NEWS

254 dead in Colombia mudslides, including 43 children

Devastating mudslides in the Colombian town of Mocoa killed at least 254 people including 43 children, President Juan Manuel Santos said Sunday, as survivors described gruesome scenes amid the ruins. Santos, who traveled to the southern town to personally oversee relief operations, warned the toll could keep climbing.

Illegal refineries in N-Delta to refine 1,000 barrels of oil per day —NNPC

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, has thrown light on the modular refineries the Federal Government is planning for the Niger Delta region. Mr. Maikanti, at the 53rd International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, NMGS, in Abuja, said that the government will organise the youths now engaged in illegal refining of crude into consortia. Each consortium will refine 1,000 barrels of crude daily. Baru also defended the Federal Government’s plan to transform illegal refineries in the Niger Delta into legal entities for proper integration of the youths in the region.

JAMB introduces new process of purchasing PIN

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said that eligible candidates for its 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, can now purchase the pin for registration using the Remita mode. The board said yesterday the development came on the heels of the reported challenges the candidates faced in an attempt to acquire the pins from NIPOST and designated banks.

Tanker drivers begin nationwide indefinite strike

Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday, directed members to begin nationwide indefinite strike and shut all loading depots and fuel terminals until further notice.

The workers are protesting non-renewal of their Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA that expired three years ago, deplorable conditions of nation’s high ways, alleged harassment by security, especially Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, and plans by Capital Oil Plc to declare 2000 members redundant due to its unresolved issue with Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC.

National Chairman of PTD, Mr. Salimon Oladiti, said there was no going back on the strike as it was decided by the organs of the union. According to him, the strike will be total as loading depots and fuel terminals nationwide will be shut down.

Meningitis: FG procures 500,000 doses of vaccine

Following the spread of Cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, in the country, the Federal Government has secured 500,000 doses of meningococcal vaccine from the World Health Organisation, WHO, to tackle the outbreak in Zamfara and Katsina states, while additional 800,000 units are expected from the British government. Over the weekend, the Federal Ministry of Health issued a public advisory confirming 328 deaths from 2,524 infected persons in 99 local government areas in 16 states of the country. It was stated that a total of 131 samples had been confirmed in the laboratory, of which a majority are Neisseria Meningitides type C.

Naira Down 8% As Investors Seek Dollars For Investment Repatriation

The value of the Naira nosedived last week at the parallel market, despite the continuous injection of Dollars at the official end of the foreign exchange market by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Naira which had gained a substantial 30 per cent since the CBN’s efforts at boosting liquidity in late February, depreciated within five trading days by 7.95 per cent as demand rose at the parallel market.

The Naira which opened the week at N370 had declined in value during the week to N394, further widening the spread between the interbank and parallel market rates. Last week the CBN had pumped $200 million into the interbank market to meet wholesale forwards demands.

ASUU, UI commences one week warning strike

The Academic Staff Union of University, University of Ibadan chapter has embarked on a one week warning strike. The decision was made today, 4th of April at the Congress meeting held by the union. The strike action was undertaken by the union in response to endless deductions in salary among other issues, and is expected to last between Wednesday, 5th of April and Tuesday, 11th of April, 2017.

AVMS Freshers' welcome and Congress to hold despite strike

The AVMS freshers' welcome will hold on Wednesday, 5th of April, 2017 despite confirmation of ASUU strike. The event is expected to start by 12 noon at the faculty auditorium, while the AVMS Congress is expected to hold by 3 pm at the same venue.

AVMS Congress to hold tomorrow as students decide dues

The first Congress of the 2016/17 session will hold tomorrow by 3 pm. This is in contrast to the 1 pm earlier announced by the Senate. The Congress is expected to hold at the faculty auditorium.

Veterinary News Organisation (VNO) members dominate Dean’s Honours List again as Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan inducts 62 graduands into the Veterinary profession.

It is a well-known tradition for the organisation since the 1980s when it was established to produce the top scholars in the faculty. From Prof. M. O. Oyeyemi (Dean), Prof. Adedapo, Dr Oluwayelu in the early years of the organisation to the recent years which feature Dr Olaolorun Francis, Dr Adekola Adewole, Dr Adigun Kabirat etc., VNO has once again stood up to the expectation this year by featuring the following exceptional students in the 2015/16 session:

AJAO, JADESOLA JULIANA—BEST STUDENT, 100 level (7.0 CGPA)

ADESINA, MARVELLOUS AYOMIDE—THIRD BEST STUDENT, 400 level

OWOLABI, ABIODUN MARY—BEST STUDENT, 400 LEVEL

OLUSANYA, OMOLABAKE D.—BEST STUDENT, 500 LEVEL.

Compiled by Martial