Education / News / politics

Dowen College: Kashamu’s family speaks on his son’s involvement with Oromoni

The family of late representative of Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has reacted to reports that his son, Adewale, was one of the alleged cult members that beat to death a 12-year-old student of Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni Jr.

The reaction of the family to the death of Oromoni was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Mutairu Kashamu.

The statement said: “Since the news of the unfortunate incident broke, we have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement. This is why we did not rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling, and negative commentaries that have taken over social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.

“Our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, had acted as a school father for the late Sylvester in his first session in the school at the request of Sylvester’s sister who is also a student of the school. “However, in the 2021 session commencing in September 2021 Adewale Michael Kashamu was moved to a different floor in the boarding house, and engrossed in his own studies and activities, he was no longer as close to Sylvester as in the previous session.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu is a compassionate and considerate boy. Sometime last session, some boys had been accused of beating Sylvester with belts and seizing his foodstuff but Adewale Michael Kashamu was not involved at all. He was in fact in sympathy with Sylvester over that incident.

“On that occasion, Sylvester’s parents made a report to the school and the affected students were questioned and one of them at least was suspended.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu is not aware that an identical incident occurred again this year leading to Sylvester’s injury and death.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu had seen Sylvester limping sometime late in November and (assuming he might have been injured playing football) merely empathized with him and advised him to go to the school clinic.

“Other students who knew the circumstances of Sylvester’s leg injury have all testified that …

Education / News

Breaking: Dowen College: Oromoni’s dorm mate confirms he was tortured to death

A dormitory mate of the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni, has confirmed that he was tortured to death by his seniors.

In a series of WhatsApp messages to one Tamara, the dormitory mate said six and not five seniors attacked Oromoni.

The border, whose identity was hidden, said that both the Principal of the school and their Dorm Master, one Mr. Ahmed, were aware of the attack on the late student who turned 12 on December 4, 2021.

He said that Oromoni’s case was not the first of such in the school, adding that the previous ones had been covered up. The border wrote, unedited:

Hello tamara

Sly got beat up on Saturday 27th of November by the boys that was named and the ring leader was Favor, Aslem and Micheal is more of a follower.

I was in the room the day they came in
Sly was on his bed and we were just talking and playing in our hostel room as usual after we clean. At about evening time the senior boys came in and senior Favor switched of the light they were holding their belt with them
They were not 5 but 6 senior boys but I don’t know who exactly was part of the beating but I know senior Edwin was there for sure.

They beat him up and he fell from his bunk and after they were done they called us back to the room and aslem said the school rules piss him off and if we snitch the way sly did them would do even worse to us. Sly was still on the ground and favor kicked his head again before they left.

In the morning on Sunday sly was on his bed and he complained that he couldn’t walk so the senior called us to their room and said if we snitch they would know and that if they ask us what is wrong we should say he played football.

The dorm master knew there was a …

Education / Law / Movies / News

Alec Baldwin denies pulling trigger in fatal ‘Rust’ set shooting

Hollywood actor, Alec Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger of the prop gun that killed Ukrainian filmmaker Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin in his first sit-down interview post the tragic accident on the set of his film ‘Rust’ in October, denied pulling the trigger as originally reported.

“I would never point a gun at anyone and pull a trigger at them. Never,” he said amid tears in a clip from an ABC News interview. He further claimed that he had no idea how a live bullet arrived on the set. “Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property,” Baldwin added. The interview marks the first time Baldwin has spoken about the incident on camera, except for a brief interview he gave to TMZ in October, in a bid to stop the paparazzi from following him and his family. In that appearance, he described the incident as a “one in a trillion episode” and said accidents of its nature very rarely happened on film sets. Hutchins was reportedly shot and killed as Baldwin rehearsed with what he believed to be a “cold” – or safe – gun on the set of his western film ‘Rust in New Mexico. Hutchins was flown to hospital by helicopter after the shooting but later died of her injuries. Director Joel Souza, 48, was also injured.

