Author: Good Evening Nigeria

The National Universities Commission (NUC) says the implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards CCMAS (CCMAS) will begin by September 2023. The CCMAS document is expected to guide institutions in the design of curricula for their programmes while bringing necessary innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving the overall goals of education and training in the country. Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Colloquium on CCMAS in Abuja on Wednesday, the Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki said the document would reposition Nigerian universities to be among the best rated in Africa. Maiyaki said that CCMAS…

The Police on Wednesday arraigned a 27-year-old Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist), Mohammed Amine, before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly abducting an Air Force officer. The defendant of no fixed residential address is facing a two-count charge of abduction and breach of peace. The prosecutor, ASP Clément Okuoimose, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 9 at about 9.40.p.m. in Badagry area of Lagos. Okuoimose said the defendant allegedly abducted one Reuben Robinson, of 653 Nigeria Air Force, Ahanve, Badagry to an unknown destination against his consent. He said the defendant conducted himself…

Leaders of the BRICS nations convened on Wednesday to discuss regulations for admitting new members to the bloc of developing countries. The summit, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, aims to enhance the BRICS alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but there are also divisions that could jeopardize the coalition’s objective of empowering the “Global South” on the global stage. Bloc heavyweights China and Russia – whose President Vladimir Putin is attending the meeting virtually – want to reinforce BRICS amid heightened tensions resulting from the Ukraine war and Beijing’s growing rivalry with Washington. They are seeking…

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) says its Higher National Diploma (HND) to a bachelor’s degree Top Up programme, was designed to facilitate career and academic progression of HND holders. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Prof. Idris Bugaje, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Wednesday. Bugaje said that the initiative would ease the suffering of HND holders in the country. GOOD EVENING NIGERIA had reported that the NBTE had on August 14 announced the one-year top up programme, which could be applied through: https://topup.nbte.gov.ng, to convert HND certificate to…

Obtaining German citizenship may become easier in the future according to legislation set to be approved by the German Cabinet on Wednesday. In principle, immigrants should be able to obtain a German passport more quickly, though there are conditions on economic and democratic integration. The draft, seen by dpa, explicitly excluded naturalisation for people who have committed crimes for anti-Semitic or racist reasons. Germany’s interior Minister Nancy Faeser has described the draft law as key to maintaining Germany’s competitiveness. “We are in the middle of a global competition for the best minds,’’ Faeser told the Redaktionsnetzwerk news service on Wednesday.…

Tobi Amusan, competing at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, had a confrontation with a European journalist in the mixed zone following the women’s 100-meter hurdle heats. Amusan, who was previously provisionally suspended for missing three drug tests within a year but was subsequently cleared, commenced her title defense with a standard 12.49-second run, securing victory in Heat 5 on Tuesday. After her race, Amusan engaged with the media in the mixed zone, until a European journalist brought up the previously vacated charges against her by the Athletics Integrity Unit. Responding to the journalist’s question, Amusan redirected the conversation.…

The Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Barr. Victor Muruako, disclosed on Tuesday that the agency has been unable to recruit 173 new staff members since 2022 due to financial constraints. Muruako made this revelation during his appearance before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating job racketeering and abuse of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) by government ministries, departments, and agencies. According to Muruako, the commission was granted approval for the recruitment of 173 staff in 2022. However, due to the lack of funds, the recruitment process has not been executed. Addressing the…

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has pledged to commit 270 million dollars to strenthen and support Nigeria’s humanitarian response and poverty alleviation efforts. UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, made this known when she met with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, in Abuja. According to a statement issued to newsmen by the Deputy Director, Information of the Ministry, Mrs Rhoda Iliya on Tuesday in Abuja said, “UNICEF also assured the minister of their commitment to provide technical support towards building capacity of the ministry’s staff to achieve its mandate,” ”We will also…

Reigning champion Tobi Amusan won her qualifying heat in the women’s 100 metres hurdles on Tuesday in Budapest to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Amusan, whose world record is 12.12, was slow out of the blocks before cruising to a time of 12.48 seconds, third fastest on the night. “I’m just thankful I’m here in Budapest and able to race, using my talent,” she said. “It has not been the best, but I’m here. I tried to stay as relaxed as possible (through the uncertainty) and do what my coach tells me. So, here I am.” Kendra Harrison of…

