Monday, January 06, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Nigeria Online News media reports Nollywood actress, Jennifer Omole, is dead

The late Nollywood actress, Jennifer Omole

PREMIUMTIMES reported as saying that a fast-rising Nollywood actress, Jennifer Omole, has passed on.

She died in Spain on Thursday and was buried on Friday evening at Villarejo de Salvanes, Madrid.

She was 33.

Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo, broke the news of her death on Instagram on Sunday.

Uche played a lead role in the late actress’ hit movie ‘Stolen Vow’ which premiered in UK, Spain and Switzerland in December 2017. They both executive-produced the film.

The late actress, who hailed from Edo State, spent most of her time in Spain where she was based.

She had a number of movies to her credit including a lead role in ‘Adamu and Eva’, a movie shot in Spain.

Her friends said she recently moved to the United Kingdom where she was more successful and had her movie premiered in London.

In his tribute on Facebook, her manager, Eddyjoe Benson, wrote, “I Don’t Know What To Say…. Or Write. I Wanna Say Rest In Peace (RIP) My Boss, Jennifer Omole. Working with you made me realize that there are still good people out there. Working with you gave me the level of exposure on how to sell movies to Africa Magic etc…

Rest on I can’t question God”.

The late actress was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Spain chapter.

Over 650 CBT Centres get accreditation for 2020 UTME

Over 650 Computer Based Test, CBT centres have been given accreditation for this year (2020) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME by the Joint Admissions and matriculation board, JAMB

JAMB Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos that every arrangements for the start of the sales of form across the country had been concluded.

JAMB said that it would commence the sales of its registration documents from Monday, January 13, to Monday, February 17.

The board has fixed this year’s examination for March 14 to April 4, while an optional mock examination for candidates is scheduled for February 18.

According to Dr. Benjamin, “We are set to go, Logistics have been put in place to ensure a smooth process.

“Like you may know, over 650 CBT centres have been accredited for this year’s examination and the board expects nothing short of the best practices.

“We have clearly defined the process, just like we have also put mechanism in place that will address any challenge or challenges that may arise before, during and even after the examination.

“We also want to emphasise the fact that there is no going back on the use of the National Identification Number, for the acquisition of the registration documents by prospective candidates,” he said.

He urged candidates seeking to sit for this year’s UTME and who are yet to acquire the NIN to intensify efforts to do so in order to participate in the examination.

“My advice to the candidates ahead of the registration is to ensure that they seek advice or help from officials of the board.

“They should not involve third parties. They should always ensure too that they secure their personal data.

“They should not disclose it to anyone, not even the JAMB officials, because doing so could lead to the mutilation of their records and other implications that could affect them much later in life.

“The board also wishes to state that the sale of Direct Entry forms closes same day as the UTME forms. There will be no extension,” Benjamin declared.

(NAN)

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT THREATENS TO APPROACH COURT OVER 'FAKE PROFESSORS'

The national universities commission, NUC has threaten to take to court any institution promoting its staff to 'so called' professors without due qualification

According to @officialaitnews reports that the Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed gave the warning in Abuja while answering questions on the news over availability of 100 fake professors in Nigerian universities

The NUC esxecutive secretary said hinted that the number of fake professors may be more than one hundred after it completed the ongoing compilation

On the accusation by the national assembly that accreditation of programmes and institutions have been compromised by the National universities commission, professor Rasheed confirmed the suspension and sack of some staff found culpable in the process

The universities regulatory body says it has started the crackdown on sub-standard degrees and certificates from institutions home and abroad which are issued to desperate students seeking to obtain 'call up' letters from the National youth service corps, NYSC

It assured that a comprehensive list of fake universities in Nigeria is billed to be out in the first quarter of 2020

Sunday, January 05, 2020

SUPRISE! All of a.sudden, Nigerian Citizenship Becomes Attractive To American Music Star

A Story Published by PUNCH online says

American rapper and songwriter, Cardi B, has expressed dissatisfaction with the killing of a top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, by the United States government.

The songwriter made this known in a tweet, where she criticised the US government.

She also revealed her plans to apply for Nigerian citizenship.

It will be recalled that Soleimani was on Friday morning killed in an air attack in Baghdad.

