FEATURES
The House of Representatives is currently advancing a bill aimed at eliminating the disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) holders, according to Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Speaking on Thursday at the 36th convocation ceremony of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Abbas, represented by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, the Speaker emphasized the importance of promoting vocational and technical education in the country.
Abbas stressed that increasing the funds allocated to these sectors is essential for driving technological progress and raising the nation’s profile.
He also pointed out that the bill being worked on would make it a criminal offense to discriminate between HND and BSc holders, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
“We know the importance of education and what the country would gain by promoting vocational and technical education. The country needs people with the skills needed to take it to a higher level. Those who are going to raise the nation’s profile technologically. In view of that, we are increasing funds to the sector.
“Also, we are taking steps by working on the necessary legal framework to criminalise the dichotomy between HND and BSc certificates. There should be equal opportunity for all,” he said.
The Speaker further urged the graduating students to seize every opportunity to make a positive impact in the world, acknowledging that they have a crucial role in the nation’s advancement.
During the ceremony, Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, also honoured as a Fellow of the College, expressed her firm belief in the transformative power of education.
She recounted her efforts in founding the New Era Foundation in Lagos to support educational initiatives.
Represented by Hon. Wahab Alawiye King, Mrs. Tinubu announced a N50 million Endowment Fund for YABATECH, aimed at supporting the best female graduates.
She stressed the importance of removing barriers to the education of girls and making life easier for the younger generation, as they hold the country’s future.
“The Fund is to support female best-graduating students. We need to support education and we should support the education of the girl child and remove all the barriers on her path. Even when I was in the Senate, my focus was on how to make life better and easier for our young ones. They are our future,” she stated.
Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, read a speech on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, highlighting the steps his administration has taken to improve the education sector, including the introduction of a student loan scheme and the ongoing needs assessment of tertiary institutions.
He encouraged the graduates to be exemplary ambassadors of their alma mater.
In his welcome address, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, reflected on the institution’s 77 years of contributions to Nigeria’s education sector and called for support from individuals and corporate bodies to replace and upgrade aging facilities on campus.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, commended the College’s management for the significant strides they have made since assuming office.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday, handed over 76 minors arrested during the August #EndBadGovernance protests to their parents.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Shehu Sagagi, the governor oversaw the handover at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where the children had been accommodated and treated for ailments they suffered during their remand.
The minors were arrested following their participation in the protests that highlighted governance concerns in the state and across the country. Their release followed an order by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the president for his intervention and called on parents to support the state’s efforts to provide quality education for their children.
“I want to call on parents to complement the government’s efforts towards ensuring these children are properly educated to enable them to contribute towards the development of the state and the country.
“Both the Federal and state governments have to also wake up to ensure that our children are educated,” Yusuf said.
He warned the parents who have an association to desist from using it to solicit any financial assistance from any individual, group or organisation, as the state government would not condone such an act.
The governor assured the parents that the state Commissioner for Education would ensure that the children are given the necessary support to return to their respective schools.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Haruna Doguwa, said one of the protesters, who is a final-year undergraduate, would be supported in completing his studies. At the same time, another one who holds a National Certificate in Education would be employed.
“We have provided (cambus) shoes, two sets of uniforms for the 50 others to be supported to complete their secondary school education,” he said.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Yusuf, said all the sick minors had been treated during the period of their stay at the hospital.
“The 76 minors who had been accommodated in this facility, underwent a medical evaluation and received necessary treatment before being reunited with their families today,” he said.
A cross-section of parents who spoke to newsmen commended the state government for the gesture and thanked all those who contributed to ensuring the children’s release.
During the occasion, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa donated N50,000 to each of the children in support of their education.
The National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled illegal alcohol centers in Abule-Osun, Lagos State.
NAFDAC, during the operation at Article Market, Abule-Osun, confiscated 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic beverages, valued at ₦2 billion.
In a statement on Thursday, NAFDAC said the items were being used to produce hazardous alcoholic drinks.
“NAFDAC has dismantled illegal alcohol packaging operations at Article Market in Abule-Osun, Lagos State.
“During the raid, over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic beverages, valued at approximately ₦2 billion, were confiscated. These items were being used to produce unapproved and hazardous alcoholic products.
