EDUCATION MINISTER CONFIRMS OUR POSITION ON NECO AND JAMB...ONLY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CAN SCRAP BOTH OF THEM!

“Even if government has to scrap JAMB or NECO, government has to write the National Assembly to repeal the Acts that established them...." says Education Minister

HERE IS THE FULL STORY FROM VANGUARD

No plan to scrap NECO, UTME, Minister tells Senate

[caption id="attachment_7914" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Chief Nyesom Wike- Minister of State for Education[/caption]

ABUJA—THE Federal Government,Thursday, said there were no plans to scrap the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE) and National Examination Council (NECO) as being speculated, stressing that mischief makers were out to pitch the government against the people.

Speaking, yesterday, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Education, led by Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP, Abia North, Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, said in  politics, it was possible for people who might have issues with government to come up with how government will be seen as unpopular, adding that critics of government had a hidden agenda.

Following reports of government’s plans to scrap the two examination bodies, the Senate had, on resumption from its Easter break, summoned critical stakeholders as Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, Minister of State, Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, heads of NECO and Joint Admissions And Matriculation Board, JAMB, but the senior minister was absent as she was said to have accompanied the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on an official assignment outside the country.

File Photo: Cross section of students writing exam

Wike, who alluded to the recommendation of the Steve Oronsaye panel set up by the Federal Government to rationalise over 400 government agencies, noted that they were not before the senators to discuss the existence of NECO.

He said:  ‘’I don’t know where they got the information that government wanted to scrap NECO. Government has at no time scrapped NECO and JAMB.

“Even if government has to scrap any of these agencies, it has to give reasons for its action. No position has been taken. It is the handiwork of mischievous people who want to pitch the government against the people.

“Even if government has to scrap JAMB or NECO, government has to write the National Assembly to repeal the Acts that established them. I don’t know where the rumours are coming from.”

Wike also frowned on a situation where some professional agencies as Computer Association, Library Association, among others, existed within the Education Ministry and funded by the Ministry.

It will be recalled that the Steve Oronsaye panel was reported to have recommended scrapping of UTME and NECO respectively

The panel, which report has become the subject of a white paper committee, also recommended the scrapping of double examinations for secondary school students but made a case for existence of only the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

When asked by a member of the committee, Senator Pius Ewherido, DPP, Delta Central,  if there was the need to retain the body, Registrar of JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, stressed the need for the examination body to remain.

He also explained that when scrapped, the unifying factor of UTME as well as its very cheap nature would be defeated.

According to him, UMTE is the only way of addressing the diverse problems of the country, including that of federal character.

Cautioning against the scrap of UMTE, Prof. Ojerinde said the scrapping  “would be grave for a Nigerian child. Each child would have to purchase forms for the university he wants to go.”

Also speaking, the Registrar of NECO, Professor Promise Okpala, who canvassed that NECO should be retained, however, said the body had brought a choice to the doorsteps of Nigerian children rather than being pigeon-holed to one examination body.

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

Related articles

• Report About Scrapping of Neco and Jamb Made No Sense From the Minute It Was Published


• We Called Last Week's Report on Cancellation of Neco and Jamb Irresponsible Journalism...it Turned Out We Were Right!

 

BOSTON BOMBING: SOME NIGERIAN MINDS RAN RIOT WHEN THEY SAID "DARK-SKINNED"...BUT DO THESE SUSPECTS LOOK "REALLY DARK" LIKE OUR UNDERWEAR BOMBER?

[gallery type="rectangular" link="post" ids="8263,8264,8261,8275,8270,8268,8269,8260,8273,8272,8271,8276,8277,8267,8206"]



NO THEY DON'T!


CNN SAID SUSPECT HAD BEEN CAUGHT THEN NEW YORK POST MADE IT WORSE

Teen stunned at portrayal as Boston bombing suspect

Salah Eddin Barhoum sits in his apartment in Revere, Mass., Thursday, April 18, 2013, with one of the trophies he won in an athletic competition, and the bag he was carrying on Monday near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. / AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi

REVERE, Mass. A teenager said he is scared to go outside after he was portrayed on the Internet and on the front page of the New York Post as connected to the Boston Marathon bombings.

hotos of Salah Eddin Barhoum, 17, and friend Yassine Zaime were posted on websites whose users have been scouring marathon finish line photos for suspects. The two were also on the Post's front Thursday with the headline: "Bag men: Feds seek these two pictured at Boston Marathon."

