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  • PTI reduces tuition as NANS intervenes

    PTI reduces tuition as NANS intervenes

    The Management of the Petroleum Training Institute ( PTI ), Effurun, Delta, has reviewed down the tuition paid by the students, following the intervention of the National Association on Nigerian Students ( NANS ).

    The tuition was increased by about 130 per cent, leading to a face-off between the students and the management.

    The fee was however reviewed down, following the meeting between the management of the institute and the leadership of NANS in Effurun on Wednesday.

    The Principal of the institute, Mr Sunny Iyuke and NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, led the two parties during the meeting that lasted for hours.

    Iyuke said after the deliberation that the institution had decided to reduce the fee but pointed out that it needed to increase it because it was underfunded.

    The principal said that the management needed to execute projects in the institution but had very lean resources.

    “The school fee was increased because the costs of things have also risen. Four years ago, we were paying N14,000 as school fee but things have changed now.

    “We want to provide quality education for our students and we also need funding to be able to justify the purpose for which PTI was established.

    “Everything we are doing at this moment in the institution is on loan,’’ he said.

    Obasi said that before the increase, students of General Welding paid N51,000 as tuition; National Diploma (ND) 1 students paid N42,000 while Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 students paid N43,000.

    The NASN’s president said that the management raised the tuition to N115,800 for the General Welding students, N99,800 for the ND 1 students and N103,800 for the HND 1 students.

    He said after the dialogue, the management agreed to shift ground and reduced the fees to N81,600, N67,200 and N68,800 for General Welding, ND 1 and HND 1 students respectively.

    “We had given the PTI a 24-hours ultimatum to unconditionally reverse the tuition and the management quickly invited us for a dialogue.

    “We have been able to bring the increment down from about 130 per cent to 60 per cent.

    “It is a pity that a national asset like this has been experiencing inadequate funding for a long time.

    “We have agreed to partner with the management to see how we can generate more funds from internal sources for the institution,” he said.

    Obasi appealed to the management to always create an enabling environment for dialogue with students on issues that affect them.

    He also advised the students to take their academic work seriously assuring them that the association would continue to promote meaningful negotiation and dialogue on their behalf.

    NAN

  • Court of Appeal sets up election petition tribunal for Anambra

    Court of Appeal sets up election petition tribunal for Anambra

    Ahead of the Nov. 18 Anambra governorship election, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu-Bulkachuwa has constituted an Election Petition Tribunal for the state.

    Adamu-Bulkachuwa, via a statement signed by Mr Surajo Gusau, the tribunal’s secretary and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Awka, said the court would be situated at the High Court Complex, Awka.

    “Sequel to forthcoming governorship election, I hereby inform the general public that the election petition tribunal for governorship election has been constituted in Anambra.

    “The tribunal is located at the High Court Complex, Awka.

    “Any aggrieved party/parties that wish to file petition in respect of the conduct of the election should do so through the registry of the above mentioned tribunal/court,” Gusau said.

    NAN

  • NHIS: ‘We’ve attained 98% coverage of formal sector’

    NHIS: ‘We’ve attained 98% coverage of formal sector’

    Malam Attahiru Ibrahim, Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme ( NHIS ), says that 98 percent of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme ( FSSHIS ) had been covered under the scheme.

    Ibrahim made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday in an interview.

    The acting executive secretary stated that the coverage was one of NHIS’s greatest achievements since the scheme commenced operations in 2005.

    ‘‘One of our mandates in the scheme is to cover the formal sector and with that we have covered 98 percent of the work force at the federal level.

    ‘‘The formal sector consists of the public sector, organised private sector, armed forces, police and other uniformed services.

    ‘‘The programme is, however, a social health security system where health care of employees in the formal sector is paid for, from funds created by pooling the contributions of employees and employers,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim stated that universal health coverage needed universal contribution, hence the need for the Federal Government to contribute into the pool to cover for the vulnerable groups.

    ‘‘Health insurance is contributory and if one is not contributing then he cannot access care, so there is need for equity funds that will care for the old, poor, children and persons with disabilities.

    ‘‘Presently we are talking about ‘Innovative Financing’ where various companies such as telecommunications, beverages and alcohol companies can be taxed and some percentage could go into the pool for the vulnerable groups.

    ‘‘However, for this to work we will need a legislation by the National Assembly, after which the President will assent to it, as well as the support from stakeholders and political will from the state governments,’’ he said.