The US government had claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that Soleimani was ‘terminated’ because he was on the verge of attacking its diplomats.

However, Iran vowed to launch a “harsh revenge” over Soleimani’s ‘termination’. Also, hundreds of Iranians have taken to the streets to protest the top general’s death.

Apart from Iran, other countries, including the United Nations have condemned the attack and declared support for Iran, except Israel.

Reacting, Cardi B tweeted, “Specially being from New York. It’s sad this man (Trump) is putting Americans’ lives in danger. Dumbest move Trump did till date (sic) … I’m filing for my Nigerian citizenship.”

“Picking my tribe,” she added after about an hour later.

The American star recently visited Nigeria for a live performance.

Cardi B, who arrived in Nigeria on December 5, also visited a motherless home in Lagos to donate gifts.

ENTERTAINMENT: Read What Davido Says About US, Iran Rift

A post by online Media DAILYPOST is reporting that Nigerian popular singer, Davido has reacted to the killing of an Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani by the United States backed airstrike.

The strike had killed Soleimani, who is the Revolutionary Guard General and head of the elite Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport.

The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces, which recently stormed the US embassy in Baghdad.

Soleimani’s killing sparked rumour of a third world war likely to start between the US and Iran.

However, Davido, whose full name is David Adeleke vowed not to visit the US until the “draft is over.”

In a tweet, Davido wrote: “Not going to America till the draft is over !! Crazy ass Trump trynna have me shouting Shekpe from Iran.”

Trump had disclosed that Soleimani was plotting to kill lots of American citizens but was caught in the process.

In a series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, the US President had insisted that the late general was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans.

(Daily post)

ONE MILLION NAIRA: Nigerian Super star, Davido Fulfills Promise to Fans

According to Naijaloaded and Posted by Mcadioh

No Audio Money! As Davido fulfilled his concert promise by giving the guy, and the girl their 1 Million Naira Cash.

As he always claims to be “A Talk & Do Man”, Davido as yet again proves himself to be a true man of his word.

We can all recall how he promised a Convenat male student and Afe Babalola female student 1 Million Naira each during his “A Good Time” concert at the Eko Atlantic, Lagos.

Na so them these ones become Millionaire Ooo! God When!

OBO! We rise be lifting others!

MINIMUM WAGE: Labour Upholds Threat, Issues 21 Days Strike Notice in Niger As Plateau Begins Talks

Organised Labour in Nigeria has started pulling through its threat not to guarantee industrial harmony in any state which continues to delay consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage

This is coming as the Niger State chapter of the Organized Labour has handed down a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage or face an indefinite strike. This was arrived at after it emergency state Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Minna on Friday.

Labour said it was left with no option than to issue the ultimatum following government’s inability to adequately respond to the issues raised in an earlier letter.

The labour in a letter, titled “notice of 21 days ultimatum of indefinite strike action” jointly signed by the state Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba, state Chairman Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Yunusa D. Tanimu pointed out that “the organized labour in the state has resolved to once more demand from the government the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage, consequential adjustment and also payment of the accrued arrears before Monday, 4th February 2020.

The Niger state government had said that its 2020 budget is based on the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

The commissioners for Planning Alhaji Mamman Musa and that of Finance, Alhaji Zakari Abubakar while giving the breakdown of the budget in Minna recently said like other aspects of the budget the implementation will commence once the fiscal estimates is passed by the house of assembly and assented to by the governor

The commissioners declined to say exactly when the minimum wage payment will commence but said “…everything in the budget will be implemented in 2020.”

They further submitted that the state will not have difficulty in paying the N30,000 minimum wage because they are already paying N22,500, and that what they need now is N7,500, which has been taken care of that in the budget

Meanwhile a story by NAN says the Plateau Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says it is still negotiating with the state government on the consequential adjustments of the N30,000 minimum wage.

Eugene Manji, the state NLC Chairman, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.

The national secretariat of NLC had issued a December 31 ultimatum to state governments to implement the new minimum wage or face industrial action.

Mr Manji said series of meetings had been held with the government on the consequential adjustments but added that an agreement was yet to be reached on the template.

“We started negotiation with government on Dec. 30, 2019 and they made some offer on what they intended to pay.

