Bandits Abduct 15 Students, Four Staff Of Agric College, Zamfara; Three Escape, Return

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August 16, 2021

In early July, as Taliban insurgents were seizing territory from government forces across Afghanistan, fighters from the group walked into the offices of Azizi Bank in the southern city of Kandahar and ordered nine women working there to leave.

The gunmen escorted them to their homes and told them not to return to their jobs. Instead, they explained that male relatives could take their place, according to three of the women involved and the bank’s manager.

“It’s really strange to not be allowed to get to work, but now this is what it is,” Noor Khatera, a 43-year-old woman who had worked in the accounts department of the bank told Reuters.

“I taught myself English and even learned how to operate a computer, but now I will have to look for a place where I can just work with more women around.”

The incident is an early sign that some of the rights won by Afghan women over the 20 years since the hardline Islamist militant movement was toppled could be reversed.

The Taliban have steadily overrun the country since U.S. troops began withdrawing in May and the insurgents entered the capital on Sunday.

When they last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women could not work, girls were not allowed to attend school and women had to cover their face and be accompanied by a male relative if they wanted to venture out of their homes.Women who broke the rules sometimes suffered humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban’s religious police under the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.

During hitherto fruitless talks over a political settlement in recent years, Taliban leaders made assurances to the West that women would enjoy equal rights in accordance with what was granted by Islam, including the ability to work and be educated.

‘THE WORLD SHOULD HELP US’

Two days after the episode at Azizi Bank, a similar scene played out at a branch of another Afghan lender, Bank Milli, in the western city of Herat, according to two female cashiers who witnessed it.

Three Taliban fighters carrying guns entered the branch, admonishing female employees for showing their faces in public. Women there quit, sending male relatives in their place.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid did not respond to a request for comment about the two incidents. Spokespeople for the two banks did not respond to requests for comment.

On the broader question of whether women would be allowed to work in banks in areas it controls, Mujahid added that no decision had yet been made.

“After the establishment of the Islamic system, it will be decided according to the law, and God willing, there will be no problems,” he said.

The United States and others Western powers fear that the Taliban will roll back many of the freedoms won by women.

Gains made in women’s right have been touted as one of the biggest accomplishments during the 20 years that U.S.-led forces have been deployed in Afghanistan, although they have mostly been made in urban centres.

Afghan women working in fields including journalism, healthcare and law enforcement have been killed in a wave of attacks since peace talks began last year between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed Afghan government.

The government blames most targeted killings on the Taliban, who deny carrying out assassinations.

“The Taliban will regress freedom at all levels and that is what we are fighting against,” an Afghan government spokesperson said.

“Women and children are suffering the most and our forces are trying to save democracy. The world should understand and help us.”

Scores of educated Afghan women took to social media to appeal for help and express their frustration.

“With every city collapsing, human bodies collapse, dreams collapse, history and future collapse, art and culture collapse, life and beauty collapse, our world collapses,” Rada Akbar wrote on Twitter. “Someone please stop this.”

Curled from Reuters

Ataga’s Murder: Family Fingers Alleged Killer, Hires Ozekhome, Says CP Odumosu Is Complicit

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August 16, 2021

By Akinwale Kasali

The family of the gruesomely murdered Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga is so angry with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, that they are accusing him of deliberately treating the heinous crime with indifference.

They say that the CP did not tell the family the day the suspects, including the prime suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu, were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court. They accuse the CP of charging another person they finger as one of the prime suspects, Babalola Disu, of obstruction of justice instead of murder.

They are aghast that on the day of Chidinma’s arraignment, she was taken to the Court in a “pleasure” car, and driven to prisons still in a “pleasure” car, both times, without handcuffs.

They, also, revealed that Chidinma was living with his “Sugar daddy”, not her father, and wondered why the Police did not make that aspect public.

The family has, therefore, hired city lawyer, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to represent its interest, and see to it that all those involved in the heinous crime are brought to book.

Chidinma is cooling off in the Prison, following the ruling of the Magistrate Court which remanded the 300 Level Mass Communication Student of University of Lagos in custody on holden charges pending the advise of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution.

