UN urges peaceful, credible elections in Nigeria, others

United Nations, UN, Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in Nigeria.       

  Antonio Guterres

Guterres made the call in a report to the Security Council on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS.

The UN chief also appealed for peace in other countries in the West African sub-region holding elections in 2019.

Noting that there had been incremental improvement in the conduct of elections in the region, Guterres said:  “However, the pre-and post-electoral periods have often been characterised by antagonistic contestations and disputes.

“I call upon authorities and national stakeholders to work together to ensure a level playing field and to create an environment conducive to the holding of peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in 2019 in Benin, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal.

“In Nigeria, tensions have been rising ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections of 16 February 2019, and of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections of 2 March 20193 .

According to him, concerns were raised by the alleged instrumentalisation of security forces in recent gubernatorial elections in the country.

The UN scribe said there were also concerns in the surge in alleged vote buying, noting that challenges related to the ability of internally displaced persons, IDPs, to participate in the polls amid ongoing terrorism and violence between farmers and herders was also a concern.

The UN chief also noted what he described as “a series of high-profile defections” from one political party to the other in the country.

“In his capacity as my High-level Representative for Nigeria, my Special Representative continued consultations with key national stakeholders to promote an environment conducive to peaceful general elections in 2019.

“My Special Representative initiated and participated in a joint pre-electoral mission to Nigeria with ECOWAS and the African Union from 29 to 31 October, 2018.

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/un-urges-peaceful-credible-elections-in-nigeria-others-2/

PDP suspends deputy chairman over anti-party activities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its deputy national chairman (north), Senator Gamawa Babayo, over negligence of duty and anti-party activities.

“The National Working Committee (NWC), of the PDP in line with Section 29 (2), a, b, and c of the Party Constitution, hereby suspends Senator Gamawa Babayo, the Deputy National Chairman (North),” PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said in a statement.

“His suspension is with immediate effect.”

His suspension came after the National Working Committee in its extraordinary session of the 5th of January 2019 reviewed the petition against Babayo.

Although the PDP did not mention any the party Babayo is culpable of relating with asides the PDP. it, however, stated that such acts were unacceptable according to its constitution.

“The NWC found merit in the petition on allegation of dereliction of duty and anti-party activity as contained in Section 58 (1) e, f, g, h of the PDP Constitution.

“Therefore, in the exercise of section 29 (2) a, b and c, the NWC hereby invokes Section 59 (1) d of the constitution of the PDP on the Deputy National Chairman (North) and accordingly suspends him from the party immediately,” Ologbondinyan said.

Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-suspends-deputy-chairman-over-anti-party-activities/

Why You Should Have Your Postgraduate Study In Canada

Why You Should Have Your Postgraduate Study In Canada

 

Canada is increasingly becoming a popular destination for Nigerians desiring a postgraduate degree abroad.

Other popular countries for postgraduate study are the UK, Germany, United States and Malaysia. The attraction towards Canada seems to be obvious, unfortunately, many Nigerians are still unaware. In fact, the benefits of a Masters or PhD degree from Canada could be more than studying else where.

Canada isn’t just the extreme of the Wild West, it is rather a land of opportunities and diversities. In particular, Canada’s quality of education is comparable to any other developed nation. Canadian universities rank among the first 100 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranks. Universities like University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, University of Calgary are some of the world’s best that Canada boasts of. They attract extremely brilliant students globally. These institutions also churn out top grade researches that impacts industry, government and the society at large.

It is evident that a postgraduate degree from Canada would be global recognition for a Nigerian. You can’t be a push over in the academia and every where else. The height of a world class tutoring that would be received, is a reason to consider a postgraduate study in Canada.

In addition, a postgraduate study in the Sciences, Environmental, Mathematics, Engineering and Health science are usually funded. This means that a Nigerian that receives admission for either a Masters or PhD is these areas of postgraduate study in Canada would have a tuition free education. STEM courses receive a lot of research funds from government and institutions.

These monies is used to offset or subsidize the fees of postgraduate students who are favoured to be admitted. Only in rare cases do postgraduate students pay for their fees, in fact, PhD students even receive stipends as teaching assistants, research assistant etc. Some faculty even refuse admission to students, if there is no funds to cover the cost of education, because they don’t believe the postgraduate student should be bothered about paying from his/her pockets. Imagine, receiving a world class postgraduate education for next-to-free- compare Nigeria. Such is the benefit of studying in Canada.

Finally, it’s the Postgraduate work experience that the government of Canada gives immigrants. What’s the high point of receiving a quality postgraduate education, and no opportunity to be allowed to practice, in the environment where you have the facilities and amenities to thrive? In some other countries like The UK, you are almost literally chased out of the country, once the student visa expires. Canada trains you and gives the opportunity to have work experience.

