The Nation Newspaper

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  • Osun Assembly directs UNIOSUN to extend fees deadline

    Osun Assembly directs UNIOSUN to extend fees deadline

    From Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

     

    The Osun State House of Assembly has prevailed on the Management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) to extend the deadline for tuition fees payment.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Kunle Alabi, noted that the intervention became necessary to save students of the university who almost lost their admission for not meeting the deadline.

    The Speaker, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye, said students’ plight made the parliamentarians meet with the leadership of the institution for the extension.

    “The Assembly decided to wade into the complaints of the affected students having realised the hardship that the lockdown might have caused parents and guardians in paying school fees at the stipulated time.

    Read Also: NBA faults Assembly on suspension of council chair 

     

    “The assembly had received the “Save our Soul” message through its newly set up Public complaint resolution mechanism in line with the legislative agenda of the assembly,” he said.

    He added that the seventh Assembly under his watch will not shy away from engaging the citizenry, saying the House will be there to attend promptly to discontent and requests of the people they represent.

    “I also want to thank and commend the leadership of UNIOSUN for being considerate and compassionate on this issue.

    “We are all aware of what the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown have caused parents and guardians. This hardship is not limited to the economy of Osun but that of the world,” he said.

     

  • Varsity donates to widows, elderly

    The Western Delta University (WDU) in Oghara, Delta State, has donated palliatives to widows, orphans and the elderly.

    The Vice Chancellor of the Western Delta University, Prof. Otete Okobia, told reporters that the move was to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 on the beneficiaries.

    She explained that since the outbreak of the pandemic, the institution had taken it upon itself to educate the public about hygiene and social distancing practices that would protect them from the virus.

    The Vice-Chancellor said that officials of the university took the items directly to the beneficiaries’ homes in the spirit of physical distancing.

  • Bridge presents homeschooling platform

    Bridge presents homeschooling platform

    By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

     

    Bridge International Academies (Bridge), has introduced an online remote learning platform, Bridge@Home, which helps pupils learn from resources shared via social media platforms and downloaded from its website while at home.

    The platform provides daily reading practice, learning guides and activity sheets of all nursery and primary classes for parents and caregivers to help children learn.

    Speaking on the homeschooling initiative, the Director of Academics at Bridge Nigeria, Rhoda Odigboh said Bridge came up with the platform to support families and reduce disruption to learning as much as possible.

    Odigboh noted that each day, pupils and parents get learning guide and activities to follow and complete for every subject; daily reading practice of stories downloaded from the African Story Book app; daily homework with answers for parents and caregivers to review and provide feedback.

    Read Also: Lagos creates platforms for teacher training

     

    “It is our alternative source of schooling while schools remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.

    Speaking on using the platform, a parent, Mrs Ojo Adeola, whose child attends Bridge Academy Oloto Ring Road in Ojo said the Bridge@Home has kept her son busy.

    Concerning the daily reading practice, she said: “I end up reading each story like 10 times because he keeps asking me to read it again.”

    Bridge Academies has made the Bridge@Home learning platform available to all parents in Nigeria whether they attend a Bridge school or not.

     

  • Musician, CaZe speaks on ambition

    Musician, CaZe speaks on ambition

    Nigerian music sensation, Habeeb Opeyemi Kazeem widely known and referred to as CaZe, has said despite his current status as a successful artiste, he was never born into a rich family.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, CaZe also give insight into his background and his record label, “first of all, let me clarify, because I know a lot of people will say, he is from a rich home, he is this or that, forget all this flashy things you are seeing now, although my parents are not poor, I was born into a middle class family, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon”.

    He continue, “I was born and raised in Lagos, I run FMINC Entertainment Company, which is also based in Lagos”.

    On his inspiration and kind of music, “I am very versatile but my sounds can be described as Afro Mix, I draw my inspirations from Sound and energy around, believe, I am the new phase of Nigerian music, I have got everything it takes to make my music a global entity” he boasted. CaZe who was born in the 80s, currently has two new singles, “Sonto” and “Lowo Freetyle”, which are fast becoming a national anthem in Nigeria. He has worked with big Nigerian stars, which include; Olamide, Dj maphorisa, Orezi, Skibbi, mystro. Sarz, Phellz and many more.

    Having had his primary school in Lagos, CaZe moved to Federal Government Collage in Ondo State for his Higher education. He proceeded to Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University in Malaysia, where he obtained a degree in Multimedia, before deciding to pursue his musical career.

    He once performed at one of the biggest clubs in Malaysia, 1145, after an amazing reception, CaZe moved on to dominate the club scene in Asia, having numerous one man shows across the popular clubs.

    According to the Executive director of Fresh Movement Inc, his dream is to own one of Africa’s top Entertainment Company, so as to enable more African talents to flourish through the platform on an international spectrum.

  • Babcock varsity postpones online exams over technical hitches

    Babcock varsity postpones online exams over technical hitches

    By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

    Babcock University Ilishan-Remo has postponed its second semester examination after many students were unable to take their papers on Monday and Tuesday.

