20 Benue State University Professors Fail VC Examination, 7 Pass


A PROFESSOR who had earlier submitted online application for the position of the Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU), Eugene Aliegba, has withdrawn from the race.

Aliegba also did not participate in an examination organised for the 28 candidates competing to replace Prof. Msugh Kembe as vice chancellor of the university on Monday.

Kembe’s tenure ends next month.

The Nation learnt that only seven of the 27 professors that wrote the examination passed.

Aliegba, a professor of Political Science of over 20 years’ experience, withdrew from the examination.

An interview has been scheduled this week to select three candidates among whom the new vice chancellor would be picked.

Aliegba questioned the criteria that required the candidates to write examination. He argued that it was unfair for a professor of over 25 years standing to write an examination with another professor who has just two or three years’ experience, insisting that there must be a set standard.

“If a professor sits for examination, who will mark him? It is not done anywhere where an examination is conducted for selection of vice chancellor. What you do is select candidates based on CV submitted and invite them for interview,” Aliegba said.

“I have been in university administration for quite a long time and know the procedure for selection of a vice chancellor and from what is happening, it seems they have already zeroed in on a candidate. They should go ahead and announce instead of subjecting professors to examination which nothing will come out of,” he said.

Aliegba, a former governorship aspirant, told The Nation that he informed the BSU Governing Council Chairman Prof. Zack Gundu, of his decision to withdraw from the race and the examination.

When contacted on the matter, Gundu said: “I have no comment on that.’’
Only seven out of the 27 Professors who sat for the examination passed. A whooping 20 failed the examination.

It was gathered that Prof. Tor Iorapuu, who came tops in the examination, is likely to emerge vice chancellor.

Others who passed the examinations were: Saasongu Unongu, Ama Doki, Vitalis Tarhule Verlumun, U.D. Ikoni and Omudu Agbo.

#nairaland

*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

*FAITH WITHOUT WORKS*

*BIBLE READING: JAMES 2:14-26*

*"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)*

The Bible tells us that Abraham was called righteous because of his faith. He is called till this day, ‘the father of faith’. Apart from Abraham, we have a veritable list of people who have been called the heroes of faith, in the book of Hebrews chapter 11. What was it that singled out these people? Was it that they were the only ones who ever believed God in the scriptures? Why did they become heroes who have become examples for us today in our own walk of faith?

Looking at Abraham, we see that his introduction in scripture was God giving him an instruction. “Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.” Genesis‬ ‭12:1‬(‭NKJV‬‬). Abraham had built for himself a life, and everything he owned and knew was in Haran. But God told him to move to an uncertain place and Abraham packed up and moved. He obeyed and took action. Every other thing that happened after that was as a result of that one act of obedience that resulted in action. He became the ancestor of the nation of Israel, was blessed beyond measure and through his lineage, Jesus was sent into the world, to save humanity.

Let us look at other heroes of faith: Noah was a man who lived in a world that was corrupt and without God. When God decided He was going to destroy it, he told Noah to build an ark. "And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.” Genesis‬ ‭6:13-14‬ (‭NKJV‬‬).

God asked Noah to do something. Noah trusted that God would save him, but to get that salvation, Noah had to take an action. He built the ark in spite of all the ridicule and insults of the people around him.‬‬ Bearing in mind that they had never seen a flood, they did not believe him when he said water was going to come from the sky and it would flood the earth unless they repented; but Noah took the action that God required and he and the members of his family were saved.

The widow of Zarephath took an action and gave the cake to Elijah and thereby saved herself and her son throughout the famine (1 Kings 17:8-16). The wife of the son of the prophet who died, took an action when Elisha spoke prophetically (2 Kings 4:1-7). The woman with an issue of blood, took an action and secured her healing (Mark 5: 25-34). No matter how much faith you have, no matter how much prayer you have done concerning that job, or that business or that situation in your life, until you take an action and move in the direction of your prayers, you will never get the answers to your prayers. For faith to produce results, it must be matched with commensurate action. Or else, as our key scripture says, your faith without any works or action, will stay dead.

