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PRESS RELEASE

BAGOSA, IKIRE INAUGURATED, PIONEER EXCO ELECTED.
Saturday 20th April, 2019 was a milestone in the history of Baptist Grammar School, Ikire, as the School witnessed the convergence of numerous old students of the school who attended the first ever Official meeting and the inauguration of the newly formed Old Student Association of the School.
The inaugural meeting, which was a great reunion for the Old Students was attended by members of all sets from inception to date, Principals and Teachers as well as current students of the School.
The Baptist Grammar School Old Students’ Association (BAGOSA), Ikire, set milestones that centred on the idea of giving back to the school and the society.
Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Alabi, who is also an old student of the school, commended the Coordinators of the event for the great efforts made to pull together such an impressive crowd from far and near and for making the event a reality.
He encouraged the students to be focused, obedient, studious, and good ambassadors of the school. Mr. Alabi who stated that Government alone cannot meet all the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry, called on the Old Student Association and indeed all well-meaning individuals in the society to contribute generously towards the uplift of all public facilities in general and Baptist Grammar School, Ikire, in particular.
As an old Student, the Deputy Governor pledged to undertake a landmark project in the School.
In his inaugural and acceptance speech, the newly elected pioneer National President of Baptist Grammar School Old Student Association (BAGOSA), Ikire, Mr. Ridhwan Atoba solicited the support of all members in ensuring that all laudable objectives of BAGOSA came to fruition. He observed sadly, that most of the buildings and facilities in the School are in sorry and deplorable conditions and then promised that BAGOSA would commence the renovation work and provision of facilities in earnest.
Apart from the National President, other Executive Council Members were elected to run the affairs of the Baptist Grammar School Old Students Association (BAGOSA), Ikire. They are;
​Nat.President – ​Mr. Ridhwan Atoba
​Nat. Secretary​-​Prince Wole Adepoju
​1st V P ​-​Dr. (Mrs.) Iyiola Akindele
​2nd VP – Prof. Lateef Sanni
​Dir of Treasury​-​Mrs. Simiat Makinde
​Dir of Social – Mr. Gboyega Adeyemo
​Dir. of Finance – Mrs. Rukayat Adepoju
​PRO – Mrs. Ajibola Falode
​Auditor​​-​Hon. Mathew Alabi
​Ex Officios​​-​Reps of 1985 and 1995 sets.
A sumptuous meal was provided for all by the 1981 set.

SIGNED.
Ajibola Falode
National PRO / 1983 Set.

Andrew Uchendu, senator representing Rivers east, has asked his colleagues to sell some of their cars and use the proceeds to empower unemployed youth in the country.

Senator Andrew Uchendu, senator representing Rivers eastHe made the point while contributing to a debate at the senate on Thursday received by VAM News. 
Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, had drawn the attention of his colleagues to the killing of Faye Mooney, a British tourist, and Matthew Oguche, her partner, at Kajuru Castle in Kaduna state.
In his contribution, Uchendu said unemployment was fueling insecurity.
On the suggestion of his colleagues putting up their car for sale, Uchendu said proceeds from this could be used to establish factories that can take over five million jobless youth off the streets.
“We own three, four, five vehicles and I’m sure we can do much better with two,” he said.
“Our contemporaries in US, do they own four vehicles on the road? If we dispose of our two vehicles and use the proceeds to set up a small industry, wouldn’t we be engaging five youths – we will be taking more than five million youth from the highway.”
The senator wondered why recommendations of a security summit held by the senate had not been implemented.
“Under your leadership there was a security summit, conclusions were reached to study all the contributions and make appropriate recommendations, the question I want to ask is where do we go from there?” he asked.
“Has anything been done, if nothing has been done, why? We come here everything violence and security and all that.
“Who are the key drivers of this process, these killings, the youths. They have two vital assets, time and energy. Until our youths are a engaged, Mr President, this problem will continue.”

Health care delivery will remain a priority to Osun Government – says Oyetola.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has again reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the health care service delivery in the state.