    A statement by the institution’s Registrar, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, noted that the postponement till May 18, 2020 was as a result of technical hitches despite the availability of requisite facilities.

    The statement reads: “The Administration of Babcock University, very unfortunately, wishes to inform you all that the conduct of the second semester examinations is hereby deferred.

    “This is due to extraneous technical hitches beyond the control of the university.  Be informed that the University has sophisticated computer hardware resources, specifically dedicated, to accommodate all that is needed for this exercise.  We have functional 32-core processor blade server, 512 GB RAM, sufficient SSD storage and other necessary accessories capable of handling resources required to conduct the examinations.  However, the good news is that our on-ground technical team and foreign consultants have almost finished sorting out the much regretted situation.”

    Read Also: UNESCO establishes bioethics office at Babcock University

    The Nation gathered from parents and students of the university that their wards had experienced difficulties taking the examination after logging on to the portal at the scheduled times on Monday and Tuesday.

    When The Nation reached out to the Director of Public Relations, Dr. Joshua Suleiman on Monday, he said there were technical hitches that would be resolved by Tuesday.

    However, some students scheduled for papers Tuesday morning, could not also take the examination.

    “I could not log in.  None of my classmates logged in.  We sent a text to our coordinator.  Our course advisor later sent a text that the exam had been postponed,” one of the affected students said.

    According to the Registrar, a revised timetable for the rescheduled examination would be released May 15, 2020 ahead of May 18.

    He however said that those students who successfully had their examination on Tuesday would not have to repeat it.

    “Please be informed that all those who have successfully completed the 8am-10am examination of today, Tuesday May 12, 2020, shall not be allowed to retake the examinations as they shall be disabled while those who could not successfully complete theirs are guaranteed of another opportunity,” he said.

  • Customs arrest COVID-19 vehicle used in smuggling poultry products

    Customs arrest COVID-19 vehicle used in smuggling poultry products

    By Oluwakemi Dauda

     

    The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a vehicle with COVID-19 sticker used to smuggled frozen chicken into the country.

    The unit also intercepted various items of contraband worth N12.7billion between January to April 2020.

    The FOU A is an anti-smuggling arm of the service saddled with the responsibility of suppressing smuggling in the six states of the South-West.

    The Public Relations Officer of the unit, Jerry Attah, said the officers intercepted the vehicle under the guise of essential duty smuggling cartons of smuggled frozen chicken into the country from Benin Republic.

    Attah who spoke on behalf of the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Usman Yahaya said the vehicle was arrested along Ijebu ode expressway

    He also disclosed that they were intercepted based on intelligence and the eagle eye officers who were on routine patrol at the axis.

    “The officers were professional enough to intercept the vehicle which was believed to be used in the movement of essential commodities but was surprise to see that it was used for illegal activities such as movement of contraband.

    “We have arrested the vehicle and investigation has commenced to get to the root and unravel other atrocities that may have been committed using the essential duty tag.

    Read Also: Incessant Killings: NANS, NAOSS demand removal of Ogun Customs Boss

    However, speaking on the activities of the command in the last four months, he said contraband worth N12.7 billion were intercepted from smugglers between January to April 2020

    According to him, the unit also paid a whopping N1.14 billion into the Treasury Single Account of the federal government from Debit Note (DN) on intercepted containers from Lagos seaport, voluntary payment of Customs duty on vehicles, auction sales from PMS among others

    Giving a break down in the seizures, he said 25 units of fairly used vehicles worth N108million, 5,644 cartons of frozen chicken worth N54.1million were intercepted, 9,843 bags of 50kg smuggled parboiled rice worth N130.4 million and sacks of textile materials worth N94million were seized in the month under review.

    Others are, N14million worth of used tyre, 3,764 kegs of smuggled vegetables oil worth N69.2 million, 8,365 litres of smuggled petrol also known as (PMS) and AGO also known as Diesel worth N35million.

    The image maker said, “We wont relent on our anti-smuggling fight especially at this time the government is preaching diversification into the agric sector due to the fall in price of oil in the international market which has affected government revenue base.

    “So, we will ensure that smuggling is reduced to the nearest minimum and not allow to fester as that could be injurious to our economy and wellbeing as a country,” he said.

  • Lockdown: Accident claims 15 lives in Ogun — FRSC

    Lockdown: Accident claims 15 lives in Ogun — FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 15 persons died while 27 others sustained injuries from road accidents in Ogun since the federal and state governments restricted movement in the state 45 days ago.

    Mr Clement Oladele, FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

    Oladele said that during the period, a total of 49 road traffic crashes occurred while 776 vehicles were penalized for various offences.

    He said 110 vehicles out of the 776 offenders were sanctioned for overloading.

    READ ALSO: WHO to begin drug trial in Lagos, Ogun, FCT, others

    He warned desperate drivers and travelers willing to enter the state in spite of the lockdown to desist from such act.

