UTME: Beware Of Unaccredited Cybercafes, JAMB Warns Candidates

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has warned students who are applying for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, slated for April 27, 2013 to register only at cybercafes accredited by the board.

Professor Dibu Ojerinde, JAMB Executive Registrar, gave this warning at a media briefing in Lagos.

According to him, “students should only register at cybercafes that are accredited by JAMB. We did this because of the cheating tendency of some of these cybercafe operators who collect money from students and never register them appropriately, especially those who drop their data with them and go home to collect confirmation slips the next day. If you go to any cybercafe for registration, please ask if the cybercafe is accredited by JAMB. If they say yes, ask them their code. Students who have problems with their registration may be because the cybercafes they patronised are not accredited by JAMB because if they do not have our code, they can’t access our website.

“Secondly, it depends on the band the cybercafes are using. If a cybercafe is using a band with other people, it may experience difficulty in accessing some websites. That is why such cybercafe’s speed increases at night when their narrow band is decongested. Cybercafes are part of our problems as they have in time past given female name to male and also misspelled people’s names. However, JAMB band width expands on demand as we have catered for this” he assured.

“We Are Not Ready For Dialogue With Govt”- Boko Haram

A new twist might have emerged in the ceasefire declared by the Boko Haram sect. Less than 24 hours after the ceasefire was declared, an audio interview of a man, identified as Mujhahedeen Muhammad Marwana, who claims to be the second-in-command to Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau has been obtained. The interview was conducted over the telephone in Hausa language in Bauchi State and it has clear indications that the sect might not be ready for talks with the Federal Government.

In the interview, Muhammad Marwana disclosed that members of his group met with top government officials and influential people from the Northern part of Nigeria. Those he named included Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, former Minister of Defence Halliru Bello Mohammed and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, though he gave no details of what transpired at the meetings.

Marwana gave hints that entering into dialogue with the Federal Government may not work as he alleged that not fewer than 47 Boko Haram sect members have been killed in failed dialogue efforts.

Giving some conditions that could be considered before any dialogue would begin, he stated that four principal members of the sect are being “unjustly” held in Kano, while others are being held in Maiduguri, Abuja and several other places and they must first be released as a pre-condition for any consideration of dialogue.

In the course of the interview, he disclosed that “many people have called us for dialogue many times but the government is fooling itself, thinking they are clever but deceiving themselves. They are insisting they don’t know us, it is false, we have met their representatives many times but because of their evil plan they kept denying because of their greed and wickedness.”

Peaking about the peace meetings held after the execution of former Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, he said “we were six in Shehu’s Palace. From there we were 40 that met in Damaturu and only three of us survived”. Narrating another instance, he said “we went to Kaduna and met in Arewa House; of eleven of us, ten were killed by special squad of security agencies around Tafa on Abuja way, with all these, who is a cheat and wants trouble? We sat with Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello Mohammed and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, this is what we want our Muslim Ummah to know.”

 

 

Letter From An Atheist To Nigerian Muslims Over El-Rufai’s Jesus/Mary Tweet

Dear muslims,

Salaam,

We are all Nigerians, whether muslim or christian or pagan. We are all one irrespective of tribe or religion. However, I write this letter with anger and disappointment. I am disappointed and angry at the ease at which extremists have found a stronghold within the religion of islam and have used it to cause terror and mayhem to people in the north. This issue of islamic extremism is really dividing Nigeria into different parts faster than tribalism or the greed for oil have ever done to Nigeria. Concurrently, I am going to use the christian response to El Rufai’s tweet concerning Jesus to highlight a possible solution to this case of religious extremism. I believe that muslims can learn from our christian brethren’s reactions to the tweet.

First of all, we have to establish three facts. The first fact is that I am not a christian or a believer in God, and so, I am not trying to preach a religion or promote christianity in this letter. The second fact is that christianity and many other religions are not totally innocent when it comes to extremism as well. The third fact, which is the most important, is that islamic extremism does not top at Boko Haram; there are islamic youths and clerics who engage in dangerous activities that are destructive to the fabric of our society.