The Post reported later Thursday that the men weren't considered suspects, and the FBI has since identified two other men as suspects in the bombings Monday that killed three and injured more than 180.

But Barhoum, a track runner at Revere High School, said he is convinced some will blame him for the bombings, no matter what.

He was so fearful on Thursday that he ran back to the high school after a track meet when he saw a man in a car staring at him, talking into a phone, he said.

Barhoum added he received more than 200 messages online Wednesday, with one commenter from Oregon asking: "How could you do that? Did you even think about the consequences?"

Barhoum said he won't feel safe until the actual bombers are caught.

"im going to be scared going to school," Barhoum said. "Workwise, my family, everything is going to be scary."

Attempts to reach Zaime were not immediately successful.

Barhoum's father, El Houssein Barhoum, who moved his family from Morocco five years ago, said he is worried his son will be shot and also fears for his wife and two young daughters. He said he can't go to his job as a baker in Boston.

"Right now, we are not secure," he said. "So, the news (media), when they put something, they should be sure about the information."

In a statement, New York Post editor Col Allan said, "We stand by our story. The image was emailed to law enforcement agencies yesterday afternoon seeking information about these men, as our story reported. We did not identify them as suspects."

The photos show Barhoum with a black Nike athletic bag, wearing a blue and black track suit. Zaime is carrying a black backpack, wearing a white cap and black track clothes.

Men with bags at the marathon have been a focus of Internet scrutiny, because officials believe that's how the bombers carried in the explosives.

Barhoum said there are only two reasons he's been labeled a suspect: his bag and his brown skin.

Barhoum said he was at the marathon with Zaime, a friend from the running club, hoping to run a portion of it behind the official field. They took the subway, and Barhoum's bag was for his running gear.

But the pair got the address wrong and ended up at the finish line instead of the start. Barhoum said they decided to stick around to see the top runners, then left.

Barhoum said that late Wednesday, friends started flagging the online photos, and commenters started their work. He said he was so upset, he visited police early Thursday to clear his name. He said they advised him to restrict access to his Facebook account.

When the Post published the photo later Thursday, a bad situation got worse, Barhoum said.

"It hurts because the person who did it must be happy right now, looking at the people who are getting blamed," he said. "And I'm one of them."

WHILE SPURS AND THEIR FANS PLAYED FANTASY FOOTBALL IN THEIR HEADS OVER ARSENAL!...

DEJA VU?

When Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane in March to move seven points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League table, most people assumed AVB's men would comfortably stroll towards a top four place and Champions League qualification.

But a depressingly famliar storyline has since unfolded for Spurs fans who haven't seen their team finish above Arsenal since 1994/95. Spurs have collected just four points from four games, while Arsenal have won four on the trot to go above their great rivals.

SEE THE IMAGES BELOW TO RELIVE HOW ARSENAL CLOSED A SEVEN POINT GAP ON SPURS IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

Where did it all go wrong for Spurs? Why can't Arsenal play this well for an entire season? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below...

March 3rd 2013, Spurs 2-1 Arsenal - Spurs are seven points clear

It looked like game over for Arsenal when a nightmare few minutes at the end of the first half cost them dearly at White Hart Lane

March 10th 2013, Liverpool 3-2 Spurs - Spurs seven points clear

A week later, Liverpool finally took three points off one of the Premier League's top clubs but at the expense of Spurs, who led 2-1 with 25 minutes remaining. AVB's side remained seven points clear, as Arsenal's match with Everton was postponed until April 16, due to the Toffees involvement in the FA Cup.

March 16th 2013, Swansea 0-2 Arsenal - Spurs four points clear

Arsenal bounced back from their North London derby disappointment with a professional performance against free-flowing Swansea. Spanish new boy Nacho Monreal broke the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining and Gervinho added a second late on. Could they overtake Spurs for a second year running?

March 17th 2013, Spurs 0-1 Fulham - Spurs four points clear

This felt like a turning point in the race for fourth spot, with Spurs falling to a shock defeat thanks to former striker Dimitar Berbatov's second half strike. Are the Lilywhites throwing it away for a second year running?

