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  • TETFund boss inaugurates 14 projects worth N1.4bn at Dutse varsity

    TETFund boss inaugurates 14 projects worth N1.4bn at Dutse varsity

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) on Monday inaugurated 14 projects worth over N1.4 billion at the Federal University Dutse ( FUD ), Jigawa.

    The projects inaugurated are: Faculty of Agriculture phase I, II and III, Faculty of General Studies, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Centre for E-Learning, Academic Staff Office Block for Faculty of Arts, Biotechnology Laboratory.

    Others are: Computer Science Department, Classrooms and Offices Block, Faculty of of Management Science Phase I, University Clinic and Postgraduate Hostel Phase I.

    TETFUND Executive Secretary, Dr Abdullahi Baffa, who inaugurated the projects, commended the university for executing the projects prudently.

    “I want to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor for achieving this feat.

    “Since the establishment of the TETFUND, this is the first time we are inaugurating the highest number of projects in a single day.

    “We commend you for supervising these projects to completion, while many universities are battling corruption charges against contractors the FUD had the mindset to organise themselves to achieve such feat.

    “I salute your mindset to deliver these projects, in fact, you delivered them qualitatively.

    “And for you to prudently execute these 14 gigantic projects, I am happy to inform you that over N3 billion was allocated to this university in 2017,” Baffa said.

    He also urged the university to start the process of accessing the N100 million fund approved to it as zonal intervention for its services and students’ shuttle buses.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Fatima Batul-Mukhtar said that N1.4 billion was expended by the University on the construction of all the projects inaugurated from the 2013 and 2014 special and normal interventions funds.

    She added that the college of medicine and health sciences complex and the university sports complex also sponsored by TETFund would be inaugurated in February to serve as part of its third pre-convocation programmes.

    “I will like to extend our profound gratitude to TETFUND and the Federal Government for these lofty interventions.

    “I also want to appreciate the efforts of the the various contractors that successfully executed these projects,” she added.

    NAN

  • Nigerian army has succeeded in keeping the country united – Secondus

    Nigerian army has succeeded in keeping the country united – Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Prince Uche Secondus has said that the nation’s armed forces have succeeded in keeping the country united.

    Prince Secondus said in a statement today, Sunday, to mark the armed forces Remembrance Day, emphasised that Nigeria is standing as one country today due largely to the contributions of the armed forces to keep it United.

    The PDP boss noted the gallantry of Nigeria troops in containing the Boko Haram insurgency and the supreme sacrifice paid by federal troops and urged them to remain focused to the cause of a United Nigeria.

    “You must remain committed to your profession and to the development of the country’s armed forces in particular and the country in general,” Secondus advised the rest of the citizens, especially political leaders to appreciate the huge contributions of the soldiers and those who paid the supreme sacrifice by being more patriotic and accommodating.

    The PDP leader called on the security agencies to be more civil in carrying out their obligations and know that their responsibility is to the country and its citizens and not to only government in power.

  • Obasanjo successfully completes PhD programme at NOUN

    Obasanjo successfully completes PhD programme at NOUN

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is among 14, 771 persons expected to receive honours at the 7th convocation of National Open University of Nigeria ( NOUN ), Prof. Abdalla Adamu, NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor, has said.

    The former president is expected to receive a doctorate in Christian Theology, Adamu said at a news briefing on the institution’s 2018 convocation scheduled for Jan. 20 at its s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

    He said Obasanjo would be considered for an appointment as a facilitator or supervisor as PhD was the least qualification for one to teach in the institution.

    The vice-chancellor said 14,771 was the highest number any institution in Nigeria had ever graduated at a convocation ceremony.

    He said in spite of being a former president, Obasanjo conducted himself properly and deservedly bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology.

    “One of the graduands is the first PhD graduate the institution will produce; a university must graduate students at academic Masters Level before graduating PhD.

    “Only one candidate has been able to do that and that is Obasanjo; the Senate has found him worthy of the award and approved the conferment of PhD on him.

    Read also: Obasanjo, seven governors and Buhari’s second term

    “There are lessons to be learnt from Obasanjo’s feat – one is never too old to learn; Obasanjo was about 80 years when he started the programme and has finished it at 82.

    “Again, one is never too powerful to learn; he was the president twice and yet subjected himself to learning; learning is a humbling process.

    “We will consider him for the post of a facilitator or supervisor; maybe for our Abeokuta Study Centre; we will suggest it to him.’’

    Adamu said that because of Obasanjo’s achievement, NOUN had received requests from other older citizens.

    He said the institution was able to graduate such a huge number of students because it had created its own internal data management which was previously handled by external vendors.

    The vice-chancellor said students who were hitherto not cleared by the external vendors had been cleared.

    He said that NOUN’s Business School would soon take off and would run nine professional programmes.