Governor Oyetola reaffirmed the commitment on Wednesday at the exco lounge of the Governor’s office, state Secretariat Osogbo while receiving in audience the officials of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the team of Health Policy plus( H.P+) in Nigeria.

He commended the agency for supporting his administration’s policies in various areas of health sector.

Governor Oyetola explained that efforts are being made to revitalize the health sector with the inauguration of rehabilitation of about 332 health care centres with one each in all the wards across the state adding that what informed the project was to bring health services closer to the people.

This administration is seriously committed to the success of the health insurance scheme in the state and that is one of the reasons priority is being given to the sector because we believe that health is wealth and healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

We want to make case for other areas including agriculture and education in which the agency can also be of assistance.
Any support in these areas too would be appreciated”, the Governor said.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the agency, the health finance programme Manager of USAID Dr. Sylvester Akande noted that what the officials have seen in the state in terms of health facilities is highly impressive.

He commended the Government for according adequate priority to the health sector.

He noted the commitment of over 1.4 billion Naira on revitalization of primary health care by the state government as well as performance on ‘save one million lives’ project saying Osun has excelled among it’s peers in the country.

The USAID officer who enjoined Government not to relent on it’s commitment to health care delivery maintained that it is expenditure and not allocation that would elicit further encouragement and draw more support.

Dr. Akande said ” the performance of the state on the ‘saving one million lives’ was exceptional as evident by the amount of funds disbursed to the State for the programme and Osun came second only to Yobe state in the ranking of performance”.

In the attendance were the Chairman house committee on health Hon Leke Ogunsola, Secretary to the State Government Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the permanent secretary ministry of health Mr Kayode Adegoke and General Manager Osun health insurance scheme Dr. Niyi Oginni among others.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, a delegation from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) led by its President, Amaju Pinnick and the representative of Femi Otedola, Founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Philip Akinola, on Wednesday paid a get- well visit to former Green Eagles’ Captain and Coach of Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu at his Enugu residence.

Other Members of the delegation were the State Football Association Chairman, Chidi Ofor Okenwa and Editor of Saturday Vanguard, Onochie Anibeze.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who expressed delight at Chukwu’s level of recovery, offered automatic employment to his first son, Emeka, an Engineer, to work in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in furtherance of his administration’s assistance and commitment to the family’s wellbeing.
Speaking during the visit, the NFF President, who was also delighted to see Chukwu in high spirits, described him as “a super living legend”, noting that he “has paid his dues for the people of Nigeria”. He equally described Chukwu as “a legend that we love so much” adding that “we believe that his name has been written in people’s hearts and in the annals of football in Nigeria”.
Mr. Pinnick, who appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration for its prompt intervention in offsetting the medical bills of the former captain of Rangers International Football Club during his treatment at a clinic in Enugu, disclosed that the NFF under his leadership decided to be part of the healing process.
His words: “I have to thank the governor, who has been amazing, he is a role model for many people in terms of display of total humility, he is a man of destiny, you see a lot of positives radiating around him. This shows that he is a man of the people genuinely despite that he is a politician. I say thank you, Your Excellency, the good people of Enugu State are solidly behind you”.
Commenting on the $50,000 donation by Otedola for Chukwu’s treatment abroad, which was presented via a cheque to the family by his Chief Operating Officer, Akinola, the NFF President commended the Nigerian businessman and philanthropist for his display of “dexterity” describing him as an “astute administrator”.
The NFF boss, who promised Chukwu the continued support of the Enugu State Government, the NFF, Otedola and other Nigerians, disclosed that arrangement is ongoing to fly him to England for further medical treatment, and reassured him that he will be much better after the trip.
“The truth is without you (Chukwu) there is no NFF; without you there is no CAF; without you there is no FIFA; without the players, there will be no administration. If we don’t get that at the back of our mind and acknowledge your presence in ensuring total wellbeing, acknowledging your presence is ensuring total package, ensuring that you live. We want to strengthen you to be closer to God, to be closer to your family and now know that Nigeria loves you beyond imagination”, said Pinnick.
Appreciating the efforts of other contributors, he said: “I also want to thank the entire state football stakeholders, members of the executive committee, members of the Nigeria Football Congress and also your colleagues that have made us to know that you are facing this. We want to thank the ex-Rangers and the current Rangers players, among others”.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Joseph Udedi, who narrated how the governor intervened by making an initial deposit for the commencement of Chukwu’s treatment at the Enugu hospital and later paid the entire medical bills when the football legend was discharged, applauded the NFF, Otedola and other good spirited Nigerians for their support and cooperation. 
Responding on behalf of the family, Chukwu’s first son thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi, the NFF leadership, Otedola and all those who have contributed so far towards the treatment of his father, stating that the family is very grateful for the show of love extended to him by Nigerians.
He equally expressed gratitude to the governor for the automatic employment and assured him of diligent service in his office of deployment.

