Federal Universities Still Tuition-free, Says FG
Photo Credit:Punch Newspapers
The Federal Government on Wednesday said that its universities remained tuition-free.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Dele Alake.
The statement said, “It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had increased tuition fees in federal universities in the country.
“These reports are inaccurate and not correct.
“We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.
However, the fact remains and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees.
“Authorities of these universities even made this fact clear enough in explaining the rationale behind these new fees.
“For avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, have access to quality tertiary education.
“In addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu last month, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.
“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.
Emefiele Rearrest Unacceptable – ACJHR
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The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has described the rearrest of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged terrorism as unacceptable.
The civil society organisation, in a statement by its strategic communication consultant, Mr Abubakar Isa, said a court of competent jurisdiction had earlier voided the terrorism allegations against Emefiele and barred the security agency from arresting him.
The DSS rearrested the suspended CBN governor shortly after he was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The CSO, while stressing the need for respect for the judiciary, questioned why Emefiele would be rearrested for an issue that the court had already ruled on.
“Months ago Justice M A Hassan of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) restrained the Department of State Services (DSS) and four others from arresting or detaining Emefiele over alleged terrorism financing.
“Again recently a High Court sitting in Abuja presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu ordered DSS to immediately release Emefiele from detention or charge him to court,” the ACJHR stated.
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Coup fears as troops seal off Niger president’s office, residence
Photo Credit:Punch Newspapers
Members of Niger’s Presidential Guard sealed off the residence and offices of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday, a source close to Bazoum said, describing the move as a “fit of temper” by the elite troops and that “talks” were underway.
The landlocked West African state is one of the most unstable nations in the world, experiencing four coups since independence from France in 1960 as well as numerous other attempts on power.
Access was blocked off to Bazoum’s official home and offices in the presidential complex in Niamey, although there was no abnormal military deployment or sounds of gunfire in the area, and traffic was normal, an AFP journalist saw.
“It’s a fit of temper by the Presidential Guard but talks are underway with the president,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“The president is fine, he’s safe and sound,” the source said. “He and his family are at the residence.”
The reason for the guards’ behaviour and what was being discussed in the talks were not given.
An MP with Bazoum’s PNDS party said: “I spoke to the president and to friends who are ministers (and) they are fine.”
Ignore Calls For Apology, Soyinka Tells Davido
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Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has urged Nigerian Afrobeat star, Davido, to ignore calls demanding his apology over the controversial music video he posted on his social media platforms.
The PUNCH reported that the Davido Music Worldwide label boss and his signee, Olamilekan Taiwo, aka Logos Olori, caused a stir online, sparking mixed reactions from netizens following the release of the latter’s new record, ‘Jaye Lo.’
A 45-second clip of the new video posted Friday on Instagram by Davido has since attracted criticism. Many Muslim devotees have labelled the video offensive and are now calling for a retraction while also threatening the artists with a lawsuit.
The controversial scene featured some men depicting praying mallams seen dancing in front of a mosque instead of praying. This dancing act has since been deemed offensive by some Muslim devotees.
Despite deleting the video forty-eight hours after it was posted, some Muslims are still demanding a public apology from Davido.
However, Soyinka in a statement released on Tuesday, said Davido did not owe Muslims an apology.
The Literary icon said former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai had made offensive comments against Christians in the past but was never asked to tender an apology.
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