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Osinbajo backs IGP on SARS review

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3 years ago

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed anger over reports of extrajudicial activities exhibited by officers of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force including alleged killing, maiming and harassment of young people.

The vice president stated this in Abuja on Sunday while speaking with state house correspondents and expressed support for the review of the unit of the police form as announced by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

This is contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the vice-president, Laolu Akande.

The vice-president described the reports of SARS brutality as “completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians”.

Osinbajo also conveyed the displeasure of President Muhammadu Buhari over the reports of human rights abuses by SARS and hinted about a reform of the police force.

“The President and I have had discussions on this. He is very concerned about it. He wants to see reform,” Osinbajo said.

He added, “I am very concerned, in fact, very angry about what I see happening to young men and women who are arrested — in some cases maimed or killed by men of the police force.

“The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong. It is unlawful and illegal, and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.”

Osinbajo said he had a meeting with the IGP Adamu on the measures to address the problem.

He said, “You are probably aware that the IGP has issued a statement looking at all these issues; in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.

“For example, and I think in his statement, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones. Cybercrime is an electronic crime. I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars.

“It is very obvious that this is a major concern; a few bad eggs in the police force are causing all of these problems because it is all over the place, in different states. There is a need to take serious action.

“The IGP’s statement today is a good first step. He has said clearly that policemen must wear police uniforms. You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed, because people can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police if you are not properly dressed in police uniform. So, clearly, a reform is in the offing.

“So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police. And I think that activism is important because they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the police and government, and that is an important part of the process of the reform.”

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Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

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5 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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Atiku Abubakar

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

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Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu

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6 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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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

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Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship

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20 hours ago

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December 9, 2023

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Hon. Lukman Kayode Mudashiru

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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