2017 NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FROM J.J OMOJUWA

For 2017, identify friends who will always stand with you when others come for you publicly - whether you are wrong or right - you need them.

Make sure such friends have the guts and the capacity to tell you the truth privately. But you need friends that can swim the tide with you.

If you are doing anything of significance, there will be days when a mob comes at you - whether you are wrong or right - don't wither.

On days like that, some will mean well, but there will be many who will see such as an opportunity to express their hatred for you those are the days you need your friends to stand up for you publicly. If they don't, don't make excuses for them. They are likely fake!

None of us is perfect but once a mob comes against one of us for any reason, we cannot stand with the mob and claim to be well wishers.

Anyway, do what works for you but any day a friend of mine stands with the mob against me, that friendship dies that day! In Jesus name too!

We won't fight. I won't stop taking your calls. I know how to kill a friendship without withdrawing my physical presence.

You don't need too many friends. And you need to define what you call "friendship" afresh so you don't make leeches your soldiers!

There is a time and place for everything. Whatever fault of mine you can't tell me privately as a friend, saying it publicly is betrayal!!!

Be ready to walk away from people who think that without them the sun will not shine on you and the earth will not rotate for you.

The best decision of my life was "walking away." Especially when walking away was me walking into uncertainty from convenience.

That that we walked away from who thought the world revolved around his wishes, that we can look back on and send some help. God is great!

Everyone around you matters. No one around you is indispensable. You don't know how strong you are until being strong is all you've got left.

HAKUNA MATATA; 2017 RESOLUTION MESSAGE TO EVERYONE- Mahfouz Adedimeji PhD.

Hakuna matata; Courtesy of the Bee Media Solution, I addressed a group of students along with other speakers on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the University of Ilorin under the “Impact Makers” programme tagged “Getting It Right”.
Given the situation of the country, which makes recession to become depression for many people, including the youths who worry about their seemingly forlorn future, I chose to speak on the topic, “Hakuna Matata: On Your Own To The Top”.
The message is relevant now that the year is coming to an end this weekend and there is need to start a new year ahead afresh. The intervention was informed by a quote that has managed to stick to my mind for many years: “worry does not give you anything in return; it rather deprives you of many things.”
By the way, “Hakuna matata” is a Swahili phrase that means “don’t worry”, if you have not watched the popular cartoon, “The Lion King” or seen the advert of a Nigerian bank some time ago which exploits the phrase.
Getting worried is counter-productive and the right attitude to life and its vicissitudes is to just try to be happy anyway. So, if there is an issue that bothers you, you analyse it. It is either you can do something about it or you can’t. If it is something you can do something about, then, why worry? And if it is something you cannot do something about, the question still remains: why worry?
The rationale for worry on many occasions is actually non-existent. More than 500 years ago, Michel de Montaigne said, “My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes; most of which never happened.” Researchers have been able to arrive at the same conclusion.
As reported by Don Joseph Goewey, a study required subjects to write down their worries over an extended period of time and then identify which of their worries or imagined misfortunes never happened. It turned out that 85% of what the subjects worried about never happened while only 15% happened. Besides, 79% of the subjects discovered that they could handle the difficult situations better than they actually imagined.
I like the poster that reads: “As you waste your breath complaining about life, someone out there is breathing their last. Appreciate what you have. Be thankful and stop complaining. Live more, complain less. Have more smiles, less stress. Less hate, become more blessed.” The profundity of the words is just remarkable.
It is time to assess your situation and come to terms with life. If you have or develop what Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone refer to as “positive mental attitude”, you would realise that you are the most important living person in the wide world and you appreciate, like William Earnest Henley, that you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
In the past 30 years, Nigerians have found it easy to play blame like ping pong. We blamed Babangida and lampooned Sonekan; we loathed Abacha and deplored Abdussalam. We flayed Obasanjo, criticised Yar’Ardua, excoriated Jonathan and now we are attacking Buhari. Those who wish can continue to quack like a duck and those who desire can soar like an eagle in spite of the challenges.
You better make a good choice. The worries of 2016 should be buried. Another year offers another opportunity of recalibrating. If you failed or missed something important, you are not alone. Besides, you can always fail forward and move ahead.
Always do your best in all situations and leave the rest. And when any disappointment comes your way, just believe that every disappointment is a blessing just as every cloud has a silver lining.
It is a festive season: hakuna matata. Don’t worry. Be happy. Be healthy. Remain awesome.

