BUHARI OFFERS REPENTANT BOKO HARAM MEMBERS AMNESTY

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday promised to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect who are ready to drop their arms and embrace peace.

Buhari made the promise at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving girls who were abducted from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, and were released on Wednesday.

“While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard.

“We are ready to rehabilitate and integrate such repentant members into the larger society.

“This country has suffered enough of hostility. Government is, therefore, appealing to all to embrace peace for the overall development of our people and the country.”

The President announced that a total of 107 students previously abducted have been unconditionally released by their abductors.

He said the unconditional release signified his administration’s commitment to the security and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

He said he was never in doubt about his administration’s focus and direction since his assumption of office.

He restated his position that security, anti-corruption and revamping of the nation’s economy remain the main focus of his government.

Buhari added, “You will recall that on 14th of this month, I paid a visit to Yobe State, during which I sympathised with the parents, families, government and people of the state for the tragic abduction of the students in Dapchi.

“I made a solemn pledge on my word of honour that this administration would do everything possible to ensure the unconditional release of the girls.

“I further tasked all the appropriate security agencies to safely bring back the girls. We also reached out to our contacts at home and abroad. We embarked on backchannel shuttles with a clear view to bring to an end this tragedy.

“We entered into negotiations solely to make sure that no single girl was hurt. This strategy paid off, as the girls have been released without any incidents.

“Let me reemphasise our administration’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and also call on all Nigerians to join in this task.”

Buhari assured the rescued students that they will freely live and pursue their dreams in Nigeria of peace and order, without fear of violence or molestation.

While parents of the Dapchi girls rejoice because of the reunion with their children, the President appealed to the Chibok Community never to lose hope or to despair.

He assured them that he is determined, as never before, to bring back the remaining Chibok girls, adding “and this, we must accomplish. And that will be soon by God’s grace.”

The President thanked all Nigerians who, in spite of political differences, prayed and showed solidarity with families of the abducted pupils during the period of the abduction.

This, he said, undoubtedly was the Nigerian spirit.

“We can and should sustain it beyond moments of sorrow. I remain thankful to the International Community and our friends who offered varying degrees of assistance during the backchannel communications.

“May I, on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, extend our appreciation to the security agencies for their loyal and tireless efforts in making this day a reality,” he concluded.

BBNAIJA: IMO STATE UNIVERSITY'S VC VOWS TO PLACE NINA UNDER WATCH

NINA- BBNAIJA HOUSEMATE

- Fears that housemate may be bad influence on other students

The vice chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Prof. Adaobi Obasi, has said that Nina, one the housemates in the on-going Big Brother Naija (BBN) reality show is one of her students and would be kept under close watch on her return to the campus.

This is also as the Vice Chancellor noted that the housemate may have to undergo some form of rehabilitation on her return to purge her of the indecent influences of the BBN show.

This, Professor Obasi said, was to forestall Nina from having a bad influence on other students of the university where she is currently a student.

The Vice Chancellor made the disclosure while playing host to members of the Independent Newspaper Proprietors Association (INPA) led by their chairman, Mr. Chidi Emeagi, at her office in Owerri. Obasi wondered the morals behind the BBN show which Nina may seek to inculcate in her mates.

According to her, she is piqued that Nina said she would “sort out IMSU” on her return from BBN after abandoning her studies for the show

Obasi said: “That one of my students is now in Big Brother Naija is nothing to be proud about. It is not the type of thing we seek to promote because I don’t see the need it serves.

It is our prayer that whatever influences driving this young lady now, does not affect other students here. I really do not know what purpose the BBN serves or the morals and values its’ teaching. Maybe I am the only one who doesn’t know. I don’t know what it celebrates. Is it just all about indecency in the full glare of the public?

“Can you imagine her telling my students that she will sort us out when she returns? We are waiting for her to come and sort us out. With that kind of mind-set, if this girl comes back, I will watch her and make sure she left all the unfortunate influences and indecencies behind at the BBN house.”

NO RANSOM WAS PAID TO SECURE RELEASE OF THE 104 SAPPHIRE GIRLS- FG

The released Dapchi girls

The Federal Government has said that no ransom was paid to secure the release of 106 abducted persons, comprising 104 Dapchi schoolgirls, one other girl and a boy on Wednesday.

Briefing journalists in Maiduguri, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said all the 106 persons were freed unconditionally, contrary to reports in a section of the media that ransom was paid and that some insurgents were swapped for the freed persons.

”It is not true that we paid ransom for the release of the Dapchi girls, neither was there a prisoner swap to secure their release.

”What happened was that the abduction itself was a breach of the ceasefire talks between the insurgents and the government, hence it became a moral burden on the abductors. Any report that we paid ransom or engaged in prisoner swap is false,” he said.