…
Crime / Education / News / Security

Police rescue six persons kidnapped in University of Abuja

There are indications that six people kidnapped by bandits at the University of Abuja staff quarters on Tuesday have been rescued successfully.

A staff of the University confirmed that the victims were rescued at Abaji, along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway.

The staff said this was achieved with the help of the Police and local vigilante.

“The rescued victims are currently at the Abaji police station,” the staff said. On Tuesday morning, some unspecified number of bandits invaded the staff quarters of the University located at Giri, along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, attacked staff and their family members, and made away with six people.

The attack sent strong fears and panic among students and lecturers of the school, who had before now registered their concerns about the poor state of security in the school and its environs, particularly the increasing number of strange faces and movements within the school campus.

Some of the frightened residents threatened to vacate the staff quarters as quickly as possible because of the fear of further attacks by the bandits.

The abducted persons include a nine-year-old son of Prof. Bassey Ubong and his housemaid, one Deputy Registrar identified as Malam Mohammed Sambo, one Prof. Sumaila Obansa Joseph with his son and one Dr. Tobins Ferguson Hamilton.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and other management staff of the school as well as the police and detachment of soldiers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were the early callers at the venue of the attack.

Students at both at the mini and main campuses of the University were seen in groups discussing the development, with fear and anxiety written all over their face.

Victims and eyewitnesses told journalists that the bandits, undoubtedly, took advantage of the porosity of the school community, gained entry into the staff quarters through the unfenced part of the quarters, and begun to unleash terror on the residents.

They confirmed that the operation started few minutes past 12am on Tuesday, and lasted for …

BBNaija / Education / News

Socialite Cubana Chief Priest accuses BBNaija’s Maria of ‘stealing’ his sister’s husband

Nigerian socialite Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has called out former Big Brother Naija housemate, Maria for stealing his sister’s husband.

The millionaire businessman made this known via his Instagram page on Sunday, October 24, 2021.

According to him, the reality TV star didn’t only have an affair with his in-law but also threatened his sister. “@grandfish1 @lam_lolofish_27 I Get Dollars For You, I Get Pounds For You, There Is Nothing Sweeter Than Family, Wives Stay Woke Girls Like @mariachikebenjamin Are Coming For Your Husbands,” he wrote.

“She Stole My Sisters Husband As If That’s Not Enough She Is Sending Her Threats, That I Won’t Let It Slide, Kelvin I Dey Find Una Come That Dubai Nothing Must Happen To My Sister.”

“@mariachikebenjamin How On Earth Will You Threaten A Married Woman Who Has A Male N Female Offspring To Leave Her Husband For You Or Die, You Dey Show Person Husband Watch N Car To Pepper Her, Kelvin Am So Ashamed Of You, All Of Us Dey Street.”

You No Carry Woman Pass Anybody But We Can Never Make Home Miserable For Our Woman To The Point A Side Chick Calls Your Wife To Threaten Her Life.”

“If What You Re Doing Is Right Why Are You Covering Your Face In Shame In This Video, My Own Na Make Nothing Happen To My Sister, Okwa Mmadu Nwe Ogodo Ewu Na Ata, If Anything Happens To My Sister 😡 😡😡😡😡”

The reality TV star is currently outside the county. She is yet to react to the allegations levelled against her.

 

…
Education / News

Poly Lecturers threaten fresh strike over breach of MoA

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has called on the Federal and some States Governments to pay outstanding arrears of the minimum wage to its members as contained in the Memorandum of Action with them.

This was contained in a statement by Abdullahi Yelwa, ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Bauchi.

The union also frowned at the delays in the release of the approved N15 billion Revitalisation Fund, non payment of salaries to its members in some state owned institutions, and non commencement of the renegotiation of the 2010 agreement.

Yelwa said the decisions were reached during the 101st Regular ASUP National Executive Council meeting held at the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State. The statement read in parts: “ASUP equally expressed dismay at recent reports of infractions in the process of appointment of Principal Officers in Federal Polytechnics and some state-owned polytechnics in disregard to the provisions in the extant laws.

