Meet 13-year-old girl set to earn a PhD (photos)

Meet 13-year-old girl set to earn a PhD (photos)

- Esther Okade, a 13-year-old British-Nigerian girl would be getting her PhD soon - The news of her getting a degree at such a young age made Tolu Ogunlesi react Esther Okade, a 13-year-old British-Nigerian girl, who has been identified as a genius is set to get her PhD. The news of her getting a PhD at that young age bemused Tolu Ogunlesi, the special assistant to President Buhari on digital and new media. It was gathered that Okade’s academic growth has always been an interesting one as she got enrolled into Open University, a UK-based learning college when she was just ten. The smart kid who strikes everyone as a normal kid loves dressing like Elsa in ‘Frozen’ yet; she does an amazing job when it comes to numbers.

When the teenager enrolled into the university, she emerged top of her class. The concept of working with numbers has always been interesting to the youngster who embraced the mathematical world with courage. 

The young girl said then that she was going to finish the course in two years and earn a PhD in financial mathematics at the age of 13. She also dreams of owning her own bank at the age of 15 because she likes numbers and wants to help people at the same time.
Contrary to the thought that her parents pushed her so hard to start university early, Okade begged her mum to start when she was 7 according to the interview CNN had on her when she was just ten. Efe, her mum, declined and only allowed her to do so when she was ten. 
In line with Okade’s calculation of the time she would be done with her program at the university in order for her to earn a PhD, everything is falling into place. The idea of her getting such a degree at a tender age struck Tolu Ogunlesi as a strange one as he tweeted and asked what a 13-year-old would be doing with such a degree at that age. See Tolu Ogunlesi's tweet below: 

"I don't see anything worth celebrating here I'm sorry. What's a 13-year-old doing with a PhD???"

Okada indeed had an early start with her mum who was home schooling her. The mother explained that in the UK, school is not a must for a child until the age of 5. The brilliant girl had been enrolled in a private school which she disliked because she was not allowed to talk.
As a matter of fact, this exceptional performance runs in the family as the bright girl’s younger brother has also shown signs of being a genius. He wrote an A level exam when he was just 6.

On this note, do you agree with Tolu Ogunlesi on the issue of a 13-year-old getting a PhD? Share your thoughts with SPARKLE in the comment section.

14 years after he was unjustly sacked, lecturer defeats UNIUYO in court

14 years after he was unjustly sacked, lecturer defeats UNIUYO in court

- A lecturer who was sacked by the University of Uyo 14 years ago has finally gotten justice - Edet Akpan, an associate professor of mathematics, was finally reinstated since 2004 - He was fired for criticizing the former vice chancellor of the school After 14 years and a difficult legal battle, Edet Akpan, an associate professor of mathematics, with the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) has finally found justice. His appointment was unjustly terminated in 2004 for raising questions over the way the university was being run. Mr Akpan has however been reinstated after he won his case against the school both at the Federal High Court, Uyo, and the Court of Appeal, Calabar. 
In 2002, he was the chairman of the university’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Mr Akpan Ekpo, a professor of economics, was the vice chancellor of the university. 

He reportedly criticized Mr Ekpo’s leadership style and that set the ball rolling for his termination. According to Premium Times he was first queried in his personal capacity as a lecturer for speaking up against the university administration. Then the school acted on an anonymous letter which alleged that Mr Akpan forged his certificate, and suspended the lecturer in 2003 without giving him an opportunity to defend himself.

He was not given a chance to see a copy of the letter that was written against him and was barred from entering the school. This was despite a subsisting order from the Federal High Court, Uyo, restraining the school from taking any action against the lecturer. The police also reportedly investigated the forgery case and exonerated the lecturer. Mr Akpan, further obtained another order which restrained the school from acting further on the anonymous letter. However, despite all this, the school went ahead to terminate his appointment in March 2004. During that time, the National Universities Commission (NUC), withdrew accreditation for several courses in Uniuyo, including courses in the faculty of social sciences where the then vice chancellor, Mr Ekpo, came from.

