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Category: News

  • FG Reveals Those Exempted From Students Loan 

    FG Reveals Those Exempted From Students Loan 

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed that Nigerian students studying abroad are ineligible for the newly introduced student loan scheme.

    The NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this information on Friday.

    The Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, aims to provide interest-free loans to indigent students attending Nigerian tertiary institutions.

    The move is in line with Tinubu’s campaign promise to enhance education funding. Dele Alake, a member of the former Presidential Strategy Team, noted the significance of this legislation in making education more accessible.

    Following a briefing from NELFUND led by Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, the President instructed the Fund to extend interest-free loans to students pursuing skill-development programmes.

    Despite these delays, the scheme has seen significant interest, with 30,000 students successfully registering and over 60,000 individuals signing up on the NELFUND website.

    However, on May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time, according to a BBC report.

    The students cited the devaluation of the naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, which has led to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements.

    Nevertheless, Sawyerr clarified that the loan scheme was exclusively for students studying within Nigeria.

    “Nigerians in Diaspora cannot benefit from the student loan. Nigerians schooling in the country are those we want to help. The law does not allow the FG to give loans to Nigerians studying abroad,” he stated.

    Criticising the exclusion of Nigerian students in foreign institutions from the recently introduced student loan scheme, the National Mobilisation Officer, Education Rights Campaign, Adaramoye Lenin, stated that this exclusion highlighted the inadequacy of the scheme in addressing the educational needs of Nigerian students.

    He argued that the government was using the loan scheme to avoid properly funding public education, instead shifting the financial burden onto students.

  • FG Reacts As Labour Begins Indefinite Nationwide Strike 

    FG Reacts As Labour Begins Indefinite Nationwide Strike 

    The Federal Government has appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider its decision to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, June 3, 2024.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress president, Joe Ajaero yesterday announced that the industrial action which would begin by Monday midnight is in protest against the government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

    Reacting to the development, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed in an interview with Punch stated that the interest of the masses should be the top priority of Organised Labour, saying strike was not the solution to the ongoing negotiation for a new minimum wage for workers.

    His words:

    “The government is pleading with Labour to reconsider its position. The FG has already made an offer of N60,000, and whatever the government does is in the interest of Nigerians.

    “We won’t like to do something that will throw the country into another problem.

    “Even as we do that, we are pleading with Labour. They are partners in this project called ‘Nigeria’ and we expect them to join hands with the FG as it strives to look for solutions that will take Nigeria to the desired prosperity.

    “Our message is that of an appeal and the need for Labour to see reason with the government. That was even the basis for setting up the tripartite committee that was made up of Organised Labour, the sub-nationals and the FG. This was because the government just didn’t want to make unilateral decisions. In any case, the position on the wage regime is not a one-sided thing.

    “We expect that they will see reason with the government. That is why we are calling on them to show understanding by not embarking on the strike because we don’t want that at this point. A strike is not the solution to our problem. We are continuing our negotiation with them. The minister and other stakeholders are still talking to them and we believe that we will find a common ground,” he stated.

  • IPOB killings: Identities of Soldiers Revealed

    IPOB killings: Identities of Soldiers Revealed

    Identities of the soldiers gruesomely murdered in Abia State by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have emerged.

    During the sit-at-home on Thursday, vehicles and tricycles were also set ablaze by the rampaging IPOB terrorists.

    The military, in a statement on Friday, confirmed that no fewer than five of its troops deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were killed and vowed to retaliate.

    According to Daily Trust, a signal obtained on Friday disclosed that two Sergeants, two Corporals and one Lance Corporal, were killed, while six civilians were killed in the crossfire.

    The soldiers were identified as:

    1. Sergeant Charles Ugochukwu (94NA/38/1467)

    2. Sergeant Bala Abraham (03NA/53/1028)

    3. Corporal Gideon Egwe(10NA/65/7085)

    4. Corporal Ikpeama Ikechukwu (13NA/70/5483)

    5. Corporal Augustine Emmanuel (13NA/70/6663)

  • National Assembly to Consider Bill Proposing Nigeria’s Return To Regional Government

    National Assembly to Consider Bill Proposing Nigeria’s Return To Regional Government

    In a landmark move, the National Assembly is speculated to be planning for a debate and, most likely, pass into into law before October 1, 2024, a bill proposing a return to regional government.

    Part of the draft bill circulating on social media, seen by SaharaReporters is titled: “A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” 

    Although the identities of the sponsors of the bill were yet to be ascertained, the Bill, when passed, would be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.

    The sponsors of the Bill explained that the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not “autochthonous” as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian people.

    According to the advocates, the constitution amendment would be subject to a “yes or no” vote in a referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    The sponsors of the Bill explained that the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not “autochthonous” as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian people.