ETISALAT SUPRISES USERS WITH SPECIAL OFFER

In celebration of the festive period, Etisalat Nigeria has unveiled a new yuletide offer that will enable customers on the network enjoy a wide range of mouth-watering offerings and gift items.
The Etisalat “Green Xmas Offer” is for existing and prospective customers on the network, and can be accessed upon the purchase of a smartphone from any of the company’s Experience Centers across the nation.
Any customer who purchases a smartphone, will be rewarded on the spot with 1GB free data, free access to social and chat apps monthly for 11months; and tons of free gift items like mini massagers, power banks and mobile
cooling fans.
Also, if you recharge N5000, you get N5000 talk time, 3GB data and free incoming calls while roaming in 14 countries. And for customers who want to spend the yuletide season overseas, you aren’t left out either. At a discounted rate of N100/min, you can make local calls and back home to Nigeria in the UK, USA, UAE, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, courtesy of Etisalat Nigeria.

MANY CELEBRITIES WINS AWARD AT THE SOUNDCITY MVP AWARD FESTIVAL

Yesterday was colourful and wonderful with the loudest ovation from the audience of the 2016 Soundcity MVP Award festival. The event which was the maiden edition was held at the luxurious EKO HOTEL CONVENTION CENTRE with several celebrities in attendance including Victoria Kimani, Dolapo Sijuwade, Falz, Emma Nyra, Noble Igwe, Moet Abebe, Vj Adams, Mimi Onalaja, Toni Tones and many more.
Wonderful and electrifying performances from Lil.Kesh, Patoranking, Falz, Koker,Olamide, Tekno etc made  the event glamourous.

The Following artiste emerged as winners at the event...

Best Male Artiste- Wizkid

Best Female Artiste- Yemi Alade

Pop Artiste of the Year- Kiss Daniel

Digital Artiste of the Year- Tekno

Collaboration of the Year- “Who you epp” Olamide ft. Wande Coal X Phyno

Best Group/Duo- Sauti Sol

Song of the Year- “Pana” by Tekno

Best New Act- Mr. Eazi

Viewers Choice Award- “Soldier” by Falz ft. Simi

Listeners Choice Award- “Pana” by Tekno

Producer of the Year- DJ Maphorisa

Video of the Year- “Aje” by Alikiba. Directed by Meji

Artiste of the Year- Wizkid

2017 MUST-READ BOOKS FOR ENTREPRENUERS

Bill Gates recently released his favorite
books of 2016. Claiming he averages
about one book a week, the billionaire
business magnate says reading is his
“favorite way to learn about a new
topic.”
W e were inspired to put together our
own reading list of some of the best-
selling business books of the year.
Here’s a selection of 10 must-reads that
we think have the potential to transform
your business and take it to the next
level.

SHOE DOG BY PHIL KNIGHT

A Bill Gates favorite, Shoe Dog offers an
inside look at Phil Knight’s
entrepreneurial journey and how he
built his startup Nike into the global
brand it is today.

TOOLS OF  TITANS BY TIM FERRISS
In his latest book, entrepreneur and
strategist Tim Ferriss shares the
productivity secrets of the more than
200 “world-class performers” he has
interviewed on his podcast.

THE POWER OF BROKE BY DAYMOND JOHN
Shark Tank star and Fubu founder
Daymond John explains that starting a
business with limited resources is a
competitive advantage, not a liability.

THE CODE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MIND BY VISHEN LAKHIANI
What if everything you thought about
love, work, and life is wrong? Vishen
Lakhiani, founder of MindValley,
challenges your most entrenched beliefs
in an effort to help you redefine the
meaning of personal success.

DISRUPTED BY DANS LYON
This is a messy, tell-all account of what
happens when a seasoned journalist
from an established news magazine
takes a job at a software marketing
startup. He chronicles his time at
Hubspot where he encountered “devilish
angel investors, fad-chasing venture
capitalists, entrepreneurs and
‘wantrapreneurs."

