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Tag: University of Abuja

  • Campus CEO brings Edutainment to University of Abuja

    Campus CEO brings Edutainment to University of Abuja

    Edutainment First International, a pioneering student-focused social innovation organization, successfully hosted the inaugural Nigerian Edutainment Festival in partnership with the University of Abuja.

    The groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s mission to catalyze youth empowerment through the fusion of education and entertainment.

    Spearheaded by the Founder and CEO of Edutainment First International, Mr. Tayo Folorunsho, the festival showcased the power of edutainment in inspiring a new generation of student leaders, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers across Nigeria and beyond.

    Over two action-packed days, the festival delivered an immersive experience featuring student-led symposia, cultural exhibitions, and advocacy-driven programming, curated to spark creativity, critical thinking, and civic engagement among Nigerian youth.

    Day One spotlighted “The Campus CEO”, a platform for innovative student entrepreneurs across all faculties of the University of Abuja, who pitched and showcased their business ventures and ideas.

    Day Two, the main festival day, offered an electrifying celebration of youth culture and innovation, complete with helicopter rides, car drifting, skating demonstrations, power bike stunts, and the wildly popular color pop experience.

    The festivities were expertly hosted by acclaimed media personalities Nedu and Anto Lecky, adding flair and energy to the celebration.

    The event drew an impressive line-up of dignitaries, stakeholders, and high-profile guests from across sectors, including Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Lar Patricia Manko; Dean of Student Affairs, University of Abuja, Dr. Idoko Sunday Idoko; His Imperial Majesty Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, Natural Paramount Ruler of Iwoland and Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Ajao Adewale.

    Also, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC National Headquarters, RC Jesutomipe Igbaroola; Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Aisha Mohammed; Principal Lead, BossLadyLaw Chambers, Barr Orbby Vanessa Agwuncha; FCT Manager/Coordinator, SMEDAN, Mrs. Mary Kolawole and Head of Re-orientation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Precious Oblegili.

    The festival also garnered strong corporate support, with brand sponsors such as Tecno Mobile, Munchit, Power Oil, Colgate, Kellogg’s and a host of local vendors who contributed to the vibrant festival atmosphere.

    As the first of its kind, the Nigerian Edutainment Festival has laid a solid foundation for future editions. With plans already underway to scale its impact across tertiary institutions nationwide, Edutainment First International remains committed to building a thriving community of socially conscious, creatively empowered youth through transformative partnerships and purposeful programming.

  • 38.1 percent of adults in Nigeria have hypertension, say cardiologist

    38.1 percent of adults in Nigeria have hypertension, say cardiologist

    A Professor of Cardiology at the University of Abuja, Prof. Dike Orji, has revealed that 38.1 percent of adult Nigerians suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension), making it one of the most widespread health conditions in the country. 

    He lamented that awareness, treatment, and control of the disease remain critically low.

    Speaking at a plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday on behalf of the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance, Prof. Orji also noted that around 5.7 percent of Nigerian adults live with diabetes, with urban areas recording higher prevalence than rural regions. 

    He said most of the cases are type 2 diabetes, often driven by poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.

    Citing studies, the cardiologist warned that nearly 40 percent of Nigerians above age 18 are at risk of hypertension, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention.

    Prof. Orji called for the establishment of a dedicated budget line for hypertension and NCDs. 

    He urged the government to recommit to the 15 percent Abuja Declaration funding target for the health sector, with specific goals for addressing non-communicable diseases.

    He also recommended expanding National Health Insurance coverage to include hypertension treatment due to its high cost, and advocated integrating hypertension screening and management into primary healthcare centres nationwide.

    He also emphasised the need to complete and publish the long-awaited NCD STEP survey, strengthen oversight on NCD-related policy implementation, establish a National Committee on Hypertension and Diabetes, and support MDAs in enforcing regulations on processed foods with excess salt, sugar, and industrial trans fats.

    Prof Orji also said that drawing influence from the process in India, there is the need for government to support the local production of NCD medicines including antihypertensive and pooled procurement of medicines to reduce medication pricing.