Now, that we have established these facts, we can now dive into the issue at hand; what muslims can learn from the christian handling of the El Rufai tweet. El Rufai made an expensive joke on twitter that had the punchline of Jesus sleeping with Mary Madgalene even though the point of the joke was to ridicule the staunch defenders of the current Nigerian president. There was a christian backlash on twitter and on the internet because of the perceived blasphemy emanating from the tweet. I want to clearly stress it out that there were no violent riots on the streets of Lagos or Port Harcourt in reaction the perceived blasphemy towards the revered figure of Jesus Christ. This is in direct contrast to reactions to anti-islamic messages where riots claimed the lives of innocent people(for example; the riots against the 2002 Miss World beauty pageant in Nigeri and against the Danish cartoons in 2006 that claimed the livesof innocent Nigerians). I will advance the argument that Muslims can learn from this difference in reaction which stems from a reformed view in christianity and other modern religions towards a more humanistic approach in faith.

Muslims should have meetings with their youths and clerics to preach a more peaceful and humanistic version of islam. It should be reiterated 5 times a day from clerics and imams that killing for a religion is wrong and that one should reply words with words not violence. You wouldn’t find a christian preacher or pastor in Nigeria condoning the killing of a blasphemer or an unbeliever or calling for violence. Infact, Christian leaders have reacted and called for an apology from El Rufai without threats or violence. The reason for this different approach from Nigerian christian goes beyond the roots of christianity in Nigeria. The reason is a simple reformation in religion towards a more enlightened and less barbaric way of spreading and experiencing faith.

Before christianity was properly spread in Nigeria by the British in the 19th century, there were numerous wars which almost destroyed Europe in the preceding centuries and christianity almost “out-crusaded” itself. There was also a growing age of enlightenment from the 17th century. The experience of the wars and enlightenment forced christianity to take religion a little less fantaically as more humanistic ideals were followed. Principles of personal liberty and fredom of expression were gaining popularity in the 18th century. With time, some progressive ideals became associated with christianity in the 19th century.

The point of the historical trip back to some centuries ago is to advice muslims to understand that faith can only succeed if it becomes progressive. I am not saying that the fundamentals of islam should be changed. I am saying that Nigerian muslims should practice their religion in a more peaceful way with the times . I have mentioned that more work has to be done with youths and cleric to keep promoting non-violent approaches to those who insult islam- either simple worded replies/complaints to the blasphemer/heretic or mediation between both parties. The simple way to do this is for the most popular imams or clerics to be given directives by the leaders in the society or government to preach tolerance to non-muslims and different sects of muslims 5 times a day.

There are other solutions which I want to offer;

-Making and sharing pamphlets to the youth on how to relate to non-muslims peacefully and how to peacefully react to anti-islamic issues.

-Creating activities and jobs at mosques for the youth so that idle ones wont have a chance to be recruited by terrorist/extremist groups

-Spreading the message that non-muslims in the north are still you Nigerian brethren and should be treated with respect.

-Creating television/radio programs to address the issues above in order to reach millions.

I hope my words have given some muslims a reason to think about how their religion is practiced in Nigeria. I choose to believe that there are good muslims who want a change. However, work has to be done to make that change happen. I will end this letter with a quote from Muhammad

“A perfect Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands mankind is safe.”

Cheers,
Logicboy

Tonto Releases ‘Itz Ova’ Music Video

Controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, will on Thursday, January 31, 2013, release the music video of her single ‘Itz Ova’.

Tonto, who delved into music in mid-2011, when she hit studio with Kaz, released two singles, ‘Itz Ova’ and ‘Hi’, in late 2012, which got over 3million downloads online in 24 hours.

She later released another single which featured Terry G, a single which fans preferred to her other singles.

She had earlier boasted that she would be the first actress to become a successful musician in Nigeria.

Why FG is unexcited about Boko Haram cease fire

ABUJA—Possible reasons the Federal Government did not jump at the ceasefire offered by a faction of the Boko Haram sect on Monday, emerged last night, with suggestions that the government did not want to be taken for a ride by individuals and groups.

Findings by Vanguard indicated that the government was careful not to rush into opening its arms to one faction of the sect only to be confronted afterwards by another group.

Besides, the government, it was learnt, felt betrayed by many individuals and groups who posed as Boko Haram leaders and peace mediators, only to turn round and blackmail the administration.

A top source who, spoke with our correspondent insisted that while the government was desirous of an end to the insurgency in the county, it would, however, not rush into embracing unknown individuals and groups all in the name of achieving peace.

“Do not forget that several elements have in the past announced ceasefire and got the attention of the government only to renege on their pledge.

“The attitude of the government seems to be that it is better to see the bigger picture of what is unfolding before making its position on the ceasefire public,” a source in government said.

