The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 35

  • 35 years after, alumni reunite

    Oshodi Comprehensive High School, Lagos State (OCHS), has celebrated its first reunion 35 years after the school’s establishment.

    Alumni Association President, Mr Hamzat Ganiyu of the 1998 set, said contacting many members of the association had been difficult. He began this move since 2011, which finally yielded desired results.

    He said alumni associations were important in the growth and development of every institution, especially public schools.

    Ganiyu said: “This is our first-ever reunion. It was very tasking and challenging to get this done. Kudos to the ’88 and ’89 sets. It was when one of the ex-teachers, Mrs Odunlami, died that we all converged for her burial and one of our ex-teachers Mr Tela encouraged us to come together as a group so that we would not only meet at such gatherings. The school needs us, and even other members of the association need us. Some don’t have jobs, among other problems. This platform would help us come to their aid.

    “The school is made up of individuals who trained us. I can’t forget Mr Oyebade, who inculcated in us discipline. We realised that these people moulded and made us; and having been to higher institutions, we now understand that we were privileged to have been tutored by them. When we saw some who could not afford tuition fees, among others in higher institution, we thought back to secondary school and imagined how difficult it may be for some to afford tuition fees and other examination fees. So, we decided to help government in the management of the school that produced us, despite the tremendous efforts government is making in its schools.”

    Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Alhaja Amidat  Anifowose, urged the alumni to help their alma mater in any little way they can.

    “You are a very important stakeholder of the school. The government cannot do it alone. You need to give back to your community. Remember, this is your home. Public schools have many indigent students, come and do something in common for them. You don’t have to have too much money to lend a helping hand,” she appealed.

    An alumnus, Mr Olumide Renner of the ’96 set said: “It is very wonderful to reunite with people you never thought you would see again, especially since we had no means of contacting them. We are proud of the school that made us so we thought it appropriate to give back to appreciate the school. The school made us so it was only appropriate that we do things for our foundation and the people that made us.”

    Meanwhile, cultural dance and red carpet sessions formed parts of activities during the event.

     

  • INEC creates 35,000 polling points

    INEC creates 35,000 polling points

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has created additional 35,000 polling points ahead of the rescheduled general elections, it was learnt yesterday.

    There are 120,000 polling units in the country.  Attempt by the commission to increase it to 150,000 was received with mixed reactions, forcing it to drop the idea.

    The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, who broke the news of additional polling points, argued that the essence was to allow for ease of voting process.

    Iyimoga, in a chat with reporters on the state of the commission’s preparedness for the elections, said the idea was unanimously agreed upon.

    He noted that the exercise was meant to break down polling units with high numbers of voters in excess of one thousand.

    Reacting to questions, he explained that the polling points were created within the polling units, stressing that the exercise was done only in areas with high number of registered voters in excess of one thousand and above.

    Dr. Iyimoga also announced that the commission would be meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and political parties next week to review activities towards the elections.

    He added that about 55,232,875 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He noted that officially, the collection of the PVCs would end on Sunday, March 8.

    He, however, did not rule out an extension, especially for those whose PVCs were among the last batch expected this week.

    The commission, he said, would make a statement on that.

  • 35 students for Islamic varsity

    NO fewer than 35 students of Sokoto extraction have been sponsored for various programmes at the International Islamic University in Chittong, Bangladesh.

    The students, who are the latest set to benefit from the Sokoto State government’s overseas scholarship scheme, would be studying Medicine, Pharmacy, Computer, Electrical Engineering, and other courses for a four-year period.

    Governor Aliyu Wamakko, who was represented by the Chairman, Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Musa Maitafsir at a farewell ceremony for the students, stressed that the gesture was aimed at revolutionising the education sector in the state, urging them to be good ambassadors of their families, Sokoto State and Nigeria.

    “You should also face your studies squarely not to disappoint your parents, the people of the state and government as well as Nigeria,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the parents Hajiya Nana Danmowa commended the state government for the gesture.

    Also, spokesman of the students, Bilyaminu Sama’ila pledged to live above board, in order not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

  • 35 Niger Delta ex-militants arrested

    35 Niger Delta ex-militants arrested

    Thirty-five Niger Delta ex-militants were yesterday arrested for allegedly harassing and intimidating officials of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.

    In a statement, PAP Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah said the ex-militants have been harassing and intimidating the officials to subvert the 2012 budget meant for 6,166 persons in the Niger Delta.

    The statement reads: “The Amnesty Office today handed over to security agencies in Abuja 35 leaders of Niger Delta ex-agitators, enrolled in Phase Two of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    “This became inevitable, given the incessant harassment and intimidation of officials of the office, including Kuku, by these persons to subvert the provisions of the 2012 budget and channel the allowances meant for 6,166 other persons in the programme to just these leaders.

    “At a meeting with officials of the Amnesty Office in Abuja yesterday, the leaders of the ex-agitators threatened to disrupt social and economic activities in sensitive governmental places in Abuja, if their request to have the Transition Safety Allowance (TSA) proposed for 6,166 persons enrolled in the second phase of the amnesty programme was not immediately paid out directly to them and not to all the enrolled persons as enshrined in the 2012 budget.

    “At this meeting, Kuku painstakingly explained to the ex-militant leaders, who are less than 100, that the Federal Government will never accede to their demand.

    “Kuku further explained that extant financial regulations do not permit any Ministry, Department and Agency of the Federal Government to pay money to persons or services other than as clearly spelt out in the budget.

    “The Special Adviser therefore resolved to hand the leaders of the ex-agitators over to security agencies, so as to nip in the bud any untoward act.

    “It has become important to reiterate, once again, Kuku’s commitment to the transparent, accountable and tenacious implementation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme as demanded by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “It should be recalled that last week, the Amnesty Office notified the public of the unrelenting plot by certain persons to discredit both the Amnesty Programme and its chief driver, Kuku.

    “The office views the unnecessary and unwarranted demand of these ex-militant leaders as one of such plots. The Amnesty Office shall continue to resist attempts to rubbish a programme that has stabilised security in the Niger Delta.”