News
Northern leaders back control of social media
- Allege #EndSARS protest was hijacked to topple Buhari administration
Northern leaders made up of influential people such as state governors, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, top traditional rulers and senior political officers, among others rose from a crucial meeting Monday on the state of the nation with a resolution backing the plan by the Federal Government to censor the social media use.
The Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has been championing the campaign for the control of the social media by the Federal Government, insisting that its platforms are being used to spread fake news and subversive information.
His counterpart at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, also said on Monday that the FG contemplated shutting down the social media space during the recent nationwide EndSARS protest, saying the protest brought home the dangers of fake news.
The northern leaders, who also reaffirmed their commitment to the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of Nigeria, alleged that those pushing for superlative agitations and other change-regime actions outside the ballot box hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protests to further their separatist agenda.
Members of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, attended the meeting.
Their meeting presided over by the northern governors forum’s Chairman and Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, was attended by governors of Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara and Zamfara States.
The governors of Kogi and Kano states were represented by their deputies.
The leaders, in a communiqué issued after the meeting, decried “the devastating effect of the social media in spreading fake news,” and called for a “control mechanism and censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria.”
The communiqué read by Lalong frowned on “the subversive actions of the #EndSARS change protest” and declared support for a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“The meeting rejects and condemns the subversive actions of the #EndSARS change protest,” it said, adding, “The superlative agitations and other change-regime actions outside the ballot box soon take advantage of the peaceful protests to push for their separatist agenda.”
They applauded the major reforms going on in the police force even as they pledged to support President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed.
It also drew attention to the need to protect the FCT against unwarranted and destructive protests.
“The meeting raises attention on the need to keep a strict watch on the Federal Capital Territory to guide against unwarranted and destructive protests to safeguard critical assets of the nation,” it said.
The leaders said they had resolved to support the police to serve the country better and called for the building of trust between the people and the police.
They commended the National Assembly and the presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues raised by the #EndSARS protesters across the country.
They also expressed concern over the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and called for an amicable resolution of the issues to enable students to resume their studies.
The northern leaders called for engagement with other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, the business community, and youth leaders, resolving to set up two major engagement committees – namely Committee on Roles of Traditional Rulers Membership, headed by the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Sidi Muhammad, and Committee on Youth and Civil Societies headed by the Emir of Zazzau (Zaria), Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli, which are to commence work immediately.
They commended the role of religious leaders, such as the Ulamas, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), for their positive interventions in resolving the #EndSARS conflicts.
The leaders called for collective efforts in addressing the lingering challenges of the North, especially the Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, and others.”
The Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, attended the meeting.
Others were the Minister of Information and Culture; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Mohammad Bello.
News
Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku
Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused an online newspaper of mischief and witch-hunt, by claiming that he refused to release his academic records.
The newspaper had reported that the former vice president refused to release his academic records despite exposing President Bola Tinubu.
But Atiku in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe said the newspaper did not adhere to any known ethics of journalism, and accused it of publishing a story that is neither controversial nor shrouded in a cover-up.
According to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, the documents upon which the report was based are already in the public space.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the body that is the repository of all relevant documents required by law for anyone contesting election into public office,” Atiku stated, adding that the newspaper did not write to INEC to place a demand for Atiku Abubakar’s documents.
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The former vice president also disclosed that he is an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, noting that neither of the institutions was contacted for his academic records with them, “nor did Atiku stop the school or go to court to ask any of these schools not to release his records.”
He also said the publication is at liberty to write to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) demanding a copy of his certificate and transcript.
“The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest,” alleging that the newspaper was not interested in interrogating the discoveries from the Chicago State University “for the obvious reason that a parent owner of the newspaper occupies a critical seat in the current government.
“And, then, we ask the question: What manner of a newspaper sets out to protect the interest of a government but is very willing to embark on a wild goose chase on a private citizen?”
Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku
News
Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu
Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu
Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to include private university students as beneficiaries in its Students Loan Scheme.
Dogara made the appeal, weekend, at the 13th convocation ceremony of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state.
According to him, “let me appeal to the Federal government to consider the plight being faced by students of tertiary institutions.
” While commending the students loan scheme of this present administration, l join my voice in the call for the inclusion of private university students in the student loan scheme of this administration as part of the palliatives measures since they are also Nigerians.
” The scheme should also be properly managed for the benefits of the teeming youths of this country both in private and public tertiary institutions
Dogara said that since underemployment and unemployment are bedmates of poverty, eliminating them must be the focal point of government’s policies.
“If we don’t ever make it to the point where we can have a rational conversation about economic justice, it would not be because it’s impossible to achieve but because we lack the right leadership.
“We have talked so much about ending so many things in Nigeria, now is the time to talk about creating wealth and ending poverty.
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The Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Omolola Irinoye, said 37 students had first class, 259 had second class upper, 198 has second class lower and 26 had third class grade out of 520 graduands.
Prof lrinoye said that the university would continue to expand in its infrastructure by taking agriculture as priority in the nearest future.
She added that” As we commit to development of agriculture with emphasis on food security, we would work to expand collaboration and partnership to achieve success.
“The university is working to bring to reality the convening of stakeholders in an agriculture development and food security summit in the coming year.
Prof lrinoye congratulated the graduated students for their outstanding milestone that opens them to the world of achievement.
The Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, in his address, said in spite of the hash economic environment being witnessed globally, the University Governing Council has prioritized and would continue to prioritize the welfare of its staff and students.
Ayorinde said “We have ensured that the salaries and wages of all staff for the 16 years of our existence had fully been paid.
“We have successfully implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme, and the staff-University joint contribution is remitted to Pension Funds Administrators promptly and regularly.
“Pending the release of new salary structure for staff of government universities, the council recently approved and implemented palliatives to all categories of our staff to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and the hardship occasioned by the policy.
“I want to assure you that we shall continue to do everything possible within the limit of our resources to motivate our staff so as to secure their trust and commitment to achieve our mission statement.”
“We are just 16th years old in our journey to impacting humanity. Keep believing in us and together, we shall fulfill our dreams and aspirations by the grace of God.”
Honorary degrees were conferred on the Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Engineer Ifeoluwa Oyedele, a former Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Ondo state, Mrs Olajumoke Ajasin and the Registrar na Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar.
Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu
News
Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship
Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship
The member representing Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State, Lukman Kayode Mudashiru, has earmarked N100 million to sponsor indigent students from the constituency for university education.
A statement on Saturday from his media office said successful applicants would be sponsored for four-year undergraduate programmes at Ahman Patigi University, Kwara State.
Mudashiru had set up a scholarship committee comprising respected individuals from the community in order to ensure transparency and efficient selection process.
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He said the goal of the committee was to identify and support indigent students based on merit, assuring that the committee would discharge its duty judiciously “to maximize its impact on the lives of our youths.”
The lawmaker said: “This initiative is a testament to our unwavering dedication to the educational upliftment of our community. We are determined to ensure that deserving students receive the support they need to pursue higher education.
“Education is the bedrock of development, and I am proud to deliver on my promise to support the aspirations of our youths. This scholarship program is an investment in the future leaders of Iwo, Ayedire, and Olaoluwa Local Government Areas, and I am confident that it will yield positive results for our community.”
Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship
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