The Federal Government has lashed out at US Congressman Tom Marino for writing to Secretary of State John Kerry, asking the US to withhold security assistance to Nigeria on the strength of some imaginary infraction by the Buhari Administration.
Describing the letter as ”sadly out of tune with reality,” the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Sunday, said Congressman Marino was poorly informed about the issues he commented on, wondering why he did not take the pains to get first hand information from the US Embassy in Nigeria or any other credible source before engaging in what is nothing but a ‘propaganda of his own imagination’.
The Minister said by asking the US to refrain from selling warplanes and other military equipment to Nigeria based on a faulty premise, the Congressman has demonstrated a poor understanding of global security issues.
‘’Insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere. Had Congressman Marino understood this, he would not have made the kind of call he made concerning the US security assistance to Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency that Nigeria has decisively dealt with under President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a Nigerian problem but a regional and international crisis,’’ he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said Congressman Marino definitely did not have Nigeria in mind when he wrote that the US should withhold security assistance to Nigeria until President Buhari ‘demonstrates a commitment to inclusive government and the most basic tenets of democracy: freedom to assemble and freedom of speech’.
”An Administration that operates purely on the basis of respect for the rule of law and a strict adherence to constitutional order is not one to deny the citizens of their constitutionally-guaranteed rights. This Administration therefore does not need the goading of Congressman Marino or anyone for that matter to do what is right.
”Concerning running an inclusive government, had Congressman Marino done his home work before dispatching his letter, he would have realized that no part of the country is left out in the distribution of political appointments, for example, or in the appointment of Ministers, which was done in accordance with the Constitution that mandates that the President must appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
”Had the Congressman sought information from credible sources before engaging in a flight of fancy, he would have been presented with a comprehensive information on the appointment of CEOs for Federal Government’s parastatals, agencies and commissions that shows that the appoints were almost evenly matched along the line of the six geo-political zones in the country: With the North West having 51, North Central 46, North East 45, South East 41, South West 45 and South South 45,’’ he said. ‘’The Congressman may wish to note that each geo-political zone comprises 6 states, with the exception of North West (7) and South East (5).’’
The Minister described Congressman Marino’s description of the Administration’s anti-corruption efforts as ‘selective’ as a tired argument that clearly shows that the US lawmaker must have appended his signature to someone’s concocted line.
”That line was invented by those seeking to cause an unnecessary distraction from the Administration’s anti-corruption efforts, and it has been roundly rejected. Congressman Marino’s decision to exhume the dead postulation without an iota of proof is a reflection of whose side he has taken in the ongoing efforts to rid Nigeria of corrupt elements. Needless to say that the anti-corruption battle will continue unhindered, irrespective of whose ox is gored. And in this fight, only the guilty needs be afraid,’’ he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said Nigeria is delighted that US Secretary of State John Kerry, to whom the Congressman addressed his letter, is more knowledgeable, better briefed and definitely more hands on concerning Nigerian issues.
Nigerian University Develop Fraud-Detecting Device
The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in collaboration with six other Nigerian universities have developed a fraud-detecting device to check academic fraud.
The anti-plagiarism software is designed in collaboration with other universities which include Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; Covenant University, Ota; Delta State University Abraka, Benue State University Makurdi, University of Jos and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife.
The school in it Bulletin issued on Monday said the software programme development was at the instance of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU).
It said the AVCNU had mandated its Information and Communication Technology Sub-committee, chair, and the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, to assemble IT team from Nigerian universities to develop the home-grown anti-plagiarism software with the local repository.
The Director, Computer Services and Information Technology, Directorate of the University of Ilorin, Professor Mohammed Ahmed, said the software has reached 80 per cent stage of completion.
He explained that the software has both local and global repository with features such as peer review, document comparison, and grammar checker.
He said, “Other features are language support and title validation, with the name EAGLE SCAN being proposed for the programme.”
Ahmed said when operational, the anti-plagiarism application, would be made available to all Nigerian universities.
He also noted that plagiarism is a criminal offence and this has given the AVCNU concern, adding that the development of the programme is in the effort to ensure quality control towards quality assurance in the Nigeria education system.
Varsity Sacks 6 Lecturers Over S3xual Misconduct, Extortion
Six lecturers of the Delta State University (DELSU)) Abraka, have been sacked by the institution’s Governing Council for various offences ranging from extortion, s3xual harassment, bribery and corruption and leaking of examination questions.
The bulletin signed by the university’s registrar, Mr D. A. Urhibo, stated that six of the lecturers were dismissed while four others were demoted and received various degrees of the query for their conducts.
The sack of the lecturers is coming on the heels of the recommendation of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the university who indicted the lecturers for the offences.
