Category Archives: Edu-NATION

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: Sanwo olu announces resumption dates for Lagos schools

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– 6:08 PM –

After months of being shut down, schools in Lagos are set to re-open in September, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed on Saturday.

The Governor, in a regular briefing on the state’s COVID-19 status, said tertiary institutions in the state will re-open from September 14.

Primary and secondary schools are also tentatively scheduled to re-open from September 21.

“This decision is not cast in stone and is subject to review of our ongoing modelling and what procedure comes out from the Ministry of Health,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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– 6:12 PM – 

The Governor explained that the decision was based on indications that the pandemic has peaked in the state, as the number of new cases continues to steadily decline.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated that restaurants are now permitted to open for in-dining services in the state, although they must continue to ensure spaces are only filled up to 50 percent capacity at all times.

On the re-opening of event centres, bars, night clubs, beaches, cinemas, the Governor said a review will be done in September to decide whether to allow a re-opening of such public spaces.

Responding to a question on whether the Federal Government’s 10 pm curfew still holds in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu replied in the affirmative.

“These are challenging times for all of us,” he said.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

Edo gets $75m world bank loan for education sector revamp – Obaseki.

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The World Bank has approved a $75 million facility to support the Edo State government’s effort at revamping its education sector.

Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to Usen in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state for his re-election campaign rally.

He noted that the Board of the World Bank gave the approval on Wednesday, saying it was in recognition of the successes recorded by his administration in the education sector.

“I am very glad to inform you that our efforts in revamping education in Edo State and Nigeria have now been richly rewarded.

“Yesterday, the Board of the World Bank approved a $75 million facility for the revamping of education in Edo State,” the governor told a crowd of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the rally.

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According to Governor, education is very important and the state government has begun working to reposition and re-enact the sector, starting with the basic education.

He added, “What that means is that over the next three years, we will have about N40 billion to utilise in changing the face of education in Edo and Nigeria.

“This is because of the fantastic work which members of our team have undertaken in the past few years to show the world what we can do with our educational system.”

The governor gave an assurance that the loan would be utilised to change the face of education in the state for the next three years.

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He believes the intervention fund will help to expand the existing Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme from the basic education level to the secondary level, as well as reset tertiary education system in the state on the path of progress.

Governor Obaseki commended his cabinet members for the successes recorded in the education sector, stressing that he was not afraid of signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) whenever the need arise following the progress made so far.

“It will interest you to know that this facility will help us at the secondary school level to do what we have started doing at the basic education level so that by the time a child has gone through five years of learning, that child will be exposed not only to learning and literacy but also to a vocation.

“This is the last time in our history that our education system will produce ‘Agberos’,” the governor stated.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: 6-year-old and above to wear masks in Spain.

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Children above the age of six in Spain will be required to wear face masks at school at all times, the government said Thursday, as it seeks to restart lessons despite a surge in coronavirus infections.

“The use of masks will be mandatory in general from the age of six, even if social distance is maintained,” Education Minister Isabel Celaa told a news conference ahead of schools’ reopening next month.

Spain’s 17 regional governments, which are responsible for health care and education, have in recent days outlined a patchwork of different measures, leading critics to charge there was a lack of coordination.

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The northern region of Cantabria’s requirement for children as young as three to wear masks sparked particular controversy.

As well as mask-wearing, pupils will also have to maintain a social distance of 1.5 metres (five feet) from each other, Celaa said, except for young children who will be allowed to mix only with their classmates but not with outsiders.

Other measures include requiring children to wash their hands at least five times a day, regularly ventilating classrooms and taking pupils’ temperature.

The goal is for children return to schools instead of having online lessons as they did at the end of the last school term due to the pandemic.

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“We aim for all students to be present,” Celaa said.

Spain’s schools shut in mid-March when the country imposed a strict three-month lockdown to curb the spread of the virus and have not re-opened since.

New cases are growing at one of the fastest rates in Europe and debate has raged in Spain over how to protect children from infection in schools.

Some parents say they will refuse to send their children back to class because they fear it won’t be safe.

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The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Spain, a nation of around 47 million people, surpassed 400,000 this week. Nearly 29,000 people have died, one of the world’s highest tolls.

Against this backdrop, local authorities have toughened measures to curb the spread of the virus. Madrid city hall announced Thursday that public swimming pools would close on September 1 and parks will be closed at night.