Meanwhile, the freed persons have been formally handed over to the Federal Government.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, handed over the girls and one boy to the four-member Federal Government delegation at the Nigerian Air Force base in Maiduguri on Wednesday evening.

The delegation comprised the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (retired); the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Goni Lawan Bukar, a member of
House of Representatives from Dapchi.

The girls were immediately airlifted to Abuja aboard a military transport plane.

UNICEF URGES NIGERIAN GOVT TO PRIORITISE ACCESS TO SAFE WATER

Staff of Federal Ministry of Water resources, in a rally to mark 2018 World Water Day in Abuja on Wednesday the 21st day of March 2018.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the “2018 World Water Day, the UN Children’s Fund has called on Nigerian Government to make access to safe water a priority.

This call was made in a statement by its Communication Specialist, Ms Eva Hinds in Abuja and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

According to the statement, safe water is a right, not a privilege for every child.

“It is a matter for regret that no fewer than 69 million Nigerians lack access to safe water.

“Access to safe drinking water remained a challenge to majority of Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas, where 19 million people walk long distances to collect unsafe water from lakes, streams and rivers.”

Hinds quoted the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, which indicates that about 40 per cent of households do not have access to clean water sources.

“Children without access to safe water are more likely to die in infancy and throughout childhood from waterborne diseases.

“Diarrhea remains the leading cause of death among children under five years of age in Nigeria. Waterborne diseases one of the major contribution to stunting,” she said.

She said that lack of safe water and sanitation also makes children vulnerable to other threats beyond health.

According to Hinds, a stunted child is shorter than she or he could have been and will never be able to reach her or his full cognitive potential.

She also quoted Mr Zaid Jurji, Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, UNICEF Nigeria, as saying that for Nigeria to achieve the global goal of providing access to safe water for every citizen by 2030, it needs to make water, together with sanitation and hygiene, a national priority.

Jurji said the goal was closely linked with three key results for the country – good health, environment sustainability and economic prosperity.

“Many children in rural areas spend hours daily collecting water, missing out on the opportunity to go to school.

“Improving water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices in Nigeria, calls for a strong commitment from all partners; the government, the civil society, the private sector and communities.

“UNICEF, in collaboration with the Federal, State and Local Governments, has provided safe water during the past five years to over eight million Nigerians living in rural areas.’’

World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 yearly to focus attention on the importance of water.

The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’; exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.

LISTERIOSIS OUTBREAK: WHO WARNS NIGERIA, 15 OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Listeriosis

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned Nigeria and 15 other African countries of a listeriosis outbreak that started in South Africa in 2017, confirming its support for their preparedness and response to the disease.

The other African countries are Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection most commonly caused by Listeria monocytogenes.

It can cause severe illness, including severe sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis, sometimes resulting in lifelong harm and even death.

Listeria is ubiquitous and is primarily transmitted via the oral route after ingestion of contaminated food products

According to WHO numbers, nearly 200 South Africans have died since January 2017 as a result of contaminated ready-to-eat meat products that are widely consumed in the country and may also have been exported to two West African countries and 14 members of the South African Development Community.

South African health authorities recently declared the source of the outbreak as a factory in Polokwane, in the country’s northeast.

This prompted a national and international recall of the food products.

However, in light of the potentially long incubation period of listeriosis and the challenges relating to large scale nationwide recall processes, further cases are likely to occur.

Whole genome sequencing of isolated strains of the Listeria bacteria was used to make the link between the contaminated products, the producing company and strains of Listeria isolated from the patients.

The WHO is currently supporting further genome sequencing to determine which cases are linked to this on-going outbreak.

In March, South Africa hosted a meeting of SADC health ministers to address regional preparedness and response to listeriosis.

The ministers committed to regional collaboration, exchanging information and strengthening national food safety systems in line with international standards.

The WHO, however, does not currently recommend any trade related measures in relation to the current outbreak of listeriosis in South Africa, other than the recall of products identified as sources of infection.

The UN health agency is working with the 16 priority countries to improve their ability to prepare for, detect and respond to potential outbreaks.

Immediate steps include increasing awareness on listeriosis, enhancing active surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, ensuring readiness of Rapid Response Teams, and strengthening coordination and contingency planning. Experts have been deployed to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland to support these efforts.

“This outbreak is a wake-up call for countries in the region to strengthen their national food safety and disease surveillance systems,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.

2018 UTME: JAMB CONFIRMS RELEASE OF RESULTS, HERE'S HOW TO CHECK

YES! THE 2018 UTME results are out and here's everything you should know about how to check your results.UTME candidates will henceforth have no reason to sit for another tests after their UTME

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB has started releasing the 2018 UTME results in batches as the final batch is expected to be released on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

In a telephone chat with Daily Post, JAMB's Head of Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin confirmed the development saying the results can be assessed from Tuesday afternoon.

