Covid-19: JOHESU Suspends Local Strike, Plans Bigger showdown with Government from Tuesday

 

Just when the National body of the joint Health sector unions, JOHESU is calling for an emergency meeting on tuesday over planned strike, the  University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Chapter has suspended its ongoing 7-day warning strike.

While the National body is unhappy over errors and ommissions in the payment of three months COVID-19 hazard allowances, the UITH chapter is cheerful for the supply of adequate personal protective equipment, PPEs, which was responsible for the 7 days down tool.

Information obtained from AIT Crawl News Bar indicates JOHESU National body is meeting in Abuja on August 25, 2020 with a bag full of issues, some of which the National Chairman and president of the medical and health workers union, Biobelemoye Josiah has struggled to explain in several fora

JOHESU Chairman UITH, Olutunde Oluwawumi told newsmen shortly after several hours of meeting with executive members at the University of Ilorin Teaching hospital that the health workers were forced to embark on the action also because of non-payment of promotion arrears smong others demands.

The UITH JOHESU insists that the warning strike is being suspended because some of their demands have now been met partially by the management of UITH.

Oluwawumi however implored the Chief Medical Director of UITH, Professor Abdullahi Yusuf to wtite his name in gold by keeping to all the promise he made to the workers.

ASUU'S MEDIA BRIEFING LEADS PRESIDENT BUHARI TO CONSTITUTE VISITATION PANEL FOR UNILAG, SUSPENDS BABALAKIN AND OGUNDIPE, SACKS ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR

 

Barely three days after the academic staff union of universities, ASUU at a media briefing called for an immediate solution into UNILAG  crisis, President Muhammadu Buhari, as Visitor to the University of Lagos has constituted a Visitation Panel to look into the remote and ommediate causes of the  crisis in the university. 

According to a statement signed by  ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong on Friday August 21, 2020, the President took the following additional decisions:

1. The Panel is to submit its report within two weeks.

2. The Pro-Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, have been suspended from office as they are both to recuse themselves from performing their functions in office during the period of the Visitation.

3. The Senate is to convene urgently and appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor for the university.

With this decision, the President has sacked the Acting Vice-Chancellor purportedly appointed by the Babalakin-led Council.

Health workers get easy visa to UK

Government launches Health and Care Visa to ensure UK health and care services have access to the best global talent

The new Health and Care Visa will make it cheaper, quicker and easier for healthcare professionals from around the world to come to the UK.

The Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care have today announced the new Health and Care Visa will be launched this Summer, creating a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals and delivering on a key manifesto commitment.

They have also today announced further details on how the exemption to the Immigration Health Surcharge will work for health and care staff, who will now be permanently exempt from this charge.

The Home Secretary and Health and Social Care Secretary have together developed the Health and Care Visa to demonstrate the government’s commitment to deliver for the NHS and wider health and care sector. It is designed to make it easier and quicker for the best global health professionals to work in the NHS, for NHS commissioned service providers, and in eligible occupations in the social care sector.

The legislation needed to open this new route will be laid in Parliament today and health professionals will be able to apply from August.

The new Health and Care Visa will come with a reduced visa application fee compared to that paid by other skilled workers, including exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Health and care professionals applying on this route can also expect a decision on whether they can work in the UK within just three weeks, following biometric enrolment. Those working in health and social care who do not qualify for the Health and Care Visa will still be able to claim a reimbursement from the Immigration Health Surcharge if they have paid this on or after 31 March.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

We are indebted to overseas health and care professionals for their tremendous contributions, not just in saving thousands of lives throughout this crisis, but for the vital role they play year-round.

This new visa is part of our new immigration system making it quicker, cheaper and easier for the best and brightest health and care professionals from around the globe to work in our brilliant NHS.

Health and care professionals from all over the world have played a vital role in hospitals and care homes across the country fighting coronavirus. The introduction of the Health and Care Visa follows a number of unprecedented measures to show the UK’s gratitude to health workers from overseas.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said:

Our health and care system has always had a proud tradition of welcoming overseas staff to work, train and live in the UK, and I’m proud that the NHS is a destination of choice for talented people from around the world.