The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, which include holiday hotspots Ibiza and Mallorca, announced Wednesday that beaches would be shut at night.

With nightclubs and bars closed across Spain, many young people have taken to gathering and drinking in parks and on beaches at night.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: Britain reverse face mask policy.

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The government has reversed policy on wearing facemasks in schools in England, sparking fresh criticism about its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ministers had insisted face coverings were not necessary when children go back to school from next week after nearly six months out of the classroom amid concern about a rise in infections.

But in new guidance late Tuesday, the British government advised that secondary school students and staff should wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas.

The change is being seen as another U-turn, just weeks after ministers were forced to scrap the use of an algorithm which gave 17- and 18-year-olds lower-than-expected exam grades.

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Teaching unions have been calling for English schools to follow guidance in Scotland, which has a separate education system, that requires pupils to cover their nose and mouth between lessons.

But while welcoming the change, critics including the main opposition Labour party said ministers had shirked their responsibility by leaving enforcement to individual schools.

Labour’s education spokeswoman Kate Green slammed a “half-baked U-turn”. “The government should have given clear guidance and a plan to deliver it,” she said.

Under-fire Education Secretary Gavin Williamson had insisted masks were not required in schools and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said there was no plan to review the policy.

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But Williamson, widely blamed for the furore over exam results, on Wednesday said the government would now follow World Health Organization advice for children aged 12 and over to wear masks.

“Outside of local lockdown areas face coverings won’t be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances,” he said on Wednesday.

In this file photo taken on April 12, 2020. A handout image released by 10 Downing Street, shows Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he delivers a television address after returning to 10 Downing Street after being discharged from St Thomas’ Hospital, in central London on April 12, 2020. Pippa FOWLES / 10 Downing Street / AFP.

“I hope these steps will provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance.”

Some 41,500 people have died in the coronavirus outbreak in Britain — the worst death toll in Europe — and the government response to the pandemic has been criticised.

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Ministers were accused of not reacting quickly enough, failing to ensure enough protective equipment for frontline health and social care workers, and over the testing regime.

London reversed policy on the wearing of facemasks in shops in England after initially saying they were not necessary, and was forced to backtrack on a planned reopening of primary schools in July.

Education is a devolved issue for regional governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Older students in Northern Ireland will be asked to wear face coverings outside classrooms from next week. The Welsh Assembly in Cardiff is due to make its decision on Wednesday.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

UNILAG crisis: Court strikes out all cases.

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The National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has struck out two cases in respect of the crisis rocking the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Justice Jeremiah Essien struck out the suits on Tuesday following the formal withdrawal of the applications filed by lawyers in relation to the crisis.

One of the suits was filed by Professor Olutoyin Ogundipe to challenge his removal as the vice-chancellor by the Governing Council under the chairmanship of Dr. Wale Babalakin – a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The other suit was filed by the Senate of the university to challenge Professor Ogundipe’s removal and his replacement with Professor Theophilus Soyombo by the governing council.

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In the first case, Professor Ogundipe’s lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), told the court that their client had filed a notice of discontinuance.

The lawyers also drew the attention of the court to certain news reports in the media which falsely indicated that the court sat on Friday last week and refused an ex-parte application filed by Professor Ogundipe.

Justice Essien dismissed the news and said that since he did not sit on the case formally, such a report must be part of the fake news menace currently plaguing the nation.

Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), who represented the university’s Senate, also applied for the withdrawal of the suit filed by the Senate.

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There was no objection to the withdrawal of both suits by Mr Tola Oshobi (SAN), who represented Dr Babalakin in both cases.

Following the applications for withdrawal, Justice Essien struck out the suits.

He encouraged authorities of the institution to resolve the raging controversy amicably, stressing that such was not good for the image of a university.

The judge also said he was glad that the parties elected to withdraw the suit, thereby saving him from having to make pronouncements.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: NIDCOM issue warning to Parents

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The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has warned parents against sending their children to schools in Northern Cyprus.

This follows several incessant and mysterious killing of Nigerians in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this on Monday when she received a delegation at her office, led by Justice Amina Bello, mother of a Nigerian student, Ibrahim Khaleel, who was allegedly killed in that country.

