22/04/23

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms, 2015-2023, asking for pardon from those he might have hurt while discharging his duties.

The President said this at an event to mark his final outing as President on a Sallah Day, before handing over.

With less than 37 days left in office, the President recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years, serving variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015.

President Buhari told residents of the Federal Capital Territory led by the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, on Eid-el-Fitr Sallah homage, that his journey was not all smooth as he was incarcerated for three years, after the coup that ousted him from power in August, 1984, and contested elections three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, without success.

“I dared the politicians and ended up at the Supreme Court three times. They laughed at me, and I responded, ‘God dey’. God sent technology to my rescue, with Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). The fraudulent people became unemployed,” the President noted.

President Buhari said the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in elections was “rubbish” as the presiding justices at the Supreme Court that squashed his cases were Muslims, from the North, Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger and Jigawa.

“It is good to reflect on what used to happen here, in FCT, especially on security. Security is not only about the North East, it also spread to the FCT and all over the country.

“Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached the FCT, and they have been marginalized,’’ he added.

President Buhari highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunity to participate, and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.

“I have been counting the years. Democracy is good, otherwise how can someone come from one end of the country to rule for eight years. My home town, Daura, is about eight kilometres to Niger Republic.

“When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol stations ten kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my house, and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating,” he added.

The President noted that he decided to retire to Daura, which was far away from Abuja in order to get some respite, after years of work.

“I can’t wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible. I got what I wanted and will quietly retire to my home town.

“In spite of technology, it will not be easy to get to Daura,” he said.

President Buhari said he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and asked from God.

“God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me.

“All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me.”

President Buhari said he remains grateful to Nigerians, who voted him in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns, and receptions in states just to catch a glimpse.

“I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you, and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years,” the President said.

In his remark, the Minister of FCT thanked the President for hosting residents for the 9th Eid-el-Fitr, and allowing more people into the Villa for the last homage, before his handing over on May 29th.

Bello said the conceptualization and realization of the FCT was historic and deserved commendation, reminding President Buhari of his role as part of the military Recce Team for the capital in the 70s.

The minister, accompanied by Umaru Shagalinku, the man who started one of the oldest restaurants in Abuja, and some contractors, thanked the President for the privilege of serving in the same position for close to eight years.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Senator Philip Aduda, and CAN Chairman in FCT, Rev. Timothy Amakum were also at the Sallah homage.

22/04/23

SHINA J.O

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says while the Nigerian Mission in Sudan and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have put in place arrangements to evacuate Nigerian students and other Nigerian citizens stranded in Sudan, the tensed situation makes it gravely risky and impossible for any flights at this point as Aircrafts parked at the Airport in the country were burnt on Thursday morning.

In a statement by NIDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa noted that Humanitarian Groups, are seeking ways of getting food, water, and medicals across to people.

She appealed to the fighting Parties to consider the Juba Peace Agreement enunciated by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as fundamental, mechanism for the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country.

21/04/23

DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB is urging all candidates sitting for the 2023 main UTME to proceed to print their examination notification slip from Thursday, April 20, 2023.

A statement by head of media, Fabian Benjamin notes that the notification slip would contain candidates’ examination centre, time of examination, date of examination and other essential details necessary for taking the 2023 UTME, which begins from Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Benjamin says all candidates taking the 2023 UTME are expected to print their examination notification slips on or before Monday, April 24, 2023, by visiting JAMB’s website to know the time and venue of their examination by visiting https://www.jamb.gov.ng, click on “2023 UTME SLIP PRINTING” on the menu bar to know the time and venue of their examination.-5 h

The statement wants Candidates to note that the information featured on the slip would enable them to easily locate their centres before the examination.

JAMB encourages Candidates to locate their centres before the day of their examination so as not to arrive late at the examination centre, noting that the commencement time for the examination as contained in the notification slips, is sacrosanct.

JAMB used the statement to advise Candidates against going into the examination halls with prohibited items such as wristwatches, calculators, flash drives, phones, among others.

