FPA Former Students Union Government led by Comr Harry Criticizes Tuition Fee Increment and Hike Hostel Fee, Issues Seven Days Ultimatum for Reversion.

FPA Former Students Union Government  led by Comr Harry Criticizes Tuition Fee Increment and Hike Hostel Fee, Issues Seven Days Ultimatum for Reversion.                                         By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J. 

The Former Students Union Government of Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, led by the then-president Comr Olubodun Abiodun J, also known as Harry, strongly condemns the Federal Government and school management for a significant tuition fee increase. According to Comr Harry, "Staylites now pay eighty-three thousand Naira, up from forty-eight thousand, while freshers pay a staggering one hundred and forty-one thousand Naira, up from fifty-five thousand."

Expressing dissatisfaction, Comr Harry urges a revert to the hostel fee increment from N10,000 to N20,000. He demands a refund to affected students within seven working days, stating, "The 100% increment in hostel fees, given the subpar conditions, is unjustifiable."

Comr Harry issues a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, school management, and the Minister of Education. He emphasizes, "We urge a 30% reduction for staylite school fees and a 50% reduction for evening student school fees to ease the financial burden on students."

The former SU President calls on Hon Sunday Asefon, Senior Special Adviser on students' Engagement to the President, and the Minister of Education to address the issue. He appeals, "The proposed fee increment is unduly burdensome for students, especially in challenging economic circumstances."

Comr Harry urges the school management under the leadership of Engr Dr Temitope Alake to consider affordable education, stating, "This hike denies many students access to free and quality education. We trust in your commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive."

Extending appreciation to President Tinubu, Comr Harry acknowledges efforts in providing a conducive environment for education. However, he reiterates the seven-day ultimatum, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the issues.

In Nelson Mandela's words, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Students unite to advocate for accessible and affordable education.

Sanwo-Olu swears in two exco members.

Sanwo-Olu swears in two exco members.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday swore in Biodun Ogunleye and Olufemi Daramola as members of the State Executive Council. 

Ogunleye was sworn in as Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, while Daramola was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the two to begin work immediately by taking their responsibilities to an enviable height so they can meet the yearnings and expectations of Lagos residents. 

He said: “It is clear that you will add value. You have been carefully chosen. It is clear to us that you have the pedigree that can take those responsibilities to an enviable position. 

“Engr. Daramola is a young man that I have followed up and I have seen his tenacity, commitment to ensure that he puts his very best into assignments and responsibilities that have been given to him. He is an example to all other public officers and civil servants that, the Lagos State Executive Council is not an exclusive preserve of external appointees. If you have done well and we see it, you can indeed get on to this level. 

“I am sure there are other permanent secretaries that will aspire to get to this level. We believe that as a former permanent secretary, who we know too well, he (Daramola) will bring a lot of experience into his office as a Special Adviser in the Office of Infrastructure.” 

“Mr. Biodun Ogunleye is a man who has a lot of energy. It is not a coincidence that he is Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources. This is an important ministry for us because we led the conversation for the actualisation of the unbundling of that sector as a government. So, we have carefully brought in someone that we believe can help achieve and realise the energy sufficiency that we require in Lagos. 

“The needs of Lagosians and their aspirations are that every household wants power. They want a sector that will completely meet the yearning of the citizens and we believe with his (Ogunleye) expertise, industry knowledge and wealth of experience, we hope that he will hit the ground running knowing fully well the expectations of that office.”

Cross River partners Oando on Renewable Energy.

Cross River partners Oando on Renewable Energy.

Arenewable energy plan for Cross River State was unfolded yesterday following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state and Oando Clean Energy (OCEL), the renewable energy business subsidiary of Oando Energy Resources, a part of the Oando PLC Group.

The agreement was signed in Dubai as a sideline of the ongoing COP28 summit in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The MoU will facilitate the rollout of electric vehicles for mass transportation within the state, setting up an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, thus creating jobs for local indigenes as well as building a 100MW wind plant for power generation. 