“The union particularly noted the events at the Federal Polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, where the process of appointment of Rectors were flawed, leading to the shortlisting of unqualified persons.

“The union notes that the council affairs in Federal Polytechnics, Oko, Offa, Auchi and Kaura Namoda has been relocated to the FCT without due consideration to the cost implication on the institutions, safety of staff and sensitive documents as well as general administration of the affected institutions.”

Yelwa, however, said members of the public should hold government responsible in the event of breakdown of industrial harmony, adding that the union and its members had shown considerable patience and restraint.

He said: “In view of the unsatisfactory status of implementation of the MoA signed between the union and government in April 2021.

“The union once again demand that the government should without further delay ensure the release of the arrears of the Minimum Wage to staff and release the approved Revitalisation Fund for the sector.

“Government should set up the implementation committee to administer the fund, recommence the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement and withdraw institutional accreditation …

Education / Law / News

UNILAG: Why Babalakin quit — FG

The Federal Government has explained that overbearing posture was responsible for the removal of the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, SAN.

It also maintained that Babalakin was not exonerated of any wrongdoing by the General Martin Luther Agwai-led Regular Visitation Panel to the university.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Bem Goong, who explained in a statement, insisted that the former Pro-Chancellor remained indicted and removed from office.

The statement reads: “The Senior Advocate of Nigeria had accepted his guilt by resigning hours before the release of the White Paper that came out of the Special Presidential Visitation Panel, adding that the hostility towards the Permanent Secretary for doing his job is unnecessary and unjustifiable. “After weeks of media hostilities over another contrived crisis in the University of Lagos, the Federal Government has maintained that the embattled former Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council of that University, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, SAN, was not exonerated by the General Martin Luther Agwai-led Regular Visitation Panel to the university.

“Following his indictment for breach of due process and flagrant disregard for the university laws in the aborted removal of the Vice-Chancellor and the unilateral appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor, the Special Presidential Visitation Panel and the White Paper, thereof, recommended and approved, respectively, his removal from office and the dissolution of the Governing Council.”

While condemning the campaign of calumny as a desperate attempt to distract and slow down the rising profile of the university, Goong said facts on the ground spoke to the contrary.

Asked to clarify whether the second (Regular) Visitation Panel exonerated Babalakin from the indictment of the Special Visitation Panel, Goong said: “It is embarrassing for a lawyer of Babalakin’s standing, a SAN for that matter, to say that a Regular Visitation Panel has exonerated him from the indictment of an earlier visitation panel on three grounds.

“First, the Regular Visitation Panel was not, is not, and cannot be an appellate body for the Special Visitation Panel.

“Administratively, the …

Education / Entertainment / News

DJ Cuppy resumes classes at University of Oxford

Nigerian disc jockey, Cuppy has resumed classes fully at the prestigious University of Oxford.

The billionaire heiress took to her Twitter page on Monday, October 4, 2021, where she shared photos from school.

“First day of classes! Officially a full time student at University of Oxford! Wish me luck with my Masters.” she wrote.

It would be recalled that she was accepted into the prestigious university in March.

This will be the music star’s second master’s degree in six years.

Cuppy earned a master’s degree in Music Business from New York University in 2015.

She is one of Nigeria’s most influential disc jockeys.

…
Education / News / Transportation

Varsity students protest over poor state of road

Some Students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia state on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest against the deplorable state of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the students, numbering at least 100, carried placards with different inscriptions.

They included: Fix Umuahia-Ikot-Ekpene road; Enough is Enough; I want to graduate and be a corper not a corpse.

The marched through major streets of Umuahia, the Abia state capital.

They expressed their displeasure over the inability of the Federal Government to fix the road and blamed the state of the road for the road accidents that had claimed lives of road users, especially students of the school.

They called for immediate action to alleviate the sufferings of road users and stop the occurrence of road accidents.

