Home Blog Page 2509

Eastern Palm University: Uzodinma, Okorocha Lock Horns as former Governor Opens up on Ownership |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Rochas Okorocha and Hope Uzodinma over Easter Palm University

By Chidi Levi

The last may not have been heard about the controversy surrounding the ownership status of Eastern Palm University, Ogboko, Ideato South local government area of Imo state.

A day after Imo state Government said it has recovered the University from former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who now represents Imo west Senatorial District in the Senate, the former Governor,  in a prese statement, pooh poohed the move, describing it as a ploy to distract Imolites. He pleaded with the people of the state to disregard the Government’s announcement.

Notedly, the Eastern Palm University ownership dispute further exacerbates the strained relationship between Governor Hope Uzodinma and Okorocha, both chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

While Governor Uzodinma said he is rebuilding Imo from what he describes as the ruins Okorocha left it, the former Governor insists his successor is fighting him in order to cover up for the collapse of governance in the state under his( Governor Uzodinma’s) watch.

Essentially, while the Imo State Government say the Eastern Palm University was built with public fund by Okorocha and thus belongs to the state, Okorocha claims his Rochas Foundation and Imo state government jointly own the  institution situated at Ogboko, his ( Okoroacha’s hometown).

This in itself raises a nagging poser: why would a sitting governor, in his private capacity, go into a joint business venture with the state he governs?

But Okorocha’s supporters justify his alleged part ownership of the disputed University, insisting that Rochas Foundation is a distinct entity different from the founder.

Announcing the take over of the university, Thursday, the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba said government was warning all those it called ‘fraudulent claimants’ to stay away from it.

Government, the commissioner  said, derived its right to ownership of the institution from the fact that state money was used to build the school.

Obviously referring to Okorocha, Emelumba warned that if those claiming ownership of the University failed to stay away from it,  they would be made to face the full weight of the law.

The decision to seize the Eastern Palm University was taken at the weekly Executive Council of Imo State presided over by Governor Uzodimma.

The Council accepted the White paper Report on Land Use and Related Matters which recognizes that the Eastern Palm University is owned by the state.

The White Paper, according to the Commissioner, recommended that the University should be recovered and appropriately designated as a State University in accordance with the laid down guidelines of NUC.

Consequently, Council directed the relevant ministries to take immediate steps to implement the decisions of the Executive Council, in accordance with the White Paper Report.

Eastern Palm University
Eastern Palm University: Who owns it?

The Council noted that the university was built with Imo State tax payers money.

But Okorocha in a statement entitled “Imo State Government Does Not Own Eastern Palm University & Can’t  Recover It”, issued by his media aide, Sam Onwuemedo, Friday, reminded the Government that “the University is  not a market store, you can’t just claim to have recovered it through a press conference”

Okorocha:  “This is to plead with the general public to disregard the claim by the State Government, with Chief Hope Uzodinma as Governor, that it has recovered the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko. And the only reason the government gave was that, a Whitepaper, that has not been released, recommended for the recovery. The claim was only aimed at distracting the public from the total collapse of governance in Imo”

The former governor noted that the University was a creation of the law and, therefore, a legal entity, and not a kiosk or market store could wake up one day, to claim or announce to have recovered.

Continuing, Okorocha further said:

“The Eastern Palm University was established by the Imo State of Nigeria, Law No. 3 of 2019. And part II, No.3 (3) Stated that, “the University shall be owned on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis, by the Imo State Government and the Incorporated Trustees of Rochas Foundation, hereinafter referred to as the Parties”.

And the Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between the Concerned Parties are domiciled in the relevant bodies or Institutions. And the law also provided that any of the Parties, “may decide to opt out of the Agreement upon giving the prescribed notice and meeting the conditions for opting out as contained in the Agreement.

“So, it was absurd for the government to announce to have recovered an Institution established by law, through a Press Conference held in one of the offices  in  Government House, and claiming too, to have based the illegal and disturbing action, on a Whitepaper, nobody has seen.

“It should also be recalled that long before now, Governor Hope Uzodinma had assured to release the Whitepaper on all the recommendations of the Panels set up by his government or the government before him. And instead of living upto his vow or assurance to release the Whitepaper, he decided to play Politics of Vendetta with the issue.

“The same government did not inform its audience that it has also been in Court over the same University. Why not wait for the Court to give Judgement on the matter you brought to it? Why resorting to  self help?

“We want to let all men and women of deserving conscience t know that, the Government in Imo wants to kill the Eastern Palm University like it has killed every other Institution or establishment in the State. Senator Rochas Okorocha had got licences for five Universities as Governor . The structures are on ground, including, the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Aboh Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala, University of Creative Technology, Nkwerre, Marine University Oguta, University of Medical Sciences, Ideato and so on.

