Relief For TASUED Students As Institution Announces Reduction In Tuition Fee, Accepts Installmental Payment

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November 23, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Students of the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State can now heave a sigh of relief. This followed the slashing of the Tuition Fee by the School Management. It was slashed by 40 Percent.

The Students had staged a protest following the astronomical increase in the Tuition Fee by the School Management.

The Students queried the motive behind the increment at a time the Nation is experiencing economic downturn.

However, the Management of the Institution has given the students the grace for installment payment.

They can now pay twice across both semesters.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, who disclosed this on Wednesday, stated that the move was to ease the financial burden of students and their parents during this harsh economic period.

The VC explained that, “With the development, students who were initially asked to pay N260,000 tuition fees will now pay N148,000 for returning students in Education, while their counterparts in Science will pay N158,000.

“New students in Science will pay N180,000, while those in Education will pay N170,000”.

He, however, disclosed that 60 per cent of the fee must be paid at the start of the first semester, while the balance is to be paid at the beginning of the second semester.

Giving a breakdown of graduating students for its forthcoming combined 13th, 14th and 15th convocation ceremonies, the VC said 5,153 would graduate out of which 18 obtained first-class degrees, adding that the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo will be honoured with a Doctorate during the Convocation Ceremony.

Ondo: How We Killed 62-Year Old Retired Head teacher – Suspects

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Ayodele Oni

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November 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Three suspects are now assisting the Ondo State Police Command to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a 62 year – old retired head Teacher, Mrs Sidikat Adamolekun at Ikare.

Mrs Adamolekun’s lifeless body was discovered by one of her grandchildren in a pool of blood after she returned from school.

Among the suspects in police net are a casual house help hired by the deceased, her son and one other.

Their arrest followed efforts by the Police from Ikare Area Command and Okeagbe Division after days of tracking the deceased’s phone, which was stolen.

According to Police sources, the handset was taken away by her assailants.

“Nemesis caught with the suspects when the stolen handset was tracked leading to the arrest of one of them, who later invited his accomplice to Okeagbe where they confessed to the crime.

“The two suspects disclosed that they scaled the fence to enter and went straight to the deceased bedroom where she laid on her bed after taking her bath.

“They also confessed that wooden box was used to hit the deceased on the head before she was strangulated.

“The mother of one of the suspects, living at Owolabi Street Ikare Akoko, who was a casual house keeper and cleaner for the late Mrs Adamolekun is one of the suspects.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure with the three suspects.”

Court Of Appeal Affirm Governor Sule As Governor Reverses His Sack

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 23, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

There is respite for Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgement of the Tribunal that sacked him. The Court affirmed him as tye duly elected Governor of the State. Sule is the incumbent Governor of the State.

The Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal had sacked Governor Sule who was declared winner, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and so, reelected in the March 18 Governorship Election.

But the Court of Appeal stated that the verdict of the Lower Court which declared the Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, David Ombugadu, as winner, was an error.

The three-member panel of Justices in it judgement unanimously held that the Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal erred in law in its conclusion that Sule did not win majority of the votes cast during the election.

The appellate court subsequently set aside the judgment of the tribunal and affirmed the re-election of Sule as Governor of Nasarawa State.

Economy: Presidency Urges Nigerians To Endure ‘Temporary Pains’; Tinubu Working

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James Orji

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November 23, 2023

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The Presidency says that the economic hardship Nigerians are going through at the moment is temporary, stressing that things will start to turn around soon.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy made this known on Wednesday during an interview with The Tribune.

Since President Tinubu came to power in May this year, the sufferings of Nigerians have worsened after the government introduced some austerity measures, particularly the removal of subsidy on fuel and the exchange rate of the naira.

The price of household goods has surged with attendant effect on many Nigerians who are now calling on the government to do something fast about the economy.

But Onanuga described the current situation as a ‘temporary pains’ that will soon go away.

The presidential adviser appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu that they will soon “begin very soon to see the benefits of the tinkering he has been doing”.

He said, “We are already seeing improvements in some areas, in the small things that matter.

“This government has eased the problem of procuring passports. The Ministry of Digital Economy is about to train three million Nigerians on ICT not just to provide the personnel to power our economy, but also to produce talent for export.

“The Ministry of Trade is also doing something like that, trying to train as many people as possible in various trades and it may not be strange to see us exporting bricklayers, and welders who will bring money back to this economy.

“We only need to enjoin Nigerians to exercise some patience because things are going to change for the better sooner than later. What we are witnessing are temporary pains and there are signs that Nigerians are going to start enjoying soon under President Tinubu.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu arrived in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Wednesday from Germany where he spent five days meeting business leaders in Europe’s biggest economy to improve economic relations between the two countries.

