Beyonce dominates MTV video nominations

Beyonce. Source: www.ew.com

Beyonce's critically-praised visual album "Lemonade", has earned the R&B singer a career-best 11 nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards.

The list included multiple nods for Adele and rapper Kanye West, but nothing for Taylor Swift.

Adele's YouTube-shattering video for her 2015 comeback single "Hello" notched seven nominations, while the sultry British singer earned an eighth mention for "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)".

The controversial video for West's "Famous" which featured portrayals of 12 nude celebrities including Swift sleeping next to the rapper got two nominations, including the top award of video of the year.

Swift and West had been publicly feuding for months about whether the pop star approved lyrics in which West boasts about making her famous.

Swift, 26, the top-earning celebrity in the world, had dominated music awards shows in the past five years and won four MTV music video prizes in 2015, including her single "Bad Blood" with Kendrick Lamar.

But this year, she did not score any nominations after touring worldwide for much of 2015, in spite releasing videos for "Out of the Woods" and "New Romantics" in late 2015 and early 2016.

The coveted video of the year category pits Beyonce's politically-charged video for "Formation" against Adele's "Hello", Canadian rapper Drake's "Hotline Bling", Justin Bieber's "Sorry" and West's "Famous".

The MTV Video Music Awards, which had a reputation for irreverence and shock tactics, held this year in New York City on Aug. 28 and would air live on MTV.

The awards would be voted on by fans, starting on Tuesday. A host for the 2016 show has yet to be announced.

Beyonce's album "Lemonade" in April featured music videos for each track and was praised for its bold songs about betrayal and revenge.

Videos from the album also scored nominations for choreography, art direction, and editing.

Rihanna scored multiple nominations for her collaborations with DJ Calvin Harris on "This is what you Came For," and with Drake on "Work".

British artist David Bowie died unexpectedly in January of cancer, days after releasing a new album.

He also made it onto the list with nominations for best direction, art, editing and cinematography for his singles "Blackstar” " and "Lazarus".

Troops arrest suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspect was arrested at Molai check point in the outskirt of Maiduguri at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

He added that the suspect was arrested with a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of petrol and other goods cleverly covered in cartons.

Usman said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had for long engaged in supply of fuel and other goods to terrorists in Sambisa.

He said: “the Quick Response Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison on routine check arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of PMS and other goods.

“The PMS and other goods were cleverly covered and concealed in the truck.

“The driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.

“He too denied supplying the terrorists’ fuel and other items. Rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand.

“However, preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa.

“Although investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest."

Usman said authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers in Borno and its environs.

He said both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigation.

Bayelsa students protest closure of varsity

…action politically motivated- govt

 Students of the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), on Thursday, took to the streets of Yenagoa, the state capital, to protest the closure of their school following an industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU and other categories of workers in the university kicked off an industrial action in April demanding their backlog of unpaid salaries.

The students were, however, angry over prolonged negotiations to end the industrial dispute between the workers and the state government.

The protesters disrupted vehicular movements and business activities in the capital city as they marched the Mbiama-Yenagoa road from Tombia roundabout to the Government House.

Their presence caused tension among residents, but the atmosphere was calmed by a retinue of security operatives who monitored the protest.

The students marched the roads chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Bring back NDU", “We are tired of staying at home”, “Save NDU", “We want to go back to school”, “ASUU, agree with government, government agree with ASUU,”.

Attempts by some suspected hoodlums to hijack the peaceful protest was, however, prevented by scores of armed security men, who monitored the event.

Some officials of the state government accused a human right activist, Ebiserikumo Jason Gbassa, who led the protesting students of allegedly playing the script of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

One of the protesters, a 300-level engineering student, Mr. Omiela Dumotonye, said the protest was peaceful and not sponsored as alleged in some quarters.

"What the students want is for the state government and ASUU to return to the negotiation table and ensure that issues of salary payment are resolved. We are not harming anybody", he said.

Another speaker, a 300 level student of Philosophy, Mr. Dee Mitin, added: The protest is not a civil servant matter. It is a wakeup call for the state government and ASUU to return to the dialogue table and resolve their differences. They should come to an agreement within seven days".

Mitin threatened that the students community in NDU resolved to embark on a mega rally and shut down the state if the issues were not resolved within the period.

Addressing the students, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, blamed the closure of the school on ASUU.

He said ASUU refused to honour its part of the agreement it reached with the state government.