*ACTION POINT
Is there anything you have believed God for, and you don’t seem to be getting a result, begin to find out what actions you can take in line with your prayers and your faith, to get your breakthrough across to you.

Edo Election: ADP Governorship Candidate Challenges Obaseki’s Victory In Tribunal

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its Governorship Candidate in the September 19 election in Edo, Mr Iboi Emmanuel, have filed a petition seeking to nullify Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s victory at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.


The petitioners are challenging the validity of Forms EC9 and CF001, submitted by Obaseki in respect of the 2020 and 2016 governorship polls in Edo.
Emmanuel is asking the tribunal to look at the list of Vice Chancellors of the University of Ibadan (UI), from 1947 to date, E-newspaper publication that announced the death of Prof. Tekena Tamuno, among other documents.
He alleged in his petition that Tamuno, who was the Vice-Chancellor of UI, from December 1975 to November 1979, could not have signed a certificate, which Obaseki allegedly presented to the APC for screening.


He also alleged that the purported university degree, which Obaseki claimed was issued by UI, had no date.
The ADP candidate therefore argued that Obaseki was not qualified to run for governorship poll, adding that votes credited to him were null and void and of no effect and value.
The petitioners averred that they would rely on Forms EC9 and CF001 submitted by Obaseki to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2020 and 2016 elections in Edo.





They also hoped to rely on the affidavit allegedly deposed to by the governor in the FCT Court on July 7, 2016, allegedly bearing July 6, 1979 as well as the UI Certificate.


Other respondents in the petition included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress and INEC.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal, sitting in Benin, also received a petition by the Action Peoples Party, challenging its unlawful exclusion from the poll.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Sunday Martins, who confirmed the receipt of the two petitions to NAN on Thursday, said that filing of petitions would end on Saturday. (NAN)

Edo Community Residents Flee, As Flood Submerges Homes


The condition of people living in Upper Erediawa Street, off Upper Sakponba Road in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area of Edo State has become pathetic as they have abandoned their homes which have been submerged by foods.

When Orient Daily visited the area some children were seen swimming in the pool while others were fishing in the ponds, with residents groaning.


According to 80-years-old, Pa Daniel Edoboh, “this place where you see children fishing with hooks and nets are all people’s houses. This community has been submerged by flood. More than 100 houses are gone, and I know my own house will go anytime from now, if the government chooses to keep quiet”. The Octogenarian’s house is a few meters from the submerged ones.

“I built this house in 1980. We did not experience flooding here, until five years ago, 2014 or there about, though we were hearing that people down the other side were experiencing flooding. My friends had begged me to leave this place, but I don’t have any other place to go to. I have personally written petitions to the Edo State Government on many occasions, but nothing came out of it.

“When it rains, flood gets to the window level of this house. The last time it rained, this car was covered by flood,” he said, pointing at a Mercedes Benz C Class parked in the middle of his compound.

“What we do is that once it rains, we’ll vacate for some months to allow the flood dry up, then we’ll come back. In fact, all my documents including property documents are all gone. Everything is gone,” he lamented with a sense of hopelessness, throwing up his hands into the air.

Another resident, 75-year-old Pa Sunday Emeota (who owns an uncompleted one- storey building), stated that people in that area had resigned themselves to fate. According to him, only landlords who have no place to go to are left there, as those who have options have left the area.



“Look at my house, my tenants all left long ago. There was even a church here, but the flood made them leave”.

He invited the reporter to the uncompleted upstairs, where children standing on top of a roof with their hooks were fishing in submerged houses.

“There was a fish pond in that place, but as the flood came some years ago, the owner of the pond ran away with his family and since then, the fishes had been multiplying and children from this area and even from farplaces come here to fish.

“The problems were made worse when the government started constructing gutters in this place. We asked them where they planned to channel the water to but they said it was to the flooded area. We found out that the contractors do not have the capacity to do the work because they were using wheelbarrows to mix cement and sand and that was how youths chased them away,” he concluded

Meanwhile, commercial sex workers in Maria Gorrethi area of Upper Sakponba Road are lamenting their lack of patronage as a result of incessant flooding. Juliet, a 20-year-old commercial sex worker from Benue State came to Benin in 2018. She has lived in the brothel (name withheld) for the past two years. According to her, during dry season she meets five to 10 men a day, but now, once it rains, she may not even find any customer for the whole day and she desperately wants to relocate to a more viable area.