She called on parents to be weary of sending their wards to Northern Cyprus as the country is not recognized by the United Nations except the Republic of Turkey, adding that Nigeria has no diplomatic ties with that country.

The NIDCOM boss, however, insisted that the country should be blacklisted given the preponderance of Nigerian students who have died mysteriously in that country without any prosecution or compensation whatsoever.

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“The time has come for us to blacklist all these Universities in Northern Cyprus and advise our students from seeking any form of admission there as it portends danger to their life and future”.

Read Full Statement Below:

*DEATH OF IBRAHIM KHALEEL BELLO: NIDCOM DEMANDS JUSTICE, URGES STUDENTS TO AVOID NORTHERN CYPRUS UNIVERSITIES

Abuja, Aug. 24, 2020 .
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has demanded that justice must be served accordingly on the sudden death of a 25-year old Nigerian student in Northern Cyprus, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel Bello and others killed in such mysterious circumstances in the country.

She made this passionate plea following a petition by Hon. Justice Amina Ahmad Bello, a Judge in Kaduna state High Court on the mysterious and , inexplicable death of her son, a third-year civil Engineering Degree student of Girne American University in Girne (Kyrenia), Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ( TRNC) via Mersin 10, Turkey in Abuja on Monday.

Dabiri-Erewa called on parents to be weary of sending their wards to Northern Cyprus as the country is not recognized by the United Nations except the Republic of Turkey, adding that Nigeria has no diplomatic ties with that country.

She insisted that the Country should be blacklisted given the preponderance of Nigerian Students who have died mysteriously in that country without any prosecution or compensation whatsoever.

She assured the delegation led by Justice Bello, that NIDCOM will work with the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Mission in Turkey and other relevant agencies to ensure justice is done , saying “ the death of Ibrahim khaleel Bello should be a tipping point to end the continuous killings of Nigerian students in that Country.”

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated her appeals to Nigerian parents to desist in sending their children to Northern Cyprus for any studies as most of the courses are not accredited and they end up killing the children., many of them unreported .

” The time has come for us to blacklist all these Universities in Northern Cyprus and advise our students from seeking any form of admission there as it portends danger to their life and future”, she said.

She added that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has already reported the matter to Interpol for further investigation.

Earlier in an emotion-laden voice, Justice Amina Ahmad Bello, mother of the deceased, said her insistence on justice was not only for her son but also other Nigerian Students who have died mysteriously in the Girne American University Girne (Kyrenia), and other Universities in Northern Cyprus.

She narrated how her son was allegedly murdered and covered up by the authorities in Northern Cyprus as welll as the University authorities claiming it was a suicide mission having fallen from a seven-storey building.

She insisted that the report be investigated and all those found culpable be prosecuted as there was nothing to show that her son committed suicide.

Justice Bello said hours before her son was killed, she spoke with him, and he was expressing fears on his safety in the University environment.

” I don’t believe it was an accident or a suicide as I went to Cyprus barely 24 hours it happened and got to the mortuary where there was no scratch or wound on his body.

” I suspected foul play that my son was killed as the school was non- challant in breaking the news to me on my arrival there”

Justice Bello said hours before the boy died, he sent her a WhatsApp message that ” Mama, Please I want to come back home. Wallahi if i stay here, I will just die here without anybody batting an eyelash. I just need to come back home. Mama please try to understand that this isn’t a place for me”.

She alleged that it is possible some of the killed Nigerian students’ vital organs were harvested as her son’s stomach was opened and sutured when the corpse was finally released.

The late Ibrahim Khaleel Bello was among about 100 Nigerians killed and murdered in mysterious circumstances from 2016 to 2020 without prosecuting any of the assailants.

Other victims include, Kennedy Taomwabwa Dede, 28, student of Eastern Mediterranean University and was killed on Feb. 1, 2018, Walshak Augustine Ngok, a student of Marine Engineering at Near East University, murdered on April 19, 2019.

Others were Gabriel Soriwei, a first-year student of Electrical Electronics of Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Osabanjo Adeola Owoyale, 33, went missing and found dead on July 1, 2019.

The list includes Augustine Wallies killed on April 19, 2019, Stanley Eteimo, 28 years, Hassan Babatunde, 28, murdered, Temitayo Adigun, killed, Kubiat Abasi Abraham Okon, 24, killed, Oziegbe Gospower Airekugose and Olasubomi Ope among others not reported.