Speaking at the Akanu Ibiam Road, Chukwuma Ugochukwu, President, Students’ Union Government of MOUAU, said the state of the road had plunged road users into untold hardship.

Ugochukwu said: “Yesterday, a student of MOUAU was killed in an auto crash that involved an SUV and a Truck, which occurred on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.

“We are no longer comfortable with that road.

“We are asking that this road should be looked into with immediate effect.

“This road has caused the school so much loss and we seek immediate government attention on the road.

“We are giving four days ultimatum to the state government to commence the palliative works on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.”

Also, James Daniel, a student of MOUAU, said the deplorable state of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road had led to loss of many lives, especially those of students of MOUAU.

“In 2019, we were told that the road has been awarded, but the only work that we have seen is the construction of drainages, leaving the road undone,” Daniel added.

Somto Chukwu, another student of MOUAU, said the incessant occurrence of accidents on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road was a call on the government to match its words with action.

Chukwu said it was …

Covid 19 / Education / News

School resumption: NCDC calls for vigilance, adherence to COVID-19 protocols

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has called for vigilance and adherence to safety regulations in the face of coronavirus as students return to school.

The Director-General, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, made the call at the Presidential Steering Committee briefing on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that schools resumed on Monday, while those in model colleges and upgraded schools will resume in batches due to the ongoing West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

Ihekweazu said: “This brings me to a very important topic today, that I am sure affects everyone.

“This week, children will be going back to school because schools are resuming, principals and others are having to deal with this situation of taking responsibility from  students who might get infected and might spread the virus.

“It’s important to be aware that children are not immune to this disease.

“They can get it as easily as anyone else, and can also spread it as easy as anyone else, even themselves don’t get generally severely ill.

“But they are very good spreaders of the virus.”

The NCDC boss noted that the second challenge was that children do not present the same symptoms as adult, who, very commonly, present shortness of breath or they do not carry the most common symptoms of smell or taste.

Ihekweazu added: “They present very unusual normal symptoms.

“It can be very difficult to distinguish from what we call common cold or malarial fever.

“And if caregivers, teachers and parents do not take such symptoms seriously they’ll go ahead and spread.

“And we’ve seen instances of large outbreaks of going completely unnoticed.”

He said even if they may not be severely ill, they were unlikely to prevent parents or guardians, all of whom may be a little bit more vulnerable.

Ihekweazu said: “In addition to the vaccines, we also now have rapid tests that we can test the whole school community.”

Ihekweazu added that the agency was ready to work with school owners and that any school needing more information …

Education / News

Aisha Buhari commends UNESCO over women education

First Lady Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has commended UNESCO over its efforts towards women’s advancement.

She made the commendation during a courtesy visit by the director-general of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, on Monday 13th September 2021 at the State House, Abuja.

She said as with UNESCO, education is one of the areas of focus of Aisha Buhari Foundation.

“I am pleased to inform you that I just built a school in Maiduguri, Borno State, to cater for the education needs of the teeming population of orphans and other victims of insurgency in the state,” said Mrs. Buhari, adding that the aim is to provide such children with an opportunity to have access to quality education that will transform and prepare them for a productive life.

Earlier, Ms. Azoulay had expressed happiness visiting Nigeria, a country she addressed as an extraordinarily diverse country, saying UNESCO has many good reasons to enjoy a historic relationship with Nigeria.

Azoulay noted that the ongoing International Coordinating Council on Man and the Biosphere Program (ICC-MAB) addresses the relationship between people and their environments.

She said some activities that harm biodiversity also have severe consequences for vulnerable people all around the world, and therefore called for concerted action to reverse this trend.

She commended Nigeria for showing commitment in this regard.

The UNESCO director-general was in Nigeria to attend the International Coordinating Council on Man and the Biosphere and was accompanied by the Ambassador of Nigeria and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani; UNESCO Regional Director, Dimitri Sanga, and Director-General, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria and President of the ICC-MAB. Professor Adesola Adepoju.…

Education / News

How our staff, two Poly students were kidnapped in Oyedepo’s church — University

Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State has stated the circumstances that led to the kidnap of a staff of the institution, Joseph Arome Simeon, and two students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus.

