UNICAL suspends another lecturer over alleged extortion

The University of Calabar has suspended Dr. Joseph Idung, a lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, following allegations of refusing to return funds collected from students for their induction into the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT).

The suspension, effective immediately, was confirmed in a letter signed by the university’s Registrar, Gabriel Egbe.

The university administration expressed disappointment at Dr. Idung’s failure to refund the money, noting that his actions have triggered an official investigation.

This suspension follows a recent disciplinary action involving Dr. Joseph Akpan, Acting Head of the Department of Pharmacology, who was also suspended over the manipulation of examination scores.

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Vice Chancellor Professor Florence Obi has directed Dr. Idung to hand over all university property in his possession to the Head of Department.

Additionally, he has been instructed to stay off campus, except when responding to inquiries from the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), which is overseeing the investigation.

As part of the disciplinary measures, Dr. Idung has been placed on half salary for the duration of his suspension, pending the outcome of the investigation.

This move underscores the university’s commitment to maintaining accountability and transparency within its academic environment.

UNICAL suspends another lecturer over alleged extortion

15-year-old student sues education ministry, JAMB, NUC over new admission policy

Master Chinaemere Opara, has sued the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the introduction of the new admission policy.

Opara, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School (SSS) Student, filed the suit through his guardian, Mr Maxwell Opara, his father and a lawyer, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024 dated Sept. 30 and filed Oct. 14 by Wayne Elijah, the SS 2 student listed the ministry, JAMB and NUC as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

In his six reliefs, the applicant sought a declaration that the respondents’ minimum age for admission policy to restrict the age of Nigerian citizens for admission into universities in the country is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

He said it amounted to a gross violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Sections 42 of the 1999 Constitution, 2011 (as amended) and Article 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13(2), 17 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.

He urged the court to declare that his right to peaceful assembly and association cannot be limited by the respondents’ admission policy.

He also sought a declaration that the policy which restricts his age before exercising his right of association and self-determination as to when to enroll to write the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and/or JAMB exams infringed on his right of equal access to public service.

This, he said, is guaranteed under Article 13(2) and (3) of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.

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Opara, therefore, sought an order of perpetual Injunction restraining the respondents, from attempting to disturb, breach or interfere with his rights.

He equally sought an order setting aside the policy.

In the affidavit deposed to by Maxwell, he said he is the biological father of  Chinaemere.

He said Chinaemere is an SS2 student of Sure Start Secondary School who is directly affected by the respondents’ minimum age for admission policy.

He said the policy had impeded on Chinaemere’s right to freedom from age discrimination and education as enshrined in the law.

He said his son “read from online newspaper that the 1s respondent stated that there’s no going back on the implementation of his policy which stated that any person below 16 years would not be qualified to get admission in the university no matter how brilliant the person is.

“That since then the applicant believes that his right to education has been or likely to be violated.

“That the applicant would enter SS 3 in this 2024/2025 academic session with his plan/arrangements of writing his WAEC, NECO AND JAMB in 2025 with his expectations of gaining admission in 2025/2026 university academic sessions.

“That I know as of facts that in Nigeria, there is no specific age limit for gaining admission into universities.

“However, candidates typically must have completed their secondary education and sit for WASSCE or its equivalent.

“That I know as of facts that in Nigeria most universities in Nigeria require candidates to meet certain academic qualifications, such as having a minimum number of credits in relevant subjects and passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“That I know as of facts that in Nigeria there is no federal or state law making age a barrier for the applicant to gain admission.

“That the applicant strongly believes that he will perform excellently and make good grades in all the subjects that will be required for him to gain admission.

“That the applicant wants to study Medicine & Surgery whose duration is 6 years along with a mandatory 1-year youths service and 1-year compulsory Medical Externship totalling all 8 years,” Mr Maxwell said.

The suit is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of filing the report.

NAN reports that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had in July stated that beginning from 2025, candidates under 18 years old would not be allowed to sit for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, a prerequisite for admission to higher institutions.

The announcement, however, sparked intense debate among education stakeholders and parents, forcing Mamman to accept 16 years as the admission age into tertiary institutions. (NAN)

15-year-old student sues education ministry, JAMB, NUC over new admission policy

New basic school curriculum begins nationwide Jan 2025 – Minister

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has announced that Nigeria’s new basic school curriculum will be implemented across the country starting in January 2025.

The new curriculum is part of a broader plan to ensure that students acquire practical skills in addition to academic knowledge.

Prof. Mamman made this known during a meeting with educational stakeholders in Abuja on Monday. He emphasized that the new curriculum would require all pupils in basic schools to learn at least two skills, aligning with the government’s goal of equipping students for productive futures.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, had earlier disclosed plans for the new curriculum on October 9, and Mamman provided further details on the rollout, stating that the new system would apply to both public and private primary schools.

“The whole idea is that by the time children finish school, they should have at least two skills,” Mamman said. “This will enable students to lead more productive lives. The foundation of this curriculum is the National Skills Framework, which has already been approved.”

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He added that the curriculum would be mandatory for all schools, both public and private, with no exceptions. “This is already determined. It doesn’t require anybody’s consent, and no institution can deviate from it,” the minister stated.

While basic schools will begin adopting the new curriculum in January 2025, an updated version for secondary schools is expected to be ready by September 2025. Mamman clarified that schools would need time to fully implement the changes, noting that schools will require new equipment and resources to support the curriculum.

“We do not expect comprehensive, full implementation from January,” he said. “There’s a lot of preparation that has to take place, including acquiring new equipment and materials that schools will need.”

To support the transition, the education ministry is working on ensuring teachers are well-prepared to deliver the new curriculum. Mamman also stated that further meetings with private school stakeholders would take place to ensure the successful rollout of the new system.

The announcement marks a significant step in the government’s plan to modernize Nigeria’s educational framework, focusing on practical skills development to improve students’ readiness for future challenges.

New basic school curriculum begins nationwide Jan 2025 – Minister