Saturday 30 November 2013

ASUU strike update: 10 things you SHOULD know about the FG meeting with VCs in Abuja

ASUU strike... 
The face-off between the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) may have taken another twist as the former is making plans to railroad the striking lecturers back to the classrooms.

University lecturers had embarked on an indefinite strike in July after accusing the FG of reneging on their promise of, among other things, injecting funds into the education sector. The lecturers had given stringent conditions for their return to classes demanding a payment of the four-month salary arrears of its members from July and the release of N200 billion that President Goodluck Jonathan promised to inject into the university system within the next two weeks.

The FG had countered these demands by ordering the lecturers back to school by Wednesday, December 4, reportedly directing the Inspector General of Police to make adequate preparations to forestall any form of violence which may ensue as the directive is being obeyed by willing lecturers.

According to reports, the FG delegation had met on Friday with vice-chancellors of Federal Universities to fashion out a way of ensuring that its directive is followed by their respective institutions.

The meeting which reportedly had the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) boss, Julius Okojie in attendance deliberated on replacing the striking lecturers with new ones and opening a register in institutions so that members that resume work would indicate by signing and those who fail to do so may be shown the way out.

Read the 10 things we gleaned from the deliberations below:
- There was an emergency meeting on Friday convened by the Federal Government and held with all vice-chancellors of federal universities at the National Universities Commission building in Abuja. The Acting Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, were at the meeting.

- The FG has directed the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to deploy policemen to all federal universities in the country in its bid to ensure resumption of academic activities on or before December 4.

- To confirm this directive, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Ebere Amaraizu, said its men had been directed to man universities in the state to quell any protest that might result from the Federal Government’s order on lecturers to resume work on or before Wednesday.

- The Friday meeting which took place in Abuja began at 9am and lasted for two hours. Part of the meeting’s deliberations, also centred on how to recruit new lecturers to fill the space of ASUU members who might refuse to obey government’s directive. NUC boss, Julius Okojie was reportedly mandated to start the process of recruiting new lecturers by placing vacancy adverts in international journals and media.

- There are indications that vice-chancellors have been directed to call students back to campus by tomorrow in preparation for academic activities which should start early next week.

- The vice-chancellors were directed to open registers in their institutions where ASUU members that resume work would sign so that those who failed to resume could be shown the way out.

Reports say that the Federal Government was planning to adopt the Ghanaian method where lecturers were asked to re-apply for their jobs after a prolonged period of downing tools.

- It was revealed that Nigerian universities are currently in need of about 30,000 lecturers due to the shortage of lecturers in the university system.

- December 4 is a decisive day between the FG and striking university lecturers as the date had been set aside by ASUU to bury Prof. Festus Iyayi, a former President of the union who died in an accident on his way to a meeting in Kano. Iyayi had died on the Abuja-Lokoja road when the car his was travelling in collided with the convoy of the governor of Kogi, Idris Wada on Novermber.
Members of the Union had quickly made a decision to suspend its proposed NEC meeting indefinitely to honour the memory of the late professor.

- The University of Nigeria (UNN) chapter of ASUU yesterday said its members would not resume work until their demands are met. The UNN-ASUU also described the Minister of Education, Wike, as a “tout”.
“We have not heard from the President, so we cannot speak officially on the matter. It would be senseless to begin to react to a statement from Wike since he is a tout,” said Dr. Ifeanyi Abada, Chairman of UNN-ASUU.
Well, where do we go from here. Your guess is as good as ours. It is however, imperative that the two parties immediately find a way out of this impasse so as not to keeps students at home unnecessarily.

BREAKING: HOT RELEASE: MIDDLE FINGER TO FG & ASUU - MP3

Students are now frustrated with the ongoing ASUU Strike.