    Adamu said the institution had created Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies which would generate employment opportunities for the graduates.

    According to him, NOUN has opened linkages with foreign universities in order to broaden its scope.

    “Sussex University in the UK has reached out to us-to be its hub in Nigeria; Open University of UK, University of South Africa among other are partnering with us.

    “We are expanding to create Diaspora study centres in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, among others.

    “These are still subject to approval from the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ he said.

    On the standoff between NOUN and the Council for Legal Education over the status of Law graduates, he said that the Senate had passed the NOUN Act Amendment Bill.

    He said once both chambers harmonise the bill, it would be sent for presidential assent.

    Adamu said once the amendment was signed into law, all controversies surrounding the Law programme as well that concerning the National Youth Service Corps would be resolved.

    NAN

  • Unilorin will not join strike – VC

    Unilorin will not join strike – VC

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, says in spite of the challenges posed by the ongoing nationwide non-academic staff strike and fuel crisis, the university will not join the strike.

    Abdulkareem made this assertion on Monday in Ilorin at a three-day unscheduled visit to the various faculties of the university to monitor the ongoing registration of fresh students.

    Speaking at the Faculty of Physical Sciences, the vice-chancellor said his administration was determined to work for a near seamless take-off of academic activities.

    He said the ongoing strike of the non-academic staff was a challenge to everybody.

    The vice-chancellor said he had made several visits to Abuja to sort-out delays in the payment of earned allowances of both the academic and non- academic staff.

    Read also: Imafidon and Unilorin

    He noted that today his efforts were yielding fruits, adding that the goal of the University was to ensure academic stability, so that students graduate at the right time.

    Abdukareem commended all the staff of the University for keeping the academic calendar running in spite of fuel crisis pains and ongoing nationwide non-academic strike.

    He said the university administration recognised the authorities of the labour unions both locally and nationally, and would desire obedient workers who recognise and reference authorities no matter how inconvenient.

    He however, noted that peace would soon be restored in the education sector.

    “But while negotiations are ongoing, let’s go the extra mile to keep our calendar running,” he pleaded.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, who was also, among the team that visited the faculties, suggested that faculties should adapt to the current challenges.

    Olatunji further suggested that the Faculty of Agriculture should split the registration centres to five in order to reduce the long queues observed at the faculty.

    He also advised that it was possible to screen fresh students using youth corps members and PhD students and thus stick to the academic registration deadlines despite non-availability of some workers.

    The Dean of Agriculture, Prof Kola Joseph, listed delays in uploading registration courses by level advisers; delays in clearing students from Central Admission Office and poor internet connectivity as the challenges facing the faculty.

    Others are shortage of manpower and paucity of funds among others. He urged the university management to send more officers to assist the faculty in the registering of the students.

    NAN

  • Daura youths endorses Buhari for 2nd term

    Daura youths endorses Buhari for 2nd term

    No fewer than 3,500 youths, under the auspices of Daura Youth Vanguard from Sarkinyara A ward Polling Unit 003 in Daura, have unanimously endorsed the candidature of Buhari in 2019.

    The endorsement meeting was held at the President’s polling unit in his hometown on Monday.

    Alhaji Aliyu Dahiru, who led the group to the electoral polling unit, emphasised the need for the president to unconditionally consider their request and recontest the presidential election in 2019, stressing “we are satisfied with the way and manner the president is leading this country”.

    The Sarkinyara A ward polling unit 003 was the unit where president Buhari casts his votes in all elections.

    Read also: Second term: Group canvasses support for Buhari, Masari

    He said some of the inspiring factors that led to the clarion call on Mr President were some of the unprecedented transformation introduced by the administration of Buhari.

    Dahiru said the call was timely and paramount especially considering how the president salvaged the nation from the precarious security challenges and diversified the economy into agriculture.

    He noted that the current fight against corruption is yielding dividend as sanity, probity, accountability and transparency are been restored in the public life, noting that Buhari has been an upright leader.

    Dahiru announced that the organisation would organised an endorsement rally across the five local government areas of Daura, Sandamu, Maiadua, Baure and Zango in February.

    “We expect about 150,000 youths to attend the rally scheduled to hold in Daura metropolis,” he said.

    Alhaji Lawal Aliyu, the traditional title holder of the Ubandoman Daura, and Alhaji Nalado Yusuf who is the Sarkin Sudan of Daura, also identified themselves with the course and described the call as timely and in the right direction.

    They said Daura elders would forever remained determined, committed and dedicated to the clarion call initiated by the youths, stressing that no politician in Nigeria matches Buhari’s integrity and honesty.

    The officials of the organisation included Messrs Ibrahim Killing, Jamilu Rabe, Ibrahim Lawal, Kabir Jafar and Lawal Yaro.

    Others are Usman Mani, Abdurrahaman Dahiru and Hamisu Mafia.

