Category: Education

Earlier yesterday, there was an advertorial circulated across social media space on the purported recruitment of teachers by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Meanwhile, the Board has today reacted to the claim, describing it as false information circulated by fraudsters to mislead unsuspecting individuals.

Debunking the news, the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran advised members of the public to be wary of fraudsters.

According to Adeniran, recruitment of new teachers into the Public Primary school sector of the State, is still in the pipeline, awaiting the gracious approval of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

He therefore added that any plans of fresh recruitment would be duly conveyed to the public, as the Board is currently not recruiting.

Adeniran who further urged Nigerians to disregard any news of recruitment by the Board, said that the fake recruitment is being perpetrated by scammers who offer employment to unsuspecting Nigerians in exchange for money and even go as far creating fake websites to look more convincing.

“I urge Nigerians to be aware of the antics of these fraudsters and notify security agencies when necessary”, he said.

“OYO SUBEB wishes to once again draw the attention of the public to activities of fake employment merchants and racketeers. We had informed members of the public that the Board was not recruiting, but it is pertinent to reiterate it”, he said.

“We advise everyone to disregard rumours of recruitment purportedly emanating from the Board. It will not be an hidden exercise, we will duly inform the public when we are about to start the process”, the statement read.

The Great Gospel Crusade on Tuesday responded to an allegation by the Oyo State Muslim Community accusing TESCOM and its Gospel of forcing Muslim students to attend the awareness campaign of the proposed ‘Daniel Kolenda’ Ibadan 2021 crusade.

The Church responded through a release signed by the Crusade chairman, Rev. Isreal Olaseinde, saying that they had no prior knowledge of the incident, and that they didn’t authorize the team that carried out the awareness programme.

Below is the copy of the apology letter released by Great Gospel as obtained by ODUDUWA NEWS

“It has come to our notice that one of our teams visited a public school in their outreach. We are sorry for this error as it was done without our knowledge and approval”

Olaseinde further stated that they understand the plurality of religion in the State, and there mission is to sustain the peaceful co-existence of people of the State. “We are sensitive to the religious plurality of Oyo State and we won’t do anything to destroy the existing harmony”

In recent times, there has been allegation that the Teaching Service Commission of Oyo State, TESCOM has connived with Daniel Kolenda Crusade team to coerce Muslim students for its forthcoming crusade in Ibadan.

The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUCOYOS) has accused the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), of forcing Muslim students to listen to Christian preaching.

MUCOYOS noted that Muslim students were being forced to attend Christian crusade in preparation for a programme aimed at receiving a German Christian crusader, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.

MUCOYOS specifically pointed out that it was disheartening that on Friday 29th October, a crusade team was at Sasa Community High School, where Muslim students were deliberately disallowed from observing Jum’at service.

The group in a statement signed by the duo of Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni (Chairman) and Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade (Secretary-General) alleged that the Muslim students in other schools in Ibadan were kept on a special christian evangelization assembly against their faith.

The duo alleged that the crusade team were sent to the schools with the approval of the TESCOM Chairman, Mr. Akin Alamu.

They then advised that the TESCOM Chairman should stop forcing Muslim Students into Christianity.

The statement read: “For some time now, preparations have been in top gear to receive a German Christian Crusader, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda (successor of Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke), coming to Ibadan for a big crusade, tagged ‘Great Gospel Crusade’

“What’s bad about crusades? Nothing, really. But it is gross abuse of office for Pastor Chairman and Church Elder Permanent Secretary of Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), to watch, while for over two weeks now, the crusade teams have been going round schools in Ibadan to forcefully bring out students, coercing them to listen to christian preaching.

“This is very disheartening. On Friday 29th October, a crusade team was at Sasa Community High School, where Muslim students were deliberately disallowed from observing Jum’at by keeping them on a special christian evangelization assembly, specifically organised to mobilise them for the Kolenda crusade. Same has been replicated in many schools in Ibadan.

“It is unimaginable that we still find ourselves in this kind of situation, all because we have a Pastor TESCOM chairman, who is either forcing school principals to implement this crusade, or he is simply looking the other way or; just flagrantly disregarding the extant circular of the Ministry of Education outlawing devotions at school assemblies.