“My name is Juliet. I am from Benue State. I came to Benin to hustle in 2018. When I newly came to Benin I was getting about 5 to 10 customers a day. That was during the dry season, but today, if rain falls, this whole place will be over flooded and you will not see any man that will enter here. I am really planning to go to another part of the town,” she said.

Blessing, 23, also disclosed that the flooding has become such a major problem to the sex workers that they cannot wait for the dry season to come as they are finding it difficult to pay their weekly rents.

“My brother, the flood problem here is much. If I had come to this place during the rainy season, I don’t think I will still be here because once it rains, nobody can cross to this place and no man will want to come to this place (brothel). During the dry season, I get up to seven to 10 customers a day, but now, if you see two persons in a day, you will be happy. Sometimes, to pay our weekly rent, which is N3,000.00, is very difficult,” she said.

#orientdailynews

Lightning Kills 2, Injures Six In Asaba

Residents of Mile 5, Anwai Quarters in Asaba, Delta State have been thrown into shock and mourning following the horrendous lightning that struck and allegedly killed two persons and injured six others on Tuesday evening during a heavy rainfall.

Trouble was said to have started when the thunder struck what looked like its target and descended on the two persons that were killed on the spot while the six others, one of them, Mrs Gladys Okah sustained injuries as she was thrown into the gutter by the thunder strike.


Mrs Okah who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said “I am from the Isoko speaking tribe but I married in Asaba. Some people and l were taking shelter in a building during the heavy rainfall when suddenly the thunder struck, killing two among us, and others including me were thrown away into the gutters and were seriously injured. We are still taking treatments.”



Sources said that the two dead persons: one of them an evangelist from Abakiliki and a cassava and groundnuts farmer in the area, and the other a lady (name withheld) from Ugbolu, were struck dead instantly, leaving the onlookers to scamper for their dear amidst the heavy rainfall.

Eyewitness Olohor Ejiro said that the incident attracted residents of the area and many others including traders at the Mile 5 Anwai Quarters Market who gnashed their teeth in pains and wondered what informed the thunder strike during the heavy rainfall with everywhere flooded

But the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Hafiz Muhammed Inuwah who confirmed the incident on telephone to our correspondent said that the corpses of the dead victims had been removed from the scene and had been deposited at the Federal Medical Center ( FMC) mortuary for further investigation.

While the sad event had continued to raise concerns, especially the circumstances surrounding the death of the two persons and the injured ones, an elderly man in the area, Chief Benjamin Nwokorie who spoke to our correspondent averred: “We are shocked uptill now and we cannot comprehend the mystery of the thunder strike. We know from the way they were killed that it was not ordinary and for those who survived they must thank God for their lives.”

#orientdailynews

Biafra: Uwazuruike Dismisses S’East Security Threat As False Alarm


The leader of the Biafra Independence Movement and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (BIM-MASSO, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has described recent claims by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPO of security threat in the South East as false alarm, accusing a section of Igbo youths in America and Europe of amplifying the security crisis even as he insists that Igbo land is the safest place in Nigeria.

The MASSOB founder made clarification while addressing members of the World Igbo Congress European Branch (WICE) during its virtual meeting on security situations in the South East on October 3, 2020.


“Ala-Igbo is the safest place in Nigeria, the only insecurity in the land is the one that is being sponsored by Ndigbo in diaspora. Some Ndigbo in diaspora especially America and Europe are sponsoring the leader of the proscribed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPO Nnamdi Kanu to destabilise Ala-Igbo with his constant illusionary Fulani herdsmen attack,” Uwazurike was quoted as telling the participants.

The MASSOB leader and his former protégé, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had engaged in cold war since their acrimonious fall out following the emergence of a more radical pro-Biafra group, IPOB out of MASSOB. Although, both groups had continued to agitate for peaceful creation of an independent Biafra state out of Nigeria, their campaign strategy and message differ.



