The Nation Newspaper

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  • NANS threatens mass action over ASUU strike

    NANS threatens mass action over ASUU strike

    Factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Umar Farouk has called on the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to immediately resolve the ongoing strike or face mass action from students.

    The students’ body also vowed to occupy the Federal Ministry of Education if the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu failed to resolve the strike.

    Farouk stated this on Thursday while addressing reporters in Abuja.

    NANS held its election recently and two factional presidents emerged, one led by Lawal and the other by Usman Umar.

    Farouk said: “That Federal Government through the Ministry of Education should within a few working days resolve the lingering ASUU Strike.

    “As we shall mobilise our students towards occupying the ministry of education until our demands are met.”

    He also demanded that the federal government should set visitation panels to address issues of all politically expelled and rusticated students while calling on stakeholders to ensure education was given the desired attention by an increment of budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education in order to meet up with the UNESCO threshold.

    Read Also: NANS gets new officers, warns impostors

    He added: “The lingering fuel crises is not to be swept away easily as it keeps affecting the economic posture of Nigeria which is visible in the attendant hike in the price of, transportation, foodstuff, goods and services therefore a lasting solution is thereby required for our economy to grow and for our nation to thrive in Prosperity.

    “There is rising unemployment that has affected the growth and development of the Nigerian economy thus it becomes important that the government creates a conducive environment.”

    On February 14, ASUU declared a one-month warning strike that soon escalated into a full-blown strike.

    The strike, which has kept public universities shut and academic activities grounded and students and Nigerians bewildered, is in its sixth month, with no end in sight.

    The strike by the union entered its 207 day Today (Friday).

    Some of the demands of the union included: funding for revitalisation of public universities; payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)/Earned Allowances (EA); payment of salary shortfalls; stop the proliferation of state universities by governors; setting up of Visitation Panels.

    Others are: renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement; adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a payment platform for university lecturers and payment of withheld salaries and non-remittance of check–off dues.

  • Tribunal slams N25m fine on MultiChoice over tariff hike

    Tribunal slams N25m fine on MultiChoice over tariff hike

    The Competition and Consumer Protection (CCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited – the operator of satellite televisions – DSTV and GOTV- to pay N25 million fine for violating an order restraining the company from increasing its tariff.

    The tribunal ordered the fine to be paid immediately to the Tribunal’s Registry.

    It also restrained Multichoice Nigeria from proceeding to appeal its judgement until the fine has been paid.

    In a ruling on Thursday, a three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Thomas Okosun, held the company breached the order of March 30 and was liable to pay the penalty.

    “The 1st defendant (MultiChoice) is in contempt of this tribunal,” Okosun said.

    “So we have reviewed the position of Section 51(3) of FCCPC Act, 2018 and in compliance with the provision of Subsection 2 of the same Section 51, we hereby order the 1st defendant, MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd, to pay the sum of N 25 million only as an administrative penalty for contempt of this honourable tribunal.”

    On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered MultiChoice to produce its audited 2021 financial report for violating a restraining order on tariff increase.

    It also compelled the directors of MultiChoice to appear on September 8 with a certified true copy of a detailed financial report of the company’s 2021 financial year made by a three-member panel of the tribunal.

    However, at the court session on Thursday, MultiChoice, through its counsel, Jamiu Agoro, informed the tribunal about two applications filed.

    Agoro said after a proper review of the tribunal’s judgment, the company decided to proceed on appeal.

    He said out of the two applications before the tribunal, “one is an application seeking stay of execution.”

    The lawyer also noted that there was no management staff of the company available in Abuja to present the firm’s audit report.

    Read Also:Ekiti 2022: Oyebanji, APC, others file application at tribunal

    “In view of our motion for stay of execution which has been served on all parties, we pray that you set the motion down for hearing for the tribunal to look at our application if it is meritorious or not,” he said.

    The tribunal, however, disagreed with Agoro, stating that the company’s appearance before it along with the audited report was the order of the day.

    The panel also stated that there was no notice of appeal before it.

    “You know the law, counsel. First, those papers are not with us. The only reason we are here this morning is to make a pronouncement on the penalty the 1st defendant MultiChoice is to pay,” Thomas Okosun, chairman of the tribunal, said.