“We went and studied the offer and reconvened on Dec. 31, 2019 and we rejected it.

“They asked the salary and wages department to come up with a new offer on Thursday and we are to meet again to look at it,” he said.

He said that outcome of the meeting would determine the NLC’s next line of action.

Mr Manji said that the national body of the NLC had been informed of the ongoing negotiation on the new minimum wage.

Saturday, January 04, 2020

DO YOU KNOW THAT 7 STATES IN NIGERIA CROSSED INTO 2020 WITHOUT BUDGET?

At least six of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja are yet to have a budget for the 2020 fiscal year. This is as the Federal Government succeeded in returning the country to the January to December budget circle this year.

According to Media Dimension, an online news media, The states include Anambra and Ebonyi in the South-East, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory in the North-Central, Adamawa in the North-East, Bayelsa in the South-South and Katsina in the North-West.

MediaDimensions gathered that the N137 billion 2020 Appropriation Bill for Anambra State though passed by the House of Assembly is yet to be signed into law by Governor Willie Obianu.

It is a near similar situation with the 2020 Statutory Budget of the FCT which has not been assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari. The two chambers of the National Assembly passed the budget on December 20 which was their last legislative day in 2019. While the Senate passed the budget in the sum of N273.255 billion, the House of Representatives passed the total of N278.355 billion. The figures must be reconciled at the conference committee before forwarding the budget to the President for his assent.

In Niger State, Governor Abubakar Bello only presented the 2020 Budget to the State House of Assembly on December 10, 2019. Since then nothing has been heard about the N148.211 billion budget of inclusion for sustainable development.

The 2020 budget of N178 billion was also only presented to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly on December 13, 2019 and it has not been passed. In Katsina State, though Governor Aminu Masari laid the 2020 budget of N249 billion before the House of Assembly the state lawmakers are yet to pass the bill.

And in Adamawa State, the N183.36 billion budget also remains a bill. Governor Umaru Fintiri who is a former speaker of the State House of Assembly presented the budget to the state lawmakers on November 26. Though the appropriation bill has been passed, the Governor has not signed it into law.

One state without even a budget proposal for 2020 is Bayelsa State where Governor Seriake Dickson leaves office on February 14 after his second term in office. He had reportedly said while laying the 2019 proposal before the state lawmakers in 2018 that he would not prepare a budget for 2020. He said it should be the job for the new governor and his incoming administration. The Nigerian constitution however makes it mandatory for sitting governors to present the budget for the next fiscal year before the 31st of December of the preceding year.

The other 30 states across the country did join the Federal Government in signing their 2020 budget into law before the end of 2019. The records show that Lagos and Cross River States with budgets of N1.168 trillion and N1.1 trillion respectively have the highest appropriation for 2020.

The states with the lowest budgets in 2020 are Yobe with 108.3 billion, Nasarawa N108.4 billion and Osun with N119.5 billion. Others include Ekiti with N124.7 billion, Gombe with N130.83 billion and Zamfara with N135.4 billion.

It has been observed that only 11 states have budgets above N200 billion. These include Lagos N1.168 trillion, Cross River N1.1 trillion, Akwa Ibom N597.735 billion, Rivers N530.8 billion, Ogun N395.735 billion and Delta N395 billion. Others are Kaduna N259.25 billion, Oyo N213.78 billion, Taraba N213.63 billion, Kano N206.2 billion and Sokoto N202.45 billion.

@Dimensions_Live
www.mediadimensions.live… Closing the gaps in end-user news content

CHECKOUT JAMB'JAMB's SUBJECTS COMBINATION FOR 2020 UTME

By Mediangr's
James Kase

JAMB Subject Combinations 2020 For All Courses.

Check the right guideline on how to combine subject for any course during JAMB online registration and also see JAMB correct subject combination for admission 2020.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the comprehensive UTME subject combination for Science, Arts and Social Science course and programmes for 2020/2021 academic session admission.

Many UTME candidate has been asking google numerous questions like; Subject combination for Pharmacy, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Accounting, Business Admin, Biochemistry etc. However, this page will provide solutions to your challenge. keep reading through.

However, All candidates seeking for admission into University through JAMB should take note that English Language is compulsory for all and is already an automatic part of the subject combinations.