March 30th 2013, Arsenal 4-1 Reading/Swansea 1-2 Spurs - Spurs four points clear

Arsenal provided Nigel Adkins with a rude awakening in his first game as Reading manager, while AVB's boys did well to hang on at the Liberty Stadium following some late pressure from the League Cup winners. The Lilywhites remained four points clear, but Arsenal had a game in hand.

April 6th 2013, West Brom 1-2 Arsenal - Spurs one point clear

Arsenal survived a scare when Per Mertersacker was sent off and managed to hold on for three valuable points at a difficult ground to visit. That put them just one point behind Spurs, a month after falling seven off the pace.

April 7th 2013, Spurs 2-2 Everton - Spurs two points clear

Spurs salvaged a point late on at home to Everton in an entertaining and evenly contested match, but they were now just two points ahead of Arsenal, having played a game more. The Gunners' destiny was now in their own hands.

April 13th 2013, Arsenal 3-1 Norwich - Arsenal a point clear of Spurs

With five minutes remaining, Arsenal were heading for a shock 1-0 defeat to struggling Norwich and a potentially damaging loss in their quest to overhaul Spurs. Then linesman Richard West flagged for a contentious Arsenal penalty, despite being a good distance from the action. Mikel Arteta levelled matters and a fuming Norwich capitulated in the closing minutes, as Wenger's side went a point clear of Tottenham in the race for the Champions League.

Can they stay there? Have your say below...

TALKSPORT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IGODOMIGODO!...WHEN ARE WE BIG-STOUTING, SUYAING AND PEPPER-SOUPING?...OR SIMPLY PUT,WHEN ARE WE OWAMBE-ING?

Celebrating Obahiagbon, master of bombast, at 53

AT the twilight of the sixth session of the National Assembly, Patrick Obahiagbon (who represented Oredo Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) switched platform in a bid to ensure his political survival.

He moved over to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Edo State.  It would appear, overall, a good move, but within the ACN enclave, he lost the bid for party nomination to a combination and conspiracy of factors.

The import of this “short-circuiting” was that Obahiagbon, the master of bombast, the sartorially elegant ambassador of the Bini culture (the royal Bini regalia), which was why he was always dressed in the attire, bowed out of the House of Representatives when his followers were just beginning to enjoy his interventions on the floor during debates.  That marked the terminus of the verbal razzmatazz of the profoundly eventful gladiator.  The House has since been missing Obahiagbon and his Obahiagbonese (his own peculiar coinages).

His defeat at the primaries of his party was not enough to stymie the flow of his usual bombasts in times of deep emotional outbursts.  When asked to react to the development and the rejoicing in the camp of his opponent, he said: “This has made me suffused with emotional narcolepsy that the homo-sapiens in the metro-political geographical enclave of Edo have opted for owambe-ing over legislative quo modo dicis.  Such a reckless display of narcissistic and flamboyant hedonism is capable of encumbering our nascent democracy with insidious, repercussive and cataclysmic exigencies.”

But while he was in the Lower Chamber, Obahiagbon defined a unique character for himself, using the instrumentality of his swanky outfits as well as esoteric grammar (his peculiar manner of speaking). This is the uniqueness of Obahiagbon, the self-styled “son of Igodomigodo”, a sobriquet he has adopted since 1999, when he was elected into the Edo State House of Assembly.

A lawyer and holder of two Master’s degrees once said: “I have deployed the nomenclature of Igodomigodo as a political sobriquet for ten years now, particularly as a vehicular nexus with my culturico-spiritual fons et origo and this emanated from an advertent primus mobilus to cosmopolitanise my genealogical matrix since it was not by accident that I originated from the land of Igodomigodo.”

According to him: “Igodomigodo was the original, first ever, and pristine name of the Binis.  From Igodomigodo, we were known as Ile-Ubini before the transmogrification into modern day Bini or Benin.  So, you can now see that when I togarise my identity with the Igodomigodo aura, I am invoking the visible and invisible gods of my progenitors and at the same time luxuriating in an ancestral aqua of pristine Risorgimento.”