“The government in Imo has abandoned all of them, but only keen in taking over Eastern Palm University.

It is, also, important to state that the Government came up with the worrisome claim of recovering the Eastern Palm University to distract attention from the ugly developments in the State, in the past two days, in which, not less than five Imo Indigenes had been killed, including the former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Owerri Branch, Barr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo, because the Security situation in the State has deteriorated. A Journalist, Mr. Precious Nwadike was  beaten into coma, allegedly by one of the Governor’s brothers, with his Private Security Personnel. The man was flown to Lagos when his condition was getting out of hand.”

While Governor Uzodinma and Okorocha bicker over the ownership of Eastern Palm University, the fate of students and staff of the ill-fated institution remain a source of worry to keen watchers of the unfolding spat.

Finally, Imo Recovers University From Okorocha; Lawyer Says Government Has Bungled Its Case |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Eastern Palm University

By Charles Igbo

Sighs of relief were heaved across Imo State, and especially, the host Community of Eastern Palm University, when the Imo State Government announced  that it has recovered  the University from the former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The status of the University has been soaked in controversy, even before Okorocha left office as Imo Governor. While he claimed the University was his, many in the state put a lie to his claim. They insist the University belongs to the Government and the people. They said it was developed, and fully funded with money from the Imo State treasury.

Answering  questions from  Senior Journalists of Imo State origin a couple of years before he left office, Okorocha tried to clear the controversy surrounding the ownership of the University.

On becoming the Governor, he said, he made to relocate Imo State University, Owerri, to his home town, Ogboko, in Orlu. But, according to him, Owerri people rose in anger, and resisted the move. He discarded the move. But by then, he said his Government had already spent the sum of N650m, to clear the site billed for the aborted relocation.

Okorocha said having aborted that, he then decided to build, privately, a brand new University – the Eastern Palm University, and allocated to the Imo State Government, a stake worth the sum of the N650m that was spent on clearing the site. Meaning that the State, has an insignificant stake in the University.

But not a few people in the State, have, on various occasions, put a lie to Okorocha’s claim.

Conducting Senior Journalists round the State, even a staff of the Imo Ministry of Education, told them in confidence  that the University was built with State funds. He said hundreds of millions of state  money were spent there. On one occasion, he said, the sum of Three billion Naira, was released for it.

Pleading  not to be quoted because “I am a civil servant”, he said it is simple for any serious Government to trace the monies spent, and from where they were sourced.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

More important, they insist that the National Universities Commission, NUC, approved  the University, as a second University for Imo State, and not as Okorocha’s private University.

At the inception of the former  Governor  Emeka Ihedioha’s Administration, he had set up a couple of Judicial Commissions of Inquiry to look into a number  of grey areas during the Okorocha administration. One of it, Land Use And Related Matters,  among other things,  looked  into the Eastern Palm University, and the controversy surrounding its ownership.

Before the Panel completed its work, Senator Hope Uzodinma succeeded Ihedioha. Okorocha’s expectation that Uzodinma would disband the Judicial Commissions and Panels set up by Ihedioha was dashed. Uzodinma resisted every pressure to do that, insisting that Government is a continuum. He said Imolites will be disappointed with him  if he did that. He, also, said that, like every Imo indegene, “I am interested in knowing what happened in Imo under Okorocha.”

Not a few people  think that, among a couple of other not very important issues, the non-disbandment  of the Commissions and Panels, is at the root of the political bad blood between Uzodinma and Okorocha.

Since the Panel which looked into the ownership of the University submitted its report, most Imo people had been waiting to hear from the Government. Impatient, a group of people from the host Community went to Court, asking it to compel Imo State Government to physically take over the University, or return their acres of land them, which they alleged was taken from them by the Government, under Okorocha, for the University.

A couple of months ago, Okorocha had tangoed with the IMSG when he not only appointed a new Vice Chancellor, but fixed a date for the matriculation of new students. The Government tried to block it. But the matriculation eventually held.

Now, the Government has finally released the White Paper. It is  the recommendation that it finally implemented by taking over the University, in a decision on Wednesday,

Deliberating on the White Paper, the State Executive Council, at a meeting, presided over by Governor Uzodinma, resolved on an immediate take over of the institution, dismissing any other claimant, as fraudulent.

The resolve, announced in a Press Release signed by Uzodinma’s Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwuike Nwachukwu,  after a Press briefing by Commissioner for Information, Declan Mbadiwe, said the Government would no longer tolerate any fraudulent claims, warning that the will of the Government should not be tested.

