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House of Reps rejects motion seeking members to pay WAEC, NECO, JAMB fees

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The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, rejected a motion urging members to adopt at least one public school in their localities for the purpose of paying registration fees for students sitting for the West African Examination Council, National Examination Council and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations in public schools.

Trouble started when a member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State, Anamero Dekeri, moved a motion on the ‘Need to compel JAMB, WAEC and NECO examination bodies to register students for free in the 2023-2024 examination exercise.’

Dekeri premised his motion on the need to assist poor parents in the education of their children, noting that the prevailing economic situation in the country has made it difficult for many parents to fund the education of their wards even in public schools.

Dekeri said, “The House notes that one of the major challenges of the low-income earning parents is the education of their wards particularly in payment of examination fees,” and urged his colleagues to prevail on the “Ministry of Education to declare 2023 and 2024 WAEC, NECO and JAMB registration free to enable the common man have a direct benefit of fuel subsidy removal palliatives.”

He further called on the House to urge “The Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic and Financial Planning to come up with a robust framework that will give the poor masses a sense of belonging in Nigeria.”

House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere while supporting Dekeri by way of an amendment to the motion, prayed members of the House to take it upon themselves to adopt at least one public school secondary school, particularly the one they attended, and pay off their examination fees. This, he noted would count as corporate social responsibility on their part.

In his contribution, Hassan Doguwa, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, commended Dekeri for the motion, urging the House however to be careful not to compel lawmakers to sign up to pay the said examination fees.

Doguwa said, “The motion is very good but some of us are already doing this. Let us be careful. We can intervene in any way we can but let this not come in the body of the motion because there is going to be a problem.”

Doguwa urged the House not to force the responsibility on lawmakers, many of whom, he noted, were already implanting similar schemes in their various constituencies.

On his part, a member representing Andoni/Opobo Nkoro, Rivers State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, expressed worry with the use of the word “compel” in the title of the motion, warning that the House lacks the constitutional powers to compel the examination bodies to register students for free.

Picking holes in the amendment suggested by Ihonvbere, Abainte urged his colleagues to tread carefully, noting that adopting a school to the exclusion of others may portray lawmakers in a bad light in his constituency.

“Let’s say I picked a school I attended to pay their examination fees. What about the other public schools in that constituency? Does that portray me in a good light before those other schools?” he asked.

When the motion was out to vote, a majority of the lawmakers present at atWednesday’s plenary voted for it to be stepped down and the House Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, hit the gavel as the “nays” had their way.

Education

Alumni reject planned renaming of UniAbuja after Gowon

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The University of Abuja’s Alumni Association has rejected the federal government’s plan to rename the institution after former Nigerian head of state Yakubu Gowon.

Earlier, the federal executive council approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University.

The move, the council said, is in honour of Gowon under whose leadership Nigeria fought against secessionism in 1967.

In a statement, the UNiAbuja alumni association described the move to rename the institution as “a right step in the wrong direction”.

It cited concerns about the destruction of the university’s legacy, the financial costs, and logistical challenges.

While acknowledging Gowon’s contributions to national unity, the alumni argued that renaming the university would undermine its branding efforts, complicate administrative processes, and diminish its accumulated prestige.

The association proposed alternative ways to honour Gowon, such as renaming Eagle Square after him or establishing a new institution or research centre in his name.

Students at the University of Abuja have also voiced their opposition, staging a peaceful protest and launching an online petition that has garnered thousands of signatures.

The alumni association has submitted letters to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the national assembly, the minister of education, and the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to express their opposition and propose alternative solutions.

The association emphasised that the name “University of Abuja” reflects the institution’s geographical and national identity, symbolising the convergence of Nigeria’s diverse cultures and histories.

The alumni urged the government to focus on strengthening the university rather than renaming it, warning that the move could erode the sense of pride and identity among alumni, students, and staff.

The association also criticised the lack of consultation and public involvement in the decision-making process, describing it as a “top-down imposition”.

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Education

Governor Abba Yusuf donates N2m to islamic school

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Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.

The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.

He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.

A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”

However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.

In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”

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Education

UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan

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The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.

Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.

He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.

His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.

He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.

“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.

“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.

“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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