Pontiff will visit Mexico in 2016

Pope Francis has confirmed that he will visit Mexico in 2016.

Francis has expressed a desire to visit the country in the past and even considered entering the U.S. from Mexico during his September trip in a sign of solidarity with immigrants.
The pontiff touched on issues of immigrations frequently during his trip to the United States in September.

When he spoke to Americans from outside of the White House on Sept. 23, the pope said, " As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families. "

No specific dates or programs are set for the 2016 trip, but The Guardian reports that the pontiff is expected to visit an area of the border where undocumented immigrants try to cross into the U.S.

Meanwhile, Francis will be visiting Africa in November 2015.  with high rise in Islamic extremism and Christian- Muslim  violence, which are Kenya, Uganda and Central African
Republic.

BSU Remedial (Pre-Science) Application Deadline 2015/2016 Extended

The sale of forms for admission into the Preliminary Science programme of Benue State University, Makurdi for the 2015/2016 academic Session which formerly was to close on the 2nd October, 2015 has been extended to Wednesday, 2nd December, 2015.

The decision to extend the application exercise was taken by the Management in order to enable more applicants process their admission online since many of the intending applicants are yet to
apply and need more time to do so.

Saraki, Dogora lead lawmakers to Villa for closed-door meeting with President

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hold a closed- door meeting with the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja , by 9pm today, October 7.

  It was gathered Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara will lead other lawmakers to the meeting. As at press time, it is not clear what the meeting would center on, but it

Ministerial List: Here Are The 3 Women Who Made It

President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list has finally been unveiled after months of waiting.
On Tuesday, October 6, the Senate President Bukola Saraki made public the names of those on the list submitted to it by President Buhari last week. Only three women made it to the list which contains 20 names. They are Aisha Alhassan, Kemi Adeosun and Amina Mohammed.

1. Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan She’s the president’s ministerial nominee representing Taraba. Born on September 16, 1959, Al-Hassan is a Nigerian politician who won the senatorial seat for Taraba North constituency of Taraba state in the April
2011 federal elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She was one of four women elected on the PDP platform.

She later decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC) where she clinched the party’s governorship ticket for the 2015 general elections. This victory saw her become the first female to clinch the governorship ticket on the platform of the APC in the state. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared the April 11 polls in the state inconclusive . She was however, defeated in the election re-run held on April 25, 2015, and failed to become Nigeria’s first female democratically elected governor. During the campaign period, Buhari had urged Taraba state natives to support Al-Hassan, saying the APC was committed to women’s rights and empowerment.

2. Kemi Adeosun She is the president’s ministerial nominee representing Ogun. Adeosun, who hails from Ogun state, was born in 1967. She served as the commissioner of finance in her state. She was born and bred in London. A graduate of Economics from the University of East London, she is a finance professional with over 23-year experience gained in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Institutes of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales, as well as Nigeria. Adeosun is referred to by some as ‘the Diezani of Ogun state’.

She is on the list proposed new commissioners which Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state forwarded to the state House of Assembly for approval recently.

3. Amina J. Mohammed She is the president’s ministerial nominee representing Kaduna. Born in 1961, she was appointed the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning on June 7, 2012. She worked as a senior adviser to the Nigerian  president on Millennium Development Goals for six years. She worked in the United Nations Millennium Project as a coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and Education between 2002 and 2005. Amina, whose mother is a Caucasian, is said to be an indigene of Gombe state.

How the names are announced;
Senator Babajide Omoworare, representing Osun East senatorial district, spoke to reporters in the morning of October 6, 2015 before the reading of Buhari’s ministerial list commenced.

In a brief interview he told more about the proceedings, explained how the ministerial screening in 2015 will be different of what the lawmakers had in the past.

Abdulsalami Abubakar Tells How To Defeat Boko Haram

Former transition military ruler of Nigeria, who succeeded Sani Abacha and given powers to Olusegun Obasanjo, has told what is needed to defeat Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Abdulsalami Abubakar says natonal untiy needed to help the govt fight BH General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), told that to defeat Boko Haram militants, Nigerians should become more vigilant and give more support to the government in its
fight against the infamous insurgents.

“ We can’t leave solution to insecurity to the government alone or for our leaders alone to fight this menace, ” Abdulsalami Abubakar told, adding that “ our country today is bedevilled by all types of insecurity, from kidnapping to Boko Haram and all sorts of terrorism. This is an issue that should involve every Nigerian. We all must assist the government and security agencies to
find solution and the way forward on how to curb this menace. ”

The former transitional military Nigeria’s made that statement on Wednesday in Minna during the opening ceremony of the security meeting organised by Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies and Pan-African Strategic and Policy Group.