Following is the full text of the Press release, entitled:

Imo State Government Recovers Eastern Palm University from Fraudulent Claimants

“Fraudulent claimants to the state-owned Eastern Palm University at Ogboko, in Orlu, have been warned to stay away from the facility, or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

“They have also been reminded that the government has been empowered to deal, decisively, with anyone, or group of persons, ready to test the will of government over ownership of the university

“The Executive Council of Imo State took the decision at its weekly meeting of Wednesday, February 10, 2021, presided over by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

“The Council did, while accepting the Whitepaper Report on Land Use and Related Matters which recognizes that the Eastern Palm University is owned by the state.

“It, therefore, resolved that all necessary steps must be taken to recover the University from fraudulent claimants.

“Addressing newsmen at the Government House Owerri, the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, informed that the Eastern Palm University was accredited by Nigerian University Commission (NUC) as the second Imo State owned University.

“The Whitepaper, according to the Commissioner, recommended that the University should be recovered and appropriately designated as a State University in accordance with the laid down guidelines of NUC.

“Consequently, Council has directed the relevant Ministries to take immediate steps to implement the decisions of the Executive Council as they concern the Whitepaper Report.

“Buttressing the Whitepaper report, the Executive Council stressed that Eastern Palm University was not only registered with NUC as second Imo State University, but was built and funded with Imo State tax payers money,  hence government will not waste time to implement the recommendations of the Whitepaper.

“Emelumba said that in the nearest future, government will decide on what to do with the University and that the people of Imo State will be informed appropriately.

“Now that the University has been recovered and returned to the State, anybody seen at the site or premises parading himself or herself in any manner in terms of ownership or otherwise will be dealt with decisively.”

On the plight of the students and workers,  the Commissioner said the Council assuaged their fears, noting that none of them will be made to suffer for anything they are innocent of.

He added that the relevant Ministries and Agencies have been charged to handle such cases as they may be applicable to the full implementation of the Whitepaper.

But an American-trained Barrister- at- Law, and an Imo son, Dr Alloy Ejimakor, is of the opinion that the State Government has bungled its case.

He told this magazine: “They bungled it. The  State should have filed an action for forfeiture  based on the White Paper. You can’t take someone else’s property without a Court Order.

“The Commission was not a Court in the sense contemplated in the Constitution on ‘siezures/forfeitures’. Okorocha has what is known in property law as Bonafide Claim of Right.”

But an Imo elder countered: “Okorocha, from the beginning, had no claim of right. The University has always been the property of the Imo State Government.”

Already, Okorocha has urged everybody to totally ignore the Imo State Government directive on the University. He, sure, will be headed for court.

Governing Council For Newly Established Varsity In Ekiti |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved the appointment of members of the Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.

A statement on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, stated that the nine member council has  legal luminary,

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), as Chancellor.

A former Provost of the State’s College of Education which was upgraded to a University, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, is the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council.

Other members are Prof Kola Oladunjoye,  Mr S. I. Folorunso, Otunba Kunle Ajayi, Mrs Jumoke Adamolekun.

Others are Chief (Mrs) Moni Afuye, Dr Segun Aina, and Dr Adelana  Adeleye – Olusae

The appointments take  immediate effect.

The Executive Bill for the upgrade of the State College of Education, Ikere, to a University status, was passed in 2020 by the House of Assembly.

The University was named after the late civilian Governor of old Ondo state, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, an indigene of the town.

Mr President, Nigeria Is Headed For War, Do Something |The Source

By
The Source
-
0

By Samuel Ortom

It is my honour and privilege to extend warm compliments of the New Year to Your Excellency on behalf of myself, the Government and good people of Benue State.

  1. As a State, we welcome and appreciate the establishment of three Federal educational institutions in Benue State namely: Federal University of Health Sciences, Federal College of Education and a Federal Polytechnic.
  2. We are also thankful for the various appointments given Benue sons and daughters. We expect more of such strategic projects and appointments more so given the support you have received from our Government and the people of the State. We acknowledge and appreciate the intervention which your Administration made as Bailout to States during the first recession, although Benue is yet to receive the second Tranche which you approved and referred to the Federal Ministry of Finance to verify and pay two years ago and which Kogi State received in 2019.
  3. Your Excellency, we especially want to commend you for responding to my earlier appeal to deploy, upgrade and retain Military Operations in the State. These Operations, particularly Operation Whirl Stroke, working in collaboration with other Security Agencies, have contributed to relative peace in several parts of the State even though the challenges are not yet over
  4. Mr. President, we are not oblivious of the challenges that the country has faced in the life of your Administration. These include two recessions, the COVID-19 global pandemic and the unprecedented nationwide security challenges resulting into the largest loss of lives and property since the Civil War. These security challenges especially have unsettled the country economically, socially and politically.
  5. Your Excellency, these security challenges have assumed new dimensions where the now emboldened assailants and armed herdsmen daringly enforce their will on legitimate owners and occupants of ancestral lands. There are many areas of concern over the Federal Government’s actions and inactions, including the widely discussed concern over inequalities in key appointments. These have reinforced the perception that the Administration is not fair and just to all Nigerians.
  6. Mr. President, please recall my earlier letters drawing your attention to the murderous activities of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other armed Fulani socio-cultural groups and their leaders who publicly and brazenly claimed responsibility for the killings and destruction of property across States of the country. These groups and their leaders have also boasted that Nigeria belongs exclusively to them. The letters alerted you on several challenges and called for the arrest and prosecution of the leaders and proscription of the organizations in question.