Urbanaira is back again with another HOT single Titled -- F**k School Music

BREAKING: FG/NUC Begins Mass Replacement Of Over 60,000 Lecturers

The Federal Government on friday met with The National Universities Commission, NUC as well as the association of Nigerian Vice Chancellors on a fully set out action after the 4th December deadline given to Varsity Lecturers to resume activities or Loose their Jobs.
The meeting,Saturday PUNCH further learnt, also discussed other modalities for calling off the bluff of ASUU whose members have been on strike for over five months.
The Friday meeting began at 9am and lasted for two hours. Part of the meeting’s deliberations,Saturday PUNCH gathered, also centred on how to recruit new lecturers to fill the space of ASUU members who might refuse to obey government’s directive. Also, the vice-chancellors were directed to call students back to campus on Sunday in preparation for academic activities which should start on Monday.
Wike, had on Thursday ordered lecturers to resume duties on or before December 4 or face being sacked summarily by the Federal Government.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that already Okojie had been mandated to start the process of recruiting new lecturers by placing vacancy adverts in international journals and media.
Also, the vice-chancellors were directed to open registers in their institutions where ASUU members that resume work would sign so that those who failed to resume could be sacked.
Saturday PUNCH further learnt that the Federal Government was planning to adopt the Ghanaian method where lecturers were asked to re-apply for their jobs after two years of strike.
“Not all lecturers are members of ASUU. Most professors don’t belong to the union, people think every lecturer in public University is a member of ASUU, which is not true. Government means business this time around and it is going to call off the bluff of ASUU,’’ the source explained.
Nigerian Universities are currently in need of at least 30,000 lecturers because of acute shortage of lecturers in the University system..
- See more at: http://nigerianuniversitynews.com/2013/11/fgnuc-begins-mass-replacement-of-over-60000-lecturers.html#sthash.jVnbjahI.dpuf
 The Federal Government on friday met with The National Universities Commission, NUC as well as the association of Nigerian Vice Chancellors on a fully set out action after the 4th December deadline given to Varsity Lecturers to resume activities or Loose their Jobs.

The meeting,Saturday PUNCH further learnt, also discussed other modalities for calling off the bluff of ASUU whose members have been on strike for over five months.

The Friday meeting began at 9am and lasted for two hours. Part of the meeting’s deliberations,Saturday PUNCH gathered, also centred on how to recruit new lecturers to fill the space of ASUU members who might refuse to obey government’s directive. Also, the vice-chancellors were directed to call students back to campus on Sunday in preparation for academic activities which should start on Monday.

Wike, had on Thursday ordered lecturers to resume duties on or before December 4 or face being sacked summarily by the Federal Government.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that already Okojie had been mandated to start the process of recruiting new lecturers by placing vacancy adverts in international journals and media.

Also, the vice-chancellors were directed to open registers in their institutions where ASUU members that resume work would sign so that those who failed to resume could be sacked.

Saturday PUNCH further learnt that the Federal Government was planning to adopt the Ghanaian method where lecturers were asked to re-apply for their jobs after two years of strike.

“Not all lecturers are members of ASUU. Most professors don’t belong to the union, people think every lecturer in public University is a member of ASUU, which is not true. Government means business this time around and it is going to call off the bluff of ASUU,’’ the source explained.

Nigerian Universities are currently in need of at least 30,000 lecturers because of acute shortage of lecturers in the University system

“it’s one of the prices you pay as a celebrity” – Peter Okoye finally reacts to alleged family crisis

 
Peter Okoye in a new interview with Encomium has denied the stories that his family members were not in support of his marriage to wife Lola.
See interview excerpts below:
  • Is there any iota of truth in the tale that your family didn’t support the wedding?
That is very far from being the truth. I saw some of those reports and was full of laughter. Everybody is just laughing because the reports are like comedy to us. Honestly, there is no iota of truth in the rumour. But it’s one of the prices you pay as a celebrity, so I remain focused.
  • How would you describe your wife?
Honestly, she is a wonderful woman. She has virtually all the qualities that every man would want in his ideal woman. She’s caring, loving, God-fearing, hard working – just name it, that’s my wife for you.
  • What are the sterling qualities that endeared her to your heart?
I just said that now. No man will not want to spend the rest of his life with a woman that possesses the qualities I mentioned.
  • Why was the wedding delayed till now despite you having all it takes to be a husband?
The truth is that we have always known that the wedding will come up. We just didn’t want to rush things unnecessarily. We waited for the right time.
  • Entertainers are not used to keeping one woman, how is your own case going to be different?
Entertainers don’t keep one woman? I don’t think so.

Who did it better? Don Jazzy & Wizkid strike the classic gunman pose (LOOK)

 
The gunman pose fever started by musician, Olamide is finally phasing out, but not before one or two celebrities gave it their own spin.

Ice Prince, Sasha and many other stars attempted the pose and most of them pulled it off well.

Here are Don Jazzy and Wizkid’s versions, who do you think did it better?

WHAOO: American singer, Brandy to be in Nigeria on Sunday

brandy-ynaija 
American R&B singer and songwriter, Brandy Norwood is scheduled to be in Nigeria on Sunday, November 1, 2013, to perform at the Face of Sofa 2013.

