The Proprietor/CEO, Caleb Group of Schools, who is also the Founder and Visitor to Caleb University, Lagos, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, has commended President Bola Tinubu, for his numerous achievements since assuming office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Adebogun is a Harvard scholar, an astute educationist, seasoned school administrator, leadership coach, and erudite entrepreneur of international reputation.
Dr. Adebogun in a statement signed by Dr. Elvis Otobo, listed the new Student Loan scheme as a transformative step towards ensuring sustainable higher education and skill development for Nigerian students. This bill, signed into law by President Tinubu, is expected to provide a much-needed financial lifeline to students, enabling them to pursue their academic dreams without the burden of immediate financial constraints.
He praised the new retirement age for judges in the judicial sector, which is now 70 years. The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (fifth altercation), (No. 37) bill, 2023,” was the first to be assented to by President Tinubu.
Dr. Adebogun echoed that harmonizing the retirement age of judges is a move to maintain experienced legal minds within the judicial system, which would result in quality and timely delivery of judgments.
Dr. Adebogun also commended the economic reforms initiated by President Tinubu. “These reforms, which aim to set Nigeria on a path of accelerated economic growth with a focus on productivity and ease of doing business, have already shown early signs of impressive growth, with the Minister of Finance reporting a significant increase in foreign direct investment and a boost in job creation.
“Similarly, the improvement in statutory allocations impacted positively on Federal, State, and all Local Governments in the country. which provides them with more resources to address challenges and development projects are worthy of commendation,” he said.
Lastly, the global scholar noted Nigeria’s prominent international status and the strengthening of the naira. “The country’s efforts in various sectors have improved its standing on the global stage and contributed to the strengthening of the naira against the dollar and other major currencies.
Dr. Adebogun’s recognition of these achievements underscores the positive impact of President Tinubu’s policies on the educational landscape and the broader socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Founder Caleb University, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, Commends President Tinubu on Student Loan, Others
LASU MANAGEMENT TEAM MONITORS ONGOING EXAMINATIONS AT EPE CAMPUS
As the 2023/2024 Academic Session First Semester examinations of the Lagos State University, LASU, enter the third week, this week, the University management has visited the Epe Campus to continue the inspection exercise of the examinations.
The delegation, led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan was at Epe on Thursday, 18th and Friday, 19th April, 2024, to assess progress on the ongoing examination.
The team also used the occasion to inspect some University-funded projects on the campus.
On arrival at the campus on Thursday, the team was received by the Head of Campus, Prof. Elkanah Oyetunji who guided the members on their visit to examination halls and later on to inspect some projects around the campus.
Visits were also made to the Dean, School of Agriculture, Prof. Olatunji Abanikanda, the students’ hostels, and school farm, among others.
At the end of the 2-day visit, the team lead, Prof. Omobitan expressed his satisfaction at the conduct of the exams as well as the facilities newly upgraded by the University management to enhance the stay of students, including boreholes and electricity, among others.
It will recalled that the management of LASU had commenced examination monitoring on the main campus two weeks earlier when the exercise took off.
IGP EGBETOKUN INAUGURATES STATE-OF-THE-ART POLICE COMMAND COMPLEX IN ABEOKUTA
• Approves New Area Commands for Ogun on 3 Day Working Visit to the State
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art Police Command Complex in Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The commissioning ceremony took place during the IGP’s three-day working visit to the state from Tuesday 16th April, 2024, where he also approved the establishment of three new Area Commands to enhance security operations.
The newly inaugurated Police Command Complex is equipped with 39 offices equipped with modern facilities and amenities aimed at improving the operational efficiency of the police in Ogun State. The complex includes administrative offices, specialized units, and conference facilities designed to improve policing efforts and services to the people of Ogun.
In addition to commissioning the new complex, the IGP also inaugurated a multi purpose Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun Cooperative and Event center, a fully equipped Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), and a fully equipped Complaint Response Unit (CRU) where members of the public can report police infractions and instances of incivility.
He equally approved the establishment of three new Area Commands in strategic locations across Ogun State. These Area Commands approved for Ifo, Imeko, and Idiroko areas, are intended to decentralize operations, enhance response times, and improve security coordination in the state.
During his visit, the IGP visited HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, the Alake of Egbaland, where he emphasized the importance of community policing and the need for synergy between the police and the host communities in combating crime. The monarch similarly expressed the readiness of his people to collaborate actively with the Police for the prevention, detection of crimes, and apprehension of criminal suspects.
