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  • FEDPOFFA Commences Examination with Full Compliance To COVID-19 Protocols

    The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State has commenced the second semester examination for 2019/2020 academic session.

    The Polytechnic commenced the second semester examination on 7th December, 2020 with strict adherence to preventive guidelines as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Federal Ministry of Education.

    Subsequent upon the Federal Government’s directive that all tertiary institutions should reopen with strict compliance to Covid-19 protocols, the Management in response to Federal Government’s directive set up Covid-19 monitoring team made up of Deans and Directors headed by Principal Officers to supervise and enforce COVID-19 protocols.

    To further observe Covid-19 rules and regulations, the Rector, Dr.L.A. Olatunji accompanied by the Bursar, Mr. Amidu Azeez, Director of Research and Development, Dr. A.S Muhammed, Director of Information, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Olayinka Iroye visited examination centers and halls on both campuses to inspect the level of compliances by examination supervisors and students.

    The Rector was pleased with all the arrangement put in place for the examinations.

    In his remarks, the Polytechnic Spokesman said, ” The institution in recent years have witnessed uninterrupted academic calendar. The Management led by Dr. Olatunji has done tremendously well to put the Polytechnic at forefront of the fastest growing and best Polytechnic.”

    Also, Head of Department of Mass Communication, Mr. Wole Alawode acknowledged the Management’s efforts in putting all facilities and system in place to ensure itch free academic semester despite Covid-19 challenges.

    According to him, “Everything is going on smoothly. I have gone round almost all the venue at main campus here and it is very peaceful. Remarkably, the students are doing very well.

    “I commend the Management for the courage to reopen and put necessary facilities and system in place for us to be able to start and conclude this semester. The Management led by Dr. Lateef Olatunji has done well for all departments in terms of facilities and consumables and that is highly commendable.”

    Recalled that the Federal Government directed all tertiary institutions to reopen from 12th October, 2020 with strict compliance to all COVID-19 protocols.

    Prior to this, the Polytechnic Management had set up a COVID-19 Technical Committee headed by the Deputy Rector Administration, Dr Afolabi. The Polytechnic also mass produced manual and solar hand washing and sanitizing machines to wage war against the novel virus.

    According to the exams time table, examination is expected to end on Tuesday 22nd December, 2020.

  • Benue Governor Wades Into Rift Between Channels TV Reporter, Wife

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has waded into the rift between Channels Television reporter, Pius Angbo, who was called out by his wife, Ifeanyinwa Angbo for battering her four weeks after childbirth.

    Recall that Ifeanyinwa Angbo had alleged that her husband assaulted her after she advised him to desist from spending recklessly on other women and save the money to take care of their children.

    The couple have now reconciled following Governor Ortom’s intervention. Ortom who met them, reportedly counselled them to always settle their differences amicably and shun the temptation of engaging in violence. He stated that as a young couple with great potentials, the husband being a versatile journalist and the wife a medical doctor, there was the need for them to foster a strong union to serve as models to others.

    Mr Angbo on his own part said he has apologised to his wife. He added that he is seeking the forgiveness of the entire women folk and would make amends going forward.

    Ifeanyinwa told reporters that she accepted her husband’s apology because their children are still tender. She also said that they need prayers to grow stronger in love and nurture their kids to maturity. The medical doctor also thanked Governor Ortom for taking time out of his very tight schedule to make peace between them.

  • NANS Makes Fresh Ten Demands From Government

    NANS Makes Fresh Ten Demands From Government

    National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, South West Zone , has urged the Federal Government to meet the demands of ASUU, and others workers’ unions on campuses, as the body also made fresh 10 demands from government .

    Kowe Odunayo Amos, NANS Zone D Coordinator, made the call during a peaceful protest staged at Nigeria Television Authority in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on Monday.

    The students’ body expressed its dismay over the poor funding which constitutes serious challenge to higher institutions of learning in the country adding that the government pays little or no attention to the educational sector to the extent that a meagre #48bn of the total budget was allocated to the sector as capital expenditure.