The event which will take place at the Thisday Dome, Abuja, will be hosted by Nollywood actor and model, Uti Nwachukwu and comedienne, Helen Paul.

This will be the singer’s second visit to Nigeria after her 2011 performance at the Project Fame West Africa launch in Lagos.

‘Reports about my wife and family beefing are laughable’ – Peter Okoye

wpid-78009fcc4fd211e3911c127f85a62e1a_8.jpg 
Peter Okoye in a new interview with Encomium has denied the stories that his family members were not in support of his marriage to wife Lola.
Or that that was the reason his elder brother Jude didn’t attend his wedding.
In the chat, Peter said:
  • Is there any iota of truth in the tale that your family didn’t support the wedding?
That is very far from being the truth. I saw some of those reports and was full of laughter. Everybody is just laughing because the reports are like comedy to us. Honestly,
there is no iota of truth in the rumour. But it’s one of the prices you pay as a celebrity, so I remain focused.
  • How would you describe your wife?
Honestly, she is a wonderful woman. She has virtually all the qualities that every man would want in his ideal woman. She’s caring, loving, God-fearing, hard working – just name it, that’s my wife for you.
  • What are the sterling qualities that endeared her to your heart?
I just said that now. No man will not want to spend the rest of his life with a woman that possesses the qualities I mentioned.
  • Why was the wedding delayed till now despite you having all it takes to be a husband?
The truth is that we have always known that the wedding will come up. We just didn’t want to rush things unnecessarily. We waited for the right time.
  • Entertainers are not used to keeping one woman, how is your own case going to be different?
Entertainers don’t keep one woman? I don’t think so.

BREAKING: FG vs. ASUU: Education Minister in secret meeting with VCs

Asuu-and-FG 
The battle of wits between the Federal Government and the striking lecturers continued on Friday as the supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, met with all vice-chancellors of federal universities in Abuja.

Journalists who got wind of the meeting were however barred from attending the meeting which was held behind closed doors at the Minister’s office.

According to a reliable source at the ministry, the meeting was apparently called by the minister to discuss with the VCs modalities for carrying out the directive of re-opening the shutdown universities on the stipulated December 4 deadline by the FG.

They were said to have also deliberated on the next line of action for government should the ASUU members shun the directive.

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, was said to have also attended the meeting.

Federal Government had on Thursday ordered an immediate re-opening of all universities shut as a result of the strike and equally threaten to sack any of the lecturers who flout the directive.

The directive according to the minister was on account of fresh conditions given by ASUU to end its industrial action which has paralysed the university system for almost five months.

Part of the conditions contained in ASUU’s letter to the Federal Government was that it should settle the four months salary owed its members as well as begin the process of releasing the N200 billion the President promised to inject into the universities within two weeks time frame.

ASUU had requested that the Attorney General of the Federation be part of the signatory to the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the agreements recently reached between the union and the President.

Psquare hangs out with brother, Jude Okoye and Naeto C in South Africa - SPOTTED

jude_naetoc_psquare 
Manager, music director and elder brother of the Psquare twin, Jude Okoye, was photographed with his brothers alongside Nigerian rapper, Naeto C in South Africa.

Okoye who is the brain behind Pquare’s hit videos was spotted with his brothers getting set for their performance at the ChannelO Music Video Awards (CHOAMVA) happening today in Mandela’s country.

It was earlier rumoured that the elder Okoye was not particularly excited by the marriage between his brother Peter his wife, Lola Omotayo, having failed to attend their wedding ceremony.
jude and psquare
psquare

“I like Jim Iyke, Is he not having a better life now”- Pastor TB Joshua finally opens up

 
Pastor TB Joshua has finally lent his voice on the much-talked-about Jim Iyke deliverance that held in his church months ago.

In a recent interview with Punch, TB Joshua of SCOAN – Synagogue Church Of All Nation – cleared the air on Jim Iyke’s deliverance and other allegations that he pays people to come and fake miracles. On Jim Iyke
Oh please, don’t drag me into that. All I can say is that if a person needs to see a doctor, he should be free to do so. I like the young man. He has been defending himself on the internet. Is he not enjoying a better life now? Are things not working for him?

On allegations he pays people to fake miracles

 How much will I give to the president of a nation to come here? Even when they come, I don’t get any financial gain but I incur cost because I want to ensure that they are well cared for. That is all; I even prefer to spend my time with the poor than to be with the presidents.