“The system is so bad that, the event is not even happening during the morning assembly, but rather, special assemblies are called when the students should be in class. Everyone is complaining that Oyo State is not doing well in public examinations. Are we not making it worse when precious teaching time is spent on evangelization?

“This is impunity.

“TESCOM Chairman should stop forcing Muslim Students into Christianity. It is not acceptable.

“H.E. Governor Seyi Makinde, please call TESCOM Chairman to order.”

Meanwhile, Alamu while reacting, described the allegations as malicious.

Alamu, who spoke during a telephone conversation on Tuesday night said that he does not have time to respond to such allegations.

He said, “That is malicious. That is malicious and I do not have time to react to such.

“I am not ready to respond to such allegations.”

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo State, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, has said there is no going back on the hike in tuition fees of the institution.

This coming on the heels of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and parents of students in UNIMED, yesterday, kicking against the 120 per cent increase in tuition fees, saying the increase would swell the number of out-of-school children.

The PDP’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement, said the hike “is a silent notice to parents who cannot afford the new fees regime to withdraw their children.”

Akeredolu’s antecedents
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has never hidden his penchant for increasing fees in tertiary institutions, since he assumed headship of the state.

The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, have suffered serial closures over students’ protests bordering on fees’ hikes.

The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo shrank to a student population of 1,753, from over 9,000, due to fees increase.

Most private residential accommodation for students in Owo is now empty. Even the economy of the ancient city has been adversely affected.

Parents and students of UNIMED received shockers when they noticed increment of fees with nearly 120 per cent for 2021/2022 session.

No explanation was given for this hike. Medical students have to pay as much as N1,320,000, as against N515,000 payable in the previous academic session (2020/2021)

“There is no justification for this continuous upward review of school fees, when the economy of the state is practically comatose and workers’ salaries are not only irregular but never paid in full.

“The PDP in Ondo State calls on the governor and the APC-led government to wear a human face in taking decisions that affect the well-being of our future leaders.”

Parents berate govt
Also faulting the hike, some of the parents who spoke with Vanguard said: “There will be mass withdrawal. It is not realistic.

“Mass withdrawal is looming in the school. We were paying N350,000 and it was difficult.

“We know Medicine is not cheap, but this is on the high side. Other state schools are running medicine but their fees are not as high as N2 million.”

No going back on new fees, VC insists
When contacted, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, said there was no going back on the new fees schedule.

Fatusi said: “The institution is committed to offering quality education and this position would not be compromised.

“The parents have an option. Their children don’t need to study here. Other medical schools are available.

“We run this school almost free of tuition fees. This school is a specialised school and we cannot continue with the previous fees.”

GOV AKEREDOLU LAUDS ODUDUWA VARSITY, DESCRIBES INSTITUTION AS FAST GROWING

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has commended the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, for its giant strides and contributions to the promotion of quality education the country.

Governor Akeredolu promised that he would continue to remain a friend of the University, expressing hope that the institution will continue to grow.

The Governor spoke in his office on Thursday while receiving the Proprietor and Chancellor of the University, His Royal Eminence, Dr Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, who led some Principal Officers of the institution on a courtesy visit to the Governor.

Governor Akeredolu said the fascinating point about the University, apart from its contribution to the educational system of the country, is the location.

He also hailed the proprietor of the institution for naming the school ‘Oduduwa’, saying it means a lot to the Yoruba race.

“I want to congratulate you for the great stride that your university has made in such a short time. We will always see your impact. You have a polytechnic and other things that you have established in Ife. All of us want to thank you for your great effort. A university is more of a legacy. It remains forever. That you had chosen Oduduwa is a great one for me,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin described the Governor’s achievements so far as monumental and heartwarming.

The Chancellor, who used the occasion to appreciate Governor Akeredolu for being one of the supporting personalities for the establishment of Oduduwa University, formally invited the Governor to the 8th and 9th Joint Convocation of the citadel of learning.