    “Today, it is on record that 80% of our higher institutions of learning does not have Public Address Systems, Interactive Boards, etc. while many are battling with epileptic or non-existing internet services, library of no or less automation, outdated library resources. Many institutions are lagging due to no or previous preparation for virtual learning as a result of the poor funding of the educational sector. In all, the state of Nigerian higher institutions can best be imagined than seen, hence, our agitation for an improved and a well-funded educational sector.

    “Considering the present reality on ground, it can better be said that we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder and the explosion can be very devastating and highly consuming because, academically and infrastructure-wise, our higher institutions of learning are lagging behind thereby subjecting us to ridicule amongst the comity of Nations.”

    NANS added that, it rejects the fraudulent argument of “grass suffering as two elephants fight” which gives the erroneous impression that students are a neutral entity in a conflict over funding of education between the government and ASUU.

    “It is on record that the Nigerian students’ movement has never been neutral in a struggle for better funding of education. Rather, Nigerian students have always taken the lead in this struggle because we are the ones to benefit ultimately if the demands of ASUU for release of revitalization funds and improved budgetary allocation to education are achieved.

    “Therefore, the role of students in this struggle cannot be that of a neutral arbiter. Rather, as students, we are duty-bound to give solidarity to ASUU struggle against an anti-poor and anti-education Buhari capitalist government which once it is able to defeat ASUU, would waste no time in pouncing on students as the next victim in its drive to make higher education the preserve of the rich-few. Already, some of the public tertiary institutions that have resumed academic activities are beginning to charge students COVID-19 levies amidst other anti-poor policies. This is an indication that as students, we will not be spared in the imposition of anti-poor policies by the Buhari capitalist Federal Government and other similarly anti-poor and corrupt State governments across the country.

    It stressed that, Students across the country must know that the strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other workers’ unions on various campuses is justifiable and we need a proper integration to foster a successful outcome.

    The statement further stressed that, the Body established its position as following with close marking the demands of ASUU as the Union is one part of academic world and an injury to one is an injury to all.

    “Standing on the principle of solidarity, we state categorically that our thoughts are aligned with the demands of ASUU.

    “Today, it is clear that though progress is been made on the demands of the striking lecturers, yet, there are still some key areas that have not been sufficiently ironed-out between ASUU and the Federal Government. This is especially with respect to the funds for revitalization of Universities as well as the replacement of IPPIS with UTAS. For instance, the sum of N30billion which the Labour Minister, Chris Ngige claimed in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, 13 November, 2020 that the Federal Government is committed to “… out of #40billion demanded by the union as the payment for November 2019 and September 2020” is not revitalization funds, rather, it is a fraction of the total sum of earned allowance owed to ASUU members.

    “The true position is that till this day, there has been no serious commitment by the Federal Government to pay the arrears of funds to revitalize decaying facilities in the Universities like lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, hostels, etc. Rather, the Federal Government has consistently being refusing to agree to ASUU’s demand to pay the sum of N110 billion out of about 5 tranches of the revitalization funds totaling N1.1 trillion that the Federal government is presently owing. Meanwhile, this is a government that easily spends billions and trillions to bail out private businesses like banks, airlines, etc. This same government doled out over N1.5trillion spent within 5 years to the privatised power distribution companies though there is no commensurate value in terms of quality of electricity supply.

    “It is common knowledge that the Nigerian government has perpetually done all they could in ensuring that the minions do not have access to education by commercializing it so that those who are barely managing to go to school now can drop out of school. Today, the government is not just giving a lip service to education but have come all out to declare that the government can no longer fund education and that management of tertiary institutions should seek means in generating revenue for themselves by imposing various fees on the Students.

    “Today, the result is so glaring and it hits us all on our faces as the sector is in comatose to the extent that none of the country’s higher institution of learning can compete globally. As students, we are agitated because, we have been marginalised for long with successive governments in the country failing to acede to our demands which include but not limited to the proper funding of the educational sector with 26% budgetary allocation. Ordinarily, if not for years of governmental failure, students in the medical line should have been mobilise to find a vaccine to this deadly Coronavirus, unfortunately, reverse is the case to the extent that many of our medical graduates are with no or little laboratory experience.