At the Command headquarters, Eleweran, Ogun State Command, the IGP addressed officers, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, integrity, and dedication in policing. He urged officers to uphold the core values of the police force, shun corruption, and refrain from behaviour detrimental to the image of the Force.
The Inspector General of Police expressed confidence that these initiatives will strengthen the partnership between the police and the community, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure environment for all residents of Ogun State.
RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE OF NIGERIA’S FIRST LADY SUPPORTS WOMEN FARMERS
•Urges then to maximize the opportunity to enhance food sufficiency
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the South West Zone of Nigeria.
According to the First Lady, the Launch is in fulfillment of her promise to continue to promote women, particularly farmers across the Nation.
The programme which held simultaneously in three (3) other zones, namely: North Central-Plateau State; North East-Borno State; North West-Kebbi State had 20 women farmers empowered with Five Hundred Thousand naira (N500, 000.00) each in addition to being trained on produce preservation, cultivation and others.
In a statement by her SSA Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said: “The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency. Therefore, the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broader National agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector”.
“Today, we are supporting twenty (20) women farmers per State in the South West Zone with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each. To this end, a draft of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) per State for the South West Zone will be handed over to the First Ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States who are also RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States. These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming”.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu also announced the readiness of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to partner with the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI in promoting women’s involvement in Agriculture.
“In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. In this phase,75% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25% will be for our young male farmers. They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered. Also, the pre-identified eighty (80) women farmers in each State for our agricultural support programme will be carried along”.
The event was a two in one, where the First Lady gave out recapitalization grants of One Hundred Thousand naira (N100, 000. 00) each to 100 People with Disabilities (PWD) in Ogun State.
“All pre-selected recipients of the grant will receive the funds today, through our RHI Coordinator for Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun”.
She seized the opportunity to inform the gathering about some of the upcoming and ongoing activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI. Some of them were the RHI Every Home a garden Competition in which women are encouraged to plant a garden at home.
“The goal of this is to ensure food in every home, hence our slogan for this initiative is “#FoodOnEveryTable”. I encourage you all to spread the word in your communities. The winner of this competition will go home with Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000). Entriesare to be submitted through the StateFirst Ladiesby October, 2024. The best garden in the State will be selected by the State First Lady and sent to my Office,while the overall winner out of the thirty-seven(37) presented, representing all States of the Federation and the FCT will be announced in December, 2024”.
The other competition announced was the #One Nigeria/unity fabric. “As we are in Abeokuta, the home of rich fabrics and textile designs, I am happy to also inform you of our National Fabric Competition #ONE NIGERIA/unity fabric. This competition seeks to create a fabric that is indigenous, promotes peace and unifies us as Nigerians. The competition is open to all Nigerians within and outside the shores of the country within ages of 15-25years old. The winner of this competition will be given a cash prize of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000) to be channeled towards his/her education or business venture as the case may be. Call for entries have begun and submission of entries closes on the 30th of June, 2024. The Unity Fabric will be launched on the 1st of October, 2024”.
Earlier, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu met with Traditional rulers in the State where she assured them of the preparedness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bring the nation back to its enviable status.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi who spoke on behalf of the monarchs applauded her interventions, adding that her home state is proud of her antecedents and contributions to national development.
NOUN Graduates To Participate In NYSC, Law School – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Education to allow graduates of the National Open University, NOUN, participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme, NYSC.
The President also resolved the longstanding admittance of NOUN Law graduates to participate in Law School in the Country for equal opportunities.
He made this known during his presentation at the 13th convocation ceremony of NOUN on Saturday, at the university’s Convocation Arena, Jabi, Abuja.
Tinubu gave the new directive through the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Biodun Saliu, who represented him at the convocation on Saturday, adding that the opportunity is within the age bracket as allowed by the law.
He said, “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme.
“The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns or uncertainties should be promptly addressed by the Federal Ministry of Education. We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access, and affordability.”
“Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria.”
The president noted that the gathering was not just a celebration of the graduates’ academic successes but also highlighted the crucial role that Open and Distance Education has in shaping the nation’s educational framework.
He, therefore, affirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing ODL to expand access to higher education across the nation, emphasizing that the utilisation of ODL is essential for meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The president expressed satisfaction with what NOUN has become, stressing that it is a central figure in advancing the government’s commitment to achieving educational goals through ICT.