If a president visits this place today, the whole of the day will be devoted to that visit, I would have lesser time for the poor people, who need my attention. God has been warning me over this trend so much that when some presidents said that they wanted to visit me, I said no.

I said it would be better for me to visit them in their countries. Each time they visit this place, I receive query from God because of my time that should have been used to attend to the poor and the needy that are waiting for me.

One soul is not superior to the other, why should I continue to receive query? Really out of three presidents that may visit, there will hardly be one that will show good example of the counsel that they received from me. If the needy are more receptive to God, it is better to give them more of my time.

APC is not about me or Buhari; FG’s ultimatum to ASUU shows dictatorship – Tinubu

image 
A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, on Friday stated that the party’s interest was tilted towards idea generation and welfare package for the people, not for individuals.
 He spoke at the 2012/2013 Call to Bar ceremony of the Nigerian Law School, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

According to him, last Tuesday’s defection of five Peoples Democratic Party governors to the APC, would bring about the change the nation had craved for.

Those who joined include: Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Musa Kwankwaso (Kwara) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

Two other governors in the G7, Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger) said they remain in the PDP.

Tinubu is his remark said: “The APC is not about Tinubu, Buhari or any of its leaders. It is about the nation and how we can come together and work together to rescue Nigeria from inept leadership.

“The implication is change. We want to change the way things are done by working together and investing our ideas. We must change the way we do things. Imagine from the 60′s till date.

“The cutlass of the 60s cannot be used for farming now. We need leaders that can think outside the box. Nigeria needs a democratic revolution that would bring about infrastructural development and massive industrialisation,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria is a blessed nation with talented youth whose potentials must be harnessed for the development of the country.

“The lamentation must stop. After so many years of lamentation with action, we must lead the new resolve to rally for the much needed change our country badly needs,” he added.

Commenting on the ultimatum given to the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, by the Federal Government to go back to classrooms next Wednesday or face sack, Tinubu described such directive as autocratic.

”We are not in a military era. The language used shows a government out of tune with the general feelings of Nigerians. Nigeria cannot continue to afford to lose her best brains to the Diaspora,” he said.

Kogi State University, ASUU Disowns Boko Haram Lecturer

Kogi State University, ASUU Disowns Boko Haram Lecturer 
Following the arrest of Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yusuf, a lecturer at Kogi State University, over his alleged involvement with Boko Haram, the university has dissociated itself from the activities of the lecturer and the alleged plan to carry out terrorists attacks in the state.

Also, the Kogi State University Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities declared that the suspect was never an active member of the union.

ASUU Chairman in the university, Dr. Sylvester Ukwuteno said contrary to report from the other suspects that Dr Yusuf was a strong member of the organization, the suspect has never been an active member of ASUU.

According to him, “the only link between him (Dr. Nazeef Yusuf) and the association was because ASUU’s due is deducted at source from lecturers’ salaries. And he, like everyone else has his dues deducted to make him an automatic member. But he’s not a strong member as it has been widely claimed. I cannot remember the last time he attended any of our meetings”.

Also, the institution in a statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hassan Isah admitted that though the suspect, Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yusuf who was recently paraded by Security agent is a lecturer in the institution the governing council and the management of the school do not know anything about him beyond his duty as a lecturer.

“The Governing council and the management therefore condemned and dissociated themselves from all criminality and terrorism in whatever shape or form, where ever and whenever it exist.”

The VC said it became imperative to respond to the situation as the alleged involvement of the lecturer has elicited a lot of enquiries from friends, well- wishers, students, stakeholders and sister institutions. He aadded that security had been beefed up at the institution, and assured parents of the safety of their wards.

Kate Henshaw And Dan Foster Walk Out Of Nigeria’s Got Talent Audition

Kate Henshaw And Dan Foster Walk Out Of Nigeria’s Got Talent Audition 
The Nigeria’s Got Talent reality show took a surprising turn when, during the Port Harcourt audition, two of the judges, Kate Henshaw and Dan Foster walked out when a contestant refused to stop singing despite being asked to do so. 
The contestant, who gave his name as ‘Heaven’ sang Asa’s ‘Eye Adaba’, but before he could finish Kate and Dan halted him because they felt he shouldn’t have been at the show in the first place.

The third judge, Yibo, however encouraged ‘Heaven’ to continue singing but Kate raised her voice saying, ‘There is no heaven here, stop singing and get off the stage or else I will leave.” She eventually left when the contestant refused to leave the stage.

Dan Foster, who left the stage immediately after Henshaw left, said, “Is it by force to sing”.