Spiff said:  “I feel your pains you need not suffer what you are suffering but it is because  ASUU has refused to sit down to sit down with the state government talk.

He said: “ASUU gave government many conditions and promised to resume work when the conditions are met and after government had met the conditions, ASUU came back again with more conditions and the government asked them to resumed work first as promised of which they have refused.

“ASUU has been disappointedly uncooperative with government and using the students a as pawns, they have connived with politicians to portray the government in bad light".

He appealed to ASUU to see reasons with the state government and call off the strike.

Speaking on the matter, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, accused the opposition of instigating the protest to cause insecurity and a breakdown of law and order in the state.

He said:  “Politicians are behind the protest. One Gbasa and a self-acclaimed alumnus of the school, who we know as an APC stalwart, was part of the protest

ABU makes breakthroughs in petrochemicals, automobile engineering -- VC

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria says it has recorded major breakthroughs following researches it carried out in petrochemicals and automobile engineering.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, disclosed when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

He said that the university, with the assistance of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), successfully developed a petroleum refining material called zeolite, using a kind of clay called kaolin.

According to him, zeolite, which is a natural mineral, can be used in refining petroleum products in the country.

He, however, said the mineral was not available in commercial quantity in the country.

“The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commissioned a research to develop one kind of material that is used in petroleum refining which is called zeolite and there are two types.

“They found that if we can covert certain minerals to zeolite it will help.

“This research has succeeded in converting a clay mineral which is called kaolin to two types of zeolite which can be applicable to petroleum refining.

“The university has even received a patent certificate from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is now ready to go into semi commercialisation to produce it in large quantity and that has been successful.

“PTDF is also ready to join hands with the Raw Material Research and Development Council ((RMRDC) to take it to commercial scale.’’

Garba also said that ABU had developed a mini-refinery in its Chemical Engineering Department to train prospective engineers in the practical aspect of petrochemical engineering.

He said the mini-refinery, which refines one barrel of crude oil per day, was built with the support of RMRDC.

“We also have what we call the Petroleum or petrochemical mini-refinery.

“We developed a small refinery that will refine one barrel of crude oil a day.

“We do not intend to refine petroleum for our own consumption, but because we have a chemical engineering department, we train engineers that would go into the industry.

“We found that in this part of the country, there are no much oil facilities.

“We found that if we develop this mini-refinery, its student, as at when they are really taking their degrees, should be able know the entire working of a refinery.

“It is quite a big edifice that we built and that also came with the support of RMRDC and it is doing very well.’’

The vice-chancellor said the institution had also produced an eco-marathon car through a contest organized by Shell globally, challenging universities to produce vehicles that were fuel efficient.

He said that ABU won two awards with its Eco-Marathon Car, adding that both universities of Lagos and Benin participated in the two contests, which ABU’s car came tops.

“There is also another research in the Engineering Department whereby we produce what we call the ABU Eco-marathon car.

“So, ABU has developed one, we participated in two events and we won both that we now have this eco-marathon car and that has been successful also.

“University of Lagos has tried and come closer and University of Benin also, but I think ABU is the one that has won the award.”

NAN

Naira strengthens against dollar

The Naira on Monday strengthens against the dollar at the parallel market.

The Nigerian currency exchanged at the rate N365 to the dollar, maintaining same value as at Friday.

However, the naira weakened further against the Pound Sterling, but maintained same value with the Euro as it exchanged at N475 and N400 respectively, from N470 and N400 it traded on Friday.

At the interbank window, the naira exchanged at N292.15 to a dollar.

Currency traders blamed the poor performance of the naira to the scarcity of the greenback, adding that the demand for dollar far outstripped its supply.

Meanwhile, Prof. Segun Ajibola, President, Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) urged the Federal Government to resolve unsettled transactions prior to the introduction of the new forex policy.

Ajibola, at a recent event in Lagos, said that unsettled transactions by banks before the introduction of the flexible exchange rate was still a major factor in the banking industry.

He noted that the liquidity challenges in the forex market seemed unsolved because of banks’ demands to settle their old issues.

The banker added that it had impacted on the economy because the 4 billion dollars injected into the interbank market to ease the demand for forex had not been felt.

Covenant University appoints new VC

Professor Aderemi Aaron-Anthony Atayero

The Board of Regents, Covenant University’s apex governing body has approved the appointment of Professor Aderemi Aaron-Anthony Atayero, as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Secretary of the Board of Regents, Pastor Chioma Okwuanyi, on behalf of the Chairman of the Board and Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo, made the announcement on Friday July 15, 2016 at a special meeting of Principal Officers, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments.