Kano Boils Over ‘Controversial’ Court Of Appeal Judgment

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James Orji

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November 23, 2023

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Following the violent protest in Kano state on Wednesday due to the ‘controversial’ court of Appeal judgment sacking Governor Abba Yusuf, the police in the state said it has arrested some arrowheads of the protest.

Last week, the Court of Appeal sitting in the state upheld an earlier judgment of the state Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the election of the state governor.

In his place, the appellate court declared Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the March 18 election the winner.

Governor Yusuf is of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.

The peace of the graveyard that existed in the state was however upturned following suggestions that the Court of Appeal judgment had given victory to the governor.

Stating his position over the judgment, Femi Falana, a senior advocate said the certified true copy of the judgment released by the court indicates that the incumbent was declared winner.

The Court of Appeal has since maintained that it stands by its judgment which nullified the election of Governor Yusuf.

The Chief Registrar of the Court, Umar Bangari, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the controversy was the result of a clerical error.

The different interpretations of the judgment led to violence in the commercial state on Wednesday, as supporters of the governor and NNPP took to the streets in protest, despite the warning by the state police command that barred people from protesting.

The Command however said some protesters have been arrested following the breach of peace yesterday.

According to the State Police Commissioner, Hussaini Gumel, seven protesters have been arrested so far. The seven people, he explained were arrested around Kano Line while heading towards State House Road.

Gumel said, “We have succeeded in stopping the protesters and we have arrested seven of them.

“We have deployed armed policemen in the area; we have since commenced an intensive investigation and we will update you in due course.”

He warned against further violence in the state, urging residents to go about their lawful duty.

He stated: “I am appealing to residents not to hesitate to report to the nearest security outfit any person or group of people engaging in any form of protest in and outside the metropolis for prompt action.”

Meanwhile, the state government said on Wednesday that it has appealed the judgment.

FG, States, LGAs Share N906bn From N1.35bn Revenue Generated In October

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James Orji

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November 23, 2023

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The federal government said on Wednesday that the three tiers of government in the country shared a total of N906.955 billion for the month of October.

The three tiers of government are the federal, state and local government.

The information was contained in a communique released on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Ministry of Finance, Stephen Kilebi.

The ministry said the sum is part of the federation’s total N1.35 trillion revenue generation within the month.

The breakdown of the figures indicate that total figure shared for October represents an increase of N3.48 billion compared to the N903.48 billion shared in September 2023.

The ministry stated that the total revenue distributable for October 2023 was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N305.070 billion, VAT of N323.446 billion, EMTL of N15.552 billion, Exchange Difference of N202.887 billion and Augmentation of N60.000 billion, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N906.955 billion.

Out of the sum, the Federal Government received N323.355 billion, the States received N307.717 billion, the Local Government Councils got N225.209 billion, while the Oil Producing States received N50.674 billion as Derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).

The communique said, “The Federation Account Allocation Committee at the end of the meeting indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax for October 2023 was N347.343 billion, which was an increase from the N303.550 billion distributed in the preceding month, increasing to N43.793 billion.

“From that amount, N10.894 billion was allocated for the Cost of Collection, and N10.003 billion was given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds. The remaining sum of N323.446 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N48.517 billion, the States received N161.723 billion, and Local Government Councils got N113.206 billion.

“Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N660.090 billion received in the month was lower than the sum of N1,014.953 trillion received in the previous month of September 2023 by N354.863 billion. From that amount, the sum of N38.942 billion was allocated for the Cost of Collection and a total sum of N316.078 billion for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.

“The remaining balance of N305.070 billion was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government was allocated the sum of N147.574 billion, States got N74.852 billion, LGCs got N57.707 billion, and Oil Derivation (13 per cent Mineral Revenue) got N24.937 billion.”

In September, the three levels of government shared N903. 48 billion with the federal government receiving the highest.

Economic Recovery: Editors Confab Urges FG To Reduce Deafening Anxiety Among Nigerians

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The Source

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November 23, 2023

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■Aligns with government’s economic policies

■Says media sustainability crucial to democracy, economic growth

Arising from its four-day annual conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, weekend, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) aligned with measures so far adopted by the Federal Government to revive the economy; but said the path to total economic recovery must not be littered with ‘’corpses’’ of those who can’t survive the suffocating heat of the present situation.

The professional body of editors in Nigeria, therefore, urged the federal government to reduce the deafening anxiety among Nigerians by enacting short-term measures that would address soaring prices of goods and services, depreciating currency, volatile exchange rates, illiquidity in the foreign exchange market, high interest rates, high trade costs, declining purchasing power, escalating production costs, rising energy cost, slump in industrial capacity utilization and erosion of profit margins.

The conference attended by publishers, media executives and senior editors of print, electronic and online media houses across the country, urged government at all levels to practically initiate actions that would cushion the immediate effects of the sacrifices of Nigerians towards economic recovery.

