85 Students Would be Awarded 1st-Class as UNN Graduates 13,554

Eighty Five persons will be awarded 1st Class Honours certificates at the 45th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) which will take place on Friday and Saturday this week.

Vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, disclosed this yesterday while briefing reporters as part of activities marking the 45th Convocation Ceremony.

Ozumba disclosed that the University will award over 13, 554 first degree and diploma certificates to deserving young men and women who had been found worthy in character and in learning, Breakdown of the figure according to class of the degrees and certificates include:

First Class Honours 85
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) 3,040
Second Class Honours (Lower Division) 7,286
Third Class Honours 2,237
Pass 257
Diploma 176
Associateship Certificate in Education 4
Ozumba announced that the university resolved to confer honorary doctorate degrees on five distinguished Nigerians:

1. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe;
2. Former Inspector General of Police. Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie; 3. Ambassador Godwin Alaoma Onyegbula and
4. Prince Arthur Eze (OFR), would be conferred with the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Adminislration (Honoris Causa), while
5. Hon. Justice Eze Ozobu would receive Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Honoris Causa).

The honourees were selected based on their altruistic and dedicated services to our country and humanity in their chosen fields of endeavor.

Similarly, we have also listed 19 of our eminent Professors for the title of Professor Emeritus. Those selected had distinguished themselves academically and are still making contributions to knowledge through their publications, inventions and creativity.”

ESUT Registration Procedure for Undergraduates – 2015/16

Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT registration procedure for fresh and stale undergraduate students for the 2015/2016 academic session.



This is to inform all fresh (UTME and Direct Entry) and returning students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) that the management of the institution has released the registration process flow for the 2015/2016 academic session.

ESUT registration process flow can be downloaded from the links below:

]ESUT Freshmen Registration Procedure (.PDF) http://www.myschoolgist.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/esut-fresh-students-registration.pdf ]

ESUT Returning Students Registration Procedure (.pdf)

FUTA: To Finish Well, Abide With God – Pastor Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has reiterated the need to start and abide with God so as to finish well. He stated this during a special Holy Ghost Service held at the Sports Centre of the Federal University of Technology, Akure on Friday, February 12, 2016.



The renowned preacher leading a Bible Study preceding the Holy Ghost service said any intelligent human being should always ask himself “how do I end my life”, because life’s race is not about how fast one can run, but how well one ends it. He said to finish well, one should not put one’s trust in human being because they can disappoint. He also said academic knowledge acquired outside Jesus Christ is foolishness.

His words “There are many today who are highly learned, but yet not wise. That is why you come across foolish doctors who smoke in spite of the warning that tobacco smoking is injurious to one’s health. That is also why you see lawyers, who should be custodians of laws in the land committing crimes. But James 1:5 said it all that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God”.

Pastor Adeboye also warned against putting one’s trust in wealth, position or achievements. Quoting copiously from the scripture, he said “no amount of money you have will bring you perfect satisfaction”. He called on all to be satisfied with whatever God gives because it is possible to be rich today and be poor tomorrow.

At the main service titled “Jesus Christ, The Way” with John 14:6 as scripture, the cleric said no one in the world history has said “I am the way”, only Jesus did. This is because there is a difference between a way and the way.

According to him, the way is specific with no ambiguity, leading to a specific destination. He further said no religious leader has ever announced his coming like Jesus did.

Delving into the topic the teacher and preacher of the word said Jesus is “the way out of” – He is the way out of sickness and out of failure. Quoting Philippians 4:13, he said only Christ is the hope that never fails.

Pastor Adeboye also said Jesus is “the way into”. He is the way into success in academic, business and all life endeavours. He said “success does not come by hard work, but by Christ who is the way into”.

He further described Jesus as the way forward, taking one out of stagnation because God never go back or stay put, he always goes forward. Citing the Israelites’ experience in Exodus 14:15 at the Red Sea, he said even in most difficult situations God always says move forward and prophesied that FUTA will continue to move forward in spite of all challenges around her.

The cleric further said Jesus is the way upward, lifting one up in all situations of life. He is also the way where there is no way and whenever he says one should go forward, he would have made a way out because he has the ability to reverse the irreversible.
Pastor Adeboye finally said Jesus is the only way, leading people out of sin to true freedom. He said “for any one or any organization to have breakthrough, Jesus Christ is crucial because no one should continue in sin that grace may abound£.

He urged all at FUTA, from the leader to the led to live their lives to please God and prophesied that FUTA will soar high.
At an altar call, about 4,000 gave their lives while some responded to the call to denounce membership of cult. He prayed for breakthrough for staff and students of the Institution.