This helped strengthen Mr Edet Akpan's case in the suit challenging the termination of Mr. Akpan’s appointment. Justice E.S Chukwu of the federal high court, Uyo, said in his judgment in 2013: “Let me further observe here and hold that what the defendants termed insubordination and misconduct are constructive criticism of an inept administration that finished last in the accreditation exercise in all the universities in Nigeria.” He ordered the university to reinstate Mr Edet Akpan, saying that the university had become “a place where the truth will always be punished senselessly. “If there is any person that his appointment should be terminated, it is the Vice Chancellor; and his kangaroo panel (that) should be shown their way out. “If they had honour, they ought to have resigned and not witch-hunt innocent citizens like the plaintiff whose association (ASUU) cried foul or complained of gross incompetence in the university administration.” However, Mr Ekpo who later became the Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, Lagos, two other vice chancellors – Akaneren Essien and Comfort Ekpo – left without recalling Mr. Akpan.

In February 2017, the university recalled Mr Akpan back to the classroom, after trying unsuccessfully to have the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court nullify the judgment of the trial court. While the Court of Appeal upheld the judgement of the High Court, the Supreme Court rejected a request for stay of execution by the university. The court also ordered Uniuyo to pay Mr. Akpan his emoluments for all the years he was kicked out of his job and N500, 000 to cover the cost of litigation. Mr Akpan said he should have been promoted to a full-fledged professor in 1998, and still hopes that that could be done before his retirement in June. “My belief is that you can suppress the truth only for some time. At the appropriate time, the truth will surface,” he said. It is well....Justice prevails.

BREAKING: Ooni of Ife reacts to burning of Oba of Lagos palace

BREAKING: Ooni of Ife reacts to burning of Oba of Lagos palace.

The Ooni of Ife expressed sympathy over the fire incident at the palace of the Oba of Lagos - He said the incident had nothing to do with the relationship between him and the Oba The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, has said that he has nothing to do with the fire incident that happened at the palace of Oba of Lagos and expressed sadness over it. The palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, caught fire on Tuesday, May 2.

The Oba was taken to a safe place while officials of Lagos state fire service put out the inferno. There was report that traditional relics might have been affected by the mysterious fire. Considering the incident happened just a week after an incident between the two kings where the Oba of Lagos snubbed the Ooni at a public function, there was speculation that the fire incident was not unconnected to it.

Premium Times reports however that Moses Olafare who is the spokesperson of the Ooni palace said the fire incident had nothing to do with the kings’ relationship. He said: “We are not happy over the fact that the palace of Lagos king got burnt, we can only sympathise with the palace on the development. 

“People are entitle to their own views. But what people say doesn’t mean that is the position of the palace.” “What happened is mere coincidence and should not be traced to the incident in Lagos, we send our sympathies.” says Ooni of Ife.

Sauce Kid has been in prison since last year

Sauce Kid has been in prison since last year

At some point in Nigeria, Babalola Falemi aka Sauce Kid was considered to be one of Nigeria's best rappers - But those days are long gone judging by his current situation - He is said to be incarcerated in an American jail If you’ve been wondering why you haven’t heard much from popular Nigerian rapper Sauce Kid, it is because he is currently in an American jail battling grand theft charges. 

This was revealed ‘accidentally’ by his friend and fellow rapper Willybang on Instagram.It was further gathered that that the 32-year-old was arrested and booked on July 26, 2016, in Idaho for Grand Theft. According to Wikipedia, Grand theft is committed when the value of stolen property exceeds $950. Theft is also considered grand theft when more than $250 in crops or marine life-forms are stolen, “when the property is taken from the person of another,” or when the property stolen is an automobile, farm animal, or firearm.

Looking at Sauce Kid’s Instagram page, It was noticed that his last major post was 20 weeks ago when he wished musician Dammy Krane a happy birthday. However, Sauce has responded to the rumor that he is currently in jail writing that his family and friends are the last people he wants to disappoint.

My family, friends and fans are the last people I wanted to disappoint right now, so I kept things on a need to know basis with those in my immediate circle. Paparazzi fans took it upon themselves to wish me well, thanks. I am taking care of what's important right now, and working on new music as usual. Heard these streets been dry anyway. Industreet vol 2 coming soon 🔥💯. #Sinzu100Gang I appreciate all of you. #Industreet #SMG#SinzuMusicGroup

This is also not the first time Sauce Kid has been arrested in the US. Back in 2014, a mugshot made the rounds showing that he had been arrested for forgery and unlawful possession of a firearm in 2013.