Signed
Gabriel Odu,
Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit,
NIDCOM ok

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

UNILAG crisis: Alumni reverse suit tackling Ogundipe’s romoval as VC.

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The Senate of the University of Lagos has filed a notice of discontinuance of a suit challenging the sack of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The notice of discontinuance dated August 24, 2020, was filed through the lawyer of the university’s senate, Professor Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In the suit filed before the National Industrial Court, the university’s senate had kicked against Ogundipe’s sacking by the Governing Council of the institution and his subsequent replacement with Professor Theophilus Soyombo, as acting vice-chancellor.

Apart from the governing council, the senate had listed its now suspended Pro-Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN); the Registrar, Mr Oladejo Azeez; Professor Soyombo and Professor Ogundipe as defendants in the suit.

It also asked the court to declare that Professor Ogundipe’s purported removal by the Governing Council vide an August 12, 2020 letter did not follow due process and was null and void.

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The Senate had asked the court to restrain Professor Soyombo from parading himself as the acting vice-chancellor of UNILAG.

However, Professor Osipitan explained that the decision of the senate to withdraw the suit followed the ‘latest developments’ on the issue.

On Friday last week, President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended both Dr Babalakin and Professor Ogundipe.

The President also reversed Professor Soyombo’s appointment as acting the acting vice-chancellor of the university.

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Three days later, the university’s Senate elected Professor Folasade Ogunsola as the acting vice-chancellor of UNILAG – the first female to hold such a position in the institution.

Professor Ogunsola, who was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of Development Services, contested the position along with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Management Services.

Of the 167 senate members who voted in the exercise, Professor Ogunsola garnered 135 votes as against the DVC Management Services who polled 31 votes, while one voided vote was recorded.

She is expected to act in the new role until the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: Please bear with us – Minister Emeka

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The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba wants students to exercise more patience as Nigeria mulls the reopening of schools after months of forced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nwajiuba who praised the students for their patience since schools were shut down in the country, gave an assurance that the Federal Ministry of Education is working with stakeholders for the safe reopening of the education centres.

“I urge our students who have actually exercised a lot of patience along with their parents … I urge you to bear with us a little bit more. The rioting needs to stop; there is nothing to riot about,” the minister stated during Monday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

Nwajiuba disclosed that there have been moves to safely reopen schools, noting that the guidelines for such have been given to higher institutions, with a number of them already expressing their commitment to adhere to the protocols.

He expressed confidence that relevant authorities would soon give a nod to the resumption of classes.

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“We don’t want to bandy around dates,” he said, “We remain positive.”

According to the Minister, the Federal Government is also in negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), reiterating that every player in the education sector is engaged on the reopening of schools.

“The PTF profiles for us a national response and everyone can tee off from there,” he added.

As part of measures to contain the spread of the pandemic in the country, the Federal Ministry of Education on March 19, 2020, ordered the immediate closure of tertiary institutions, secondary as well as primary schools nationwide.

#Newsworthy..

Edu-NATION

UNILAG crisis: Prof. Folasade Ogunsola retains seat as Acting VC elect.

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Senate members of the University of Lagos on Monday elected Professor Folasade Ogunsola as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the school.

Until her election, she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Development Services.

She was also the provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

Professor Ogunsola’s research areas have been centered on the regulation and management of viral diseases, particularly HIV.

She is the principal investigator at AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) at the University of Lagos and has been the chairman of the Infection Control Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Furthermore, she is the chairman of the National Association of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria.

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Professor Ogunsola is expected to act in the new role until the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Step Aside
This election follows the Federal Government’s directive that the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Wale Babalakin, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the panel.

The Federal Government gave the directive last Friday in a press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong.

It states, “Government also directs the Senate of the University of Lagos to immediately convene to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the Governing Council,” the statement added.

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Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.

Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process had not been followed.

The University’s Senate, alumni, and labour unions also put out statements saying the due process had not been followed.

But Babalakin, in several media reactions, insisted that due process had been complied with in terminating Ogundipe’s appointment.

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The Presidential Panel, made up of seven members, is expected to determine whether the required steps were taken by the Council in sacking Ogundipe.

They are also expected “to make appropriate recommendations including sanctions for all those found culpable” in the investigation, which is expected to last for two weeks.