In his address, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who attended the service with his wife Olukemi and some of his close lieutenants, said “On behalf of the government and people of Ondo State, we welcome Daddy G. O. to Akure. We have no doubt in our minds that each time our nation is at cross roads, we always see the hands of God and we know it’s because of people like you standi

VIDEO: Banky W & Chidinma – “All I Want Is You”

The Song produced by T.K; the video was Written, Produced & Directed by Banky W for EME & TILT Productions, and shot in Lagos Nigeria.

Banky playfully takes on tribalism with this video… it’s a modern day Nigerian Love story, where we see Banky & Chidinma’s characters falling for each other, despite the disapproval of her parents (two of Nigeria’s most legendary and iconic Entertainers, Zack Orji & Onyeka Onwenu). In these days when the term #YorubaDemons has both been a cause for humor and concern, the video playfully shows just what lengths one can go to fight for the chance to love.

Enjoy!


DOWNLOAD VIDEO: Banky W & Chidinma – “All I Want Is You”

Nigerian-American Wins At 2016 Grammys

Kevin Olusola, an American based Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, also won at the just concluded Grammy Awards.

Kevin, who is part of the group Pentatonix, won in the ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ category with his group. This will be the second time the group would be winning same award.





KO as Kevin is popularly known, also performed alongside legendary singer, Stevie Wonder with his group at the award ceremony.

Congrats to KO and his group.

Davido And Wande Coal Set To Work On New Music

2016 is definitely going to be a great one musically for Davido.

The talented musician, days back announced he will be working with American rapper, T.I and his label act, Shina Rambo. Just two days ago, he again made another announcement.

Davido, took to twitter to reveal that he will be working with Wande Coal on a new song.



He tweeted:

ME AND @wandecoal BOUTTA SHUT SHIT DOWN!!!

Wande Coal also confirmed the news, tweeting some minutes ago that:

Iskaba they dunno.

The pair worked on a song together back in 2012, with Wande featuring on Davido’s song, ‘Throw way.’

Three army generals' sons molest 18-year-old girl in Chad

Reports emanating from Republic of Chad have it that three young men whose fathers are army generals have molested an 18-year-old girl.

The three young men, who perpetrated the said act with the son of a minister of foreign affairs, reportedly videoed the girl while the action lasted.

According to PM News, the four young men are yet to be arrested by security authority, a situation which has the authority has sparked widespread protest in the country resulting in the death of a 15-year old protester.

Zouhoura Mahamat Brahim Ali was raped by some sons of army generals.

Mahamat Hassan, a Chadian-American who resides in Brooklyn, USA, informed that the authorities have refused to act on the matter and in a message to PM News, explained that the incident occurred on February 8, 2016.

He wrote: “An 18-year old girl was kidnapped at gun point in front of her school (HEC Tchad College). No one could any anything about it because the five kidnapers are sons of military generals and the minister of foreign affairs in Chad.

“This girl was kidnapped to a remote location out of the capital city (Ndjamena) and they raped her while she was crying and begging them not to do so.

“Moreover, they videotaped her and published it on social media. The girls’ name is Zouhoura Mahamat Brahim Ali. This incident sparked the social media in outrage and anger. However, the Chadian authority including the President Idriss Deby Itno had to express his sympathy on Facebook.

“People from all around the world are expressing their support and demand for justice for Zouhoura which is not enough. There are some hashtags initiated such #jesuiszouhoura and #justicepourzouhoura, they have been on Facebook and have been active for the last couple days.”
While lamenting the refusal of the security authorities to accost the offenders, Hassan stated that it may never happen because their parents are influential in the society.

“The key issue here is that the victim won’t get any justice because those rapists have not even been arrested or will go through prosecution because of their parent’s status in the country.

“The victim was forced to be interviewed on the Chadian national TV to calm the situation and to ask the people not to protest.

“After her interview with the Chadian TV, she released a video stating that she needs the support and urged the population to go out and protest so that the those criminals would get arrested and prosecuted.

“Thousands of people peacefully protested on Monday and as a result the police killed an innocent 15-year boy named Hassan Abachou. All we are seeking is an international pressure on the Chadian government to prosecute those criminals,” Hassan explained further.

He listed the perpetrators’ names as:

1) Mahamat Baradine (his father a general)

2) Salahdine Moussa Faki (the son of the minister of foreign affairs)

3) Abdraman Djounnga (his father is a general)

4) Mahamat Bichara ( his father is a general)

5) Hassan (Unidentified)

“I personally don’t know the victim or am I related to her, and the reason I am writing to you is that I cannot resist seeing an awful crime committed against an 18 year old and do nothing about it,” he added.