Full List of JAMB Subject Combinations for all Courses | 2020 JAMB Registration Form for UTME & Direct Entry Candidates.

Note that English Language is compulsory for all. Hence, it is already an automatic part of the subject combinations.

Faculty of Administration | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Accountancy:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject.

2. Banking and Finance:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics, plus one of Government and Geography.

3.. Business Administration:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one of Government and Geography.

4. Business Management:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one of Government and Geography.

5. Cooperative and Rural Development:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other subject.

6. Human Resources Management:

Use of English, Economics, Government and any other relevant subjects.

7. Industrial Relations:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant subject.

8. Insurance:

English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

9. International Relations:

Use of English, Economics, Literature in English and Geography/Government/History.

10. Marketing:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant Subject.

11. Mass Communication:

Use of English, Literature in English, Economics and Government.

12. Tourism:

English, Mathematics, Economics and any other subject.

Faculty of Agriculture | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Agriculture:

English, Chemistry, Biology/Agriculture and any one of Physics and Mathematics.

2. Agricultural Economics:

English Language, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science and Mathematics or Physics.

3. Agricultural Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

4. Agricultural Extension:

English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

5. Agronomy:

English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

6. Animal Production and Science:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/Agric Science and Physics/Mathematics.

7. Crop Production and Science:

English, Chemistry, Biology/Agriculture and Mathematics or Physics.

8. Fisheries:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science and any other Science subject.

9. Food Science and Technology:

Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics / Physics and Agricultural Science.

10. Forestry:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

11. Home Science:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Mathematics or Physics.

12. Nutrition and Dietetics:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/Agriculture and Mathematics/Physics.

13. Soil Science:

English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Christian Religious Studies:

Use of English, two Arts subjects including Christian Religious Knowledge and any other subject.

2. English and Literary Studies:

Use of English, Literature in English, one other Arts subject and another Arts or Social Science subject.

3. Fine and Applied Arts:

Use of English Language, Fine Art and two other Arts subjects or Social Science subject.

4. Islamic Studies:

Use of English, Islamic Religious Studies plus two other Arts subjects.

5. Languages and Linguistics:

Use of English, One Arts subject and two other subjects.

6. Literature in English:

Use of English, Literature-in-English, one other Arts subject and another Arts or Social Science subject.

7. French:

English, French and any other two subjects from Arts and Social Sciences.

8. Hausa:

English, Hausa, Lit in English and any of Economics, Government, History and Arabic.

9. History:

Use of English, History and any other two subjects from Arts and Social Sciences.

10. History and International Studies:

Use of English, History/Government and any other two subjects from Arts & Social Science.

11. Igbo:

English, Igbo and two subjects from Arts and social Sciences.

12. Linguistics:

English, Any Language and two other subjects.

13. Mass Communication:

Use of English, Any three Arts and Social Science subjects.

14. Music:

Use of English, Music, one other Arts subject plus any other subject.

15. Theatre Arts:

Use of English, Literature in English and two other relevant subjects.

16. Yoruba:

Use of English, Yoruba and two other subjects in Arts or Social Sciences.

Faculty of Education | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Adult Education:

Use of English, Government/History, one Social Science subject, and any other subject.

2. Agricultural Science and Education:

Use of English, Any three subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Physics, Economics, Geography and Mathematics.

3. Computer Education:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics/Commerce plus one of Chemistry/Physics/Biology.

4. Education and Accountancy:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus any Social Science subject.

5. Education and Biology:

Use of English, Biology and two other subjects from Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

6. Education and Chemistry:

Use of English, Chemistry and two other subjects chosen from Physics, Biology and Mathematics.

7. Education and Christian Religious Studies:

Use of English, Two Arts subjects including Christian Religious studies and one other subject.

8. Education and Computer Science:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry and Geography/Physics.

9. Education and Economics:

Use of English, Economics, Mathematics and one other subject from Geography/Physics, History, Government and Lit. in English.

10. Education and English Language:

Use of English, Literature in English and one Arts and any other subjects.

11. Education and Mathematics:

Use of English, Mathematics and any two of the following Science subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

12. Education and Physics:

Use of English, Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry plus one other subject.