The university, in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Balogun Omeiza David, said the trio were kidnapped on Sunday.

They were kidnapped inside the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo.

The university, however, denied earlier media reports that the students were its.

It said in the statement: “For the past two days, different news blogs have written erroneously without proper investigation on the kidnapping that actually took place on Sunday 29th August 2021 at Osara the community serving as host to the newly founded Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

“Without mincing words, there was actually a kidnapping case on Sunday 29th August at Osara, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State around 7:30 p.m. A staff of CUSTECH working with the ICT department by the name Joseph Arome Simeon was kidnapped alongside two female students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus.

“From the details made available to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Salawu Sadiku and the Information Unit of CUSTECH, the trio had gone to the Living Faith Church located in the outskirt of Osara for a voice training session only for them to be kidnapped around 7:30pm on that fateful day.

“Further reports made available by the security agents said the kidnappers shot sporadically into the thin air before they finally abducted their victims from the Living Faith Church, Osara.

“The general public should be well informed that no student of CUSTECH, Osara was kidnapped as wrongly reported and shared widely by other news blogs.

“Also, the two female students that were kidnapped are of the neighboring Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus. The male staff of CUSTECH, Osara that was kidnapped is a Data Analyst and not a lecturer as wrongly reported.

“It is also of great importance for the general public to know …

Education / News

Lagos insists on reviewed boarding fee for Model Colleges

The Lagos State Ministry of Education has appealed to parents of students of Model Colleges to accept the upward review of the boarding fees, saying it was in the overall interest of the students.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Ministry’s Public Affairs Officer, Ganiu Lawal.

It stated that Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Education, made the plea while addressing the concern of some parents on the review of the boarding fees in the 32 Model Colleges across the state.

According to the statement, the boarding fees charged per term for the past 18 years have been N25,000 for a student, adding that parents are expected to show understanding in the matter and development. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that parents of Lagos State Model Colleges had kicked against the astronomical increment of students’ feeding fee from N25,000 to N75,000 per term.

Adefisayo said: “The Ministry had meetings and engagements with the parents’ fora of the model colleges and upgraded schools where reasons for the review were `clearly and unambiguously’ enumerated.

“It was agreed that the review of the fees became necessary due to economic realities viz-a-viz the current cost of food stuff, provision of energy, medical care and general school maintenance.”

The Commissioner hinted that as at June 2021, the market cost of commodities and school maintenance services analysis showed that N125,000 would be required to keep a student in a Model College, with 80 per cent of the cost to be expended on meals.

She said: “Hence, the resolve to peg the boarding fees at N50,000 per term is premised on the realization that the State Government will bear N75,000 subsidy per child, while the school will receive subventions per term to cater for the expected gaps.

“Feeding a child at N73.30k per meal is not healthy for growth; hence the government cannot be running a boarding system with same amount that has been in place for over 18 years.”

According to Adefisayo, the State Government runs a free education policy, …

Education / News

17-Year-Old With The Highest 2019 UTME Score, Others Offered $4.35 Million Scholarships To Study In United States

Thirty Opportunity Funds Program scholars of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos have received fully-funded scholarships totaling $4.35 million to attend American universities and colleges for the 2021/2022 academic session. Following a competitive selection process, the 30 high-achieving, low-income students received financial aid from the U.S. Consulate General that covered expenses involved in the college application process such as payment for standardized tests, application fees, and visa fees in addition to air travel to the United States.

One of the beneficiaries is a 17-year-old boy Ekene Ezeunala who scored the highest score at the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

 

Ezeunala, who got 347, attended Meiran Community Senior High School, Lagos and received full funding to study Computer Science and Mathematics at Columbia University in the City of New York.

