Makinde dares FG, says SS3 students in Oyo will go ahead with WAEC
Speaking with journalists in his office, on Thursday, July 9, on the latest federal government’s position, Olaleye said that the state was also watching out for the reaction of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to the development. While acknowledging that WASSCE was a critical part of education for all students in the state, Olaleye pointed out that the state would make its position known based on its assessment of the prevailing situation. While stating that the federal government’s directive was specifically for its schools, Olaleye said the state’s schools remained open in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. “I listened to the federal minister of education and he was emphatic about FG schools. We have resumed in Oyo state and you must have seen the level of compliance to COVID-19 protocols by our schools.
“If you go to our schools, you will see that our senior students are still learning and the preparation for WAEC is ongoing. The examination is part of educational development. So the state government will assess the situation especially because of the fact that WAEC is an integral part of educational development hence it cannot be ignored. “WAEC is a regional examination that involves five countries so we are waiting for the reaction of WAEC. The state government will then assess the situation,” Olaleye said.
Proprietor arressted for circulating fake news in Osun
The Osun State Government has said a private school proprietor in the state had been handed to over to the police for circulating unapproved plan for school reopening. The school reopening proposal was shared in many whatsapp groups in the state on Wednesday and when attention of Special Adviser to the governor on Education , Mr Jamiu Olawumi was drawn to the proposal , he told our correspondent to disregard it. Olawumi, who claimed that the man circulating the said proposal had been arrested by the police on the order of state government , told residents to wait for the directive of Governor Gboyega Oyetola on the issue . According to the said reopening proposal , schools in Osun state were to resume on July 20, 2020 and only 20 children were to sit in a class It was also proposed that big schools would run two shifts of morning, 8am to 12pm; and afternoon, 1. 30 pm to 5. 30pm daily. But Olawumi said , “ Schools were closed by the President and the power to reopen has been conceded to the state governors . Osun citizens should await the announcement as endorsed by the governor very soon . We have handed him ( the person behind the proposal ) over to the police. Disregard the proposal please . ” Efforts to get reaction of Osun State leadership of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools to the development proved futile .
“Police Detain Atheist 40 Days For Insulting Prophet Mohammed” By Leo Igwe
Mr. Bala’s forced disappearance by the Nigeria Police is emblematic of the decline in the respect of individual human rights under President Muhammadu Buhari. The impunity being exhibited by the Nigeria Police on the matter of Mr. Bala indicates a tacit approval by the Nigerian government and should be strongly condemned by all lovers of human rights and justice.
Our attention has been drawn to a story titled “Police detain atheist 40 days for insulting Prophet Mohammed”, which was carried in the 7 June 2020 edition of the Punch Newspaper. Specifically, we refer to the misrepresentations by Barrister S. S. Umar regarding the arrest and detention of Mubarak Bala, president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria. As the report rightly pointed out, the police arrested Mr Bala in Kaduna on 28 April 2020 and transferred him to Kano the following day where he has since been held incommunicado. In that report, there was no comment from the offices of the police and the attorney general in Kano. However, S. S. Umar who lodged the petition that led to the arrest and detention Mr. Bala stated that Mr. Bala had been in police custody because courts in Kano were closed due to COVID-19 pandemic and the police could not grant him bail due to security reasons. These are all fabricated lies by this lawyer to misinform and mislead the public about his mischievous petition and connivance with the police to continue to deny Mr Bala his human and constitutional rights. Indeed, Mr Bala has not been formally charged to court, but this is not because courts in Kano had not been sitting due to COVID-19 pandemic. Courts have been sitting and in the case of Mr Bala several pre-hearings have been held and the police have refused to produce him in court. Instead the police have tendered one excuse or the other for failing to produce him in court. The claim that police have refused to grant Bala bail due to security reasons was another treacherous proposition. Petitions have been sent to the police urging them to take Bala’s case out of Kano to a neutral place, but the police ignored all the petitions. In addition, the police have continued to deny Mubarak Bala access to a lawyer. It is unfortunate that Barrister S. S. Umar did not highlight this illegality in his interview and comment on the case.
We wish to have it on record that the Nigeria Police have clearly demonstrated bias in this case, appealing to religious sentiments in utter disregard to Mr. Bala’s fundamental human rights. They have blocked all attempts by the lawyer to visit and meet with Mr. Bala and have systematically frustrated every attempt by Mr. Bala’s wife to see or hear from her husband. Meanwhile the police have approached a court and apparently want to prosecute Mr. Bala without a legal representation. Nobody is saying that the police should not carry out their duties and responsibilities; but they should do so in accordance and not in spite of the laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr. Bala’s forced disappearance by the Nigeria Police is emblematic of the decline in the respect of individual human rights under President Muhammadu Buhari. The impunity being exhibited by the Nigeria Police on the matter of Mr. Bala indicates a tacit approval by the Nigerian government and should be strongly condemned by all lovers of human rights and justice. We once again call on the Nigerian government to release Mr. Bala and allow him to reunite with his family. The Nigeria Police must be held to account for the illegal arrest and detention of Mubarak Bala.