It’s official! Don Jazzy, Psquare, Omotola, 20 other Nigerians named among 100 most influential Africans (See list)

don jazzy in suit 
Nigeria’s place as the giant of Africa has been further highlighted as a list of the continent’s most influential citizens have been revealed with Nigerians dominating the list.
The list was published by Pan African publication, “New African” and shows just how much clout Nigerians hold in the African continent.
The list features 23 Nigerians from all walks of life and with different business interests.

Notable amongst the named Nigerians are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Adebayo Ogunlesi, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Andrew Alli, Kola Aluko, Jason Njoku, Solomon Wifa, Tony Elumelu, Zuriel Oduwole, Francisca Nneka Okeke, T.B. Joshua, Alex Okosi, Mosunmola Abudu, Chimamanda Nogzi Adichie, Chiewetel Ejiofor, Don Jazzy, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, P-Square and Blessing Okagbare.

The full list is contained in the December issue of  New African.

Apology: I Made Comments To Widow In Anger – Oshiomhole

THE HELPLESS WIDOW PLEADING FOR MERCY FROM GOV. ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE 
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Friday apologised for the comments he made to a widow in Benin during an inspection tour on Mission Road, in the state capital, a fortnight ago.

Oshiomhole said that he now regretted the comments which had become the subject of discourse in the social media.

The Governor, however, noted that he made the comments in anger.

Oshiomhole’s apology was made when the leadership of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), paid him a courtesy visit in Benin.


He noted that though the challenge of modern times had bestowed on the shoulders of some women and single mothers the status of bread winners of their homes, such should not be used as an accuse to flout the laws.

The Governor urged the Muslim women leaders to use their offices to propagate the essence of healthy living among children and women in the nation and the need to maintain proper sanitary conditions in their neighbourhoods.

Oshiomhole lamented that the challenge of widowhood had also exposed children to different temptations, adding that there was the need for society to be careful, to avoid unwittingly creating more problems for the nation.

He noted that money was not the best thing that guaranteed ones happiness, “but honesty and selfless service.

The Governor added that if Muslims and Christians were adequately committed to their religious doctrines, the world would be a better place.

He urged the women to propagate the message of Islam through the nooks and crannies of the nation, and to also inculcate the values of honesty in their followers.

Oshiomhole, however, assured the association of government’s support in ensuring that its present leadership made remarkable progress and also consolidated on the successes of their predecessors.

Earlier, the FOMWAN National President, Hajia Amina Omoti, urged the state government to look into the issue of the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies in public schools in the state.

Omoti also solicited for government’s moral and financial support for the effective running of the association. (NAN)