 

The lucky US-bound students are selected for six undergraduates, three masters and twenty-one doctoral academic programs including Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Science and Engineering for the 2021/2022 academic session

According to a statement by Temitayo Famutimi, Information Specialist, Public Affairs Section of the United States Consular General in Victoria Island Lagos, on Thursday, the scholarship programs cover expenses for standardized tests, application fee and visa fees.

The statement reads, “Speaking on Thursday in Lagos during a reception in honor of the U.S. bound students, Consul General Claire Pierangelo urged the scholars to make the most of their opportunity to get a top-notch education while gaining the first-hand experience of American life and culture.

“I congratulate each one of you on your tremendous success. Your success is evidence of your leadership, academic performance, and the great potential young Nigerians hold for the future of this country.

“This is a very important step in your life. I strongly encourage you to maximize this opportunity. This is not just about your education as you have proven yourselves to be academically outstanding students.

“I am also referring to your chance to broaden your horizons and embrace the diversity of people around you and learn, not just about America, but also about …

Education / News

COVID-19: UNILAG shuts halls of residence indefinitely, reverts to virtual learning

To avoid escalation of COVID-19 cases at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the authorities, yesterday, shut down the hostels effective today till further notice and ordered students to vacate campus.

This followed the panic ignited by Tuesday’s report that more than six students from Honors, Moremi and Amina hostels reportedly contracted coronavirus and were sent to an isolation center. The development led the school management to convey an emergency Senate meeting yesterday.

The students were also advised to move all their personal effects at once. As of press time, students were seen packing their bags to go home.

Authorities also confirmed there has been a recent increase in the number of persons within the university community, who have presented with symptoms of COVID-19 infection.

In a statement yesterday, the University Senate, after the emergency meeting approved that all students vacate the halls of residence by 12noon today indefinitely. It also added that contact tracing has enabled them to identify those who have had exposure to the affected students and directed them to self-isolate immediately.

The statement reads: “The University of Lagos commenced physical classes at the end of May 2021 when the positivity rate of the infection dropped to about one per cent. The university management continued to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in all the teaching and learning spaces as well as the halls of residence.

“In addition, the COVID-19 vaccination was made available to the staff and students through the support of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. Lately, some students have tested positive. These students have been sent to the appropriate designated facilities in the state and contact tracing has enabled us to identify those who have had exposure and directed them to isolate. The situation is, indeed, worrisome especially noting the reluctance of the majority of students to comply with the COV1D-19 prevention protocols.”

Sources within the school equally confirmed receiving a Whatsapp broadcast message from the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Mr Ademola Adeleke, informing them to leave the school’s hostels. “Lectures for the rest of …

Crime / Education / News

Chaos in Abraka as student is killed, two others Abducted

Gunmen have killed a 400 Level student of the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Stephen Odje, and abducted two others.

The students killed as they journeyed back to school to resume for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The management of DELSU has confirmed the development.

In a statement by the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof. Chukwujindu Iwegbue, the management, with the family of the deceased, called on the relevant security agencies to fish out the assailants and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims.

So also has the Student Union Government of the school called for the arrest of those who killed Odje and release of those abducted.

In a statement by the President of the SUG, Comrade Mukolo Ogelenya Solomon, the students deplored the precarious state of students in the hands of murderous hoodlums.

The statement said: “It is also painful to the entire student body that when such incidents occur, law enforcement agencies within and around the state have not done enough to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The incident may lead to a breakdown of law and order within Abraka and its environs and the entire state in general if urgent steps are not taken to effect the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped victims.”

The Delta State Police Command has also confirmed the development.

The spokesman of the Command, DSP Bright Edafe, said operatives had been deployed to rescue the abducted students as well as arrest the perpetrators of the crime.…

Education / News

Senate passes establishment bill for Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo

The Senate has passed the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

This followed the consideration of two reports by Senate Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary); and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND at Tuesday’s plenary.

The Chairman of the Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC- Kwara), in his presentation said the the bill for the University of Medical Sciences, Otukpo would give legal backing to the institution which was already in existence.

