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517 abandoned amnesty students beg Dokubo for assistance

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BY: Ikenna Oluka

About 517 Niger Delta students on scholarship at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Sagbama, Bayelsa State, have appealed to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Prof. Charles Dokubo, to come to their aid.

It was gathered that the students, who were enrolled in the university under the PAP’s scholarship scheme during the administration of the former Coordinator, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, were abandoned by his successor.

The Spokesperson for the students, Justice Ebiks, who is a 100 level student of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, told the Nation that they were all stranded at the university because the new leadership of PAP failed to take responsibility for their scholarship.

Ebiks, however, expressed optimism that if Dokubo, whom he described as a lover of education, would grant them audience, he would intervene in their plight and get them back to school.

He complained that security officials and other personnel in the Amnesty Office blocked all the efforts of the students to interact with the coordinator.

Ebiks explained that senior officials in the amnesty office only told them that they were illegally included in the scholarship scheme and improperly documented during the tenure of Boroh.

He said: “We have been abandoned despite the fact we have cultivated the zeal to be in school. We are all stranded and most of us are going through difficult times. We were all sent to the school in Bayelsa by the amnesty office but now people there are telling us that we were not properly documented.

“We have been making series of efforts to see the new coordinator to no avail. Some persons in the office don’t want us to see him because they believe that Dokubo being a lover and product of education knows the value of education in the Niger Delta and will graciously rectify whatever problems we have and get us back to school.

“We once sent a delegation to Abuja to see him. We contributed money and sent the delegation but on getting to Abuja they were left stranded. Security operatives and other officials in the amnesty office did not allow us to see him.

“The delegation proceeded to see our elder statesman Chief Edwin E.K Clark at his Abuja residence. As soon as he got to know about the situation he felt the plight and pain of the youths and quickly criticized the act of wickedness carried out by the office. He emphasized that Niger Delta is not as we expect it to be, because people now politicize the life and affairs of the youths in the region.

“When we got back to Bayelsa, we reported our plight to the state government through the commissioner for education. But after waiting in vain, we decided to make further efforts to see Professor Dokubo. During the election, we sent a four-man delegation to Abuja to see him but on getting there they were told the coordinator travelled to Abonema to partake in the elections.

“The delegation went to Abonema in Rivers State to see the coordinator in his compound. It was almost like a suicide mission because of the gun battle in the area when they got there. They waited for two days and later proceeded to the house of the coordinator. They were still not allowed by security officials to see him.

“Other officials of the amnesty programme took over the matter and ensured the delegation did not see the coordinator. They told us that were not properly documented. We are appealing to the coordinator to come to our aide.

“Right now we are frustrated but we don’t want to engage in violence. We only want to go to school. Even if they said we were not properly documented, we are not illegal Niger Deltans”

Source: The Nation

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Update On How Bobrisky Is Treated In Prison – Top Official Discloses

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Top official of the Nigerian Correctional Service has given an update on how crossdresser, Bobrisky is being treated in prison.

Recall that Bobrisky was handed a six-month prison sentence over naira abuse. While sentencing him, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are found abusing and mutilating the naira.

An official of the prison who spoke to Punch said the crossdresser was taken to prison after the judgement and he was examined at the point of admission. It was also stated that no realignment of gender or genital organ was discovered as his male biological features were the same.

The source told the publication;

“Bobrisky made a public declaration that he was a male and court proceedings are public records. Every inmate brought into a facility during admission is examined. He was equally examined and no realignment of gender or genital organ was discovered. The male biological features were the same.

“After that, a cell was allocated to him, and he had a certain number of inmates with him. A bed space was also allotted to him. It is just like a boarding house where your housemaster will issue you your personal belongings.

“When it is time for class, he attends. When it is time for food, he will go and get his portion. The same goes with prep and light out. He observes all these without preference. He has been going about his business just like other inmates since he was brought in here.

“He is not getting any five-star treatment and is not being protected from anybody. He follows the same rules and regulations just like every other inmate. Single cells of isolation cells are to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases.

” In a male prison, homosexuality is outlawed and it is a grievous offence. Sodomy or homosexuality, is frowned upon here in the custodial centre. So any inmate that tries to violate him will face the law.”

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NIMC: Federal Government Of Nigeria To Issue New GMPC National Identity Card To Citizens Via Their Commercial Banks

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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said that commercial banks will issue a new national identity card to it’s users.

The commission stated that users applying for the card will do so using their NIN cards and the new card is enabled with multiple features, including payment and financial service, eliminating the need for multiple cards.

The federal government also provided an update on the issuance of new national ID card as Nigerians have been told to visit their banks and apply for the card.

“The card can be picked up by holders at the designated center or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants,” NIMC disclosed.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said the planned national identity card (ID card) will be issued to applicants by their banks.

It said applicants need to request their cards with their NIN “through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks”.

According to NIMC, the multipurpose National ID card will also be enabled for the eNaira in compliance with the EMV operational and security standards.

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) clarified its stance on the new national Identity card project, which is designed to promote financial inclusion and other social services.

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Governor Of Akwa Ibom Offers Automatic Employment To Abigail’s Elder Sister, Directs Renovation Of House And Promises Assistance To Undergraduate Sisters

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Tears, Agony As Governor Eno Of Akwa Ibom State Visits Family Of Late Nollywood Make-up Artist, Abigail.

The tragic occurrence of the death of Actor Junior Pope and 4 other crew members of which includes Abigail, Is still a huge shock to Nigerians.

Abigail and Precious were buried beside the river as culture demanded since their parents couldn’t pay for the necessary rituals to be done in order for their bodies to be sent home for proper burial.

The Governor had earlier on asked that the Body of the Makeup Artist be Exhumed and brought back home for proper Burial. He is seeing to it that the required sacrifices are carried out to enable them bring home her body to her Father’s House in Akwa Ibom State.

Governor’s Request for Abigail’s remains to be exhumed and brought home

The Governor also offered Automatic Employment To Abigail’s Elder Sister, Directs Renovation Of Family House, Promises Assistance To The Undergraduate Sisters.

Here are pictures from the Governor’s visit to the bereaved family.

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