Indications emerged last night that the Federal Government may have
resolved to scrap some of its agencies in line with the
recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on
the Rationalization and Restructuring of Federal Government
Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies following the completion of
study of its White Paper Committee report.
Among those scrapped are Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UMTE), National Examination Council (NECO), Public Complaints
Commission, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the
Fiscal Mobilization and Allocation Commission among others.
The Oronsaye committee had recommended the abolition of 38 agencies,
the merger of 52 and the reversion of 14 to departments in the
ministries from which they were carved out, a move the committee
argued would save the government more than N862 billion between 2012
and 2015 should its proposal be adopted. A reliable government source
confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi
Sambo and selected senior aides of the president met twice and
eventually took decisions, which included the scrapping of some
agencies and merging of others.
Another source revealed that the with the scrapping of the UTME,
individual universities in the country would conduct their own
admission examinations and admit students while the Joint
Matriculation and Examination Board will set and ensure compliance to
standards as it acts as the clearing house. The source said JAMB would
be modeled along the line of Universities and Colleges Admission
Service (UCAS), the central organization through which applications
are processed for entry to higher education in the United Kingdom.
According to the source, "individual university will do their own
examination and admission. If you want to apply to a university, you
do so but in order not to have a situation where oneperson gets
multiple admission, JAMB acts as a clearing house to free up spaces.
All the universities are free now to admit students." Even though
details were still being worked out, it was learnt that government's
decision, was informed by the need to promote merit inadmission into
the nation's universities because "the idea is to ensure that the best
students go to the best universities."
The source further disclosed that the presidenthad also approved that
the West African Examination Council (WAEC) is now expected totake
over the functions and vast infrastructure of NECO, which now ceases
to exist. The sources confirmed that WAEC would now conduct two
external examinations in a year, January and November. The Public
Complaints Commission is to be merged with the Human Rights
Commission, just as NAPEP would also be scrapped and replaced National
Agency for Job Creation and Empowerment.
The Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation made
far-reaching recommendations, which, it explained, were aimed at
helping the government to effect a drastic reduction in the size of
its bloated bureaucracy, eliminating duplication of functions and
bringing down the cost of governance. The committee submitted its
report to the president in April last year.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
The mindful of the "State of Osun" mantra Aregbesola is propounding- Osun PDP
The leading opposition party in Nigeria's South-West has raised issues
over what it considers the illegal change of the name of Osun State to
State of Osun.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed out the dangers inherent in
the name changeand warned both corporate bodies and individuals not to
do business with the Rauf Aregbesola administration under the name
"State of Osun".
The Chairman of PDP in Osun State, Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, in a
statement yesterday inOsogbo, the state capital, by the party's
Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, cited a recent
judgment by a Lagos High Court to justify its position. The statement
noted that the court sitting in Igbosere had dismissed a charge
against a 20-year-old man, David Monday, by The State of Lagos
(prosecution), over what it described as none existence of the
prosecution owing to the name which ought to be Lagos State.
According to the statement entitled PDP cautions Aregbe on use of
"State of Osun" , "We are aware of the pronouncement of Justice
Ebenezer Adebajo in which he declared that 'Section 3 of the
Constitution is headed States of the Federation. It is by virtue of
this section that a State belonging to the Federation, note the use of
the word 'of,' is named as Lagos. Thus we have Lagos State.'
"This declaration by this judge is not restricted to Lagos state as it
affects all states of federation. "We noted that the judge also
queried thus – 'The application is brought by the State of Lagos. Is a
State belonging to Lagos? Does Lagos own a State? Who is Lagos or what
is Lagos?'
"The judged added that 'Lagos exists by virtue of Section 3 of the
Constitution and it comprises of named Local Government Areas.To say
The State of Lagos is to refer in my opinion to a State that belong to
Lagos. It is not the same thing as Lagos State. It is for this reason
that I do not accept that the partyagainst whom the application is
brought exists.' "
Concluding, the statement urged Aregbesola "to digest this and have a
rethink because the name 'State of Osun' does not exist as far as we
are concerned and cannot be recognised now and in the future." It
therefore "advised contractors and corporate institution as well as
individuals and the entire citizenry to disregard any document
containing State of Osun as such is not recognised by the law."
over what it considers the illegal change of the name of Osun State to
State of Osun.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed out the dangers inherent in
the name changeand warned both corporate bodies and individuals not to
do business with the Rauf Aregbesola administration under the name
"State of Osun".
