul Lufbery, French-born American fighter pilot of World War I.

Today's Quote

“You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don't know it, all of that doesn't even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It's not like you have forever, so don't waste any of your seconds, don't throw even one of your moments away.”

― C. JoyBell C.

Today's Fact

The average number of times a healthy male will ejaculate in a lifetime is 7,200

Queen’s College Teacher Accused Of Sexually Molesting Girls Responds

Finally, Mr Seni Oshifala, the teacher accused of sexually molesting young students of Queen’s College Lagos, has in response to the accusations levelled against him, denied the reports.

Recall that the school management board was forced to react after parents sent anonymous letters to blogs, detailing how their wards were sexually abused by the teacher, an act they claimed was covered up by the school.

Reacting to the news on Facebook, the Integrated Science teacher dismissed the reports as mere ‘fiction’.

Meanwhile, the students of the school who are following the development on social media have reacted, thanking bloggers for bringing their story to light.

It was sad news yesterday when it was announced that Eniola Jacobs a 300 Level student of the University Of Lagos was confirmed dead....

Reasons for him drinking the sniper are unknown but reports reaching us this morning was that he was forced to drink it by some cultists, He then ran to the security post but then it was too late. Other rumours are that he drank it due to depression.

May his soul Rest in peace!

PHOTOS: Edo University Confers Oshiomhole With Honorary Doctorate Degree

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by the Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State. At a special convocation held on Saturday, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Benard Eronmonsele Aigbokhan extolled the humanitarian qualities of Governor Oshiomhole, which he said stood him out for the honorary degree.

He said the Governor gave his full support and did everything possible to ensure the smooth take-off of the University which has now graduated its first set of students.

In his remarks, Governor Oshiomhole expressed gratitude to the authorities of the university for the honour done to him.

"The Conduct Of Exams In Nigeria Has Become War" - JAMB Registrar On JAMB 2016

We won’t cancel UTME Computer-Based Test —JAMB Registrar •Says conduct of exams in Nigeria has become war

THE Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor ‘Dibu Ojerinde, has faulted calls for cancellation of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), saying this will not be in the interest of the candidates, parents and government.

He said the protest in Lagos, a few days ago allegedly by UTME candidates demanding for cancellation of the results of the examination was sponsored to discredit the good work the Board is doing in the efforts to strengthen the quality of tertiary education in the country.

Ojerinde, who briefed newmen on Friday, in Abuja, on the conduct of the 2016 UTME, said conduct of public examination in Nigeria has become a war.

He disclosed that the organiser of the protest who incidentally was an owner of a centre designated for the examination was aggrieved because he was not allowed by the JAMB officials at the centre to perpetrate examination malpractice.

Ojerinde explained how a JAMB official at the Lagos Centre was threatened after rejecting N6 million bribe offer, saying this prompted the relocation of the candidates at the centre to Moro in Osun State.

Over 1,592,44 candidates registered for the 2016 UTME nationwide and in seven foreign countries.

He added that the owner of the centre, in the effort to justify money he collected illegally from parents and candidates organised the protest in Lagos.

It was also gathered that a lady who was arrested at the centre for impersonation, confessed that she and others were paid N25,000 each to do the job.

Ojerinde said the actual candidates that sat for the examination was 1,546,633 representing 97.12 per cent, while a total of 23,577 candidates absented from the examination representing 1.48 per cent of the total number candidates that registered for 2016 UTME.

He disclosed that a total of 145,704 representing 9.1 per cent of candidates had the issue of multiple results, which the Board has tried to sort out.

The JAMB Registrar, further disclosed that results of Uromi approved UTME Centre in Edo State, were being withheld as a result of massive irregularities and invasion of the centre by armed hoodlums.

A JAMB official in charge of the centre was said to have rejected an offer of N1 million “corporation fee” (bribe), allegedly by the owner of the centre in collaboration with some parents and candidates to allow them perpetrate examination malpractices.

He disclosed that the armed invaders were over 20 persons, adding that timely intervention of the military saved the day and that the candidates for the centre were relocated to Auchi, where the remaining examinations were held with the supervision of soldiers.

Ojerinde, however, admitted that there were some challenges in the first and second days of the examination leading to relocation of a total of 59,000 candidates to new centres and 16 States of the Federation.

He promised that special arrangement would be made for those who were genuinely affected by the relocation to sit for the examination at a rescheduled date to be announced to them.

He said: “I want to say it here that conducting examination is becoming a war; it is already a war. You should have seen us in the control room of the examination. When the exam was going on, I was in the war front; I was not able to leave the control room.

“The invaders were more than 20 well-armed men. The Nigeria Army had to mobilsie their men to make it possible for us to conduct examinations in Auchi, because the mercenaries in Uromi were determined to frustrate us, but of cause they frustrated them in return.

“The organisers of the protest did not do it in the interest of the candidates but done as a result of their frustration due to their inability to perpetuate their planned acts of irregularities. Majority of these people who are frustrated collected huge sums of monies from the candidates, they were the organisers of the protest, we have adequate information to prove it.

“There was an episode in Kaduna where an owner of a centre decided to perpetuate malpractice, as a result he was arrested and quickly handed over to the police.

“Overall, there were about 145,000 of them. Immediately we noted this we refused to continue to release the results until the system error was corrected. When it was corrected all other people who sat for the examination from that time up till yesterday had no problem and now even some of them that were affected are asking for extra marks.

“In our quest to have adequate and effective centres for the 2016 exercise we approved over 500 centres. Unfortunately some of the centre operators were not sincere in providing us with the true position of their facility.

“They hired equipment and other necessary apparatus and on the examination day they were found wanting. This lead to relocation or rescheduling of candidates from some of them to more suitable centres.

Ojerinde, explained that the movement of candidates from Lagos to Moro in Osun State, by the Board was done promptly to avert attacks by hoodlums based on a security report.

The JAMB boss noted that similar incident played at Uromi Centre in Edo State, where mercenaries hired to perpetrate massive examination malpractices were exposed by the JAMB official on ground.

“This led to relocation or rescheduling of candidates from some of them to more suitable centres. I want to apologies to these two categories of people, but we are going put on a redress for those whose relocation affected them in missing their examination.

Pages

Friday, 25 March 2016

JAMB Used Wrong Software For 2016

PHOTOS: Ayodele Dada Honoured By House Of Reps

NWAG Scholarships For Female Undergraduate Nigerian Students 2016

PHOTOS: Nigerian Lecturer Develops New Hybrid Of Tilapia At Malaysian University

"How To Know If You Are Among Candidates Scheduled To Re-sit JAMB 2016"

"Why Having A PhD Is A Waste" – Bishop Oyedepo

Actress Foluke Daramola Visits Queens College Over Sexual Harassment Case

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Allegation Of Sexual Harassment: Old Girls Of Queens College Speak

"JAMB Has Embarrassed Education Minister" - Official

PHOTO: Corper Stabs Boss In Calabar Over Clearance