The unwavering commitment, skill and compassion staff have shown during the fight against this deadly virus is nothing short of phenomenal, and the reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge recognises the enormous contribution of those who have come to the UK to work in health and social care.

I’m incredibly proud of our health and care workforce and look forward to welcoming new professionals from across the globe to continue the fantastic work to ensure our health system remains the best in the world.

Right across the immigration system the Home Office is already supporting frontline healthcare staff through initiatives such as visa extensions and the creation of the bereavement scheme.

The Prime Minister has previously announced that health and social care workers will be permanently exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge going forward, and Immigration Health Surcharge payments made since 31 March will also be refunded.

As part of the launch of the Health and Care Visa, those who apply via the visa and their dependants will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The government has already began refunding Immigration Health Surcharge payments for any healthcare professionals on Tier 2 visas who have paid since 31 March 2020, and this process will continue. More information will be published on the Immigration Health Surcharge GOV.UK pages for customers to contact us directly if they believe they are due a refund. The Department of Health and Social Care is currently working with the sector to set up operational arrangements for reimbursing health and social care staff outside the scope of the Health and Care visa. These arrangements will commence from 1 October in 6 month reimbursements.

The new Health and Care Visa will apply to eligible roles within the health and care sector. The events of recent months have illustrated just what a crucial role the care sector plays in UK society. The government is working closely with the sector to support and recognise the contributions of care workers. This includes a widespread focus on training and introducing a proper career structure to provide opportunities for those in the sector and makes it an attractive profession for prospective carers.

The independent Migration Advisory Committee has been very clear that immigration is not the answer to the challenges in the social care sector and, as we implement the new immigration system, we want employers to focus on investing in our domestic workforce.

Source: www.gov.uk

Coronavirus: Nigerian Law Makers support compensation for families.of fallen health workers

The House of Representatives have called for greater harmony between the Federal government and health workers insisting that there is need for a health care system that average Nigerian can be proud of.

Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu said the leadership of the House of Representatives under the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila appreciates the health workers for not embarking on industrial strike at this period of Covid-19 Pandemic.

According to Dr. Sununu, who paid a courtesy visit to the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) executive in Abuja on Thursday said, “My visit is part of the agenda of House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila which includes the promotion of gualitative health care services. The speaker in his wisdom realised that when there is harmony between the stakeholders in the sector, then progress will be made.

“The Covid -19 pandemic has exposed the health system and we are in a situation where the haves and have-nots are situated in the same place and so no one travels. We must therefore ensure that our health infrastructure is improved.

“We are here also to thank the health workers for not embarking on strike, and for interfacing when FCT chapter when they threatened to embark on strike.

“There is need for a health care system that average Nigerians can be proud of. Every person is important under this government. Without the services of lower cadre the higher professional cannot carry out their job. We must manage our differences to ensure we understand ourself and move the country forward. We must come together to rescue this nation.

“We are not unmindful of our health workers in the frontline who paid the ultimate price. This is why we are working out a plan to compensate their families.

“A committee has been set up. We will call for a public hearing where the strategy and method to be used in disbursing the compensations will be agreed on. The families of the deceased will be located and we must ensure the money reaches them.

“Our aim is to ensure there is no disharmony anymore in the health sector. We are reaching out to major stakeholders and negotiating their demands to ensure health workers continue with their work with no hitches or grievances.”

Earlier, the chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah had congratulated Dr. Sununu for his emergence as Chairman, House Committee on Health Services and assured him of the preparedness of the health workers to work with the authorities.

He informed the Reps delegation that MHWUN only recently distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which includes face masks, sanitizers and disinfectants to its members to its members to help the increasing infection rate among health workers in Nigeria.

National President Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Josiah Biobelemoye who urged the legislative and executive arms of government to prioritise the needs and demands of healthcare workers, warned that the delayed payment of deferred and adjusted salaries was a ticking time bomb.