    “Despite the fact that the right to education is non-negotiable and imprescriptible, members of the ruling class have ensured that education is made expensive and taken out of the reach of the poor denying them the great opportunity education can open for them and the society at large.

    “It must be made known that we are not looking for free things, our demand is that there must be no child in the country that will not go to school because he/she is poor which is what our government policies are aimed at today and this can only be achieved when the government start using State’s resources to educate the Nigerian child. For the sake of emphasis, it need be made known that even in developed economies where they charge high tuition or can sustain themselves, governments do not joke with financial support to them. For instance, in 2015, the government disbursed £11.1bn to Universities in the United Kingdom, which it increased to £12.1bn in 2016. Unfortunately, reverse is the case here in Nigeria as government continually establish new higher institutions when the existing ones are not being funded and this is the narrative we aim to change.”

    Below are the 10 demands made by NANS from the government as contained in the press release ;

    1. Government at all level should pay serious attention to the education sector with a 700% increase in funding of this year so as to cater for unpaid salaries of all teaching and non-teaching staffs.
    2. Academic activities whether virtually or physically should commence in our educational institutions with immediate effect.
    3. As a pre-condition to commencement of classes, government should liaise with ASUU, ASUP, COEASU and NANS as regards what must be put in place for the commencement of classes.
    4. Government must liaise with National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and all relevant academic bodies to make sure the session/semester is streamlined in order make up for the lost time due to the lockdown.
    5. Government must provide waiver for all Nigerian students (tertiary, secondary and primary) in form of scholarship for a session or slash the fees payable by 60/70% . This would help cushion the effects of the lockdown on parents that lost their jobs and means of livelihood and businesses. It would also serve as palliative for students whose parents/guardians means of livelihood have been cut-short as a result of the lockdown.
    6. TETFUND should consider funding of selected students across all tertiary institutions in the country with innovative ideas just the way lecturers are being sponsored for conferences/symposia.
    7. The Federal Government must yield to the demands of all workers’ Union on our campuses.
    8. Democratisation of the decision-making organs of institutions to include active participation of workers and students through their Unions.
    9. Reinstatement of all victimised students’ and workers’ activists; reinstatement of all proscribed Unions on our campuses.
    10. Reverse petrol price to #97 and stop deregulation of the oil sector.
  • Newly Married Man Dies Few Hours After Wedding

    Newly Married Man Dies Few Hours After Wedding

    A newly married Ugandan Man, Roy Jairus Watuulo was reportedly died few hours after his wedding on Sunday.

    It’s gathered that, the deceased, Watuulo died in the early hours of Sunday, December 6, hours after he tied the knot with his wife, Anitah Nabuduwa on Saturday, December 5 in Kampala.

    According to close friends and relatives, Roy started complaining about feeling unwell moments after the wedding reception. He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead a few minutes past midnight.

    The deceased is said to be in his late 20s and the son of a University professor. They had their traditional wedding in November 2020 .

    Meanwhile, friends and and colleagues have taken to Facebook to mourn the late Roy. A colleague, Lutoto Charity Martha, wrote;

    “With Deep Sorrow And Shock , Our Friend, Colleague And Brother

    Roy Jairus Watuulo Has Passed On.

    “He Wedded On Saturday 5/12/2020 And Immediately Went To Be With The Lord On Sunday, Just A Few Hours After.

    “Son To Dr. Watuulo Richard & Lydia. Rest In Peace Comrade. May God Strengthen You Anitah.

  • Commercial Drivers, Cart Pushers, Others To Get N30,000 FG Grant

    The federal government has kicked off the payment of N30k grant to commercial drivers across the length and breadth of the country.

    Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad who made the announcement said the programme is in furtherance of FG’s commitment to support small businesses to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He tweeted; The Federal Government has commenced N30,000 grants for taxi, bus, okada, Keke Napep, Uber, Bolt drivers and cart pushers across the country, this is in furtherance of its commitment to support small businesses to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • NAAT Cautions FG Against Accepting ASUU’s Preferred Payment Platform, UTAS

    The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has cautioned the federal government against accepting a salary payment platform designed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) called University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

    It said the government must not allow itself to be blackmailed by any union to accept the lecturers’ platform, adding that NAAT had also worked assiduously to produce its own platform called Tertiary Institutions Integrity Payroll System (TIIPS).

    It would be recalled that the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), had recently notified the government about their separate platform that will serve as an alternative to the controversial Integrated Payroll and Payment Information System (IPPIS) introduced by the Federal Government.

    The new platform introduced by SSANU and NASU was University General Peculiar Payroll Payment System (UGPPPS).

    Addressing newsmen after its 44th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting during the weekend, President of NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, vowed that the association would also resist any attempt where the sharing of the recently approved N40bn Earned Allowance released by the federal government is skewed to favour a particular union to the detriment of its members.

    He explained that its members were being owed the sum of N71 billion in arrears as part of the 2009 agreement with the federal government.

    According to him, NAAT is also demanding that the sum of N100 billion be made available immediately and N5 billion annually for the next five years to equip laboratories, workshops & studios in the nation’s universities to bring them to international standard in the interest of students, production of quality graduates and National development.

    The union leader also criticised the Chairman of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee, Prof. Munzali Jibrin, over his comment on the sharing of the earned allowance, noting that the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission has made himself the mouthpiece of ASUU.

    He explained that “members of NAAT (Technologists) are trained professionally to impact practical knowledge, but the right atmosphere is not provided, it becomes difficult for Technologists to perform their duties properly.”

    He, therefore, called for the immediate auditing of equipment in the University Laboratories, insisting that their position against UTAS does not mean they accepted the controversial IPPIS.

    “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) organized series of meetings to educate unions on the workings of the IPPIS where the Consultant, Infinix demonstrated and produced copies of payslips in which all allowances were said to have been captured with assurances that NAAT peculiarities would be taken care of. Unfortunately, this was not the case as all our allowance contained in the 2009 FGN/NAAT agreement was removed,” he added.

  • INEC Declares Ex-Bayelsa Governor Winner of Bayelsa West Senatorial District Bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, as the winner of Bayelsa West Senatorial District Bye-election.

    The Returning Officer, Prof Ekechukwe, Okeke, Dean of Humanities, Federal University of Technology, Otuoke, returned Dickson as the Senator-elect having polled 115257 to defeat his closest opponent, Hon Peremobowei Ebebi of the APC who polled 17541.

    Chief Dickson who spoke in his country home of Toru Orua shortly after his return dedicated the victory to God, the voters, Bayelsa, and the Ijaw nation.

    He said that the mandate was beyond the Sagbama/Ekeremor Senatorial district but an opportunity to galvanize unity and solidarity in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

    He said that his legislative mission would focus on the pursuit of the imperative of restructuring of the country which he described as a task that must be done.

    He said he would exploit the opportunity of his contacts to build new bridges of understanding, consolidate existing bonds, and effective network with critical stakeholders.

    The former Governor also said that the quest for electoral reforms and a deepened democratic system would command a major aspect of his mission at the Senate.

    The Senator-elect said that he would link up with senators to call attention to the mindless rape of the Niger Delta environment by the multinational oil companies.

    He stated that the oil firms commit environmental terrorism against the people of the oil-bearing communities and even sponsor killings in collusion with their pipeline protection contractors, without sanction.

    Chief Dickson noted that he would also focus attention on Police, law and order, and justice sector reforms.

    He assured the people of Bayelsa that he would network with friends and contacts to attract development to the state and called on the people to give the necessary support to Governor Douye Diri deliver on his electoral promises.

    He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for their commendable conduct which he said was a marked departure from the practice in the past.

    He stated also that the outcome of the election signified a resounding rejection of the APC by the good people of Bayelsa.