13. Education Arts:

Use of English, Subject of specialization and any two Arts subjects.

14. Guidance and Counseling:

Use of English, Any three subjects

15. Health Education:

Use of English, and three other relevant subjects.

16. Human Kinetics:

Use of English, and three other relevant subjects.

17. Physical and Health Education:

Use of English, Biology and any two relevant subjects.

18. Vocational and Technical Education:

Use of English, Technical Drawing, a subject of specialization and Mathematics or Physics.

Faculty of Engineering | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

2. Civil Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

3. Chemical Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

4. Computer Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

5. Electrical Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

6. Electronic Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

7. Marine Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

8. Mechanical Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

9. Mechatronics Engineering:

Use of English, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

10. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

11. Petroleum and Gas Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

12. Production and Industrial Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

13. Structural Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

14. Systems Engineering:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Technology | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Architecture:

English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

2. Building:

Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry.

3. Estate Management:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

4. Quantity Surveying:

Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

5. Surveying and Geoinformatics:

Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

6. Urban and Regional Planning:

English, Mathematics, Geography and one of Economics, Physics, Chemistry.

Faculty of Law | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Civil Law:

English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

2. Common Law:

English, Literature-in-English and any two other Arts/or Social Science subjects.

3. Criminology And Security Studies:

English, Any three subjects.

4. Islamic / Sharia Law:

English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects including Arabic or Islamic Studies.

5. Law:

English, Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Anatomy:

English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics.

2. Dentistry:

Use of English, Chemistry, Biology and one Science subject.

3. Medical Laboratory Science:

English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

4. Medical Rehabilitation:

Use of English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

5. Medicine and Surgery:

Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

6. Nursing:

Use of English, Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

7. Pharmacy:

Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

10. Radiography:

Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

11. Veterinary Medicine:

Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

Faculty of Sciences | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Biochemistry:

Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics.

2. Biological Sciences:

Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics.

3. Botany:

Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and any other Science subject.

4. Chemistry:

Use of English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics.

5. Computer Science:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Economics and Geography.

6. Geology:

Use of English and any three Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Geography.

7. Industrial Chemistry:

Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics and any of Physics/Biology/Agricultural Science.

8. Industrial Mathematics:

Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Biology and Agricultural Science.

9. Mathematics:

Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, Chemistry and Economics or Geography.

10. Microbiology:

Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics.

11. Physics:

Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry or Biology.

12. Plant Science and Biotechnology:

Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and any other Science subject.

13. Pure and Applied Mathematics:

Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Biology or Agricultural Science or Chemistry or Geography.

14. Statistics:

Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, Chemistry and Economics.

15. Zoology:

Use of English, Biology and any two of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Faculty of Social and Management Sciences | JAMB Subject Combinations 2020/2021

1. Demography and Social Statistics:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics/Geography and any other subject.

2. Economics:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any of Government, History, Geography, Literature in English, French and CRK/IRK.

3. Geography:

Use of English, Geography and two other Arts or Social Science subjects.

4. Library Science:

Use of English and Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

5. Mass Communication:

Use of English, and any three from Arts or Social Science subjects.

6. Philosophy:

Use of English, Government and any other two subjects.

7. Political Science:

Use of English, Government or History plus two other Social Science/Arts subjects.

8. Psychology:

Use of English, and any three subjects from Arts or Social Science.

9. Public Administration:

Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other subject.

10. Religious Studies:

Use of English Language, CRK/IRS and any two other subjects.

11. Social Works:

Use of English Language, Mathematics, Economics/Geography and any other subject.

UNICEF on birth certificate Says 'A simple little paper that changes lives'lives'

A hand on a typewriter — © UNICEF/Côte d’Ivoire/KodjoDrafting of a birth certificate in a primary school in Abidjan.

Impact

By Miranda Eleanor Armstrong

For every child, an identity and a future

My name is Miranda Armstrong and I’ve been the Chief of Child Protection for UNICEF, Cote d’Ivoire for the last three years. As a specialist on violence against children and child labour, non-registered children issues — including the fact that many children aren’t registered at all — were new challenges for me and clearly big ones for the country.

In Côte d’Ivoire, one in four children under five years old is not registered at birth and so does not have a legal identity. These children will not be able to progress in school, cannot prove their age, prove who their parents are or where they were born. As they become adults, they will not be able to get a mobile phone, open a bank account, get married or vote.

