Prof. Jegede, heads Transition Committee in Kogi state

Governor, Idris Wada, has appointed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, to head the Transition Committee responsible for the process of handing over to a new government in the state.

Goodluck Jonathan to be honored by Diplomats in Geneva, Switzerland

Nigeria’s ex-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has been selected for honour by the Diplomatic Circles in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jonathan, who is being honoured for his democratic credentials and “upholding human rights in Africa” becomes the first African President to be so honoured.

He is to receive his honour on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the group’s annual dinner in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Diplomatic Circle, which is a group of diplomats globally, have also scheduled Dr. Jonathan to deliver a keynote address at the event.

Earlier in the year, a public policy organisation on African affairs, the Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) had also nominated Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The organisation stated the peaceful way he conceded victory to President Buhari in the general election as one that deserves the attention of Nobel Peace Prize committee.

The group noted that although Jonathan’s act might have not promoted “fraternity between nations” as required of a Nobel Peace Prize winner but he promoted fraternal peace among Nigerians by conceding power.

Court adjourns Dasuki’s case till Jan. 20

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, till January 20, 2016.

Dasuki, the NSA during the administration of former President Goodlcuk Jonathan, is standing trial on allegations of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned the case for hearing in the applications by the prosecution seeking to revoke the bail granted to Dasuki.

He said the court will also hear another application by the prosecution seeking to stop Dasuki from travelling abroad for medical attention.

Counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had told the court that he filed notice of preliminary objections to the two applications by the prosecution.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi, said he had just been served with the notices of objection and would need time to reply to them. 

Court adjourns Dasuki’s case till Jan. 20

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, till January 20, 2016.

Dasuki, the NSA during the administration of former President Goodlcuk Jonathan, is standing trial on allegations of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned the case for hearing in the applications by the prosecution seeking to revoke the bail granted to Dasuki.

He said the court will also hear another application by the prosecution seeking to stop Dasuki from travelling abroad for medical attention.

Counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had told the court that he filed notice of preliminary objections to the two applications by the prosecution.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi, said he had just been served with the notices of objection and would need time to reply to them. 

Tanzania President John Magufuli helps clean streets

Tanzania's new President John Magufuli has joined hundreds of residents in the main city Dar es Salaam to take part in a public clean-up operation.

Mr Magufuli swept and picked up rubbish from the street as part of the scheme, which he had ordered to replace independence day celebrations.

The move is being seen as symbolic of the president's promise to tackle corruption, our correspondent says.

Thousands of people across Tanzania are reported to have joined the clean-up.

Last month, Mr Magufuli cancelled traditional independence day celebrations, which usually include a military parade and concert, saying it would be "shameful" to spend huge sums of money while the country was facing a serious cholera(clued from BBC) 

38 graduates make first class at Kaduna State University, says VC

The Vice Chancellor, Kaduna State University (KASU)Prof. William Qurix, said that out of 3,160 graduates produced by the university, 38 graduated with first class degree.

Quxis, who made the disclosure at a pre-convocation briefing in Kaduna, said that the first class graduates emerged from the faculties of Arts, Science, Social and Management Sciences.

He said that the degrees would be awarded to the graduating students during the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony scheduled to hold on Dec. 12.

He said that the convocation would cover three academic sessions: 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

Qurix said that during the three academic sessions, the Faculty of Arts produced 909 graduates, representing 29 per cent; the Faculty of Science produced 832 graduates, representing 26 per cent.

He added that during the period under review, the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences produced 1, 419 graduates representing 45 per cent.

``Across the three faculties, however, 951 students graduated during the 2012/2013 academic session.

``1, 239 students graduated during the 2013/2014 academic session while 970 students graduated during the 2014/2015 academic session.

``Out of the 3, 160 graduates, 38 students graduated with first class degree, 12 students in the 2012/2013 academic session, 17 in 2013/2014 academic session and 9 in the 2014/2015 academic session.

``In terms of gender, male students constitute 1,825 representing 58 per cent, while female students were 1, 336 representing 42 per cent,’’ Qurix said.

The vice chancellor said that the number of graduates produced by the institution increased by 85 per cent as against the maiden convocation that had 1,712 in four sessions.

He said that academic activities in the university established 11 years ago, received a boost in terms of enrolment, graduates output, staff recruitment, programmes development and accreditation of programmes.

``In the same vein, both the Main Campus and the Kafanchan Campus have witnessed excellent and remarkable improvements in physical structures with state of the arts facilities and furnishing,’’ he said.