FIFA on Wednesday signed the Life banned of eight players, agent for life, after they were found guilty of match-fixing/manipulation. 

The eight players and agent who were banned for life by FIFA, include: former Sierra Leone captain Ibrahim Kargbo, ex-Trinidad, Tobago defender Keyeno Thomas. Other footballers suspended from all football-related activities over attempts to rig matches at international level include former players from Benin, Afghanistan and Cuba, as well as Zimbabwean agent Kudzanai Shaba. Kenyan defender George Owino Audi received a 10-year ban and a fine of 15,000 Swiss francs (13,165 euros).
AFP reported that the World Football Governing also said it has opened disciplinary proceedings after a vast investigation into various international matches that Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer, had attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. 
“This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA over several years through its integrity department and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities,” read a FIFA statement.

National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has dismissed as fake news reports making the rounds on social media that serving corps members will be paid N31,800 as monthly stipends following the signing of the new minimum wage into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

NYSC members A Deputy Director at the NYSC headquarters Abuja, Eddy Megwa told newsmen on Wednesday that the federal government is yet to inform the Scheme of any increases in the stipends of serving corps members. 

He stressed that though the NYSC does not pay corps members directly, the federal government will inform the Scheme of any increases before a stipend figure different from the current N19,800 is made available to the public.  

He said, “The NYSC does not pay corps members any sum of money directly as stipends but the federal government does. “Until the government is ready to implement the N30,000 minimum wage, we cannot say what corps members will earn for their service to the nation. 

“Disregard any figure you find making the rounds on social media. When the federal government is ready, it will inform NYSC and we will announce it to corps members through official channels.”

The Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, Ondo State has been shut.

AAUA senate buildingThis development followed the protest that greeted the decision of the school management to bar students from writing the continuous assessment as a result of school fees issue.
It was gathered by VAM News that the university management had announced the enforcement of ‘No School Fees, No Test/Examination’ with large number of students not allowed to participate in Wednesday’s test.
According to some of the students, they described the action of the school’s management as an effort to make indigent students drop out of going by the exorbitant fees put in place by the management last year.
A student , who gave his name as Williams explained that, “they (management) shut out most students who have not paid or balance their fees from writing this test.“It is nothing but pure wickedness.
“They’re some of us whose parents don’t have the financial strength of paying the fees at once. It’s just unfair.
Another student, who gave her name as Titi said that “the management ought to outline modalities of making the fee convenient for students.
“Even in some private universities, they’re ways it’s done that it won’t be cumbersome for parents and students.
“Probably, the plan of the state government is to deprive us of university education.
However, the university management has ordered all students to vacate the campus with immediate effect.
The Registrar of the institution, Dr. Sunday Ayeerun in a statement said all students should resume Monday May 20, 2019.
“The Management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State,has approved a Mid-Semester break for all students of the University.
“All students of the university are, therefore, advised to proceed on the Mid-Semester break with immediate effect.
“Students are to resume to campus on Monday, May 20, 2019,”
The students were billed to commence the first semester 2018/2019 academic session on May 5, 2019.
VAM News reports that the Ondo State government had last year increased the school fees in the institution from average N35,000 to N180,000 which generated series of protests that led to the shutting down of the Akure the Ondo State capital for days.