What would be the future of those children who have to leave school because of a simple little paper?

We decided that something had to be done. First of all, we needed to ensure that all newborn babies are registered at birth to prevent hundreds of thousands of children joining the list of unregistered births within the legally allowed first three months.

UNICEF decided to partner with the Ministry of Health to ensure that all newborn babies can be registered by midwives immediately at birth or when they come to the health center for a vaccination. The midwives collect the information from the mothers and the civil registration officers collect the information on a weekly basis. In Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, this new mechanism for birth registration is working in every public health center and maternity ward.

Three smiling children leaning over a swaddled baby. — ©UNICEF/Côte d’Ivoire/MilequêmBaby Arnaud and his cousins who came to visit just a few hours after birth.

One story that really touched me was of baby Arnaud. Baby Arnaud was born in Adjawi, a poor peri-urban area in Abidjan. Arnaud is the third child in the family and was born to Carole (30) and Patrick (29).

Just three hours after birth, Arnaud had his medical certificate of birth filled in by the midwife, Nadège. Nadège saw the mother Carole at least 4 times for consultations during the pregnancy and each time she told her to bring her identity papers — or basic information on her name and the father’s name –so that the medical certificate could be completed immediately. “Many parents don’t have identity papers themselves,” she explained, “but we tell mothers that we can register the birth of their child even if they don’t have papers and even if the Monsieur (their husband) does not come forward.” The most important thing is to capture the birth and make sure the baby is registered.

Carole and Patrick said they now understand the importance of registering their children to guarantee their future.

For baby Arnaud the process was free, but for their other children, who are now over three months old, it will be much longer and costlier. In fact, you have to go to court in Cote d’Ivoire and prove your identity – and this can cost over US$60, which is a lot for poor families to afford.

In order to get rid of the backlog of unregistered children, like Arnaud’s siblings, we needed to come up with another bold program. We needed to ensure that the nearly 1 million over-three months old, undeclared children get an identity.

Two ladies holding a baby and pouring over documents. — © UNICEF/Côte d’Ivoire/DiarassoubaNadège Yaou, midwife at the Adjahui maternity ward, Abidjan, explaining to Carole the importance of registering baby Arnaud at birth.

Special operation: providing birth certificates to over 630,000 primary school children

In an innovative and truly special operation, UNICEF and the Ministries of Justice, Education and Interior enabled over 630,000 children to obtain a birth certificate, a jugement supplétif, at a fraction of the normal price: US$2.5 instead of US$40–60. In the French system, this document is provided to children and adults who register outside the legally allowed delay of 3 months.

During the operation, we collected information from over 14,000 primary school directors, who have basic information on children provided at enrolment. The information was checked by a private company and then transferred to the local civil registration service where the child was born. Registers were searched to double-check that the child was not yet registered. Then the file was sent to the justice office that issued the jugement supplétif that confers the child’s legal identity. A birth certificate follows and that ensures registration. A new law has now been passed to enable other children and adults to obtain a legal identity.

When I was in northern Cote d’Ivoire recently, I met a 10-year-old girl called Sekongo Youhouo Awa. Her life would have been very different without the special operation. Awa, like many girls, was enrolled in primary school without a birth certificate. Education is obligatory in Côte d’Ivoire, so school directors must accept children even without a birth certificate.

A group photo of children holding up certificates — © UNICEF/Côte d’Ivoire/DejonghOfficial birth certificate delivery ceremony with the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire.

Awa was doing really well in school, but she could not pass her final primary exams and would have to drop out. Just before the exams were going to be held, the school director received the forms to register all the children in his school that did not have a birth certificate. A special effort was made to act quickly for the children who were sitting the exam, and Awa’s new birth certificate came just in time.

Thanks to this precious document, she was able to pass the exam with flying colors and get a scholarship for the school year 2019-2020.

AWA’s former primary school director testified: “We can only say a big thank you to UNICEF. This project has been very beneficial for many children in our region. We live in an area where parents are not willing to provide formal education to their children, especially girls. What would be the future of those children who have to leave school because of a simple little paper?”

Miranda Armstrong is Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire.