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UNIZIK rejects FG’s removal of new VC, Registrar, insists it followed approved guidelines

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The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has rejected the annulment of the appointments of the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Benard Odoh and its Registrar, R.I Nwokike.

The federal ministry of education had on Friday written the chairman of the governing council of the university, Amb Greg Mbadiwe, cancelling the council’s recent appointments, insisting they did not follow existing guidelines.

The letter which was signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs R. Ilyasu had urged the council to shelve all appointments until the new Minister of Education assumes office.

But in a reply to the letter, the Registrar of the Institution and Secretary of the Governing Council, Nwokike responded to the points raised by the ministry.

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She said: “Contrary to any assumption of a formal engagement, the Pro-Chancellor did not have an official meeting with the Minister of State for Education. Instead, informal discussions took place between the outgoing Minister of State and the Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

“In response to concerns regarding the absence of the Ministry’s representative, certain internal council members, and other stakeholders at the Vice-Chancellor appointment meeting on Tuesday, 29th October 2024, we wish to clarify that all necessary protocols were observed. Invitations were duly issued to all relevant parties, ensuring that everyone was informed and given the opportunity to attend.

“The meeting saw participation from representatives of the Federal Character Commission, external and internal Council members, and various other stakeholders, demonstrating a broad representation of interests. For further verification, attached are the attendance register, photographs documenting the proceedings, and copies of the official meeting notice sent to stakeholders.

“Additionally, we confirm that the quorum was duly constituted in compliance with the statutory requirements outlined in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.

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“Due process was meticulously observed throughout the selection and appointment processes for both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar. The suggestion of “reconciling with aggrieved persons” is not relevant to this procedural integrity.

“Of the 18 applicants for the position, 15 attended the interview, and score sheets were duly documented. The Council, within the scope of its lawful authority, has fulfilled its mandate with transparency and adherence to the University’s regulations.

“We appreciate your attention to these clarifications and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of due process and legal compliance.”

Since Tuesday last week when the governing council appointed Odoh, there have been mixed reactions of jubilation and protest among members of the university community.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had also protested the credentials of the new Vice Chancellor, contending that he was not qualified, disputing the claims that he had ascended to the position of a professor.

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Insecurity! Anambra gov orders closure of schools for one week

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… Starts Effect from Thursday

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week.

This is due to concerns over possible violence during the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Reports revealed that gunmen had previously threatened to disrupt the state if Ubah’s burial proceeded without addressing certain unresolved issues.

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The tension escalated on Wednesday night when gunmen attacked Nnewi, killing several people and burning a vehicle.

The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., sparked panic, with residents fleeing for safety.

With the burial scheduled for Friday in Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi, the state government issued a circular on Thursday via WhatsApp, instructing all principals to close schools in the Nnewi zone until Tuesday next week.

Parents of day students have also been advised to keep their children at home for safety.

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“Good morning Parents, please the above information is from the Commissioner of Education, day students should not come to school till Tuesday next week.

“Good evening Noble Principals!!!

“I am directed to inform you to close all schools in Nnewi Zone on Thursday 21/11/2024 and Friday 22/11/2024.

“Please circulate this information on your school WhatsApp groups and inform parents of your students.

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“Try your best to find proper channels of reaching these students so that they would not be found wandering on the streets with their school uniforms . Remain blessed and stay safe !!!”

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Court orders IGP, PSC to pay police constabularies four-year salary arrears

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The national industrial high court in Abuja has ordered the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Service Commission (PSC) to pay police constabularies salary arrears owed since 2021.

Giving the ruling on Wednesday, Rakiya Haastrup, the presiding judge, ordered that each of the constables be paid N54,566 per month from January 2021 to May 2024.

The judge also ordered that the constabularies, having been trained, equipped, issued uniforms and identity cards, and deployed across the states and the federal capital territory (FCT), be given formal letters of appointment.

The plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Sebastine Hon, had sued the police for refusing to pay them their monthly stipends despite making them serve the nation for the past four years.

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Although police authorities claimed that the service of the constabularies was voluntary, the plaintiffs tendered documents showing that at the time of their engagement, the force had agreed to give them monthly stipends commensurate to the basic allowance of a constable in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The constables told the court that denying them their stipends was not only unlawful but had put their lives in jeopardy as they could no longer meet up with basic needs.

They claimed that seven officers amongst them died due to the hazardous nature of the job.

In her judgment, Haastrup agreed with the lawyer that the plaintiffs established a contractual agreement of employment relationship between them and the police.

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The judge held that based on the agreement, the plaintiffs are entitled to monthly stipends for their jobs.

Haastrup ruled that while the exact amount of stipends for the plaintiffs had not been determined by the police, they were entitled to a basic monthly allowance of N54,655 until the IGP set a fixed amount.

The judge further directed the IGP to determine and finalise the plaintiffs’ monthly allowance within two months of the judgment.

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PDP Senate Caucus insists Ighodalo’s mandate was stolen

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The Senate Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the candidate of the party in the last governorship election in Edo State, Asuerinme Ighodalo, won the election.

Leader of the caucus, Abba Moro, stated this while addressing journalists after the Caucus meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The election was held on 21 September.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election having scored the highest votes.

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INEC subsequently issued a certificate of return to Mr Okpebholo, a senator, and he has since been sworn in as governor of the state.

But Mr Moro, who is the Senate Minority Leader, insisted that the PDP’s mandate was stolen in the state and vowed that the party would work hard to retrieve its mandate.

“Well, everybody is worried for the Nigerian democracy and INEC has taken notes here and there over the conduct of the election. But every failure is a lesson for future adventures.

“We sincerely hope that we work hard like in Edo state where the mandate of the PDP was stolen. We will work hard to make sure that the people’s mandate is restored where it doesn’t happen, like I said, failure is a mechanism for future success,” he said.

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Ganduje’s comment
The caucus also responded to a comment by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, that the ruling party would soon take over all the South-west states.

The APC is currently ruling four of the six South-west states – Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti.

The PDP is in power in Oyo and Osun States.

Mr Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, said the leadership of the PDP would ensure it retains the states in subsequent elections.

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“The PDP has taken note of that statement, and we have a government in Osun state now, and we want to retain that position,” he said.

PDP Crisis
The senate minority leader said the leadership of the PDP is striving hard to return the party to its winning days.

“Damagun is the acting chairman of PDP. The PDP is not just about Damagun. The PDP is about members of the PDP. We are working round the clock to make sure that PDP gets back to its winning ways. When we were winning as PDP, other political parties were losing.

“So, what is this brouhaha about PDP losing the election? It is painful to lose the election, no doubt about it. But as I said, it is a common axiom that if you fail today and you are able to stand up, you strategise to win tomorrow.

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“And so, whatever we have lost today as PDP, we are working hard, and part of the working hard is the meeting that the caucus has held today to strategise towards ensuring that we do not lose future elections, including the election in Osun state,” Mr Moro said.

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