Hakeem Odumosu - Lagos State Police Commissioner — Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Police Commissioner

In a brief to Ozekhome, the family decried “the low level of professionalism exhibited so far by the Police in bringing to book and prosecuting professionally, the perpetrators of this heinous crime that led to Ataga’s unprovoked and cold blooded murder.”

The family said it was shocked that the prosecution of the prime suspect in Ataga’s murder, Chidinma, was arraigned at a Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba, without even being informed about the arraignment coming up.

It also revealed that one Babalola Disu, who was arraigned for allegedly preventing the Police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime to the Police, is “highly suspected to have carried out the murder”.

It premised its suspicion on information they received to the effect that Disu’s short rental apartment was directly opposite the apartment where Ataga was killed. The family narrated how the said Disu had asked that the carpenter of Air BnB should be called upon to fix his door, only for the carpenter to be told later that it was actually Usifo’s door that was broken.

The family had also accused Odumosu, of being complicit in bungling the case of Ataga’s murder through his lack of depth, thoroughness, and professionalism in his investigation of Ataga’s brutal murder.

Stressing further, the Ataga family decried the alleged comfortable movement to prison from court and from court back to the prison, of Chidinma in an Uber ride. The family queried why this was done without even handcuffs and without its being informed of the intending arraignment.

The family equally alleged that the man who had claimed to be Chidinma’s father, and who was, also, charged to the Magistrate’s Court for obstructing Police investigation, was actually not Chidinma’s biological father after all, but her “sugar daddy”. The family postulated that this means that the Police had deliberately lied to it.

The family made it clear that it suspects Disu of having a hand in Ataga’s murder and wondered why he was charged for mere obstruction of Police investigation and failure to report a crime, “thus being granted bail in the ridiculous term of one million Naira only and two sureties in like sum.”

According to the family, “To all other suspects involved in this dastardly act (except Chidinma who was ordered remanded ) , bail was granted by Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo, in the funny conditions of one million Naira each with two sureties in like sum.” The Ataga family said it could not understand “these over liberal bail terms in such a heinous crime of hideous and horrific murder.”

The family said it “views these acts by the Police as a slap on their face, the face of justice and a deliberate cover-up by the Police.”

The family asked Ozekhome’s Chambers, to take up the case “with all relevant authorities, to ensure that justice is manifestly done to the memory of late Usifo through a very professional prosecution of all those involved in this heinous crime, no matter how highly placed they may be.”

Hostilities Resumes In Europe, As 2021/2022 Soccer Season Begins

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August 16, 2021

By Akinwale Kasali

For over 17 months, fans were absent from the stands stadia in top European football leagues to cheer and rally round their favourite teams due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This affected most teams. The revenue dropped drastically, while some teams performed woefully and some beyond expectations.

As the 2021/2022 European Football Season commenced over the weekend, fans were welcomed back to the stands, cheering their teams to glory. The transfer market saw Players jumping ship to different Clubs across the continent, while some bolstered their squad for prospective silverware.

ENGLAND

In England, the defending Champion, Manchester City Football Club suffered a 1-0 loss to North London Club, Tottenham Hotspurs, courtesy of a Son Heung Min Strike to give Coach Pep Guardiola concerns about what the future has in stock this new season.

His £100 Million Acquisition Jack Grealish couldn’t bolster, at least, a draw for the Citizens as they just a shadow of themselves.

Their Manchester neighbour, Manchester United Football Club whitewashed Leeds United 5-1 with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Paul Pogba creating four assist in the rout.

Chelsea and Liverpool recorded a 3-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Newcomers, Norwich City respectively to send a signal to their rivals.

Arsenal started the season on a bad note, despite making three signings, including a £50 Million acquisition of Ben White from Brighton Hove and Albion Football Club, with a 2-0 defeat to newcomers and Premier League debutants, Brentford Football Club.

Leicester recorded a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the King Power Stadium, while Iwobi made an assist as Coach Rafael Benitez got a 3-1 victory over Southampton in his new role as Everton Manager.