The meeting gathered retired and serving military personnel, the traditional rulers and north-eastern leaders. Meanwhile, Boko Haram, the deadly jihadist sect plaguing the northeast of Nigeria, has released a new video in which an unidentified militant re-affirmed the insurgents’ allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

In pledging the allegiance to ISIS and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Boko Haram spokesman asserted that the terrorist group, which only recently has been known as IS West Africa Province, was still under the leadership
of Abubakar Shekau.

Boko Haram suspects have reportedly attacked two mosques in Gubio town of Borno state killing scores of people. The terrorists came before the evening prayers on Tuesday, October 6, and planted explosives in the mosques.

Happening Now! Boko Haram Terrorists Attacking Yobe Town

Reports reaching us have it that suspected members of dreaded Islamist Sect, Boko Haram are presently trying to invade Geidam, a village in Yobe state.

According to vanguard reports, members of the
terrorists group are presently firing shots everywhere around the town and are trying frantically to invade the town and perpetrate destructive acts on residents.

Geidam, which is a border town between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic, is also about 180 kilometers from the state capital, Damaturu.
One of the residents said that he noticed the movement of seven pick-up vans believed to be conveying members of the terrorist group moving through the town.

“There had been ceaseless shooting. Everyone is indoor right now and no one can say exactly what is happening outside but I saw seven pick-up vans coming into the town from the direction of Niger Republic,” he said, while another resident said that military re-enforcements were being expected from Gashua and Damaturu. As at the time of filing this report, the military spokesperson could not be reached for his comment, but the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP

Toyin Gbadegesin, confirmed the attack, saying: “the militants are currently making efforts to invade the town but security forces on ground are well in control of the situation.”

He also urged them to remain calm and go about their normal businesses as he called on them “to continue to partner with security agents towards the restoration of peace in the state and the country at large.”

Some tweets from the state confirmed the attacks on the residents, who say they have been unable to leave their homes.

Below are some of them:

BH has used this tactic repeatedly. Skirmish in
Damaturu to divert attention then mass attack in
Geidam. We shoulda been prepared.

— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) October 7, 2015
We cannot continue this daily ululating of captured BH sponsors when incidents like this Geidam BH attack blindside us. We need to do better

— Tunde Leye (@tundeleye) October 7, 2015
Geidam LGA, Yobe Stare under intense BH attack since 12noon today. BH may be trying to relieve its forces under pressure in Borno

— Muhammad (@mysanda) October 7, 2015
@mysanda reports say BH has overwhelmed the
‘small’ army contingent in Geidam town. Prayers for out ppl, pls

— Muhammad (@mysanda) October 7, 2015
@JanguzaArewa they were seen around midday,
evening a curfew was announced. Now Baimari is under attack also

— Muhammad (@mysanda) October 7, 2015
This attack is following a series of attacks by the insurgents as they are trying to fight off stiff opposition from the Nigerian troops, who have repeatedly stated that they are winning the war against insurgents.

Nigerians have also blasted President Muhammadu Buhari as they claimed he is a liar following repeated attacks by the insurgents and a recent release of another video
by the insurgents to state that they cannot be
destroyed by the Nigerian troops and that their leader, Abubakar Shekau, is still alive .

'i have left PDP, but i will not join APC'

Chief Edwin Clark , former Federal commissioner for information said he has left the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Ijaw leader was a supporter of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Punch reports that clark said this when the Think Nigeria First Initiative, paid him a courtesy visit at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. However, Clark said he would not join the rulling party, APC

FUTMINNA Admission List 2015/2016 Released

This is to inform aspirants of Federal University Minna that they can now check their admission status on the school website.

To check your status visit www.eportal.futminna.edu.ng/adms/login.php

Enter your JAMB Reg Number and any of your names in the spaces provided.

Click on "Submit" to access your admission status.

Note:All candidates are to make sure they check their Post UTME result before login.

Admitted candidates are advised to check if their admission has reflected on JAMB's website and then request for their jamb Admission Letter. This document authenticates your
admission.

All Successful admitted students of the Federal University of Technology Minna for 2015/2016 academic session are to pay acceptance fee (N20,250.00 bank charges inclusive) using the
following procedures:

STEPS:

1. Login to the student portal via this link:
https://eportal.futminna.edu.ng/

2. click on ‘Tab 2’ to request for Student’s ID and Password.
(a) Enter your JAMB registration number (10 characters) and one of your names
in the space provided and click ‘Submit’
(b) After clicking the submit button a page appears with your Student’s ID and Password created.

3.Use the student’s id and password to logon to the student’s portal using ‘Tab 1’
(a) Enter Student ID and Password and click on ‘Submit’
(b) If login is successful your admission data page will be displayed. Fill the form below and click on the button "Update Admission Data and Continue"

4. Click on "2015/2016 Acceptance fee" to 'PayNow'.

5. Please confirm payment detail and then click on 'submit payment' button.

6. Payment is done through Debit Card (MasterCard - Most Recommended) or (Interswitch mag stripe)

7. Enter ATM Debit card details (Card number, expiry date, CW2 i.e. the 3 digits behind your card, and pin number)
Note: This automatically debits N20,250

8. If payment is successful, the screen will display your payment details.

9. Click on the print button to print the your payment slip.

10. If payment is unsuccessful, click on the "REQUERY" link four (4) times to confirm the status of your transaction. Ensure that your account has not been debited before initiating a new payment.