    He called for repurposing existing medical mission funds to health insurance coverage for constituents especially at PHCs, while broadening the process to cover excess salt products, and scale up of sugar sweetened beverage and tobacco tax and utilize this for NCD control funding.

    Prof Dike who is the lead Investigator at the Cardiovascular Research Centre of the University of Abuja said “It is well known that the burden of NCDs is soaring in Nigeria like other parts of the world. CVDs which are disease affecting the heart and blood vessels lead the pack with HTN occurring in over 31% of the adult population and stroke occurring in 29 of every 100,000 individuals.

    “The risk factors fueling these NCDs especially CVD include HTN, DM, Smoking and others as we can see from this slide. By the way HTN is the commonest cause of CVD in Nigeria and the number 1 risk factor for morbidity and mortality globally.

    “NCDs are the leading cause of mortality and sudden death syndrome among Nigeria’s most productive age group which is quite worrisome. It has been estimated that 29% of all health-related deaths is due to NCDs and 22% of Nigerian adults die prematurely every year from NCDs. It has also been shown from research that 24% of household food expenditure in Nigeria is eventually spent on NCDS’ treatment.

    “NCDs especially CVDs do not differentiate law makers from regular citizens. In fact, law makers usually have more CVD risks compared to regular citizens. The ever-increasing burden of NCDs especially CVDs means that something must be done urgently. Coordinated by the NCD Division of FMOH in collaboration with different stakeholders like NCD Alliance of Nigeria, the Vision, Mission & Goal of NCD Control in Nigeria are well spelt.

    “With vision being to have a healthy Nigerian population with reduced burden of NCDs and enhanced quality of life for socio-economic development, while the mission is to promote healthy lifestyle in Nigeria and provide a framework for strengthening the health care system using a multisectoral approach for the prevention & control of NCDs. The overarching goal of NCD control is to significantly reduce the burden of NCDs in Nigeria in line with the targets of the third sustainable development goal 3.4.

    He said slowly, Nigeria’s NCD Response Landscape is Advancing. From the Health Sector plan launched in 1992, the National Strategic Plan of Action on Prevention and Control of NCDs in 2013 to the National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, there has been some progress on the policy side with much to be done on implementation.

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    “The NMSAP aims to reduce the burden of hypertension by 25%, 80% provision of population screening for early NCD management and affordability basic technologies and essential medicines for major NCD management and 30% reduction in salt consumption.

    “To guide the reduction of NCDs in the country, the NCD Division of the FMOH has developed a few policy documents including that for salt reduction; reduction of NCDs, treatment of hypertension and TSTS. In addition, there is also a simplified protocol for hypertension control at the primary care level.

    “To address the burden of CVDs which is the commonest form of NCDs, there are now a few programmes on controlling hypertension in the community level. 

    One of the foremost is the NHCI which uses the simplified treatment protocol shown earlier to screen, diagnose and treat simple, uncomplicated hypertension in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs

    “We also have the hearty Health Africa in 19 states across all the geopolitical regions funded by AstraZeneca. We also have the Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Programme in 60 primary healthcare facilities in the FCT. After about 3years, hypertension control improved from 23% to 57%

    “One important thing we have noticed in our programme as exemplified in the NHCI programme which showed that patients on health insurance coverage had both better clinic attendance and BP control.”

  • Don seeks protection of domestic workers’ rights

    Don seeks protection of domestic workers’ rights

    A professor of sociology at the University of Abuja, Prof. Magdalene Igbolo has called for a legislative framework to protect the rights of domestic workers in the country.

    The university lecturer noted that none of Nigeria’s laws, including the Nigerian Labour laws clearly defined the rights and status of domestic workers.

    Igbolo spoke during a workshop to review a research work: Working conditions and rights of domestic workers in Nigeria and the book: Aluta Continua: The Story of Nigerian Student Movement 1982 – 1992 supported by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for West Africa.

    The book: Aluta Continua: The Story of Nigerian Student Movement 1982 – 1992 was reviewed by the Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development, Yunusa Ya’u.

    Igbolo commended efforts made by the two labour centres – the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, including other Civil Society Organisations to solve the challenges facing domestic workers in the country.