New comer Watford Football Club that has four Nigerians in his team that include: Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost Ekong, Etebo Oghenekaro and Isaac Success got a 3-2 win over Aston Villa with Super Eagles striker, Dennis scoring the opener for Watford.

SPAIN

In the Spanish La Liga, Barcelona Football Club started on a good note, putting the exit of their legendary player, Lionel Messi behind them, beating Real Sociedad 4-2 at Nou Camp.

A brace from Martin Braithwaite, Gerard Pique header and a fourth from Sergi Roberto salvaged the win for the Catalan giants.

New Real Madrid Coach, Carlo Ancelotti made a winning start for the Los Bloncos, with a 4-1 triumph over Deportivo Alaves football Club.

Karim Benzema scored a brace, with Nacho Fernandez and Vinicius Junior adding a goal each.

Defending Champion, Atletico Madrid, despite seeing two red cards in a fierce match against Celta Vigo, got a hard earned win.

A brace from Angel Correa gave Coach Diego Simeone side their first victory of the season, hoping to defend the title it won last season.

GERMANY

The German Bundesliga started with high expectations for defending Champions, Bayern Munich. But this wasn’t to be, as the Bavarians forced Borussia Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw.

Andrea Plea gave the Borussia club side the lead, before last season’s highest goal scorer, Roman Lewandowski got the needed equalizer.

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund have once again shown why he is one of the prolific striker in the world as he grabbed a brace in Dortmund’s 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Having scored two goals, he created two assist, Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard and Reyna all registered their name in the scoring sheet.

Sadly for Leipzig, having sold their two best defender, Upamecano and Konate to Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively, they lost 1-0 to Mainz in the opening season.

FRANCE

Lionel Messi started life with his Club, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, from the stands, as he was unveil to the fans at the Parc De Princes Stadium.

Kylian Mbappe got a brace, while Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler scored as PSG defeated Strasbourg 4-2.

French League Champion last season, Lille Metropole suffered a 4-0 demolition at home to Nice, as their misfortune continues in the new season.

Also, Olympic Lyonnais suffered a 3-0 defeat in the hands of Angers, failing to register a win in the two weeks old French league of the new season.

Monaco wants left out of the bad start to the season, as it lost 1-0 to Lorient Football Club. The trio of Monaco, Lille and Lyon have failed to win any match this season in the league.

TURKEY

Nigeria Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa started life with his new Club, Fatih Karagmakuk, with a win, scoring the much needed victory goals in a 3-2 win over Gazientep Football Club in the Turkey Super League.

Fenerbahce and Beskitas recorded wins in their first match, while Istanbul Bakasehkir recorded a home loss, while Hatayspor recorded a 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor.

Breaking: Sadly, Another Nollywood Actress, Doris Chima Dies

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August 16, 2021

By Akinwale Kasali

“This is shocking and too much to bear. She called me last week and pleaded due to ill health not to remove her from the verification exercise I embarked on to ascertain true members of the Guild in Lagos.

“Yesterday morning, I got a call that she was dead. Though I am yet to visit the family, it is a great loss for us. I pray for the repose of her soul.May her soul rest in peace, Amen.”

These were the words of devastated and tear-laden voice of Emeka Rising Ibe, the President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Lagos State Chapter, over the death of yet another Nollywood actress, Doris Chima.

This month, the Nollywood has lost five actors including Chima.

First it was Racheal Oniga, followed by Rich Oganiru, Stanley Okoro and yesterday Kunle Agboola died in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.

Chima was said to have died of Cancer, having been diagnosed of cancer of the breast.

Her death comes less than 24-hours after the passing on of Agboola.

Revealed: How Babangida Helped Jonathan To Take Power From Yar’Adua

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August 16, 2021

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Business mogul, Femi Otedola has revealed how former military President Ibrahim Babangida gave former President Goodluck Jonathan the confidence to take over power from late President Umaru Yar’adua after the protracted illness of the late president which created political tension in the country between 2009 and 2010.

Yar’Adua, had at the time traveled out of the country to treat himself without handing over power to his deputy, Jonathan.