I’m not ready for trial - Dasuki

Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, today told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was not ready for his trial to be continued.

Speaking at the hearing of the money laundering charges filed against him by the Department of State Security DSS today February 16th, speaking through his Counsel, Joseph Dauda, Dasuki said he will not be available for the trial until the Federal government obey the court orders that granted him bail last year.

Dasuki was re-arrested by the DSS on fresh charges of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms after he had fulfilled bail conditions for separate charges filed against him by EFCC.

Counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Dauda, while presenting his argument to the judge, said “We cannot be ready for trial until the defendant enjoys his constitutional rights.

We apply that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights. The worst is that for about seven weeks we do not know where he is. Any of us here who proceeds to defend an accused person in this circumstance may lose his license of practice.”he said
The judge adjourned the hearing to March 3rd.

There is no resurgence of Boko Haram despite recent attacks – FG

The Federal Government has said the recent spate of attacks by Boko Haram is not an indication of any resurgence by Boko Haram, insisting that the terrorist group remains largely decimated, dispersed and disoriented.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said anyone who is conversant with the technicalities of insurgency will not be surprised by the attacks.

”During the immediate period after an insurgency has been degraded, the fact that terrorists are dispersed into the community is often followed by an upsurge of terror attacks in the form of suicide bombing and sabotage of critical facilities.

Activities during these period are often carried out within population and against soft targets or vulnerable groups. There is often apprehension in the community that terrorism is getting worse, even though, in reality, insurgency has been weakened as a cohesive terror force. This is the current phase of insurgency in the country,” he said.

While strongly condemning the attacks and commiserating with the families of those who were killed, Lai Mohammed appealed for caution in the comments being made over the attacks so as not to provide succour for Boko Haram, which thrives on propaganda.

”Many commentators have latched on to these attacks to infer a resurgence of Boko Haram, while some have even made outrageous statements regarding the territories controlled by Boko Haram.

Fortunately, no less a personality than the President, strongly backed by the Governors of Borno and Yobe, has debunked such unsubstantiated claims. Gentlemen, there is no resurgence of Boko Haram. The terrorists remain massively degraded and largely defeated. The recent string of attacks is not an indication that Boko Haram is bouncing back,” he said.

The Minister also insisted that Nigerians owe the military total support in its ongoing battle to consolidate the great achievements it has recorded in the fight against Boko Haram. ”We want to appeal to all not to say or do anything that will demoralize our gallant men and women in uniform, who are daily fighting – and sometimes paying the supreme price – so that we can all be safe. Having travelled to the theatre of operations myself, I have seen the huge sacrifices of our military. They deserve nothing but our undiluted support. This is the best form of appreciation we can show them at this time. Anything else is counter-productive. Commendation, not condemnation. Support, not second guessing. That’s what we owe the gallant troops,” he said.

On what the government is doing to end the spate of attacks, especially against highly-vulnerable communities, Lai Mohammed said appropriate measures, in line with global best practices, were being taken to ensure an effective response.
”These include the strengthening of intelligence and security, especially in the affected communities, and the stepping up of the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts. While these efforts are going on, the government enjoins members of the public to be vigilant; security conscious, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing information on suspicious and strange objects, activities and persons in their communities. By doing these, we will be denying terrorists a safe haven and the opportunity to carry out their atrocities,” he said.

The Minister reiterated the efforts made by the Administration, in the past nine months, to effectively tackle Boko Haram, saying:

”The Administration has succeeded in galvanizing our neighbouring countries and the global community, including major powers, towards the defeat of insurgency and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the communities and population most affected by terrorism. Boko Haram has been dislodged from their occupied territories; thousands of their captives have been set free; their capacity to operate as a troop moving in convoy of vehicles and motor cycles to launch attacks on communities and military formations has been neutralized. In essence, the insurgents have been effectively denied territory or sanctuary and are now in disarray. Scattered, demoralized and hungry, they have resorted to terror tactics available to a degraded and defeated insurgent group. The fact that they operate in a few local governments does not equate to holding and controlling territories. We must make that distinction".

Vice President Osinbajo speaks in favour of closer ties with UK

The Federal Government has directed the Ministry of Trade and Investment to raise the ease of doing business to attract more foreign investors to the country.

This was disclosed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he received a United Kingdom Trade Mission led by Nigerian member of the House of Commons, Kate Osamor, at the State House.