Commending the efforts and concern of the National Assembly in the welfare of healthcare workers including the steps being taken to back the consolidated revenue provision of 1 percent by law, he called for increased funding of the health sector and budgetary provision to fund the salary adjustments.

“We are doing so much and our people are showing so much understanding within this period because its COVID time but you can’t expect people to be patient all through for ever.

“Government said there is no money but they are planning to pay private school teachers who are not even under the employment of government. We that are in the fore front contending with the salvage how will you then explain to us government does not have the money to pay our deferred salaries of April and May 2018, and the withheld salaries in FMC Owerri, JUTH, LUTH and others. How will you convince us?

“We are not against government trying to help out private schools, but if you are helping the private schools why can’t you help us. Is it justifiable to keep the salaries of those who are in the war front?

“We are appealing to the executive; quickly address these matters because they are ticking time bombs and they should not allow them to be detonated before they come to the rescue because any detonated bomb does not have positive results, its always negative,” Biobelemoye warned.

It would be recalled that MHWUN recently distributed are 15,200 hand sanitizers, 2,000 pieces of disinfectant and 1,200 pieces of hand wash to its members across the 36 states of the Federation.

Medical And Health Workers Union Of Nigeria donates 60,000 plus PPEs, as over 400 health workers contract Covid-19*

*

In an effort to ensure that health workers in Nigeria are well protected from contracting the ravaging Coronavirus, the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has donated about 50,000  face masks, 15,200 sanitizers, 2,000 disinfectants and. 1,200 hand wash to its council centres across the country.

The National President of MHWUN, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, at the flag off of the distribution of the personal protective equipments, hinted that his union was troubled by the news that over 400 health workers have contracted Covid-19, therefore decided to take the lead in ensuring that its members, being the forefront combatants against Coronavirus; are be provided with adequate PPEs.

Explaining further, the MHWUN president said; “Since the outbreak of Covid 19 over 400 members of JOHESU (Joint Health Sector Unions) have been infected by coronavirus, we also need to support our own members who are working and sacrificing their lives for the generality of Nigerians

“Medical and Health Workers’ Union value life, which means that the life of our members are very important to us. Therefore we are poised to protect them while they fight for us all. We intend to make provision of PPEs for health workers in various isolation centres.

“We want to ensure that the centres where our members work are protected by being regularly disinfected. We have plans to continue this while we pray that Covid-19 be completely defeated.”

Listed among the councils that will benefit from the PPEs are 38 MHWUN Councils, which include, Lagos, FCT, Oyo, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Ogun, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Ebonyi, Plateau, Jigawa, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ondo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara, Anambra, Yobe, Benue, Ekiti, Taraba, Kogi and Cross River.

Meanwhile, Aliyu Mohammed, Director Human Resources who represented Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Mashi, said the challenges that Covid-19 has thrown up in the health sector was becoming overwhelming, hence the Federal Government was appreciative of any donations made by public spirited Nigerians towards curbing the pandemic.

He noted that for some unusual reasons Nigeria has been able to brace up to the challenges better than other advanced countries with technological ingenuity.

“The emergence of Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives and the health system in general, such that even the developed countries have been overwhelmed, talk less of Nigeria.

“The virus has affected the economy drastically, hence government cannot meet all the challenges that has been thrown up, that is why we welcome such donations by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

“We have many frontline health workers taking up these challenges on behalf of other Nigerians and the federal government is always appreciate of these efforts, so we crave your understanding and more support to improve on our health care delivery in the country, “he stated.

At event, The Nigeria Labour Congress, represented by the General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja said health workers deserved commendation for being the first set of people to raise awareness on Covid-19 and its preventive measures.

He said when many Nigerians saw health workers putting on face mask, they became aware of the seriousness of the virus and the need to stay safe.

“Medical and Health Workers Union were the first set of people that produced face masks and other PPEs and started distributing to Nigerians, “he stated.

Court Jails Airtel Customer Service Representative For Diverting Customer’s Messages To A Fraudster’s Number

A Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere, Lagos, on Tuesday sentenced a customer service representative of Airtel Nigeria Ltd, Jeremiah Mustapha, to five years in correctional centre, for facilitating a N2.2 million fraud.