The letters are as follows:

(i) Incessant Violent Attacks on Benue Farmers in Benue State by Armed Herdsmen Ref. No. AI/68/T.I/64 dated 7th June 2017.

(ii) Alleged Planned Attack by Fulani Herdsmen on Benue State and the need to Support the Anti-Open Grazing Law Ref. No. AI/68/I/149 on 16th October, 2017.

(iii) Violent Attacks on Communities in Benue State by Armed Fulani Herdsmen Ref. No. AI/68/I/174 dated 2nd January, 2018.

(iv) Fresh Planned Attacks by Fulani Herdsmen on Benue people

Ref. No. AI/68/I/189 dated 18th January, 2018.

  1. We are alarmed that rather than being censured, these leaders and organizations have been emboldened and intensified their atrocities. They have received encouragement in the process through various actions and inactions by the Federal Government, including the following:

(i) Open Visa Policy which has promoted unprecedented influx of Fulani herdsmen carrying sophisticated and prohibited weapons into Nigeria;

(ii) Non-compliance with the ECOWAS protocol on transhumance;

(iii) Swift condemnation of any perceived or real threats on Fulani while maintaining silence over their atrocities and admonishing victimized host communities to accommodate their oppressors and learn to live at peace with them;

(iv) The failure to arrest, disarm and prosecute armed herdsmen and Fulani militia;

(v) Disarming other Nigerians who have licensed weapons;

(vi)Continuation of open grazing and support for grazing reserves, stock routes, cattle colony and Ruga despite nationwide acknowledgement that this practice is unviable; and that ranching is the global best practice for livestock production;

(vii)The non-implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan despite its approval by the National Economic Council and its acceptance by pilot States.

  1. This ugly situation has caused devastation across the country. In Benue State, 19 out of 23 Local Government Areas have been affected by attacks by Fulani herdsmen leading to loss of lives, destruction of property and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Benue people who are now living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps and host communities across the State. The total number of Internally Displaced Persons currently in the Camps in Benue State is 483,692 persons.
  2. Returning these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes has been impossible as herdsmen continue to attack, kill, maim and rape those who return. The Federal Government is also yet to redeem the pledge made on 15th May, 2018 by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo to contribute N10Billion to Benue State towards the reconstruction, rehabilitation, reintegration and resettlement of displaced persons. The failure of the IDPs to return to their ancestral homes to resume normal farming activities, together with the impact of climate change, has posed a serious threat to national food security, as evidenced by rising food prices.
  3. Sir, we all remember the wise counsel of Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the late Alhaji Maitama Sule, when Northern Leaders Forum visited you as the President-Elect in 2015. He said, inter alia “…With justice, you can rule Nigeria well. Justice is the key. If you do justice to all and sundry, and I say all and sundry. If you’re going to judge between people, do justice irrespective of their tribe, religion or even political inclination. Justice must be done to whosoever deserves it.”
  4. Mr. President, this call for justice is the heart cry of every patriotic Nigerian. It is not a call against the Fulani race or any other ethnic group, but a call to make Nigeria work for every Nigerian in line with the Oath of Office we took as leaders and your pledge to be a President for all Nigerians and to be for everybody and for nobody. Unfortunately, you seem to be tilting towards the Fulani at the expense of other nationalists.
  5. Many citizens including patriotic Fulanis like Dr. Nura Alkali are alarmed at this tilt and the boast of Miyetti Allah that Nigeria is the heritage of the Fulani of the whole world. These citizens continue to condemn the atrocities of the Fulani across the country while also calling on the Federal Government to end these atrocities by withdrawing from their one-sided sympathy for herdsmen.
  6. Only recently, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, added his voice in this regard. He acknowledged that seven or eight out of every 10 kidnappers arrested in Nigeria are Fulani. This is not a good testimony. More so, the consequences this image has cast on the Fulani tribe should be corrected now.
  7. These concerns were reiterated by the Nigerian Tribune Editorial of January 25, 2021:

