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Tinubu flushes out VC of UniAbuja, Maikudi
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President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Abuja and sacked the university’s vice-chancellor, Aisha Maikudi.
In December, the council, led by Sadiq Kaita, an air vice marshal, conducted the recruitment of a vice-chancellor in which Ms Maikudi, a professor, emerged winner.
The selection process was rife with controversy with some members of the Joint Senate and Council Selection Board (JCSSB) accusing Mr Kaita of imposing Ms Maikudi.
Mr Tinubu announced the sack in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
UniAbuja’s new leadership
Mr Tinubu has also appointed Lanre Tejuoso, as the Pro-Chancellor of the university. Mr Tejuoso was until this appointment the pro-chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
The president also appointed Patricia Manko, a professor, as acting vice-chancellor for a six-month term. The statement said Ms Manko will not be eligible to apply for the substantive vice-chancellor position when it becomes available.
“These changes are effective immediately,” parts of the statement read.
President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
“The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.”
Mr Tinubu also announced the appointment of councils in other Nigerian universities.
While the president’s statement did not give reasons for the leadership change, it may not be unconnected to the controversy that rocked the university since December over the recruitment of a vice-chancellor in which Ms Maikudi was announced winner.
The Kaita-led council had on 31 December, 2024 announced Ms Maikudi, a professor of law, as the substantive vice-chancellor, and noted her appointment takes effect on 1 January.
The newly appointed vice-chancellor had served for six months in an acting capacity after the tenure of the former vice-chancellor, Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, also a professor, expired in June.
However, the controversy on her appointment deepened in the last week of December 2024 after two members of the university senate and some members of the governing council alleged that the selection process was manipulated in her favor.
During the selection process, some members of the Joint Senate and Council Selection Board (JCSSB) led by one Kasim Waziri, a professor and member of the university senate, accused the chairman of the council, Mr Kaita, of plans to impose Ms Maikudi as the vice-chancellor.
Two members of the committee staged a walkout in protest shortly after their inauguration in the last week of December. They alleged that the criteria and procedures given by the council for the selection process were deliberately tilted towards Ms Maikudi’s candidacy.
But the council denied breaching any laws or procedures, asserting that the selection process adhered strictly to the relevant provisions of the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.
President Tinubu has also appointed Joy Emordi, a senator, as the pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education. Ms Emordi succeeds Mr Tejuoso who is now at UniAbuja.
Mr Tinubu also removed Polycarp Chigbu, a professor, from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.
Mr Tinubu appointed Oguejiofu Ujam, a professor, as acting vice-chancellor for UNN for the next six months and he will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
“The leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo. President Tinubu appointed Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti,” the statement said.
“Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.”
Mr Tinubu also appointed Sani Stores as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, to succeed Joy Emordi.
“Additionally, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately,” the statement added.
News
Man lands In hospital after ingesting sniper, following heartbreak
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A man identified as Adedoye Emmanuel is currently in critical condition at the Igando General Hospital’s intensive care unit in Lagos State after attempting to take his own life by ingesting Sniper Insecticide.
This incident occurred at a hotel on Governor’s Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos, where Emmanuel had been staying.
According to reports, Emmanuel, a resident of the Agbado area in Lagos, was driven to this extreme measure by heartbreak from an undisclosed woman, as well as other life issues.
Unable to cope, he checked into the hotel armed with Sniper insecticide, Coca-Cola, and Action Bitters. He then mixed these substances together and consumed the dangerous cocktail.
As the concoction began to take effect, Emmanuel raised the alarm and fled his room.
Man Hospitalized After Ingesting Sniper Following Heartbreak
The hotel owner swiftly intervened and rushed him to a private hospital, where he revealed his motives before losing consciousness.
He was subsequently transferred to the Igando General Hospital’s intensive care unit, where medical staff are fighting to stabilize his condition.
Emmanuel’s full identity remains unknown, as he was not carrying any form of identification at the time of the incident. Additionally, the two phone numbers he provided before losing consciousness have either been unreachable or turned off.
The matter has been reported to the Ikotun Division Police, who investigated Emmanuel’s hotel room and discovered the empty can of Sniper insecticide.
A concerned individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, has generously offered to cover Emmanuel’s medical expenses at both the private and General hospitals. Efforts to contact his family members have so far proven unsuccessful.
News
Nigerians consume creamers, not milk – Dairy expert
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A manufacturer, the Operations Director of Manufacturing Industry Canada, Olufemi Johnson, said what is consumed as milk in Nigeria are creamers.
Johnson made this known in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday while speaking on the challenges facing Nigeria’s dairy industry.
According to him, Nigeria’s dairy has remained stagnated due to under-investment.
“When it comes to the dairy industry, we are not anywhere in Nigeria.
“As a society, we don’t have milk, or kids don’t have milk protein. We didn’t grow with milk protein. What we called milk in Nigeria is not milk but creamers. They are not qualified to be called milk.
“There is a global standard of what is called milk. You don’t milk, milk, but bottle it,” he stated.
Experts in the have lamented the widespread of inferior milk in Nigeria.
Recall that the federal government in June 2024 launched the National Dairy Policy, 2023-2028 to drive growth in the sector.
News
Funds delaying by-elections to fill vacant legislative seats – INEC
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has attributed the delay in conducting by-elections across the country, including the one to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, to financial constraints.
The PUNCH reported that since June 2023, 23 vacancies have emerged in various constituencies due to the deaths or resignations of lawmakers who assumed executive positions at federal, state, and local government levels.
INEC conducted nine by-elections so in 2024, but 14 more vacancies have been recorded, creating an ongoing challenge for the electoral body.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, who spoke to The PUNCH on Thursday, said several by-elections are pending, but no date has been fixed due to a lack of funds.
Oyekanmi explained that the commission had approached the National Assembly to request additional financial support to facilitate the electoral process.
The CPS said, “We have several bye-elections to conduct and still counting. No date has been fixed yet, and one of the reasons is lack of funds.”
In his defence of the 2025 budget proposal before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly Complex on January 10, 2025, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the commission would require about N126bn to fund its activities for the year and begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the N40bn proposed in the 2025 budget by President Bola Tinubu was inadequate, particularly considering the need to cover salaries and allowances following the recent increase in the minimum wage.
He explained that in 2024, the commission received the same N40bn allocation, which was only sufficient for salaries and certain social contributions such as NHIS, pensions, and ITF.
While the government has provided N500m for the pending by-elections, he emphasised that the amount remains insufficient to cover the full cost of the exercise.
On January 22, 2025, at a consultative meeting with political party leaders, the INEC Chairman expressed concern over the financial and logistical burden posed by the increasing number of by-elections in Nigeria.
He urged the legislature to consider reforms that would introduce more cost-effective methods of filling vacancies in the National and State Assemblies.
Credit: PUNCH
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