    She said: “Several labour regulations have been enacted on domestic work in Nigeria which include; the Nigerian Labour Act (1990) that defines who a domestic worker is and what constitute domestic services; the Anti-Trafficking Policy (2003) which addresses trafficking and unpaid services through domestic work; the Employee Compensation Act (2010) which provides for the recognition of paid domestic work and Labour Migration Policy (2013) which promotes the recognition of migrant workers that constitute a large proportion of domestic servants in the country.

    “Notwithstanding these laws and policies, none clearly defined the rights and status of these workers.

    Speaking further, the sociology professor stressed the need for proper operationalisation of the concept of domestic work.

    According to her, a large proportion of domestic workers are young, and they lack access to opportunities that are vital to their empowerment and future development.

    Igbolo added: “As in the case of most informal work, domestic work is characterised by precarity and job insecurity, it is also characterised as a private and household labour that is not adequately captured within the public sector.

    “So, a tangible number of domestic workers are engaged privately without public coverage as in the case of Nigeria.

    “As a result, domestic workers experience deprivations, abuse and poor working conditions. A large proportion of domestic workers are young, and they lack access to opportunities that are vital to their empowerment and future development.

    “This is because the bulk of those whom we refer to as domestic workers are actually those who are brought by their wealthier relatives for training and education in exchange for their service.”

    On the role to be played by labour unions and CSOs, she noted that previous efforts have been taken but only consistent efforts will breed success.

    She added: “These attempts have brought to the fore the issues of Domestic Workers before the National Assembly which is expected to be enacted into laws so as to establish and protect their rights. A significant result is the acknowledgement of this vacuum by the law-making body in Nigeria and the creation of a new system that would document the work and workers adequately.

    “Essentially, there are challenges confronting the protection of the rights of domestic workers in Nigeria, however, the situation is not hopeless. As the consistent efforts of CEE-HOPE, FIWON, NLC, TUC and other CSOs that put workers’ rights, human rights and women’s rights as the focus of their action will create a critical momentum that can sustain the establishment and successful integration of domestic workers into the world of decent work.”

  • Wike questions University of Abuja land mass

    Wike questions University of Abuja land mass

    As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), gears up for scores of project inaugurations to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office on May 29, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike on Friday raised concerns over land hoarding by public institutions.

    The Minister raised the concerns while speaking to reporters after the inspection of the 15-kilometre OSEX Road leading to Wassa being handled by CGC Construction, culminating at the road leading to the EFCC Academy.

    Wike, who expressed satisfaction over the pace and quality of work by the contractors, was unimpressed with the size of land acquired by the University of Abuja and voiced strong concerns over what he described as “land grabbing in the name of education.”.

    He did not spare the Nigerian Police Force too, who were put on notice over undeveloped parcels of land allocated to them years ago.

    He said: “We are very happy with what we are seeing and the quality of jobs. Mr. President will be happy too when he comes to inaugurate them. This is what it means to keep promises made. 

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    “You can’t deny development where a university will go and take over 1,000 hectares of land, for what purpose? We’ve been to universities across the country. Just grabbing land is not what makes a university; it is infrastructure and quality. 

    “What future are we talking about?” Wike fired back when asked if the land might be for long-term expansion. 

    “Before you know it, they will begin to lease it out. If you don’t develop it, the government will take it back and give it to those who will”.

    Pressed on whether the administration would reclaim the land, the Minister said: “Don’t jump the gun. Let the Director of Lands come to me. We’ll invite the university and the Police and ask why they’ve not developed the area.”

  • BREAKING: Tinubu announces leadership overhaul at federal universities

    BREAKING: Tinubu announces leadership overhaul at federal universities

    …renames University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implemented significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.

    The changes are effective immediately, marking a notable shift in the leadership structure of these institutions.

    This was revealed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

    He wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

    “These changes are effective immediately.

    “At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.

    “Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

    “To succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.

    “In addition, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.

    “Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

    “The leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo. President Tinubu appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

    “Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.

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    “Senator Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Senator Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    “Additionally, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

    “All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.

    “President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.

    “The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.”