“it has become an established pattern for his Presidency to swiftly intervene on issues bordering on the atrocities of Fulani herdsmen in the country, acting as their publicist in a fashion that assails the sensibility of other Nigerians, and oftentimes unabashedly descending into the arena and polarising the country along ethnic and regional lines. This sordid trend is inimical to confidence building, genuine bonding and cohesion of citizens in a multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi-religious society and it is really concerning, and perilously so, that such vital sensitivities are being discounted at the highest level of governance in the land. From his utterances and actions, it is clear that Muhammadu Buhari is not ready to be the President of all Nigerians.”

  1. It is important to point out that these are not sentiments directed against Fulanis who are indigenous to Nigeria and have been living at peace with other Nigerians. Testimonies abound in that regard. For example, my wife and I were accommodated by a Fulani man while in school at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Till date, we are still very good family friends and he visits me occasionally in Benue. This point underscores the pain we all have had to go through to understand the tragedy where armed herdsmen from Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries are pushing the whole country to the precipice. While addressing the Nigerian community on Tuesday 19th April 2019 in Dubai, You also blamed these foreign herdsmen for the attacks on Nigeria.
  2. Mr. President, as a major stakeholder in the Nigeria project, I have a responsibility to raise these major concerns and to offer some recommendations towards addressing them.

(i) The Federal Government should develop a National Ranching Policy in line with global best practice in animal husbandry. Today, open grazing is extinct in most countries of the world. In Europe, America, Asia and in many countries in Africa, pastoralism has long given way to ranching. How can Nigeria then still be battling with a problem of pastoralism that in other countries has been solved over a century ago? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), India has 303 million cattle, Brazil, 226 million, China, 100 million, USA, 93 million, Argentina, 53 million and Australia 27 million. All these countries ranch their animals. Nigeria has less than 20 million cattle which could also be easily ranched. Unfortunately, the cows are allowed to either roam the streets freely or encroach on people’s farms and other investments. A Ranching policy in Nigeria will provide avenue for both crop farmers and those involved in animal husbandry to increase production using modern technology. This is the only way out of ending farmers/herders conflict;

(ii) Direct the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to enforce Prohibition of Open Grazing Laws passed by various States of the federation;

(iii) Abolish Open Visa policy and direct relevant security agencies to ensure full compliance with the ECOWAS Protocol on Transhumance;

(iv) The Federal Government should immediately pay compensation to families killed and those whose properties were destroyed by the herdsmen in various communities across the country;

(v) Condemn the atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen; arrest and prosecute the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Fulani Socio-cultural groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton killings and destruction of communities across the country. These include Husaini Yusuf Bosso (National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle

Herders Association), Badu Salisu Ahmadu and Umar Amir Shehu, (President and Secretary of Fulani Nationality Movement), Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo and Engr. Saleh Alhassan (President and Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore) along with their sponsors;

(vi) Proscribe Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani Nationality Movement, Fulani Herders Association and other violent Fulani extremist groups, as was done in the case of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world;

(vii)LicenseLaw-abidingNigerianstocarryweaponsinself-defence;

(viii) Ensure justice, fairness and equity in all issues relating to public safety and security;

(ix) Support the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons as a result of herdsmen atrocities in all States of the country.

  1. In conclusion, Your Excellency, I am writing to you as a patriot who is concerned about your reputation and the fate of our dear country.

I am imploring you once again to rise to the challenges of these times to avert the country’s drift to anarchy and disintegration, a situation that sycophants and praise-singers might be unwittingly shielding from you.

In 2015, Nigerians enthusiastically welcomed your return as a leader with a reputation for uprightness, fair-mindedness and integrity. The current situation is raising doubts in the minds of many Nigerians who had believed in you. Mr. President, your compatriots are looking up to you to act fast to redress the situation.

I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ORTOM, Governor, Benue State, wrote this letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on 8th February, 2021

Nigerian Becomes First Non-British To Be Commissioned Aero-Systems Specialist In British Royal Air Force |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Joel Eleojo Adams

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s Kogi born Joel Eleojo Adams, has made the nation proud and distinguished himself  among his peers.

He has made history by becoming the First Non British to be commissioned as an Aero-Systems Specialist Engineer to the rank of a flying Officer in the British Royal Air Force.

The native of Abejukolo in Omala Local Government Area in Kogi State carved a niche for himself in Nigeria before traveling abroad where he has brought laurels and recognition for the nation.

