Senate demands scrap of post-UTME

The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to scrap post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in its entirety. It has also urged the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to develop a strategy to ensure the efficiency and integrity in the conduct of the pre-university examination. he decision of the Senate, followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Umaru Kurfi, on Tuesday. The Upper Chamber said the introduction of the post-UME examination has to a large extent, failed to remedy the problems associated with JAMB and as such,…

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People skipping breakfast risk heart attack

People who skip breakfast or eat poorly to start the day are twice as likely to develop hardened arteries, which can lead to deadly heart disease, researchers said Monday. The study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology uncovered signs of damage to the arteries long before symptoms or disease developed. Researchers said their findings could offer an important tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the world’s top killer, which took 17.7 million lives in 2015, according to the World Health Organization. “People who regularly skip breakfast…

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Germany’s first gay couple kiss publicly

Two German men have made history by saying “I do” and becoming the first gay couple to marry after decades of struggle. And they sealed their marital vows with a passionate kiss, publicly. Wedding bells also rang out in Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover and other German cities where local authorities opened their doors on a Sunday, allowing weddings on the day the law comes into effect. Bodo Mende, 60, and partner Karl Kreile, 59, exchanged their vows at a desk decked out with white flowers and rainbow flags. Then, they turned…

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Army shuns opposition, set for Operation Crocodile Smile II in Niger Delta

Nigerian Army has announced date for commencement of Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta, despite opposition by the Pan Niger Delta Forum, and the Ijaw Youth Council. This is contained in a statement on Monday by Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director Army Public Relations. It said troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt including its affiliated Formations and Units located within its entire Area of Responsibility (AOR) which covers the core Niger Delta States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States will participate in the exercise…

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How my successor will emerge – Governor Dickson

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend, hinted on the process that would lead to the emergence of his successor at the end of his second term in 2020. Dickson said whoever would take over from him must be a product of wide consultations, prayers and divine intervention. Speaking at a special prayer and thanksgiving to mark the 57 independence anniversary of Nigeria and 21st birthday of Bayelsa at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, the governor said the succession process would involve the entire state.…

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50 dead, 200 wounded in Las Vegas shooting

In the latest update on Sunday night Las Vegas concert shooting, more than  50 people have been confirmed killed and over 200 also injured, in what has been classified as  the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Police said the white gunman, a 64-year-old local resident named as Stephen Paddock, had been killed after a SWAT team responded to reports of multiple gunfire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay, a hotel-casino next to the concert venue. His partner, Marilou  Danley  has been arrested, police said. Revelers screamed and…

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Violent Extremism: Army changes tactics in N/East

Nigerian Army has started a 30-day public awareness against violent religious extremism in the North East, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, says. Buratai made this known at the launch of the sensitisation in Maiduguri on Monday. Represented by Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Buratai said the sensitisation was to counter extremist ideologies and orientation in the society. He said the exercise would majorly focus on clerics and dangers associated with religious extremism and how the clerics could help to address…

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Buhari: How president’s October 1 speech showed his hatred for Igbos – Ozekhome

Activist lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech on Octpber 1 clearly displayed his hatred for people of the South-East. He said Buhari showed a fixated hatred for Igbos when he berated leaders of the region for allowing those feeling marginalised to agitate for the breakup of the country. Describing the speech as not only un-presidential but un-reconciliatory, Ozekhome wondered how Buhari could see nothing wrong in the murderous activities of herdsmen across the country as well as the illegal quit notice asking Igbos to vacate the…

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Zuckerberg seeks forgiveness for division caused by his work

Facebook Inc founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg asked for forgiveness for ways his work was used to divide people in a Facebook posting marking the end of Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of atonement on Saturday. “For the ways my work was used to divide people rather than bring us together, I ask forgiveness and I will work to do better,” Zuckerberg said in the post. He did not refer to specific issues in the message, which comes as Facebook and other technology companies are under increased scrutiny amid…

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Catalonia nears independence after referendum

In spite of  controversy and violence that surrounded Sunday’s referendum for Catalonia, leader Carles Puigdemont says the Spanish region has won the right to statehood. He said the door had been opened to a unilateral declaration of independence. Catalan officials later said 90% of those who voted backed independence in Sunday’s vote. The turnout was 42.3%. Spain’s constitutional court had declared the poll illegal and hundreds of people were injured as police used force to try to block voting. Officers seized ballot papers and boxes at polling stations. “With this…

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