The Nigerian Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has distanced itself from the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

On May 2, the varsity’s lecturers declared an indefinite strike over a lingering dispute with its management.

The dispute borders on four issues including ASUU’s interest in a multi-stakeholder microfinance bank, promotion procedures in the absence of a governing council, election for faculty deanship, and alleged illegal appointments.

Sylvanus Ugoh, chair of UniAbuja ASUU, told TheCable that the strike remains effective “until all the issues in contention are resolved”.

But in a recent statement jointly signed by Kolawole Olorunshola, NAMDA chairman, and Jonah Peter, the secretary, the academics said they “resolved not to be part of the ongoing strike by UniAbuja ASUU”.

The statement said members of NAMDA are currently teaching at the College of Health Sciences, UniAbuja.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Medical and Dental academics (NAMDA) University of Abuja branch, we write to inform you that NAMDA held a virtual emergency congress meeting on Saturday, the 4th of May, 2024,” the statement reads in part.

“Our members have resolved not to be part of the ongoing strike action declared by the University of Abuja ASUU members.

“As far as NAMDA members on this campus are concerned normal academic activities will continue in the College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja.

“Accept the assurances of our highest regard.”

Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, the vice-chancellor of UniAbuja, earlier said academic and administrative activities will continue on campus without disruption from ASUU.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Clinical Services of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Prof Adolphus Loto, has been sacked.

The Assistant Registrar, Public Relations Unit of the institution, Temitope Oluwatayo, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Oluwatayo explained that Loto was sacked after the adoption and ratification of the Senate decision by the Governing Council of UNIMED at its 22nd Statutory meeting held at the Council Chamber, Medical Village Campus, Ondo.

The statement said, “The decision of the Senate was predicated on the former DVC’s unbecoming conduct including frivolous, spurious and unsubstantiated allegations against the university management.

“The Governing Council had earlier referred Prof. Loto’s 13-page petition as well as the responses of the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar and the Bursar to the Petitions Committee of Council appointed to investigate and make proper recommendations.”

She described Loto’s allegation against the institution as untrue. and baseless.

She added, “The Petitions Committee of Council found the allegations untrue, baseless, embarrassing to the university community and liable to bring the university to disrepute, given Prof. Loto’s position as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

“UNIMED Senate, on Monday, April 29, 2024, considered the report of the PCC and recommended the removal of Prof. Loto as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor by an overwhelming majority with 100% of the voters approving his removal as DVC Admin.”

Oluwatayo added, “The decision was premised on the fact that Prof. Loto made false claims against members of staff of the university, disclosed confidential and official information liable to cause a breach of peace in the university community.

“UNIMED Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Ayodele Arowojolu, while addressing the council, noted that a unanimous decision of the Senate speaks volumes about the lack of confidence in Prof. Loto by his academic peers to remain in the office of DVC Admin.

“The Governing Council thereafter approved the resolution of the University Senate for the removal of Prof. Adolphus Odogun Loto as DVC.”

Nigerians on social media were in awe on Friday as Deeper Life High School announced that no fewer than 174 students across its campuses nationwide scored 300 and above in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The school in a post via its official handle on Facebook @Deeper Life High School posted the 174 students.

“Despite JAMB’s announcement that only around 0.5% of candidates nationwide scored 300 and above in the 2024 UTME, an astounding one hundred and seventy-four (174) students of DLHS exceeded expectations with flying colours by scoring 300 and above,” the school said in the post.

According to the information obtained from the school’s Facebook page, the highest scorer this year Ayeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa scored a total of 362 points out of the total 400 obtainable points.

Recall that the school produced the highest scorer for the 2023 UTME. Umeh Kamsiyochukwu emerged as the highest scorer for 2023 UTME with a total of 360 points.

According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

The examination body, through its registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had stated that, among other reasons, the board considers the UTME as “only a ranking examination,” hence, its decision not to disclose the names of the highest-scoring candidates in the just-concluded UTME.

Also, the board urged Nigerians to be wary of any candidate parading printed result slips as currently, the result is not in any paper format.

Meanwhile, Nigerians on Facebook have hailed the top-performing students.

A Facebook user who posted via Thomas Ewa said, “Congratulations all, it takes Godliness, discipline and commitment to achieve such great results.”

Another Facebook user, Olumu Peace while congratulating the school’s top scorer said, “Congratulations Ayeyemi🎉🎉🎉 Delta Campus is proud of you.”

Ajayi Oluwafemi James who posted in the comment section of the post made by the school said, “This is quite incredible, congratulations to DLHS family. Leadership with Distinction!.”