A graduate of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, he was exceptional, bagging a First Class in Electrical Engineering, which earned him a Scholarship to the United Kingdom, courtesy of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Scholarship for Innovation and Development.

During his Masters Degree at Imperial College, London, United Kingdom, he shone like a million star and proceeded for his Doctorate Degree at the  University of Cambridge in London.

He has a PhD in Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering.

His prowess, impact and contribution to the development and advancement of Aero-Systems, Manufacturing Engineering and innovation earned him  British Citizenship,, which was conferred shortly after his Commissioning.

The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth, decorated the Nigerian as he made history.

CBN: Top Bankers Hit Emefiele’s Cryptocurrency Ban

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Fola James

Senator Tokunbo Abiru, a former Managing director of Polaris Bank has joined top bankers and financial experts, in the country to flay the ban on cryptocurrency transaction in the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Last week, the Godwin Emefiele-led apex bank directed commercial banks and other financial institutions to close accounts of cryptocurrency traders, citing insecurity and governance issues.

While speaking at the Nigerian Senate on the issue on Thursday, the former banker said the CBN should be careful the way the issue is being handled, because the action is capable of sending many Nigerians into the job market. Abiru’s comment came on the crest of similar position by Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN. Moghalu, a former presidential aspirant had said that the issue of national security was not enough to ban digital currency trade.

Kingsley Moghalu
Moghalu Flays Ban

Abiru, who spoke against the backdrop of Senate summons of the CBN and Security and Exchange Commission, SEC to address it next week on the issue, said it would be economically suicidal for CBN to take away the livelihood of many Nigerians.

He explained that cryptocurrency is a global innovation, noting that “the attraction is better underscored by the typical loss of value in the legal tender. Overtime, due to inflationary pressures, currencies lose values and particularly in the period that is further challenged by recession.”

According to Abiru, the benefits of digital currency cannot be overemphasized because “in Nigeria in the last few years , we have had an increase in cryptocurrency investment to the tune of $500 million. Last year alone there was over $140 million investment in cryptocurrency,” he said.

Moghalu had compared the action with killing a fly with a sledge hammer, after the apex bank said it was trying to protect the country from terrorists and fraudsters, who hide under digital currency to launder money for nefarious activities.

“The question that one may need to ask therefore is, why any entity would disguise its transactions if they were legal. It is on the basis of this opacity that cryptocurrencies have become well-suited for conducting many illegal activities including money laundering, terrorism financing, purchase of small arms and light weapons, and tax evasion,” the CBN said in a statement.

The former CBN governor said the apex bank did not take the best approach on the issue, adding that what should have been done, is to prevent commercial banks from engaging in cryptocurrency rather than an outright ban on trading activities.

 

He said “It is mainly targeted at cryptocurrency exchanges. Hence, it does not criminalise individuals trading in cryptocurrencies. Individuals would likely have difficulties in making transactions since the activities of the exchanges are limited.

“The CBN has said it is not a legal tender but they don’t have to tell you or me what we can exchange for value. If I want to give you my shirt and you give me your shoe the Central Bank has no business with it.”

The CBN last Friday issued a directive to deposit money banks, DMBs, non-financial banks, and other financial institutions not to provide banking services to entities dealing with cryptocurrencies including exchanges.

 

The Emefiele-led bank further issued a statement on Sunday that it was only following its directive earlier issued in 2017, adding that its action on the issue was not new.

 

At least no fewer than $500 million worth of cryptocurrencys transactions have been carried out in the last four years by Nigerian traders, according to some reports. In spite of this, the government regulator said it feared the total collapse of the nation’s financial sector if the digital currency trade is allowed to country. Only a few will not contest such argument.

 

National Open University Of Nigeria Gets New VC |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Professor Olufemi A. Peters, on Thursday assumed office as the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

A statement by the director of media and publicity of NOUN, Ibrahim Sheme explained that Peters succeeds Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, whose five-year tenure ended on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

In a brief handover ceremony held at the university’s headquarters in Abuja, Peters, who was elected the Vice-Chancellor on December 3, 2020, described his predecessor as a man whose tenure would always be reckoned with in the annals of the university.

In an acceptance speech, Peters, a Professor of Chemistry, said, “Professor Adamu’s tenure will be enduring and we shall have cause to make reference now and then to the tenure of Abdalla Uba Adamu.

“It has been a wonderful journey for Professor Abdalla, and it has ended in a very remarkable way. I want to thank God for him and all he has done for NOUN.”

Earlier, in his farewell remarks, Adamu had thanked the Almighty God who entrusted him with the leadership of the University and the ability to see-off the tenure successfully.