The Chairman of PDP in Osun State, Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, in a
statement yesterday inOsogbo, the state capital, by the party's
Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, cited a recent
judgment by a Lagos High Court to justify its position. The statement
noted that the court sitting in Igbosere had dismissed a charge
against a 20-year-old man, David Monday, by The State of Lagos
(prosecution), over what it described as none existence of the
prosecution owing to the name which ought to be Lagos State.
According to the statement entitled PDP cautions Aregbe on use of
"State of Osun" , "We are aware of the pronouncement of Justice
Ebenezer Adebajo in which he declared that 'Section 3 of the
Constitution is headed States of the Federation. It is by virtue of
this section that a State belonging to the Federation, note the use of
the word 'of,' is named as Lagos. Thus we have Lagos State.'
"This declaration by this judge is not restricted to Lagos state as it
affects all states of federation. "We noted that the judge also
queried thus – 'The application is brought by the State of Lagos. Is a
State belonging to Lagos? Does Lagos own a State? Who is Lagos or what
is Lagos?'
"The judged added that 'Lagos exists by virtue of Section 3 of the
Constitution and it comprises of named Local Government Areas.To say
The State of Lagos is to refer in my opinion to a State that belong to
Lagos. It is not the same thing as Lagos State. It is for this reason
that I do not accept that the partyagainst whom the application is
brought exists.' "
Concluding, the statement urged Aregbesola "to digest this and have a
rethink because the name 'State of Osun' does not exist as far as we
are concerned and cannot be recognised now and in the future." It
therefore "advised contractors and corporate institution as well as
individuals and the entire citizenry to disregard any document
containing State of Osun as such is not recognised by the law."
Charley Boy shows off casket
posted a photo of his casket on his Instagram page with caption
"#all my bright ideas comes from my casket, very comfy". he said.
Makes a lot of sense. If each human bought his/her own coffin down,
they will prioritize the essence of living and of life yeah?
That said, Charly Grandpa Boy is just probably Nigeria's weirdest Grand Pa.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
For The Love of Cows: Four Villages Destroyed, 19 Killed Over PoisoningOf Two Cows
Two cows allegedly killed through poisoning in Mafan village, Fadan
Atakar Chiefdom of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State,
sparked off clashes that led to the death of 19 people, and the
destruction of four villages between last Saturday and Sunday,
according to the Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr. Kumai
Badu.
10 people were also critically injured in the violence. The injured
were taken to Jankwano ECWA Church Hospital, Jos and Kaura General
Hospital for treatment, Badu added.
Badu also said that no fewer than 500 people from the four affected
communities have become refugees and are camped in two places,
FadanAtakar, and Zangan.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of Kaduna
State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mallam Abubakar Adamu, said
as at Friday, the numberof refugees at the two camps was 500, but the
number was bound to rise.
The Kaduna State Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police,
DSP,Aminu Lawan also confirmed the development, but said he had not
been briefed on the casualty figure by the Area Commander in charge of
the affected area.
Badu who spoke to newsmen from one of the camps at Model Primary
School, Fadan Atakar, said it was the first time Atakar ever came
under Fulani attack.
"There was a young man, Aboi Stephen (21), in Mafan who had been
complaining that some cattle have been grazing in his dry season farm.
I was told that the cattle destroyed a good portion of the farm, and
that there was no end in sight to the destruction. Only the Fulanis
own cattle there," Badu narrated what led to the clash.
"About two weeks ago, two Fulani cows were found dead, apparently of
poison. The owner of the cows was said to have publicly warned Aboi of
the grave consequences of his action. I don't know if it was Aboithat
poisoned the cows, or even if they died of poisoning.
"Then one day, Aboi was found missing. After a search by the
villagesthey found his corpse which had deep machete cuts and his
throat was slit open.
"Upon that discovery, women and children mobilised to the palace of
the chief of Atakar, Chief Tobias Nkom-Wada accusing him of inviting
the Fulani into Atakar land in the firstplace. They vandalised the
palace and the chief is now living in his personalhouse in Tachire.
"On seeing what the women and children did, the Fulanis started moving
out en mass to their kin in Kanawuri areas of Plateau State, which
also has some Atakar speaking villages.