The panel will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on August 26.

Members of the panel include Professor Tukur Sa’ad (Chairman), Barrister Victor Onuoha, Professor Ikenna Onyido, Professor Ekanem Braide, Professor Adamu K. Usman, Chief Jimoh Bankole and Barrister Grace Ekanem (Secretary).

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

UNILAG crisis: Recuse yourselves from official duties – FG orders Babalakin and Ogundipe.

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– 09:55 PM –

The Federal Government on Friday directed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, Wale Babalakin, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President.

The information was announced in a press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong.

More details to follow . . .

– 10:00 PM – Don't engage in further official duties - FG to UNILAG's Babalakin and Ogundipe

Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.

Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process had not been followed.

The University’s Senate, alumni, and labour unions also put out statements saying the due process had not been followed.

But Babalakin, in several media reactions, insisted that due process had been complied with in terminating Ogundipe’s appointment.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

COVID-19: Kwara State infected student writes WAEC from Isolation centre.

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A Senior Secondary School student in her final year, infected with COVID-19, is writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in Kwara State.

Unlike her colleagues who are present at the respective venues in the state, the patient is taking the examination from an isolation centre where she is being monitored.

Media visited the Kwara State COVID-19 Infectious Disease Centre in Ilorin, the state capital on Wednesday.

The 16-year-old female student, whose name and school were withheld to avoid stigma, wrote her Agricultural Science paper under close supervision by an official of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

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The Team Lead/Manager Case Management Team at the centre, Dr Kudirat Oladeji-Lambe, briefed reporters on the health status of the patient.

She said, “She (the patient) is asymptomatic, which means she does not show any symptoms and she’s stable. She is just here to observe her two weeks isolation process.”

This photo taken on August 19, 2020, shows a WAEC examination paper of the infected student at the Infectious Disease Centre in Ilorin. (Noble Reporters Media / Adigun Michael Olamide)

Oladeji-Lambe confirmed that the patient was mentally and physically fit to write her examinations, adding that she had a contact with a close relative of her who tested positive.

She disclosed that the patient ended up at the isolation centre after she was confirmed positive for COVID-19 through contact tracing.

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“The candidate was admitted yesterday (Tuesday). She missed a paper yesterday and we informed the authorities because as child advocates, once she had enrolled for WAEC, the government felt she has the right to write her papers.

“That’s why the state government thought it wise to arrange for her in order not to miss other papers,” said the medical practitioner.

She added, “The state government deemed it fit to arrange for her to have a safe place for her to write the exam without the fear of stigmatisation or risk to other students.”

A photo taken on August 19, 2020, shows the infected student while writing an examination at the Infectious Disease Centre in Ilorin. (Noble Reporters Media / Adigun Michael Olamide)

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Kwara State has confirmed 913 cases of COVID-19, out of which 244 are active with 646 recoveries and 23 fatalities.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

Ignore ASUU lies, we remitted N200m to Ekiti – EKSU

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The Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University(EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, has disclosed that the university has paid a sum of N203, 206,812.62 to the coffers of the State’s Internal Revenue service out of the unremitted tax he inherited from his predecessor, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele.

Olanipekun faulted the claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) that the current Governing Council, led by Prof.Tale Omole lacked the capacity to turn around the institution and to resolve some of the problems confronting the ivory tower.

ASUU, had last week descended on the management and governing council of the institution, accusing the duo of incompetence in the running of the university among other allegations bordering on fraud.

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Olanipekun, in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Head of Corporate Affairs, Bode Olofinmuagun, on Sunday, clarified that the COVID 19 pandemic has brought a shortfall in the finances of the institution, hence the inability to meet some of its obligations to the staff.

“It is a well-known fact that Professor Samuel Oye Bandele as Vice-Chancellor did not remit these Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions to the Internal Revenue Service during his tenure.

“However, the present leadership of the University had paid N203,206,812.62 to the coffers of the Ekiti State Inland Revenue Service since its inception to date”.

Olanipekun insisted that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, has demonstrated uncommon dexterity in the payment of N1.368 billion out of the inherited N1.914 cooperative deductions from the immediate past administration.

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“For the records, it should be noted that the current Governing Council which was inaugurated on January 28, 2019, met the sum of N1, 914,867,338.00 as accumulated unpaid cooperative money owed members of staff by the previous administration.