Dele Momodu: ASUU strike – Before Wike sacks all Nigerian lecturers

Dele-Momodu1 
Fellow Nigerians, permit me to make a serious confession. I had refused to pay much attention to the activities of Mr Nyesom Wike at the Education Ministry where he’s presently the Alpha and Omega, after the exit of the substantive Minister, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai. The fault is not entirely mine. Wike had succeeded in spending more time playing politics in his home state of Rivers than sitting down at the negotiation table with the enraged and striking Nigerian egg-heads. Naturally, we were mostly fascinated by the war of attrition between the rambunctious Minister and his former boss, mentor and benefactor, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
What I find most intriguing was how the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan condoned the kind of rascality going on where a serving Minister is permitted to swim with such reckless abandon in muddied political waters while his whole Ministry is on fire and in dire need of desperate rescue. Not just that, the Minister is allowed to seek his next political office as Governor of Rivers against the kernels of rules laid down by the President himself requesting that ambitious members of his cabinet must resign in a jiffy or get summarily fired by him. The popular belief is that Mr Wike has nothing to fear or worry about since he’s the President’s Man Friday and numero uno pugilist in the battle for the soul of Rivers where Amaechi currently holds the World Heavyweight Boxing title.
For a fact, education is one of the biggest sufferers in Nigeria today. Successive governments had watched the sector degenerate and deteriorate to an abysmal level as if it was a normal occurrence.  I believe the Minister would have performed too well if he had been assigned to Special Duties. There’s no question that he can give and take deadly punches. He has taken on his former boss with the agility of a lion without batting an eyelid. Therefore I’m reasonably convinced that the man is in a wrong Ministry. Education requires someone who’s very cerebral, elegant and sober. Such a person would understand the eloquent use of language without sounding verbose and delinquent. He would abuse without using expletive words.
If Wike was already crowned the King Kong of Rivers, our Minister surpassed himself days ago as he launched a blistering attack on the warring members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. In a tone and demeanour reminiscent of our inglorious military era, Wike instructed the lecturers to return to the classrooms or face immediate sack from their academic jobs. There was no time for any form of Diplomatese, as Wike belched fire and brimstone while addressing newsmen.
I’m glad I personally watched the speech repeatedly on Channels Television because I would never have imagined lecturers could be so insulted under the regime of a former don. I was stunned to no end. Even as I write this, I find it hard to believe that any leader or politician would issue threats he can never enforce. It was my unlettered mum who used to warn that no one should issue threats that are not enforceable because if you fail you’re sentenced to eternal shame! Wike has inadvertently boxed himself and the government he represents into such ignominious corner. He should have known from time immemorial that lecturers may be materially poor they know how to hold theirs high in the marketplace of ideas. All they possess and guard jealously is their pride. Soldiers come, soldiers go; lecturers always remain. They’ve survived many tyrants and will survive aspiring dictators, no matter what. It is a fact.
Let’s now attempt a dissection of the main crux of the matter. ASUU has been on strike for about five months and the hapless and innocent students under their tutelage have been at home for that long. Their parents are totally frustrated that once again Nigerian students have become rudderless and defenceless. I must reiterate the fact that this has never been a big deal in our long-suffering country. It has almost become a curse to attend local tertiary institutions. Most of those who can afford the hefty cash have abandoned our shores to seek knowledge and certificates of all manners in nearby or far-flung places. The reason is obvious. Schooling in Nigeria has become tantamount to an Israelite’s journey where a trip of 40 days stretches infinitesimally to 40 years. Rather than fix the cruel situation, members of the privilegentsia would rather vamoose with their children abroad and leave the poor ones to roast in hell.  But unknown to such short-sighted leaders, it is not usually as simple as it looks.
The implications are legion but our leaders can hardly find the wisdom to discover them. No one cares much about what happens to those left behind. Since the children of the rich are not the ones mainly affected by perennial closures, the schools can shut down for as long as it takes without as much as a whimper from the highest authorities in the land. Unfortunately, there’s no escape for the wicked. Parents of those sent abroad are often too busy with their primitive accumulation of wealth that they studiously forget to check on the well-being of those kids. The kids who ostensibly have everything at their beck and call are always ready to spoil themselves silly from the booty provided by their overloaded parents. In the process, these comfortable children pick up dangerous habits and entertain themselves with perilous indulgences. Not just that, most of these children become totally alienated and far removed from reality back home. Many are never able to re-integrate properly into African societal values.
These are the reasons I expected the Federal Government to go all out to sort out the intractable problems of Education once and for all. Our collective future is terribly at risk because of the incessant break in our school calendar. No country has ever transformed into a First World nation without investing a chunky part of its resources and budget on Education. The Ministry of Education is also far too important to be handed over to hard-core politicians who are rabidly obsessed with acquiring and retaining power by any means necessary. Unfortunately in our strange country, nothing is too big or highly sensitive to be dashed out to political godsons.
The Education Ministry is one of those cash-cows considered very lucrative for appointment seekers. It ranks among the top four very important places to be coming only after Petroleum, Defence and Finance. Education enjoys the lion’s share in our annual budget, yet nothing has changed over the years because the politicians and civil servants have perfected the art of movement without motion. I’ve sat in a high-level gathering where we were regaled with tales of the fabulous wealth of Educational Administrators. It was such a breath-taking experience to discover there was so much money available to appointees but none for the supposed beneficiaries. This is why appointments and promotions have become matters of life and death in our higher institutions. Merit has been sacrificed at the altar of greed and avarice.
In all of this hocus-pocus, the regular lecturer and the students suffer so much. The lecturer is abysmally poor. He lacks modern and updated facilities to work with. It is a miracle that he’s able to catch up with his counterparts elsewhere. Cambridge University, Oxford, Harvard School and many others are better funded than many African countries while our students are subjected to the most inferior forms of learning at this time and age. Our universities now pitifully rank extremely low on the world list and our certificates are largely treated with disdain. It is for this reason that ASUU is seeking a total overhaul of our university system. Those who think they are merely fighting for salaries therefore miss the point.
Truth is, something drastic needs to be done to bring our universities up to acceptable standards. The ding dong relationship between the Federal Government and ASUU has been on for far too long. Many heaved a sigh of relief when for the first time our country was led by a President and Vice President who were once university dons. Poor health did not allow President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua do much in office. His eventual death deposited the heavy burden on the new President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. On January 24, 2012, a comprehensive agreement was signed between the Federal Government and ASUU. But towards the middle of 2013, nothing had happened thus necessitating ASUU to return to the trenches. A recalcitrant government that failed to honour its agreement carried on as if all was well. Meanwhile a government in the middle of such gargantuan crisis still found the space and money to approve new universities, all in the name of political consideration. The infuriated lecturers said there was no going back until government fulfils its promises.
When it became obvious that they won’t blink, the Federal Government swallowed its pride and top government functionaries led by the President intervened. While it is commendable that the President spent about 13 hours with the ASUU leadership, it is regrettable that his agents reneged on salient points raised at the marathon meeting on November 4, 2013. The Federal Government is yet to pay the agreed N100bn fund for infrastructural development. There are other areas in the MOU that would have demonstrated good faith on the part of government and secure the revitalisation funds for universities. Other terms sought to protect the fate of ASUU activists against any form of victimisation but Government has refused to endorse any of these pledges.
As if the situation was not already bad enough, Mr Wike has now poured petrol into the raging firing by issuing threats to an apparently determined community of teachers. My take is that the President would be the ultimate loser and not the Minister. For a man desperately seeking a re-election in barely over a year to come, it is a totally wrong move. The President should do everything within his power to stop this unreasonable decision about sacking any lecturer that fails to return to work by December 4, 2013. I make bold to say it is an impossible task if the lecturers decide to call his bluff. Is the Minister going to replace university lecturers with palmwine tappers? By what Arithmetic did he arrive at the figure that it would be easier, quicker and cheaper to recruit new lecturers?  From where does he think these new recruits will appear?
We are talking about lecturers, senior lecturers and Professors. I guess Wike and his cohorts would assess and appoint new ones as they see fit in their moment of phantasmagoria. If this issue was not so serious it would have been a rib cracking comedy of errors.
But we have seen all this shakara too many times. This too shall pass away.
On the move
Thumbs Up
To all the eagle-eyed officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport who on Wednesday prevented three kilogrammes of cocaine from being smuggled into the country. The drugs worth N81 million was seized from one Maduagwu Charles who came in from Egypt. It was neatly packed in two loudspeakers. No doubt, the NDLEA officers demonstrated a great sense of patriotism despite the huge temptation.
Thumbs down
To the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities for allowing the labour dispute in the universities to drag on for five months while thousands of students rot at home.
The crisis assumed a more dangerous dimension on Thursday with the FG threatening to sack the striking teachers if they fail to resume on December 4. The stage looks set for a bigger crisis with the teachers vowing to resist the sack threat.

Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun ‘drags Fathia to court over name usage’

Saheed Fathia 
The rancour between celebrated Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun and his wife, Fathia continues to fester as reports indicate that Balogun has decided to take his ex-wife to court over her insistence on using his name.

Balogun had over the years made it public that he is uncomfortable with Fathia using his name saying, “If somebody wants to keep my name, what of the new person coming in? This has nothing to do with grudges.”

According to him: “She is my ex. As for my name that she is still answering, the deed will be done soon. The Nigerian law says that after three or four years, you can do something about it. If somebody wants to keep my name, what of the new person coming in? This has nothing to do with grudges.”

Read the report below:
A reliable source informed Saturday Beats that the actor had taken his ex to court insisting that she drop his name.
Recall also that Fathia had also reportedly boasted in an interview last year, that nobody could stop her from using her name.
Fathia had said, “I laugh, my name is Fathia Balogun and it’s going to remain Balogun; nobody can ever change that and nobody can stop me from answering that name.”
When Saturday Beats contacted Saheed over the recent development, the actor chose to be evasive.
“I have told you that I don’t like talking about my private life. I will talk about my new project. Go and meet those people telling you about this story,” he said.
Several calls were also made to Fathia Balogun, she didn’t respond. A text message was sent to her, she didn’t respond.

Sexy or trashy? Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar flaunts the thighs in ‘crazy’ jeans (LOOK)

Halima Abubakar YNaija 
Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar sure knows how to keep ‘em talking. The pretty lady posted this photo on her Instagram page wearing a chic white top showing much of her midriff and torn denim jeans that’ll make rag day university students swoon in envy.

She aptly captioned the post “FEAR?F DAT.”