According to a statement released through his Special Assistant on Social Media Matters, Comrade Emma N. Nnadi, Uwazurike assured Ndigbo in Europe that as far as Igbo land is concerned, “we don’t have any security problem here. The South East is the most peaceful zone in Nigeria.

“The only problem we have in Igbo land is from our people in diaspora mainly America and Europe because they are the people from foreign land telling us that Fulani people have taken over the entire South East, that Fulani are inside bushes and rivers in the South East.”

“All these are false propaganda. They are all lies because BIM-MASSOB as an organization are on ground. BIM-MASSOB is in every family in Igbo land. There is no family in Igbo land you will not get a member of BIM-MASSOB and our security members are writing and submitting security reports on daily basis about whatever happens in their areas and we analyse such report here (Biafra seat of power). But you people will be in America and Europe and will be telling the gullible people in Igbo land that Hausa/ Fulani people have entered our land, this and that are happening in Igbo land.

“So you people are the ones creating the crisis we are having in Igbo land. If Hausa people enter Igbo land with trailers and so what? How many of them,” he queried.

“You people don’t check how many Igbo people in their thousands that stream to the North and West on daily basis. If Hausa people, about three or four enter Igbo land, the entire world will be disturbed unnecessarily because some people have taken such propaganda as their business. They eat with such propaganda and they are ready to be creating crisis in the South East. But those that are creating that, none of them reside in South East and Nigeria”.

“It is an article of threat, their role franchise is to cause crisis in Igbo land. There is no place Fulani people did this or that in Igbo land and such cannot happen”.

#orientdailynews

Abia LG Poll: Ukwa PDP Youths Reject Senator Wabara’s Brother


Youths from Ndoki, in Ukwa East Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, have asked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, to stop former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, from imposing his younger brother, Chucks Wabara, as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the forthcoming Local Government election in the State slated for December 18, 2020.

In a letter dated September 29, 2020 made available to Orient Weekend in Aba, on Wednesday, the youth wing of the Ndoki People’s Freedom Movement, Port Harcourt Branch, alleged that the former Senate President, was intimidating people with tales that Governor Ikpeazu, had already settled him with PDP Chairmanship ticket of Ukwa East.


The protesting youths warned that the plot which the described as ‘evil and insensitive’ would have far-reaching consequences on the local government if allowed to materialize.Theybegged the governor to stop the alleged political settlement of Wabara, stressing that he has been politically settled enough and should not be allowed to keep standing on the growth of other younger persons with better aspirations.

The statement reads in part: “We would have kept quiet for this to happen to quicken the final burial of your PDP in Ukwa East LGA, even before 2023, but because of the adverse effects it will have on us-the youths and the generality of our people, we have decided to warn against it.

“You and your party have settled Wabara enough with the position of Pro-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu; Secretary, Board of Trustees of PDP, at the national level and the Abia State Chairmanship of PDP, at the State level.

“He also served as a Senator for eight years, as well as President of the Senate. Before going to the Senate Wabara represented us at the House of Representatives and at the local level, as our LGA Chairman. He has also served as the Supervisory Councilor of our LGA. He’s healthy and doing well.

“Allowing him to impose his younger brother on Ukwa East people, as elected Chairman will be a source of discouragement to youths, like us and an invitation for violence. We’ll oppose this with our blood. Even our forefathers will not forgive anyone who supports this”.

The youths told Ikpeazu that the Abia PDP where he and Wabara are stakeholders already have a well-structured zoning formula that will be truncated should Wabara’s brother become the party’s candidate for the election.



“You must have been told about what your PDP calls zoning, because as a governor, you are a product of zoning. By that zoning arrangement, as agreed by your party, it was agreed that in each Zone, the Chairman can only come from any ward that has never produced an elected Chairman before.

“Wabara is from Ikwueke East Ward and his ward is in Zone-B and he has served as an elected chairman before. The two remaining wards that have not produced elected chairmen are Obohia and Ikwuriator West wards.

“They are the only two wards qualified to contest for chairmanship. This is in accordance with Wabara’s PDP zoning arrangement.

They continued, “Please do not allow him to change the rules at the middle of the game.