    “It is your right to appeal. The only point I took from you is that you don’t have your details here, rather than raising issues of appeal. It is your right to appeal,” he added.

    After a brief stand-down, the tribunal reconvened and awarded N25 million cost against the firm.

    A legal practitioner, Festus Onifade, had sued MultiChoice on behalf of himself and the coalition of Nigerian consumers.

    Onifade had prayed the tribunal for an order restraining the firm from hiking subscription fees for its services and other products on April 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated and filed on March 29.

    The tribunal had granted an ex parte motion, directing parties to maintain “status quo antebellum” (to maintain the situation as it existed before).

    The tribunal also reiterated its order on April 11.

    But MultiChoice implemented the tariff hike on April 1, claiming that it had already configured all its devices for the development.

    The court upheld the contempt application initiated against the firm by Onifade and ordered that a detailed financial report of the company’s 2021 financial year be tendered to “enable the tribunal to determine the appropriate penalty to impose on MultiChoice for being in contempt of the orders of this honourable tribunal made on March 30.”

    The main suit, however, was dismissed for lacking merit on Tuesday.

    The tribunal held that the claimant failed to establish that MultiChoice abused its dominant position in the market.

    It also held that only the President has the power to regulate or fix the prices of goods and services.

  • Shun ethnicity, religion to pick new VC-UNILORIN Alumni

    Shun ethnicity, religion to pick new VC-UNILORIN Alumni

    The national leadership of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association has called on the institution’s Governing Council to shun ethnicity and religion in selecting a new vice chancellor for the institution.

    The association, in a statement on Wednesday, extolled the pedigree of members of the selection committee inaugurated by the council, stressing that the committee is capable of choosing the very best candidate to head the university. It also commended the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council Mallam Abidu Rafindadi Yazid for his coordination abilities.

    The statement, by the national president Dr Olawale Fasakin, emphasised that UNILORIN deserves a better by far candidate among the applicants, being a university that prides itself as better by far.

    It also commended the effort of the chancellor, the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness, Alh. Abdulmumini Usman, for putting together a competent and mobile team for the selection process.

    A new VC will succeed the incumbent Prof. S. A. Abdulkareem, whose tenure ends in the next few months.

    Read Also:Unilorin edge UAM Tillers Into HiFL Q-Finals

    The association charged members of the selection committee to continue to show courage and strength. It further encouraged the committee to appoint an alumnus where possible.

    It cited the tenure of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, a former VC who is an alumnus, as “a benchmark to project that an alumnus will bring profound growth and development to the university since such type of growth and development so quested are entrenched in every person who is a product of the university via the qualitative training received by him in the cause of his passing through the school and the school passing through him.”

    The National President called for a transparent process that will show the whole world how a new VC emerges, stressing that all candidates should be subjected to equal assessment upon which the best candidate will emerge.

    “The association is monitoring the process to certify compliance with extant rules and ensure that nothing is done to favour any candidate

    “We do not want our alma mater to get its image smeared with the dirt of crisis the type that trailed selection processes of new VCs in some universities in the country today,” the alumni stressed.

  • Asake releases debut album

    Asake releases debut album

    Afrobeats singer-songwriter, Ahmed Ololade aka Asake has released his debut album.

    The new album titled “Mr money with vibes” contains 12 tracks, featuring American rapper, Russ in one of the tracks.

    Olamide welcomed Asake who has been making waves on his record label, YBNL in February.

    Asake, who disclosed in a chat with HipTV, recounted his journey to becoming a YBNL-signed music artist was the last thing he ever expected.

    Read Also:Don Jazzy reacts to Asake’s ‘Terminator’

    Commending his new album, Mavin Record boss, Don Jazzy noted that the award for next rated and artiste of the year ahead 2023 should be given to him now.

    He said: “Make them just give Asake Nexrated and artist of the year sef for 2023 already o.”

    Asake is a graduate of Performing Art at Obafemi Awolowo University

  • Father arrested for allegedly raping daughter on grave

    Father arrested for allegedly raping daughter on grave

    Gombe Police Command has arrested Reuben Azariah of Kaltungo Local Government area for raping her 16-year-old daughter on top of a grave inside their compound.

