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Protest: UNIBEN lists conditions for students to resume
The University of Benin is set to reopen on Sunday, August 11, after the closure occasioned by students’ protests and agitations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports the institution’s Senate, on July 4, closed the school, following protests by students over weeks of power outages on the campus.
According to a circular from the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, students are required to return to their halls of residence by Sunday, August 11, with lectures set to resume on Monday, August 12.
The registrar said during the closure, the university management addressed the issues that led to the shutting down of the institution, including electricity and water supply, as well as renovation of halls of residence.
“The decision to reopen the university was made by the Senate at its meetings held on July 23 and 24, 2024, in tandem with the position of the governing council, and critical stakeholders, and after a review of the current atmosphere in the country.
“As part of the conditions for resumption, each returning student is required to swear an affidavit of undertaking to be of good conduct while in the university.
“The affidavit must contain cardinal points, as captured in the document attached to the circular.
“Students are expected to upload the affidavit on their Kofa page of the university and submit the hard copy to their departmental course adviser within two weeks of resumption,” he said.
Bobola stated that failure to comply with the directive might result in the withholding of results of defaulting students.
He assured students that necessary actions had been taken to address the issues that led to the closure, expressing the confidence that normal academic activities would resume without any hitch.
The registrar advised students to take note of the resumption date and comply with the conditions for resumption to avoid any consequences.
News
FG seeks collective action against river pollution, flooding
By Francesca Hangeior
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev on Monday called for collective action to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution and flooding.
Utsev made the call during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Rivers Day, with the theme ‘Protect Our Rivers from Pollution’ in Abuja.
Utsev noted the important roles rivers play in the water cycle, economy, ecosystem, and sustainable development.
“Our rivers are lifelines for communities, ecosystems, and economies across Nigeria, it is our collective responsibility to prevent pollution, flooding, and other threats that endanger these vital resources.
“Protecting our rivers requires a collective effort. Let us all work together to prevent pollution and flooding so that future generations can benefit from these priceless resources”.
He noted that this year’s celebration was subdued due to the devastating floods of Sept. 10, 2024, which caused significant damage in Borno State.
Utsev recalled that the floods claimed lives and destroyed properties, prompting his ministry to assess the Alau Dam to prevent future disasters.
“As we commemorate World Rivers Day, we also stand in solidarity with the people of Borno State.
“We are working closely with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to monitor water levels across the country and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur,” he said.
Utsev stressed the importance of flood preparedness, particularly in states along the Benue River, such as Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue.
He urged state governments to remain vigilant, clear drainage channels, and relocate residents from flood-prone areas.
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protect Nigeria’s rivers from pollution, urging stakeholders to view rivers as “living entities” deserving of legal rights and protections.
He called on all Nigerians to safeguard rivers from harmful practices such as waste dumping and overuse.
“We must extend these protections to our watersheds and basins, recognising that clean and healthy rivers are fundamental to our survival,” Utsev added.
Also, Dr Bello Goronyo, his state counterpart, noted the role of rivers and dams in sustaining life and supporting national development.
He stressed that protecting rivers was crucial for maintaining dam infrastructure, which supports water supply, irrigation, and hydro-power generation.
News
UNGA79: Nigeria demands UN Security Council Seat
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian government has reiterated its demands for the United Nations Security Council seat after contributing to 41 peacekeeping missions and deployment of over 200,000 troops for Global Peace.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, while addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Sunday night, emphasised Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security.
He said at the Summit of the Future interactive dialogue 2 with the theme: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security” that “Since our first deployment in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally,” highlighting the deployment of over 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations.
Badaru called for reform of the UN Security Council to ensure Africa is represented with permanent seats, arguing that this would enhance global stability.
According to him, “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first engagement of its troops in the Congo in 1960. To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over two hundred thousand Nigerian troops serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
“Under the regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone, among others, and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and police contributors to the United Nations missions.
“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to give just representation to Africa permanently for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security.”
The Defence Minister stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism and urged for operationalizing the African Standby Force.
He also highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle transnational crime and illegal arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region, saying, “We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, to, among other things, defeat terrorism.
“Nigeria, calls for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF), and the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take off and effectiveness of a centre of excellence in Africa on issues of counter-terrorism.
“We reiterate the call to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation, build capacities of Member States, promote cooperation and understanding, as well as defuse tensions, and seek peaceful settlement of disputes to resolve conflicts, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine.”
The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational organised crime. He emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that include prevention, early detection, protection, and law enforcement to address the rising alliances between bandits and terrorists.
“We must scale up our efforts,” he stated, highlighting the alarming trend of kidnappings for ransom and acts of piracy.
Badaru called on the international community to intensify efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflict zones, particularly in the Sahel region.
He warned that unrestricted access to illicit arms by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability. “The time for action is now,” he urged, as Nigeria grapples with the complexities of organized crime that threaten regional stability and safety.
He said: “We must scale up efforts in addressing transnational organized crime and related illegal financial flows through comprehensive strategies, including prevention, early detection, protection and law enforcement, especially in the wake of the emerging alliance between bandits and terrorists, including kidnapping for ransom and acts of piracy.
“We seize this opportunity to urge the international community to renew efforts to stem the tide of small arms and light weapons in conflict, especially within the Sahel region where unfettered access by non-state actors to illicit arms and light weapons continues to foster insecurity and instability.”
Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to supporting UN efforts in combating terrorism and promoting global peace.
News
Troops k!ll 8 notorious terrorists, rescue 16 victims
By Francesca Hangeior
Nigerian troops have killed eight notorious terrorist fighters and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages in sweeping operations against terrorists and insurgents in different parts of the country.
The Nigerian Army, in a post on its official X-Handle on Monday, said the troops recovered a haul of firearms during the operations.
The post said that troops had on Sept. 22, thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid some villages in Borno for supplies and logistics and eliminated three assailants.
According to the army, troops recovered one light machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked Rounds of light Machine Gun and other materials, including money and phones.
The army also revealed that in another clash, while acting on credible information, troops cornered terrorists escorting abducted victims through Uvaha village in Gwoza Local Government Area.
“Despite heavy rainfall, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee, leaving behind 16 hostages.
“Among the freed victims were 10 men and 6 women. A follow-up search of the area uncovered two grenades, a bag of fish and sundry items.
“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators.
“This led to the neutralization of 4 terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba Local Government Area.
“The soldiers captured two AK-47 rifles and two empty Ak-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items,” it said.
The post revealed that troops deployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in synergy with other security agencies activated a stop-and-search operation on suspected vehicles and apprehended suspects at Kugbo, Abuja.
According to the post, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a bag of flour.
“Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of ₦29,000.
“All these efforts underscore the Nigerian Army’s unflinching dedication to wiping out terrorism, insurgency, and sundry crimes.
“The public is encouraged to keep sharing tips and useful information with security forces for prompt action,” he said.
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