Note: After payment of acceptance fee, regularly check on the
University home page for the commencement of registration.

#Congratulations

EFCC seeks forfeiture of ex- Oyo HOS property, 11 others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday asked an Oyo State High Court to order the forfeiture of the properties belonging to a former Head of Service of the state, Alhaja Kudirat Adeleke and 11 others.

The defendants are facing a 213-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, fraud and forgery.

Adeleke and the 11 others were dragged before the Court for allegedly defrauding the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board of N5.6 billion. Other accused persons are: Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Musenbiq, Muili Adedamola, Adeduntan Johnson, Bosede Johnson, Kareem Rasheed, Olujimi Adebayo and Adewale Kehinde. At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the case was however stalled, when counsels to the fendants said they were not served with the counter affidavit by the EFCC.

Mr Richard Ogunwole (SAN), counsel to Adeleke, Mr Ayoade Okunade, the counsel to Aderemi and other counsels for the defendants, informed the court that they had not been served by the EFCC. In his reaction, Mr Kayode Oni, the EFCC’s counsel, told the court that he just took over the case from the former counsel handling the matter. Oni countered that, based on the briefing he had, all the defendants’ counsels had been served with the counter affidavit.

He, however, prayed for an adjournment so as to serve the defendants since they were insisting that they were not served. Justice Muktar Abimbola adjourned the case till Nov. 4 for hearing.

President orders investigations on EFCC boss

President Muhammadu Buhari is said to have ordered an investigation on EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde over his involvement in various fraudulent acts and his inability to account for about one Trillion Naira seized money.

Vanguard reports that the Investigation is being carried out by the office of the National security Adviser and that the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services have also been summoned on the investigations. More details coming soon.

Hand washing with soap reduces diarrhoea related deaths by 30%

Mr Tim Kellow , Country Director, Concern Universal , an NGO, has urged Nigerians to wash their hands with soap at critical times, saying it reduces diarrhoea related deaths by 30 per cent.

Kellow told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that no fewer than 150, 000 children die from diarrhoea diseases caused by poor hygiene practices in the country.

According to him, imbibing hand washing culture is more cost effective than treating water sources or water point- of-use.

He said the group was implementing sanitation and hygiene project in Nigeria , which aims at empowering no fewer than two million rural people to sustainably improve their sanitation practices.

This, he said, would go a long way to secure human dignity for everyone in such communities. The country director said three Local Governments each in Benue and Cross River states were benefiting from the project, with the sole target of ending open defecation in
the country. Kellow said hygiene was the most important intervention for human development, saying this should be encouraged by everyone in its entirety.

He said through the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme, more people have been encouraged to change their behavioural practices towards hygiene promotion.

Those people also called natural leaders, he said, act as activists and enthusiasts that drive sanitation and hygiene improvements in the communities.

" They act as environmental and health officers to their communities; they go about telling people about the dangers of open defecation and others, ” he said. He said it was a matter of regret that Nigeria was still lagging behind in achieving improved access to basic sanitation and hygiene.

He, therefore, called for more awareness to enable more Nigerians to be accustomed with the benefits of hygiene and sanitation, saying this was necessary to reducing preventable deaths.

Kellow also emphasised the role of parents in educating their children and wards on the importance of washing their hands after going to toilets and before eating. He stressed the need for private individuals and industrialists to take ownership of sanitation in their local communities.

Kellow noted that this would go a long way in reducing the spread of preventable diseases.
He said it will also boost healthy living, thereby, making the populace to be more productive towards increasing the nation’s prosperity.

According to the 2015 WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme Progress on sanitation and drinking water, one in three people or 2.4 billion people lacked access to water and sanitation facilities globally.

The report showed that no fewer than 1,000 under-five children die each day from diarrhoea caused by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene compared to over 2, 000 children, 15 years ago.

'It's no longer business as usual', President calls for speedy prosecution of 'govt thieves'

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Britain and Switzerland to speed up 'the processes of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices'.

He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, at separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors to Nigeria, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence.

He applauded the renewed support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria. Buhari noted that British, Swiss and other foreign anti- crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

‘‘Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

‘‘It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual.

"I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

"He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,’’ the President told the new British High Commissioner, Mr Paul Arkwright.

In his remarks, Arkwright assured him of Britain's
preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources. ‘‘We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

"Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance,’’ the British High Commissioner assured the President.

President Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr Eric Mayoraz , that his country would expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.

‘‘I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible,’’ the President added.

The President also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr Saleh Fhied Saleh , the Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr Peter Holasek.