Leo Igwe Ph.D. (Religious Studies, Bayreuth) Chair, Humanist Association of Nigeria
Nigerian Students In United States May Face Deportation
International students may need to leave US if their universities transition to online-only learning (CNN)International students who are pursuing degrees in the United States will have to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only courses, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday. The move may affect thousands of foreign students who come to the United States to attend universities or participate in training programs, as well as non-academic or vocational studies. Universities nationwide are beginning to make the decision to transition to online courses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. At Harvard, for example, all course instruction will be delivered online, including for students living on campus. For international students, that opens the door to them having to leave the US. “There’s so much uncertainty. It’s very frustrating,” said Valeria Mendiola, 26, a graduate student at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. “If I have to go back to Mexico, I am able to go back, but many international students just can’t.” In a news release Monday, ICE said that students who fall under certain visas “may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States,” adding, “The U.S. Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.” The agency suggested that students currently enrolled in the US consider other measures, like transferring to schools with in-person instruction. There’s an exception for universities using a hybrid model, such as a mix of online and in-person classes. Brad Farnsworth, vice president of the American Council on Education, said the announcement caught him and many others by surprise. “We think this is going to create more confusion and more uncertainty,” said Farnsworth, whose organization represents about 1,800 colleges and universities. “What we were hoping to see was more appreciation for all the different possible nuances that campuses will be exploring.” One concern with the new guidance, Farnsworth said, is what would happen if the public health situation deteriorates in the fall and universities that had been offering in-person classes feel they have to shift all courses online to stay safe. Visa requirements for students have always been strict and coming to the US to take online-only courses has been prohibited. “These are not some fly-by-night universities, these aren’t scams, these are legit universities who would normally have in-person curricula but for coronavirus,” said Theresa Cardinal Brown, director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. “The bigger issue is some of these countries have travel restrictions on and they can’t go home, so what do they do then?” she added. “It’s a conundrum for a lot of students.” Harvard University President Larry Bacow said in a statement Monday evening that “we are deeply concerned that the guidance issued today by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement imposes a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach to a complex problem giving international students, particularly those in online programs, few options beyond leaving the country or transferring schools.” The guidance, Bacow continued, “undermines the thoughtful approach taken on behalf of students by so many institutions, including Harvard, to plan for continuing academic programs while balancing the health and safety challenges of the global pandemic.” “We will work closely with other colleges and universities around the country to chart a path forward,” he said. The Trump administration has made a litany of changes to the US immigration system, citing the coronavirus pandemic, that have resulted in barring swaths of immigrants from coming to the country. Last month, the White House issued an immigration proclamation dramatically curtailing legal immigration to the US sending hundreds of people and businesses into a scramble to understand whether their future plans are derailed. In the proclamation, the administration argued that the “extraordinary circumstances” posed by coronavirus called for the suspension of employment-based visas. But immigrant advocates, industries and experts say the administration is taking advantage of the pandemic to make sweeping immigration changes and advance its agenda to slash legal immigration. Monday’s announcement, like the changes that preceded it, could similarly result in many foreign students who often pay high tuition to have to return to their home country. According to the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank based in Washington, DC, about 1.2 million students who fall under the affected visas were enrolled and registered at more than 8,700 schools nationwide as of March 2018. Farnsworth said he sees the announcement as part of a larger pattern of moves by the administration that “have not set the right tone.” “This is going to create I think more anxiety on the part of international students, and for those who are still thinking about where they’re going to go in the fall, I think this may push them in the direction of attending a university in another country,” he said. While students might have the option to transfer to a college or university offering in-person courses, it might be difficult to come by amid continued concerns over coronavirus. Some schools have announced plans to bring students back but shorten semesters, as well as cancel nearly all in-person classes through the semester.
FG reverses school resumption, stops WAEC examination
The federal government has reversed its earlier decision to reopen schools, withdrawing students of Unity Schools from the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) scheduled for August 5 and September 5. The examination was initially postponed indefinitely to check the spread of COVID-19. But Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, had announced on Monday that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has fixed the commencement of the examination for August 5. But speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the virtual federal executive council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, Adamu Adamu, minister of education, said schools under the control of the federal government will not participate in the examination. He also appealed to state governments who have agreed to reopen schools to reconsider the action due to the COVID-19 situation. “I appeal to state governments that have announced schools’ resumption to reconsider it. I think it’s not safe. Let’s protect our children,” he said. Adamu also appealed to WAEC to reschedule the examination because of the pandemic. Nigeria had a total of 29,879 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday evening.