               
Fabian-Benjamin, Head of Media, JAMB

 According to Fabian, “We are not holding any press conference to make the announcement; no need for that. All those who sat for the examination are advised to check the JAMB website this afternoon. All results will be uploaded at 2 pm,” he said.

Here's how to check the result.

1.  You’re required to visit JAMB official website, www.jamb.org.ng

2. When it opens up, do check your upper right side.

3. Then insert your PIN, Serial No or Reg Number.

4. When your JAMB 2018 RESULT has been shown to you, print out the copies for further usage.

You can also watch the tutorial on how to check your UTME result in the video below.

However, in the first batch of result released on Monday, March 19, 2018, a candidate, Ibukun Oduntan, who finished from Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun state emerged with the highest score of 344 in the exam.

Earlier, Aliyu Muhammad Sani Kaugama, a young boy from Jigawa state who scored 311, was celebrated on Facebook for purportedly emerging as the best candidate in the 2018 UTME. But so far, Oduntan's UTME score is the highest.

The 2018 UTME, which started on Friday, March 9, 2018, was written by over 1.6 million candidates. The exam ended on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

ADD YOUR VOICE/ SIGNATURE TO STOP THE RECURRING SOOT IN PORT HARCOURT

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"Action must be taken against the re-ocurring soot that blankets Port-Harcourt!"

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#LATEST BBNAIJA EVICTION: ANTO EVICTED FROM THE BIG BROTHER NAIJA HOUSE

BBNAIJA 2018 EVICTEE, ANTO

Anto became the latest Housemate to receive the red card from Ebuka. After the longest BBNaija Eviction Show so far,  Anto was announced evicted. See her profile below.

FULL RÉSUMÉ OF MUNIRAT ANTOINETTE LECKY (AKA ANTO) OF BIG BROTHER NAIJA. 

Profile/ Munirat Antoinette Lecky/ Birth/ Career/ Age

Profile

           
Anto’s full name is MUNIRAT ANTOINETTE LECKY. As stated above, she is the Head of Operations, Continental Basketball League. She was born and raised in the United States. Anto came back to Nigeria for the first time at the age of 20 because of the  job. Though a male-dominated industry, Anto describes it as her “dream job”.

Meanwhile, Munirat describes herself as an “experienced Business Professional looking to enhance her skills and create an impact on the world”.

BIRTH

Antoinette was born 28 years ago in Carrboro, North Carolina. However, she currently lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

EDUCATION

Anto holds two Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Sports Business Management. In fact, she achieved this between 2011 and 2013 at the University of Central Florida.

Lecky also holds a Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sport Science and Administration. 
She graduated in 2011 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Anto also completed a  Business Management Graduate Program at DeVos Sports in 2013.

PROFESSIONAL  CAREER

 'ANTO' possesses a rather intimidating C.V. Rising from the nadir, she is obviously at the peak of her career. She presently heads Basketball Operations at Africa’s leading sports and entertainment company, CBL. 

She has previously worked with the American National Basketball Association and Paragon Marketing.

SUMMARY OF ANTO’s C.V

HEAD OF OPERATIONS: 
Continental Basketball League 
May 2016 – Present.

HEAD, SPONSORSHIP AND EVENTS:
Q Sports
Oct 2014 – Jun 2015

LEAD CONSULTING MEMBER: 
MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney Jul 2012 – Dec 2012

CO-COORDINATOR: 
Hope for Stanley Alliance 
Jan 2012 – Dec 2012

GRADUATE ASSISTANT: 
The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sport: Aug 2011 – Dec 2012

CONSULTING TEAM MEMBER: 
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 
Mar 2012 – May 2012

WILL CALL REPRESENTATIVE: 
Orlando Magic 
Jan 2012 – Apr 2012

HOSPITALITY ASSISTANT: 
Florida Citrus Sports 
Dec 2011 – Jan 2012

AFRICAN STUDIES  CENTRE PROGRAMME ASSISTANT: 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Sep 2008 - May 2011

TICKET OFFICE INTERN: 
University of North Carolina  
Sep 2010 – Mar 2011

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS INTERN : Turner Broadcasting System, INC 
Jun 2010 – Aug 2010

MARKETING COMMUNICATION INTERN: University of North Carolina
Sep 2009 – May 2010

UNCAA SPORT MARKETING VOLUNTEER – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2009 – 2010

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP INTERN  
Atlantic Coast Conference
Nov 2009 – Dec 2009

ANTO'S INTERESTS

Munirat has never hidden the fact that she has no special talent that she knows of. She however identified sports and entertainment as her key interests. Meanwhile, due to the environment she found herself, she frequents the Beach. Her other hobbies include dancing and cooking.

