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Category: News

  • N12M School Fees: Nigeria’s Most Expensive Varsity Opens August

    N12M School Fees: Nigeria’s Most Expensive Varsity Opens August

    The alleged most expensive university in Nigeria, Wigwe University is set to open its doors to the first set of students sometime in August, 2024.

    The university, founded by the late former Access Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, is keen on providing a world-class education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to be future-ready.

    Wigwe died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife Chizoba, and son Chizzy in California on February 9, 2024.

    The university, which is located in Isiokpo, Rivers State, will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges, including the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.

    It is said that the school when it opens officially, will be the most expensive university in the country.

    According to the information on the school’s website, the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9.6m.

    Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of ₦11,998,800 each.

    The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, health insurance, student membership in professional associations, student activities, and facilities maintenance.

    There are also additional charges covering accommodation fees which include the luxury single bedroom apartment plan- ₦1,000,000 / per month; premium one en-suite bedroom plan – ₦3,845,000 per session; classic one plan – ₦3,707,000 / per session and classic two plan – ₦3,500,000 / per session.
    The fees can be paid in two installments per session.

    The management of the university, while defending its decision to charge in dollars, recently stated that home students would pay their fees in naira, while international students could select the dollar payment option.

    It said the decision was a strategic one that aligns with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.

  • Melinda quits Gates Foundation, gets $12.5bn

    Melinda quits Gates Foundation, gets $12.5bn

    Melinda French Gates, divorced wife of Bill Gates, has announced that she was leaving the philanthropy mega foundation she established with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.

    The resignation, which becomes effective on June 7, will leave Bill Gates as the sole chair of one of the world’s most influential and powerful non-governmental organizations.

    In a statement Melinda French Gates posted on social media, she said; “After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.”

    The statement gave no reason for her departure, but noted that “under the terms of my agreement with Bill, in leaving the foundation, I will have an additional $12.5 billion to commit to my work on behalf of women and families.”

    The couple married in 1994 but announced their divorce in 2021.
    They had continued to co-chair the foundation which they established in 2001 with the vast wealth acquired through the success of Microsoft.

    With a focus on child poverty and preventable diseases, the foundation has been heavily involved in fighting malaria and in providing toilets and sanitation in poorer parts of the world.

    The foundation’s website says it has spent $53.8 billion since 2000, and claims the number of children around the world who die before their fifth birthday has halved in this time.

    Bill Gates thanked his ex-wife for her “critical contributions” to the organization.

    “As a co-founder and co-chair Melinda has been instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives, significantly impacting global health and gender equality,” he said.

    “I am sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work.”

    The organization’s chief executive, Mark Suzman, said its name would change to simply the Gates Foundation. It has been known as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    “I truly admire Melinda, and the critical role she has played in starting the foundation and in setting our values, she has played an essential role in all that we’ve accomplished over the past 24 years,” he said in a video posted to social media.

    “I will miss working with her and learning from her. I look forward to seeing her continued impact.”

  • Man caught ‘strapped with bomb’ in Plateau bank

    Man caught ‘strapped with bomb’ in Plateau bank

    A group of men caught a yet-to-be-identified man who reportedly tried to detonate a bomb within the premises of a bank in Plateau State.

    The incident reportedly took place on Monday, May 13, in Dadin Kowa town in the Jos South area of the state.

    According to a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X on Tuesday, the vigilante security at the bank thwarted the attack when they noticed the suspect.

    Angered by the situation, a mob attacked the suspect and reportedly demanded his execution.

    It is unclear whether the suspect has ties to any terrorist organization in the country.

    He has been taken to the police station for further investigation.

    Credit: X // Zagazilo

  • Fubara To Probe Wike, Other Past Administrations In Rivers

    Fubara To Probe Wike, Other Past Administrations In Rivers

    Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has hinted of plans to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate how the affairs of governance were conducted in the state before he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

    Fubara gave the hint on Monday at the swearing-in of Mr Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The governor said he was bringing the Attorney-General on board at a critical time that there were lots of legal matters that needed to be tackled, with bravery and courage.

    Fubara did not, however, say what will be the scope of his investigation of the past affairs of the state, whether it’s the immediate-past administration of Governor Nyesom Wike or others since 1999.

    He said, “So, my brother, Dagogo Iboroma, you are going to be the brand new Attorney-General of our dear State. SSG (Secretary to the State Government) give him his letter, he is the Attorney-General.

