Four lecturers of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, have been dismissed for their alleged for involvement in sexual harassment and examination misconduct.

The lecturers, whose identities have not been revealed, were dismissed following the approval of their dismissal given by the Governing Council of the university.

It was gathered that at the university’s second council meeting, chaired by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Governing Council commended the university management for adhering to due process during the investigation of the allegations.

Ndoma-Egba urged the university management to promptly address the remaining cases of misconduct, particularly the one currently attracting media attention in the Faculty of Science.

While cautioning staff and the faculty against violating the university’s rules, Ndoma-Egba assured that the university would not ignore any misconduct.

He also encouraged students to report any incidents of harassment or mistreatment to the appropriate authorities without fear.

Recall that the university had in May announced the suspension of a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies over alleged sexual harassment of a 300-Level student from the same Department.

The suspended lecturer was also referred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation and possible prosecution if found guilty, while the university stressed that the lecturer was relieved of all his duties and positions.

Nearly 40 years after his professional debut, and 19 years after retiring, 58-year-old Mike Tyson will return to the ring on Friday in a Netflix-backed bout that has stirred widespread condemnation in the boxing world.

Tyson, who dominated the heavyweight division in the late 1980s, will lace up the gloves once more to face YouTuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.

The bout, set for eight two-minute rounds, was initially scheduled for July but was postponed in May when Tyson required medical treatment after vomiting blood on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles due to a bleeding ulcer.

The incident has fuelled criticism of Friday’s fight, with many condemning it as a macabre spectacle that poses undue risk for Tyson, who last appeared in a professional ring in 2005, ending in a technical knockout loss after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

‘It Shouldn’t Be Happening’

“Mike Tyson retired from boxing 20 years ago and was already worn out,” British promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.

“If anyone thinks Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no concern for him, or you’re being reckless. This shouldn’t be happening.”

Hearn’s fellow promoter, Frank Warren, echoed the sentiment.

“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Comparing the fight to a roadside accident, Warren added, “You’re on the motorway, and everyone’s slowing down just to look at a crash — that’s what this is.”

Tyson, reportedly earning around $20 million for the bout, has dismissed concerns for his wellbeing, claiming critics are motivated by jealousy.

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he responded earlier this year. “Those who criticise wish they were in my place. No one else can do this.”

At an open workout in Texas this week, Tyson declared that his intense training camp had convinced him he was tougher than he’d realised.

“When I agreed to this fight, I thought, ‘What was I thinking?’ But I completed the process. The fight is the celebration. All the hard work is done.”

At Wednesday’s press conference in Texas, a focused Tyson avoided pre-fight hype, saying simply, “I’m just ready to fight.”

Injury Fears

A global audience on Netflix and thousands in AT&T Stadium will be watching on Friday to see if Tyson’s efforts pay off.

Paul, who was born six months before Tyson famously bit off a portion of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch, first gained fame on YouTube before turning to boxing.

Since his first bout against a fellow YouTuber in 2018, Paul has fought various opponents, including a basketball player, MMA fighters, and other professional boxers. In 11 matches, he has won 10 (seven by knockout) and lost one.

“I feel really good, sharp, powerful, and explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike,” Paul said at Tuesday’s open workout, where he sported a rooster-shaped headdress.

It’s clear that a prime, 1980s Tyson would likely have disposed of Paul within minutes. But does Tyson still retain any trace of the power and skill that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986, at age 20?

Veteran promoter Bob Arum, 92, is blunt.

“The answer is no,” Arum told SecondsOut.com last month.

“A 58-year-old man, no matter how good or athletic they were, can’t compete at that level anymore.”

“I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him almost no chance.”

AFP

In the midst of the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not be brought down by anyone.

Speaking during a media session in Abuja, Wike attributed the party’s struggles to personal ambitions that have led to internal sabotage. He pointed out that some members of the party are focused solely on undermining him, rather than working towards the PDP’s unity.

“The problem is not that the PDP cannot get its act together; it’s the issue of personal ambition,” Wike explained. “The constant effort to bring me down is what has caused the crisis. But I won’t be defeated. Wike will not go down.”

Wike’s statements underscore the deepening divisions within the PDP as rival factions vie for control.