ORIGINALS BY ADAMS GRANT
Author and professor Adam Grant
examines how people can reject
conformity and improve the status quo
by generative creative, original ideas.

HUSTLE BY NEIL PATEL, PATRICK VLASKOVITS AND JONAS KOFFLER
This New York Times bestseller guides
readers through the process of
“breaking free from the drudgery” in
their daily lives and turning potential
into opportunity.

GRIT BY ANGELA DUCKWORTH
Psychologist Angela Duckworth claims
that success is the result of passion and
persistence, not talent and luck.

BUILDING THE INTERNET OF THINGS BY MACIEJ KRANZ
This is a practical handbook for
entrepreneurs who are focused on the
business implications of the internet things.

THINKING, FAST AND SLOW BY DANIEL KAHNEMA
Though originally published in 2011,
this book continues to be a best-seller in
2016. Renowned psychologist Daniel
Kahneman does a deep dive analysis of
the two cognitive systems that shape the
judgments and decisions we make in
our everyday lives.

2016 Miss Nigeria's Audition Concluded

Miss Nigeria 2016 concluded audition exercise on
the 5th of December 2016. This year’s auditions
were held in four locations; Port Harcourt,
Abuja, Enugu and Lagos from the 29th of
November 2016 to 5th of December 2016. This was
to accommodate contestants from the thirty-six
states in Nigeria. The Port-Harcourt audition
held on the 29th of November at Hotel
Presidential, the Abuja audition on the 1st of
December at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja,
Enugu audition on the 3rd of December at The
Hotel, Independence Layout, and the
final audition in Lagos on the 4th and 5th of
December at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria
Island, Lagos.
There was a huge turnout of contestants vying
for the crown. The reigning queen, Pamela
Peter-Vigboro was present at the Lagos auditions
to encourage the contestants. Interviews and
screenings were conducted by experienced
pageant judges. Below are the names of Judges
at the audition stage.

Port Harcourt Auditions:
Yenebi Dike (CEO, Clothes Rac Stores), Daye Horsefall (Fashion Influencer), Kaka Peters (Kaka’s hair Salon), Akpos Okudu (Designer)

Abuja Auditions: Geraldine Uba, Chine
Anosike, Vannessa Oghomwen Ogida (Project
Manager and Judge, Miss Nigeria 2016), May
Ikeora (Director, Miss Nigeria Organisation)

Enugu Auditions:
Jasmine Naza, Odogwuchyke, Benzufele, Noreen Odor

The selected ladies will be in camp where they
will be involved in different activities which
include 80% empowerment training, fun
choreography and etiquette classes. Other
activities planned for the camping duration, will
be exploring Nigeria’s culture and heritage in
Benin; the international beach soccer courtesy
of Powerhorse; and Mentorship by a renowned
WIMBIZ member and among others.
The 40th Miss Nigeria will be crowned on the 19th
of December 2016 at the Eko Convention Centre
by 7:30pm with Red and Green carpet from 5PM
– 7PM Tickets on sale at Eko Hotel and Suites,
Victoria Island, Lagos. For enquires and table
booking, contact: 08033150455,
07064933209,08176201460 or the
website: www.missnigeria.ng

Miss Nigeria pageant is powered by Daily Times
Newspaper and sponsored by The Ministry of
Environment, Ministry of Information and
Culture, Pinnacle, Pathcare Nigeria, Zaron
Cosmetics, Powerhorse, Heritage Bank, Eko Hotel
and Suites, Quilox, Arik Air, Air France, Eco
Bank, NEPC, and Shell.
Media Partners; DAAR Communications,
BellaNaija, Vanguard, Classic Fm, Beat Fm, The
Sun,The Nation, Leadership,The Guardian,
Bellanaija, Red Media/Ynaija, Pulse.ng, ThisDay
Style, Onobello, Ovation magazine, Style Vitae,
Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), NTA, Daily
Telegraphs, Channels TV