Recall that before now, NOUN graduates in 2017 were assured by the former vice chancellor of the institution, Abdallah Adamu, that they would soon be able to participate in the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Law School.
Adamu, in an interview, said, “The fact is that the National University Commission law doesn’t allow those who do part-time studies to do NYSC, and the original Act that established NOUN says we offer courses by correspondence, and that is the expression NYSC is using to say ‘if it’s a correspondence course, then it is part-time, if it’s part-time, then the students are not eligible for NYSC.’
A few years later, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt squashed a suit by Law graduates of NOUN seeking admission into the Nigerian Law School.
Some graduates of the NOUN Law Department instituted a legal action on May 12, 2015, against the Council of Legal Education, the National University Commission, the Attorney General of the Federation and NOUN over their refusal to admit them into the Law School.
In their suit, the graduates wanted the court to compel the relevant authorities to make provisions to include graduates of the NOUN in the Nigerian Law School as benefiting from law graduates from other institutions.
UPDATE: COURT GRANTS CUBANA CHIEF PRIEST N10MILLION BAIL OVER ABUSE OF NAIRA
The Federal High Court in Lagos State has granted businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, a.k.a Cubana Chief Priest, 10 million naira bail with two sureties in like sum.
The celebrity barman had earlier pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial.
Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event.
According to the court, his actions were contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007. He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.
The court said Cubana Chief Priest committed the offenses while dancing during a social event.
The celebrity barman was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of 500 naira notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.
OBEY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS OR BE KICKED OUT ─ LAWMA WARNS TRUCK DRIVERS
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin has told truck drivers in charge of the Agency’s fleet, to strictly obey safe driving rules or risk severe penalties, including outright dismissal.
He said this on Tuesday at the LAWMA’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, just as he repeatedly warned against any breach of safe motoring and road traffic rules and regulations, involving non-use of seat belts, drunk driving, over-speeding and reckless behaviour on highways.
Other breaches, according to him, include over-loading, loss of safety equipment, possession of an invalid driver’s license, waste handlers hanging onto moving trucks, and other reckless actions that could cause an accident.
He emphatically stressed that stiff sanctions would henceforth be applied, including outright dismissal, prosecution, suspension from work, forfeiture of monthly salaries and allowances, and non-payment of medical bills if involved in an accident, depending on the gravity of the infraction.
His words: “Henceforth, reckless road behaviour and breach of safe driving rules and regulations will attract very stiff penalties, including the possibility of dismissal, among other sanctions. The safety of our drivers, residents, and other road users remains our priority in the course of daily operations. We are working relentlessly to ensure that our truck drivers discharge their duties in a manner that will not endanger the lives of people in the state”.
He disclosed that each waste evacuation truck operated by LAWMA, will now prominently display phone numbers, allowing residents to promptly report instances of reckless driving or dangerous behaviour witnessed on the roads.
Gbadegesin stressed the significance of community involvement in maintaining road safety standards, adding that by empowering residents to report incidents, the collective effort could promote safer road practices.
The LAWMA Boss assured the public that all reports received would be thoroughly investigated, and any erring truck drivers would face appropriate sanctions.
The MD/CEO further encouraged residents to utilise LAWMA’s toll-free numbers or the phone numbers displayed on waste evacuation trucks, to report concerns related to waste management or road safety infractions by drivers.
CUBANA CHIEF PRIEST PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ABUSE OF NAIRA CHARGE
A businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.
Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offenses while dancing during a social event. He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of 500 naira notes issued by the CBN by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.
Dangote Refinery Slashes Diesel price to N1,000 per litre
The 20 billion dollar Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the price of diesel by 16.6 percent to 1,000 naira per litre, from 1, 200 naira per litre to assist in impacting Nigeria’s domestic economy.
The price of diesel was relatively high for months, due mainly to the importation of the product from the global market and the foreign exchange crisis associated with it.
In a statement, the company stated: “In an unprecedented move, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reduction of the price of diesel from 1200 to 1,000 naira per litre.
“While rolling out the products, the refinery supplied at a substantially reduced price of N1,200 per litre three weeks ago, representing over 30 per cent reduction from the previous market price of about N1,600 per litre.’
According to the company, “This significant reduction in the price of diesel, at Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is expected to positively affect all the spheres of the economy and ultimately reduce the high inflation rate in the country.”