    According to the advocates, the constitutional amendment would be subject to a “yes or no” vote in a referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Part of the draft Bill seen by SaharaReporters on Friday partly read: 

    “PART I – Preliminaries: WHEREAS Nigeria, its Peoples and Government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then Military Government without the express consent of the people despite the preamble of “We the people.” 

    “WHEREAS the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not autochthonous as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian People.

    “WHEREAS the Peoples of Nigeria now desire and effectively demand for a change to a Constitution based on Federal/Regional System of Government. 

    “WHEREAS the Federal and Regional governments are to operate within the provisions of this Constitution, it is within the discretion of the ethnic blocs within the States that constitutes a given region to aggregate or disaggregate as Provinces, Divisions and Districts, while being in control of their affairs without let or hindrance at whatever level of governance.

    “Whereas the 1999 Constitution as amended is a schedule of a military decree now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly for which the National Assembly have the powers to amend and/or abrogate as expedient.

    Whereas the National Assembly where so necessary and expedient can invoke the doctrine of necessity to resolve any point of law for the good governance of the country Nigeria.”

    On PART 11 – Substitution Clause, the drafters proposed that the National Assembly shall invoke its inherent powers to expunge the schedule attached to decree 24 of 1999 often referred to as 1999 Constitution as amended from the decree, which “is now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly to which the National Assembly have the powers to so do and replace same with a new governance model for Nigeria effective not later than October 1, 2024.”

    “This amendment is subject to a yes or no vote in a Referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it proposed.

    On governance structure under PART III – Stipulations for Federal Administration, the sponsors proposed that: “(1) Nigeria shall be a Federation comprising of Regional Territories and a Federal Capital Territory and shall be a Republic to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    “(2) The territorial jurisdiction of Nigeria shall comprise the territory of the Regional members of the Federation and its bound.

  • Nationwide Strike Imminent as Labour Unions Decry Government Inaction

    Nationwide Strike Imminent as Labour Unions Decry Government Inaction

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have threatened to embark on nationwide strike by Monday in response to the Federal Government’s failure to finalize a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the recent surge in electricity tariff to N65/kwh.

    During a press conference held on Friday, May 31st, 2024, the unions expressed deep concern over what they perceive as the government’s disregard for the welfare of Nigerian workers.

    The unions were particularly irked by the absence of governors and key ministers, except for the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, during the negotiations as a mark of the government’s lack of commitment to addressing the concerns of workers.

    Recalling the ultimatums issued during the May Day celebrations on May 1st, 2024, demanding the conclusion of the minimum wage negotiations by the end of the month, the unions emphasized the lack of substantial progress or commitment from the government.

    In addition to demanding the reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike, which saw rates skyrocket to N225/kwh, the unions reiterated their call for a return to the previous rate of N65/kwh and an end to the categorization of consumers into Bands.

    Despite widespread protests and public outcry, the unions criticized the government’s response as characterized by “persistent inaction” and the dissemination of propaganda rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue.

    Consequently, the NLC and TUC announced the initiation of an indefinite nationwide strike, set to commence on Monday, June 3rd, 2024. The unions called upon their affiliates, civil society organizations, market traders, and the general public to lend their support to the industrial action.

    While acknowledging the potential inconveniences that may arise from the strike, the unions affirmed their unwavering resolve to pursue their objectives until the demands regarding the minimum wage and electricity tariff hike are satisfactorily addressed by the government.

  • Tension in Kano as Sanusi, Bayero plan Friday prayer at palace’s mosque 

    Tension in Kano as Sanusi, Bayero plan Friday prayer at palace’s mosque 

    There is noticeable apprehension among Kano residents as the reinstated Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, is set to lead the two rakat congregational Friday prayers today at the Emir’s palace Friday mosque.

    This announcement was made in a statement signed by Danburan of Kano on Thursday evening.

    The statement invites residents to attend and listen to the sermon to be delivered by Sanusi.

    Similarly, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, invites residents to join him at the emir’s palace Friday mosque to observe the Jumu’at prayer.

    It further mentions that the movement to the emir’s palace mosque begins at 12:30 pm.

    However, the police authorities have yet to comment on the situation to prevent any potential disruption of law and order.

    Effort to contact the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna failed as his mobile phone number was not going through.

  • Nigeria Police unveil cybercrime reporting platform

    Nigeria Police unveil cybercrime reporting platform

    The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled a platform for reporting cybercrime.

    NPF says the platform is in its bid to reinforce its commitment to tackling digital threats.

    The new portal, managed by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre is now accessible with a new site replacing the old site.

    The Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

    The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force is pleased to inform the general public of the launch of a new, more robust, and secure domain for reporting cybercrime-related offences as part of the continued commitment to combating cybercrime and enhancing the safety and security of our digital space.

