Amosun Commissions Gateway Polytechnic Apps Devt. Centre

Determined to ensure that Nigerian youths explore the opportunities that abound in the information, Communication and technology sector, Ogun state governor,  Ibikunle Amosun has commissioned the Gateway ICT Polytechnic apps development centre.

The centre which focuses in software and mobile application developments was commissioned at the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the institution.

Representing the governor,  Commissioner for Education, Modupe Mujota said the government will work to ensure the institution partners with global players on sustainable development in apps development.

Her words " I am looking forward to a lot of creativity,  we are also going to be trying to connect the school with global players,  who knows the likes of Google and a lot may take a look at what we are doing here,  but indeed is a great work"

Speaking on what necessitated the centre,  Rector Gateway ICT Polytechnic,  Dr. Isaiah Oyeyinka said the aim is to train undergraduates that will be independent,  imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit and be self-sustaining in a country that is relatively dependent on oil.

His words, "not only that we will train people on apps development,  we will also do technology incubation,  we will nourish their company to grow before we release them to the society. We took the cue from places like America where they incubate their technology and that is why you see great things coming forward from such a place. 

Dr. Oyeyinka said the polytechnic is committed to continue in its determination to provide qualitative programmes in Engineering,  Science and Technology,  ICT within the mandate of the National Policy on Education and subject to regulations of the National Board for Technical Education.

"Don't Increase Tuition Fees" ...ASUU Warns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday raised the alarm over the alleged plan by the Federal Government to increase tuition fees to N350,000 in universities.

The zonal chairman of the union, Dr. Ade Adejumo, told newsmen in Ibadan that that was the position of Federal Government’s team led by Dr Wale Babalakin when the team visited the union at the University of of Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said the union was also kicking against government’s plan to establish education bank where students would seek loans to go attend public universities.

Adejumo warned that unless the government honoured the memorandum of action it signed with the union in 2017, it could not guarantee industrial peace and harmony on university campuses.

He listed the issues in the memorandum, which according to him could cause an industrial action, as including “collapse of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, non-release of over two trillion naira meant for the revitalization of decayed infrastructure in public varsities (2014-2018), failure to release the forensic audit on the disbursement of Earned Academic Allowances covering 2009 to 2017, failure to pay arrears of shortfall in accrued salaries in Universities that have been verified under PICA, failure to release operational license of NUPEMCO, and needless proliferation of state universities.”

Nwosu, Uzodinma Claim Victory In Imo Senatorial Primary

The ruling APC in Imo State is embroiled in confusion following the declaration of two aspirants – Uche Nwosu and Senator Hope Uzodinma – as winners of its gubernatorial ticket.

While Uzodinma was declared winner by the chairman of Imo State governorship primary electoral committee, Ahmed Gulak, nine members of the committee disowned him and declared Uche Nwosu as winner.

According to the result declared by Gulak, Uzodinma polled 423,895 votes to beat his closet rival, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, who polled 128,325 votes.

Nwosu scored 10,329 votes while Sir George Eche was said to have scored 16,597 votes. Engr. Chuks Ololo got 13,645; Sir Jude Ejiogu, 12,369; Peter Gbujie, 12,329; Barr. Chima Anozie, 11, 071; and Chris Nlemoha, 9, 253 votes.

But in a dramatic twist, Nwosu the favourite in-law of Governor Rochas Okorocha, was declared winner by eight out of the 12 members of the committee.Meanwhile, a statement by the national spokesman of APC, Yekini Nabena, has cancelled the primaries but did not give any reason.

In Ekiti, Thunder Strikes, Kills 23 Cows

At least 23 cows have been killed in Ekiti State following the deafening thunder which was accompanied by a downpour recorded in parts of the state in last couple of days.

The incident, which occurred at Okeowa Eluju, a farmstead in Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state, has caused apprehension among local residents.

While confirming the incident, a Fulani herder and owner of the dead cows, Abdulkadri Kadiri, said he was devastated by the development. According to NAN, Kadiri described the incident as a strange occurrence.

“I went to farm after about six hours heavy downpour on Monday morning, only to discover that 23 of my cows had died. After careful observation, I found that there was no trace of bodily injuries on the dead cows. I want to believe it is an act of God since I did not offend or quarrel with anyone,” he said.

Kadiri, however, said he had not experienced such incident in his 35 years of business. The Regent of the community, Joseph Alofe, who also confirmed the incident, described the victim as a gentle and peace loving herder.

The community leader, who also described the incident as strange to the village, called on government and well-meaning individuals to assist the herder, to revive his business.

Anambra Senatorial Primaries: Ifeanyi Ubah Loses To Bianca Ojukwu

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has disqualified oil magnate, Ifeanyi Ubah, from the senatorial race of Anambra South district.

In a publication signed by the National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye, the party disqualified Ubah for not obtaining waiver to contest the election.

It was gathered that Ubah contested the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 18 , 2017 poll in the state.

Shortly after the poll, he dumped the PDP and joined forces with the state governor , Willie Obiano , to win the election for APGA .

A few days ago, Ubah allegedly published a video on the Internet claiming that Obiano promised him the Senate seat of Anambra South district in the buildup to the November governorship race.

The developed pit him against the hierarchy of the party which saw the act as insubordination.

In the publication on Tuesday , APGA said the businessman was disqualified because he did not obtain a waiver that would have qualified him to contest election on its platform.

The party cleared Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Nicholas Ukachuwu , Ikenna Mbazuluike- Amaechi and Anselm Enyimba for Anambra South district.

The incumbent Senator for Anambra Central , Chief Victor Umeh , was cleared as the sole aspirant for the district.

In the Anambra - North senatorial district, a former deputy governor of the state , Chinedu Emeka, was also cleared as the sole aspirant in the area.

The APGA senatorial primaries are expected to hold on Wednesday.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu Declared Winner of Lagos APC Primaries, As Oshiomhole Affirms Results

The Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress , Mr. Tunde Balogun, on Tuesday night declared Mr. Babajide Sanwo - Olu as the winner of the party ’ s governorship primary.

Balogun declared that Sanwo -Olu polled 970 , 851 votes to defeat incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode with 72, 901 votes.

Balogun declared the election free and fair , thanking members of the party for coming out to vote.

Earlier in the day, the National Working Committee panel sent from Abuja to oversee the election had declared the primary invalid.

The panel , led by Mr. Clement Ebri, said the primary could not have held because the modality for its conduct was still being ironed out. But Balogun insisted that the poll held and it was valid.

“ It is my pleasure and delight to read the result of the election , conducted all over Lagos State, in all the 245 wards, to the public.

“ The results are as follows : Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recorded 72 , 901 votes ; Mr. Babajide Sanwo - Olu had 970 , 851 votes.

“ Mr. Babajide Sanwo - Olu is the winner of today ’ s primary election , ” Balogun said .

Magu’s Chief of Staff, Olukoyede, Nominated as EFCC Secretary

President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate requesting that Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede be confirmed as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In a letter dated September 10 , 2018 , which was addressed to Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Buhari asked that Olukoyede, who is currently the chief of staff to the acting chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu , be confirmed in accordance with Section 2 of the EFCC Act.

The letter read in part,
“In compliance with the provision of Section 2 ( 3 ) Of the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment ) Act 2010, I write to request for the confirmation of Olanipekun Olukoyede . for appointment as the secretary of the EFCC.

“While looking forward to your usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate , please accept , Mr Senate President , the assurances of my highest consideration. ”

The Senate had on two occasions rejected the nomination of Magu as the EFCC chairman.

The legislators had, however , confirmed the appointment of others into the board of the EFCC.