“NAFDAC warns about the severe health risks of counterfeit alcohol, including poisoning and organ damage. Consumers are advised to purchase alcoholic beverages only from trusted vendors and report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office,” it read.
Naija News reports that NAFDAC on Wednesday also uncovered a warehouse in Oke-Afa, Okota, Lagos, stocked with unregistered and expired supermarket items.
Over 14 rooms packed with unregistered and expired products, some of which were contaminated by rats, indicating poor storage conditions, were confiscated. The agency also confiscated a 20ft container filled with unregistered carbonated drinks meant for the warehouse.
A former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign, Doyin Okupe, has said that the opposition’s claim of a stolen mandate in the 2023 election does not hold water.
He argued that there might have been possibility of rigging, but no presidential mandate was stolen from the opposition.
Okupe shared his thoughts in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
He wondered how Peter Obi was able to win in Tinubu’s home base if the election was indeed rigged.
Okupe said, “If Peter Obi (2023 LP presidential candidate) or the Labour Party says APC rigged elections, how come Obi was able to win in the home base of President Bola Tinubu?
“How come APC lost the election in the home base of the sitting president (Muhammadu Buhari)? How come APC lost the election in the home base of the secretary to that government?
“So, the accusations about rigging do not hold water; they do not hold water at all.
“The truth of the matter is that under the best of conditions, the results we got may not have been the exact results, but they will have that ratio.
“I was in the Labour Party; we couldn’t have done better than we did. I know that for some reasons, but that is a discussion for another day.”
According to him, the opposition PDP and LP appear to be unrealistic with their accusations that “the presidency was stolen.”.
Okupe added, “There’s nothing like that. No presidency was stolen. I am not saying there was no rigging.
“There was no election that we have done in Nigeria since 1960 till date that was not rigged one way or the other. Not one.
“Perhaps an exception was MKO Abiola’s election because of the unique nature of the voting pattern. You know it was Option A4; people were counted. Apart from that, every other election was rigged.”
Okupe, who expressed strong belief in Tinubu’s reforms, said that the president’s policies would begin to yield results from the second year of his administration.
The former LP chieftain said that Tinubu had impressed him not only as a politician but as a technocrat: “a man that is capable of deep thinking.”
He said that Tinubu had development ideologies and policies at his fingertips. “This thing, you don’t learn it. It’s a gift.”
The 72-year-old politician said that Tinubu was like the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, with great ideas about public policies.
Describing Tinubu as a reformer, Okupe said it was “total nonsense” to say that the president came to the office without a plan.
Former Nigerian model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up on her sudden disappearance from the public after coming to the limelight.
Recalls that Olajumoke became a social media sensation in 2016 after accidentally walking into a photoshoot featuring British rapper, Tinie Tempah, photographed by Nigerian photographer, TY Bello.
In an interview with City FM, Olajumoke shared a heart-wrenching ordeal about domestic violence from her husband, Sunday Orisaguna.
She revealed that their marital challenges began while they were still in Ire, Osun State. She cited her mother-in-law’s mistreatment and Sunday’s alleged physical abuse as major contributors to her ordeal.
She said the physical abuse continued despite their relocation to Lagos state and persisted even as her career blossomed.
Olajumoke admitted that societal pressures and the stigma of separation, especially as a mother of two, kept her silent about her struggles for a long time, adding her ex-husband worked to tarnish her reputation and that of her supporters.
She said, “What I am saying now, I have never said it out before. Even when I met TY Bello and I told her that I had a husband, my friend was furious when she found out. She was like I do not have sense, why would I say someone who beats me is my husband? I had to explain that I had to say that because I have children. That was how he came to Lagos. Even in the house that was rented for me in Surulere, he would still beat me up.
“I did not even tell TY Bello what was going on. I could not even admit that we were not married. I am a very gentle person so I did not tell anyone what was going on, I was enduring all of it. Sometimes when he goes out to drink, because he is someone to have a good time, when he gets back and a minor misunderstanding happens, he would start beating me again. It is almost four years since we separated.
“While he was beating me, he did not have a job. I was the one who would go out to hustle for us because I did not want my children to suffer. He would just stay at home and sleep or go out to drink. I did not even disturb him from doing these things, I just wanted him to stop beating me. Then he also started monitoring me when I went to work. If I go for photoshoots, sometimes I come back very late. He would accuse me of sleeping around with other men.