Recently, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said that his refinery’s capacity to sell diesel at greatly reduced prices would offer immediate relief to Nigeria’s inflation challenges.
Dangote revealed that his refinery had been selling diesel at N1,200 per litre, compared to the previous market price of N1,650–N1,700.
He added that he was expecting a dramatic reduction in fuel costs to help drive down inflation in the coming months.
Dangote made this known while speaking with newsmen after visiting President Bola Tinubu to celebrate Eid-El-Fitr in Lagos. He said: “There’s quite a lot of improvement because, if you look at it here, one of the major issues that we’ve had was the narrow devaluation that has gone very aggressively up to about N1,900.
“But right now we’re back to almost N1,250 or N1,300, which is a good improvement. “And you can see quite a lot of things have actually gone up. Even people now when you go to the market, for example, something that we produce locally, like flour or whatever, people will charge you more.
“Why? Because they’re paying very high diesel prices. And what we did, for example, in our refinery, we started selling even diesel at about 1,200 for 1,650. “And I’m sure, you know, as we go along, things will continue to improve quite a lot.
“Well, even now it’s a lot of impact. If you look at it now, when you are buying N1,650, N1,700 for a liter of diesel, and that one has been cut off by almost one-third to now be paying diesel at 1,200.”
LASU 95TH INAUGURAL LECTURE: DON ADVOCATES ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
……. Professor Adeoti delivers paper on Management and Funding Crises in Nigeria.
Nigerian Universities must explore alternative sources of funding outside their primary source which is the government in order to improve research and teaching which are the core focus areas of any University system.
This was the submission at Lagos State University, LASU 95th Inaugural Lecture with the title: ” Interrogating Multidimensional Crises in the Management and Funding of University Education in Nigeria: A Historian’s Perspective”.
The Lecture was delivered by Professor of Social History in the Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, Professor Ezekiel Oladele Adeoti at Buba Marwa Auditorium, main campus , Ojo, Lagos on Tuesday, 16th April, 2024.
Professor Adeoti noted that the need for alternative funding stems from the inability of government to sustain the funding of university education, which has become more complex by the widespread economic downturn and the effect of the Covid-19. This, he said has brought about certain crises such; Infrastructure Deficit, Irregular Migration also known as Japa Syndrome, Decay of Research and Innovation, Strike Actions by University Staff Unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over welfare packages and adequate reforms.
The Historian listed alternative sources of funding for universities to include; Tuition, Running Remedial Programmes, Endowment Funds, Alumni Associations, Award of Honorary Degrees, Collaboration with Private and Government Agencies among others.
Professor Adeoti gave the following germane recommendations: “The provision of adequate funding for university education must be treated as paramount, no more, no less. Adequate financing of university education is antidote to the crises of nation-building Sustainable.”
“Within the next five years, more matrices must be established to gauge the requirements of Nigerian universities. This will involve a comprehensive evaluation of the academic institutions’ resources and needs concerning enrolment, their outputs in research and innovation, and their standing regarding teaching, research, and community development”.
“The federal government’s policy regarding wavering tuition costs at federal universities must be examined and re- examined. Parents and students must acknowledge the high expense of pursuing higher education and that things are changing. They should, therefore, accept that adequate finances are necessary for delivering high-quality education rather than viewing this as a political problem.”
“The government cannot be the exclusive source of funding for education at any level. As a result, the requirement for alternative funding for Nigerian universities is currently crucial, considering the increase in the expom of funding these institutions compared to the requirements that they adhere to international best practices.”
“Nigeria University administrators must further explores public-private partnerships, explore and facilitate external funding and operate an effective and efficient alumni database, which can help a lot to provide sustainable options in the running of the universities, especially in the raising of Internally Generated Revenue and provision of adequate facilities that can sustain academic activities.”
“Managers of higher institutions Vice Chancellors, must become more prudent with the meager contributions from government, students, and internally generated funds, which must be channelled appropriately towards providing quality teaching, research and national services that meet global best practices. Hence, an all-out war must be waged against the issue of corruption in the management of funds and misappropriation of funds in the institutions.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administrative), Prof. Adenike Omotunde Boyo, read the citation of the 95th Inaugural Lecturer.
Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Fanu took charge of proceedings with Professors and Deans from the Faculty of Arts, Wife and Children of the 95th Inaugural Lecturer, students and well wishers in attendance.