    “Why are we bringing you at this very critical time? We have a lot of issues around us. We believe that you are not going to be the one that when they send service to you, you go and file “nolle prosequi” or you go and file one thing that would kill us here.

    “Let me also say this, you have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance. So, brace up, I am not going back on it.

    “Please, defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman and peaceful. You are not a noise maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God.”

  • NLC, TUC, Shutdown Discos Offices Nationwide

    NLC, TUC, Shutdown Discos Offices Nationwide

    In protest against the electricity tariff hike amid hardship in Nigeria,
    the Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Monday, shut down electricity distribution company offices (DISCO) nationwide.

    The organized labour prevented workers from having access to their office to work early Monday morning as they thronged various offices of electricity distribution companies to protest the Band A tariff hike.

    The duo had, last night, distributed reminder notices to all its branch offices and affiliates across the nation in respect of a proposed nationwide protest to commence today, Monday.

    It is protesting the electricity tariff hike and removal of subsidies from the power sector by the federal government.

    With the picketing of all the offices of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) organized labour is also expected to shutdown of the Abuja headquarters of the agency, the Ministry of Power and state offices of power distribution companies.

    Members of the NLC and TUC staged protests at the corporate headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company in Lagos and the office of the Ibadan ElectricCompany in Oyo.

    Their demonstrations disrupted normal operations, preventing workers from resuming their duties for the day.

    They were heard chanting slogans and advocating for fairer electricity pricing and demand for the reversal of the Band A tariff increase.

    Similarly, in Jos, members of the NLC and the TUC in Plateau State took action by blocking the entrance of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company headquarters, as well as picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in the Gold and Base axis of Jos, leaving workers stranded.

    Eugene Manji, the Plateau state chairman of NLC, said while addressing journalists,

    “We have been directed from our national headquarters of NLC to ensure that we comply with the directives that all the distribution offices across the nation are locked. So that’s why we’re here to picket that of the Plateau State.

    “All offices, not just this one, you are seeing, we have send our members to other places. Some have gone to Vom to ensure that there is compliance, and this is applicable in all the other offices. So we are here to ensure total compliance that’s why we locked the offices”.

    Manji added that the protest was for the whole day while the state chapter of NLC will report back to the headquarters.

    The surge in electricity tariffs, implemented by the federal government, has triggered a wave of dissent among consumers and industry players alike, citing concerns over affordability and equitable access to essential services.

    The protest at the JED office in Jos by NLC epitomises the mounting pressure faced by utility companies grappling with the repercussions of tariff hikes, as they navigate the delicate balance between public welfare and operational sustainability.

  • Tinubu presides over FEC meeting, swears in NPC Commissioners

    Tinubu presides over FEC meeting, swears in NPC Commissioners

    President Bola Tinubu has sworn in two more commissioners of the National Population Commission.

    Mr. Fasuwa Johnson and Dr. Amid Tadese Raheem from Ogun and Osun States respectively took the oath of office at 12:15 pm at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, after their abridged citations were read.

    Monday’s ceremony comes three months after Tinubu, on February 13, asked the senate to confirm Raheem as a commissioner of the NPC. The Senate also confirmed Johnson on March 6.

    On November 8, 2023, Tinubu had appointed 20 federal commissioners in the NPC with nine of them reappointed for a second term in office. He swore 17 of them into office on March 14.

    Johnson was born in 1973 in Ododeyo, in the Ijebu North East area of Ogun State, where he had his primary and secondary education.

    He holds a Master of Science in Geography in 2004 and a Master in Business Administration in 2009 from the University of Ibadan and Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, respectively.

    He was elected as a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2019 representing Ijebu North East till June 2023 during which he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure among other positions.

    Raheem was born on December 12, 1964, in Iwo, Osun State.

    He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Public Administration from the same university.

    He had served as Commissioner for Water Resources & Energy in Osun State and was elected member of the Osun State House of Assembly, becoming its first Chief Whip in 1992.

    Until his nomination, Raheem was the Head of the Department of Public Administration at Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State.

  • 3 Dead As Thugs Engage In Supremacy Battle In Kano

    3 Dead As Thugs Engage In Supremacy Battle In Kano

    Three people were killed during a fight which erupted between rival gangs in Darmanawa quarters, Tarauni Local government area of Kano on Sunday evening.

    Trouble started after one Muhammad Barde,59, organise Gangi event (Cultural event for local hunters) to celebrate wedding of his children.

    Thugs had taken advantage of the activity to engage in supremacy battle in the area.

    Many of them brandished dangerous weapons and within minutes, fight broke out.