JAMB restates its zero tolerance for examination malpractice and urges candidates to refrain from any ignoble act or conduct during the examination.

TO PRINT OUT YOUR SLIP

1. Go to https://portal.jamb.gov.ng/ExamSlipPrinting/PrintExaminationSlip reprinting slip portal .
2. Enter your jamb registration number, email address or phone number.
3. Make the email address or phone number you entered is the one that you used to register for jamb.
4. Click on the print slip button.
5. You can save the slip as a PDF file on your phone then proceed to any computer cafe to print it out.
6. You can also go to any computer cafe to reprint jamb slip  easily but you will have to pay two hundred naira (₦200).
7. Do some photocopies, five (5) is okay.

When Is The Date For Jamb Reprinting

PRESS RELEASE

21/04/23

Shina J O

The Nigerian Government has expressed deep concerned about the escalation of the conflict in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has brought death and untold suffering to civilians.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the non-adherence of the warring parties to numerous international calls for a ceasefire has worsened the plight of civilians and made it impossible to embark on their evacuation.

Nigeria, therefore, wishes to reiterate the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the Sudanese authorities and has, through the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, made an official request for permission to evacuate Nigerian students and other members of the Nigerian community who may wish to depart the country.

The Nigerian Embassy has created WhatsApp and Telegram platforms for the students and other Nigerians in Sudan for the purposes of proper coordination and regular updates. Nigerians in the country are advised to remain indoors and contact the Embassy if need be.

20/04/23

SHINA J.O

The Ambition of Elon Musk to launch the largest rocket ever built into space on Thursday met with failure following a disastrous Explosion

The Starship, built by his company SpaceX is experimenting initial plans to take passengers to the moon and Mars

But the attempted launch on Thursday exploded just before the rocket could make it into space in what was described as “a rapid unscheduled disassembly”.

This comes after the initial date of the launch (Monday April 17) was postponed due to a pressurization problem

The company had earlier said any takeoff from the launch pad will be considered as huge success

PRESS RELEASE

20/04/23

The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has approved the deployment of 52, 000 officers and men of the Corps to provide security during this year’s Eid-el- Fitr celebration across all states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The CG specifically tasked Zonal Commanders to ensure proper security coordination of their zones, while State Commandants are to effectively mobilise Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, Component Commanders and all Special Forces to achieve watertight security for maximum protection of the populace and critical national assets.

“Our resolve to guarantee peace, safety and protection of lives and critical assets in synergy with other security agencies must be carried out through our collective inputs.

“For these obvious reasons, I have charged all Zonal Commanders and State Commandants with these responsibilities and everyone must brace up to discharge their assignments satisfactorily,” the CG stated.

He charged all formations of the Corps to engage community stakeholders in gathering credible intelligence and carry out composite surveillance before, during and after the celebration to prevent surprises from the criminals.

He ordered that, deployment of personnel should be focused on prayer grounds, worship centres, recreational facilities, motor parks, gardens, markets, shopping complexes, black spots and critical installations to make the festivity hitch-free.

The Corps helmsman extends his felicitation to all Muslim faithful in the country and across the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan Fasting and celebration of Eid-el-Fitr. He prayed to God to answer all prayers for peace, stability and security in the country.

SIGNED:
CC ODUMOSU OLUSOLA
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS
NSCDC, NHQ, ABUJA.

20/04/23

Shina J .O

PRESS RELEASE

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM),
Abike Dabiri-Erewa has noted with concern the plight of Nigerian students in Sudan over the escalation of hostilities between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary group-Rapid Support Forces(RSF).

Dabiri-Erewan, in a statement, said the Commission has received the letter of SOLICITATION by the National Association of Nigerian Students Sudan for possible evacuation of students, especially those in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital and assured that
the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) which is in charge of emergency evacuations, is consulting with the Nigerian mission in Sudan and other relevant agencies .