In a communiqué signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Monday, the editors also said that in view of the crucial role by the media in deepening democracy and economic growth, the federal government has a huge and unique role to play in media sustainability in the country.

On media sustainability and the existential threat by the Big Tech, the conference advised the federal government to follow the ongoing trends around the world by supporting adopted global bargaining code – through legislation, which will compel Tech platforms, like Google, Facebook and others to negotiate payment to local news media houses for using their content.

According to the conference, ‘’The bargaining code allows publishers to collectively bargain without violating antitrust laws; requires tech platforms to negotiate with publishers for the use of news snippets; also requires them to pay licensing fees to publishers; and taxes digital advertising and uses the revenue to subsidise news outlets.

‘’The EU, US, Canada, India, Brazil, Australia and others have since adopted their own media bargaining code through various Acts to compel big tech to pay for news they don’t produce but use and sell; it is gaining momentum, and has been gaining global support since Australia took the bull by the horns.’’

The conference, which also discussed the state of broadcast sector in Nigeria, urged the federal government to strengthen the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the regulatory body of broadcasting, in the general interest of the sector.

‘’The National Broadcasting Commission, as statutorily constituted in Nigeria is not an independent body like its counterparts in the United States and the United Kingdom. The National Assembly should amend the NBC Act to make it an autonomous body that will report solely to the National Assembly, and not the Minister of Information.

‘’Such independence of operation, devoid of arbitrary government intervention, will create a better sense of professionalism in the industry. Instead of always emerging from obscurity to bare its fangs at media organisations, the NBC and electronic media organisations should have regular roundtables on issues of mutual interests’’, the communique added.

The conference said that both the NBC and the electronic media organisations are currently operating a cat and dog relationship, where the NBC only sets traps for media houses before pouncing on them, instead of creating and sustaining a harmonious relationship through exchange of ideas, for the good of the industry.

On freedom of the press, the conference observed that for every right, there are corresponding responsibilities; and that journalists must carefully navigate the marauding laws against the industry with circumspection, by adhering to journalism’s professional Code of Ethics.

According to the conference, ‘’In the course of holding government accountable – in line with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), journalists should not shy away from telling the truth – as criticism is not synonymous with sedition, and public officials must imbibe certain democratic norms, which include openness towards criticisms.’’

While urging government to do more in the security sector to ensure safety of lives and property, the conference also challenged media houses to lead the campaign against every situation that is out to undermine the security of the country, and advised media houses to sustain the campaign to reduce insecurity in the country

With a theme ‘’Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media’’, the conference was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagu.

Present at the conference were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno; the Conference Chairman and Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Uncle Sam Amuka; former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Ray Ekpu

Various papers were presented by experts – covering all aspects of the programme, including goodwill messages. Among the resource persons who made in-depth presentations were Dr. Muda Yusuf, former Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mallam Ribadu; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Azubuike Ishiekwene, Executive Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Leadership newspaper; Dr. Chima Amadi and Richard Akinnola.

Suspended REC Hudu Runs To His Second Wife In Niger Republic For Comfort, Evades Arraignment

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Adesina Soyooye

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November 23, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

One of the wives of Hudu Yunisa-Ari, the suspended Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa, is bound to spend a lonely period during the end of year festivities stretching to New Year celebrations of 1st January, 2024, unless her husband obeys the law.

While she is in their home State of Bauchi, her husband has escaped to Niger Republic to stay with his other wife there.

Hudu ran to Niger Republic to, apparently, evade his arraignment in Court. He was billed to appear before an Adamawa State High Court on Wednesday, but the Court was told that Hudu, a Lawyer, has fled to Niger Republic. That would be the second time he would be absent in Court. His first absence was on November 6, 2023. That day, his Counsel, Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, had told the Court, presided over by Justice Benjamin Lawan, that he was unaware of his client’s whereabouts.

But on Wednesday when he was absent again, Dr Suleiman told the Court that he now knew Hudu’s whereabouts. He informed that Hudu fled to the Niger Republic to, obviously, find comfort in the arms of one his two wives who lives there. The other wife lives in Bauchi.

He pleaded with the Court to give him Hudu’s service to take to him, but it was a plea the Honourable Justice Lawan refused, and insisted that the run-away REC must be served in person.

Hudu ran into trouble when he deliberately and illegally usurped the job of the INEC Returning Officer, Adamawa, in the Governorship Election and mischievously declared the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Aishatu Ahmed, popular as Binani, winner of the election. She contested against the incumbent Governor Ahmed Fintiri who, at the time Hudu declared Binani winner, was in a comfortable lead.

An embarrassed INEC Leadership suspended Hudu from office. Muhammadu Buhari, then Nigeria’s President, approved the suspension. Hudu was later arrested and dragged to Court. However, he has not been seen since then.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prosecution Counsels, O. A. Atolabi and F. T. Ekyaan, brought an application which urged the Court to issue them with warrant of arrest against Hudu, since he was nowhere to be found.