He said the Buhari administration is eager to remove other obstacles militating against investments.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
He said the administration was looking forward to encouraging UK businesses, especially those willing to work with the administration in providing road, rail, agriculture and power infrastructure in Nigeria.

The vice president said the federal government was prepared to develop the agriculture value chain for economic prosperity and job creation.

On power supply, he assured that the government plans to have an energy-mix that would increase power supply nationwide to enable those living in rural areas.


He disclosed that the administration had removed the obstacles hindering the development of the Azura power project in Edo which would add 450 megawatts to the National Grid.
Osamor, who represents Edmonton, London, told journalists that the mission was in the country to discuss with trade companies that were willing to work with Nigeria.

British MP Kate Osamor
She said that the Vice President had provided the mission with an overview of the direction of the government in education, transportation, rail and power supply.

“He spoke about five or six aims; he wants to work on construction, building on the roads, rails, education and the delegation wants to work closely with the organisations that are here,’’ she said.

Osamor said that she is particularly interested in raising the level of education of the public, adding that those in the diaspora would build schools and improve the quality of teachers to wipe out illiteracy.


Mr Emmanuel Obasi, Director and Board member of Africa House in London, said the group was keen on promoting the trade and investment relationship between UK and sub-Sahara Africa.

He said the mission was satisfied with the anti-corruption fight of the administration which and that the mission would assist in technical training and technology transfer needed in the country.

“We have that in stock and we hope Nigeria will take advantage of that because a lot of African countries need that technology,” he said.
“Here we are in Nigeria and we hope that the people will take it now.”

Grammys 2016 Winners: The Complete List

The 58th Annual Grammy Awards just ended and a handful of your favorite pop, rock, rap and country stars have already been named winners for their work this past year.


LL Cool J hosted this year's festivities, which was held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. See below for a full list of 2016 Grammy Awards winners:



*Best New Artist*
Meghan Trainor

*Best Rock Performance*
Alabama Shakes, "Don't Wanna Fight"

*Best Musical Theater Album*
Hamilton

*Song of the Year*
Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

*Best Country Album*
Chris Stapleton, Traveller

*Best Rap Album *
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly

*Best Pop Duo/Group Performance*
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"

*Best Rap/Sung Collaboration*
Kendrick Lamar feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat, "These Walls"

*Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album*
Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern

*Best Pop Solo Performance*
Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"

*Best Rap Song*
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

*Best Alternative Music Album*
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color

*Best Rock Album*
Muse, Drones

*Best Rap Performance*
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"

*Best Rock Song*
Alabama Shakes, "Don't Wanna Fight"

*Best R&B Album*
D'Angelo and the Vanguard, Black Messiah

*Best Urban Contemporary Album* The Weeknd,
Beauty Behind the Madness

*Best R&B Performance*
The Weeknd, "Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)"

*Best R&B Song*
D'Angelo and The Vanguard, "Really Love"

*Best Traditional R&B Performance*
Lalah Hathaway, "Little Ghetto Boy"

*Best Dance/Electronic Album*
Skrillex and Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü

*Best Dance Recording*
Skrillex and Diplo With Justin Bieber, "Where Are Ü Now"

*Best Music Video*
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Bad Blood"

*Best Country Duo/Group*
Performance: Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"

*Best Country Song*
Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"

*Best Music Film*
Amy Winehouse, Amy

*Best Rap/Song Collaboration*
Common & John Legend, "Glory"

*Best Pop Vocal Album*
Taylor Swift, 1989

*Best Country Solo Performance*
Chris Stapleton, "Traveller"

*Best Contemporary Christian Music Album*
Tobymac, This Is Not a Test

*Best Roots Gospel Album*
The Fairfield Four, Still Rockin' My Soul

*Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album*
Pitbull, Dale

*Best Latin Pop Album*
Ricky Martin, A Quien Quiera Escuchar (Deluxe Edition)

*Best Comedy Album*
Louis C.K., Live at Madison Square Garden

*Best Spoken Word Album*
Jimmy Carter, A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety

*Score Soundtrack for Visual Media*
Birdman

*Best Gospel Album*
Israel & Newbreed, Covered: Alive Is Asia [Live] (Deluxe)

*Best Gospel Performance/Song*
Kirk Franklin, "Wanna Be Happy?"

*Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song*
Francesca Battistelli, "Holy Spirit"

*Best Contemporary Classical Composition*
Stephen Paulus, Paulus: Prayers & Remembrances

*Best Classical Solo Vocal Album*
Joyce DiDonato and Antonio Pappano, Joyce & Tony - Live From Wigmore Hall

*Best Classical Instrumental Solo*
Augustin Hadelich, "Dutilleux: Violin Concerto, L'Arbre Des Songes"

*Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance*
Eighth Blackbird, "Filament"

*Best Choral Performance*
Charles Bruffy, "Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil"

*Best Opera Recording*
Saito Kinen Orchestra; SKF Matsumoto Chorus & SKF Matsumoto Children's Chorus, "Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges; Shéhérazade"

*Producer of the Year, Classical*
Judith Sherman


*Best Regional Roots Music Album*
Jon Cleary,
Go Go Juice

*Best Folk Album*
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn

*Best Blues Album*
Buddy Guy, Born to Play Guitar

*Best Bluegrass Album*
The Steeldrivers, The Muscle Shoals Recordings

Best Americana Album : Jason Isbell,
Something More Than Free

*Best American Roots Song*
Jason Isbell, "24 Frames"

*Best American Roots Performance*
Mavis Staples, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean"

*Best Tropical Latin Album*
Rubén Blades With Roberto Delgado & Orchestra, Son De Panamá

*Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)*
Los Tigres Del Norte,
Realidades - Deluxe Edition


*Best Children's Album*
Tim Kubart, Home

Best World Album*
Angélique Kidjo, Sings

*Best Reggae Album*
Morgan Heritage, Strictly Roots

*Best Latin Jazz Album*
Eliane Elias, Made in Brazil

*Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album*
Maria Schneider, The Thompson Fields

*Best Jazz Instrumental Album*
John Scofield,Past Present

*Best Jazz Vocal Album*
Cécile McLorin Salvant, For One to Love

*Best Surround Sound Album*
James Guthrie and Joel Plante, Amused To Death

*Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical*
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk (Dave Audé Remix)"

*Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical*
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color

*Best Historical Album*
Various artists; The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11

*Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package*
Various Artists, The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume Two (1928-32)

*Best Album Notes*
Joni Mitchell, Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced

*Best Recording Package*
Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds & Dick Reeves; Asleep at the Wheel, Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

*Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals*
Maria Schneider, "Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)"

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappell*
Avi Kaplin, Kirstin Taylor, Kevin K.O. Olusola; "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy"

*Best Instrumental Composition*
Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, "The Afro Latin Jazz Suite"

*MusiCares Person of the Year*
Lionel Richie




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Somalia's al-Shabab 'seizes missile-armed drone'

Al-Qaeda-linked group says it retrieved unmarked drone armed with six missiles after it crashed in southern Gedo region.

Al-Shabab said they have safely removed the missiles from the drone

Somali rebel group al-Shabab says it has seized an armed drone after it crashed in Somalia's southern Gedo region.

The unmarked drone, which the group said was armed with six missiles, came down in the hilly Buuraaha Sanda'ar region, about 60km northwest of the town of Baardhere on Sunday evening, in an area controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked armed group.

The drone wreckage and the six missiles were retrieved by the rebel group, an al-Shabab commander told Al Jazeera on Monday.

"It crashed away from civilian areas. Our fighters took it away and we have safely removed the missiles from the drone," Sheikh Abdirahman Abu Mohamed, the group's Gedo governor told Al Jazeera.

A Gedo government official and a Kenyan security source stationed in the town of Baardheere both confirmed the crash to Al Jazeera.

It is not clear what brought down the drone and no country has claimed it.
'Sensitive technology'
Justin Bronk, a research analyst in military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told Al Jazeera that if al-Shabab indeed had the drone and missile in their possession, they could potentially put it on the market.

"Because the missiles these drones carry are laser guided it is quite difficult to see how they could use or fire them accurately," Bronk said.
"The greater danger is if Al-Shabab has six live hellfire missiles, they could potentially make money by selling those to foreign powers like China or Iran. There is sensitive technology in these missiles, even though they have been around for a long time," Bronk added.

In 2013 a suspected US surveillance drone crashed near the town of Bulo Mareer in the Lower Shabelle region of the country. The group released photos purported to be of the surveillance drone.

Previously drone strikes have targeted senior members of the group, which is fighting to topple Somalia's internationally recognised government.

In July last year the town of Baardheere, which was then under the rebel's control, was targeted by a dawn drone strike, which left two senior commanders dead according to government officials.

US Defense Department said in March that a drone strike in southern Somalia killed Adnaan Garar who is suspected of been one of the masterminds behind Nairobi mall siege which left at least 67 people dead.