ALL AGOG.... AS UNILORIN STUDENTS' UNION UNVEIL NEW LOGO

The Students' Union of the Better by far University of Ilorin has unveil a new logo to commemorate her 30th anniversary. The event held on Monday, 31st October, 2016 at the University main Auditorium was attended by the principal officers of the University Management led by the Vice-Chancellor of the varsity ably represented by the DVC, Academics, Prof. N. Y. S  Ijaiya and the University Librarian, Dr. J.O  Omoniyi, Faculty and Departmental Presidents, media persons and members of the forth estate of the realm within and without the University environment. The august occasion which was the initiative of the Students' Union Executive 2016/2017 team was also garnished with the presence of past Students' Union Leaders and executives of the Union. The President of the Union 2016/2017 session, Mr Shobowale Lukman connected past regimes with his tenure by taking on from their experiences and setting great goals for his administration as this was projected in a wonderful documentary presentation at the event. The Guest Lecture was delivered by Prof. Durosaro, an erudite who has emerged as the first students union president of the university to attain professorship, shared his wealth of experiences; how he succeeded Dr. Depo  Fakunle, the first SU president, how he participated in the 'Ali must go' saga, how he was diplomatic with his office amidst various challenges etc.  Followed immediately, is the 2016 UNILORIN SU PRESS CONFERENCE, a gathering that enable the Students Union Executives to discuss their program and Plans for the new academic session and the 30th anniversary celebration while pressmen, student leaders and students ask questions.
see photos.....



Set to unveil the Logo; (L-R) SU President, Dean SA, DVC. Academics




DVC. Academics, Pro N.Y. S Ijaiya delivering the Vice- Chancellor remark


SU President, Shobowale Lukman Olawale delivering his Speech


Prof. Durosaro chanting the Aluta Salutation




SU Vice-President, Iromini Tohirah




Delivering the Guest Lecture; Prof. Durosaro


Press Conference; SU 16/17 Executives


Speaking with the Press; Prof Durosaro

TEAM DELTA STATE EMERGED OVERALL WINNERS AT NYG ILORIN 2016

Team Delta State has finally emerged the overall winners of the second edition of Nigeria’s National Youth Games, winning total of 26 medals in the Unilorin 2016.

According to the organiser, Delta finished top on the medal table winning nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medal, making 26 medals in total.

First runners-up was Ogun who won 25 medals including eight gold and second runners-up are hosts Kwara with eight goals among 21 medals.

Akwa Ibom came fourth ahead of fifth-place Anambra, while Rivers, Ebonyi finished sixth and seventh respectively.

FINAL MEDALS TABLE

No. States Gold Silver Bronze TOTAL

1. Delta 9 7 10 26

2. Ogun 8 9 3 25

3. Kwara 8 7 6 21

4. Akwa Ibom 8 7 5 20

5. Anambra 7 3 8 18

6. Rivers 2 5 5 12

7. Ebonyi 2 2 4 8

8. Kano 2 2 2 6

9. FCT 2 1 5 8

10. Nasarawa 2 1 4 7

11. Kaduna 2 1 4 7

12. Niger 2 0 4 6

13. Taraba 1 0 2 3

14. Jigawa 1 0 1 2

15. Plateau 0 6 4 5

16. Yobe 0 3 2 5

17. Adamawa 0 1 1 2

18. Gombe 0 1 0 1

19. Imo 0 0 2 2

20. Bauchi 0 0 2 2

20. Niger 0 0 2 2

21. Abia 0 0 0 0

22. Bayelsa 0 0 0 0

23. Benue 0 0 0 0

24. Borno 0 0 0 0

25. Cross River 0 0 0 0

26. Edo 0 0 0 0

27. Ekiti 0 0 0 0

28. Enugu 0 0 0 0

29. Katsina 0 0 0 0

30. Kebbi 0 0 0 0

31. Kogi 0 0 0 0

32. Lagos 0 0 0 0

33. Ondo 0 0 0 0

34. Osun 0 0 0 0

35. Oyo 0 0 0 0

36. Sokoto 0 0 0 0

37. Zamfara 0 0 0 0

Total: 46 46 71 163


See photos below....