The Students’ Union Government of Polytechnic of Ibadan has reacted to the video circulated on social media where it was alleged that a student of the institution was shot dead by the security officers.

In a statement released by the President of the Students’ Union, Comr. Adedeji Abdulazeez, he claimed that it was true that the student was shot from spray bullets by the security officers claiming to be engaging troublesome students disrupting the peace of the Polytechnic.

In the press release sent to Oduduwa News today by the Students’Union of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, it was confirmed that the student is not dead as being insinuated and that she is recuperating at yet-to-be-revealed hospital.

The President however condemned the incident and vowed to unravel the mystery behind the ugly incident in order to ensure that justice is served accordingly.

The press statement released by the SUG attached below:

Authorities of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ijebu – Ode in Ogun State have shut down the institution.

They asked students to vacate the campuses immediately following a protest over the alleged assault and arrest of some TASUED students by soldiers.

Soldiers said to be from Sappers Barrack, Ilese on Thursday evening arrested some persons at a military check point close to Conoil Filling Station along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

The persons, who turned out to be students of TADUED, were taken to the barrack but attempts by the Students Union Government (SUG) to rescue them led to the arrest of the SUG President, Rabiu Sodiq.

He was taken to the barrack, forcing the students to pour into the Sagamu – Ijebu – Ode – Ore expressway on Friday in protest over the detention of their colleagues.

Armoured Personnel Carriers were deployed to the scene as the soldiers fired sporadically into the air to disperse the protesting students.

Vehicular traffic was halted on both sides of the expressway, forcing a standstill for travellers on Friday morning.

The University authorities, fearing the worst, asked the students to immediately vacate the campuses and called on their parents and guardians to make them comply with the directive.

TASUED Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Public Relations Officer, Mrs Odubela Ayotunde, told The Nation: “The Senate of Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun, Ogun State at its emergency meeting has directed that all Students are to vacate the University’s Campuses immediately.

“Parents are thus advised to contact their wards and ensure they return home forthwith.”

She noted that the decision was sequel to the arrest of some students at a military check point on Thursday, clarifying that the University Management did not at any time invite military personnel or security agencies into the campus.

She also clarified that no student was abducted from any of the University’s campuses or shot dead.

But the SUG Senate President Moradeyo Ifedayo Johnson and Chief Judge Ayobami Kareem alleged soldiers invaded the students’ community and manhandled many of them.

“TASUEDITES who are going by their legitimate and calm businesses were cornered at CONOIL Filling Station, the Express Road that leads to the University second gate.

“They were arrested and assaulted for no reason. To make things worst, the soldiers asked students to bail themselves up with N50, 000 and those who could not do that were detained and taken away (most likely to the barrack).

“As responsible and responsive students’ union officers, upon hearing the ugly development, we swung into action and make frantic efforts to mediate and rescue students from this injustice and assault cum fraudulent exploitation.

“This calm and ideal effort by the students’ union was met with strong resistance by the military men, who assaulted the Students’ Union President.

“The Senate President was also severely injured and many comrades were beaten, whipped and abducted by the military men.

“The Students’ Union abhor this act in its totality, very displeased and frown at the reaction of the custodian of the university to the matter when contacted,” Moradeyo stated

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2021 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal results.

Announcing the results in Minna, Niger state, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive Prof Ibrahim Wushishi, apologised to Nigerians for delay in releasing the examination results.

He said 878,925 candidates made five credits and above including Mathematics and English language, representing 71.64 per cent.

The National Examination Council (NECO) has said that it will soon release the results of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) conducted nationwide last July.

The Head of Information and Public Affairs of the organization, Alhaji Azeez Sani, told newsmen in a telephone interview in Minna Monday that marking and collation of the results have been completed.

Sani said: “We have completed the marking and collation of the results. Very soon, we will release the results.”

He did not say what is responsible for the delay in the release of the results, but allayed the fears of candidates that their aspirations would be met soon.

It was the practice of NECO over the years to release the results of its examination not more than 90 days after the writing of the last paper.

Over 1,200 candidates sat for the examination with each paying not less than N9,500 for writing the tests.