“So I decided to finally leave him. It got so bad that he would even start insulting my parents. It was when I separated from him, that was when everything started going down the drain because he started spoiling my name. All those who had helped me then, he started saying bad things against them. Since then, things started going down.”
President Bola Tinubu has decried that his economic reforms weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power; he promised to prioritize social investment programmes to help the most vulnerable.
President Tinubu stated this on Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, paid him a courtesy call on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that “While acknowledging that the reforms had weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power, President Tinubu said his administration will continue to provide social safety nets to cushion the unintended consequences”.
Congratulating the IMF Chief on her election for a second term in office, President Tinubu appreciated her support in implementing the reforms, calling for more institutional backing for stability and sustainable growth.
He emphasized the critical need for educational access, stating “We have too many children out of school, and we know that education is a way out of hunger and poverty. That is why we are designing ways and incentives to keep these children in school, and we need your support for these kids who want to stay in school.”
President Tinubu stressed that substantial resources must be invested to stimulate the much-needed infrastructural development in the country.
The President further noted that Nigeria is working on tax reforms to stimulate the economy further.
“We are engaging stakeholders and sensitizing Nigerians to expand the economy’s tax base for inclusive developmental growth. We are doing this without necessarily increasing the taxes on our people who have already given a lot. We will require your support on this,” he appealed.
In her remarks, the Managing Director, who expressed a desire to visit Nigeria, commended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
She assured the President of further support in diversifying the Nigerian economy. She specifically lauded the social investment programmes as a way of cushioning the effects on the most vulnerable and promised the assistance of the body in this regard.
Contrary to popular perception, she said that the IMF is focused on developing vulnerable societies and devoting substantial resources to emerging economies.
The managing director expressed the Fund’s readiness to offer technical support for the budgeting process, adding that it will assist Nigeria in achieving the best possible results from loans.
Georgieva said the world had suffered some shocks from the pandemic that caused damage to world economies. Over the last two years, the IMF has injected about $1 trillion into the world economy.
While the developed countries managed the shocks better, the developing nations did not do so, she noted. She said the IMF is working with developing countries to build resilient institutions to better manage future global economic shocks.
She stressed that it is the right of every country to benefit from the Fund after a critical analysis of its priorities.
The IMF Managing Director informed President Tinubu that the organization’s Executive Board has approved the 3rd Chair for Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), enhancing the African voice.
She congratulated Nigeria on hosting the IMF’s African Caucus meeting in Abuja in August. Georgieva also advocated for deepening regional economic ties, ensuring the IMF is ready to support this process.
Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency has hit a new all-time high of $97,836 taking a step closer to fulfilling the prediction of analysts that the crypto asset will hit $100,000 before the end of the year.
Bitcoin in the early hours of Thursday morning surged to a new all-time high of $97,836 before cooling off to $97, 073 at the time of this report.
Bitcoin has surged by 4.1% in the last 24 hours with its market capitalization pumping to $1.9 trillion. The primary crypto asset maintains a 57.9% dominance over other crypto assets with its daily trading volume breaking the $85 billion threshold.
Bitcoin’s bullish rally has led to an opening on the popular prediction site Polymarket on whether the crypto asset will reach $100,000 before December.
The bullish rally also led to the Global market capitalization of all crypto assets hitting $3.3 trillion.
Reason Behind the Surge in Bitcoin Price
Bitcoin’s surge in price is a result of many collaborating factors with the most significant being the victory of Donald Trump in the Polls. The self-acclaimed Crypto president made a big case for his love for cryptocurrencies during the election campaign mulling plans to set up a strategic Bitcoin reserve if elected as president.
- Bitcoin smashed its several months All time high after his election victory kickstarting a bull run with a ripple effect across the market.
- Aside from Donald Trump winning the election, Pro-crypto politicians also dominated the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, leading to the expectations of crypto-friendly regulations with Trump’s second term.
- Another key factor behind the surge in Bitcoin is the launch of the spot BTC exchange-traded fund options in the US.
- Blackrock’s IBIT was the first investment product to get the green light from the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
The new spot BTC options are expected to increase the demand for digital gold as investors could manage their investment risks.