The bulletin reads: This is to inform staff, students and other members of the University community that the under listed staff (names withheld) were disciplined by the University Governing Council for various offences at its 97th regular meeting held on Friday, 12th August, 2016.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Victor Peretomode, however, warned that any lecturer found wanting again will face the penalty of sack without benefit.
Clubs Treat Players Like Meat- Brazilian Star Reveals
Brazilian midfielder Sandro has claimed European clubs treat players unfairly following his failed transfer to Sporting Lisbon.
The former QPR player was on the brink of joining the Portuguese club before he failed a medical, however the player has claimed the story was farce and described as a ploy to reduce his proposed wages.
In an interview, he revealed: “Clubs can treat players like meat, they don’t treat people like a person. Football is this — the club treat you like a product. It was near my wedding in Portugal and I said ‘Yes’ both to the club and my wife!
“I was ready to sign but it wasn’t until one week before my wedding in Brazil that they said they were ready to sign. Why were they doing this to me? One week ago I had been in Portugal.
“I agreed to do it but had a feeling they were not expecting me to do the medical, as I arrived in the hospital and there was no kit to go on the treadmill to run. Players don’t need to bring their own kit for a medical!
“I ran with the hospital kit and it was fine. The second part was looking at my body as they need to check everything and this was amazing. They only checked my right knee.
“I knew I needed to do both knees, both ankles, check the hamstring, calves. I’m a product and must be fit. I said, ‘You don’t want to check my other knee?’ And they said it was fine but in my mind it wasn’t fine.
“The doctor said I had an inflammation in my patella but QPR knew this and so did Tottenham — it is normal for a player. The doctor said it was fine and that I could sign.”
“The club were saying my knee was not OK. It all made sense to me. After ten minutes, my agent called me again and said they were offering half the salary with bonuses. The last thing my agent said was that you don’t want to go to a place like that.
“I was supposed to sign for four years so I said I would do it two years, no problem. I’ll show them. But they just wanted to halve the salary. It made sense to me. Why only check one knee and not the body unless you don’t want to buy me?”
The embattled player described his present situation has he is being left in a limbo as he looks to get a new club before the end of the summer transfer window.
Juventus Legend Rues Life Without Pogba
Goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon has revealed how Juventus misses French midfielder, Paul Pogba following his departure from the Italian Champions.
Paul Pogba who joined Manchester united in world record fee this summer is currently been missed by former teammates not on the pitch but off pitch due to his jovial nature.
“He’s a good kid, The important thing is that his attitude is excellent on the pitch and in training. Manchester United have signed a very good player and a very good teammate. Manchester United is big club and always will be, But with this transfer there’s no doubt they have increased their level.”Buffon disclosed.
READ MORE: Barcelona Confirms Imminent Departure Of Key Player To Man City
The Italian legend who have seen a lot of players arrive and leave the club heaped praises on the 23-year old midfielder for his friendly nature.
Although, Juventus started life without Pogba on an impressive form, beating fiorentina 2-1 on through Gonzalo Higuain’ winner they might still feel the gap left in the dressing room by Pogba.
It appears the Italian giants have adequately prepared for life without on the pitch after the arrivals of Higuain, Dani Alves, Miralem Pjanic and Marko Pjaca.
Antonio Conte Makes “Fab” Transfer U-turn
Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte has expressed his desire to keep Cesc Fabregas at the club.
Conte appears to have had a change of heart on the future of Fabregas after the Spaniard’s impact in the late minutes of the match against Watford.
The former Italian national team Boss disclosed: “We all know Cesc is a great technical player with a good pass and good assists and I made this substitution because I wanted more quality, Cesc is working very hard to show me that he deserves to play and I want to see this – all the players showing me that they deserve to start the game and if I see this commitment I’m a very happy manager.
“That all the players think of the team, not himself, is important. And that is happening in Chelsea.”
Cesc Fabregas was reportedly nearing his Chelsea exit before the match as Spainish giants, Real Madrid were said to be in pursuit of the former Barca midfielder in a deal that could see Columbia midfielder, James Rodriguez arrive at the Stamford bridge this summer.
APC Deceiving Nigerians, PDP Reveals
The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has said that the leadership style of All Progressive Congress (APC) is not encouraging to Nigerians.
Adeyeye spoke in response to the APC National chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun’s claim that 33 trillion of the country’s oil revenue was unaccounted for during president Goodluck’s Administration.
Adeyeye said that APC National Chairman’s claim “portrayed the ruling party as being dangerously obsessed with the frivolity of bamboozling Nigerians with high-sounding figures only for entertainment purposes.”
“Unfortunately, such avoidable mischief especially on issues bordering on the nation’s economy, has continued to hunt the image of our Nation at a time we are in desperate need of investment from the international community,” Adeyeye added.