His long absence had left a power vacuum and sparked a constitutional crisis with pressure on Jonathan to take over power.

Amid the confusion that rocked the country then, Otedola said Babangida sent a message through him to President Jonathan “to seat on Yar’Adua’s Chair’ during the federal Executive Council, FEC meeting.

Otedola disclosed this in his yet to be released book

The Businessman said “Worried by the tension and uncertainty, I decided to do something on my own,” Otedola wrote.

“In the first week of February 2010, I went to Minna, Niger state, along with Hajia Bola Shagaya, to commiserate with General Ibrahim Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam.

Goodluck Jonathan — Jonathan Took Over From Yar’Adua

“At his Hilltop residence, we spoke on a wide range of issues, but I told him I needed to discuss an urgent and vital issue. He took me to his study, where two of us were alone. I told him that the state of the nation had been agitating my mind.

“Your Excellency, how can we get out of this logjam? The political heat is too much,” Otedola asked Babangida, in which the former military leader said “Femi, advise your friend that when he gets to the Council Chambers next week for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, he should go and sit on Yar’Adua’s chair.”

After delivering the message to Jonathan, the former president asked Otedola ‘What do you think?’ to which the businessman told him ‘Be a man, Your Excellency. Go and sit on that chair!’

According to him Jonathan “looked at me for some time and responded that he would think about it.

“A week later, on Tuesday, February 9, the National Assembly adopted the famous ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ to make Dr Jonathan the Acting President pending the return of President Yar’Adua from his medical leave. Behind-the-scene moves by prominent Nigerians preceded this decision. The legislative resolution was unprecedented, but the nation had been tensed up, and the fault-lines so stoked that an unusual solution was needed to address the unique situation.

“With Jonathan now legally empowered to act as President, there remained the critical optics: would he stand-in for the President confidently and authoritatively? Or would he try to maintain a subdued outlook?

“The following day was the FEC meeting. As Dr Jonathan entered the Council Chamber, he made to sit on the chair of the Vice President—his usual seat.

“As the protocol officer pulled out the VP’s chair, Dr Jonathan marched towards the seat reserved for the President. And he sat on it! That was the moment Dr Goodluck Jonathan took control of power. By that act, he sent a strong signal to all Nigerians that he was now in charge. The same day, Jonathan even reshuffled the cabinet,” Otedola said.

World: Taliban: Buhari Warns of Worsening Terrorism In Africa

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August 16, 2021

APTOPIX Afghanistan — Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Zabi Karimi)

By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces has grave implications for Africa. The president in an article with Financial Times of London said the United States miscalculated by withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan.

Kabul fell to the Taliban on Sunday amidst growing concerns of worsening terrorist’s activities across the world, particularly in Africa where Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have taken over some swathes of lands.

The situation will even get worse now that the Taliban have declared an Islamic Republic, Buhari said, though he said it’s possible to defeat terror by creating jobs in the continent.

According to him “Though some believe the war on terror winds down with the US departure from Afghanistan, the threat it was supposed to address burns fiercely on my continent. Africa is the new frontline of global militancy.

“Yet few expect the outlay expended here to be as great as in Afghanistan. The fight against terrorism begun under the George W. Bush administration was never truly global.

“Despite rising attacks across Africa in the past decade, international assistance has not followed in step. Mozambique is merely the latest African state in danger from terrorism.

“The Sahel remains vulnerable to Boko Haram, 20 years after its formation, and other radical groups. Somalia is in its second decade fighting the equally extreme al-Shabaab. Many African nations are submerged under the weight of insurgency.

He said Nigeria and the entire Sahel have been battling Boko Haram for more than 20 years, while al-Shabab continue to battle the government of Somalia.

According to him “As Africans, we face our day of reckoning just as some sense the west is losing its will for the fight. It is true that some of our western allies are bruised by their Middle Eastern and Afghan experiences.

He further explained that if extremist groups were able to hold territory, it could inspire disillusioned people living in the west to commit heinous acts of terror in their own countries, he stressed.