    The NHIS boss further appealed to state governors to implement the State Social Health Insurance Scheme ( SSHIS ) for the actualisation of Universal Health Coverage in the country.

    NAN

  • Bayelsa withholds salaries of 4,204 workers

    Bayelsa withholds salaries of 4,204 workers

    The Bayelsa Government on Wednesday said it withheld the October salaries of 4,204 workers with questionable records, as part of steps to reform the state civil service.

    The Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), who announced this at a press conference in Yenagoa, said that those affected were from the eight local government areas in the state.

    According to him, 1, 329 are local council workers, 2,184 in the primary school system and 707 on pension payroll.

    Jonah listed those affected to include workers recruited without authorisation from relevant agencies, those with forged certificates, those receiving salaries from multiple agencies of government and some with questionable promotions.

    Also, those involved in pension fraud, age falsification among others would not be left out, he added.

    The deputy governor disclosed that the panel which investigated the payroll fraud, also uncovered 34 people with questionable promotions, adding that some workers on Grade Level 04 in 2011 were promoted to Grade Level 14 in 2012 with forged certificates.

    He however said the state government had established a judicial commission of inquiry headed by retired Justice Doris Adokeme, to hear complaints from the affected workers on Nov. 13.

    The deputy governor warned that the government would ensure strict implementation of the findings of the panel and would not be deterred by any kind of blackmail from any quarters.

    He expressed regrets that it was only in Bayelsa that a person would work for a day and expects to be paid a month salary.

    “We have been carrying out comprehensive reforms not only at the councils but also at the secondary schools, parastatals, pension payroll, civil service, grade levels verification and others.

    “There is massive payroll fraud in the state and the situation is such that there are some earning double salaries.

    “There are retired people in the payroll, those who promote themselves, and several retired personnel. In fact over 700 retired personnel are still in the payroll.

    “With effect from today, salaries of such suspected persons are suspended.

    “For those receiving salaries from multiple agencies, we will not pay you, but if you prove that you are a genuine worker your salary will be paid.” Jonah said.

    NAN

  • Alleged N3.2b fraud: Kalu’s trial stalled again

    Alleged N3.2b fraud: Kalu’s trial stalled again

    The trial of a former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, charged with N3.2 billion fraud,on Wednesday suffered another setback at a Federal High Court, Lagos, as the judge was unavailable.

    Kalu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo, on 34 counts bordering on fraud.

    Also charged is Kalu’s company, Slok Nigerai Ltd; the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Justice Mohammed Idris was absent at Wednesday’s scheduled proceedings as he was said to be attending a conference outside the state.

    Consequently, the court fixed continuation of trial for Nov. 28, 29, 30 and Dec. 1.

    On Oct. 3, the absence of Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had stalled trial as he wrote to the court informing it of his absence and asked for a short adjournment which was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8.

    The EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, slammed fraud charges on Kalu and Udeogo.

    The accused had allegedly committed the offences between August 2001 and October 2005 by utilising his company to retain in the account of a First Inland Bank, (now FCMB), the sum of N200 million.

    The prosecution said the money formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

    Slok Nigeria Ltd and Emeka Abone, still at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company’s account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused.

    The accused were also alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia  Government.

    Cumulatively, in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the Abia Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    The offences contravened Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, Laws of the Federation 2005 as well as the Money Laundering Act of 1995 (as amended by the amendment Act No. 9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

    NAN

  • Bauchi agency promotes 2,641 health workers

    Bauchi agency promotes 2,641 health workers

    The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency ( BSPHCDA ) says it promoted 2,641 personnel in the 20 local government areas of the state.

    Mr Adamu Gamawa, Executive Chairman of BSPHCDA, said in a statement that 3,293 workers were recommended but only 2,641 were promoted.

    He urged the newly promoted personnel to live up to their responsibilities and justify their new positions by remaining committed to delivering quality healthcare to people.

    He said that the government would continue to recognise and reward officers who distinguished themselves in performing their duties.

    According to him, the result of hard work is more work.

    The executive chairman said that the agency would continue to provide working equipment, conducive environment and improved welfare packages for higher productivity and service delivery.

    Read Also:  Bauchi to disburse N46m to health facilities under NSHIP

  • NMC pencils 73 students for National Olympiads award

    NMC pencils 73 students for National Olympiads award

    The National Mathematical Centre ( NMC ) has penciled 73 students who distinguished themselves in the 2017 National Mathematics and Sciences Olympiads Competitions for the year’s awards.