Adeleke’s burial: Mob collapse canopy on Amosun, Akeredolu, others

Angry supporters of Adeleke collapse canopy on Amosun, Akeredolu, Oyinlola  to chase out Idiat Babalola, who is a commissioner  nominee of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Babalola who was seated among the dignitaries including the younger brother of the deceased, Deji Adeleke, was chased out by the youths who alleged that the former governor was poisoned by some APC leaders.

The irate youths said Babalola was being touted to become the running mate of the anointed candidate of the APC.

Problem started when Babalola was sighted by the mourners who demanded that she should be sent out.

Despite pleas from family members of the deceased , the youths insisted and started shouting and raining curses on her.

The youths started shaking the canopy where Governors Ibikunle Amosun, Rotimi Akeredolu, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Deji Adeleke were seated to chase out Babalola who they described as a betrayer.

Babalola was escorted outside the house by Amosun and his security aides as the youths threw sticks and mango fruits at her.

Monarch's impersonator dupes US-based ladies desperate to be his queen

Monarch's impersonator dupes US-based ladies desperate to be his queen

Police have arrested a suspected Internet fraudster for allegedly impersonating the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The suspect Abiodun Joseph was said to have duped two US-based Nigerian ladies on Facebook of various sums of money in the monarch's name.

Joseph was arrested by the Ogun State police command on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at Ilese, in the Ijebu North East Local Government Area.

He allegedly duped the ladies to the tune of N600,000, which was paid through money transfer.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, said the 26-year-old has been perpetrating the crime on Facebook and Whatsapp.

"On interrogation, he owned up to the crime and confessed that he defrauded the ladies of N600,000," Iliyasu said.

Joseph said after he opened the Facebook account in October 2016, many ladies bombarded him with friend requests, expressing their desire to be the Ooni of Ife's Oloris (wives), and believing that the account indeed belonged to the monarch.

He said: "A few days after I opened the Facebook account, many people, mostly ladies, sent friend requests. Many of them said I had good looks and they wanted to be my oloris.

"In our chats, I told them that they have to pay some money for traditional ritual if they are really interested in being the oloris. Two of them in the US fell for the scam and sent some money to me totalling N600,000 through money transfer.

"One sent N350,000 and the second one sent N250,000.

"Some of the ladies were really desperate; some of them sent nude pictures, showing their breasts and private parts (as seen by our reporter from one of the two iPhone 6 seized from the suspect)."

On how he was arrested, Joseph said one of the ladies who wanted to be oloris demanded that he should buy her a house worth N45 million.

‘EZE GOES TO SCHOOL’ AUTHOR, ONUORAH NZEKWU IS DEAD

Onuorah Nzekwu‘Eze Goes to School’ author is dead

Pa Nzekwu became known for his book entitled Eze Goes to School, written in 1963.

The renowned author and writer of "Eze Goes to School", Onuorah Nzekwu, is dead.

He died at the age of 89 on Friday, April 21, 2017. The cause of his death is yet to be ascertained.

The sad news was confirmed to Daily Post on Saturday, April 22, 2017, by Denja Abdulahi, president, Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA.

He described the late Nzekwu as an icon, who would be greatly missed.

Expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased over the incident, Abdulahi said the late writer would be remembered for his literary works, which preached about the importance of education, forever.

“Yes, it is true but I can’t confirm what actually the real cause of his death was; but it is a big loss to the Nigerian literary community.

“We would miss him dearly and we pray God to grant the literary icon eternal rest in his bosom,” he said.

Asked about the role ANA is playing in providing help to the aged and struggling writers, Abdulahi said the association needs to take a census of those writers who are still alive so as to make the necessary moves.

“Well, ANA is doing its best but we still need to take census of those icons alive. We can do more of cooperative programmes for them. We might not have the money but we still need to know them.

“For instance, we have a large portion of land in Mpape, Abuja for the association, the government can come in and build houses for those literary icons,” he added.

Nzekwu was born on February 19, 1928, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, and explored the internal conflicts inherent in the relationship of the educated Igbo to traditional Igbo culture.

In 1963 he published a children’s book, Eze Goes to School (written with Michael Crowder), and his third novel, Highlife for Lizards, appeared in 1965.

The deceased icon also worked as a teacher, civil servant, and journalist also wrote Wand of Noble Wood, Blade Among the Boys and other fictional and non-fictional works.

He was also the pioneer general manager of News Agency of Nigeria.

May his soul rest in peace.