Source: VAM News

In a bid to put the record straight and lay the controversy over Yoruba-Igbo ties to rest, VAM News confirmed a statement from a first class monarch in Osun state, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, said that the founding father of Yoruba, Oduduwa was never the last born to the Igbos prince as claimed by Ohaneze Indigbo.

Oluwo of IwolandOluwo described the claim as unfounded, false and misleading to the stalwarts of history, beseeching Igbo community to further their research on the adventure of their own Oduduwa rather than demeaning the status of Yoruba rallying point.

Governor Yahaya Bello’s hope of securing the ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the November Kogi State governorship election is under threat as a result of criticism by stakeholders that he has performed below average in office.

Kogi state government house The governor, according to information revealed to VAM News that the governor earlier today removed all the party logo at the main entrance gate to Lugard House, the seat of the state government and he is set to dump the party for Accord Party due to the uncertainty that beclouds his ambition for second term.
It was reliably gathered that Bello, who is presently facing a difficult task to secure the party’s governorship ticket, has been petitioned by individuals, groups and even members of his party before the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, all complaining that his administration has performed poorly.
The Accord Party secretariat has reportedly been renovated by the governor. Although the Accord Party was his alternative party in 2015 when he lost the APC governorship primary to late Prince Abubakar Audu, he was eventually nominated to take the place of Audu in the supplementary election.
According to sources, Bello is said to have disclosed to some of his closest allies in his cabinet that some cabal in Aso Rock advised him to move to another party since forces were against him for the ticket.
According to him, he has been assured of their support if he contests the governorship election in another party.The sources also disclosed that the governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, a good friend of Bello, also advised him to dump the APC for another party so that he could contest in the November 2 governorship election.
VAM News confirmed a reports that the National Secretariat of the party received over 10 petitions submitted by individuals, various groups and also within the party demanding that Bello should not be given ticket for second term.
One of the groups is the concerned group under the name Kogi Rescue Mission (KRM) is of the opinion that Bello’s “abysmal style of leadership has further subjected the state to political and economic hemorrhage.”

Kalu Orji Uzor (APC) – Abia North

Orji Theodore Ahamefule (PDP) – Abia Central

Abia South – Pending (Supplementary)

Ishaku Elisha Cliff (PDP) – Adamawa North

Yaroe Binos Dauda (PDP) – Adamawa South

Dahiru Aishatu Ahmed (APC) – Adamawa Central

Akpan Bassey Albert (PDP) – Akwa Ibom North East

Christopher Stephen Ekpenyong (PDP) – Akwa Ibom North West

Eyakenyi Akon Etim (PDP) – Akwa Ibom South

Stella Oduah (PDP) – Anambra North

Uche Lilian Ekwunife (PDP) – Anambra Central

Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP) – Anambra South

Bauchi South – APC (Candidate to be determined by court order)

