Home Blog Page 1786

2 years after BBC Documentary, UNILAG sacks lecturers indicted in #SexForGrades scandal

NewsWireNGR
-
0
2 years after BBC Documentary, UNILAG sacks lecturers indicted in #SexForGrades scandal

Two lecturers of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, who were involved in a sex-for-marks scandal, Boniface Igbeneghu and Samuel Oladipo, have been dismissed by the institution.

The university’s new governing council, which is headed by a medical practitioner and an alumnus of the institution, Lanre Tejuoso, took the decision on Monday during its second meeting since its constitution.

This decision was taken almost two years after the two lecturers were exposed in a 52-minute documentary by BBC Africa where undercover journalist, Kiki Mordi, disguised as a 17-year-old admission seeker, to expose the antics of the randy lecturers.

On October 7, 2019, the BBC released the documentary which focused on the inappropriate sexual advances of four lecturers from both the University of Ghana and UNILAG.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the university’s communication unit, corporate affairs division at the office of the vice-chancellor, said the dismissals were effective from Monday, May 31.

The statement reads in part; “The Governing Council of the University of Lagos, at its meeting on Monday, May 31, 2021, approved the immediate dismissal of Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu of the Department of European Languages and Integration Studies, Faculty of Arts and Dr. Samuel Omoniyi Oladipo of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, from the services of the University.

“Council, at its meeting, considered the report and findings of the Senate Committee set up to investigate allegations of sexual harassment levelled against them in a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service Investigative Series titled AFRICA EYE (which centred on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions)

“The Council consequently decided and approved that both Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu and Dr. Samuel Omoniyi Oladipo be dismissed from the services of the university for misconduct, with effect from Monday, May 31, 2021 in line with section 18 of the University of Lagos Act 1967.”

The university added that the council had mandated the university authorities to review its sexual harassment policy “as may be necessary and institute effective strategies to prevent future occurrence.”

Federal Government will deliver Lagos-Ibadan Expressway May 2022 – NASS promises

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Federal Government will deliver Lagos-Ibadan Expressway May 2022 – NASS promises

The House of Representatives on Tuesday gave the contractors handling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway rehabilitation/reconstruction project May, 2022 ultimatum to complete both the road and bridges.

The House of Representatives Committee on Works, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kabir, gave the deadline during an oversight visit of roads in Lagos and the South West on Tuesday.

The lawmakers decried the delay in the completion of the project, which started in 2013 but promised to resolve the funding issues slowing down the project.

The lawmakers insisted that the bridges added to the original road project in 2018 must also be completed by 2022.

The committee’s chairman said the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was one of the projects funded through the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and assured of increased funding.

Kabir said the contractors had achieved significant progress to be able to meet the completion deadline because the Buhari rigime was exploring various funding options to ensure adequate timely financing of the project.

“The contractors, the Director, Federal Highways, South West, have assured us of the timely completion of the project.

“And the only challenge we have is the issue of compensations.

“We are going to discuss how we can assist the contractors and the Federal Ministry of Works to resolve the issues of compensations, relocation of services so that the contractors will finish the project before May 2022.

“We want President Buhari and the entire cabinet and the National Assembly to come here and celebrate with the people of Lagos and South West on this important project,” he said.

The Director, Federal Highways, South West, Mr Adedamola Kuti, explained to the lawmakers the reason for a flyover bridge located near Mountain of Fire Ministry.

Kuti said the high population and vehicular movement around the axis required the transfer of traffic through the overpass for those going to various communities.

Kuti thanked Lagos and South West residents, as well as the entire citizens of Nigeria for thier cooperation and understanding during the construction.

ASUU to begin warning strike in Yobe June 8

NewsWireNGR
-
0
ASUU to begin warning strike in Yobe June 8

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State chapter, is set to commence a two-week warning strike in Damaturu from Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

ASUU resorted to the strike due, reportedly, to government’s failure to meet its members’ demands. Chairman of ASUU in the state, Mohammed Saje, in a letter to the Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University (YSU), Prof. Mala Daura, disclosed: “I wish to inform you that the ASUU Congress has resolved and directed its members to embark on a warning strike on Tuesday, June 8, 2021” if their demands are not met.

