Category: News

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Strike Looms As ASUU Gives FG Three Weeks Ultimatum To Meet Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum to meet its demands contained in the Memorandum of Action (MoA), signed by both parties on December 23, 2020.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this on Monday 15th of November 2021 while addressing reporters in Abuja.

He warned that the union might be compelled to embark on another nationwide strike should the government fail to implement the Memorandum of Action signed with ASUU prior to the suspension of the last industrial action.

According to the ASUU President, all the issues, including those of unpaid academic earned allowances and the universities revitalisation fund have not been addressed almost one year after an agreement was reached.

The ultimatum is part of the resolutions reached at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of ASUU held in the nation’s capital.

ASUU embarked on a nationwide strike in March 2020 following its disagreement with the government over the funding of the universities and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), among other issues.

It had proposed the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace IPPIS

Also, The Union also set up an independent committee to probe what it described as questionable appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, as a Professor of Cyber Security at the Federal University of Technology Owerri.

Osodeke listed several criteria for the position of professorship of which the minister was said to lack thus, not qualified for the position.

ASUU rejected Pantami’s academic position in its entirety saying, “We know something is wrong in the appointment of Isa Pantami as a Professor, it doesn’t look right.”

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EACOED: Non-Payment Of Tuition Fees And Students’ Right To Write Examination

Last week Thursday, precisely the 11th of November, 2021, a significant number of students were ejected from examination halls at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo. Invariably, they were denied the right to sit for the second semester examination.

The rationale behind the deprivation was the inability of the students to pay their tuition fees. Customarily, students are under financial obligations to pay a pre – determined amount of money as tuition. Tuition fees are paid twice per annum.

Tertiary education is not free in Oyo state. This is unlike primary and secondary schools. Both elementary and secondary education are tuition-less; courtesy of the magnanimity of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Abiodun Makinde. That singular gesture by His Excellency has returned thousands of drop-outs to schools. Very many parents have also withdrawn their wards from private schools to public. Majority of these drop-outs
were hitherto wandering aimlessly in the streets while few were hawking. A significant number had also transformed to urchins and miscreants.

Interestingly, the seemingly shattered hope of the less-privileged students had been rekindled since they now have access to schooling. All adorations to the amiable Governor of Oyo State. May Allah continue to imbue the governor with more wisdom and every impetus needed to succeed.

One of the requisites to becoming a bonafide student in tertiary institutions is the payment of tuition fees. In the past, it used to be the ticket for matriculation. Every successfully – admitted student is expected to fulfil that last requirement of studentship. The payment is mandatory. Non- refundable and non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, due to the precarious situation of our economy and a plethora of unfortunate circumstances, rules are sometimes relaxed in some institutions to accommodate instalment payments. Most often than not, ultimatum were issued for the the payment. However , every defaulter may be susceptible to a penalty in the name of late payment which usually attract extra money.

The above was the situation at the Oyo state-owned ancient College of education when the management barred about forty final – year students from writing a final year paper over unpaid tuition fees of #26,955. The paper was Curriculum Studies with the code Edu 321 and other courses.

From the above, one may be tempted to query the legality of exemption of students from sitting for an examination; the implications of which are enormous.

Tuition fees defaulters who are denied examination would invariably have an extra semester or a year. In this case, they would not be able to graduate with their course mates; no matter their brilianace. This is worrisome.

Like I wrote, the legality and morality of the exemption is questionable. Let us apply logic and discuss as intelllectuals with humane feelings.

The tuition in question is expected to be paid by the students. But have we considered the implication of the deprivation on the future of the students! Earnestly, the punitive measure is weightier than the gravity of the offence. As it is; the students would miss one year. That is to say that they cannot graduate with their mates. Even, if the fees are paid with extra charges. Aside this, they would still need to pay for the extra year by the time they resurface to resit and make up for the loss paper. From this simple analogy, four punishment are starting at their faces: Extra year, #10,000 late payment, payment of tuition for the semester and another payment when they returned after losing a year.

In my opinion, the management should have deviced a means more humane than ejection from examination hall.

For instance, the authority could hold on the release of academic transcripts, grade reports and certificate because of student failure to fulfill their financial and administrative obligations to the college. These obligations may be more than tuition to include education loans, damages or failure to return library books and other indebtedness.
This could be effected during the collection of clearance at the bursary department where the records of payment are kept. Surely, the students would come back for their results.

Apart from the bursary, graduating students are mandated to sign certain documents from their respective departments, schools cum faculties and students’ Affairs Office. This makes it practically impossible for any defaulter to elope with his debt.

I sincerely and respectfully crave for the indulgence of the management of the college to critically look into this issue and do the needful.

Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News and a public affairs analyst.