Representing Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu at the MOU signing was the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Oden Ewa. Ewa said: “This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in Cross Rivers’ journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. The MOU paves the way for the transitioning of our mass transit system to cleaner and less expensive fuels whilst also allowing for the use of our natural resource, wind to provide electrification for our people”.

He added: “I commend Oando Clean Energy for their innovative solutions that address the impact of climate change in Nigeria and her citizens”.

OCEL President / CEO, Dr. Ainojie Irune said: “As a company, we are committed to ensuring that this journey to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future is as seamless and as easy as possible. By putting our confidence in, not only the technology but the partnership and ensuring that the Cross River State Government and her people reap the benefits of generating power from sustainable sources”.

He added: “Oando Clean Energy’s scope spans the entire 35 states of the federation and the FCT; and with one state at a time, we will create a cleaner, more viable energy ecosystem for Nigeria and our people”.

Some of those who were at the pavilion include Minister of the Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Lawal; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Kunle Salako; Director General, (NCCC), Dr Salisu Dahiru.

I didn’t go to Kuje to visit Emefiele – Ooni.

I didn’t go to Kuje to visit Emefiele – Ooni.

The Ooni of Ice, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has refuted reports that he visited embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele at Kuje jail.

The monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, told reporters on Wednesday that Oba Ogunwusi was at the prison on behalf of Hopes Alive Initiative, HAI, a non-governmental organisation that supports the prison owned by Queen Temitope, one of his wives.

In honour of the Ooni’s eighth anniversary, he added, the programme, which was organised in collaboration with the Kuje correctional administration, focused on providing hope to prisoners regarding their reintegration into society after serving their sentences.

“The intent of those spreading the news was to blackmail the monarch; there is nothing hidden about the event. In any case, the king never met Emefiele because it was an official event organised by the NGO in conjunction with the Kuje Correction Centre.

“The programme centres around giving hope to the inmate that, after serving out their terms, they still have hope to reintegrate back to the society. The Arole Ooni was invited to chair the event in commemoration of his eighth anniversary on the throne.

“What is exclusive about a public programme where different public figures spoke and representatives of the inmate also spoke? How then did the Ooni manage to meet Emefiele?

“We must be careful with how people spread falsehoods about people. The video of the event is available to the public. I am not even sure Emefiele attended the programme because he is only in detention and not an inmate yet, so why link the programme to Emefiele? It is simply to achieve blackmail,” he stated.

S’Court: 11 justices scale NJC hurdle, await Tinubu’s nod.

S’Court: 11 justices scale NJC hurdle, await Tinubu’s nod.

The National Judicial Council has picked 11 Justices that will fill the vacant positions at the Supreme Court.

The constitution prescribes 21 Justices for the apex court but the court currently has 10 Justices, following the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo in October.

Last week, ir was reported that the NJC screened 22 candidates shortlisted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

However, on Wednesday, the NJC uploaded the names of the successful candidates on its website.

Among the shortlisted candidates is Justice Haruna Tsammani from Bauchi State, who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court that affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential poll.

Also on the list is Justice Moore Adumein, from Bayelsa State; Justice Jummai Sankey (Plateau); Justice Chidiebere Uwa (Abia); Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (Imo); Justice Obande Ogbuinya; Justice Stephen Adah(Kogi); Justice Habeeb Abiru (Lagos); Justice Jamilu Tukur; Justice Abubakar Umar (Kebbi) and Justice Mohammed Idris( Niger).

The NJC is expected to forward the names to the President for approval before Friday.

Meanwhile, the NJC also recommended the appointment of Justice Mohammed Ahmed Ramat to the Court of Appeal.

Also, Justice Joel Agya and Justice Umar Abubakar were recommended as the Chief Judge of Taraba and Kebbi states, respectively.

Similarly, Kadi Mukhtar was recommended for appointment as the Grand Kadi Sharia Court of Appeal in Kebbi State.

Justice A. O. Femi-Segun; Justice Alfred Yakubu; and Justice Tajudeen M. Abdulganiyu were recommended to be appointed as Presidents of the Customary Courts of Appeal of Ogun, Taraba, and Oyo states.