Posing with the minister of sport is team Delta

Skaters associations boss presenting award to the minister

The V.C Unilorin, Prof. Ambali; Hon. Min. of sport, Barr. Dalung and the representative of Kwara state Governor

Hon. Minister, Barr. Solomon Dalung addressing the welcome note at the event

EMIRATE COUNCIL UPHOLD EMIR'S MARRIAGE TO 14 YEARS OLD GIRL

The Katsina Emirate Council on Thursday declared that the marriage between a 14-year-old girl, Habiba Isa, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Usman, was irreversible, PUNCH reports.

Isa was reportedly abducted by one Jamilu Lawal, who is an aide of the Emir, on August 16, 2016 and was converted to Islam and held incommunicado.

The family of Isiyaku Tanko of Warkaza community in the Kudun Kankara Local Government Area of the state had alleged that the Emir abducted the girl and forced her to marry him.

Isa’s father had complained about the matter to a a humanitarian civil rights organisation, Stefanos Foundation, that took over the matter.

The Emirate Council said the marriage and Isa’s conversion to Islam were voluntarily and willingly entered into by the girl.

The Emirate Council told officials of the Katsina State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), during a visit to the Emir, that no evidence suggests that the girl was forced to act against her wish.

When the CAN officials visited, the Kaora Katsina, Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkadir, called the girl in and asked her three questions on behalf of the Emirate Council.

He asked if she was forcefully converted to Islam, the girl said ‘No’. She also replied ‘No’ when she was asked if she was forced to marry the 64-year-old Emir.

Isa replied ‘Yes’ when she was asked if she was already experiencing monthly flow when she met the Emir.

Abdulkadir said: “The three questions are in line with the dictates of the Islamic religion. Since Isa has voluntarily answered the three questions in our presence, there is no going back on her marriage.”

According to the report, Abdulkadir explained that in as much as the emirate council would not want to be involved in the controversy surrounding the marriage, the palace of the emir was open to all Nigerians irrespective of religion and tribe.

The CAN Chairman for Katsina State,, however, told the emirate council that Isa’s marriage did not have the consent of her parents, who he said, were crying for justice in Abuja.

 Very Rev. Nelson Ugochukwu, the CAN Chairman in the state, told the Emirate Council:

This girl (Isa) standing before us is 14 years. She is supposed to be in school and not given out in marriage.

We are not pleased and we demand justice. Her parents are in Abuja, crying for justice. In my religion, you cannot give out any lady in marriage without the consent of her parents. This marriage does not have the consent of this little girl’s parent. The parents are not happy with what has happened.

As the CAN chairman in Katsina, I am the father of all Christians in the state. Our people are not happy. The parents told me that the girl is 14 years. She is supposed to be in school. I want justice to be done in this matter. I want the emirate to look into the matter. To us, the girl is still a Christian.

Isa, who will turn 15 on October 15, was said to have passed her Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination and was expected to start Senior Secondary School.

Photo Credit: Olaide Oyelude/PUNCH

UNILORIN HOSTS THE SECOND NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

   
The beginning of October was eventful for the National Association of Basic Medical Science Students (NABAMSS) as they held their 2nd National Scientific Conference tagged “Extremity and Laxity in Teaching and Practise of Basic Medical Sciences: A Major Impediment to its Progress in Nigeria” at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. Tijani Sheriffdeen reports.