The development came just as the Joint Task Force in Borno, the hub of the Boko Haram sect, declared that it would not rush into quitting the area as a result of the ceasefire announced by the group.

The spokesman for the JTF, Operation Restore Hope, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, told Vanguard on the phone that the security outfit would remain in its area of responsibility for the purpose of maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property.

Musa said, “Conflicts are resolved through dialogue. Hence the declaration of ceasefire by the sect leader is a welcome development.

“Be that as it may, the JTF will still remain in a staging position to continue to maintain law and order as well as protect lives and property of citizens in its area of operational responsibility.”

Reacting to the development, Anthony Sani, the Spokesman for the Arewa Consultative Forum, called for a more practical approach by the leaders of the sect and the government to ensure that the ceasefire holds.

Sani noted, “All patriotic Nigerians would welcome the decision by Boko Haram to ceasefire in favour of constructive dialogue. This is because what peace can achieve, violence cannot.

“But given the past experiences when such offers were later denied by factions of the same sect, we wish to suggest a practical approach that can deliver.

“If leaders of Boko Haram are truly desirous of constructive dialogue with the Nigerian authorities but are afraid of being arrested or killed, by security agents if they present themselves, such leaders should locate the courage of their conviction and approach any country of their choice which has diplomatic relationship with Nigeria to play some mediatory roles in the ensuing dialogue.

“Once such a country agrees to play some roles, it would be left for the government of such country to approach Nigerian government for effect,” the ACF spokesman suggested.

Adding his voice to the development, elder statesman and social commentator, Alh Tanko Yakassi, pleaded with the Federal Government to seize the momentum offered by the sect and end the tragedy in the country.

Yakassi said, “The ceasefire by BH is a welcome development; I always believe that in a situation like that dialogue is the only option.

“We have seen these examples of what dialogue can do in the Niger Delta, Northern Ireland and the Sudan. I hope the ceasefire would be the beginning of the end of that national tragedy.

Alhaji Yerima Shettima, National President of Arewa Consultative Forum, questioned the readiness of the government to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the sect to end the crisis in the country.

Shettima said his fears stemmed from the fact that some top government officials who were allegedly benefitting from the lingering insurgency did not want an end to the problem.

Shortly after the announcement of the ceasefire by the Boko Haram sect, the Federal Government had said that it would critically study the conditions given by the Boko Haram sect before making a pronouncement.

The government functionary had said, “From our experience, the sect is not reliable and their words cannot be taken on face value.

“All facets of governmental apparatus would be consulted before a final decision is taken on the matter. We are not in a hurry to jump at their offer,” the official said.

Prostitutes Congratulate Eagles, Promise Free Service If They Get Gold

The Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (ANP) has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for moving on to the Quarter Finals stage of the Orange African Cup of Nations, South Africa 2013, urging them to go for gold.

ANP in a statement issued through its national secretary, Jessica Elvis urged the national team to make the country proud by moving on to the finals and bringing back the trophy.

“We want to congratulate the Nigerian National team, the Super Eagles for qualifying for the next round of the competition. We want to assure them of our usual support and partnership, we want them to bring back our lost glory in football.

Speaking further, Jessica added that the Association would declare one week of free s*x if the Eagles win the trophy.

“To show our support for the national team, we’ll be declaring one week free s*x if the Super Eagles can win the trophy,” she added.

Investigation revealed some members of the association are in South Africa ‘supporting’ the national team.

The Super Eagles would be confronting the Ivorian national team, the Elephants in a knockout stage on Sunday.

Justin Bieber Kisses And Grabs Female Fan’s chest In Public

The teen heart-throb was pictured with a hand on the youthful Belieber’s chest while he kissed her on the cheek.

The teen heart-throb was posing for pictures with devoted followers at the event in Miami when he seems to have casually placed his hand underneath the girl’s b**b, his other arm wrapped gently around her shoulder.

The girl in question is seen smiling awkwardly in the image – which was later posted in a photo gallery on his fan club website BieberFever.Com before being removed.

The pair are also seen whispering to one another in a second snap on the site.

The image emerged just days after the once clean-cut star was accused of verbally abusing a US radio presenter in the gym.

Justin, 18, was in Miami for the last night of his US tour yesterday and seized the opportunity to flash his well-honed abs at photographers during a day relaxing poolside at a $24million mansion.

He recently confessed that he is struggling to get over his break-up from actress Selena Gomez.

In an interview with Billboard magazine when quizzed about their split he said: “I’m not in the happiest place that I’ve ever been.”