    However, invited his opponent, Ebebi, who described as his brother to join him in the mission to attract the needed development to the area now that the elections have been concluded.

  • Channels TV Reacts To Allegation of Physical Assault Against Its Reporter By Wife

    One of the leading Television Stations in the country, Channels TV has reacted to the viral video of one of its staff, Pius Angbo, whose wife, Ifeyinwa, a medical doctor, accused of physically assaulting her while she was pregnant and even after welcoming their fourth child four weeks ago.

    The media house while reacting via its official Twitter handle said, it is investigating the allegation.

    ”Channels Television does not condone violence against women or anyone in general. The domestic violence matter reported against one of our reporters is being investigated and appropriate action will be taken.”the tweet read.

    Below is what Ifeyinwa said about her husband, Pius over alleged domestic violence;

    ”Hello people, my name is Ifeyinwa. I am a doctor. I have been married to Pius Angbo of Channels TV for six years and for six years, I have not known peace in this marriage. It’s been from one woman to another.

    I just had baby. It was a Caeserian section just about 4 weeks ago. Just because I told him to spend wisely and not on women so recklessly considering we have four children, that is why I got this beating. He tried to strangle me and all that, sat on my inscition, the children were crying.

    When I was pregnant with this child, when the pregnancy was three months, it was the same thing. He would sit on my stomach. hit me, try to strangle me and all that”

  • Video: How My Leg Got Amputated After Sustaining Gun Shot Wound at Lekki Toll Gate, Victim

    One of the victims of #LekkiShootings who sustained gun shot Injuries has shared the story of how his leg got amputated after he allegedly suffered a gunshot wound at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday, October 20.

    In an interview with Punch, Lekan, a cobbler waiting for his graduation from where he serves as an apprentice, said he joined other protesters at the tollgate on that fateful day to press home their demands which amongst many was the end to police brutality.

    ”On Tuesday October 20, I went to the Lekki protest. Before 7pm, the soldiers came and started shooting. We were told to raise our flags that we shouldn’t move, that we should sit down.

    However, the sound of the gunshot was too much. That was when I got up and started running because the gunshot sound was too much. Before I knew it, a bullet hit my leg. I fell. I couldn’t get up again.

    Someone had to come and rescue me. The scene was rowdy and noisy, I couldn’t do anything, I was tired.”

    His distraught mother, Temidayo Faleye, who is a washerwoman and also sells cooked noodles, said she was woken up at about after 12 midnight on that day by a phone call informing her that her son had sustained a gunshot wound at the Lekki tollgate. She said after going to different hospitals, it was at the Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital that she was informed that the only remedy for her son was for his leg to be amputated.

    Mrs. Faleye appealed to Brigadier General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo of the 81 Division Nigeria Army of the Nigerian Army to speak the “truth” and stop making the claims that the Army didn’t fire live ammunition at the protesters.

    ”Soldiers you are the ones who shot. The people you shot at are not babies. I beg Nigerians in the name of God, help me. Major General Taiwo, you will not weep over your children. Expose all the soldiers responsible for the Lekki shooting. Expose them. My son was a victim of their actions. Expose them, I beg you in the name of God”she said

  • Fresh Medical Graduate, Friend Burnt To Death in Fatal Accident (Photos)

    A fresh medical graduate and his friend were on Saturday, burnt to death in a fatal accident along Katsina-Dutsinma road.

    The gory incident occurred at about 3pm on Saturday afternoon, December 5, when their Toyota Camry crashed and burst into flames.

    Two of the friends have been identified as Dr. Sadiq Yahaya Zakka, a medical doctor who recently graduated from a university in China and was preparing for his mandatory National Youth Service, and Auwal Shehu Danfaranshi.

    A friend of the victims, Serdeeq said one of the occupants of the vehicle identified as Fahad survived and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Late Dr. Zakka’s cousin, Balarabe Danlami, who confirmed the incident said he was travelling with his friends to Dutsinma to visit his sister when the accident happened.

    Auwal Shehu Danfaranshi was buried on Sunday morning,December 6, according to Islamic rites.