He pointed out, however, that military force alone cannot defeat terrorism, adding that Africa must confront terrorism on their own, rather than fully relying on the United States and its allies to deal with the problem.

“We must not complacently assume that military means alone can defeat the terrorists. If Afghanistan has taught us a lesson, it is that although sheer force can blunt terror, its removal can cause the threat to return.

“The US and its western allies cannot be expected to underpin the security of others everywhere and indefinitely. Africa has enough soldiers of our own,” Buhari said.

Governors Condemn Jos Killings, Sue for Peace

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August 16, 2021

By james Orji

36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF has condemned the barbaric killings of 23 travelers at Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

The travelers were killed while returning from a religious programme from Bauchi on Saturday.

The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, OPSH in Plateau, has arrested over 20 suspects, over the early morning killings at Rukuba Road, Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

OPSH is responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau and its environs.

Reacting to the tragic killing, the governors, in a statement issued by its Head, Media, and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in Abuja on Sunday, said the killing was barbaric and senseless, adding that Nigerians should be able to traveled anywhere in the country without molestation.

The governors said “These dastardly actions of Nigeria’s once peaceful locals which have resulted in unwarranted and needless deaths diminish us all as a people and pulls our country down to the deepest recesses of the absence of civilization.

“They also cause all kinds of reprisal killings and injurious interactions that do nobody any good.

“The Forum views with extreme disgust the horrible and thoughtless loss of precious lives and declare unequivocally that it must stop forthwith.”

According to them the country’s security organisations to fish out all those involved and bring them forward to face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to those who are contemplating similar action.

They added that no human life deserves to be wasted on any ground; be it religious or ethnic, or even on the frivolous altar of mistaken identity, hoping that Nigerians would desist from taking the law into their own hands so that the country could once again become a safe place for all.

They also called on all aggrieved ethnic nationalities and their militia to avoid needless killings by always seeking law enforcement assistance and legal redress, noting that peace is required for development to take place.

President Muhammdu Buhari has already directed security forces to fish out the killers, warning that his government will not allow wanton killings of innocent citizens.

The List Of Fake Universities In Nigeria

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 15, 2021

By Adesina Soyooye

As Jambites and prospective students of tertiary institutions are desperately looking for placements for the next academic year, the Nigeria Universities Commission, has for the umpteenth time, warned them against running to fake Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

A good number of admission-seeking students fall into the hands of these institutions and their unscrupulous owners. By the time they find out, it has become late.

They can neither go to National Youth Service Corp or get a job. Worse, they stand the risk of prosecution for parading fake certificates.

Following are the list of such fake institutions as released by the NUC.

There are 58 of them.

*1.University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria

*2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its other campuses

*3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses

*4. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*5. Blacksmith University, Akwa or any of its other campuses

*6. Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*7. Royal University, Izhia, PO BOX 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses

*8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi state or any of its other campuses

*9. United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses

*10. United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State or any of its other campuses.

*11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses

*12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses

*13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu State or any of its other campuses

*14. The International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos studies centres or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*15. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

*16. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

*17. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

*18. London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

*19. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria

*20. Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

*21. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria

*22. Bolta University College, Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria

*23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna illegal campus

*24. Western University, Esie Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

*25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*26. EC-Council USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre

*27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria

*30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*31. Acada University, Akinlalu Oyo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*32. Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

*33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria

*34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State

*35. Open International University, Akure

*36. Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo

*37. Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta State

*38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja

*39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State

*40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State

*41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja

*42. Temple University, Abuja

*43. Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria

*44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State

*45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu road, Lagos.

*46. University of Education, Wenneba Ghana operating anywhere in Nigeria

*47. Cape Coast University, Ghana operating in Nigeria

*48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic operating anywhere in Nigeria

*49. Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri study centre

*50. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos

*51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus)

*52. Career Light Resources centre, Jos.

*53. University of West Africa, Kwali Abuja, FCT

*54. Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State

*55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna

*56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State

*57. West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria operating anywhere in Nigeria

*58. Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo road, Cele bus stop, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos.

Top Nollywood Actor, Kunle Agboola Is Dead

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August 15, 2021