    The police in a statement by ASP Mahid Mu’azu Abubakar the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO said a distress call was received from one Abigail Yunusa of Tarmana of the same area around 8:30 pm September 2 on the incident.

    “She said Reuben Azariah of the same address took her daughter aged 16yrs of the same address and forcefully had carnal knowledge with her on top of a grave inside their compound at the above-mentioned address,” said Abubakar.

    According to him, on receipt of the complaint Police operatives from Kaltungo Division swung into action and arrested Azariah while the victim and suspect were taken to General Hospital Kaltungo for medical examination.

    The following day, around 9:pm a formal complaint was received from one Alh. Musa Shehu of Kagarawal quarters Gombe, that one Musa Umar aged 55yrs of Kagarawal quarters Gombe deceived one Hassana Musa aged 6yrs of the same address and took her to an uncompleted building for carnal knowledge.

    Read Also:Father arrested for assaulting twin sons with hot knife

    He said on receipt of the complaint, the operatives from Gombe Division swung into action and arrested the said Musa Umar while the victim and suspect were taken to Police clinic Gombe for medical examination after which he will be brought to justice.

    Police Operatives attached to Gombe State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) have also arrested two members of a kidnap syndicate; Abdullahi Isah aged 27yrs of Wuro Bokki village via Bajoga and
    Mikaila Alhaji Bala, 56 years of malleri village via Malam sidi,kwami LGA of Gombe State.

    The two belong to a kidnapping gang who are terrorizing Bajoga, Dukku and Nafada axis of Gombe State.
    The police said the suspects specialized in kidnapping locals for ransom as well as making calls and sending threat messages to their innocent targets, forcing them to bring specific amounts of money or risk being killed and members of their families being wiped out.

  • Old students celebrate reunion

    Old students celebrate reunion

    It was a joyous time for Nigerian Model High School Old Student Association (NIMOSA) as its 2002 set celebrated 20 years of leaving school in Lagos.

    In his welcome address, Chairman of the planning committee, Mr Adebowale Adeyemi, who was the library prefect, thanked God for keeping them alive, though few among them had passed on.
    He also used the occasion to honour them.

    He said: “We all know why we are here. We are here to celebrate each other. For the past 20 years, many of us have had children who have completed their secondary school education. While some have children who are in the higher institutions. That’s why we deem it fit to celebrate ourselves. Many of us too have left this place. But we still thank God that anytime we call for one programme or the other we do see each other.”

    He also stressed the need to have executives to properly administer the association.

    “Again, another reason we are here also is for us to have executives for NIMOSA 2002. This will include the president, the vice president, secretary and so on. It is not very easy for two or three people only to be running such an online platform. There will be a proper election to choose them. By the time we do that it will be easy to run such platform,” he said.

    Read Also:LASUSTECH students to Sanwo-Olu: fulfill your promises

    The old students were delighted at reuniting after so many years. They stressed the need to assist each other.

    Time keeper of the set, Mr. Peter Olatunji called for diligence and focus in their endeavours, saying better days were ahead of them.

    He said: “I thank God for his grace over everybody’s life. I feel so excited to be here today. 20 years back and seeing ourselves today is a great joy. It is by God’s grace that we are celebrating 20 years of leaving senior secondary school.

    “We should be focused on whatever we are doing in life, because I believe greater future is ahead of us. I also wish everybody well today. In all our endeavours, we should try as much as possible to keep doing well, keep influencing others positively.

    Assembly prefect of the set, Mr. Oluwaseun Adegboyega, urged everyone to come together to share their problems and create unity.

    ” It is important for us to keep in touch regularly. If anyone has a problem, we should share it with each other. This is because a problem shared is a problem half-solved. You cannot solve the problem alone because no one is an island. We should unite to grow. No one can grow alone, you need to grow with people,” he said.

     

  • VC to students: Report sexual molestation to authorities

    VC to students: Report sexual molestation to authorities

    Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has urged students to report sexual molestation to the institution’s Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV).

    She spoke at the institution’s matriculation ceremony on Monday on campus.
    LASU matriculated 6,377 new students for the 2021/2022 academic session.