Professor Atayero replaces Professor Charles Ayo, whose tenure elapsed last month.

Speaking on how the Board of Regents arrived on its choice of Professor Atayero, Pastor Okwuanyi said the Board, at a recent meeting to consider a number of eminent professors from Covenant University, decided to limit the choice to the products of the university in order to allow for continuity; somebody who has been in the system who knows where Professor Ayo stopped, and start building from that foundation.

The announcement was greeted with a thunderous applause from the audience including Professor Ayo, who described the day as symbolic in the annals of history of the university. It would have been disheartening, he said, if the university had to look elsewhere to pick his successor.

He acknowledged the contributions of all present, while expressing satisfaction that he has bequeathed a university where faculty, staff and students can walk with their heads held high across the continent of Africa.

“I congratulate the incoming Vice-Chancellor. Actually, we started the journey together… I therefore have no doubt whatsoever that Professor Atayero will be able to move the university forward at a faster rate having been part and parcel of the Vision,” said Professor Ayo.

He subsequently presented his handover note titled, ‘On the Wings of a Prophetic Verdict: Vision 10:2022’ to Professor Atayero, and prayed that God will give the new Vice-Chancellor the wisdom and the grace to take the university to a greater height.

Professor Atayero, in his acceptance speech, thanked the Board of Regents for the confidence reposed in him to carry the mantle of leadership of the institution from where Professor Ayo stopped.

While acknowledging that the task before him is not an easy one, the Vice-Chancellor is optimistic that victory would be achieved.

“When I was made the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), when I was writing my acceptance letter then, one of the things I noted was I’m fully persuaded that this can only be done exclusively by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is pleasing that I’m currently on the mountain, and one of the scriptures I read on the mountain is Romans 9:28: ‘For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth’.

“I am convinced that victory would be achieved even before the last lap as set by our indefatigable Chancellor. Another good reason is that we are standing on a very sound foundation. It is only a privilege for us and the team coming in to be able to carry this mantle forward and we make bold to say that by His grace we shall not disappoint.”

Curtains were drawn on the unveiling ceremony with Pastor Okwuanyi asking all present to pray that God gives Professor Atayero the grace to accomplish the task before him.

Professor Atayero and Professor Ayo later met in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at the Senate Building, where members of staff led by the Director, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Dr. Akan Williams, were introduced to the new helmsman.

Atayero, a professor of Communication Engineering at Covenant University, who was the pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the institution, had also served as Coordinator School of Engineering, and twice as Head of Department of Electrical and Information Engineering of the university. He joined the faculty of Covenant University as a pioneer faculty in 2002.

Professor Atayero has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radio Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Satellite Communication Systems in 1992 and 1994 respectively from the Moscow Institute of Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation. He earned his Ph.D from the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation (MSTUCA) in 2000.

Atayero is a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and other professional bodies.

He has a number of scientific papers in reputable International peer-reviewed journals and proceedings to his credit. He is on the editorial board of the Covenant Journal of Science and Technology and of several other International Journals.

The new Vice-Chancellor is a recipient of various awards and scholarships including the ‘2009 Ford Foundation Teaching Innovation Award’. His current research interests are in various aspects of Communication Engineering, including (but not limited to): Wireless Sensor Networks, Wireless (Mobile) Communications, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities.

He was until his appointment Head, Covenant University Internet of Things-Enabled Smart and Connected Communities (SmartCU) Cluster.

Professor Atayero is happily married and the marriage is blessed with three children.

Kogi varsity students protest three months' closure

The students of the Kogi State University, Anyigba yesterday brought commercial activities in the state Capital, Lokoja to a standstill as they embarked on a peaceful protest over the the three month-old strike by lecturers of the school.

Members of the institution's chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities  (ASUU) had embarked on the strike over alleged unresolved salary issues with the state government.

The students in their numbers occupied the popular Ganaja Junction as early as 8.30am, paralysing business activities in parts of Lokoja.

They demanded for immediate resolution of the impasse between ASUU and the state government and ASUU, saying that their concern remains the immediate reopening of the university.

They lamented that they have over stayed at home, saying that those who are expected to graduate will miss the annual NYSC programmes.

In apparent dissatisfaction with the leadership of the student union body interventions, the students said they will not shift the ground, chanting anti-establishment songs, just as they demanded the immediate resolution of the logjam.