No need for the warning Halima, we know it’s worth fearing.
http://distilleryimage3.ak.instagram.com/dd909022593c11e383980ecd5d253875_8.jpg

The real wonder-bra! Strapless bra by designer, Muyiwa Olumide features inner cups to keep breasts lifted (PHOTOS)

Using two inner cups held by a patent-pending magnetic device, the Kewi Bra, set to launch on Christmas Day for $150, claims to have a lift potential of 11.2lbs 
A new strapless bra for women with larger breasts is being hailed as a ‘revolution in underwear’.

Using two inner cups held by a patent-pending magnetic device, the Kewi Bra, set to launch on Christmas Day for $150, claims to have a lift potential of 11.2lbs.

‘A large cup size does not have to mean a lifetime of discomfort and back pain,’ said Kewi Bra founder Muyiwa Olumide.

Using two inner cups held by a patent-pending magnetic device, the Kewi Bra, set to launch on Christmas Day for $150, claims to have a lift potential of 11.2lbs

‘Because the bra was developed to satisfy a real need following a request from a friend of mine, great pains have been taken to ensure that the fit and comfort are absolutely perfect,’ he added.

 After four years of research, testing, feedback analysis and working with engineers and designers, the Kewi Bra prototype was created.
Using magentic force to convert the downward pressure of breasts into an upward lift, the Kewi Bra aims to give a customized fit for sizes D and above.
Using magentic force to convert the downward pressure of breasts into an upward lift, the Kewi Bra aims to give a customized fit for sizes D and above.  
Using magentic force to convert the downward pressure of breasts into an upward lift, the Kewi Bra aims to give a customized fit for sizes D and above
After four years of research, prototype testing, feedback analysis and working with engineers and designers, the Kewi Bra prototype was created.
After four years of research, prototype testing, feedback analysis and working with engineers and designers, the Kewi Bra prototype was created

This ‘floating support’ is designed to relieve pressure on the shoulders, neck and back.

‘The breasts are held in two inner cups which mold to the body’s unique contours,’ states the Kewi Bra website, which adds that the magnetic process is non-electrical, meaning exposure to water or liquids is safe.
‘These devices hold up the inner cups keeping the breasts slightly suspended within the bra. The use of magnetic force also serves as an artificial shock absorber during movement to hold the breasts within and conceal movement,’ the website explains.
A transparent view shows how the 'breasts are held in two inner cups which mold to the body¿s unique contours,' states the Kewi Bra website
transparent view shows how the ‘breasts are held in two inner cups which mold to the body’s unique contours,’ states the Kewi Bra website

Made from a loose, thin, breathable and stretchy fabric, the inner cups are designed to ‘perfectly fit each breast like a sock.’

This is supposed to ensure that women with one larger breast feels complete comfort.

Thin padding is used to conceal the inner cups so they are not felt on the body of the user.

Church of England To Bless Gay Couples

Church of England To Bless Gay Couples 
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York yesterday published the Report of the House of Bishops Working Group on Human Sexuality.

And according to it, gay couples should be allowed to have their relationships blessed in church.

DailyMail reports that the report, written by former civil servant Sir Joseph Pilling and a team of senior churchmen and women, was published seven months after the Church first indicated it is looking at ‘accommodations’ for same-sex couples and four months after the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, told Church leaders that ‘we must accept there is a revolution in the area of sexuality.’

It signals an end to the Church’s longstanding insistence that gay relationships are sinful and less worthy than heterosexual marriage.

And may now open the way for a reversal of the CofE’s opposition to same-sex marriage and the eventual appointment of actively homosexual priests and bishops.

Archbishop Welby said yesterday that bishops will now ‘consider the report and decide how such a process might best be shaped.’

Friday 29 November 2013

Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, Banky W others at the MTV Shuga Premiere in Lagos (PHOTOS)

Tiwa Savage (1) 
Tiwa Savage

What: MTV Shuga Premiere.
Where: Silverbird Galleria, V.I., Lagos.
When: November 26, 2013.
Photos by Hycinth Iyereosa
Alex Okosi (1)
Alex Okosi
Iyanya (2)
Iyanya
Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele

Sound Sultan
TA
TA
Tee  Bliss and Kunle Bakare
TeeBillz and Kunle Bakare
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Fab, Banky W and Deji Awokoya
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Basketmouth (M) and guests
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TeeBillz, Tiwa Savage and a guest
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Ayoola
A Y O
LoLo 1
LoLo 1
coker
Mz Coker
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Tinini Egbuson
Tinini Egbuson
Bayray monnizu
Bayray Monnizu
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Sharow Ezeamaka
Sharon Ezeamaka
Maria
Maria
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