    “Report any form of sexual harassment to the university Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence( CRPSGBV).Those found culpable for any of these vices will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary measures,” she said.

    She said over 25,000 applied to the university, but the approved carrying capacity by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for LASU is 8,000, adding that 7,800 students accepted the admission offer.

    “Those who applied to LASU through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) were 25,000 but our quota from NUC is 8,000. Out of 7,800 students that accepted our admission offer, 6, 377 matriculated while this morning before the ceremony, I cleared 109 for admission.”

    The VC, who congratulated the new students, urged them to be serious with their studies.

    She assured them their welfare and security on campus would be prioritized.

    Read Also: On the growing menace of child sexual molestation

    The LASU VC urged them to shun unethical practices and be security-conscious.

    “The university has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, corruption, hooliganism and sexual gender based violence.

    “We have a one stop safety application for our students named; LASU Monitor Campus Safety App. Kindly download it from Google Play Store and ensure that you learn how to use it. It will improve your safety in and out of the campus,” she added.

    Olatunji-Bello reiterated her administration’s policy of refunding 50 per cent school fee to students who make 4.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in any academic session.

    Earlier, Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof. Tajudeen Olumoko, urged them to be obedient to university authorities and exhibit good behaviour.

    “I therefore charge you to make the most of this rare opportunity and ensure class attendance above 70 per cent while focusing on the objectives of seeking a university degree,” he said.

    He advised the students not to flout rules and regulations of the institution.

    Olumoko told them that the university has zero tolerance for misconduct and that it would sanction erring students.

    He advised parents and guardian not to leave character-moulding in the hands of management and staff of the university alone.

     

  • Edo committed to deepening education

    Edo committed to deepening education

    The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to deepening quality education. Thus, it is poised to establish at least 20 technical colleges before 2024,among other reforms.

    Speaking at the launch of the Nigerian Learning Passport done in conjunction with the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki noted that without acquiring the required knowledge to navigate today’s world, one would not be able to get to anywhere significant.

    Following the success of EdoBEST 1.0 which has improved basic education, he said the EdoBEST 2.0 is focused on senior secondary school and technical education.

    He said: “We have moved from the situation of our children are going to school, what we now focus on is quality and the relevance of what they are being taught. For us, education has not been an elitist product and we must continue that so that our children would have access to school and quality education.

    “After Junior Secondary School, our children must have a vocation they are good at. In the light of this, we are going to ensure that the state has at least 20 technical colleges before we leave office in 2024. We are also working on 20 mini stadia across the state as we want to produce total and complete students from our schools.”

    Obaseki said the focus on technical and vocational education is to move the state from a place where people have certificates but no job to where people have jobs even if they do not have standard certificates.

    He listed areas of focus to include quality/relevance of what is taught students, access/equity, school governance, financing, secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), adding that next year would be on special education, adult education and tertiary education.

    The governor also stressed the need for teacher training.

    Read Also:How COVID-19 made education top voters’ priority in U.S. elections

    “The key to any education reform is the teacher. That is why we have trained and retrained our teachers. The teachers are the ones governing the schools and once you get the governance of the school correct and right with a competent head teacher, he will get the other teachers to work and our children, the students will be okay,” he said.

    Obaseki allayed fears that the reforms being introduced could be discarded by any succeeding government, saying adequate legal frameworks are in place to stop that.

    The governor also announced the disarticulation of schools from 6-3-3-4 to 1-9-3-4, which will see the separation of JSS from SSS and the conversion of primary schools to basic schools.

    His words: “School resumes on Monday, September 12 and teaching begins on that day. I will send out a special squad to go out and monitor schools on that day. The Ministry of Education, SUBEB, PPEB and. BTVET will be held accountable if teaching does not begin on day one.”

    Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe, said apart from training over 1,500 teachers and 305 executive principals, the 1,000 EdoSTAR Fellows just recruited would be trained too.

    She said: “EdoSTAR- means Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results.Teaching is no longer the profession for quacks. What separates other government teachers from EdoSTAR Fellows is that they are pensionable and they earn Teachers Special Allowance. The EdoSTAR Fellows will start earning this upon their automatic absorption into the public service after satisfactory performance on the job.Fellows will receive continuous training. Those without the requisite educational qualifications will be supported to get them.”