Mr Mustapha, 32, was arraigned on June 14, 2017, alongside one Nurudeen Salimu, 35, on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, fraud and diverting messages from a phone number to another.

They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

However, the second defendant became mentally incapacitated and could not continue with the trial.

The Magistrate, A. G. Omoyele, in handing down the verdict, sentenced Mr Mustapha after finding him guilty of five of the nine-count charge preferred against him by the police.

The magistrate sentenced Mr Mustapha to one year on each of the five counts and ordered that the sentence should run concurrently.

She did not give the defendant an option of fine and ordered that the sentence should take effect from the day of sentencing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the duo and others at large committed the offences on October 10, 2016, in Lagos.

Mr Osuji, a police sergeant, said the first defendant used his position as the in Airtel Nigeria Ltd and diverted all short messages service (sms), alerts and calls from an Airtel no. 0802384XXXX, belonging to one Kazeem Dele, to a fraudster’s phone number.

The prosecutor said that the defendant unlawfully disconnected all network services linked to the Airtel number without the consent of the owner.

“The number swap aided the second defendant to steal the sum of N2.2 million from the Skye Bank account of the complainant.

“The second defendant forged the signature of the complainant, falsely represented himself as the owner of the account and withdrew the said sum from the account,” Mr Osuji said.

cording to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 287, 333(1), 340, 334, 365(1), 337, 380, 411and 415 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

COVID-19: Sarah Omakwu Family Worship Centre, Abuja Donates Medical equipment and PPEs worth millions of Naira to University Of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Treatement Centre.

The chief medical Director university of Abuja teaching hospitals, Professor Bissalah Ekele says heealth workers, especially those in isolation and treatment will continue to be at risk of contracting and helping to spread the CORONAVIRUS pandemic until well meaning Nigerians support government's effort in the provision of personal protective equipment

 UATH CMD Was joined by the chapter chairman of the joint health sector unions, JOHESU, Oricha Steve to appeal for speedy payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances to ensure industrial harmony in the sector, when it received onstions of PPEs and medical equipment from family worship centre.

The donor, Family Worship Centre, Abuja which was led by a Resident pastor, Wilson Akuboh on behalf of Senior Pastor Sarah Omakwu, said the donation which is among several others to the covid 19 treatment centre is expected to help encourage frontline health workers to continue to protect themselves while saving  lives from the ravaging COVID-19.

Here is a list of what was brought.and a video of the presentation

Video courtesy of officialaitlive on facebook.

Health workers have been receiving covid 19 hazard allowances, but their national leadership has asked government to quickly correct errors and omissions already observed in the process.

Journalists Leaders Launch The Congress of African Journalists

See press release below

CONGRESS OF AFRICAN JOURNALISTS (CAJ)*

23 JUNE 2020

*PRESS RELEASE*

*Journalists Leaders Launch The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ)*

Leaders of African Journalists organisations have today launched the 

Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) to face the current challenging 

effects of COVID-19 and the collateral impacts on press freedom, the 

safety of journalists, access to information, affecting journalists in 

the course of their work.

The inaugural meeting to launch the Congress was hosted by the Nigeria 

Union of Journalists (NUJ) with the attendance of participants from: 

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, 

Senegal, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe. The Congress 

set-up an Interim Governing Council of six (6) members presided by 

Alexandre Niyungeko (President of Union of Burundi Journalists).

Other members of the Interim Governing Council consists of Foster 

Dongozi (Secretary General of Zimbabwe Union of Journalists) 

Vice-President, William Oloo, (Chairman of Kenya Correspondents 

Association) Secretary, Patricia Adjissekou (Secretary General of Togo 

Union of Independent Journalists) Treasurer; Christopher Isiguzo, 

(President of Nigeria Union of Journalists), and Aicha Ahmed Youssouf 

(President of Djibouti Union of the Press and Audiovisual).