POLITICAL VIEWS AND CRIMINAL RECORDS

Though currently inactive, Anto identifies with the Democratic Party. However, there are indications that Munirat has not had a perfect criminal record. She may have been arrested a number of times. Also, there are allegations of her using many aliases, at various times. This raises a lot of concern.

KEBBI STATE GOVERNMENT SPONSORS MASS MARRIAGE FOR WIDOWS AND DIVORCEES: MARRIES OFF 100 WIDOWS, DIVORCEES IN MASS MARRIAGE

          Governor Abubakr Bagudu of Kebbi State.

Reports reaching our news desk from Kebbi State has it that the State Government on Saturday married off 100 widows and divorcees in a mass wedding held in the palace of Emir of Argungu, Samila Mera.

The marriages were arranged by the state and the Argungu Local Government to reduce the number of women, widowed or divorced, left to fend for themselves and their children.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kebbi state government paid N20,000 “kayandaki” for the brides, with gifts of a collection of brass; enamel bowls; decorative cups and saucers; blankets and bed sheets which are symbol of their married status.

They also gave N30,000 to the brides to start their entrepreneurial businesses.

It was also reported that the Kebbi State government donated furniture and kitchen utensils worth N150,000 to each couple, while the Commissioner for Justice, Hajiya Ramatu Gulma, also donated one wrapper to each of the couples.

Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State commended the efforts of the emir and the local government for the initiative and urged parents to respect the marriage institution, saying it’s a way to reduce the number of single women in the society.

He called on the couples to continue to be patient and tolerant to enable them have peaceful homes, pointing out that marriage was all about endurance and patience.

“The importance of marriage cannot be over-emphasised as it will promote peace among the couples and will also enable them to get more blessings and God’s mercy,’’ the governor said.

The Emir of Argungu, in his remarks, also commended the state government and the local government for collaborating to organise the occasion in line with Islamic teaching.

“’We are trying to provide women with stable homes, financial and social security,” he said.

NIGERIA POLICE KILLS YET ANOTHER PORT HARCOURT MILITANT GENERAL, SEA PIRATE & KIDNAP KINGPIN

Suspects and recovered items on display by the Rivers State Police command to the press and public.

Operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team have have engaged a Militant General and Sea Piracy Kingpin in a gun battle in Port Harcourt and fatally injured him as he attempted to prevent his arrest.

    
     Nigerian Police on parade

The said Militant General who was known as Prosper David, later died as a result of theis said to have masterminded the kidnapping of Mrs. Tina Bob-Manuel on the 22nd November 2017.

According to a police statement, Prosper David who initially embraced the federal government’s Amnesty programme, later derailed and formed a kidnapping gand and moved to Bayelsa state.

Giving detailed information about the operation, the police said, “In follow up to the kidnapping of Mrs Tina Bob-Manuel, on 21 February 2018 at about 1045am, IRT operatives traced the kingpin, one Prosper David a “Militant General who embraced the federal Government Amnesty program but Later formed a kidnapping gang, to Bayelsa State were he was fatally injured during gun battle with operatives of the IGP-Intelligence Response Team IRT deployed to Port-Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim Kpotum Idris to fight kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“IRT operatives have been on his trail for long time after he masterminded the kidnap of Mrs Tina Bob-Manuel on 22nd November 2017 in her shop located at No.107 Nvuigwe Road Woji Port-Harcourt and several other kidnappings.

“Suspect went underground after the collection of ransom in two installments and when he sensed that the Police are closing in on him, he dropped his contact number known to his personal driver that was earlier arrested by the Police and relocated his family from Victory Estate Azikoro, Yenagoa in December 2017 to the Creek, all in a bid to avoid arrest.

“After about 90-days of painstaking intelligence gathering with Technical Assistance Support from TIU, suspect was tracked to Asiri area of Yenagoa Bayelsa state to his new rented apartment.

“On sighting the operatives, he ran into his apartment ceiling from where he engaged the operatives but was neutralized and fatally injured.

“Suspects arrested for the kidnappings are, Johnson Denis driver to the kidnap kingpin and the Militant General. Exhibit recovered incude one of the victims phone.

Prosper David (Deceased) kidnap and Sea Piracy Kingpin and “Militant General”.

“Exhibits recovered from him include: One AK47 Riffle, 1 magazine, 26 rounds of live ammunition, 4 expended Ammunition and a Nokia phone belonging to his kidnap victim with which ransom negotiation was done.

Benjamin Johnson and Anthony Joshua are 2 more gang members of the Port Harcourt kidnap Kingpin who were also arrested between 21/2/18 and 14/3/18.

The IRT added that serious efforts are in top gear to arrest other gang members and recovery of more arms.