Veteran Actor, Pa. James Allegedly Receives House Gift from Funke Akindele
The ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ creator reportedly gifted her senior colleague with a house after flood overran and destroyed part of his Oke Isagun home in Oke Odo LGA. In a now deleted Instagram post, actress Kemi Korede announced Akindele’s magnanimity writing; “On behalf of PA JAMES, I Want to say Big thank you to @funkejenifaakindele for the new apartment given to him by you. God bless you so much for your good heart. your type is so rare..you are a gem. Almighty God will continue to make way for you where there seems to be no way,” she said. Pa. James’ son had cried out for help and government intervention following the incessant rainfall leading to the canal in the area overflowing and dumping its contents in the houses in the area.
Hushpuppi: Woodbery Defrauded US Firm Of $15.3m Stashed Away In Bitcoin Wallet — FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, has filed a case alleging that Olalekan Jacob Ponle, who was arrested alongside Hushpuppi, defrauded US firms of millions. Police authorities had earlier shared footage of how Hushpuppi and his 11 cronies were busted in a special operation over cyber-fraud involving 1.9 million victims to the tune of N168 billion. Arrested on June 10, the suspects were said to have been involved in crimes spanning money laundering, hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft. Alongside Hushpuppi, Ponle, who is better known as Woodbery, had been expelled from the UAE to the US where he is to face charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, one for which he risks 20 years jail term. In an affidavit filed on Woodbery’s case, the FBI said that part of the sum from the scams, which he pulled between January and September 2019, had been stashed away in a Bitcoin, BTC, wallet. Bitcoin is a type of virtual currency not issued by any government, bank, or firm but is generated and controlled through computer software operating on a decentralised peer-to-peer network. While BTC transactions are recorded in the Bitcoin blockchain, the identities of the individuals or entities are not recorded on the public ledger, making the platform partially anonymous.
FBI said Woodbery staged business email compromise, BEC, schemes targeting accounts through computer intrusion techniques to cause the unauthorised transfer of funds from victim companies. Among these are schemes that caused a Chicago-based company to lose $2,300,000 while another firm was defrauded into transferring a total of $15,268,000, part of which was stashed away in BTC wallet. The affidavit read: “Preliminary blockchain analysis indicates that Ponle received at least 1,494.71506296 bitcoin related to these BEC schemes, valued at approximately $6,599,499.98. “These schemes resulted in attempted and actual losses to victim companies in the tens of millions. Ponle directed money mules in the US to open bank accounts in the names of victim companies. “Proceeds from BEC schemes, ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars, were then wired by unwitting employees to the bank accounts opened by Ponle’s mules. “Ponle then instructed the mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and to send the proceeds of the BEC schemes to a bitcoin wallet that he owned and operated.” Woodbery is expected to appear in court on July 9, for hearing on his detention.
Osun is Killing Osun _Written by Apst King Comedian
I do not know where we got the idea of hyping Osogbo Town. To rent a Shop in Osogbo town is N400,000? A friend of mine rented a space last week at 2.9M.2.5M for subsequent rent and 400k for caretaker. I laugh at his folly. As at last year, a Cinema started operating in the town. Myself and many others thought it was the beginning of new era. We were like “Osogbo is moving” … But have you heard? The Cinema shut down because they could no longer afford 2million price tag for the space. Funny enough, it is indeed a small space. With this, an opportunity was lost. The city could no longer boost of having a Cinema.
Looking at the issue from a closer angle, the caretakers are to be blamed. They are very good at convincing property owners so as to satisfy themselves. As if that is not enough, to rent an apartment in Osogbo is now a problem.
Taking a step further in the journey, I heard of a Shopping complex in Osogbo. The caretaker had already paid for the whole space to the property owner. How could a caretaker pay a property owner off? So alarming and worrisome. Now, to rent the space from the caretaker is N400,000. This is wonderful.
I am afraid, the activities of our agents in osogbo is downplaying the development of the city. This will continue to kill the economy of the state. Osogbo is the problem of Osogbo Osogbo is Killing Osogbo.
Gather coronavirus patients for prayers – T. B. Joshua tells Nigeria, other countries
Pastor T. B. Joshua has declared readiness to virtually pray for COVID-19 patients in isolation centres in Nigeria and other countries. In an announcement on Tuesday, Joshua called on government and medical authorities to “organize those who are in isolation” and “arrange how to connect them to us”. The cleric noted that “the blessing of Jesus is for those who knock and ask”. He told everyone that in whatever way they support to make the intercession happen, “we are a team; we are not doing more than you”. The leader of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) added: “Together we shall pray for them. Together we shall be set free from this COVID-19.” Stressing that those infected need prayers, Joshua recalled the Bible scripture where Jesus healed all who had various sicknesses. “The same anointing that heals one is also able to heal all at the same time,” he added. Coronavirus has infected nearly 12 million people and caused more than 545,000 deaths. However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for the reopening of all churches.
PurpleWorld 