    Commenting on the incident, Police Public relations Officer in Kano, SP Haruna Kiyawa, said the police responded to a distressed call and dispersed the armed hoodlums.

    However, few hours after the fight continued among the armed thugs, leading to confrontation with the police.

    Kiyawa said this led to the death of one Sadiq Abdulkadir, 23 of Darmanawa quarters and Muhammad Sani, 22, of Sallari quarters.

    Kiyawa said police commissioner Usaini Gumel ordered immediate arrest of the organiser of the event along with two others.

    A teenager Sadiq Abdullahi ,18, of Karkasara quarters was said to have died from bullet wounds when police were trying to disperse the thugs, according to residents.

    Father of the boy, Mallam Abdullahi Yasayyadi, said he was in school when he was called to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to confirm the identity of his son who died after bullet hit him in the stomach.

    The bereaved Yasayyadi said he had left everything to God.

    The police said full scale investigation will be conducted and findings made public

  • Terrorists Kill Soldier, Kidnap Mother In Kaduna

    Terrorists Kill Soldier, Kidnap Mother In Kaduna

    A soldier identified as Yahaya Ayuba (Zabuyia), lost his life while bravely resisting gunmen who invaded his home in Anguwan Rimi village, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

     
    The assailants also abducted his stepmother during the incident which occurred late Sunday night.

    Family member Mr. Kantiok Solomon confirmed the heartbreaking news, recounting how the gunmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, barged into the house while Ayuba was conversing with his family members. 

    Despite his courageous efforts to protect his stepmother, Ayuba was fatally shot when the gunmen noticed his uniform.

    This isn’t the first time such violence has struck the community, leaving residents like Angelo Tagwai deeply unsettled. Urging swift action, Tagwai called upon security forces to rescue the abducted woman and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

  • Pro-Fubara Rivers Assembly confirms Iboroma as commissioner

    Pro-Fubara Rivers Assembly confirms Iboroma as commissioner

    The Rivers State House of Assembly faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has screened and confirmed a legal luminary, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN as Commissioner-designate.

    The faction led by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo loyal To Governor Siminalayi Fubara screened and confirmed Commissioner-nominee, Dagogo Iboroma on Monday at the Chambers Inside Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Iboroma is likely to be sworn into office by Governor Fubara as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the office vacated by Professor Zaccheus Adangor SAN, who resigned when he was redeployed to the Ministry to Special Duties,(Governor’s office),two weeks ago.

    Iboroma was on Sunday invited via a letter signed by Dr.G.M. Gills-West,the Clerk of the House to come for screening as the Commissioner nominee as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council on today 13th May, 2024 at 10:00am at Hallowed Chambers, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Auditorium , Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

  • Electricity tariff hike: NLC, TUC Picket NERC, DisCos offices today

    Electricity tariff hike: NLC, TUC Picket NERC, DisCos offices today

    If they keep their words, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will today, picket the office of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the distribution companies (DisCos)’s premises nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.

    This is following a hike in the tariff for electricity consumers who enjoy at least 20 hours of daily power supply.

    “We write to inform you of the picketing action scheduled to take place in the offices of the NERC and Electricity Distribution companies (DISCOS) in all states, including the FCT,” the unions said in a joint statement by NLC’s Ag General Secretary Chris Uyot and his TUC counterpart Anka Hassan.

    “The action will jointly take place on Monday, 13th of May, 2024 nationwide simultaneously.

    “Therefore, the two Labour centres are directed to work together to carry out this important action.

    “While counting on your usual cooperation, kindly accept the assurances of our goodwill and highest regards.”

    Though the NERC had reviewed the tariff, the labour unions said they were picketing the agency’s office as well as the premises of distribution companies after a Sunday reversal deadline failed.

    The recent tariff hike for electricity consumers has continued to draw comments from several quarters.
    With inflation rising to new highs and Nigerians grappling with the removal of petroleum subsidy, the increase in tariff was met with stiff opposition.

    Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had claimed that the Federal Government was raising funds for the “cash-strapped” DisCoS with the tariff hike.

    But while defending the move, the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu said the Federal Government will pay about N1.8trn in electricity subsidy in 2024.
    He argued that the Electricity Act, 2023 made provisions for the review of tariffs twice yearly.

    “Review of tariff is actually legal once it is within the exclusive responsibility of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),” he said on an edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “The Act actually provides for review twice in a year, every six months,” he said.

    Following the clapback generated by the move, the House of Representatives asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the tariff hike.