Finally, a third factor for the Bitcoin surge was revealed by Ki Young Ju the CEO of the market analysis platform Crypto Quant. He revealed that the surge is also driven by strong whale accumulation and over-the-counter deals mostly by institutions, not individuals.
The bitcoin halving which also took place played a key role by demanding a price rally for miners to remain profitable.
What to Know
- Donald Trump pledged to make America the world leader in cryptocurrencies if elected. His election victory is already shaking up things in the US Securities and Exchange Commission with Gary Gensler expected to step down soon.
- Memecoins remain the biggest performers of the bull cycle with Dogecoin, PNUT, and Chill Guy grabbing the deadlines for incredible surges over the past weeks.
[Nairametrics]
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that the National Assembly is considering amendments to 161 areas in the 1999 constitution in the ongoing review.
Briefing newsmen after a closed-door session with governors of the 36 states of the federation during their meeting which started on Wednesday night and ran into the early hours of Thursday in Abuja, Kalu said governors are critical stakeholders in the process, hence, the need for their inputs.
Daily Trust reports that the 10th National Assembly has embarked on another constitution amendment process which is billed to be completed in December 2025.
The federal lawmaking body is considering the issues of state police, electoral reform, local government autonomy, diaspora voting, autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pre- and post-election concerns, and court rulings on electoral matters among others in the review.
Kalu, who is chairing the committee on constitution review at the House of Representatives said the governors were in support of the initiative and ready to welcome the lawmakers when they start visiting various states for public hearing.
“We informed them that we have received over 161 areas to amend in the constitution and we are going to give them the breakdown in the coming engagements. This won’t be the first and last engagement. We are going to have a couple of engagements. This is how we want to do it, differently from how it has been done,” he said.
On tax reforms, Kalu said, “To be fair to the governors, they did not dwell on tax reforms. It was generally about the constitution. they spoke on the local government reforms, what we are looking at. We are also not emphatic about state police.”
In a communique signed by the Kwara State governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, at the end of their meeting, the governors resolved to actively engaged in the ongoing constitution amendment process with a view to strengthening the country’s legal framework.
The communique reads in part, “The Deputy Speaker emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Forum and the Committee, proposing the establishment of a “one-stop shop” framework to align state-level priorities with the constitutional review process.
“Governors pledged their support for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to actively engage in shaping amendments that strengthen Nigeria’s constitution.”
The governors also resolved to strengthen collaboration between federal and state governments, improve the quality of girl- child education and integrate vocational training among others in the country.
On the issue of the new terror group known as Lakurawa, which has killed many innocent Nigerians in Kebbi, Sokoto and other states in the North West, Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, who read the communique said, “We all face various security challenges, but we are working closely with the relevant security agencies. We are very confident that it is a matter of time. All these issues will be over.”
[DailyTrust]
Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has expressed his admiration for miniskirts and short dresses.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview with Madame Joyce, Falz revealed that he loves women in short dresses.
According to him, short dresses bring out the sexiness in women.
“I have a thing for short skirts and short dresses. They bring out the sexiness in a woman. I so much like miniskirts,” he said.
[DailyPost]
Nigeria has issued an urgent call to action regarding the growing impacts of climate change on its regions, as highlighted during a side event hosted by the Federal Ministry of Regional Development at COP29.
The event, themed “Fostering Regional Synergies for Climate Resilience and Inclusive Development in Nigeria,” brought to the fore the country’s vulnerabilities and efforts to address them.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, stressed the severity of climate challenges facing the nation, noting that agriculture, infrastructure, public health, and livelihoods are all at risk.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, the Minister said: “the effects of climate change are evident across Nigeria. Together, we must act decisively to protect our people, our environment, and our future”.
Engr. Momoh outlined the specific challenges afflicting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Niger Delta region.
Rising temperatures and drought in the North Central region are threatening agricultural productivity, while pollution and erratic rainfall are endangering water resources such as the Niger and Benue rivers.
In the North East, desertification and reduced rainfall are accelerating the expansion of the Sahara Desert, displacing communities and fueling conflicts.
He said the North West has seen unpredictable rainfall result in severe flooding, damaging infrastructure and displacing residents.