    Oladele reminded residents that exemptions were those conveying petroleum products, vehicles transporting agricultural goods and those on essential services, including medical personnel and the media.

    “Easy passage is accorded vehicle drivers covered by the waivers, while those in breach are either politely turned back or apprehended and booked for the offences they contravened,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • EU donates PPE to 25 drug treatment centres

    EU donates PPE to 25 drug treatment centres

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

    The EU through UNODC has donated some personal protective equipment and other supplies to 25 drug treatment centres in Nigeria. This is to scale up its ongoing support to ensure access to treatment services by drug users in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

    Representatives of EU and UNODC delivered the equipment and supplies on Tuesday to YouthRise, a non-governmental organisation providing community-based treatment services to female drug users in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The donation is to support COVID-19 prevention among drug users in Nigeria. It includes disposable facemasks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizers, handwash liquid, and infrared thermometers. Also included are information, education and communication (IEC) materials in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Pidgin English, that provide information on protective measures against the virus and contact details of DrugHelpNet, the network of drug treatment service providers offering tele-health services to drug users.

    Read Also: Change Africa Foundation donates relief materials

    Speaking at the handing over, Head of Cooperation from the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Kurt Cornelis said the partnership chose frontline and specialist interventions that can respond to the needs of those with substance use disorders who may experience limited access to health and elevated health risks.

    “Ensuring service continuity for drug users and safety for service providers remains a big priority under our EU-Nigeria cooperation on drugs and related organized crime,” he added.

    Representative of the UNODC in Nigeria, Oliver Stolpe stressed the importance of energising the civil society and health networks supported by UNODC in responding to the COVID-19 in Nigeria. He emphasised that UNODC is committed to ‘leaving no one behind’ and that the UNODC is working on a range on interventions and partnerships to reach the most vulnerable populations.

    Executive Director YouthRISE, Ifeanyi Okechukwu expressed appreciation for the timely donation of personal protective equipment, IEC materials and provision of DrugHelpNet service in line with COVID-19 Emergency response from EU through UNODC Nigeria. She noted that “this will help raise awareness, improve counselling and support services as well as curb the spread of corona virus in our communities and among our frontline workers during the lockdown.”

  • Stallion offers medicare to 20,000 people

    Stallion offers medicare to 20,000 people

    Tajudeen Adebanjo

    No fewer than 20,000 Nigerians will benefit from the free medical consultation and drugs in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  programme from the Stallion Group.

    The free medical exercise, scheduled to begin today, will be coordinated by the Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI), a charity arm of Stallion group.

    SEI  is partnering with the Morsun Mobile Clinic to offer free medical consultation and drugs to residents in Lagos across 11 clinics.

    The joint affiliation will treat over 70 common ailments and will reach over 20,000 people in the city over the course of two months.

    Stallion Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Anant Badjatya said the service “aimed at providing some succour to people who can’t access health care.

    “There is nothing greater than the safety of the people and it is our responsibility to support the government and the community in this time of need.”

    Morsun Mobile clinics, he said, are strategically located for easy access of the beneficiaries.

    Badjatya said: “Stallion’s partnering with the Morsun Mobile Clinic has an amazing capability to make an impact on the community and the region. Their sustainability and good success will ensure better access to basic healthcare. This act of kindness will have a far-reaching impact with thousands of patients directly and immediately benefitting from this gesture.

    Stallion is working in close coordination with all stakeholders and the government to alleviate the circumstances of COVID patients, frontline workers and lots of daily wage earners who are most impacted by the lockdown. Group’s Charity arm SEI pledged free rice and fish for three months to all hospitals dedicated to COVID–19 care in the country. Eighty-nine hospitals are already registered for the programme.”

  • Foundation disburses N17 million scholarship to 4,000 students

    Foundation disburses N17 million scholarship to 4,000 students

    By David Adenuga Bauchi

    A charity organisation in Bauchi, the Nura Manu foundation set up by a philanthropist, Alh. Nura Manu Soro, has disbursed N17, 933, 449 million scholarship fund to 4, 000 students studying in 54 institutions across the nation.

    The beneficiaries, who are students of Bauchi state origin, were selected from islamiyya schools, primary schools, secondary schools, higher islamic schools and tertiary institutions.

    Member of the executive committee of the foundation Malam Mukhtar Jarmajo, who disclosed this to newsmen in Bauchi, the state capital, said the students applied for the scholarship and successfully passed the screening exercise.

    According to him, the scholarship, which is purely for tuition fees, is meant for students that secured admissions into the institutions but cannot pay registration fees and those who are already in schools.

    READ ALSO: Foundation begins feeding 1,000 in FCT

    “Both applications, selections and verification are being carried out through a local committee.

    “At the tertiary level, it includes students, religious leaders and a representative from students affairs office. While at the basic education level it made up of headmaster, PTA chairman and the child parent”.

    “Further verification are carried out at the foundation secretariat. The foundation makes payments directly to schools accounts and not individuals,” he said.
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