  • ‘I didn’t take six months’ pay after tenure’

    ‘I didn’t take six months’ pay after tenure’

    Former Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja has denied receiving six months’ salary after his tenure, saying every amount received approved by the Governing Council.

    Prof Adikwu, who spoke on telephone with The Nation in Katsina, denied allegations he took huge bonuses and allowances after retiring. insisting the council only approved for him what has subsisted for past vice chancellors.

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    He said: ‘’Why is mine different? All principal officers of universities go on sabbatical leave after their tenures. Why is mine different as a former vice chancellor?”

    ‘’During my time, the university was not fuelling my vehicle as approved by council. The council approved that I should be given money for research during my sabbatical but I got nothing’’.

    The former vice chancellor commended President Bola Tinubu for achievements in the education sector.

    He suggested the President constitutes a think tank for the sector with ideas and solutions.

  • Varsity sign MoU with four firms to drive digital skills

    Varsity sign MoU with four firms to drive digital skills

    The Cosmopolitan University of Abuja yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four international organisations to drive digital skills and entrepreneurial spirit among students.

    The four organisations are; Cisco, a multinational technology company and Global Wissen Consult which specialises in Digital Entrepreneurship programmes.

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    Others are; Confucius Institute for Mandarin to offer students the opportunity to learn Mandarin and foster cross-cultural understanding and Across Atlantic Development (AAD), a company dedicated to building a just and sustainable world by embarking on global projects and proffering solutions to business challenges.

    Vice – Chancellor of the University Prof. Carl Adams, said the partnerships are intended to prioritise experiential learning, equipping its students with the skills and mindset to navigate an ever-evolving landscape.

  • Student to die by hanging for killing younger brother

    A 33-year-old student, Allen Abiodun, of the University of Abuja was on Monday sentenced to death by an Ikeja High Court, Lagos for killing his younger brother, one Allen Wale with a broken bottle.

    Justice Raliat Adebiyi found Abiodun guilty and convicted him of the offence of murder contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 after six years of trial.

    Abiodun was arraigned February 20, 2013 for killing his brother, Wale at Imude Village, Oto-Awori, Lagos.

    The convict confessed to killing his brother Wale.

    Following his confessional statement and the evidence of other prosecution witnesses, Justice Raliatu Adebiyi sentenced Abiodun to death as charged.

    Justice Adebiyi said that the prosecution had proven its case of murder beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant.

    “The defendant is hereby found guilty and convicted of the murder of his brother, Allen Wale.

    “You, Allen Abiodun are hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May God, the giver of life, have mercy on you”, she said.

    During trial, the State Prosecution, O. R Ahmed-Muil, called four witnesses to testify in the matter.

    Ahmed-Muil also told the court that the convict attacked his younger brother with a broken bottle, stabbed him severally at the right side of his neck, dragged his body to a bush and covered it with leaves.

    One of the witnesses, Sunday Abogunrin (PW2), the landlord of the convict, had testified that Abiodun was a troublesome fellow who fought his siblings at every slight provocation.

    Abogunrin, a building contractor, told the court that he caught the convict dragging the deceased body into a bush after he had killed him.

    According to the PW2, “I know the defendant because I live close to their residence. I’ve known the defendant since his childhood and his entire family.

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    “On February 20, 2013, at about 1-2a.m, I heard dogs barking. Initially, people around were afraid to come out to clarify what was irritating the dogs for fear of robbers but later on they all came out, including me.

    “I later went out to investigate the cause of the noise. But I noticed someone dragging something into the nearby bush. I initially wanted to raise an alarm but instead, I put my torch on and the person ran off towards the defendant’s house.

    “I immediately followed to see who it was only to meet the defendant washing his hands, covered in blood, near the well. I quickly alerted the Baale of the community, who then ordered the youths to apprehend him.

    Abogunrin had further told the court that convict also broke his sister’s hand and smacked his other brother’s head while attempting to escape when the community youths came to apprehend him.

    “He was finally apprehended by the help of some Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) members who intervened and took him to the Baale’s palace,” he said.

    Also Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Uthman Lamidi, the Investigating Police Officer from llemba Hausa Police Station had stated that he was on duty when the report about the incident was lodged at his station.