  “On the launch of this Congress of African Journalists we commend all 

African journalists for their dedication to press freedom and access to 

information for the general public. We call on African Governments to 

empower the journalists and media organisations to do their work 

efficiently in this trying moment of COVID19.” said the Interim 

President of CAJ

Reports have noted that many journalists have fallen sick or died of 

COVID19, and others have been victimised in the course of their duties 

as essential workers in the frontline to inform the general public. “We 

condole with the victims and their families ” the CAJ added.

The CAJ condemns all attacks on journalists, and calls for the release 

of all journalists in prison in Africa.

The CAJ will continue to engage with all Governments, the African Union 

and partners in expanding freedom of expression and access to 

information for good governance and welfare of the people in Africa.

------------------------

*For more information, contact: admin@africanjournalists.org;* 

*cajournalists@gmail.com*

*Tel of Secretary : +254 786 396 945;  Tel of President:+250 738 286 581*

-------------------------

*CONGRES DES JOURNALISTES AFRICAINS (CAJ)*

23 JUIN 2020

*COMMUNIQUE*

*Les dirigeants des journalistes lancent le Congrès des Journalistes*

*Africains (CAJ)*

Les dirigeants des organisations des journalistes africains ont lancé 

aujourd'hui le Congrès des Journalistes Africains (CAJ) en vue de faire 

face aux défis actuels de la Covid19 et ses impacts collatéraux sur la 

liberté de la presse, la sécurité des journalistes, l’accès à 

l’information, qui affectent les journalistes dans leur travail.

La réunion inaugurale du lancement du Congrès a été accueillie par 

l’Union des Journalistes du Nigéria (NUJ) avec des participants du 

Bénin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopie, Kenya, Nigeria, 

Sénégal, Somalie, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe. Le Congrès a 

désigné un Conseil de direction Intérimaire de six membres présidé par 

Alexandre Niyungeko (Président de l'Union Burundaise des Journalistes).

Les autres membres du Conseil de direction provisoire sont Foster 

Dongozi (Secrétaire Général du syndicat des journalistes du  Zimbabwe) 

Vice-Président, William Oloo, (Président de l’Association des 

Correspondants du Kenya) Secrétaire, Patricia Adjissekou (Secrétaire 

Générale de l’Union des Journalistes Indépendants du Togo) Trésorière; 

Christopher Isiguzo, (Président of de l’Union des Journalistes du 

Nigéria), et Aïcha Ahmed Youssouf (Présidente du syndicat de la presse 

et de l’audiovisuel de Djibouti)

“A l’occasion du lancement du congrès des journalists africains nous 

félicitons tous les journalists africains pour leur engagement à la 

liberté de la presse et à l'accès à l'information du public. Nous 

appelons les Gouvernements africains à soutenir les journalistes et les 

organisations des médias à accomplir leur travail efficacement en ce 

moment difficile de la COVID19” a dit le Président intérimaire de la CAJ

  Des rapports notent que plusieurs journalistes sont malades ou morts de 

la COVID19, et d'autres ont été victimisés au cours de leur travail en 

tant que travailleurs essentiels au front pour informer le public. “Nous 

compatissons avec les victimes et leurs familles ” a ajouté le CAJ.

Le CAJ condamne toutes les attaques sur les journalistes et demande la 

libération des journalistes emprisonnés en Afrique.

Le CAJ va continuer à interpeller les Gouvernements, l'Union Africaine 

et les partenaires en vue de la défense de la liberté d'expression et 

l'accès à l'information pour la bonne gouvernance et le bien-être en 

Afrique.