File photo: Ekiti state university

“Within a year, a sum of N1,368,008,446.74 was paid to offset part of the accumulated debts arising from the unpaid cooperative deductions.

“Again, unlike what it met on the ground prior to its inauguration, this current Council has ensured that staff gross salaries were paid as and when due until the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively affected the finances of the university,”.

Olanipekun, who maintained that Governor Kayode Fayemi is committed to making the university a real citadel of learning, said his government had released a sum of over N32 million to facilitate the accreditation of the MBBS programme, which had been neglected for many years.

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“Governor Fayemi also donated a 32-Seater Bus to the College of Medicine to meet part of the requirements for the accreditation of the Medical programme.

“Government released a sum of N50m to facilitate and purchase the necessary equipment for the accreditation of 18 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of the University that were presented to the National Universities Commission in November/December 2019. All the programmes had full accreditation.

“Sadly, the recent inability of the University to meet part of its financial obligations, especially the non-remittance of some salary-related deductions, is not unconnected with the lockdown which has seriously affected the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University”.

Olanipekun advised ASUU, as partners in progress, to join hands with the current leadership of the university in its drive to find lasting solutions to the financial crisis confronting the university, rather than aggravating it through unnecessary and unprovoked attacks.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: Delta gov approves another three for JSS exams.

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The Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved additional three private schools as centres for the 2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) being organised by the National Examination Council (NECO).

The Commissioner, Mr Patrick Ukah in a statement listed the schools as Patricia High School, Asaba, Infant Jesus Academy, Asaba, and Marymount College, Agbor.

According to him, 43 private schools had earlier been approved as centres for the BECE by NECO which is different from that organised by the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

Noble Reporters Media reports that BECE by NECO will begin on Aug. 24, while that organised by the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education will start on Sept. 21.

“JSS 3 students writing the NECO examination are expected to have resumed school for their revision, while those sitting for the state examination are expected back to school on Sept. 8,” he said.c

The commissioner advised management of the approved schools to adhere strictly to laid down COVID-19 protocols during the period.

“As the committee set up to monitor compliance will be visiting the schools regularly and any of the schools found not to be complying will be closed down.

#Newsworthy…

  • Quote Of The Day
    – Roy T. Bennett
  • COVID-19: Nigeria reports 221 cases; total cases nears 57,000.
    Ogun state and Osun ties with 3 cases each as Bayelsa, Edo and Kano State reports lowest cases of 1 each.
  • Breaking: Thousands infected with ‘Brucellosis’ after China lab leaks.
    Chinese authorities found a biopharmaceutical plant had used expired disinfectant in its production of Brucella vaccines for animals between July and August last year — meaning the bacteria was not eradicated in its factory exhaust.
  • Douye Diri calls to amicably resolve dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa.
    The governor said his administration would engage security agencies on the need to curtail acts of lawlessness, particularly in the Oluasiri axis of the state.
  • Many Nigerians feud as FIRS enforces Bank self certification.
    The new requirement by the agency of the Nigerian government was not accepted by many Nigerians who criticised the government’s inability to harness all the data collected from people in the past.
  • Quote Of The Day
    ― Eleanor Roosevelt
  • COVID-19: Nigeria reports 131 cases
    131 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-45 Kaduna-17 Plateau-17 FCT-16 Delta-6 Niger-6 Kwara-5 Oyo-3 Akwa Ibom-2 Cross River-2 Ekiti-2 Enugu-2 Osun-2 Sokoto-2 Bauchi-1 Ebonyi-1 Katsina-1 Rivers-1 56,735 confirmed 48,092 discharged 1,093 deaths
  • UNILAG Crisis: Babalakin resign as Pro-Chancellor.
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Edu-NATION

Update: UNILAG alumni demands reversal of vice chancellor’s sack.

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The Alumni Association of the University of Lagos has advised the school’s Governing Council to rescind its decision to sack Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor.

The Alumni Association offered the counsel on Friday after an emergency meeting was held.

“Without prejudice to the general powers of the University Governing Council to appoint and remove a Vice Chancellor under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003 (No. 1 2007), and without apportioning any blame to either the Governing Council or the Vice Chancellor, the University of Lagos Alumni is of the view that before the Council can exercise such powers, it must follow due process, particularly as mandatorily provided under section 3(8), (9) and (10) of the Act in the removal of the Vice Chancellor and Section 3(13) in the appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor,” the Alumni Association said in a statement.

