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NANS speaks on receiving N150m bribe from Presidency, ASUU strike

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The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has distanced itself from the purported allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) claiming it received N150 million from the presidency.

The students’ Union body disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Adeyemi Amoo, it’s National Public Relations Officer (PRO), and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Amoo called on Nigerian students to discountenance the allegations by ASUU, saying that the association was ready to protect the interest of all the students.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, would never dole out such amount of money for any reason, which would not be of any national benefits or developments.

President Buhari on January 3, met with the leadership of the Nigerian Students to resolve issues with ASUU.

The meeting centred on ways to smoothen unresolved issues that led to the industrial action.

“Our attention has been drawn to the purported and sponsored allegation, that NANS had been bribed by President Muhammadu Buhari with a whooping sum of N150million to protest against ASUU.

“We commend the well meaning, intellectual and genuine civil society groups for not falling cheap for this blackmail, as we’ve gotten informed and reliably that they’ve also been lobbied by ASUU to join them in pushing such blackmail.

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“We are not surprised that this blackmail isn’t flying beyond the pseudo groups they’ve been able to arrange and mobilise with cash.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, even the oppositions knows that Buhari will never give out such amount of money for any reason(s) that is not of national benefits or developments.

”No doubt this propaganda might have seen the acceptance of the masses if it wasn’t targeted towards Buhari himself.”

Amoo explained that NANS had earlier declared November 17, 2018 as a nationwide day of mass action tagged: “SAVE EDUCATION RALLY ” held simultaneously across the states of the federation, to protest the incessant strikes across universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education.

He added that in October 2018, NANS national leadership, met with the Minister for Education, to fine-tune ways of putting a long term end to the regular carnival of strikes in the educational sector.

“We thereby demanded as the major stakeholders in the sectors, to always have representatives at the meeting of ASUU with Federal Government, as this was targeted towards adding to the strength and voice of ASUU, so as to make government yield to there demands in time.

“The Federal Government on her own side sees the request of been an observer at the negotiation table with ASUU as a welcome development.

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“NANS was invited twice to the meeting of Federal Government with ASUU, ably represented by the NANS national president, Danielson Akpan, but was walked out twice by the ASUU leadership, insisting that such negotiations must not be done in the presence of younger ones.

“NANS leadership begins to wonder what reasons might be behind the blind insistence of ASUU that NANS must not observe the meeting, when the Federal Government has wholeheartedly approved our attendance at such meetings.”

Amoo said the NANS leadership, ordinarily would have informed the students and the general public on this actions by ASUU, but decided not to give room for the government, to see the actions as an advantage to blackmail the ASUU.

He added that NANS after exhausting all means, resolved to issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government and ASUU to return to negotiation table to urgently safe students from getting involved or addicted to various forms of social vices.

According to him, NANS, in the course of getting things resolved urgently, sorted an audience with president Muhammadu Buhari, which was granted and held on January 3 at the presidential villa.

“At the meeting, NANS appealed to president Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency resolve the ASUU strike, for him not to loose the support of over 20million Nigerian students.

“This was the statement of the NANS president at the meeting as against the cheap blackmail that NANS has assured Buhari of mobilising 20million votes for him.

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“NANS, therefore, uses this medium to inform Nigerian students and Nigerians at large, that its leadership will not, has not and will not for any reason sell the interest and integrity of our dear organisation.

“We want to tell ASUU that NANS is not for sell, we have not and will not turn our struggles to source of empowerment,” he said.

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Education

Don Pushes for B.Tech to Empower Polytechnic Graduates

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Dr. Taofeek Abdul-hameed, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to address educational disparities and benefit indigent students nationwide.

Abdul-Hameed, speaking on behalf of a league of Rectors, during a live radio programme in Ibadan recently, emphasised the need to eliminate the dichotomy between Polytechnic and University education, asserting that both students and lecturers at Polytechnics are equally competent.

He argued that technical skills and entrepreneurship play a crucial role in a nation’s economic development, citing China and the United Arab Emirates as examples.

Highlighting the Polytechnics’ emphasis on practical skills and entrepreneurship, the don stressed the scarcity of white-collar jobs, advocating for equipping students with practical skills for self-employment after graduation.

“The way out is for the president to assent to the bill and cancel the HND to B.Tech programme, or else the disparity will continue. We hope that President Bola Tinubu signs the bill soon since the last administration failed to do so,” Abdul-Hameed remarked.

 

Commending the Federal Government for the approved Student Loan initiative, the Rector emphasised the importance of making education accessible to indigent students.

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He suggested low tuition fees and interest-free loans, asserting that skill acquisition should be an integral part of education to enable students to repay loans through acquired skills.

“As long as students receive loans from their institutions, they should be equipped with skill acquisitions so that they can pay back after 2 years or graduation. I want to believe that 2 years are sufficient for students, and if not, the government can consider renewing or extending the loan period,” Abdul-Hameed concluded.

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Education

KWASU Students Arrested for Allegedly Beating Peer to Death

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Four unidentified undergraduate students of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, are facing serious legal consequences after being apprehended for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of a fellow student.

The tragic incident transpired penultimate week within one of the private hostels located outside the university premises. The assailants reportedly targeted the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, accusing him of surreptitiously filming them.

According to an account from a student who spoke with Channels Television, the victim succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted during the assault. The motives behind the alleged filming and subsequent attack are yet to be fully understood.

Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the distressing event on Friday, stating, “The alleged culprits were four but I cannot confirm their names now. They have been arrested while an investigation is still ongoing over the matter.”

 

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Education

Oyo: Oseni pays WAEC fees of indigent students, begins free JAMB registration

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 300 indigent students in the federal constituency.

Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced the collection of data from eligible constituents in fulfillment of its 2024 free JAMB registration programme.

It will be recalled that the lawmaker at the stakeholders meeting and mega empowerment held last year December said under his education support scheme he will be providing free WAEC and JAMB registration for underprivileged students in the constituency

According to him, “Supporting education is crucial for securing the future of our constituency. Initiatives such as scholarships, tuition fee support, and free WAEC and JAMB registration will be introduced to ease the financial burden on students. Ensuring access to quality education is essential for nurturing the next generation of leaders.

“ Therefore, I am proud to announce that, starting in 2024, under the Remi Oseni Education Support Scheme, I will provide free WAEC and JAMB registration for students in the constituency. Additionally, the Remi Oseni Scholarship Award will be offered to less privileged children, ensuring robust support for all students at every level, including scholarships and tuition fee payment”.

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The APC chieftain, in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Sunday, in Ibadan, noted that he is committed to investing in the future of the younger generation through education and other programmes that will boost their morale in pursuing a worthy future.

It further explained that eligible constituents of Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency are expected to visit the Remi Oseni Constituency Office Ologuneru, Ibadan with their WAEC/NECO certificates, local government identification certificate (Ibarapa East/Ido local government) to get the free JAMB registration forms to register their data/details.

“It is important to emphasise that recipients of the free JAMB registration must provide clear evidence of residing and having received education in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency. The registration commenced on Friday, February 2, 2024, and will conclude on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Eligible students are required to visit the constituency office between 9 am and 6 pm,” the statement reiterated.

Oseni, however, reassured the constituents of more dividends of democracy and quality representation.

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