She, therefore, urged all Nigerian students in Sudan as well as Nigerians living in Sudan to be security conscious and calm.

20/04/23

SHINA J.O

The eight female students of Government Secondary School, Awon who were kidnapped by terrorists on 3rd April 2023 in the Awon general area of Kachia LGA have escaped from the terrorists’ den.

A statement signed by the Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan revealed that the students, according to preliminary briefing escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna – Niger interstate boundaries, and walked for days before arriving at a location (kept undisclosed for security reasons) where they were harboured.

According to the statement, the state government on receipt of the intelligence directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the 1 Division Nigerian Army for urgent evacuation of the students to Kaduna Metropolis, as it was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing forests in the area to recapture the students.

The students have been safely evacuated to a military facility where they are presently receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna state governor Nasir El-rufai has expressed delight over the development, and praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in making their escape from captivity.

The Governor also advised them to view the horrific experience as a turning point, and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future.

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20/04/23

PRESS RELEASE

DANIELS G.O

Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri – Azi, has cautioned Nigerians most especially youngsters, against indiscriminate sharing of intimate contents, and private information, with friends, and strangers to address the rising cases of online sexual exploitation and sextortion in the Country.

The Director General gave the warning at the Agency’s Headquarters, Abuja while inaugurating the NAPTIP Cybersecurity Response Team set up to handle all issues relating to online exploitation.

It would be recalled that NAPTIP had recently scaled up intelligence and undercover operations within the Federal Capital Territory and other flashpoints within the Country to nip in the bud the unwholesome activities of some suspected criminal elements who continue to take advantage of vulnerable people especially young girls and children.

The effort of the Agency paid off a few weeks ago with the arrest of members of a criminal cult believed to be terrorizing residents of the Federal Capital Territory and its environs and dismantling the gang in the process.

Speaking shortly before the inauguration of the Cybersecurity Response Team, the Director General expressed concern over the careless attitude of some persons who, in the euphoria of emotion and love, let down their guard and naively share inappropriate content or themselves.

Prof. Waziri-Azi, said, “We all know that the advent of technology has brought about unprecedented opportunities for communication and access to information which has also created new avenues for criminals to exploit people, especially vulnerable women, and children. “We have seen incremental cases of Child Sexual Assault Materials on the internet, child pornography; sextortion, and revenge porn, and these are all forms of sexual exploitation. Which is why as an Agency we must take a proactive and collaborative approach to tackle online threats.

“So, NAPTIP in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM), Meta, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and UNODC, has trained 20 Officers from the HQ and Zonal Commands on Child Sexual Exploitation Materials, Open Source & Social Media Intelligence as well as Online Investigation.

“The Cybersecurity Response Team made up of trained Officers from different units and departments, coordinated by the Head of the National Monitoring Center will leverage cutting-edge technology and expertise to identify perpetrators of cybercrimes within our remit.

“In addition, the unit is expected to work closely with other stakeholders in this space to enhance our collective response to cybersecurity and online exploitation challenges.

“Now, given the constant presence of threat actors, cyberattacks against private and public organizations are inevitable. Because attackers face relatively little risk compared to the potential losses that the organizations they target could suffer, hackers have an advantage over those targeted. Which is why the Cybersecurity Task Team is also charged with the responsibility of preventing and responding to cyber-attacks on the Agency’s cyber infrastructure through an Embedded Endurance strategy”, the Director General said.

It is on record that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has continued to be on top of its game through proactive operations and the bustling of several organized human trafficking-related syndicates across the Country with the attendant results of several arrests, rescue, and prosecution of traffickers.

It is believed that the setting up of the NAPTIP’s Cybersecurity Task Team is a timely and thoughtful strategic step signaling a dead end to activities of human traffickers and other related syndicates in the Country. NAPTIP was a member of the National Technical Committee for the Development of the National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy and a Member of the Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY+) National Coordination Team.

Adekoye Vincent
Press Officer.