"On their way, they shot a young man that same day in Kanawuri
area.That pitched them against the Atakarin Plateau State and they
fought for days. The fighting led to the burning of some Atakar
villages.
"The affected ones had to move to this Local Government, where we open
the first refugee camp for themat Mifi. But, we have merged it with
the other two, because it was too vulnerable.
"When the Army moved in last week, the Fulanis left Kanawuri in
Plateau, state back to this place with their arms.
"Last Saturday by 3p.m., they attacked Mafan, Zalang, Taliki and
Zangkan villages up those hills, while able bodied men had gone to the
farms or the market. They went on unchallenged from 3pm on Saturday,
till Sunday morning.
"When the Army arrived the scene onSunday morning the Officer in
charge told me that they counted 19 bodies. All the Houses in the
villages have been burnt.
Atakar Chiefdom of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State,
sparked off clashes that led to the death of 19 people, and the
destruction of four villages between last Saturday and Sunday,
according to the Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr. Kumai
Badu.
10 people were also critically injured in the violence. The injured
were taken to Jankwano ECWA Church Hospital, Jos and Kaura General
Hospital for treatment, Badu added.
Badu also said that no fewer than 500 people from the four affected
communities have become refugees and are camped in two places,
FadanAtakar, and Zangan.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of Kaduna
State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mallam Abubakar Adamu, said
as at Friday, the numberof refugees at the two camps was 500, but the
number was bound to rise.
The Kaduna State Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police,
DSP,Aminu Lawan also confirmed the development, but said he had not
been briefed on the casualty figure by the Area Commander in charge of
the affected area.
Badu who spoke to newsmen from one of the camps at Model Primary
School, Fadan Atakar, said it was the first time Atakar ever came
under Fulani attack.
"There was a young man, Aboi Stephen (21), in Mafan who had been
complaining that some cattle have been grazing in his dry season farm.
I was told that the cattle destroyed a good portion of the farm, and
that there was no end in sight to the destruction. Only the Fulanis
own cattle there," Badu narrated what led to the clash.
"About two weeks ago, two Fulani cows were found dead, apparently of
poison. The owner of the cows was said to have publicly warned Aboi of
the grave consequences of his action. I don't know if it was Aboithat
poisoned the cows, or even if they died of poisoning.
"Then one day, Aboi was found missing. After a search by the
villagesthey found his corpse which had deep machete cuts and his
throat was slit open.
"Upon that discovery, women and children mobilised to the palace of
the chief of Atakar, Chief Tobias Nkom-Wada accusing him of inviting
the Fulani into Atakar land in the firstplace. They vandalised the
palace and the chief is now living in his personalhouse in Tachire.
"On seeing what the women and children did, the Fulanis started moving
out en mass to their kin in Kanawuri areas of Plateau State, which
also has some Atakar speaking villages.
"On their way, they shot a young man that same day in Kanawuri
area.That pitched them against the Atakarin Plateau State and they
fought for days. The fighting led to the burning of some Atakar
villages.
"The affected ones had to move to this Local Government, where we open
the first refugee camp for themat Mifi. But, we have merged it with
the other two, because it was too vulnerable.
"When the Army moved in last week, the Fulanis left Kanawuri in
Plateau, state back to this place with their arms.
"Last Saturday by 3p.m., they attacked Mafan, Zalang, Taliki and
Zangkan villages up those hills, while able bodied men had gone to the
farms or the market. They went on unchallenged from 3pm on Saturday,
till Sunday morning.
"When the Army arrived the scene onSunday morning the Officer in
charge told me that they counted 19 bodies. All the Houses in the
villages have been burnt.
Oga At The Top: NSCDC removes Obafaiye Shem as Lagos state Commandant
Shem has finally been removed as the Commandant of the Lagos state
branch of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC. He has
been replaced by Mr. Adesuyi Clement from Oyo State Command.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Olu Abolurin, who was in Lagos
over the weekend in respect of the alleged killing of two of his
officers by some policemen, introduced the new Commandant to
journalists.
The Commandant General however did not give reasons for Shem's removal
but sources hinted that Adesuyi took over from the former Commandant
Obafaiye on Tuesday, March 29.
The source believed that it may not be unconnected with his recent
interview on Channels Television live programme.
It would be recalled that trouble started for Mr. Shem when he
appeared as a guest on Channels Television morning programme 'Sunrise'
and goofed when asked of the commission website, he said; "Hmmm, the
website is, excuse me,it can only be made known by my Oga at the top
". He again, cleared his throat and said, "I cannot categorically tell
you one now, as my Oga at the top is working on the website and I
don't havethem".