Researchers say there will be more floating plastic on Nigerian waters than aquatic lives in the next 50 years unless the nation adopts proper management and disposal of plastics. The scholars spoke during a Circular Plastic Economy Innovation Hub Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on Tuesday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Dr Adedapo Adediji, a researcher at Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), said burning of plastic caused air pollution hazardous to human’s health. According to him, it is better to turn the plastic to useful materials. “In the next 50 years, there’ll be more floating plastic…

A business mogul and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, has emerged winner of the 2023 Man of the year Leadership Excellence Awards. In a seven-day Leadership Excellence Awards voting by Nigerians via online platforms, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Rabiu was voted ahead of three other nominees. Rabiu polled a total of 568,247 votes to defeat other nominees including Chief Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace, Alhaji Auwalu Rano, CEO A.A Rano Nigeria Limited and Aloysius Ikegwuonu, Founder, Ebubechukwuzo Foundation; who polled 478,117; 286,374; and 68,352 votes respectively. The prestigious Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX Awards), the fifth…

No fewer than 230 Nigerian Universities are expected to participate in the 2023 All Nigerian Universities Debating Championship, scheduled to hold between August 27 and September 3 at Veritas University, Abuja. Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr Victor Odoeme, said this during a pre-event news conference by the All Nigerian Debating Council in preparation for the championship. Odoeme said veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, would be the keynote speaker at the event. “This is the 10th edition and Veritas is the defending champion,” he said. Odoeme said that the championship was open to undergraduate students of all Nigerian…

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N966.110 billion revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils (LGCs) for July. This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of FAAC meeting for August, which was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun. According to the communique, the N966.110 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N397.419 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N271.947 billion, and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N12.840 billion. It also comprised Exchange Difference revenue of N283.904 billion.…

Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir, expressed misgivings on Tuesday in Lafia that underage offenders were being kept in the same custodial centre as their adult counterparts. She said during a routine visit to the Nasarawa Correctional Centre in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state that she would send an advisory to Gov. Abdullahi Sule to end the practice. Justice Bashir noted that the governor had earlier agreed in principle that the two classes of offenders be separated. She stressed that it was wrong to keep minors in the same facility with adult offenders. “I have consulted…

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the launch of the web version of its new text-first social media platform, Threads. The move is aimed at retaining professional users and gaining an advantage over its rival, formerly known as Twitter. Users of Threads can now access the microblogging platform through its website using their computers, Meta confirmed. The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, announced in a Threads post that the web version rollout would take place “over the next few days.” READ ALSO: Microsoft Moves to Buy Call of Duty, Candy Crush Maker The decision to…

Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the ECOWAS envoy on the Niger Republic crisis, said discussions with the military junta was fruitful on the way forward. He said this on Monday in Abuja after submitting a report on their visit to Niamey to President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Abubakar, who was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the ECOWAS would continue to explore all options. He said that the ECOWAS delegation met with the military junta in Niamey on Saturday and discussed on amicably…

Google on Tuesday unveiled the “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First”, an initiative aimed at supporting African startups looking to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve local challenges. Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head, Startup Ecosystem, Africa said in a statement that this program recognises the transformative role that AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. Aiyegbusi said that it also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. ‘’Africa’s tech landscape is vibrant and ever-evolving, it is inspiring to see African startups…

Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, will be absent from the team’s next two Premier League games due to back surgery he underwent in Barcelona. A statement from the Premier League champions says their manager has been struggling with back pain for some time and has undergone emergency surgery in Barcelona. Guardiola’s surgery was successful but he will continue his rehabilitation in the city. The 52-year-old is not expected to be back on the touchline for City until after the international break, meaning he will miss this Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United, live on Sky Sports, as well as the visit…

Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been indicted on charges of bribery in the United Kingdom. According to Reuters, British authorities have charged her with bribery offenses, suspecting her involvement in receiving bribes in exchange for granting lucrative oil and gas contracts. Alison-Madueke, 63, held a prominent role during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015. She assumed the presidency of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in 2014. “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” said Andy Kelly,…

Troops of the military taskforce, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, arrested 39 suspects for banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery in one week. Captain James Oya, its Media Officer stated on Tuesday in Jos that the suspects were arrested between August14 and August 21. He added that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition, and illicit drugs from the suspects. “The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of OPSH and 3 Division of the Nigerian Army’s area of responsibility. READ ALSO: Kaduna Gov Unveils Plan to…