The conference which held from the 4th to 7th of October 2016 at the University of Ilorin remains indelible and memorable in the hearts of many, as it went down with a number of gripping and intriguing events. The conference started with a community outreach to Tanke Ile-iwe community, Ilorin on Tuesday, 4th of October. The people of this community were giving medical attention; many of whom were tested and given appropriate drugs to combat diagnosed ailments. The outreach came as a success due to the kind gesture of the Kwara State Ministry of Health in sponsoring the community outreach. The welcome party that night necessitated the coming together of participants to meet one another. In attendance at the conference were the University of Nnamdi Azikwe (UNIZIK), Anambra State University (ANSU) and the host school, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). At the welcome party, schools competed against one another in dancing, singing and other interesting and relaxing activities.
The second day of the conference was designed to be the Academic/seminar presentation day. The programme which started around 11 am had in attendance the National President and Vice-President of NABAMSS, Mr Anokwulu Osmond and Mr Udegbulam Kingsley respectively. Also present at the event were the financial secretary, Mr Ubawike Queen-Betty, the Treasurer, Ijezie Collins and the Director of Socials, who doubles as one of the hosts of the conference, Mr Izuogu Tochukwu of NABAMSS. The National staff adviser was also on sit, in person of Dr. B. U. Enaibe; also present was the Head of Department of Anatomy of the University of Ilorin, Dr. Akinola. Mr Ibrahim of the department of Anatomy was also sighted at the programme. The first lecturer, Dr. David Ofusori of the department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile-ife, spoke extensively on the theme of the conference; he did justice to the topic by looking into the two sides to the topic of the lecture. The second lecturer, Dr. O. J. Olajide of the department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin took the participants to another dimension, by helping them understand how they could be better Basic Medical Scientists.
The skype chat with Dr. Ogundele Lekan Michael, of the department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University was another interesting part of the conference. He spoke to the audience on the advance part of Basic Medical Sciences, which was really interesting as seen in the ovation that greeted the end of his lecture.  It would interest you to know that the participants at the conference showed of their cultural attire at the cultural session of the programme. The Igbos where beautifully wrapped in their attire, while the Yorubas at the conference didn’t shy away from representing their tribe wonderfully well. Also, some delegates were seen in Hausa attire, which gave the programme a beautiful colour.


At the dinner of the conference, which was staged to wrap up the whole conference, Presidents of the visiting schools and the Executives of the National body expressed their appreciation to the committee in charge of the conference. They didn’t fail to praise the University of Ilorin for grooming its students well, as they said students from this University where well behaved and accommodating throughout the conference. At the end of the beauty pageantry session, Mr Tobi of the university of Ilorin was crowned Mr NABAMSS, while his female counterpart, Miss Kunmi from the same university was crowned Miss NABAMSS. It was indeed a big night for the host University.

IGBINEDION'S DAUGHTER WEDS MANTU'S SON

The wedding ceremony between Orobosa, daughter of Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and her hearthrob Umar Mantu, son of politician Ibrahim Mantu, took place yesterday in Abuja.
It was an expensive ceremony in all regards. See more photos..

PMB URGES CORP MEMBERS TO PURSUE DREAM AND MAKE NIGERIA GREAT AGAIN-NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Buhari made the call when he received more than 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Daura Local Government Area of Katsina.

The President, who received the Corp members at his residence in Daura, urged them to make Nigeria great again through pursuit of knowledge, patriotism and commitment to values that promote national unity.

He pledged his unalloyed commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

President Buhari, who specially recognised those corps members from the Niger Delta and South-Eastern states serving in Daura, praised the vision of former President Yakubu Gowon in setting up the scheme in 1973.

According to him, the scheme has creditably promoted national unity and cohesion by exposing young people to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of Nigeria.

“I asked for those from the other extreme of Nigeria because I very much appreciate the NYSC scheme and whenever I see General Gowon, I always thank him for that,” he said.

Speaking specifically to corps members from the South Eastern states, the President said: “tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.”

“As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the North and the East, to the border between Cameroon and Nigeria.

I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war in which at least two million Nigerians were killed.

We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.

So if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another.

So, please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.

Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country,” the President said.

In his remarks, Egbewumi Adebolu, the Corps Liaison Officer in Daura, thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their stay in Daura memorable.

He said the youths strongly believed in the programme of the President to reduce unemployment and create jobs for more Nigerians.

Adebolu thanked the President for his personal gifts of cows, bags of rice and cash to corps members in the community for Sallah celebration

FIFTY-ONE CORP MEMBER TO REPEAT OR EXTEND IN FOUR STATE- NAN

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has ordered 51 corps members under Batch B Stream 1 to repeat or extend their service in four states in the country for violating various rules.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cases of indiscipline were recorded in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and Enugu states.

11 erring corps members each were affected by the disciplinary action in Nasarawa and Sokoto states, while Niger and Enugu states recorded 24 and 5 cases, respectively.