    NAN

  • Fire razes 36 houses, 46 silos, others in Jigawa

    Fire razes 36 houses, 46 silos, others in Jigawa

    An early morning fire on Monday destroyed 36 houses, 46 silos and killed 40 goats and sheep in Abanderi village of Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa, the police confirmed.

    DSP Abdu Jinjiri, the spokesman for the Police Command in Jigawa, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse.

    Jinjiri said the fire, which started at about 5 a.m, was suspected to have been caused by bush burning.

    “Today, at about 5 a.m, there was fire incident at Abanderi village of Dutse Local Government Area, and the inferno was suspected to have been caused by bush burning.

    Read also: Fire razes 100 shops in Oyo market

    “So, as a result, 36 houses, 46 houses, local containing assorted grains and over 40 goats and sheep were burnt to ashes,” Jinjiri said.

    He said that no one died the incident but that investigation into the incident had commenced.

    “Fortunately, no loss of human life was recorded in the incident and the case is under investigation, and normalcy has been restored in the area,’’ Jinjiri said.

    NAN

  • Injurious falsehood: Trial of Sen. Misau commences Jan. 29

    Injurious falsehood: Trial of Sen. Misau commences Jan. 29

    An FCT High Court Maitama, on Monday adjourned until Jan. 29, commencement of trial of Sen. Isah Misau (APC-Bauch-Central), charged with injurious falsehood.

    Misau was dragged before the court by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN),  on a five-count charge.

    The charge bordered on injurious falsehood against the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Chairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro and the Nigeria Police Force.

    Read also: Misau ’s arraignment adjourned till Thursday

    The offences, he alleged, contravened the provisions of   Section 393 (1) of the Penal Code.

    He was first arraigned before Bello on October 19, and he pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N5million.

    At an earlier sitting on November 28, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), informed the court that he had the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation to take over the matter as prosecution counsel.

    He further informed the court that following the directive, he filed two applications before the court, dated Nov. 28 on the same date.

    Iziyon told the court that the first application sought to correct some of the five-count charge as well as add two other persons to it.

    The second application he said was challenging the propriety of Misau to issue subpoena on the Inspector-General of Police to give the defendant certain documents in his possession as well as to testify for him.

    He stated that the application sought the leave of the court to set aside the subpoena issued on the I-G.

    Responding to this, counsel to the senator, Joshua Musa (SAN), declared that the move by the prosecution to amend the charge was unnecessary as the charge in the first instance was irregular as it did not have the seal of the lawyer who filed it.

    Musa informed the court that the defence would file a preliminary objection, adding that until the original charge was regularised, it could not be amended.

    Responding to this, Izinyon stated that the original charge was filed by the Office of the AGF, adding that the charge was read to the defendant in court and his plea was taken without any objection to it by his counsel.

    The judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, ruled that if the amendment was meant to correct the perceived error in the original charge, it should be allowed to be amended.

    He adjourned the case until January 29

    NAN

  • NANS urges FG to pay entitlements of deceased heroes to families.

    NANS urges FG to pay entitlements of deceased heroes to families.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to promptly pay pensions and entitlements to families of deceased military, para-military and police personnel, who had served meritoriously.

    The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the appeal in a statement in Enugu on the occasion of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

    “It is, however, disheartening that the government has not really been doing the needful in the aspect of prompt payment of pensions and entitlements to the families of the deceased.

    “This has brought untold hardship on the families and children of the departed heroes.

    Read Also: NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    “NANS is passionately calling on the Federal Government to ensure the prompt disbursement of entitlements without delay.’’

    He said that the leadership of NANS joined the government and good people of Nigeria in remembering the fallen heroes on the occasion of the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

    “No doubt the fallen heroes and heroines have given their very best and their lives for the defence and liberation of our beloved country.’’

    Okereafor said that NANS also appreciated the military and other security agents for their proactive moves in tackling crimes and insurgents in the country.

    “May God guide and protect them all as they sacrifice on behalf of us all,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, NANS has reacted to the sack of some teachers in Kaduna State.

    The association urged Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State to reverse the dismissal of 22,000 teachers in the state.

    NAN

  • Hail the Fallen Heroes

    Hail the Fallen Heroes

    The uncertainty of your loved ones as you leave for war.

    The pain your family felt when they got to know you’ll never make it back.

    Heroes

    The future of your unborn who will never know their father.

    The extent of the sacrifices you’ve made,

    Buhari Heroes

    We may never understand.

    Today and always we’ll never forget our fallen and living Heroes.

    Heroes

    Quote by Tamara

  • Buhari has clear plans to end herders / farmers clashes – El-Rufa’i

    Buhari has clear plans to end herders / farmers clashes – El-Rufa’i

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, says on Monday that the Federal Government has very clear plans to end herders/farmers clashes in the country.