He described the past five years as “extremely intense” which, nevertheless, allowed him the opportunity to contribute towards “widening access to higher mass education for the people of Nigeria.”

“I leave NOUN with fond memories of five years of a chunk of my life. In these five years, I have been in situations where I have thought it is really special that I am getting to experience this.

“These situations, of challenge and requiring fortitude, represented what I have truly appreciated about the job. These defining moments included processes that gave the university its soul.”

Adamu, a double Professor of Science Education and Media and Cultural Communication, said his tenure had recorded some listless achievements that improved on the image of the university and thanked the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Principal officers, whom he described as his “Dream Team” that supported him in discharging the responsibility.

“I believe I leave the university well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges of being a national and international leader in African and global Open and Distance Learning in the 21st Century,” he added.

PDP Flays Fare Hike In Ondo, Accuses Akeredolu Of Backing NURTW |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), in Ondo state has berated the state government over moves to elevate the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) to an arm of government.

The party, apparently reacting to an alleged tactical backing given by Government to the astronomical hike in transport fares in the state by NURTW, opined that the All Progressives Congress,(APC) administration is unleashing more hardship on the people.

In a statement in Akure, the party noted that “whereas the PDP in Ondo State is not in anyway, taken aback by the usual blame-game tactics which has become a recurring decimal in government administered by the APC both at the Federal and State levels the shifting of blame by the Ondo State Government to the NURTW, Ondo State chapter, for the shameless and thoughtless hike in the intra-city taxi fare, is rather amusing, mischievous and lugubrious.

“Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is striving hard to elevate the NURTW to the status of a Government agency.

“We are assured and relieved by the provisions of our constitution which do not attach or confer such status on the association.”

The statement, signed by  spokesman, Leye Igbagbo, further states “the PDP in Ondo State firmly believes that the NURTW cannot and must not impose levies of any kind, in whatever form and for whatever reasons on the already anguished people of Ondo State.

“Our party finds it extremely exasperating and irritating that the State Government is busy denying its approval and tacit involvement in the oppressive, suppressive and repressive hike, rather than immediately halt the hike and revert to the old rate to save the people from further sinking into the abyss of penury and avoidable lack.

“In the overall interest of the people, the PDP advises Governor Akeredolu and his collaborators to summon the needed courage and accept the failure of this anti-people hike and without further delay, revert to the old rate, instead of employing the monotonous blame-game tactics in order to extend the tenure of pains on the people of Ondo State.

“This, in our considered opinion, is the most honorable path to follow.”

Federal University, Oye, Bids Farewell To VC, Welcomes Successor |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Federal University, Oye Ekiti

By Ayodele Oni

It was accolades and tributes as Prof Kayode Soremekun bowed out as the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye, Ekiti, (FUOYE)

Despite grievances by some Unions at the institution over unpaid deductions spanning over a year, dignitaries trooped to the institution’s campus to bid Soremekun goodbye on Wednesday.

Bursar to the University, Mrs.  Bolatito Akande, who doubles as the Chairman, Projects Commissioning Committee of the institution, attributed the success story of the school to the solid support from the Federal Government and the Ekiti State Government.

She pointed out that the huge support from these two Governments further confirmed the fact that the  President Mohammadu Buhari administration places top priority on the development of  education in Nigeria.

“This event is historic. It is historic because never before have we witnessed on our soil such a great convergence of dignitaries spread across various strata of our society.

“It is also unique because we are showcasing the benevolence of our stakeholders to the growth and development of our great institution.

“Let me not bore you with history needless to say, that we remain the only University of this status that operates on a dual campus structure.

“But the relics of this history will show you how we have managed well amidst the Committee of Universities,

particularly, the ones established in 2011, during the tenure of the erstwhile President, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“Since 2011 and until now, no doubt, this University has enjoyed immensely, the magnanimity and benevolence of both the Ekiti State and  Federal Governments through their Ministries and Agencies, the promoting of and executing seamlessly, projects on our campuses of Oye and Ikole.

“Suffice to say that in the last few years, projects that have been executed and completed through various Governments and its agencies are well over eighty (80) dotting the landscape of both campuses.

” Let me say that we are not surprised these projects are timely completed; and the event of their Commissioning coming up at a time like this.

“We would have been most surprised if the Commissioning does not take place, noting the dogeddeness and sagacity of our supervisory agencies.

“That it took place signified the place of education as paramount on the priority list of this administration, ably led by His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari who has adopted education as a major policy thrust of his administration.

” Let me also reiterate that the administration under the watch of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Soremekun has painstakingly repositioned the University and had increased its visibility amongst the Nigerian Universities.