When the presenters insisted that he gives a functioning website
address of the para-military outfit, he dropped the bombshell:
"ww.nscdc, that's all".
Almost immediately, the interview went viral.
Authorities of NSCDC had before now refuted claims of taking any
disciplinary action against Mr. Shem over the said interview. Their
reaction followed the rumour that Shem had been sacked on the orders
of the Minister of Interior, who supervises the NSCDC.
Monday, 1 April 2013
STORY OF SACRIFICE- Olubayo Paul
I could have been six or seven years old then- can't recall precisely
but events of that fateful day linger fresh in my memory.
The day was friday and school- Loral International School, Festac- had
closed by 2pm. While waiting for the arrival of the driver to come
take us home, the boys: myself,my twin brother and other boys decided
to pass time by playing the brand of football know as "monkey post".
My elder sister, who was in company of her friends, was deeply engaged
in girlie banter; a few of them played "ten-ten" while a few others
busied themselves with purchasing snacks from Mama Coca-Cola.
Mama Coca-Cola was an institution on her own. She was the sole
proprietor of her snackand essential commodities business. She
operated from her Coca-Cola branded kiosk.
No student, butti or pako, was consisdered a complete student of Loral
if you were yet to visit the kiosk of Mama. Such was her impact in the
school. Could have been the strategic positioning of her kiosk-
adjacently opposite the school gate.
We were in this relaxed state of enjoyment until disaster struck.
We, myself and my brother, were currently in the heat of the
"football" (the football in question was an empty Ragolis bottle) as
we just eliminated a set and were on course to eliminate the present
set.
We were a team of five boys- myself, Kehinde (my twin), Ojurayo, Toye
and Dennis.
Toye had taken on and dribbled an opponent and passed the "ball" back
to me. I sighted my twin brother running towards the opponent's post
and decided to put a through ball to him.
In his attempt to meet the ball in the open space where I played it,
he took his eyes off the on-coming player from the other team, and was
blinded by the need to reach the ball.
The opponent went for a two-legged challenge on my brother. And then,
there was the fall.
He flew foward like Ironman after colliding with the legs of Emeka.
The difference was he wasn't Tony Stark and he didn't have any Ironman
suit save for his uniform.
The only thing we all noticed after he eventually "landed" was the
blood on his uniform, chin, knees and the side of his head. I thought
i heard the snapping of a bone.
The match ended.
Everyone rushed to Kenny's direction trying to help. Someone suggested
the Sickbay and we all headed there.
Almost instantly, our driver, uncle Daniel, arrived in daddy's volvo.
We split up. Some followed my injured brother to the sickbay, the
rest, lead by my sister, went to brief the driver of the development.
She had with her our lunch boxes and school bags.
The ride home was in pin drop silence- we were in daddy's soup.
The clock ticked away reluctantly. Mum's arrival from work didnt do
anything to douse the tension. She was only too happy that the worst
hadn't happened.
She sensed our anxiety and could only assure us that she would preach
the leniency sermon to dad. She, like the three of us, knew beating
was sure.
On sighting dad's car- a yellow mercedes benz, around 7pm, my sister,
Yinka, gave out the cry we all had been waiting for.
"Daddy is back". Armaggedon!
Instantly, an idea formed in my head.
Being a friday, dad would wear native. He beats us with his belt. He
won't have any belt on him. Bravo!
I ran into his room like Flash of the Justice League fame, without a
second thought- straight to his wardrobe and removed his belts, five
in number.
Like I was under a spell, i hid them in d dark corner in his room, the
space behind the dustbin. He definitely won't check there.
In less than two minutes I was done and joined my "comrades" in our room.
Dad must have sensed all wasnt well as there were no chants of "Daddy oyoyo".
Where were his children?
Mum welcomed him and set the mood for theevents that followed.
"The children are inside.....we thank God it wasn't something serious,
Kenny got injured playing football."
"Injured?? K-e-h-i-n-d-e!"
The call was clear. It would be foolish to wait for the second call.
We all followed Kenny.
"Gbo, kilon shele si e?" Lines of worry crossedhis face as he saw his
child all bandaged up. They were immediately replaced by those of
anger."
Mum took the explanation from us.