-----------------------------------------

*Pour plus information, contacter : admin@africanjournalists.org;* 

*cajournalists@gmail.com*

*Tél du Secrétaire: +254 786 396 945; Tél du Président: +250 738 286 581*

------------------------------------------

Congress of African Journalists (FAJ)

Maison de la Presse

5, Rue x Corniche, Medina

Dakar Senegal

E-mail: admin@africanjournalists.org

            cajournalists@gmail.com

NO UNIFORM UTME MINIMUM SCORE FOR ADMISSION

NO UNIFORM UTME MINIMUM SCORE FOR ADMISSION

 

There is a layer of misconceptions on what is generally described as “uniform minimum national UTME score” for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. For long, many candidates and some members of the general public have come under erroneous impression that there is a minimum national UTME score, which they also refer to as “cut -off point”. The truth is that there is no one particular national minimum UTME score for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria.  It has never been.  Similarly, in most cases, UTME score is not the sole determinant of placement of candidates into tertiary institutions. The undue attention to the so-called national minimum UTME score (UTME cut-off point) is a major source of failure of many ill-informed candidates who assumed that they have finally attained the benchmark having achieved the so called minimum national score or “cut off point’ for admission.

It is therefore a double jeopardy for many candidates who swallow the popular myth that there is a uniform UTME score (cut-off) for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria. The myth also incorporates the erroneous impression that it is only the UTME score that constitutes the benchmark for admission. These are far from the truth.  Such candidates on attainment of particular grade in UTME celebrate in advance their imminent placements, which in reality may not be at the end of the day. 

The Board has repeatedly stated that:

1) No uniform minimum UTME score (cut -off) for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria; each Institution determines and submits to JAMB its minimum UTME score; after having analyzed the UTME performances of its applicants against its available quota. Decisions at the annual Policy Meeting on Admission does not reduce the minimum prescription of the institutions except the few institutions whose submitted minimum UTME- scores fall below what the Policy Meeting considers as the minimum score acceptable.

2) UTME score is just one of the two or three scores that are generally added together to obtain the eventual aggregate score and ranking of the candidates.  Other parameters are Post-UTME /Post -A/L qualifications screening/test score; O/L grade score; and in some cases, physical test (such as applicable in the Nigerian Defence Academy/Police Academy).Therefore, It is the score from all the segments that are added together to have eventual ranking table or “cut off” score.

For the 2020 admission exercise, for example, no candidate with a UTME score of 209 can be considered for admission into any programme at the Pan African University (PAN) whose minimum UTME score is 210.  Also, no candidate with a UTME score of 199 can be admitted into any of the following universities whose minimum score is 200. 

i. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife;

ii. University of Ibadan;

iii. Covenant University, Ota;

iiii. University of Lagos;and

v. University of Benin

No candidate with a score  less than 180 can be admitted into many of the universities including, the Lagos State University(190); Afe Babalola University(180);Nigerian Army University, Biu (180);University of Jos (180); University of Abuja (180); Redeemers University(180) University of Ilorin (180); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (180), Bayero University Kano(180); Alex Ekwueme University(180) and PAMO University of Medical sciences, Port Hacourt(180)

Similarly for Polytechnics; no candidate with a UTME score of 199 is admissible into the School of Orthopedic Cast Technology,Ilorin, which has set 200 as its minimum UTME score; just as the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State has set a minimum UTME score of 180; Airforce Institute of Technology, Kaduna(170) and Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, Zamfara State (160)

As for the Colleges of Education, the 100 minimum score being paraded is not generally correct because no candidate can be admitted into any of the following Coleges of Education with a UTME score less than 180 :

i. College of Education, Maru, Zamfara State;

ii. Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State

iii. Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha-Nsit, Akwa Ibom State.

iiii. Onit Colleg of Education, Mbaukwu, Anambra State

In the category of Innovation Enterprise Institutions, the minimum UTME score for some of the institutions are as follows:

i. Laurel School of Mines, Ogudu, Lagos    - 180;

ii. NTA College, Jos – 170; and

iii. Oluaka Institute of Technology, Owerri,- 150

 

Again, it is important to note that there are cases of candidates with UTME scores of above 300 that may eventually rank below some other candidates with UTME score of 200 when all other scores are aggregated.

