The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Friday threatened to withdraw the certificate of any of its alumni found culpable of misconduct.

Prof. Adenike Oladiji, Vice Chancellor, FUTA, said this at the 36th Convocation and Award of first Degrees of the university.

A total of 2,747 students graduated.

Oladiji, who asked the graduates to explore the hard time and challenges before them to be creative and innovative, said their character would take them higher in their endeavour in life.

She said: “As it is often said, no man can climb out beyond the limits of his character.

“Your character would determine how far you would go in life.

“Bear in mind also, the university reserves the right to withdraw your certificate if you misrepresent her anywhere.

“Our earnest expectation is that you will become alumni to be proud of in no distant future.

“I therefore admonish you to continue to uphold the values that FUTA holds dear.

“By all means, remain men and women of noble character.

“Skills can take you to the top but you require character to remain there.”

The vice chancellor said that FUTA had received numerous accolades locally and internationally as a result of the exploits of its graduates.

According to her, the university will continually assist its alumni whenever the need arises.

Oladiji explained that a total number of 2,747 students were being awarded first degree honour with 240 in the First Class category in the 2024/2025 academic session.

She added that 1,479 students are in the Second Class (Upper Division) category, while 912 students are in the Second Class (Lower Division) category, and 116 students are in Third Class category.

According to her, Aduragbemi Akindunbi from the Department of Civil Engineering is the overall best graduating student with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.98.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Nora Daduut, commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative that was aimed to take the country to a greater heights and make the country a pride in the comity of nations.

Daduud, who highlighted achievements of the institution’s governing council, said that the council had enjoyed good relationships with staff and students.

She added that staff welfare was not taken for granted, adding that there was constant training and capacity building to engage productivity.

According to her, no fewer than 3,000 students of the institution have benefitted from the students loan scheme courtesy of President Tinubu’s initiative in making tertiary education seamless.

The pro-chancellor said that in spite of paucity of funds, FUTA had progressed in the 2024/2025 academic session.

She enjoined the graduating students to make themselves agents of positive change that would impact the society.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed that its 2025 asset disposal would be governed by transparency, accountability, and due process.

The Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, declared this in his address to auctioneers at the official bid opening ceremony.

At the ceremony at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Aliyu, who was represented by the Director of the Systems Study and Review Department, Olusegun Adigun, emphasised that the entire process would be guided by transparency, integrity, and merit.

He noted that the Commission’s credibility depends on how faithfully it upholds these core principles.

The ICPC Chairman further assured that the Commission would continue to ensure that all recovered assets are utilised for national development.

“As an institution, the ICPC remains resolute in ensuring that every kobo recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people is properly managed, transparently utilised, and ultimately channeled toward national development,” he said.

Dr. Aliyu also emphasised that all submissions from the auctioneers would be evaluated strictly on merit in accordance with laid down criteria and without bias or favouritism.

In her remarks, the Director of the Proceeds of Crimes Department (POCD), Grace Aga-Ibe, echoed the Chairman’s position, reaffirming that the Commission remains deeply committed to ensuring that every process reflects integrity and fairness.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Umar Yakubu, commended the ICPC for conducting a transparent and credible process consistent with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Other auctioneers present at the event also applauded the Commission for its openness and professionalism.

They were informed that only those who met the stipulated requirements would be invited to the next stage of the exercise.

Representatives from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) were also in attendance.

The Eagle Online recalls that the Commission had in October publicised the recovery outcomes from its 2024 Asset Disposal Exercise.

Air Peace Limited has attributed the sudden disruptions in its domestic operations to the “illegal” withdrawal of three aircraft by its wet lessor, Smartlynx Airlines, adding that owing to this, it has lost $15 million.

The Chief Commercial Officer of the largest airline in Nigeria, Nowel Ngala, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed in Lagos.

According to Ngala, Air Peace has experienced a number of operational disruptions, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

He said that Air Peace entered a wet-lease agreement with Smartlynx because 13 of its aircraft were undergoing scheduled maintenance abroad.

According to him, to avoid service gaps and ensure Nigerians would continue to travel conveniently, the airline leased aircraft from SmartLynx.

He said that the sudden withdrawal of the three aircraft was illegal and a breach of contract.

Ngala said that the withdrawal inflicted financial loss and reputational damage to Air Peace and the Nigerian travelling public.

He said: “This withdrawal was done without prior notice.

“It is a clear violation of industry standards and of an agreement between both parties.

“What makes this even more concerning is that SmartLynx had collected money upfront from Air Peace.”

Ngala said that the lessor claimed that the owners of the aircraft wanted them withdrawn.

He added: “Over $5 million of our money, including over $1 million paid as security deposits for those aircraft, are with them (SmartLynx).

“This situation has caused over $15 million in damages to Air Peace.

“These aircraft had already been rostered for scheduled flights, and their sudden removal created significant gaps in our operations.”

Ngala said that Air Peace had released three of the aircraft to the owners in good faith.

According to him, one more aircraft remains, and the airline is requesting for a refund.

He said that was not the first time Air Peace was placed in a difficult situation by a lessor.

According to him, a lessor had “vanished” with over $2 million from Air Peace in the guise that it was taking a leased aircraft for maintenance.

He said that the aircraft was never returned and the fund unaccounted for.

He added: “These actions, unfortunately, reflect the challenges Nigerian carriers often face in international leasing arrangements.

“We cannot allow that to happen again.”

According to Ngala, in spite of the challenges, Air Peace has completed its aircraft maintenance and two have arrived for services.

He said that the airline hoped to resume full operations across all its routes from next week as more of its aircraft would return.

He said: “We regret the difficulties our passengers have experienced, and we appreciate their patience and understanding throughout this period.

“Air Peace remains firmly committed to providing safe, reliable and world-class flight services.

“We assure the Nigerian public that we are taking every necessary step to prevent such disruptions in the future and to hold all defaulting partners accountable.”

Ngala said that the airline’s London flights had not been disrupted.