POST-GRADUATE WORK PERMIT (PGWP)

Nigerians and other International students who graduate from a post secondary school in Canada are eligible for a Post graduate work permit. This allows the holders to live and work in Canada for 3 years. It is important to gain experience and integrate with the Canadian society. After 3 years, an immigrant call apply for a permanent resident visa and become a citizen in a couple of years.

The opportunity of studying in Canada can be a dramatic positive turn around. Have you studies abroad or have questions about the postgraduate study chances in Canada, including enquires about admission and immigration. 

Source: Postgraduate Nigeria

Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/114048/why-you-should-have-your-postgraduate-study-in-can.html

Immigration service speaks on 2019 recruitment

Immigration service speaks on 2019 recruitment

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday advised Nigerians to be wary of fake 2019 recruitment sites operated by fraudsters.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James, said the attention of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, had been drawn to a fake recruitment site operated by fraudsters, NAN reports.

“The site is captioned Nigeria Immigration Service 2019/2020 form and How to apply using a fake website www.mediangr.com,’’ he said.

James said the service was taking every measure to uncover those behind the fraudulent advert and therefore advised the public to desist from patronising such sites.

He noted that every official communication on issues relating to the service had an official platform which included advert in approved national dailies and the official website.

“The NIS has not engaged any agent or person(s) in this respect; anyone touting recruitment should be reported to the nearest NIS formation.

“The NIS will continue to deliver its core values and service to the general public and any recruitment exercise will be made public in line with approved government policy,” James added.

Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2019/01/08/immigration-service-speaks-2019-recruitment/

Xmas/New Year : FG declares Dec. 25, 26; January 1 as public holidays

ABUJA – The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 25th,
Wednesday 26th December 2018 and Tuesday 1st January 2019 as
Public Holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year
Celebrations respectively.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Press in
the Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga.

“The Honorable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (rtd) Abdulrahman Bello
Dambazau, CFR, PhD, who made the declaration on behalf of the
Federal Government, enjoined all Christians Faithful and Nigerians to
use the period in praying earnestly for the betterment and
development of Nigeria. 

He further called on Nigerians to
strengthen their resolve to maintain peace and unity in the country
before, during and after the General Elections, in the spirit of the
season.

“General Dambazau urged all Nigerians both at home and abroad to
support the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
in its determination and sustained efforts towards a peaceful,
united and virile nation.

“The Honorable Minister wishes Nigerians Happy Christmas and New
Year Celebrations”, the statement added.

Don’t fall in love on Facebook, jailed Indian warns

An Indian man released this week after being jailed for six years in Pakistan issued advice on Friday not to follow his example and fall in love on Facebook.
Hamid Nehal Ansari illegally entered Pakistan from Afghanistan in 2012 to meet a woman he had fallen for on the social media network.
Facebook
But Pakistani police were waiting for him at the woman’s house and arrested him on the spot. The engineer was later jailed for spying and forging documents.
“Do not be emotional about strangers and don’t fall in love on social media including Facebook,” Ansari told AFP three days after being released and returning to India.
Local media showed Ansari hugging his mother and bowing to touch his head to the ground after crossing over to India at an overland border on Tuesday.
“Getting deported was the happiest moment of my life,” the 33-year-old later said by phone from his home in Mumbai.
“(Now I will) start a business, get married and work on building back my life. No more social for me,” Ansari said.
Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have fought three major wars since independence from Britain in 1947. They routinely arrest each other’s citizens on spying charges.

Taxify expands to Benin

Taxify expands to Benin

Lagos – Ride-hailing service Taxify is expanding its Nigerian operations to its fifth city – Benin. This announcement continues Taxify’s recent expansion across Nigeria, following launches in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and Ibadan.

Uche Okafor, Country Manager for Taxify in Nigeria

The ride hailing service said in June 2018 that it had completed an investment round of $175 million, and that it intended to use this investment to expand its services worldwide – particularly across Africa.

“Adding a new city to our Nigerian network emphasizes our continued focus on launching ride-hailing services in more towns and cities across the country, outside of the obvious main centres,” says Uche Okafor, Country Manager for Taxify in Nigeria.

Having started operations in Nigeria with its first city launched in November, 2016 in Lagos, the ride-hailing service has grown exponentially year on year. Taxify will now operate in 5 cities across the country, and is available in more Nigerian urban centres than any other ride-hailing platform.

“What this expansion means for us is that more riders can enjoy the safety and convenience of the service, but more importantly, more Nigerians have access to earning a decent living by joining the platform as drivers,” he adds.

One of Taxify’s key success factors in its rapid expansion has been the fact that drivers utilising its platform receive 85% of all fares paid by riders – a significantly higher percentage than what drivers using other similar platforms receive.

“We intend to expand our footprint even further in 2019, as we believe that all Nigerians can benefit from the convenience and cost-efficiency of ride-hailing,” says Okafor. “Furthermore, providing appropriately licensed drivers with a platform through which they can earn a sustainable living continues to drive us forward.”

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/taxify-expands-to-benin/