Even within each institution, there is a different minimum score (cut –off) for admission into different programmes (courses).They are usually significantly higher for courses such as MBBS, Engineering, Nursing, Law, etc, with overall available space of less than 10% of the applicants.

the Board has over the years reiterated the above points to sentizise the general public on the so the called national minimum scores for all tertiary institutions which has continued to generate confusion on the quality of candidates being admitted into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

It is also noted that UTME is a ranking examination designed to place the best available registered candidates into Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other accredited tertiary institutions in Nigeria. As such, the minimum scores into each institution or programme varies; based on academic performances of candidates who applied to such institutions. Over the years, few programmes such as MBBS, Engineering, Law and Pharmacy are oversubscribed by candidates. Also, some of the institutions attract more candidates than many others, thereby making it imperative for each institution to set its own minimum score, based on its circumstances and as approved at the Policy Meeting.

The Board had always published on its website

(www.jamb.gov.ng) full details of minimum  UTME score for each institution. The body has also always reminded candidates to note that each programme (course) has a different minimum score which is usually very high for competitive programmes.

POLICE PARADE 24 CYBERCRIME SUSPECTS INCLUDING ONE FEMALE

PRESS R

ELEASE

POLICE PARADE 24 CYBERCRIME SUSPECTS INCLUDING ONE FEMALE

·         Three (3) brothers arrested for running fake Frank Mba Foundation Facebook and Bank Accounts  

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested twenty-four (24) suspects comprising twenty-three (23) male and one (1) female for cybercrime and other related offences. The suspects were arrested for their involvement and indictment in cases of romance and online dating scams, generating and deployment of fake bank alerts, hacking and fraudulent wire transfers, cyber stalking and impersonation of high-profile personalities in Nigeria and across the world.  

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include:

i.             11 Laptop Computers

ii.           37 Mobile Phones

iii.          11 SIM cards of different telecoms networks

iv.          5 International passports

v.            12 ATM Cards

vi.          Fake US Dollar notes.  

vii.         Quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Marijuana    

Notable amongst the cases is the arrest of three brothers - Emmanuel Ushie - 23yrs; Henry Ushie - 30 years old and a graduate of Statistics from Anambra State University and Matthew Ushie - 28 years old and an OND graduate from Federal Polytechnic Oko, for running a fake Frank Mba Foundation bank account with FCMB. The trio used a fake Facebook account and the fraudulently operated bank account to defraud innocent Nigerians of their hard earned monies under the pretext that the Foundation is raising money to help vulnerable Nigerians during the Covid-19 pandemic. Investigations by the police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reveal that the brothers engage extensively and serially in such frauds and other related cybercrimes.

During unrelenting manhunt of the fraudsters, Henry Ushie 'm' 30yrs, an elder sibling to Emmanuel Ushie, was identified as the gang leader of the syndicate behind the scam. He went underground as his younger siblings also involved in the crime were arrested.

Following weeks of intense follow-up and meticulous investigations, the kingpin - Henry Ushie 'm' was arrested on Thursday 11/6/2020 at about 1255hrs at a hideout in Ihiala, Anambra State. His arrest eventually led to the arrest of his younger brother Mathew Ushie 'm' who is also an active member of the syndicate.

Further investigation reveal that Mathew Ushie 'm' had been arrested in Ghana last year in a well publicised bust of fraudsters where he and other international fraudsters used the name of the Inspector General of Police of Ghana, John Kudalor to defraud unsuspecting Ghanaian policemen in the guise of providing opportunity for them to attend United Nations peacekeeping mission using a fake Facebook account. Information about his arrest and parading before the press in Ghana is available on the internet.

Similarly, Henry Ushie had also been arrested in 2017 by the IRT for impersonating then ACP ABBA Kyari, the Commander IRT on Facebook and defrauding many innocent Nigerians before he was arrested and subsequently charged to Court for impersonation. He eventually got bail from the court and went back to same crime.

All the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Abubakar Adamu once again uses this medium to assure Nigerians of the continued resolve of the Force to rid the country of all forms of crimes and criminality including cybercrimes. He also urges citizens to redirect their energy to the positive utilization of the cyberspace, cyber resources and the social media, and shun their related negative influences. 

DCP FRANK MBA

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

ABUJA