However, Chairman of the Presidential Visitation Panel for Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Professor David Ker, has said that the only way to end the face-off between government and lecturers is to grant universities full autonomy.

Ker, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday in Yola after concluding his assignment, pointed out that universities’ governing councils were the only legal body to take final decision on matters affecting the institutions.

“Governing council appointed by government is the right body to make decisions. It represented federal or state government in the universities they are appointed to head. So, allow them to run the universities. This will end government and universities’ union face-off, which is affecting the academic calendar,” he said.

Buhari’s Deleted Tweet: FG accuse Twitter of double standards

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Buhari’s Deleted Tweet: FG accuse Twitter of double standards

The Federal Government has accused Twitter of playing double standards as the social media giant deleted a tweet where President Muhammadu Buhari threatened a repeat of what happened in the civil war.

According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Twitter had earlier ignored inciting tweets by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and his cohorts, but were quick to delete the message of the president.

Mr Buhari had in a series of tweets on Tuesday night warned assailants attacking police stations and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to desist from such acts.

He then warned “many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”

Twitter however deleted the tweet after a lot of Nigerians reported the tweet. Explaining the reason behind deleting the tweet, Twitter wrote in a terse statement that “This tweet violated the Twitter Rules”.

Reacting to the incident, the minister of Information said, “Twitter may have its own rules; it’s not the universal rule. If Mr. President, anywhere in the world feels very bad and concern about a situation, he is free to express such views. Now, we should stop comparing apples with oranges. If an organisation is proscribed, it is different from any other which is not proscribed.

“Two, any organisation that gives directives to its members, to attack police stations, to kill policemen, to attack correctional centres, to kill warders, and you are now saying that Mr. President does not have the right to express his dismay and anger about that? We are the ones guilty of double standards.

“I don’t see anywhere in the world where an organisation, a person will stay somewhere outside Nigeria, and will direct his members to attack the symbols of authority, the police, the military, especially when that organisation has been proscribed. By whatever name, you can’t justify giving orders to kill policemen or to kill anybody you do not agree with.”

Edo PDP chairman has been suspended

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Edo PDP chairman has been suspended

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, have been suspended over alleged misconduct said to have caused disaffection within the party.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare on Wednesday, the decision was taken at a State Working Committee meeting that held at the state party secretariat on Tuesday, with two-third majority of members resolving in a motion that the state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, should step aside from his position.

The party leaders also resolved that the State Deputy Chairman, Harrison Omagbon, will act as chairman until the determination of the allegations levied against Aziegbemi.

The statement further read, “An Investigative Committee is hereby set up, headed by the State Legal Adviser Barr. Arthur Esene, and is mandated to report back to the Working Committee within one week. Other members of the Committee are Mrs. Linsdale Tes Sorae (State Woman Leader) and Dr. Wilson Imongan (State Auditor).

“Amongst the allegations, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, was accused of gross misconduct by brewing unnecessary tension and disunity among party members in the state in a manner akin to bringing the party into disrepute.

“This decision hard as it is, is designed to bring sanity back to our party.

It would be like ignoring the elephant in the room if we ignore this macabre dance as Edo people have watched in utter amazement and disappointment how Aziegbemi has been roped and entangled by his actions and unfortunately too, his inactions in the management of the affairs of the party.

“We are a very disciplined party and pride ourselves as organised and focused on service delivery to our teeming supporters and of course Edo people.

“We urge our members and supporters to please remain calm as we embark on this self-cleansing exercise. PDP is listening to the cries of Edo people.” the statement read.

BREAKING: Twitter deletes Buhari’s “civil war” tweet for violating rules

NewsWireNGR
-
0
BREAKING: Twitter deletes Buhari’s “civil war” tweet for violating rules

Twitter has deleted a tweet where President Muhammadu Buhari threatened a repeat of what happened in the civil war.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.