Jika Dauda Halliru (APC) – Bauchi Central

Bulkachuwa Adamu Muhammad(APC) – Bauchi North

Degi Eremienyo Biobaraku Wangagra (APC) – Bayelsa East

Diri Douye (PDP) – Bayelsa Central

Ewhrudjakpo Lawrence (PDP) – Bayelsa West

Gabriel Suswam (PDP) – Benue North East

Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev (PDP) – Benue North West

Patrick Abba Moro (PDP) – Benue South

Kyari Abubakar Shaib (APC) – Borno North

Kashim Shettima (APC) – Borno Central

Ali Ndume (APC) – Borno South

Oko Rose Okoji (PDP) – Cross River North

Onor Sandy Ojang (PDP) – Cross River Central

Gershom Bassey (PDP) – Cross River South

Ovie Omo-Agege (APC) – Delta Central

Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP) – Delta North

James Ebiowou Manager (PDP) – Delta South

Egwu Samuel Ominyi (PDP) – Ebonyi North

Ogba Joseph Obinna (PDP) – Ebonyi Central

Micheal Ama Nnachi (PDP) – Ebonyi South

Ordia Akhimienmona Cliffford (PDP) – Edo Central

Alimikhena Francis Asekhame(APC)- Edo North

Urhoghide Matthew Aisagbonriodion (PDP)- Edo South

Adetunmbi Olubunmi Ayodeji (APC) – Ekiti North

Bamidele Micheal Opeyemi (APC) – Ekiti Central

Adeyeye Clement Adebayo (APC) – Ekiti South

Nnamani Chimaroke Ogbonnia(PDP) – Enugu East

Ike Ekweremadu (PDP) – Enugu West

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka (PDP) – Enugu North

Danjuma Goje (APC) – Gombe Central

Amos Bulus Kilawangs (APC) – Gombe South

Alkali Saidu Ahmed (APC) – Gombe North

Onyewuchi Ezenwa Francis (PDP) – Imo East

Imo West – Pending (Declaration made under duress)

Imo North – Pending (Supplementary)

Mohammed Sabo (APC) – Jigawa South West

Hassan Ibrahim Hadeija (APC) – Jigawa North East

Sankara Danladi Abdullahi (APC) – Jigawa North West

Kwari Suleiman Abdu (APC) – Kaduna North

Sani Uba (APC) – Kaduna Central

Laah Danjuma Tella (PDP) – Kaduna South

Ibrahim Shekarau (APC) – Kano Central

Barau Jibrin (APC) – Kano North

Gaya Ibrahim Kabiru (APC) – Kano South

Babba Ahmad Kaita (APC) – Katsina North

Mandiya Bello (APC) – Katsina South

Abdullahi Kabir (APC) – Katsina Central

Abdullahi Abubakar Yahaya (APC) – Kebbi North

Adamu Mainasara Aliero Muhammad (APC) – Kebbi Central

Na Allah Bala Ibn (APC) – Kebbi South

Yakubu Oseni (APC) – Kogi Central

Kogi East – Pending (Supplementary)

Dino Melaye (PDP) – Kogi West

Umar Suleiman Sadiq (APC) – Kwara North

Oloriegbe Yahaya Ibrahim (APC) – Kwara Central

Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (APC) – Kwara South

Remi Tinubu (APC) – Lagos Central

Osinowo Sikiru Adebayo (APC) – Lagos East

Adeola Soloman Olamilekan (APC) – Lagos West

Akwashiki Godiya (APC) – Nasarawa East

Abdullahi Adamu (APC) – Nasarawa North

Tanko Al-Makura (APC) – Nasarawa South

Mohammed Sani Musa (APC) – Niger East

Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (APC) – Niger North

Bima Muhammad Enagi (APC) – Niger South

Ibikunle Amosun (APC) – Ogun Central

Mustapha Ramoni Olalekan (APC) – Ogun East

Odebiyi Tolulope Akinremi (APC) – Ogun West

Boroface Robert Ajayi (APC) – Ondo North

Akinyelure Patrick Ayo (PDP) – Ondo Central

Ondo South – Pending (Supplementary)

Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru (APC) – Osun Central

Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba (PDP) – Osun East

Oriolowo Adelere Adeyemi (APC) – Osun West

Folarin Teslim Kolawole (APC) – Oyo Central

Buhari Abdulfatai (APC) – Oyo North

Kola Ademola Balogun (PDP) – Oyo South

Plateau South – Pending (Supplementary)

Dimka Hezekiah Ayuba (APC) – Plateau Central

Gyang Istifanus Dung (PDP) – Plateau North

Rivers East – Pending (Supplementary)

Mpigi Barinada (PDP) – Rivers South East

Rivers West – Pending (Supplementary)

Gobir Ibrahim Abdullahi (APC) – Sokoto East

Aliyu Wamakko (APC) – Sokoto North

Shehu Abubakar Tambuwal (APC) – Sokoto South

Bwacha Emmanuel (PDP) – Taraba South

Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (APC) – Taraba Central

Isa Shuaibu Lau (PDP) – Taraba North

Gaidam Ibrahim Alhaji (APC) – Yobe East

Ahmed Lawan (APC) – Yobe North

Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (APC) – Yobe South

Kaura Tijjani Yahaya (APC) – Zamfara North

Aliyu Ikra Bilbis (APC) – Zamfara Central

Abdul’aziz Yari (APC) – Zamfara West

Tanimu Philip Aduda (PDP) – FCT