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NANS Set For Showdown With FG Over Hike In Prices Of Cooking Gas

The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has vowed to embark on protest to register its grievances against the continuous hike in prices of cooking gas across the country.

This was contained in a release signed and sent to ODUDUWA NEWS by the President of the association, Sunday Asefon as read in part:

THE HIKE IN THE PRICE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (COOKING GAS) AND ITS ATTENDANT HARDSHIP ON STUDENTS, NIGERIANS, AND THE CLIMATE – A CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION

“In 2021 alone, we have seen over 120% increments in the price of cooking gas. This coupled with hyperinflation, hike in the price of petroleum products, hike in the price of electricity, and devaluation of naira which has resulted in skyrocketing in the prices of domestic goods. This development is imposing unprecedented hardship in the lives of students who have been overlooked from all the government initiatives to cushion the effect of the Covid19 pandemic.
Average Nigerian students rely solely on the cooking gas to feed and the recent trend in the price of the product is making life unbearable for many students and Nigerians.

“I have received countless petitions and complaints from students calling for intervention and holding the government accountable for these hardships. I have also received videos of many students turning to firewood in their various hostels to be able to cook since the price of cooking gas is no longer affordable to students. This development is not only dangerous to the health and safety of our students and Nigerians, it is equally dangerous to the climate at this period the world is witnessing the very harsh effect of climate change and global warming.

“As the umbrella body of all Nigerian students, home and in the diaspora, I am compelled by the hardship currently experienced by our members and Nigerians to address the press today to demand immediate government intervention in the price of the cooking gas as the students will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the price of the product is significantly reduced. We have investigated the cause of this astronomical increment and come to the understanding that the government through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources can do a lot in reducing the hardship currently experienced by Nigerians in this regard.

“The introduction of 7.5% VAT on the product should be immediately reviewed, the completion of Train 7 which the NLNG claimed will increase local production by 35% must be prioritized, infrastructural and logistics deficit in the industry which is currently partly responsible for this hike in prices of the product must equally be addressed with immediate urgency in such a way that the effect will be felt on the consumer price immediately.

“As an organization holding the trust and mandate of millions of Nigerians, we will not hesitate to take to the street anytime soon to demand immediate intervention that will result in the crashing of the price of the product. The Nigerian students have endured a lot of hardship, neglect from palliatives, and economic interventions of government as a result of the global pandemic, we have seen increment in various fees payable by students even at this period of economic hardship. However, now that our only source of energy for cooking is largely becoming unaffordable, we might be left with no alternative than to hit the street. Food is a basic necessity and when students can no longer cook and eat, it is a direct invitation to crises of national significance.

“We therefore on behalf of all Nigerian students and Nigerians demand immediate actions towards crashing the price of LPG with immediate effect to avoid the wrath of Nigerian students.
We also reject any effort to increase the price of PMS under any guise and semblance as such will vehemently be rejected and radically fought against with the last blood in our veins”.

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Police Uncover Illegal Military Training Camp In Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a training camp used by an illegal Military outfit known as the Nigerian Merchant Navy, in the Ogudu Stanfield area of the State.

Commanding Officer of the unit, Sunday Dakare, 47, was arrested alongside 107 youths: both males and females between ages 19 and 47, who were undergoing training.

Parading the suspects who were clad in what looked like the Nigerian Navy camouflage, at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, yesterday, the command boss, Hakeem Odumosu, said that the command embarked on intensive surveillance of the camp and its activities, following what he described as credible actionable intelligence on the illegal activities of the outfit, before it carried out a well-coordinated overt operation at the training camp, at the early hours of yesterday.

Odumosu explained that “During the raid which was coordinated by the Operations Department of the Command, the following items were recovered: several military accoutrements including, camouflage, badges of ranks, flag, signboard, ID cards.

Other items recovered include recruitment letters, promotion letters, a portrait of the Commanding Officer, two motorcycles, one plasma TV, three cutlasses, criminal charms and other items.

“In the course of interrogation, it was discovered that the Nigerian Merchant Navy also called the COASTAL DEFENCE FORCE has been operating illegally since 2005”.

He recalled that the Nigerian Merchant Navy has since been outlawed by the Federal Government and therefore, said it was illegal for anyone to operate such a military outfit and give military training to unsuspecting young Nigerians.

He said, “ this trend portends danger for our Nation and a threat to peace and security. It, therefore, behoves us as a law enforcement agency to enforce such law banning activities of the illegal military outfit.

I want to use this medium to warn other individuals or groups still operating such illegal outfits in any part of the State to close it forthwith. Anyone nursing the plan to operate such an outlawed security outfit is advised in his own interest to rescind the decision or face the full wrath of the law. The police will not hesitate to clamp down on them and their operators and bring them to book”.

