The governing council of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi state has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over alleged sexual harassment and examination malpractice.

Chaired by Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council arrived at the decision during its second meeting.

The council appreciated the university management for following due process in the investigation and promised not to tolerate unethical conduct in the university.

Ndoma-Egba cautioned members of staff and lecturers against all forms of molestation, and urged students to always speak out when molested.

The council also implored the university to quickly process other pending cases of misconduct, especially the trending one in the faculty of science.

In 2020, the governing council of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa state, sacked two senior lecturers over allegations of victimisation and sexual harassment.

The lecturers, Yakubu Bobboi and Toma Fulani Mbahi, were accused of harassing one C. A. Bathon, a master’s degree student in their department.

The university also terminated the appointment of Bakari Girei of the registry department for alleged misappropriation of N1.1 million.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) says it has paid the allowances of all 72,138 examiners who were ad hoc staff in the 2024 senior school certificate examination (SSCE).

The council was responding to social media reports claiming it had deliberately refused to pay the examiners.

In a statement on Wednesday, Azeez Sani, the council spokesperson, said NECO began paying the examiners on bank basis since October 4, 2024.

“This was to ensure easy reconciliation and to avoid clumsiness in the payment process. NECO has completed the payment of the examiners allowances as at today Wednesday 13th November, 2024 according to the payment plan of the Council,” the statement reads.

“Also, it was discovered in the process that some Examiners submitted incorrect bank details, which the Council has reconciled with the affected examiners. Out of the 24 banks being used for the payment, all the banks have been cleared.

“It is therefore incorrect and false as being speculated recently in the social media that the Council has deliberately refused to pay Examiners engaged in the conduct of the 2024 SSCE Internal.

“The Management advice that any person(s) engaged by the Council should seek clarification/explanation from it, on matters oblivious to them before resorting to the Media.

“NECO wishes to reassure its esteemed Examiners and other ad-hoc Staff that the Council cherishes their invaluable contributions to the effective conduct of its examination and will therefore not take their renumeration for granted.”

The Abia state government says all students will receive free education up to secondary school level, starting from January 2025.

The policy aligns with the 2006 Abia State Child Rights Law and reaffirms the government’s commitment to providing universal access to basic education.

Okey Kanu, the commissioner for information and culture, said the policy aims to eliminate financial barriers to education for children in Abia state.

He said beginning January 2025, parents and guardians who fail to send their children or wards to school will face legal consequences.

Kanu emphasised that non-compliance with the education directive will be treated as a punishable offence.

“There is no reason whatsoever why parents should not send their children to school,” he said.

“The issue of indigency is no longer the reason for non acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State.

“As from the 1st of January 2025, when this policy will come into full effect, parents who default would be prosecuted under that law. This course is part of the reforms that are ongoing in the educational sector.”

The commissioner also highlighted the ongoing educational reforms in the state, which include efforts to improve infrastructure and support for workers.

He added the government remains committed to the relocation order of Abia State University’s Umuahia campus to Uturu.
Kanu said the government will engage with affected stakeholders to address any concerns raised.