“We are going to be very hard sooner than later,” Mr Buhari had said in a statement that has since stirred outburst on social media.

Checks by NewsWireNGR has however revealed that the specific tweet has been deleted after a lot of angered Nigerians reported the tweet for threatening violence against a people.

And the President’s account may further be suspended for 24 hours for violating the Twitter rules of engagement.

“This tweet violated the Twitter Rules,” the company wrote in a terse post.

The threat of violence was contained in a statement shared after the president received a briefing from Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on a series of attacks on facilities of the electoral body round the country on Tuesday.

A lot of people who were angered by the president’s statement claim that the reference to the civil war just a day after the Biafra remembrance day, on May 31st further proved the President’s dislike for the Igbo people.

They said it is an example of the institutionalised Igbophobia and has formed the basis of why a sizable amount of the Igbo people have been calling for a secession from the Nigerian federation.

Federal Government to raise health workers’ retirement age, hazard allowance

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Federal Government to raise health workers’ retirement age, hazard allowance

The Federal Government has dangled an offer to increase hazard allowance of N5000 for all health workers in its health establishments in the country by 350 per cent and 600 per cent increments for junior and senior workers respectively.

The government also agreed to increase the retirement age of Doctors and other health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for Consultants.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, announced these on Tuesday night after a meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of all the professional bodies and unions in the health sector.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, said the meeting which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa Abuja, deliberated on the issue of hazard allowance and retirement age for health workers in government health establishments.

Ngige told Journalists that the Federal Government has moved up from the N5000 monthly hazard allowance paid to all health workers in Nigeria, offering 350 per cent and 600 per cent increments for junior workers and senior workers respectively.

According to him, the government representatives led by the Minister of State for Budget and Planning, gave a counter-offer to the earlier submissions made by the Nigerian Medical Association and affiliate associations and the Joint Health Sector Unions.

He said, “The government side gave them that offer based on the reality that we have on ground, that the economy is not doing very well and the capital component of the budget is actually being funded on borrowing. The earnings of the government have also drastically gone down.

“So, they are going back to their people with the government offer and they asked for two weeks adjournment to enable them to conclude consultation with their members and report back to us.”

Ngige said they agreed that the offers should be left as it is until both parties go back for consultations with their members and return in two weeks time for further negotiations.

“But we moved from the N5000 hazard allowance per month, which was long forgotten until COVID – 19 struck. During COVID – 19, the government spent about N31billion for three months.

“So, I think the government side has offered things that are very reasonable, increasing the former positions of junior and senior health workers. Junior workers had 350 per cent rise and senior workers had about 600 per cent.”

Earlier while making opening remarks, Ngige said the Federal Government has agreed in principle to increase the retirement age of doctors and other health workers from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants.

Others who attended the meeting from the government side included the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Enahire, and Ministers of State (Health), Dr. Olorunimbe Mamora; (Budget and Planning), Clems Agba and (Labour and Employment), Festus Keyamo.

Senate passes bill seeking to end HND-BSc dichotomy

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Senate passes bill seeking to end HND-BSc dichotomy

The Senate has passed to third reading a bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between higher national diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree.

The bill passed third reading on Wednesday after Ahmad Kaita, chairman of the committee on tertiary institutions, presented a report and six clauses were voted on by the senators.

More details shortly

“From the investigation so far, it appeared that he was trailed and shot” – Police confirm the murder of AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd)

NewsWireNGR
-
0
“From the investigation so far, it appeared that he was trailed and shot” – Police confirm the murder of AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd)

The Plateau State Police Command said it has arrested some suspected killers of AIG Christopher Dega (retd.), a Senior Special Assistant to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Security.

The governor’s aide was killed in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Sources tell NewsWireNGR, he was shot in the chest several times until he bled to death.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau, Ubah Ogaba, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement read, “The Plateau State Police Command on a sad note received an ugly report of the death of AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd).

“On 31/05/2021 at about 2030hrs, AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd) was shot dead by three yet to be identified gunmen in an isolated restaurant at Bukuru, Jos.

“From the investigation so far, it appeared that he was trailed and shot.

“He arrived at Jos from Makurdi on the same date at about 1930hrs.

“Some suspects have been arrested. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing.” The statement reads in parts.

Mr. Dega, until the time of his death was a Senior Adviser to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Security.

He had a brilliant career in the Nigerian Police Force and was two times commissioner of Police (Borno and Edo States)

Mr. Dega is survived by his wife Kashimana, Son, Siblings, In-laws, Friends.

BREAKING: Gunmen kill Ortom’s senior security aide in Jos

NewsWireNGR
-
0
BREAKING: Gunmen kill Ortom’s senior security aide in Jos

Unidentified gunmen, on Tuesday killed a Senior Adviser to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Security, Christopher Dega in Jos, Plateau State Capital.

NewsWireNGR learnt from a report by TVC that Dega, a retired Assistant Inspector General was shot in the chest several times and bled to death.

He had a brilliant career in the Nigerian Police Force and was two times commissioner of Police (Borno and Edo States).

He hailed from Katsina Ala local government area in Benue state.

Mr. Dega is survived by his wife Kashimana, Son, Siblings, In-laws, Friends.

More details shortly…

‘Insecurity was worse under PDP but Buhari is restoring peace’ – APC says

NewsWireNGR
-
0
‘Insecurity was worse under PDP but Buhari is restoring peace’ – APC says

The All Progressives Congress, APC has again chided opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party PDP for lamenting the increasing spate of insecurity across the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ruling party said it inherited the insurgency problem from the 16 years of PDP era and it has been working tirelessly to find a solution.

According to the statement by John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the APC caretaker committee, the insecurity during the PDP government was worse than the APC as there were bomb attacks in public places like markets and worship centres. But these have reduced under the APC government.

“Nigerians can recall that the insurgents once attacked places of worship, markets and gathering of citizens in many states of the Federation before the APC administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari galvanised and equipped the armed forces to degrade their capacity to strike all over the country,” Akpanudoedehe said.

“It is ironic that the dictator at the Rivers State government house has forgotten so soon that kidnapping for ransom, like the Boko Haram insurgency, did not start under this administration, but every effort is being made to stop it along with its twin evil of banditry.

“The APC administration has consistently worked for the best interest of Nigeria and will not be distracted by the antics of the PDP designed to mislead Nigerians into assuming that the PDP they rejected in free and fair elections in 2015 and 2019 is worthy of their trust.

“A leopard cannot change its spots. The PDP is clearly in disarray. It was a failure in governance and a shocking failure as an opposition party.

“Nigerians cannot risk the country’s future in the hands of the same political party that brought the rot the APC administration is clearing.”

The APC statement was a response to an earlier comment of PDP’s Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that condemned the Buhari-led administration for the worsening security state of the country.

Niger Abductions: Bandits demand N110million ransom

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Niger Abductions: Bandits demand N110million ransom

Bandits have demanded N110millipn ransom for the release of 156 Islamiyya students abducted in Niger state.

Recall that the students of Salihu Tanko islamiyya school were abducted in Tegina town in Rafi LGA on Sunday.

The headmaster of the school, Abubakar Alhassan, told journalists on Wednesday that the abductors had contacted the school to demand the ransom on Monday.

He also said the bandits confirmed having a total of 156 students in their custody.

He said the bandits threatened to kill all the children in captivity if they fail to pay the demanded ransom.

“I was baffled when the kidnappers declared to me that the sum of N110m should be paid to secure the release of the pupils and threatened to kill all the children if the money is not paid by the end of yesterday,(Tuesday), he said.

However, the chief press secretary to Niger governor, the state government, Mary Noel-Berje, said it would not pay ransom to the bandits but would consider negotiations.

“We don’t pay ransom to abductors. We are trying to negotiate to see how we can bring them back safely,” her statement partly read.

1...1,7851,7861,787...4,398Page 1,786 of 4,398