“Also, your party said in their zoning arrangement that if Zone-A produces the House of Assembly Member, Zone-B should produce the LGA Chairman. The current House of Assembly Member, Chief Paul Taribo is from the same village, Ohambele, as Sen. Wabara.

“If he succeeds in the planned imposition of his younger brother, it then means that both the House of Assembly Member and the LGA Chairman of Ukwa East, will come from the same village, Ohambele and the same electoral ward, Ikwueke East”.

The youths urged Ikpeazu not to allow Wabara’s plans to succeed to avoid violence. “We’re for peace and equity, but if Sen. Wabara pushes us, the youths, and l the entire people of Ukwa East, to the wall, we may not guarantee this peace”.

They urged the Governor and the PDP to support any other person that has indicated interest to contest the council election from any of the two wards of Obohia and Ikwuriator, who according to them, are the only people qualified to contest.

The letter, which was also sent to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu, Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedum Orji, and the Chairman of PDP, Chief Asiforo Okere, was signed by Dr. Kingsley Nwachukwu, chairman, Chief Paulicap Egejuru, secretary and other principal office holders of the group.

Orient Weekend also gathered that as at Tuesday, October, 6, 2020, four members of PDP in Ukwa East, have picked nomination forms for the primaries. They are Osteen Ejiasa from Obohia Ward, Godson Nwulu from Ikwuriator Ward, Stella Igbokwe also from Obohia Ward and Chucks Wabara, from Ikwueke East Ward.

#orientdailynews

Our Game Against Algeria Is Do Or Die —- Agu


Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Alloy Agu has labelled the international friendly match between Nigeria and Algeria as a do or die contest, Orient Sports reports.

The grade A clash is billed to hold on Friday October 9, in Austria.


Agu hinted that for the three-time African Champions, Super Eagles, the tie has no coloration of revenge mission.



The former Nigeria goalkeeper reckons that it’s a game where the players can showcase their skills and talents.

“It’s an opportunity for the team to perfect the goals scoring strategy and get the best out of it”.

The Algerian team presently are unbeaten in eight games going into this clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria Who have triumphed in four consecutive games against the Fences.

”This friendly game is very important that we showcase our skills and talents and what we can do, it’s not as an act of revenge or something but an opportunity for us to really perfect our strategy and then get the best out of it.”Alloy Agu told www.brila.net.

Four days after the Algeria tie, Gernot Rohr’s men would take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at same venue in yet another international exhibition game.

#orientdailynews

Bosso: Carl Academy Is A World-Class School


Newly appointed Nigeria U20 national team Head Coach Ladan Bosso has commended the standard in one of the best football academies in Africa, Carl Academy, and Football College.

Boss. a former Abia Warriors coach, was in Umuahia for an official assignment in Abia State but decided to visit the Academy alongside the Coaches Association National Vice Chairman Victor Nwakanma.



He said the school has a renowned structure and system of international standards.


The Flying Eagles manager was full of hope and belief that the school will compete with other top counterparts in Europe, Africa, and other continents because it’s structure matches that of the World’s standard.

He thanked the proprietor, Pastor Emeka Inyama, the management, and the students, and also wished them the best for their efforts in nurturing future stars.


#orientdailynews

Abia Warriors Promote 19-Yr-Old Keeper, Lambert


Nigeria Professional Football League side, Abia Warriors, have brazed the trail by upgrading a 19-year-old goalkeeper, Lambert Chibueze to the senior squad ahead the 2020/2021 domestic top flight, Orient Sports reports.

Lambert is amongst the five youth players registered for the new season by the hierarchy of the club.


Orient Sports checks reveal that Lambert was elevated from the youth team of the club.

Austin Njoku, a right full back was also given a professional contract after he impressed with Abia Warriors Youth Team.

Also, Dennis Kingsley who was snapped from IIghalo Academy, Kabiru Mohammed (from Moses Simon Academy and Mustapha Jibreen (from Mighty Jet) make up the youthful side if coach Imama Amapakabo’s new look Abia Warriors.

“Aside that, we signed a total of nine (9) new players, exactly the same number of players we dropped”, an official told Orient Sports.

#orientdailynews