"We want immediate resolution to the lingering crisis. We have over stayed at home. When it started, we thought it would be addressed immediately. Now we have spent three months at home while all other institutions in neighbouring states are graduating", they stated.

Efgorts by the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Students whose name was not immediately made available to journalists was turned down by the students, as they alleged that the union leaders may been settled by the government.

Similarly the angry mobs also manhandled the President of SUG who was trying to address the crowd, stating that his in actions has caused the students "three months at home".

Also, efforts by the State Commissioner of Police (CP) Yakubu Usman, the Director of State Security Service (SSS) and state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to pacify the students were rebluff, as they insisted that they will only dialogue Governor Yahaya Bello.

They however later soft peddalled, as they listened to tge SSS boss, but insisted that the university must be reopened before they will agree to go back to Anyinba.

Travellers passing tgrough the state capital were worse off for it, as those caught up in the protest were stranded, as the angry students barricaded roads leading the Eastern part of the stat and the South East and South South parts of the country.

Efforts to speak with government officials at the scene proved abortive as they refused to talk, just as the students refused to dialogue with them.

It would recalled that the institution's chapter of ASUU have been at loggerheads with the state government over unpaid salary and eventually embarked on the strike.

The state government said it has paid  four months salary arrears to the striking workers but ASUU insisted that the it offset all before it can return to work.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mohammed Awwal at a press conference however appealed to the striking lecturers to return to the classrooms.

He appealed with them to return to the classrooms for the sake of the students.

"The ASUU strike affects not just the psyche of the students, but also causes further stress to the parents and ultimately tarnishes the reputation of our great state. ASUU is reminded that they were the first to be paid even when government could access only 40 percent of the bailout funds requested", he stated.

Boko Haram: Dangote to rebuild destroyed health facilities

Aliko Dangote

The Chairman of Dangote Foundation Alhaji Aliko Dangote has promised to partner with Yobe State Government to rebuild all the Health facilities that were destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in Yobe State,particularly, the ones destroyed in the two local Governments of Gujba and Gulani Loca Government.

Gujba and Gulani were the two local governments taken over by Boko Haram at the heat of the insurgency before they were liberated by the military.

Ali Dangote who was speaking via a video link from Maimi in  the United during a Mid-Year Review in line with the MoU signed with Yobe State Government, Bill & Malinda Foundation and Dangote Foundation in January on strengthening routine Immunization in Yobe State praised Yobe State Government for the progress made so far since the MoU was signed.

" I want to praised the effort of Yobe State governments for doing a fantastic job in making sure children are immunized in the state despite the security challenges. On the destroyed health facilities in the two local governments by Boko Haram, Dangote Foundation will partner with Yobe State to ensure that they are re-constructed. Dangote foundation may end up constructing all of them but I think we should have a partnership to ensure these facilities come back to functionality so that our children will with immediate effect begin to access the healthcare services,"'Dangote said.

On his side, the Co-chair of Bill & Malinda Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates who also joined the event from Seattle, USA equally commended the State government for the stride made so far.

Mr. Gates noted with delight, the effective engagement and involvement of traditionally rulers in the campaign and other stakeholders by Yobe State Government, while calling on the speedy award of contracts enshrined in the MoU.

The Director National Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Ado Mohammed on behalf of The Fedrral Government donated the sum of $1.5 dollars to Yobe State Government as support to their commitment to the immunization drive in the state.

Yobe State Commissioner for Health Dr. Bello Kawuwa while presenting the report explained that 15 out of the 17 local government areas in the state were significantly covered except the remaining two-Gulani and Gujba which were occupied by Boko Haram insurgents before liberated by the military.

According to him, the good news is that the two local Governments are now accessible but the bad news is the destruction of nearly all the health facilities in the two localities.

Yobe State governor Ibrahim Gaidam in his comments told the partners that his administration is very committed to the MoU to ensure the total eradication of all the nine killer children's diseases in the state.

He thank Dangote for offering to assist the state governments in the reconstruction of the destroyed health infrastructure in Gujba and Gulani, while also commending Mr. Gates and other partners for their unflinching commitment and support to children's health across the world and Yobe particularly.

The Director Yobe State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Hauwa Goni Fika explained that the whole idea of the MoU was to bridge the gaps in immunization coverage in the state which according to her include, security challenges, inaccessibility of some areas in the state, destruction of health facilities in the state, lack of cold storage facilities in some communities which makes it difficult of the movement of vaccines.