In the South East, heavy rains cause gully erosion and landslides, destroying property and forcing people to abandon their homes.
Coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and oil pollution are severely degrading the ecosystems of the South South region, while the South West grapples with urban flooding caused by inadequate drainage and rising sea levels, posing threats to public health and economic activity.
The centerpiece of the Ministry’s presentation was the launch of the Niger Delta Climate Change Programme and Action Plan (NDRCCP-AP), a detailed strategy designed to address the specific vulnerabilities of the Niger Delta.
The Minister explained that nearly all the region’s primary forests have been lost due to human activity, oil exploration, and acid rain, further compounding the effects of climate change.
“This action plan prioritizes sustainable development, low-carbon growth, and poverty alleviation,” Engr. Momoh said.
The plan includes sustainable livelihood projects aimed at empowering small-scale farmers, mangrove reforestation for carbon sequestration and soil stabilization, and flood and erosion control projects supported by early warning systems.
Capacity-building initiatives are also a key component, focusing on equipping stakeholders with the tools needed to enhance climate governance and response efforts.
Aligned with Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the NDRCCP-AP emphasizes the integration of adaptation and mitigation projects to build resilience and foster sustainable growth.
The Minister called for strengthened partnerships with both local and international stakeholders to secure funding and support for the plan.
“We cannot tackle this challenge alone. Climate action requires robust collaboration across governments, businesses, and communities,” he noted.
The Ministry also reiterated the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources, addressing deforestation, and leveraging technology to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience.
As COP29 continues, Nigeria’s contributions underscore its dedication to addressing the global climate crisis while ensuring sustainable development.
Engr. Momoh concluded with a resounding appeal for collective action: “Together, we must act now to secure a safer and more sustainable future for Nigeria and the world.”
[TheNation]
More...
Nigerian music superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has received a brand-new Escalade 600 SUV as a birthday gift from car dealer Mr. Jay Autos.
On November 21, 2024, the award-winning singer celebrated his 32nd birthday.
To mark the occasion, the businessman, who operates under the Instagram handle @M_Jautos, announced the lavish gift on social media.
Sharing pictures of the sleek vehicle, which features plush black leather seats and screens attached to the headrests, Mr. Jay Autos expressed his admiration for the DMW record label boss.
He acknowledged Davido’s unwavering support for his business over the years and conveyed his gratitude in the caption: “Happy Birthday Oriade @davido cheers to many more years. Shipping this out immediately to your desired location. Waiting on your directive!!!”
Reacting to the news, Davido took to his Instagram story to express his gratitude.
He wrote, “Wow!!! Thank you J!!!”
The gesture adds to the excitement surrounding Davido and his birthday celebrations.
Earlier, the singer announced a ₦300 million donation to orphanages and a charity working to combat drug abuse among young Nigerians, solidifying his commitment to philanthropy.
Bernard Odoh says President Bola Tinubu was wrong to sack him as vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra state.
In an interview on AriseTV on November 21, Odoh said since he was not appointed vice-chancellor through a press release, he cannot be removed through a press release.
On November 20, Tinubu dissolved the governing council of the university and sacked the institution’s vice-chancellor and registrar.
Odoh was described as “unqualified” for the role of vice-chancellor of the university, in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.
“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process,” the statement reads.
“After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.
“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.”
‘TINUBU ILL-ADVISED’
Odoh said he was qualified for the position of vice-chancellor of UNIZIK. He added that his appointment followed due process.
“I’m qualified for this position. Three assessors assessed me. I became a professor on October 1, 2015,” he said.
“I applied for the position. I applied and was appointed. I’m not imposing myself on the institution. But the issue of not being a professor is all lies. People paid to remove my records from a university.
“I’m not disobeying Mr. President, but it is the governing council that will recommend my sack.”
Odoh said the case against his appointment is before the federal high court in Abuja and an industrial court. He added that Tinubu and Tunji Alausa, education minister, should have waited for the verdict of the courts before booting him out.
“The minister jumped the gun. The court has not ruled on this matter. I cannot be removed through a press release,” he said.
“There was no panel of inquiry. I was not appointed through a press release. The visitor (Tinubu) has not invited me to hear my side of the story.”