He, therefore, urged members of the public with useful information on anyone operating a clandestine military outfit or training camp to inform the police for urgent necessary action, adding that the suspects would be charged to court.

Suspects speak

However, the suspects who seemed oblivious of the offence showed no remorse, Rather, they maintained that moves were on to legalise the outfit, by the Federal Government, just like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The Commanding Officer, Dakare, expressed shock at Police action, questioning the rationale behind it.

He said, ” I don’t know why they will arrest us. Efforts are on to legalise the Nigeria Merchant Navy as obtained elsewhere in the world. Besides, the uniform we are wearing is not Military camouflage, it is not Navy best, it is Marine Navy and we are not operating yet. Other countries have Coast guards and that is our role.

We are not being paid, we are only undergoing training while we await Federal Government’s consent”.

On her part, a lady who simply gave her name as Sultan, said “We enrolled online. What we are doing is to seek our rights. The work of the Nigerian Merchant Navy is to secure the sea, tackle sea robbery and fight piracy.

The bill is before the National Assembly, it has passed the second reading and we are waiting for the third reading. Buhari is aware of this, the House of Reps didn’t kick against it when it was presented for reading.

I was surprised when the Police came to raid our camp. I don’t want to believe we were arrested because of the outfit, it could be because the land we are using as camp belongs to a foreigner.

The things the Police displayed as exhibits are not criminal ”.

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We Are Not Recruiting Teachers At The Moment – Oyo SUBEB Debunks Online Advertorial

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.

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FG Dispels Rumour On Safety Of Third Mainland Bridge

The Federal Government, has dismissed the rumour circulating on social media that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State has ‘opened up’.

On Monday, a post asking motorists to take alternative routes from the Third Mainland Bridge to avoid “major disaster” appeared on WhatsApp.

Reacting to the rumour, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Works, in a statement, Boade Akinola said the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola, drove on the bridge without noticing “any shaking” as claimed in the social media messages.

Akinola said: “The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olukayode Popoola, has debunked insinuations making the rounds in the social media that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has opened up and shaking and, therefore, unsafe to traffic saying the claim was both false and unfounded,” the statement reads.

“Giving an on-the-spot report on the Bridge, the controller, who said he just drove along the Bridge without noticing any opening or experiencing any shaking as contained in the social media report, advised members of the public not to take report seriously.

“He especially advised commuters to ignore the insinuations as to the Bridge, which is receiving regular attention along others across the country.”

This is not the first time social media will be inundated by rumour on the safety of the Third Mainland Bridge.

In 2019, the Federal Government debunked a similar rumour about the bridge.

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Kolenda: Great Gospel Crusade Apologizes Over Alleged ‘Christianization’ of Oyo Muslim Students

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”

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Twitter Ban To Be Lifted After Fulfilling All 12 Conditions – FG

The Federal Government has said the suspension of Twitter has not been lifted because the company has met 10 out of the 12 conditions given it.

The government however raised the hope of Nigerians that it is a matter of time before all issues with Twitter are resolved.

But it clarified that the suspension of Twitter had nothing to do with issues bordering on President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the clarifications while responding to a question from a participant at Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris.

Most investors at the forum were eager about the circumstances behind the suspension of Twitter.

Mohammed, who spoke in fluent French, caught the audience unawares.

The lady participant, who asked the question was perplexed and caught off guard by the Minister’s mastery of French.

But Mohammed took time to explain why the suspension of Twitter was not yet lifted.

He said:”I want to categorically say that Twitter was not banned by Nigera, it was only suspended. So, Twitter was never banned, it was suspended.

” Also, the suspension has nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The correspondences between us and Twitter have reached advanced stage. I want to say that the correspondences and the exchanges have been fruitful.

“But we have a few more issues to resolve. Out of about 12 conditions, Twitter has been able to meet 10.

“Very soon, all issues will be resolved in a way that it will be good for both our country and Twitter.”

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Oyo Muslim Community Alleges TESCOM Of Using Muslim Students For ‘Daniel Kolenda’ Crusade

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.”

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Fuel Scarcity Panic: We have over 1.7b litres of petrol, says NNPC

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited yesterday advised consumers not to engage in panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as it has over 1.7 billion litres of the product.

Its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Malam Garba Deen Muhammad, made this known in a statement.

He said: “The public is hereby advised not to engage in panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit, more commonly known as petrol.

“The NNPC has over 1.7 billion litres of petrol in stock and more product is expected to arrive into the country daily over the coming weeks and months.

“It is, therefore, unnecessary to entertain any fear of scarcity of petrol throughout the festive season and beyond.

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