Furthermore, Amaebi Orukari and Akinyemi Ayodele were recommended to be appointed as High Court judges in Bayelsa and Ogun states, respectively.

A statement by the NJC spokesperson, Adesoji Oye, on Wednesday, said, “All recommended candidates to the Supreme Court bench would be sworn in after the approval of their recommendation by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and the subsequent confirmation of their appointment by the Senate.

“The various Heads of Court recommended would also be sworn in upon the approval of their appointment by their various state governors and subsequent confirmation of same by their respective state Houses of Assembly.

FG votes N50bn for student loan.

FG votes N50bn for student loan.

The Federal Government had voted N50bn in the 2024 budget for the implementation of its student loan scheme.

This was contained in the details of the 2024 budget appropriation.

Meanwhile, details of how the loan scheme, unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in June, would be implemented remains sketchy.

But the President gave the assurance that the loan scheme would kick off January.

 It was reported that Tinubu, who spoke at the 29th National Economic Summit in November, insisted that the student loan scheme was a more sustainable model for funding tertiary education and increasing citizen’s access to higher education

“By January 2024, the new students loan programme must commence. To the future of our children and students, we are saying no more strikes.

“To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024.

“Human capital is the most critical resource for national development. Accordingly, the budget prioritises human development with particular attention to children, the foundation of our nation,” Tinubu had said.

Since signing the Bill into law in June, many Nigerians have criticised its introduction, describing it as a ploy for the introduction of tuition fees in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, for instance, noted that if the government was sincere in its intentions, the proposed student loan should be made a grant instead of a loan.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejoh, had said the student loan scheme would commence in September. This, however, did not happen.

According to the student loan law signed by the President in June, the funds for the scheme would be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria and managed by an 11-person special committee chaired by the CBN governor.

According to Section 5 of the law, members of the committee include the ministers responsible for education and finance, or the latter’s representatives, and the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Other members are the Chairman, National Universities Commission, a representative of the Forum of University Vice-Chancellors, a representative of the Forum of Polytechnic Rectors and Forum of Provosts of all Colleges of Education in the country.

Also, a representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association and a representative of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are members.

On Wednesday, a high-ranking ASUU official told newsmen that the union had not been briefed on the details of the scheme’s implementation.

The official, who spoke off the record, noted that the leadership of ASUU was against the idea of a loan and wanted grants for indigent students instead.

The Chairman of ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, who spoke to our correspondent, said, “We don’t have any information. No details except the fact that the minister said it’s starting January 2024.”

Similarly, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, said, “We do not have any information. No details.”

The Director of programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, urged the government to be more transparent in the implementation process.

“Initially it was announced that the implementation would commence by September 2023. The government remained silent until the President came out again to say that the implementation could kick-start by January 2024.

“I think it is high time for the government to be open and transparent about the implementation process. We know that a certain amount has been allocated but we need more details and information. It is not just about announcing dates, we need information about the committees put in place and all,” Oluwatoyin said.

Ogun plans home for gender-based violence victims.

Ogun plans home for gender-based violence victims.

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday said it would provide a befitting accommodation for victims of gender-based violence in the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known in his office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received his wife and other women, who were on a roadshow as part of activities for the 16 Days’ Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the state.

Abiodun, who acknowledged that gender violence had become pronounced among males and females in the country, pledged that the state government would provide a befitting building to serve as a shelter for people that have been sexually harassed or subjected to other forms of molestation in the state.

The shelter, he said, would save them from the stigma usually associated with the problem.

He added that the government would also work towards instituting Gender-Based Violence Trust Fund to finance the welfare of victims.

“You want us to ensure that we have a befitting shelter, and you made a case for that, and you emphasised the fact that people abused in the house or at home cannot go back home. There are those who do not have anywhere else to go back to. There is a lot of stigma associated with those who are abused.

“I believe that we have identified somewhere previously, but I am told that it may not be befitting.

“By this, I am now instructing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the Ministry of Housing to identify either a building; if they can’t find one, we identify a parcel of land and we will construct a befitting building to serve as the needed shelter for those persons who have been subjected to all kinds of sexual harassment,” the governor said