    Prof. Stephen Onah, the NMCs Director and Chief Executive, made the disclosure in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that over 23,000 students participated in the competition and 73 of them came out the best; 12 females and 61 males.

    According to him, the award is aimed at acknowledging and encouraging young talents in mathematics and other science subjects towards their further development in the subjects.

    Onah also said that the schools and teachers that trained these students would be given awards.

    “The awards generally are more of incentives; an encouragement awards and support for excellent performance,’’ he said.

    The director noted that in the area of talent-hunt at the secondary level, the centre had been sole organiser of international mathematics and sciences Olympiads on an annual basis.

    Onah listed the Olympiads to include: international mathematics Olympiad, international physics Olympiad, international chemistry Olympiad, international biology Olympiad, international Olympiad informatics and Pan African mathematics Olympiad.

    He said that there was equal participation of boys and girls in all the Olympiads.

    Prof. Saporu Funmilayo, Coordinator, Statistics Programme of the centre, said that the competition was in three stages with the two stages done at state level and the final stage at the centre.

    Funmilayo noted that it was after the final stage of the qualifying examination that the best of all the participants were selected for award.

    He also said that the successful students would represent Nigeria at the 2018 International Mathematics and Sciences Olympiads Competition.

    “The examination was carried out in the 36 states including the FCT and the best students in the five science subjects such as mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry and informatics were selected for awards.

    “Also those students who represented the country last year will be given awards,’’ the director said.

    According to him, the national Olympiad award ceremony would hold on Nov. 9 at the centre located in Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

    NAN

  • Police trail ‘one-chance’ tricycle, taxi cab operators in Enugu

    Police trail ‘one-chance’ tricycle, taxi cab operators in Enugu

    The  Police Command in Enugu State says it is trailing hoodlums masquerading themselves as commercial tricycles and taxi cabs operators to commit heinous crimes in the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday.

    According to Amaraizu, plain cloth detectives have been detailed to trail, arrest the tricycle and taxi cab operators, popularly called “one-chance” in the state.

    Amaraizu said that some of the operators had resorted to using the antics of being tricycle and taxi passengers to dispossess people, especially women, of their valuables.

    He advised members of the public to be wary of the antics of the hoodlums who also masqueraded as tricycle operators, otherwise known as Keke NAPEP.

    “The command is also advising members of the public to be security conscious.

    “Please, report promptly to the command through its distress call lines: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 and 08098880172.

    “You can also get us on our social media platforms of @PoliceNG_Enugu, for twitter; Nigeriapoliceforceenugustatecommand for Facebook, about any threat to peace and security in your environment or any suspicious movement and happening around you,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Jigawa sports council holds competition for traditional games

    Jigawa sports council holds competition for traditional games

    The Jigawa Sports Council, says it is reviving traditional games to promote unity and spirit of sportsmanship among the teeming youths in the state.

    Gambo Labbo, Director of the council, made this known on Wednesday in Dutse that the focus was on Langa, the one-legged race, Kokowa, local wrestling and Dambe, local boxing.

    Labbo said an inter-local government competition in the three traditional games is currently going on in the state.

    He regretted that emphasis had been placed on football above other sports in the country.

    “We abandoned most of our traditional games which are being competed for nationally and internationally, so, we feel that the only way to revive these games is through organising competitions,’’ he said.

    According to him, the competition being held in collaboration with Traditional Sports Association, has five participants from each of the 27 local government areas competing in wrestling and boxing, and eight each in Langa.

    NAN

  • LAUTECH: ASUU urge the two owner-state to fulfill their pledge

    LAUTECH: ASUU urge the two owner-state to fulfill their pledge

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) LAUTECH Chapter has called on the two owner-states of the institution to redeem their pledge which made the Union to suspend its strike last month.

    The statement was made by the union Chairman, LAUTECH chapter, Dr. Biodun Olaniran while explaining the present situation of the union in the institution.

    Read: APC hails Ajimobi, Aregbesola for reopening LAUTECH

    He said, “lecturers are ready to work towards success of the on-going academic year of the institution, but it is very necessary for the owner-states to fulfill their promise, saying they are concerned with the future of the students of the institution”.

    Speaking on the report of nationwide strike likely to be embarked upon by the ASUU, Dr. Olaniran stated that National Executive Council of ASUU is in the best position to comment on the proposed development.

    Read Also: Varsities unions brace for battle