News
Borno Female Candidate Top AUN Scholarship
By Aaron Ossai
Eighteen-year-old Maryam Habila Usman, a former student of Air Force Girls Secondary School, Jos, has emerged the overall winner of the nationwide scholarship examination into the American University of Nigeria.
Ms. Usman, who outscored all other candidates from all states of the federation, hails from Borno State and has applied to study Natural & Environmental Sciences at AUN.
Welcoming her and other spring scholarship awardees, AUN President, Margee Ensign said: “I would like to personally congratulate all of our scholarship winners, and to welcome them to the AUN Community. Ms. Usman and her fellow AUN students represent the brightest hope for a better future for Nigeria and for Africa. We shall all do our very best to ensure that their time with us is as rewarding and fruitful as they clearly deserve. Congratulations all!”
As the overall winner of the national scholarship exams for spring 2017, Ms. Usman’s award will cover tuition, board, meals, and other fees at AUN.
The scholarship examination was conducted simultaneously at six centers covering all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria, in December 2016. The aim was to screen college-ready applicants for AUN’s 49 scholarships for spring 2017.
Ms. Usman, who graduated with distinction in all her SS3 subjects and scored 253 marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, took the scholarship exam at the Northeast center, which is on the AUN campus in Yola, Adamawa State.
“I have chosen AUN because I consider it to be one of the most prestigious universities in Africa and a place where I can fulfill my dream,” writes Ms. Usman in the short essay accompanying her application for AUN admission. She went on to say that she was born in a perennially flooded Lagos neighborhood, hence her desire for environment-related studies.
The Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Recruitment, Linus Ikyurav, who released details of the awards, said that altogether 34 candidates won 45 of the 49 available slots. Four states–Gombe, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, and Yobe–did not field eligible candidates.
The American University of Nigeria had also offered 67 scholarships to students across Nigeria during the 2016 Fall semester which began on August 26. This brings to 116 the total number of scholarships offered to fresh students by AUN in the current academic year.
Competitive scholarships which afford brilliant candidates from poor background an opportunity to acquire world-class education is a tradition of American universities; and along that tradition, the American University of Nigeria, which is a member of Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU), is committed to cultivating the best and brightest students from Nigeria and Africa.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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