    Lamidi said that himself and his team immediately went to the Oba’s Palace, arrested the defendant and went with him to the crime scene.

    The IPO stated that at the scene, he saw the deceased’s body and upon interrogating the defendant, he admitted killing his younger brother with a broken bottle and was about to bury the corpse when he was intercepted.

    “I handcuffed the defendant and took him away. The Defendant followed him willingly and confessed killing his younger brother. His confession was read over to him and he signed it while I countersigned. In the course of investigation, we also discovered that the defendant had threatened to kill his late brother several times before actually doing it that day,” he said.

    The convict, in his defence, claimed that the deceased was not his biological brother and  but  admitted killing him.

    “He told me that he would kill me if am not careful of him. He kept threatening me until I got up angrily, took a bottle and stabbed him on his right neck. He fell down, I went to him and told him that he would bleed and die, which he eventually did.

    “When he died, I dragged his body to a nearby bush to bury it. I hide his corpse and covered it with leaves so that no one could see it. I then went back home and washed off the blood stains on my hand,” he said.

     

     

  • VC Abuja varsity tasks students on creativity

    Prof. Michael Adikwu, Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, has urged newly matriculated students of the institution to learn to be creative.

    Adikwu, who gave the advice during the 2018/2019 matriculation ceremony held on Saturday at the institution, said creativity would help the students to explore areas with potentials in their field of study.

    Represented by Prof. Ekundayo Stephen, Provost College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Adikwu said creativity would also help to create jobs for others.

    He congratulated the students and also advised them against practices like drug misuse, drug abuse, cultism, examination malpractice, truancy and extremism in religious or partisan politics.

    READ ALSO: UniAbuja a mockery of university system – Panel

    According to him, there are good religious and social groups registered with the Students Affairs Division which you can always join.

    “There are rules and regulations in the university, which you must abide by and are contained in the students’ handbook.

    “You can see that the chair of this ceremony is your Dean. Don’t be afraid to approach them when in difficulty,” he added.

    Adikwu further said that the university management was doing its best to overcome some of its problems like shortage of hostel accommodation,

    He appealed for cooperation, understanding and perseverance from the students, especially with the institution undergoing the process of rebuilding and repositioning.

  • ASUU Strike: UNIABUJA business operators decry poor sales

    Some business operators at the University of Abuja, (UNIABUJA) have decried the adverse effects on their businesses, the continued nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU).

    The business owners spoke with the our reporters on Wednesday in the main campus and permanent site of the university and described the ongoing strike as worrisome.

    According to them, economic and social activities in and outside the school premises have been paralysed just as most shops and business centers are either locked or witnessing low sales.

    National President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi had on Nov. 5 called for an indefinite strike involving both the federal and state-owned universities.

    The strike follows allegation of failure of the Federal Government to implement Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with it in 2017.

    Mrs Farida Jackson, who owns a restaurant close to the school gate at the Gwagwalada Campus lamented the situation. She said her shop had lacked patronage since the commencement of the industrial action.

    “The ongoing strike is regrettable, you know when the university is not operating our businesses are bound to suffer because only few people patronize us.

    “We pray that the efforts of government to solve the problems with the unions will yield tangible results so that we can fully return to business,” she said.

    Mr Musa Yusuf, who operates a business centre also lamented the drop in economic activities, adding that since the strike started business had dropped considerably.

    “The Federal Government should take into consideration the plight of Nigerian students and find a lasting solution to the problem.

    “I plead with the union to also call off the strike and give room for dialogue in the interest of education sector,” Yusuf said.

    Mrs Ada Basi, owner of a relaxation spot said, “Business was thriving until the strike started and most of us have invested here due to the population.’’

    “The education sector is one particular area that should receive prompt and adequate response because when the people are educated, it will reflect on the nation’s economy.”

    Also, Mr Musa Ladan, a motorcycle operator at the permanent site campus appealed to ASUU to call off the strike, he said that the masses always suffered from its consequences.

    “Our prayer is that the school should resume its activities so that our businesses will bounce back, we also urge the stakeholders to resolve these issues,” he said.

     

    NAN