Odoh also said the forces who “ganged up against me” played the ethnic card.
He said by leaving the university without a vice-chancellor, governing council and registrar, Tinubu has fomented crisis in UNIZIK.
“I’m from Ebonyi state. We are regarded as third class people. People feel I’m not qualified because I come from Ebonyi state,” he added.
“I am going to the university to ensure that activities and accreditation go on. No vice-chancellor, no registrar, no governing council?
“People have ganged up to remove me at all costs. The federal ministry of education is introducing a crisis on campus. I am an alumnus of this university. It pains me that the university is being destroyed.
“Mr. President must have been ill-advised. He can remove me but only through the council.
“The governing council is being punished for following due process to appoint me. I don’t know the offence I have committed.”
[TheCable]
UNIZIK Crisis: Okechukwu hails Tinubu for sacking governing council, nullifying illegal appointments
Admin
A foundation member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Mr. Osita Okechukwu has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sacking the controversial Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK), led by Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe.
Okechukwu who is the immediate past Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), also lauded the President for nullifying the unprecedented and illegal imposition of an Associate Professor, Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike as the Registrar.
Okechukwu said he is commending President Tinubu for halting the culture of impunity which had characterized most appointments from the South East geopolitical zone.
He appealed to Mr President to watch out for such sordid impunity each time he requests for names from South East, as our leaders are wont to nominate puppets.
Okechukwu maintained that the low votes recorded in the South East geopolitical zone in past elections were mainly consequent upon of lack of due diligence and the inordinate penchant for reckless nomination.
“Mr President kindly take note as we approach the 2027 presidential election that it seems our leaders are afraid to forward their first eleven. And if such sordid scenario continues Mr President don’t expect vote mobilisers in your ranks from the South East geopolitical zone.” Okechukwu submitted.
It could be recalled that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo, announced the dissolution of the council and sack of the new appointees, in a statement earlier today. Onanuga explained that the sacking of the entire members of the Governing Council, followed reports that they subverted due process in the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the 23-year old University.
A United States-based Nigerian, Ifeanyi Ozoh, has been sentenced to 72 months in prison for his role in a $6m bribery scheme aimed at defrauding a US insurance company, Medicaid, through kickbacks.
Ozoh was also ordered to pay a sum of $4.9m as restitution to the insurance company with a three-year post-release supervision.
This was announced in a statement by US Attorney Alamdar Hamdani, published on the US Department of Justice website on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that 54-year-old Ozoh was sentenced following his conviction for conspiring to pay bribes to bring patients who were registered under the Medicaid insurance to a non-existent clinic in the guise of receiving treatment which was used to receive claims from the insurance company.
The statement read, “A 54-year-old man has been sentenced following his conviction for conspiring to pay and receive health care kickbacks and payment of kickbacks to marketers, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
“A federal jury deliberated for an hour following a three-day trial before finding Ifeanyi Ozoh guilty on all counts February 14.
“The US District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Ozoh to serve 72 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Ozoh was also ordered to pay restitution to Medicaid for $4.9 million.
“At the hearing, the court heard Ozoh was integral to the kickback scheme as he bribed marketers and parents to bring their Medicaid-insured children to a sham dental clinic.”
In handing down the sentence, the court noted the overwhelming evidence of Ozoh’s guilt presented at trial.”
Ozoh, who lived in Houston, Texas, reportedly worked for a dental clinic known as Floss Family Dentalcare Centre. The clinic filed an insurance claim from Medicaid for $6m and received a payment of over $4m.
It continued that marketers for the insurance had testified against Ozoh to have paid them between $20 and $100 for each Medicaid-insured child referred to Floss.
“The marketers testified that Ozoh secretly paid them in cash and out of sight of other witnesses, sometimes putting their illegal kickback payments on top of a vending machine down the hall from the clinic.
“One clinic manager testified that she repeatedly warned Ozoh that paying marketers was illegal. The jury also heard that Ozoh paid out over $163,000 in bribes to marketers and received bonuses for reaching a quota of patients.
“From 2020 to 2021, Floss billed Medicaid over $6m. Floss received over $4m on those claims, most of which were predicated on a kickback paid to marketers and for dental services that were not provided.”
The statement concluded that the judgement however permitted Ozoh “to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.”