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EDUCATION: ASUU to probe Pantami’s professorship

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Monday, disclosed that it is setting up a committee to probe the circumstances leading to the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as a Professor of Cyber Security, by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)

Its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital, also noted that the controversial appointment of Pantami by FUTO followed advertisements in some national dailies on September 2, 2020, which made Pantami purportedly apply for the position and thereafter given the position.

Osodeke further expressed displeasure over the issues, noting that the Minister was only promoted to the rank of Lecturer 1 in 2013 before he left the country.

He said the Minister allegedly skipped three positions – Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor – with each having at least three years experience requirements.

The ASUU president said the information at his disposal revealed that the Minister resigned from the Abubakar Tafewa Balewa University, Bauchi in 2015 and moved to a university in Saudi Arabia as an Assistant Professor, which is an equivalent of an Assistant Lecturer in Nigeria.

According to Prof. Osodeke, Pantami left the academic to become the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in 2016.

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“There are serious doubt and unanswered questions bordering on the qualification of Dr. Isa Pantami for the position,” he said.

“The attention of ASUU has been drawn to the controversy generated by the recent appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami, the current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as a Professor of Cyber Security by the Federal University of Technology Owerri.

“From 2013 to 2016 when he ceased to be an academic is just three years which means if Futo said he is right, it means the man moved from becoming Lecturer 1 to becoming a Professor within three years which is against all rules.

“In view of the foregoing and having rejected FUTO Committee’s report, NEC set up an independent committee to go to FUTO to investigate fully and get all the data so that we can put it to the public, the role of FUTO on how this person who spent three years during Lecturer 1 and Professor, how did he become a professor?”, he questioned

The ASUU president, however assured Nigerians that the outcome of the probe would be made public.

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Education

JAMB releases 2024 UTME results, over 1.9m candidates participated

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), marking the culmination of a rigorous evaluation process for aspiring tertiary education students nationwide.

JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, announced during a press conference held at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, situated on the outskirts of Abuja.

The examination, spanning 118 towns and boasting over 700 centers across the nation, witnessed a remarkable participation of over 1.94 million candidates.

Commencing on Friday the 19th of April and concluding on Monday the 29th of April, the UTME saw 80,810 candidates absent out of the 1,989,668 registered.

A total of 1,904,189 candidates actively engaged in the six-day examination.

Oloyede disclosed, “Out of the 1,842,464 released results, a modest 0.4% attained scores exceeding 300, while 24% achieved 50% (200/400) and above.” He further revealed that 1,402,490 candidates, constituting 76% of the total, obtained scores below 200.

In emphasising JAMB’s stance on recognising top performers, Oloyede reiterated the board’s decision not to publicise the identity of the highest-scoring candidate.

“The Board has consistently reiterated its position against disclosing the names of top-performing candidates, viewing the UTME primarily as a ranking examination considering other pivotal factors determining the minimum admissible score for tertiary institution admissions,” he affirmed.

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Victim of Ogbomoso nightclub shooting not our student – LAUTECH breaks silence

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In the aftermath of the tragic killing of Iyanda Damilola, allegedly by a police officer during a nightclub altercation in Ogbomoso, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has clarified that the victim was not a student of the institution.

Damilola, identified as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was reportedly shot dead during a fracas at a club in Ogbomoso on Monday.

Contrary to initial reports, LAUTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Akin Fadeyi, emphasized that the incident did not occur within the university premises.

“The incident occurred around 2 am. It did not occur in the institution. It happened in a club, and in LAUTECH, we don’t have a club or hotel,” stated Fadeyi during the institution’s 16th convocation ceremonies.

He further clarified, “They were fighting and the student who got killed was not our student. So, what happened had nothing to do with LAUTECH. It has nothing to do with our convocation.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has taken action, detaining the officers involved in the incident. According to the command spokesman, Osifeso Adewale, the officers were dispatched to the nightclub to quell a disturbance during the party.

“The incident worsened, leading to the firing of ‘warning shots’ by the officers. This led to one death,” Osifeso stated in a Thursday statement.

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The deceased’s brother, Oluwafemi Iyanda, a LAUTECH graduate, confirmed that the tragic event occurred after attending his convocation ceremony and heading to an after-party with his late sibling.

“All operatives involved in the incident including Inspr Rasheed Saheed are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku,” Osifeso added.

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UNN Suspends Lecturer Accused of Harassing Female Student

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The Management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has taken swift action by suspending Mfonobong Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies Department, following allegations of sexual harassment involving a female student.

In a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Okwunka Omeaku, on Tuesday, it was emphasized that UNN maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, particularly between staff and students.

Omeaku highlighted that the university has a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy in place to regulate interactions among its academic community.

“The management of the University of Nigeria has suspended Mr (not a Professor) Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in our General Studies division, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student,” the statement read.

The suspension, effective immediately and indefinite, awaits the outcome of a disciplinary panel established by the university to investigate the incident thoroughly.

According to reports, the lecturer allegedly threatened the female student, asserting that she would not pass his course unless she acquiesced to sexual advances.

The situation escalated after the students completed an examination for the course, with the lecturer purportedly warning some female students of dire consequences if they did not comply with his demands.

The female student, in a courageous move, informed her husband of the harassment, who subsequently filed a complaint with the university authorities.

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Acting on the complaint, the university advised the student to cooperate while discreetly addressing the issue.

A viral video depicting the lecturer partially naked further fueled public outrage and prompted swift action from the university.

 

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