Obahiagbon had become a phenomenon in the House of Representatives.  He could titillate to no end with his fecundity, coupled with the razzmatazz that accompanied his submissions.  Answering a question on his forceful contributions on the floor, he had said: “…You cannot succeed as a parliamentarian if you are not cosmopolitan. You must be prepared to immerse yourself in societal dialectics for you to be able to contribute efficaciously in a utilitarian modus.  So, if you are a parliamentarian and you don’t go through the ritual of even reading newspapers, you don’t bathe yourself in the aqua of the political cross currents, then you are going to be deuced, you are going to be paralytic in your contributions…”.

His mode of dressing (traditional Bini attires) was also very unique.  He was once asked why he was always clad in his traditional Benin dress with beads round his neck and wrists.  His response: “I have dressed like this from 1999 without any hiatus.  As a student of mysticism, I believe nothing happens in the life of a mystic by chance and I know it was not by accident that I was born a Bini man.  I entered into a covenant with myself when I was seeking political visibility that if God gave me the visibility, I was going to propagate the Bini heritage and culture.  When it pleased God to give that to me in 1999, I had to keep faith with that covenant and I have dressed in full panoply of the royal Bini regalia.”

Obahiagbon never ran short of big dictions or coinages that defined his peculiar style.   Answering question on the need for his colleagues to up the ante of contributions on the floor, he had advised: “They must avoid regular big stouting, suyaing, and pepper-souping. Those are not the real issues.  They must be prepared to immerse themselves in societal dialectics.  They must put their nose to the grind stone. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Ikene philosopher, once said ‘the difference between my other colleagues and I, is that when my other colleagues are cavorting in the dark alleys, I am in my library working myself nineteen to the dozen’. You cannot succeed in life if you are not disciplined.  You must be puritanical in your predisposition; you must engage in an exercise of self-purification and mortification; you must engage in an exercise of self-abnegation; you must engage in an exercise of spiritual emulation.  You must discipline the flesh.  You must conquer the flesh.  You must allow the spiritual aspect of you preponderate the material aspect, especially when you have been chosen to represent the people, so that at the end of the day, you can really say: Vendi, vidi, vicki (I came; I saw; I conquered).”

On the achievement of the House of Representatives, Obahiagbon had once said:  “…The House of Representatives has not fallen short of its vivacious commitment in acting as the moral policeman over agencies of government. We have taken our oversight functions very responsively and responsibly. The emotional, visceral commitments, the messianic zeal and the quixotic temper with which we have taken our oversight responsibilities had, to a large extent, assisted in cleansing the Augean Stable while a number of structural deficiencies have, through this parliamentary metamorphosis, been brought under focus…”.

Yes, there are so many other instances when this self-acclaimed verbal contortionist mesmerized his audience, which space cannot permit me to recall; even as the current Chief of Staff to the Governor of Edo State, Obahiagbon has, within the scope of his mandate, been speaking in his trademark “language” and dazzling all and sundry as usual, including yours sincerely.  Is there, therefore, any other way that is better than this tribute to celebrate Obahiagbon, one of those who were born in 1960, on his birthday (April 12), the day (April 12) I married my heart-throb, Pat, in 1997?  Happy birthday, my brother, and many happy returns!

Mr.  SUFUYAN OJEIFO, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

VANGUARD

Patrick Obahiagbon to #OgaAtTheTop: We Stand On Spaghetti Legs Under You

Oga At The Top this time being the number one man, Goodluck Jonathan…

For some time now since he became the Chief of Staff to Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo State, Patrick Obahiagbon has not said much about the polity. But he broke his silence recently. Reacting to moves by President Jonathan to remain in office after 2015, Obahiagbon said:
“I thought, during the last presidential election and still do think, that the Presidency of Nigeria is too serious a subject to be reduced to ‘parapoistic’ shenanigans.
"To answer the question if the Jonathan administration has met the goodwill with which it rode to power must lead to other epiphenomenal questions such as, what has improved today in the material conditions of the ragtag and bobtail since the president’s emergence and how has he deployed his powers in aid of the utilitarian matrix?
“It does appear to me that Nigeria is still a sleeping giant standing on spaghetti legs even today.”
Who agrees with Hon. Obahiagbon?

MOSVIN