“In this endeavour and the developmental strides, there have been storm and banters thrown to rock the boat . I am glad and proud to let you know that Kayode Soremekun has been able to move the University forward in leaps and bounds with giant strides in infrastructure, staff welfare, and development, as well as academic improvement and empowerment.

“It is noteworthy to reiterate that with the support and approval of government and its agencies, we have achieved tremendous infrastructural boost inspite of paucity of funds.

“More than eighty of the projects have been completed, furnished and occupied. Several laboratories have been completed, furnished and occupied both at the twin campus of Oye and Ikole Ekiti.

“And we also have upgraded the University’s sporting facilities in the twin campuses.”

Among dignitaries that bid Soremekun farewell were Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of Education as well as traditional rulers from the host communities.

The new Vice Chancellor, Prof Olu Fashina has officially resumed duties.

Lagos: Lekki On Lockdown, As Bloodbath Looms |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
EndSARS Portest at Lekki

By Gideon Njoku

Following the imminent showdown on Saturday, February 13, 2021, the Lekki Area of Lagos will be on lockdown, expectedly from 12 midnight, Friday February  12.

This follows the threat by youths under the auspices of #EndSARS Campaigners to occupy the Lekki Toll Gate.

In 2020, the youths, protesting the atrocities of  a branch of the Police, Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS,  held the country by the jugular for about two weeks.

They asked for the scrapping of SARS, end to  Police brutalities, and the prosecution of the Police personnel involved. They listed three other things they wanted addressed.

The Federal Government quickly addressed those, including the disbandment of SARS. But it did not stop the protest, which quickly spread to all parts of the country.

Trillions of Naira were lost. Hundreds of businesses and private residences were looted and razed. And so were Government offices and properties. Police Divisions were burnt down and looted. Arms and ammunition. And scores of Policemen and soldiers were killed. So were civilians. Offices of the FRSC suffered the same fate. Even Customs and Immigration. And warehouses, where paliatives were inexplicably kept, were looted. Not even Courts were spared.

Lagos suffered and lost the most. It is yet to recover.

The rage stopped the night soldiers stormed the Lekki Toll Gate, the epicenter of the protest, after the Lagos State Government declared a curfew, to according to them, enforce the curfew.

Live bullets were allegedly used by the soldiers on the protesters. The army insists the soldiers used robber bullets. Whatever, there were injuries and fatalities.

The FG asked Governors to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry in their individual states to probe the alleged atrocities of the defunct SARS, and Police brutalities in general.

They did. But Lagos was the most serious. And all eyes are on the state.

Things were okay, until a few days ago when the Lagos Panel, by a split decision of five – four, ordered the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate, where the youths alleged their compatriots were “slaughtered.”

The Youths hit the roof. They said the Toll gate should remain shut until the Panel submits its report. They said it is like dancing on the graves of their compatriots. They said no soldier has been brought to book.

They, therefore, have decided to take over the Toll Gate from Saturday, February 13, for another round of protests, and have rejected all appeals to shelve it.

A rival group, with a hashtag,  #DefendLagos has emerged, warning the #EndSARS group that they would not allow them destroy Lagos, their heritage.

It is likely to be “force vs force”. Plus, both the State and Federal Governments have weighed-in.

Lagos State Government has banned any form of protest on Saturday , warning of consequences. . The FG has warned that it would not stand-by and watch as the youths, under whatever guise, take the laws into their hands.The Government said no country would endure the mayhem unleashed on the country by the youths.

The FG is likely to unleash the Police and Soldiers on the youths, if need be.

And Lagos is on edge, especially, the Lekki area. The people are on lockdown. They know it.

In a Public Notice, Yomi Idowu, Chairman Lekki Residents Association,  LERA, told residents that “the  main gate into Lekki Phase 1, shall be closed by 5.00am  on Saturday, 13th February, 2021, due to the impending protest at Lekki Toll Gate.”

But the #EndSARS are not moved. In a statement, the organisers said: “After commiting genocide by killing scores of people who were peacefully protesting at Lekki Toll Gate, and other parts of Lagos, Governor Sanwo- Olu and other oppressors want to spit on the dead, and dance on the blood of the innocent by reopening the Yahoo gate to be collecting their blood money again.

“We say NO! We are undaunted! We will be occupying Lekki Toll Gate again starting from Saturday, February 13.”

Given the security situation in the country, and the possibility of the hijack of the protest by hoodlums, not  a few people think it will be foolhardy of the youths not to shelve it,  and await the report of the Judicial Panel.

1...2,5082,5092,510...2,972Page 2,509 of 2,972