    Oviawe noted that the state college of education which will kick-off administratively this month will provide continuous professional development and capacity building for teachers.

    Yetunde Oluwatosin and Babagana Aminu, Education Specialists with UNICEF, lauded Obaseki for the introduction of EdoBEST 1.0 and the higher version, EdoBEST 2.0, saying the latter would also make significant impact too.

    Management boards for different secondary schools were also inaugurated.

    END.

  • Tinubu above other presidential candidates, says Daniel

    Tinubu above other presidential candidates, says Daniel

    Former Ogun Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel has rated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu above other candidates for the February 25, 2023 presidential poll.

    Daniel said Tinubu will improve the nation’s economy and guarantee local government autonomy if elected.

    He added Tinubu showed readiness to devolve more powers to the third tier of government during his time as Lagos governor.

    “I look at Asiwaju as somebody who is clear in what he wants to do as far as the economy is concerned. And a number of the decisions he has taken, when you take a deeper look, you will know he knows what he’s doing,” Daniel said.

    “So, when it comes to local government administration, if there is anybody who has shown determination to empower local governments, Tinubu ruggedness towers above others.”

    Read Also:Tinubu for Nigeria project

    Daniel, who spoke during an interactive session at a two-day leadership capacity development programme for Councillors in Ogun East Senatorial District in Ijebu-Ode, recalled how Tinubu as Lagos Governor fought for local government autonomy and stood his ground in the face of the then Federal Government.

    He also harped on restructuring to enable the country to overcome most of its socio-political and economic challenges.

    The APC Senatorial candidate for Ogun East advised the party and its members to work hard to achieve success for the ruling party in the 2023 general elections.

    He contended that only popular candidates would henceforth win elections following the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The event with the theme: “Understanding leadership and legislative responsibilities at the grassroots level,” attracted 103 Councillors and 24 youth leaders drawn from the nine local government areas in Ogun East Senatorial District.

  • ‘Varsities should engage in cutting-edge research’

    ‘Varsities should engage in cutting-edge research’

    Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has urged varsities in the country to engage in research capable of solving problems, She said her office was ready to fund them.

    She was the keynote speaker on Tuesday at the 4th Research and Innovation Fair organised by the Lagos State University(LASU) Ojo, at its main campus.

    Theme of the fair was: “Repositioning the Nigerian university system for global relevance and competitiveness in learning, research, innovation and technological transfer.”

    Orelope-Adefulire noted that there were many problems afflicting the nation, hence, universities should be at the forefront of solving them and with LASU taking the lead.

    She said research and innovation were vital to building a prosperous and sustainable society.

    She praised LASU for organising the fair,noting that the theme was in line with some Sustainable Development Goals, particularly that of 4 which targets inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    The former Lagos Deputy Governor stressed the importance of qualitative and inclusive education as a tool for achieving sustainable livelihood and economic prosperity.

    “This is because the role of universities is very important to all sectors of human endeavours, from social, economic, environmental, legal to all others,” she said.

    Read Also:ASUU strike: Parents, candidates turn to private varsities for admission

    Orelope-Adefulire, who said her office’s target is to train up to 1.2 million youths on various skills and also move a significant number of out-of-school children off the streets, noted that the country needed to reposition its universities.

    She also announced her donation of a 750- capacity seater hall for LASU.

    Guest speaker and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Olufemi Bamiro, stressed the need for both the university students and lecturers either as an individual or groups to scale up engagements in cutting-edge research projects that will impact society.

    He tasked Nigerians to begin to seek viable solutions to make the country advance rather than complain.

    He said information and communication technology (ICT) had created a revolution in all spheres of human endeavour, hence, it is important for the academic community to play vital roles.

    Bamiro urged government to task universities in providing solutions to specific societal problems.

    He also advised universities to partner with government and industries to produce high-quality manpower and value-adding multi-disciplinary research.

    Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, decried poor global ranking of Nigerian universities, stressing the need to reposition them.

    She said programmes such as research and innovation fairs just like the one organised by LASU could help Nigerian universities to perform their roles effectively.

    She said LASU was committed to research and innovation, hence, it instituted N5million research grant for researchers.