******************
Please read the concluding part here and don't forget to hit the "like" button:
http://goo.gl/lrRYO
* This is my entry for the Sterling Bank's 'Story of Sacrifice' competition*
but events of that fateful day linger fresh in my memory.
The day was friday and school- Loral International School, Festac- had
closed by 2pm. While waiting for the arrival of the driver to come
take us home, the boys: myself,my twin brother and other boys decided
to pass time by playing the brand of football know as "monkey post".
My elder sister, who was in company of her friends, was deeply engaged
in girlie banter; a few of them played "ten-ten" while a few others
busied themselves with purchasing snacks from Mama Coca-Cola.
Mama Coca-Cola was an institution on her own. She was the sole
proprietor of her snackand essential commodities business. She
operated from her Coca-Cola branded kiosk.
No student, butti or pako, was consisdered a complete student of Loral
if you were yet to visit the kiosk of Mama. Such was her impact in the
school. Could have been the strategic positioning of her kiosk-
adjacently opposite the school gate.
We were in this relaxed state of enjoyment until disaster struck.
We, myself and my brother, were currently in the heat of the
"football" (the football in question was an empty Ragolis bottle) as
we just eliminated a set and were on course to eliminate the present
set.
We were a team of five boys- myself, Kehinde (my twin), Ojurayo, Toye
and Dennis.
Toye had taken on and dribbled an opponent and passed the "ball" back
to me. I sighted my twin brother running towards the opponent's post
and decided to put a through ball to him.
In his attempt to meet the ball in the open space where I played it,
he took his eyes off the on-coming player from the other team, and was
blinded by the need to reach the ball.
The opponent went for a two-legged challenge on my brother. And then,
there was the fall.
He flew foward like Ironman after colliding with the legs of Emeka.
The difference was he wasn't Tony Stark and he didn't have any Ironman
suit save for his uniform.
The only thing we all noticed after he eventually "landed" was the
blood on his uniform, chin, knees and the side of his head. I thought
i heard the snapping of a bone.
The match ended.
Everyone rushed to Kenny's direction trying to help. Someone suggested
the Sickbay and we all headed there.
Almost instantly, our driver, uncle Daniel, arrived in daddy's volvo.
We split up. Some followed my injured brother to the sickbay, the
rest, lead by my sister, went to brief the driver of the development.
She had with her our lunch boxes and school bags.
The ride home was in pin drop silence- we were in daddy's soup.
The clock ticked away reluctantly. Mum's arrival from work didnt do
anything to douse the tension. She was only too happy that the worst
hadn't happened.
She sensed our anxiety and could only assure us that she would preach
the leniency sermon to dad. She, like the three of us, knew beating
was sure.
On sighting dad's car- a yellow mercedes benz, around 7pm, my sister,
Yinka, gave out the cry we all had been waiting for.
"Daddy is back". Armaggedon!
Instantly, an idea formed in my head.
Being a friday, dad would wear native. He beats us with his belt. He
won't have any belt on him. Bravo!
I ran into his room like Flash of the Justice League fame, without a
second thought- straight to his wardrobe and removed his belts, five
in number.
Like I was under a spell, i hid them in d dark corner in his room, the
space behind the dustbin. He definitely won't check there.
In less than two minutes I was done and joined my "comrades" in our room.
Dad must have sensed all wasnt well as there were no chants of "Daddy oyoyo".
Where were his children?
Mum welcomed him and set the mood for theevents that followed.
"The children are inside.....we thank God it wasn't something serious,
Kenny got injured playing football."
"Injured?? K-e-h-i-n-d-e!"
The call was clear. It would be foolish to wait for the second call.
We all followed Kenny.
"Gbo, kilon shele si e?" Lines of worry crossedhis face as he saw his
child all bandaged up. They were immediately replaced by those of
anger."
Mum took the explanation from us.
******************
Please read the concluding part here and don't forget to hit the "like" button:
http://goo.gl/lrRYO
* This is my entry for the Sterling Bank's 'Story of Sacrifice' competition*
Wizkid in shock collabo with Terry TheRapman
Chillout guys! It's a new month. April fool.
Thanks for always being there. Hope to get my easter gifts from you all via whatever means you intend using.
YaaaaaaaY!
Thanks for always being there. Hope to get my easter gifts from you all via whatever means you intend using.
YaaaaaaaY!
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