The management of the NYSC explained that the offences included failure to report for service after documentation, absenteeism and truancy at places of primary assignment.

Habiba Bappah, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Nasarawa state, made this known to newsmen in Lafia during the passing out event of the corps members.

According to Bappah, 1,936 Batch B stream 1 corps members in the state successfully passed.

She said the 11 corps members were among the 13 ordered to extend their service in various degrees for various offences they committed during their service year.

Bappah said that two others got four months extension for absconding for some months without permission.

“11 will repeat the service year because they did not serve for a single day. Some of them came to camp, did their documentation and took off. 2 are for 4 months extension of service because they absconded for about 3 months,” said the coordinator.

Bappah also explained that out of the 1,936 passing out corps members, 12 were selected for honours awards in various categories, while 18 others would get commendation letters.

“They did very well in various categories like the State’s awards, Chairman’s award and State Coordinator’s award. We appeal to the government to always identify with those that have done well and give them automatic employment.”

In Sokoto state, five corps members out of 2,112 lost their lives during their service year, according to the state coordinator of the scheme, Thomas Yamma.

Yamma said in Sokoto that 7 corps members would repeat their service year.

He also said that 11 corps members were to repeat their complete service year, while 7 had their service extended by between 2 and 4 months, for various offences.

“Happily, 4 corps members received state merit awards, four got chairman’s awards, while six others bagged commendation letters. On the whole, the corps members had exhibited high sense of commitment and diligence. I must also hasten to commend the management of the Service, Sokoto State Government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said.

The NYSC also extended the service year of 24 corps members in Niger for continuous absence from their places of primary assignment without permission.

The state Coordinator of the scheme, Bolade Loto, made this known at the passing out parade of the 2015 Batch B stream one corps members posted to the state.

She stated that 10 corps members received State Merit Award, while 10 others received recommendation for initiating various projects that impacted on the lives of the people in the state.

However, she revealed that two corps members died in the course of their service year.

The coordinator said that 2,193 corps members passed out in the state.

In Enugu state, 3 corps members also lost their lives in the course of the programme; one died in camp and two others died in their home states.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Nwano Ukagha, told NAN that this year’s event was low key.

NAN reports that there was no gathering and passing out parade which usually holds at Okpara Square in Enugu.

The corps members were requested to collect their discharge certificates from the headquarters of the local government area where they served.

She said that 5 corps members would be repeating their service year for various reasons bothering on truancy and dereliction of duty.

MAN ARRESTED OVER DEFRAUDING PEOPLE OF ABOUT N4BN

Following over a hundred petitions from across the country on the operations of an alleged Wonder bank and its nefarious activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday October 6, 2016 arrested the Managing Director of “Lets Partner With You Ltd”, Patrick Shanchi Nwokike at his residence in Enugu, Enugu state.

Petitioners indicated that the company had over the past five years solicited and obtained deposits of more than N4bn from the general public with promise of mouth watering interests in return.

According to investigations conducted by the Commission, the company has no license to solicit and manage funds for the public nor was it registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC).

Further investigations revealed that a 10% interest was for some time paid on invested capital which, for no justifiable reason, was suddenly stopped and all efforts by depositors to have at least the capital of their investments returned, nor terminate their investments proved abortive.

Many of the complainants alleged that the operators of the scheme especially, Nwokike, not only live very flamboyant lifestyles but acquired several personal assets as well as using their deposits for philanthropic enterprise.

The company was also found to have over six accounts in about four banks with the Nwokike and his wife being the only signatories to the accounts.

In his statement, Nwokike who acknowledged that depositor’s funds with his company was about N4bn, denied operating both money lending and investment business as alleged by the petitioners.

He stated that his company is into partnership business which receives money from interested partners who desires interest from their money after it might have been infused into businesses especially that of small scale traders.

Nwokike argued that the present problem facing his company is as a result of the general economic downturn in the country; an argument punctured by his depositors who said his company started defaulting even before the present economic woes.

Investigation is still on-going to ascertain the extent of the company’s operations, its culpability, likely recovery of funds and possible prosecution.