Oloriegbe said: “Mr. President and Distinguished Colleagues, this is coming at a very important time in our history. “With the challenges of the pandemic and the importance of the health sector generally in Nigeria and globally, creation of a University of Health Sciences is very necessary.

“More importantly, the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo is already in existence but needs legal backing to effectively carry out its mandates.”

The lawmaker explained that the bill sought to among other things, address the dearth in admission of students aspiring to study Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in Nigeria.

Oloriegbe said the university would fill the vacuum created by the loss of manpower in the country’s health services industry to migration and brain drain.…

Education / News

Nigeria now has highest number of Out-of-School Children — Minister

The Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said Nigeria has the highest number of Out-of-School Children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nwajiuba stated this during the inauguration of: “Better Education Service Delivery For All,” in Katsina on Monday.

He announced that Nigeria has an estimated 10,193,918 out of school children.

According to him, the current challenges affecting the Nigerian education system has left much to be desired, saying the system is characterized by high illiteracy level, infrastructural decay and deficits.

Nwajiuba congratulated the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, on his giant stride to reposition education in the state.

He said this is a clear demonstration of leadership quality and personal commitment to education as well as the passion to revitalise the educational sector in order to develop the abundant human capital of the state.

The Minister stated that BESDA focuses on 17 states in the country, including all 13 states of the North West and North East geopolitical zones.

Niger, Oyo, Ebonyi and Rivers State are also included.

In his remarks, Masari commended the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission for their foresight and commitment in coming up with laudable programmes for the development of the education sector in particular and the development of society in general.

The program started in 2018.…

Education / Entertainment / News

Peter Okoye bags honorary doctorate degree from Escae-Benin University, Benin Republic

The music star took to his Instagram page on Thursday, June 24, 2021, where he announced the big news.

“Dear Team P! It’s a great honor to be decorated by a distinguished educational institution, Who have recognized my contribution to Dance and Music as well as my support for the youth in the entertainment industry,” he wrote.

 

“Thanks, you @escaeakpakpacampus @escaeunibenin for this honor😇🙏🏽“- Dr(Hon) Peter Obumneme Okoye Aka Dr P” 👨🏽‍🎓”

Congratulations to Peter Okoye from all of us at Pulse.

Okoye joins veteran dance Kaffy on the growing list of celebrities who have bagged doctorate degrees from that same university.

…
Education / News

MURIC gives JAMB thumbs up for tackling challenges

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern, has given the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board the thumbs up.

According to MURIC, JAMB deserves commendation in view of its swift response to challenges and disciplinary actions meted out to erring Computer Based Test Center during the ongoing JAMB examinations around the country.

MURIC said this on Wednesday in a statement by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

It said: “The Joint Admissions Matriculations Board (JAMB) deserves accolades in view of its swift response to challenges and the disciplinary actions meted out to erring Computer Based Test (CBT) Center during the ongoing JAMB examinations around the country.

“We are not saying JAMB is perfect, but the Board has performed creditably well having succeeded in keeping its head above in the murky waters of the Nigerian ecosystem. We monitor national examinations in this country and we know what happens in many of them. But JAMB has been able to rise above the maddening crowd.

“The examination body has demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that it will not take any nonsense from anybody. The swift manner with which JAMB delisted twenty four (24) CBT centres within 24 hours of receiving credible reports of their misdemeanour leaves us in no doubt whatsoever that there will be no hiding place for those who fall short of expectations.

“A case in point is one of the CBT centres in Lagos where candidates who were billed to start the examination by 7 am on Saturday, 19th June, 2021 were kept sitting in the hall from 7 am to 3 pm doing virtually nothing. Meanwhile the 9 am batch as well as other batches were kept waiting outside. They were only told to go home around 3.30 pm after wasting the whole day. The centre’s excuse was that its computer systems failed to come up.

“We were very excited when the centre’s name was found among the 25 delisted centres 24 hours later. We are still marvelling at the efficiency and high level discipline manifested by JAMB. This …