But the Honourable Justice Lawan declined their request, since according to him, the defendant’s Counsels have assured the Court they would produce him at the next hearing.

The matter was adjourned to December 6 for Hudu’s arraignment.

How Wike Forced APC To Dissolve Rivers Chapter Committees, Loyalist Named New Caretaker Chairman

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Ayodele Oni

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November 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Following overbearing influence of former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) has disbanded the Executive Committees at all levels of its chapter in the State.

Although the leadership claimed that the dissolution was as a result of a protracted crisis within the chapters, it was gathered that Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), has almost hijacked the APC at all levels in the State.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the NWC meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka named Chief Tony Okocha as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee.

Okocha had, in July, made a strong case for the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, to be given the Ministerial slot meant for the State, arguing that the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the State was made possible by Wike.

He said neither the Social Democratic Party’s Governorship Candidate, Magnus Abe, nor the immediate past Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, deserved the slot, having not worked for Tinubu’s success, as Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP did. Wike has since been appointed as Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister.

Morka, at the briefing, said the Party’s decision was signed by the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter.

He said; “The NWC of the APC at its meeting on 22 November 2023 and under the powers conferred upon it by the NEC of the party and by the provision of Article 13 and recognizing compelling circumstances that have arisen in the Rivers state chapter necessitating decisive actions hereby resolves that the executive committees of the party in Rivers state at all levels are dissolved.

“A Caretaker Committee shall be appointed to conduct a comprehensive e-registration of all members in the state; to facilitate the emergence of new executive committees extending from wards to the state”.

He listed Chief Tony C. Okocha as Chairman, Chief Eric Nwibani was named Secretary. Members are Hon. Chibuike Ikenga, Prince Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo and Miss Darling Amadi.

Angry Wike Chastises Anglican Bishop For Not Acknowledging His Presence In Church

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The Source

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November 22, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

“As Minister of the FCT, I cane to Church, not even the courtesy of recognising that the Minister of FCT came in, and I laughed. When I was Governor here, you were all praising me here and there, saying I did this, I did that. Fake”

The Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, a couple of days ago, got a dose of the anger and acidic tongue of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, chastised the Bishop for not acknowledging his presence in Church. He said that the non recognition of his presence in the congregation by the Bishop was different from his experience as the Governor each time he was in Church. He, therefore, dismissed all the commendation heaped on him then by the Bishop as “fake.”

Wike: “As a Minister of the FCT, I came to the Church, not even the courtesy of recognising that the Minister of FCT came in, and I laughed.

“When I was Governor here, you were all praising me here and there, saying I did this, I did that; fake!”

Trouble started when the Minister, himself a Lawyer, whose wife, Suzzette is a High Court Judge, went to Port Hacourt for the Rededication Service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary. The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, estranged political godson of the Minister was also present.

In Nigeria, Churches have a habit of recognising dignitaries amongst the congregation. Apparently, since it has, sadly, become the norm, Wike as the FCT Minister and a former Governor of the State, expected that “courtesy.” However, for reason(s) not yet known, the Bishop did not extend that to him. The Minister could not understand that “public slight.”, and he did not hide his anger.

Commenting on the incident, the Minister who, obviously, read political meaning in the “slight” told the Bishop, without mentioning the Bishop’s name, that he, the Bishop, is not a Politician, and should be careful not to be treated like one. He warned that those who drag themselves into politics will be “rubbed in the mud of politics.”

Minister Wike: “I saw the preaching; I was watching the preaching of Bishop Oko-Jaja yesterday. I watched the prayers you prayed.

“As a Minister of the FCT, I came to the church; not even the courtesy of recognizing that the Minister of FCT came in, and I laughed.

“When I was Governor here, you were all praising me here and there, saying I did this, I did that; fake!”

He reminded the Bishop that both of them have different roles to play in the society, and should stick to those.

“I tell people. I am a politician and not a Clergy. We have our own roles.

“As a Clergy, you have your own role. I have never asked anybody how do you preach? I have never told anybody this is what to preach.

“If you are not a politician and don’t want what happens to politicians to happen to you, be careful. Because, once you drag yourself into politics, the mud will also be rubbed on you.

“I am a man of character. I wouldn’t have become the Minister of FCT, a non-member of APC to be the Minister, you know that I’m a man of character. Mr President knows and that’s why he made me the minister of FCT.

To confirm how offended he was by his non recognition by the Bishop, he said the Bishop has a duty to respect the congregation, meaning that the Bishop disrespected him.

Wike: “The Bishop has a duty to respect all members of his congregation, regardless of their political affiliation.”

For the records, Wike is a Christian of the Anglican Communion.