    “The new reporting platform, managed by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), can be accessed at: [https://nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin]. This upgraded domain replaces the previous site [https://incb.npf.gov.ng] which must be discarded.”

    The statement stated that the upgraded domain offers enhanced security to protect user information and is user-friendly for efficient reporting.

    Additionally, it featured improved tracking and response mechanisms for timely action on reported cases, and it urged the public to utilize this platform to aid in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.

    “The upgraded domain includes enhanced security measures to protect user information and ensure confidentiality and is user-friendly for easy and efficient reporting of cybercrime incidents.

    “It also includes improved tracking and response mechanisms to ensure timely and effective action on reported cases.

    “The Inspector General of Police urges all members of the public to utilize this new platform for reporting any cybercrime activities as vigilance and prompt reporting can significantly contribute to police efforts in tackling the menace of cybercrime in Nigeria, and even beyond,” it added.

    It would be recalled that implementing the Cybercrime Act 2015 has been met with different reactions from various quarters.

    The Act will provide a unified legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes in Nigeria.

  • Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island leaving many trapped

    Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island leaving many trapped

    The collapse of a two-storey building in the Isale Eko area of Lagos State on Thursday, has reportedly left many people trapped.

    The structure alleged to have been defective, gave way following a fire in parts of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island.

    The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident, said 14 other buildings were seriously impacted by the fire.

    The fresh occurrence follows that of April, when four buildings collapsed due to the intensity of the fire that engulfed part of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island.

    He said emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal and State Fire Services, the Nigeria Police and fire service of the Nigeria Ports Authority, were already at the scene of the event.

  • Ajayi Crowther varsity to conduct drug tests for students, staff

    Ajayi Crowther varsity to conduct drug tests for students, staff

    Ajayi Crowther University has decided to subject students, porters, and security personnel to mandatory drug tests, according to a report from the institution’s alumni executive.

    This is coming in the wake of the death of a student who was said to have been beaten to death by some of his colleagues.

    Recall a 200-level Mechanical Engineering student at the institution, Akpo Alex, had, last week, been beaten to death by some of his colleagues. The beating was said to have been occasioned by an alleged stealing of a phone belonging to one of them.

    “He also said that every one of the students, university porters, and securities would be subjected to drug tests, and if they are found culpable, they would be expelled and dismissed with immediate effect,” the school’s alumni executive report signed by its president, Hon Busoye Ogunlade, stated on Thursday, quoting the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adebayo. 

    The report comes after the alumni executive visited the university management to get updates and offer suggestions in the aftermath of the student’s death.

    During the visit, the Ajayi Crowther University vice-chancellor informed the alumni that all individuals involved in the incident, including the suspected perpetrators, a porter, and two security personnel accused of rape, are currently in police custody awaiting legal proceedings.

    “The porter of the same hostel where the incident happened is still in police custody till date. Also, the two securities who were reported for rape are to appear in court today, May 30, 2024,” the report stated.

    In addition to the drug testing measures, the university has increased its security presence on campus, with civil defence officers working alongside existing security personnel.

    The report also mentioned that the parents of the deceased student visited the university and suggested ways to raise awareness among students about proper channels for reporting incidents instead of taking matters into their own hands.

    The alumni executive expressed its commitment to working closely with the university management to uphold the institution’s vision and ensure the safety of students.

    “We told the management that the Alumni as a body would keep working hands in hands with the university to ensure the vision of its establishment is well pursued to the core,” the report stated.

    Earlier, the VC noted that the school has learnt from this incident and has beefed up security and monitoring while encouraging students to report whatever is happening around them to the vice-chancellor and other management staff.

  • Old national anthem: ‘Vagabonds in power distracting us —Charly Boy

    Old national anthem: ‘Vagabonds in power distracting us —Charly Boy

    Nigerian entertainer, Charles Oputa, also referred to as Charly Boy or Area Fada, has joined the chorus of criticism against the reinstatement of the old, colonial national anthem by President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, echoing the sentiments of millions of Nigerians.

    President Tinubu formally initiated the recitation of the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” despite widespread disapproval from the public.

    This decision follows the recent enactment of a bill, signed into law by the President, replacing the current national anthem, “Arise O Compatriots,” with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” passed by the Senate on Tuesday and the House of Representatives last week.

    In his trademark candid manner, Charly Boy, also known as the ‘Senior Advocate of the Masses,’ took to X on Wednesday night to denounce the move, emphasizing that it does not align with the pressing priorities of the Tinubu administration.

    “Vagabonds in power wan distract us from hunger, kidnapping, high cost of living by organizing useless priorities for us to follow so we no go dey talk as e dey pain us?”

    “Animals in Agbada fit make me start to sing our olden days National Anthem, imposicant.