“Therefore, the Alumni counsels the Governing Council that the status quo ante the Council meeting of Wednesday, 12th August, 2020, be restored while the Alumni continues with its efforts at ensuring that lasting peace and harmony reign on the Campus as between the Council and the University Management in particular, and all sections of the University community in general, including the Senate, students, staff, all Associations, particularly ASUU, NASU, SSANU, NAAT, etc.”

The Alumni Association added that it will not “relent in its efforts” to help differing parties within the University reach an amicable resolution.

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Some union members at the University of Lagos have protested Ogundipe’s sack.

The University’s Senate, after an emergency meeting on Thursday, also rejected the Vice-Chancellor’s sack and passed vote-of-no confidence on the Governing Council.

However, in a press briefing on Friday, the University’s Pro-Chancellor, Wale Babalakin insisted that the sacking of Ogundipe was fair and followed due process.

“I assure you that there was full compliance with the law in the removal of the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

UNILAG pro chancellor insist vice Chancellor’s sack tracks due process.

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Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Wale Babalakin on Friday insisted that the sacking of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the school’s Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council was fair and followed due process.

Some union members at the University had marched with Ogundipe on Thursday, protesting his sack as Vice-Chancellor, saying it did not follow due process.

The University’s Senate, after an emergency meeting on Thursday, also rejected the Vice-Chancellor’s sack and passed vote-of-no confidence on the Governing Council.

“Due process was not followed,” the Senate said in its resolution.

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However, at the Friday press briefing held in Lagos, Babalakin re-affirmed the Governing Council’s decision and accused Ogundipe of looting the University’s resources.

“The Senate did not have a meeting, because it could not have had one,” he said. “The authority to call a meeting rests with the Vice-Chancellor and, as at the time he called the meeting, he was no longer Vice-Chancellor.

“Most people don’t know what the powers of the Council are vis-à-vis the removal of the Vice-Chancellor.

“I assure you that there was full compliance with the law in the removal of the Vice-Chancellor.”

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Babalakin said members of the Council decided to remove Ogundipe because they “want the best for the university.”

“Series of attempts were made to reconcile, but the plain truth is that Professor Ogundipe has been looting the University, and looting it recklessly,” he said. “That’s the plain truth; we shouldn’t hide it.”

Babalakin further alleged that Ogundipe had been indicted for forging documents in recruitment processes.

“There is no crisis in Unilag,” he said. “What you have is a vocal minority benefiting extensively from the resources of the university.”

#Newsworthy…

Edu-NATION

As school resumes: Kaduna schools to resume for JSS 3 students

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The Kaduna State government has announced the resumption of classes for Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 students in the state.

In a statement on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Education, Phoebe Yayi, revealed that the government has approved Sunday and Monday next week as the resumption dates for the students.

She explained that the decision was taken to allow the students prepare for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) scheduled to commence on August 24.

The government also directed all school principals to make arrangements to receive the JSS3 boarding students on Sunday, and the day students on Monday, in line with the COVID-19 regulations of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

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“All administrators of public and private schools are to note that, the one-week period starting from Sunday, 16th August, is to allow them to make necessary preparations to accommodate the JSS 3 students in line with the COVID-19 guidelines in place as it were in the case of the SS3 students.

“Proprietors of private schools are expected to comply accordingly through the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority and are advised to ensure proper arrangements for safe transportation of their students to and from schools,” the statement said.

(FILE) Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai speaks during a meeting with religious leaders over the Southern Kaduna killings on August 13, 2020. (Noble Reporters Media / Oyeyemi Gafar)

Yayi assured residents of the state that the government would continue the e-learning education programme via Google classrooms, radio and television stations, as well as other online applications until full normalcy was returned to the academic environment.

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She commended all partners in the education sector, non-governmental organisations, Parents Teachers Associations (PTA), proprietors of private schools, old students’ associations, and the media, among others for their continued support and understanding.

In compliance with the advice by the Federal Ministry of Education on the reopening of schools for exit classes, the Kaduna State government permitted the students to resume on August 10.

This was to enable the students prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) slated for August 17.

The examination is administered by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

#Newsworthy…